This episode focuses on a selection of concertos written not for household-name soloists, but for the collective virtuosity of an orchestra's serried ranks.

Naxos: Sounds Interesting

Oxymoron for Orchestra

This episode introduces a selection of classical music items associated with natural disasters, from Biblical times to modern eras.

Sounds disastrous

This episode introduces a selection of classical music items associated with male personal grooming experts, either by profession or name. 

Barbers of the Quill

The life of Mahler’s wife, Alma, was as multi-faceted as her several talents, that ranged from competent composer to sizzling socialite. This episode peels back the intriguing layers beneath the common perception of her as simply the hard done by wife of the illustrious Gustav. 

Alma: Her Life, Loves, Lieder

This episode spotlights a collection of unfortunate musicians who became hostages of war at the outbreak of the First World War and whose story is as inspiring as the music that sustained them. The setting is Ruhleben, a racecourse in Berlin.  

In the Wrong Place at the Wrong Time

An overview of the life, times and music of Czech composer Bohuslav Martinů, whose free spirit ranged both musically and geographically during the first half of the 20th century.

From Winding Stairs to Whippoorwill

Composers can’t always hang around waiting for a visit by Euterpe, the ancient Greek Muse of music, to sow a seed of inspiration for their next composition. Commissioning agents have a long and much-appreciated record of standing in for when that vital role of providing a creative impetus is required and this episode spotlights a few of them. 

Leaving a Legacy

Gothic art feeds off deathly horror, and music from the Romantic period especially tapped into its creative possibilities. This episode contains a selection of extracts from compositions with literary, historical and architectural Gothic associations. 

Going Gothic

This episode highlights some humorous lines from the pens of the past masters. 

A Witty Ditty

This episode spotlights the contributions of seven composers who made significant, but neglected contributions to the heritage of American symphonic music.

A Magnificent Seven

The rainbow. A beautiful natural phenomenon with its terminus of an illusionary pot of gold. A bridge to nowhere. Except in the imagination, that is. This episode looks at how composers have tackled the tricky task of recreating the concept of a rainbow in sound, approaching the subject variously via mythology, folklore, fantasy and religion. 

Rainbows

With temperatures shifting unpredictably, the hibernating bee must occasionally get confused about when it’s time to rise from slumber and resume its pollinating routine. In many parts of the world, however, they’ll have long been about their business. This week’s blog gives a nod to that vital work they do, and a mention of some pieces that have taken them as their focus.

Humming Bees

Did you know J. S. Bach’s Goldberg Variations were originally written to help alleviate a nobleman’s insomnia? Knowing few bounds, music is well placed to invoke lullabies, the onset of sleep, and its otherworldly, dreamy state. Nightmares add the yang to the yin. This episode spotlights musical works about various stages of somnolence. If you fancy a bit of music for simply day-dreaming, this is the episode for you.

Sleeping Beauties

The Naxos Sounds Interesting podcasts explore the riches of classical music. The series covers an engaging potpourri of musical topics with each episode focusing on a new musical theme, whether based around a particular composer or concept. Presenter Richard Kennedy takes you on a musical journey to help you discover classical works in a new and interesting way. Text versions can be found at blog.naxos.com.

hubhopper

Naxos: Sounds Interesting

hubhopper