Grimm Reading

We're back! And back in style. Welcome to our sixth annual Christmas party! Join us round the fire as we get festive in yet another bumper episode. We kick the party off by pulling some Christmas crackers, exchanging presents, and indulging in some festive snacks and beverages to get into the Christmas spirit. It's then story time, starting with a short tale called "The Christmas Fairy Of Strasburg" which features a cheeky robbery with a surprising outcome... And then it's time for the second installment of The Nutcracker, where things are really starting to get epic... As mentioned at the end of the podcast, we will be hosting a Christmas Livestream on Friday 22nd December at 8pm GMT. We'll be hosting a quiz, exchanging more presents, chatting to some viewers via Zoom, and maybe even setting something on fire?! You're all invited, and the link to the event can be found here: Link to Christmas Livestream - 22nd Dec 8pm GMT Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to one and all! Twitter Facebook Instagram Patreon   grimmreadingpodcast@gmail.com Theme music: Bicycle Waltz by Goodbye Kumiko Other Music: Tchaikovsky's "Dance Of The Sugar Plum Fairy" from The Nutcracker Suite from the music.org European Archive // Sergei Prokofiev - Lieutenant Kije Suite: Troika, performed by Sao Paulo Symphony Orchestra // Peter Tchaikovsky - The Nutcracker: Decorating the Christmas Tree, performed by Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra // Tchaikovsky's "Dance Of The Flutes" and "Waltz Of The Flowers" from The Nutcracker Suite performed by Kevin Macleod

We made it to five years! In April we hosted a livestream event to celebrate the milestone - and here it is in audio form. Thanks to everyone who joined and helped make it such a special occasion. For the full experience, you can watch the whole event on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/live/6Leycit-_jQ?feature=share  

It's the end of the series and the end of volume one for us here at Grimm Castle! So join us as we reveal the winners and losers of series 5 of Grimm Reading and indulge in some classic story stats. We then share some clips from our latest special episodes (The Little Mermaid and Sinbad The Sailor), and finally resurrect story stats as we reveal the top and bottom stories of the entire five years of the podcast.  Links: 5 Year Grimmversary YouTube Livestream The Little Mermaid Payhip Sinbad The Sailor (Part 1) Payhip Sinbad The Sailor (Part 2) Payhip Series 5 Spotify Playlist Join our Patreon! Theme music: Bicycle Waltz by Goodbye Komiko. Other music: Dvořák's Humoresque Op.101 No. 7 // Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov's Scheherazade Suite: The Sea and Sinbad's Ship // Franz Schubert's Piano Sonata no. 18 in G major, D.894 IV. Allegretto   

In part two, discover the origins and history of cinderella as we embark on “The Story Of The Story”. First up, we follow the trail of Cinderella from ancient Greece through Basile, Perrault, and the Grimms, by way of medieval France, as we trace her literary origins. We then attempt to work out where Cinderella really came from, and seek help from some expert friends as we define the tale and explore what exactly it's trying to tell us. Enjoy the final installment of this gripping two-parter where we delve into one of the most famous stories of all time - Cinderella (aka Cenrillon, Cennerentola, and the Cinderella Cat). Twitter Facebook Instagram Patreon   grimmreadingpodcast@gmail.com Theme music: Bicycle Waltz by Goodbye Kumiko Other Music: Beethoven's Violin Sonata No.8 in G major 1. Allegro assai // Brahms' Waltz Op 39 No 15 // Tchaikovsky's Serenade for Strings in C Major, Op. 48: II Moderato, Tempe Di Valse

Link to the Livestream: https://youtube.com/live/6Leycit-_jQ?feature=share On Saturday 22nd April 2023, it will have been 5 years to the day since the first ever episode of the podcast, the Pilot episode featuring Hans In Luck & Old Sultan, was released. To mark the occasion, and to also celebrate the fact that we have just finished Volume 1 of the Brothers Grimm Collection, we are hosting a special Livestream on YouTube! So come and join us for a celebration where there will be a Q&A, a chance to chat face to face with us live on the stream via Zoom, and a live story read... plus a few extra surprises! The stream will be live on Saturday 22nd April from: 7pm British Summer Time 8pm Central European Summer Time 2pm Eastern Daylight Time 11am Pacific Daylight Time We look forward to seeing you there! Twitter Facebook Instagram Patreon   grimmreadingpodcast@gmail.com  

