Carrying a fragile flower whilst walking a tightrope. Finding the balance between beauty and chaos. Being pulled along by forces outside of our control. On Cacophony we talk about ‘diving into great music’: Anna Thorvaldsdottir’s Metacosmos might be the biggest dive yet – into a black hole! Universal and yet personal, her music is distinctive, compelling, moving and profound. [23mins]… Listen
I’m no fan of horror films – too scary for me – but, in any case, nothing really scares us more than the thoughts in our heads! I do love scary music though and Béla Bartók wrote the best. Music for strings, percussion and celesta is unusual, gripping, terrifying and thrilling. It’s also brilliant at clearing my mind of any ‘unneccessary’ thinking. Listening time, 40 mins.… Listen
n Haydn came to London he was treated like a superstar: wined and dined by the great and good, and his concerts were the hottest ticket in town. The ‘Miracle’ Symphony, no.96, was Haydn’s first written for Londoners and is designed to win us over with its charms. Music to put a smile on our faces and a spring in our step! Listening time c32 (music 22′, podcast 10′)… Listen
A mix of grit, swagger and persistence help us to make it through in the big city. Shirley Thompson’s Urban Living gives us all this plus, perhaps, a tinge of fear and some pheonmenal piano sounds in 7 minutes of [mainly] self-assured city beats. Listening time 12 mins (podcast 5′, music 7′)… Listen
I’ve come over all nostalgic at the prospect of returning to London in a few days, so here’s a swaggering piece of escapism back to the heady optimistic days of the 1930s in Eric Coates London Suite. Listening time 21 mins… Listen
We’ve all got pieces of music that instantly remind us of special times and places in our lives. What are yours I wonder? (Tell me!) We’re in Sri Lanka at the moment and, bizarrely, the piece of music we’ve heard more than any other in the last few months has been Beethoven’s perfect little piano piece, Für Elise, but perhaps not as we’re used to hearing it… Here’s the story of why, and how it’s in the ears of everyone Sri Lanka. (Listening time 8 mins: podcast 5′, music 3′)… Listen
Thrilling, chilling, but still somehow delighting in its brilliance, Dvořák’s Noon Witch packs a punch and leaves you stunned. Also in this episode, free parenting advice and some musings on Dr Suess! Listening time 22 mins (podcast 8′, music 14′)… Listen
One of music’s ultimate mood improvers, Dvořák’s “Slavonic Dances” put a smile on everyone’s face. Not merely shallow dance tunes, this is music that shows us the warmest, most generous view of humanity. It’s no wonder everyone loves them! Listening time: 10.5′ podcast and up to 35′ music.… Listen
A few years back my Mum got me to buy her this for Christmas and I’ve finally got around to ‘discovering’ it for myself. It’s powerful, intense and profound, Schubert’s Fantasy for piano duet. I think you’ll love it. [Listening time 25 mins)… Listen