20th Century – Page 4

107. Made in America: Florence Price, Symphony No.1

10/02/2022 by Steve

Individual, passionate, soulful music rooted in the southern states, Florence Price’s Symphony No.1 was the first by a black woman composer to be played by a major US orchestra back in the 1930s. A Moment of History, but those ‘twin handicaps’ [her words] meant that her music has hardly been played since and we’ve been missing out on great music from a distinctive voice – it’s time to put that right! (Listening time 47 mins: podcast 8′, music 39′)… Listen

Christmas | Family friendly | Fun

102. Nightmare before Christmas? Schnittke‘s ‘Silent Night‘

23/12/2021 by Steve

Everyone knows and loves Silent Night, right? But you probably haven’t heard it sound quite like this. It probably won’t actually give you nightmares, but it will certainly stay with you (Listening time 7mins). And despite the bleak music, I do wish you a happy Christmas!… Listen

100. Music is life! Nielsen, Symphony no.4

10/12/2021 by Steve

A bold statement from composer Carl Nielsen, that music IS life, who demonstrates it with a breathtaking symphony of awesome power and overwhelming optimism. The perfect piece for Cacophony’s 100th episode. (50 mins)… Listen

97. Shake it off and get transcendent! Adams, Shaker Loops

20/09/2021 by Steve

One of the closest [classical] things to electronic dance music, John Adams’s Shaker Loops is one of my favourite things. Dreamy and reflective music mixed with thrilling dance music that leaves us ecstatic, maybe even transcendent! Listening time 32 mins (Podcast 7, Music 25′)… Listen

Fun | Music

96. Flights of Fancy: Debussy, Piano préludes

10/09/2021 by Steve

Freethinking, inventive – quiet and mysterious one moment, giddy and playful the next, Debussy’s préludes – short pieces for piano – are great escapes for your imagination! Listening time 26 mins (podcast 9′, music 17′) Music here with the excellent … Listen

Choral | Orchestra | Singing

95. A dying woman’s cry from the abyss: Boulanger, Psalm 130

20/08/2021 by Steve

Powerful and moving, Lili Boulanger’s cry From the Bottom of the Abyss (Psalm No.130) shows her deep commitment to her faith, and to her music-writing, in the face of illness. Diana Ambache, long-time champion of women composers, joins me to talk about Boulanger’s short life, major talent and this subtle masterpiece for huge choir and orchestra. Listening time 42mins (Podcast 18′, Music 24′)… Listen

94. Olympic magic and the best of the human spirit: Williams – Olympic Fanfare

10/08/2021 by Steve

The intensity, joy, heartbreak and thrills of great sporting moments are almost unmatchable… except by those in great music. The magic of the Olympics is transformed by the alchemist John Williams into four minutes of musical, life-affirming perfection. Olympic Fanfare and Theme is one of my favourite Williams pieces, and that’s really saying something! (Listening time 11′)… Listen

Music | Orchestra

83. A perfect parting gift: Bartók, Piano Concerto no.3

04/05/2021 by Steve

After three years ‘vegetating’ in New York, Béla Bartók produced a handful of late great pieces. A dying man’s birthday gift to his wife, his often easygoing and playful last piano concerto is, perhaps, my favourite concerto of all time… Listening time 35 mins.… Listen

Music | Orchestra

81. Politics, protest and a bit of opera – Ethel Smyth, The Wreckers

17/04/2021 by Steve

Democracy and our rights, that earlier generations fought and went to prison to obtain, are fragile and always need to be looked after closely. Ethel Smyth’s life and terrific music serve as a good reminder to us all that we need to be ready to stand up and make our voices heard in order to make change happen. (19mins)… Listen