A plucky young heroine, an avian stylist, and an axe-wielding dad make for a special season 5 ending - join us round the fire for some comically extreme violence as we read the Cinderella (aka Aschenputtel). Think you know Cinderella? Well, think again! Yes, we've got the lost slipper, we've got the evil step sisters, we've got the fateful ball - but there's plenty Disney unforgivably left out. It's a momentous occasion at Castle Grimm: it's all at once the series 5 finale, the last famous Grimm story, and the final story from volume 1. As such, we've split it into two episodes.  Part 1 we hear the story and discuss our initial thoughts. We also learn about the Grimms' sources for the story - or perhaps we don't learn about the sources. In Part 2, we'll do a deep dive into the history and origins of Cinderella in the world of literature and folklore.  Settle in for an epic Grimm Reading two-parter; we're thrilled to have you along.  This episode is Certified Grimm and may not be suitable for all listeners.  Twitter Facebook Instagram Patreon   grimmreadingpodcast@gmail.com Theme music: Bicycle Waltz by Goodbye Kumiko Other Music: Tchaikovsky's Serenade for Strings in C Major, Op. 48: II Moderato, Tempe Di Valse //  Mendelssohn's Lieder ohne Worte, Op.19b - 1. Andante con moto   

In this story, a psychopathic couple get a schooling from their son when the little boy witnesses the harsh treatment of his grandfather. Things get moralistic this week's as we read the Grimm story, The Old Man And His Grandson.  After the tale, we explore the world of old men in folktales, specifically three ATU types that deal with old men looking for care in their twilight years - finishing with a harrowing story from the Philipines, or possibly Mexico. This episode is Certified Grimm and may not be suitable for all listeners.  Twitter Facebook Instagram Patreon   grimmreadingpodcast@gmail.com Theme music: Bicycle Waltz by Goodbye Kumiko Other Music: Brahms' 4 Piano  Pieces, Op. 119 - 2. Intermezzo in E minor  & Sonata in C major Op.1 - III. Scherzo performed by Peter Bradley-Fulgoni   

On his deathbed, a King commands trusty John, his most loyal servant, to protect his son and heir. But when the boy falls in love with a forbidden painting, John's loyalty is pushed to the limit. Will he sacrifice himself for the sake of the boy? Find out in Faithful John! The Brothers Grimm story responsible for Oscar Wilde's greatest work and your favourite scene in Star Wars.  After the story, we try to tracy its lineage from West to East, by way of a medieval French romance and the unexpected story of Hercules' run in with a poisoned shirt. This episode is “Certified Grimm” for adult themes and may not be suitable for all listeners. Twitter Facebook Instagram Patreon   grimmreadingpodcast@gmail.com Theme music: Bicycle Waltz by Goodbye Kumiko Other Music: Dvorak's Romantic Pieces, Op. 75 - 3. Allegro appassionato // Maria Szymanowska's Polonaise No. 3  

Welcome to our fifth Christmas party AND our 100th episode! Join us round the fire as we get festive in a bumper episode. This year we get an American story, The Poor Count's Christmas, featuring a greedy giant, an underhanded fairy, and an aristocrat with a Christmas addiction. That adventure is swiftly followed by the opening few mini chapters of the classic tale The Nutcracker. But before that, we share the usual gifts, pull a cracker or two, and also take a trip around the world on a culinary tour of global festive food traditions, thanks to an amazing response from our Instagram followers. Merry Christmas and a happy new year to one and all! Twitter Facebook Instagram Patreon   grimmreadingpodcast@gmail.com Theme music: Bicycle Waltz by Goodbye Kumiko Other Music: Tchaikovsky's "Dance Of The Sugar Plum Fairy" from The Nutcracker Suite from the music.org European Archive // Prokofiev's Lieutenant Kije Suite: Troika performed by the Sao Paulo Symphony Orchestra

