In his Cello Suites, JS Bach catapulted the instrument into the solo spotlight and discovered new worlds of sound and possibilities, full of riches to explore. Nominally it’s dance music but its depth and beauty bring us stillness and solace. Listening time 25 mins… Listen
If you want a change from Christmas pop, Christmas baroque is the way to go – here’s a sparkling little gem from Arcangelo Corelli – a great 15 minute way to reset, reflect and energise – it manages all these things! (17 mins: podcast 3′, music 14′)… Listen
Asked to write funeral music for his friend and patron during the middle of a war, with millions dying all around plus a shortage of musicians, Heinrich Schütz finds hope, beauty and joy among the devastation. His Musikalische Exequien (Funeral Music) is a 400-year old masterpiece that still works its magic. 39 mins (Podcast 11′, music 28′)… Listen
300 years ago JS Bach was writing music at the cutting edge – with the newest instruments and freshest ideas. I’m joined by Jason Lai, who says Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No.5 is an ‘unbelievable box of delights’ in our conversation about this conversational music, that’s both moving and full of life. Listen time 34 mins.… Listen
No haunted house would be complete without the soundtrack of organ music, right? The supreme example is Bach’s Toccata and Fugue in D minor, but the films and TV only ever give us 10 seconds… …crank up the volume so … Listen
…Not for Vivaldi. His Summer is all oppressive heat, flies and sudden storms; brilliantly realised in music that’s short, intense and too hot to handle: Music here: (ending at 46’20” – it’s a performance of the complete Four Seasons) or … Listen
The composer Handel knew what the people wanted – and it was normally more Handel. Here’s a piece written to go in the interval of a Handel show! Emotional, passionate, invigorating. Intro: Music here: And here: Total listen time 20′