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
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
Some music conjures up a sense of place perfectly and no one has done it better than in Benjamin Britten’s depiction of the Suffolk coast of England. Bleak, angry, foreboding and special – this is Four Sea Interludes from the opera Peter Grimes. Listening time: 23 mins [Intro podcast 7′, Music 16′]… Listen
They say you never forget your first loves and one of mine was Carmina Burana – it’s immediate and high impact. Even before I was properly into music I was into this… and you will be too! There’s really nothing like the sound of a huge choir and orchestra: it’s awesome stuff! Listening time: 35mins … Listen
Visionary, mystic, scientist, naturalist, medic, nun and more: Hildegard of Bingen, born 1098, is also one of the very first known composers – and savvy enough to preserve her legacy! Her life was extraordinary in any era and her music is timeless, moving and special. Listening time = 17mins (intro conversation 7′, music 10′)… 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
Sibelius takes us on an all-encompassing journey from the musical spring to the wide open ocean: it’s organic, generous, inevitable and uplifting. Total listen: 35 mins… Listen
Clara Schumann was not only a brilliant and successful internationally famous pianist but found time to write music as well as support her husband, composer Robert Schumann, and raise a massive family. Her Three Romances for piano are great: intimate, … Listen