Individual, passionate, soulful music rooted in the southern states, Florence Price's Symphony No.1 was the first by a black woman composer to be played by a major US orchestra back in the 1930s. A Moment of History, but those 'twin handicaps' [her words] meant that her music has hardly been played since and we've been missing out on really great music from a distinctive voice - it's time to put that right! (Listening time 47 mins: podcast 8', music 39') Music here on Spotify or Apple Music in a...
Feb 10, 2022•8 min•Ep. 137
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! Listen to the complete piece here on Apple Music , Youtube , or Spotify , in fab live-in-concert recordings from the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra and conductor Sir Charles Mackerras. Unfortunately you can't get these as a download. So if you want to buy it, try this recording from the Bavarian Radi...
Jan 30, 2022•8 min•Ep. 136
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 15-45mins (Podcast is 10.5', total music length is 35') Listen to the music here on Spotify , Apple Music , or Youtube (this is harder to dip in and out of, because it's all one track on Youtube. You get another 8 dances too that he wrote late...
Jan 20, 2022•11 min•Ep. 135
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 - podcast 6', music 18') Listen to the complete piece on Youtube , Apple Music or Spotify performed by the wonderful Maria João Pires and Ricardo Castro, which you can also buy as a download here , for a couple of quid. The official title is Fantasy in F mino...
Jan 10, 2022•6 min•Ep. 134
One of my favourite things on TV in recent years has been Wolf Hall. Debbie Wiseman's haunting and memorable music captures all the tension, mood and atmosphere. Music here on Youtube or Spotify both taken from the official soundtrack which you can buy at lots of places. What do you think? I really want to know, so please tell me with a comment at Cacophonyonline.com . You can support Cacophony here , by 'buying me a ko-fi'. Please share the podcast with everyone you know - start by sharing this...
Dec 30, 2021•4 min•Ep. 133
Everyone knows and loves Silent Night , right? But you probably haven't heard it sound quite like this. It probably won't actually give you nightmares, but it will certainly stay with you (Listening time 7mins: podcast 3', music 7'). And despite the bleak music, I do wish you a happy Christmas! Music here with pictures, played by Starikov Stepan and Nail Mavliudov: or on Spotify or Apple Music , played by Daniel Hope and Alexei Botvinov, which you can also buy here as a download for less than £1...
Dec 23, 2021•2 min•Ep. 132
If you want a change from Christmas pop, Christmas baroque is the way to go - here's a sparkling little gem from Arcangelo Corelli - a great 15 minute way to reset, reflect and energise - it manages all these things! (17 mins: podcast 3', music 14') Music here on Spotify or Youtube with pictures. Officially it's Concerto Grosso in G minor op.6 no.8 "Fatto per la notte di Natale" Happy Christmas! What do you think? I really want to know, so please tell me with a comment at Cacophonyonline.com . Y...
Dec 22, 2021•3 min•Ep. 131
A bold statement from composer Carl Nielsen, that music IS life, who demonstrates it with a breathtaking symphony of awesome power and overwhelming optimism. The perfect piece for Cacophony's 100th episode. (50 mins: podcast 15', music 35') Music here with pictures from the terrific Orquesta Sinfónica de Galicia conducted by Dima Slobodeniouk - and check out the lovey smile and wink from the oboe player at 5'50"! or here on Spotify with the equally terrific Danish National Radio Symphony Orchest...
Dec 10, 2021•14 min•Ep. 130
For Cacophony episode 99, I wanted to explore something deeply personal. Mahler's Symphony No.4 is one of the first pieces I discovered for myself and it moves me like very little else. Sometimes pained, sometimes playful, but most often sublime, the third movement takes you all the way to heaven, just by opening your heart. Listening time 33 mins (podcast 11', music 22') Music here, on Youtube or Spotify with conductor Esa-Pekka Salonen (who conducted the performance I recorded off the radio ba...
Nov 30, 2021•11 min•Ep. 129
It's inexplicable to me, but Anton Bruckner's music has been dividing opinion since he started writing around 140 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. (Podcast 8', Music 13') Music here with video or sound only on youtube or Spotify . What do you think? I really want to know, so please tell me ...
Oct 10, 2021•8 min•Ep. 128
One of the closest [classical] things to electronic dance music, John Adams's Shaker Loops is one of my favourite things. Dreamy and reflective music mixed with thrilling dance music that leaves us ecstatic, maybe even transcendent! Music here on Spotify or Youtube with the London Chamber Orchestra conducted by Christopher Warren Green in the classic recording I was given by my best school mate, Mark. You can buy it here in hi-quality download . If you like pictures, there's a video option too t...
