The great Finnish composer Jean Sibelius is best known for his seven great symphonies. Lost in the shadow of these monunental works is some equally wonderful music he wrote for various theatre productions. This podcast looks at this music, and a new recording by the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra conducted by Pietari Inkinen. Album details… Catalogue No.: Naxos [...]

A musical New Year’s podcast, with a Viennese twist. In this podcast, Raymond Bisha looks at the long tradition of New Year’s concerts from Vienna, the conductors, the composers. Of course, in any discussion of Vienna and New Year’s, the music of Johann Strauss Jr. figures prominentaly. Album details… Catalogue No.: Naxos 8.553281 Subscribe to Podcast: Enhanced* | [...]

A Christmas Podcast featuring Christmas music from the ages, along with recipes from the time when the musical selections were written. A mouth watering podcast, thanks to the recipes from The Old Foodie. Album details… Catalogue No.: Naxos 8.557099 SCHUTZ: Christmas Story Naxos 8.553514 HANDEL: Messiah Naxos 8.553258 TCHAIKOVSKY: The Nutcracker Naxos 8.550515 PONCE: Guitar Music Naxos 8.554199 Subscribe to Podcast: Enhanced* | Regular | iTunes Store Download [...]

Leopold Mozart is best known as the father of his son, Wolftang Amadeus Mozart. Although he was completely overshadowed by his brilliant son, he was a fine composer in his own right. This podcast looks at a new CD of his orchestral music, including the Toy Symphony. Album details… Catalogue No.: Naxos 8.570499 Subscribe to Podcast: Enhanced* | Regular [...]

Leroy Anderson was one of America’s finest composers of what is now often called “light music”. He as a master of the memorable melody and the catchy rhythm. Over the years, he composed or arranged many pieces for the holiday season, including Sleigh Ride and A Christmas Festival. This podcast looks at a new recording of his [...]

An introduction to Handel’s oratorio Israel in Egypt - less well known than the Messiah, but equally good. It’s a piece full of great choruses, colourful orchestrations and memorable tunes. All music examples from from a new Naxos recording featuring the Aradia Ehsemble and soloists, conducted by Kevin Mallon. Album details… Catalogue No.: Naxos 8.570966-67 Subscribe to Podcast: Enhanced* [...]

Sir Charles Mackerras is one of the leading conductors of our time. He is now 83, though he shows no sign of slowing down. In this podcast he talks about studying the original scores of Mozart and Handel, about studying with Maestro Vaclav Talich in Prague right after the Second World War, and about the operas [...]