In this episode we talk to travel writer Nicholas Jubber about his latest book The Fairy Tellers, which unearths the incredible lives of the people behind famous fairy tales. The Fairy Tellers introduces us to seven of the most influential story tellers, including Hans Christian Andersen, Dortchten Wild, Gabrielle-Suzanne de Villeneuve, and Hanna Dyab, who between them gave us Hansel and Gretel, Beauty And The Beast, The Snow Queen, and Aladdin, to name a few. Who were these people? What's behind the magic of their story telling? And just how good really is Basile? We talk about all this and more, and end with Nick sharing his favourite fairy tale. Learn more about Nick Jubber at his website. And pick up a copy The Fairy Tellers just in time for Christmas! Twitter Facebook Instagram Patreon   grimmreadingpodcast@gmail.com

We finally land at the feet of the longest story in the entire collection, The Two Brothers. And this one's got it all. Dragons, witches, heroes, villains, damsels - this may well be the fairy tale story you've been waiting for! When two brothers are banished from home, they gather a retinue of animal disciples and hit the road. Deciding to go their separate ways, the eldest battles a dragon and wins the heart of a princess. But when a tree-climbing witch turns him to stone, it's up to the younger brother to save the day. But will he stay true when he's mistaken for his brother? Join us on an epic adventure that eventually takes us all the way to ancient Egypt and arguably the earliest fairy tale ever recorded... Link to The History Of Egypt Podcast's episode on The Tale Of The Two Brothers. This episode is “Certified Grimm” for adult themes and may not be suitable for all listeners. Twitter Facebook Instagram Patreon   grimmreadingpodcast@gmail.com Theme music: Bicycle Waltz by Goodbye Kumiko Other Music: Schmidt's Notre Dame - Intermezzo (performed by Brevard Music Center Orchestra) // Schubert's Violin Sonata in A major Op. 162  performed by Oliver Colbentson

Left alone in heaven, Saint Peter hears a knock at the door; a light-fingered tailor wants in. Against the wishes of the Good Lord, Peter lets the tailor through the pearly gates and into paradise. What will happen when the big chief returns home to find heaven in disorder? And why does everyone love Spanish cavalrymen? Find out in The Tailor In Heaven! We discuss tailors in fairy tales, Odin's special seat, a Swiss party town, and finally hear another folk tale of crafty tailors cheating their way into heaven. Twitter Facebook Instagram Patreon   grimmreadingpodcast@gmail.com Theme music: Bicycle Waltz by Goodbye Kumiko Other Music: Franz Schubert's Piano Sonata in A major D. 664 - III. Allegro (performed by Paul Pitman) // Franz Schubert's Piano Sonata no. 16 in A minor, D. 845 (performed by Paul Pitman) // Franz Schubert's Piano Sonata no. 18 in G major, D.894 (performed by Paul Pitman)

Welcome to our first ever Halloween special! Join us round the fire as we read the famous Russian fairy tale Vasilisa The Beautiful. We then have a full Baba Yaga takeover where we do a deep dive on the intriguing witch of slavic folklore.  Creepy pork-eating dolls, evil step mothers, colourful horesmen - things get spooky in the castle with this curious story, a mix of Cinderella and Hansel And Gretel with added Baba Yaga, what's not to love? Twitter Facebook Instagram Patreon   grimmreadingpodcast@gmail.com Theme music: Bicycle Waltz by Goodbye Kumiko Other Music: Aram Khachaturian's Masquerade Waltz // Bach's Toccata and Fugue in D Minor (performed by Paul Pitman) // Prokofiev's Romeo and Juliet - Dance of the Knights

Things are going well for a newly married couple until a dog steals a sausage. Before you know it the house is a wreck and some thieves have stolen all their gold.  So Frederick and Catherine set out to track down the thieves and mayhem ensues as we enjoy a generous helping of hilarious misunderstandings, before it all ends with a pastor running for his life.  After the story, we try to make sense of this bizarre little story, a close cousin of an old Grimm Reading classic Clever Elsie. And finally we talk about idiocy in fairy tales (and how surprisingly common it is) before battling to find an appropriate score. Twitter Facebook Instagram Patreon   grimmreadingpodcast@gmail.com Theme music: Bicycle Waltz by Goodbye Kumiko Other Music: Rimsky-Korsakov's Flight Of The Bumblebee (performed by US Army Band) // Schubert's Piano Sonata no. 20 in A major, D. 959 - III.  (European Archive) // Brahms' Sixteen Waltzes, Op. 39 (performed by Martha Goldstein)