Sep 20, 2021•7 min•Ep. 127
Freethinking, inventive - quiet and mysterious one moment, giddy and playful the next, Debussy's préludes - short pieces for piano - are great escapes for your imagination! Listening time 26 mins (podcast 9', music 17') Music here on Spotify or Youtube with the excellent Jean-Efflam Bavouzet. The pieces on the play list are: 1. Danseuses de Delphes (Dancers of Delphi) 5. Les collines d'Anacapri (The hills of Anacapri) 8. La fille aux cheveux de lin (The girl with the flaxon hair) 9. La sérénade ...
Sep 10, 2021•9 min•Ep. 126
Powerful and moving, Lili Boulanger's cry From the Bottom of the Abyss (Psalm No.130) shows her deep commitment to her faith, and to her music-writing, in the face of major illness. Diana Ambache, long-time champion of women composers, joins me to talk about Boulanger's short life, major talent and this subtle masterpiece for huge choir and orchestra. Listening time: 42 mins (18' podcast, 24' music) Music here on Youtube or Spotify The recording I've chosen features Manchester's BBC Philharmonic...
Aug 20, 2021•19 min•Ep. 125
The intensity, joy, heartbreak and thrills of great sporting moments are almost unmatchable... except by those in great music. The magic of the Olympics is transformed by the alchemist John Williams into four minutes of musical, life-affirming perfection. Olympic Fanfare and Theme is one of my favourite Williams pieces, and that's really saying something! Music here, on Spotify or Youtube in a terrific performance that brings out every tiny detail from the LA Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by ...
Aug 10, 2021•6 min•Ep. 124
Celebratory music from Haydn that's pretty perfect and sure to leave you in a good mood and feeling happy! Music here on youtube or spotify Listening time 34 mins (podcast 7', music 27') What do you think? Let us know with a comment at Cacophonyonline.com If you like it, why not buy a download? You can get that here for less than a pound, or elsewhere. Cacophony doesn't make and money from it, but the musicians will make much more than through streaming. You can support Cacophony here . Please s...
Jul 30, 2021•7 min•Ep. 123
Even more irresistible than the Italian football team and their ace national anthem is Verdi's overture to Nabucco. It's rousing and joyous and one of my favourite things. Music here, on Youtube or Spotify, super-stylishly played by the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Claudio Abbado. Listening time: 13 mins (Intro podcast, 6'; music 7') What do you think? Let us know with a comment at Cacophonyonline.com If you like it, why not buy a download? You can get that here in top quality loss...
Jul 20, 2021•5 min•Ep. 122
I get floored every time by these six songs of lost youth, love and life written on the cusp of World War 1 by a young composer who didn't make it through. Raw, simple and unforgettable. Music here, with the terrific partnership of Roderick Williams and Iain Burnside, on Youtube or Spotify. Listening time: 21 mins (Intro podcast, 8'; music 13') Here you'll find all the words to the songs . Recorded in inescapable heavy rain, so apologies for the sound quality on this episode! What do you think? ...
Jul 10, 2021•8 min•Ep. 121
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... Music here on Youtube or Spotify (full piece. Part 2 on the Youtube vid starts at 20:46) Listening time: 29 mins (Podcast 9', music 20') or 49' if you listen to the whole piece. I'd love to hear from you! If you liked this (or didn't) please tell me with a commen...
Jul 01, 2021•9 min•Ep. 120
Every time I hear it, I'm amazed by the power and emotion in Mendelssohn's music. Inspired by a trip to Scotland, his Symphony No.3 delights and surprises, without resorting to bagpipes! Music here on Youtube or Spotify Listening time: 32 mins (Podcast 12', music 20') I'd love to hear from you! If you liked this (or didn't) please tell me with a comment at cacophonyonline.com If you really like the piece, please consider buying a recording. The artists get very little from streams, so the best w...
Jun 30, 2021•12 min•Ep. 119
Asked to write funeral music for his friend and patron during the middle of a war, with millions dying all around plus a shortage of musicians, Heinrich Schütz finds hope, beauty and joy among the devastation. His Musikalische Exequien [Funeral Music] is a 400-year old masterpiece that still works its magic. Music here on Youtube or Spotify , sung with urgent intensity by The Sixteen. Listening time: 39 mins (Podcast 11', music 28') If you want to know exactly what's being sung, you can download...
Jun 20, 2021•11 min•Ep. 118
Come on the fantastic - and fantastical - musical adventure that is Anna Clyne's This Midnight Hour. You'll be thrilled, excited, maybe a bit scared, ultimately consoled... or maybe not... What does this great music do to you? Music here on youtube with video, or listen here on Spotify. Listening time 19 mins (podcast 5', music 12-14'). Please let me know what you think of This Midnight Hour and of this episode of Cacophony by leaving a comment . The Baudelaire poem which inspired Clyne can be f...
