At a time when everything seemed on the brink and the old ways no longer looked fit for purpose, Anton Webern was part of a musical revolution – giving us new ways of hearing music and seeing the world. His six pieces for large orchestra are. Whole worlds compressed into a few minutes of bleak beauty, terrifying dissonance and even more disturbing silence. It’s compelling. Listening time 22mins… 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 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
Erich Korngold was one of the composers who invented the sound of Hollywood – and his music for The Sea Hawk (a 1940 Errol Flynn swashbuckler) is passionate, exhilarating and hugely influences our very ideas of what film music should sound like. [36 mins]… Listen
If there’s such a thing as an underrated Beethoven Symphony, it’s this – his 8th. Short, punchy, joy-filled, playful, brilliant! This is the intro to the 2nd half of the piece. Total listen time – 15 mins Music here: or … Listen
If there’s such a thing as an underrated Beethoven Symphony, it’s this – his 8th. Short, punchy, joy-filled, playful, brilliant! Intro Part 2: Listening time: part 1: 19 mins Parts 1&2 [the whole thing] : 33 mins Music here: or … Listen
We love this movement from Mozart’s 5th – and last – violin concerto, written to play himself, at the age of 19. It’s elegant and sophisticated and then wild and free. It’s a great piece for a dance around your … Listen
I’m inspired to play this by the video game TrollFace Quest! …where a little snippet of fanfare reminds me of Mahler’s brilliant first symphony. Intro here: Music here: or here on Spotify: Please comment on Facebook.com/cacophonyonline, subscribe to the podcast, … Listen