19th Century – Page 4

73. Time for a short break? 3 perfect Intermezzos by Brahms

07/02/2021 by Steve

What’s in a name? Not much it seems. An ‘Intermezzo’ is often a short piece that breaks up something bigger… but Brahms used it as his go to name for any short piano pieces where nothing else came to mind! In any case, these three Intermezzos for solo piano from late in Brahms’s life are beautiful, wistful, dreamy and give us a perfect break from whatever you’ve got going on… Like all Brahms pieces they’re musically perfect too. [21′]… Listen

Music

67. Bad trip. Berlioz – Fantastic Symphony Pt3

03/12/2020 by Steve

In the dramatic final part of our drug-fuelled adventure with composer Hector Berlioz, the dreams turn to nightmare visions of murder, execution, witches and demons. It’s loud, exciting, brilliant, a bit crazy and I love it. Listening time: 21 mins … Listen

66. Escape to the country? Berlioz – Fantastic Symphony, Pt2

29/11/2020 by Steve

Composer Hector Berlioz’s love-struck young artist – in his drug induced dreams – escapes to the country. In the peaceful atmosphere he dreams of love and happiness – but can it last? Listening time: 22 mins… Listen

Orchestra | Symphony

65. Can’t get her out of my head: Berlioz – Fantastic Symphony Pt1

27/11/2020 by Steve

Driven to distraction and to drugs by a woman he’d never even spoken to, Hector Berlioz was consumed with passion. His obsession and fevered mind produced the unique, Symphony Fantastique. It’s brilliant, dramatic, original and gets three episodes of Cacophony! Listening time: 31 mins (into 9.5′; music 21′)… Listen

Music | Orchestra | Symphony

64. An Equal Music? France’s first great woman composer – Louise Farrenc, Symphony No. 3

06/11/2020 by Steve

This is a rarity on two counts – it’s a really good French symphony from the 1800s, and it’s written by a woman! The brilliant, Symphony No.3 by Louise Farrenc. 43 mins… Listen

Joyful | Just-is-ness | Music

61/62.Generous, positive and humane – Dvorak’s music is great for cheering us up (Symphony no.6)

13/10/2020 by Steve

It’s great to be able to escape from life’s concerns. Dvorak’s sixth symphony is full of good tunes, and a spirit of generosity and optimism. So forget about everything else for a bit and bask in Dvorak’s warmth and positivity. 35, 24 or 57 mins listen!… Listen

Family | Fun | Joyful | Music

53. A riot of colour at The Roman Carnival

04/09/2020 by Steve

Full of exuberance and swagger, Roman Carnival is great music from Berlioz, the man who wrote the book on how to write for orchestra in glorious technicolour. Total listen time c14’… Listen

Christmas | Fun | Music

50. Christmas ballet music that’s great any time: Nutcracker

20/07/2020 by Steve

So much great music to delight and enjoy in Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker. And it turns out my 7 year old daughter knows the storyline better than I did! [31 mins]… Listen

Music

49. Something lush, romantic, dreamy and passionate? Rachmaninov – Cello Sonata

11/07/2020 by Steve

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