Jun 10, 2021•5 min•Ep. 117
Exhilarating and fun, Beethoven's fourth symphony is like one of the best days out. This is Beethoven in the best of moods and relishing what's possible. It's a joyful ride! Music here on Youtube or Spotify . Listening time 43 mins (podcast 11', music 32') What do you think? Let us know with a comment at Cacophonyonline.com If you like it, why not buy a download? You can get that here for less than a pound, or elsewhere. Cacophony doesn't make and money from it, but the musicians will make much ...
May 30, 2021•11 min•Ep. 116
This is a new discovery for me - and it's deeply wonderful. Beethoven's late string quartet song of thanks: written as he recovered from severe illness, it's music that heals and restores our mind and soul. Music here on Youtube, beautifully filmed and played by the Danish String Quartet. Or on Spotify with the fab Takacs Quartet. Listening time: 31 mins (Podcast 12', music 17/19') If you liked this (or didn't) please tell me with a comment at cacophonyonline.com If you want to buy a recording o...
May 20, 2021•12 min•Ep. 115
Why is Beethoven - perhaps - the greatest composer of them all? One thing he does is expand everything - the volume goes up to 11 and down to almost nothing. Also he cared deeply , about music and humanity. In his Coriolan Overture he makes us care about an obscure Roman general intent on [self-]destruction... and it's electrifying. Listening time 14 mins (Podcast 6', Music 8') Music here with pictures on youtube , or here on Spotify If you want to buy a recording you can get the Spotify recordi...
May 10, 2021•6 min•Ep. 114
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 life-affirming, often easygoing and playful last piano concerto is, perhaps, my favourite concerto of all time... Listening time 35 mins (Podcast 11', Music 24') Music here with pictures on youtube , or here on Spotify If you want to buy a recording you can get the Spotify recording here as a download . This is not an affiliate link, I just want to point y...
May 04, 2021•11 min•Ep. 113
When Tristan & Isolde take a magic love potion it's not exactly happy ever after. Love wins in the end, it's just they're both dead. Passionate, overwhelming, transformative music from Richard Wagner sends them on their way and leaves us all in a state of transcendent bliss. Listening time 30 mins (Podcast 11', Music 19') Music here on Youtube and Spotify . The Youtube video from the Orchestra National de Lille starts and end with music by Sibelius: the melancholy Valse Triste to start and t...
Apr 23, 2021•11 min•Ep. 112
Democracy and our rights, that earlier generations fought and went to prison, to obtain are fragile and always need to be looked after closely. Ethel Smyth's life and music serve as a good reminder to us all that we need to be ready to stand up and make our voices heard in order to make change happen. Listening time 19 mins (Podcast 11', Music 8') Music here on Youtube The lower banner in the picture reads "It appears that your demands are just". Shakespeare innit? (it's from Henry IV part 2) Th...
Apr 17, 2021•11 min•Ep. 111
Battered, bruised but not broken, Tchaikovsky's emotional rollercoaster ride continues... Does this ride finish with squeals of terror or delight? You may want to listen to episode 79 before this (but it's not essential) Listening time: 34 mins (Podcast 10', music 24') Episode 2 music here on Youtube or Spotify (but start at track 2). Whole piece here on Youtube or Spotify Did you enjoy this? Please help Cacophony grow and develop in the way you'd like by doing some of these things: Leave a comm...
Apr 09, 2021•10 min•Ep. 110
The song goes that life is a rollercoaster, baby, and few can give us all the emotional ups and downs as well as Tchaikovsky. The first part of this ride is stormy, turbulent, passionate and full of loss and yearning, as Tchaikovsky is battered by what fate and life throws at him. As the other song [almost] goes: He gets knocked down, but he gets up again! Listening time: 31 mins (Podcast 12', music 19') Music here on Youtube (first 19 mins only) or Spotify . Did you enjoy this? Please help Caco...
Apr 08, 2021•12 min•Ep. 109
Punchy, gut-churning and wow-inducing: Miserere by Scottish composer James MacMillan reflects deep religious faith and 1000 years of church music tradition, with music to move all of us, regardless of belief. Music here on Youtube or Spotify . (Listening time 16 mins: podcast 4', music 12') Please help Cacophony grow and develop by doing some of these things: Leave a comment to tell us what you think at Cacophony's website. Subscribe to the podcast, rate it and share it widely. If you like this ...
Apr 02, 2021•4 min•Ep. 108
