Hungary – CACOPHONY

116. Uneasy listening. Scary music for modern times: Bartók, Music for strings, percussion and celesta

11/05/2022 by Steve

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

93. Celebrate good times! Come on! Haydn, Symphony no.48

30/07/2021 by Steve

Celebratory music from Haydn that’s pretty perfect and sure to leave you in a good mood and feeling happy! Listening time 34 mins (podcast 7′, music 27′)… 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