155. Pitting man against nature: Haydn, Symphony No.51
A subtle extremist, in his Symphony no.51 Haydn throws down some extraordinary challenges to his horn players – can they beat the ‘immutable forces of nature’? Listening time 30’… Listen
151. An unbeaten 50 of flair and panache! Haydn, Symphony No.50
Always entertaining the crowds, Haydn brings up his 50 with typical style (before settling down for 50 more symphonies). Not a famous piece but well worth a listen! (27 mins)… Listen
132. The strange disappearence of Emilie Mayer: Mayer, Symphony no.7
Brand new old music in this episode: a great forgotten symphony by a composer forgotten for around 150 years, Emilie Mayer. It’s memorable, tuneful and inventive – a real discovery! Listening time 48’… Listen
125. Ain’t no mountain high enough: Strauss, Alpine Symphony
With the wonders of our imagination and some great music to help, all things are possible – so let’s enjoy the views from the top of a mountain: leaving the house (or even getting out of bed) is entirely optional. Richard Strauss takes us over the top (in every sense) in his epic, excessive, exuberant Alpine Symphony, with great views and plenty of thrills but also moments that inspire deeper contemplation on the glories of nature. It’s a trip you don’t want to miss. Listening time 62mins.… Listen
122. The height of passion? Haydn, Symphony No.49
It’s not about that sort of passion, but this symphony La Passione is intense, dark, thrilling, and one of Haydn’s best! Listening time c30 minutes (podcast 5.5′, music 23′)… Listen
121. An unbearable lightness of being? Robert Schumann, Symphony no.4
One of my favourite joyful but heavyweight quick fixes, Robert Schumann’s original Symphony no.4 is an intense and inventive stream of consciousness full of light and life. It’s a thrill. Shame Schumann didn’t see it that way…
Listening time c35 minutes… Listen
98. Searching for answers and getting Marmite: Bruckner, Symphony no.3
It’s inexplicable to me, but Anton Bruckner’s music has been dividing opinion since he started writing it 140 or so years ago. He goes in search of the meaning of life and comes back with… Marmite! Personally, I love it. There are few better noises than the transcendental climax of a Bruckner symphony. In this episode, it’s the thrilling end of his 3rd. (Listening time 20 mins)… Listen
90. Highland Fling? Mendelssohn, ‘Scottish’ Symphony (pt2)
How Scottish do you have to be to be worthy of the name? If you’re going to write a Scottish Symphony should it contain Scottish music? Does Mendelssohn pass the test? Regardless, his Symphony No.3 is brilliant, moving and surprising… (29 mins)… Listen