Erich Korngold was one of the composers who invented the sound of Hollywood – and his music for The Sea Hawk (a 1940 Errol Flynn swashbuckler) is passionate, exhilarating and hugely influences our very ideas of what film music should sound like. [36 mins]… Listen

Fans of Rachmaninov describe his music as lush, passionate, romantic. They’re right! His Cello Sonata is terrific. [17′]… Listen

Maurice Ravel wanted his Piano Concerto to be lighthearted and brilliant, and not aim at profundity or at dramatic effects… and then wrote one of the most beautiful slow movements there is! Intro here: Listen here: or on Spotify: Please rate and … Listen

One of the great pieces of music for children, Peter and the Wolf by Prokofiev. Vanessa [7] loved this and is demanding repeat hearings, and I’m embarrassed at having resisted it so long… Music here:  or on spotify:  Listening time … Listen

When the organisers of the Paris Universal Exposition in 1889 invited gamelan players from Indonesia, they introduced French composers to a whole world of new and exciting possibilities and a new direction in music.  Debussy led the way and his … Listen

If there’s such a thing as an underrated Beethoven Symphony, it’s this – his 8th. Short, punchy, joy-filled, playful, brilliant! This is the intro to the 2nd half of the piece. Total listen time – 15 mins Music here: or … Listen

If there’s such a thing as an underrated Beethoven Symphony, it’s this – his 8th. Short, punchy, joy-filled, playful, brilliant! Intro Part 2: Listening time: part 1: 19 mins Parts 1&2 [the whole thing] : 33 mins Music here: or … Listen

Fabulous and fun singing from Rossini’s Barber of Seville in honour of my first haircut in the hands of a 7 year old (and in tribute to my friends growing magnificent lockdown beards)! Music here, with pictures: or here on … Listen