This great piece is slightly schizophrenic – is it a serious piece of music over-run by people having fun, or a fun piece that’s occasionally trying to look serious? Ligeti was showing his love for Romania, but the Soviet Hungarians … Listen
The Soviet authorities banned the last of Ligeti’s excellent and entertaining Six Bagatelles for wind quintet – too dangerous and subversive. Were they right? Intro: Music here on film – highly recommended: and here: Total listen time 17′
A wonderfully exhilarating and punchy fusion from the writer of West Side Story. Here’s my intro: And the music is here, with video: And here on Spotify: If you liked this please comment below!
A simply stunning, jazzy clarinet concerto. Quintessentially American! Here’s the introduction: And then the music, with the excellent Martin Fröst as soloist, here: and here:
Bartok’s Romanian Folk Dances are very short, snappy and full of life! [9′ listen]… Listen
Dmitri Shostakovich tries to speak the truth about the grim reality of life in 1930s Russia, whilst at the same time giving the authorities the upbeat, cheery music they wanted. An impossible task? [3 parts] The music: Dmitri Shostakovich: Symphony … Listen
Sibelius’s Violin Concerto is one of my favourite concertos – it’s a magnificent, organic, work where the solo violinist’s long unfolding song sounds like a stream of consciousness.… Listen