Welcome to series 5 of Grimm Reading! We kick things off with The Valiant Little Tailor, story number 20 in the Grimms' Fairy Tales. When a little tailor takes down a swarm of flies ruining his jam on toast, he can't believe his own bravery. His studio is now too small for a man like him, so he embroiders a commemorative girdle and sets off into the world to make his name. Several vanquished giants, dehorned unicorns, pious boars, redundant soldiers and squeezed cheeses later, the tailor is set to marry a princess. But she has other ideas… Will this humble, cocky little tailor make it to the top or will he face defeat? Find out in this huge adventure, The Brave Little Tailor! After the story, we discuss how it compares to other stories and how it breaks fairy tales rules, before looking into the development of the tale and how the Grimms shaped it in strange ways. Finally we reveal the results of our season 5 story poll and the order we'll be reading the remaining stories.  Thanks so much for hanging around for us, looking forward to sharing a new Grimm season with you.  Twitter Facebook Instagram Patreon   grimmreadingpodcast@gmail.com Theme music: Bicycle Waltz by Goodbye Kumiko Other Music: Schumann's Fantasy Pieces, Op. 73: III. Rasch und mit Feuer (Gabriel Schwabe, cello; Nicholas Rimmer, piano) // Chopin's Polonaise No. 3 (performed by Maria Szymanowska) // Brahms' Waltz Op 39 No 15 (performed by Paul Cantrell)

We tie a bow on the latest series as we reveal the winning and losing Grimm stories from the season. Who gave out the most points? How many 9s did we give? What does it take to become the worst ever story? Discover all in 'Story Stats', where we please everyone by bringing out the spreadsheets and crunching some numbers. After that, we share a piece of 'Bonus Audio' from Little Red Riding Hood - in the main episode we learnt about the development of the story, but what does it mean? Matt shares four theories about the meaning of the story in a clip scooped up from the cutting room floor. We then share some listener messages before finally unveiling our plans for the next season of Grimm Reading.  Here's the link to the Series 4 Spotify Soundtrack.  And do check out Battle Royale podcast and/or God Vs. God podcast. Twitter Facebook Instagram Patreon   grimmreadingpodcast@gmail.com Theme music: Bicycle Waltz by Goodbye Kumiko Other Music: Dvořák's Humoresque Op.101 No. 7 // Camille Saint-Saëns' Danse Macabre, Op. 40, performed by Malmö Symphony Orchestra.  

It's the series four finale so it's time for a big bad story - join us round the fire for a rendition of the one, the only, Little Red Riding Hood (aka Little Red Cap)! A young girl heads out from home to her grandmother's - but en route she meets a wolf in the deep of the woods. After engaging in some polite small talk, the wolf weaves a dastardly plan to capture girl and granny alike. Will it end in delicious victory for the wolf? Or will Little Red Cap emerge triumphant in the end? After the tale, we take a wild wild through “the story of the story” where we discover Red Riding Hood's origins, and how the meaning of the tale changed over time. From werewolves to sausages to medieval fashion - this episode explores new, disturbing terrain as we grapple with the strange history of the famous little red girl. This episode is Certified Grimm for adult themes and one use of offensive language and may not be suitable for all listeners. Twitter Facebook Instagram Patreon   grimmreadingpodcast@gmail.com Theme music: Bicycle Waltz by Goodbye Kumiko Other Music: Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto In E minor, Op. 64 (Nathan Milstein, violin; Vienna Philharmonic, Claudio Abbado, cond. ) // Chopin's Preludes, Op. 28, in C major (performed by Géza Anda) // Tchaikovsky's The Sleeping Beauty, Op. 66: Act III - No. 26: Pas de caractère. Le Petit Chaperon rouge et le Loup (performed by the Russian National Orchestra; Mikhail Pletnev) // Debussy's La Fille Aux Cheveux De Lin (performed by Janos Starker and Shigeo Neriki)

Have you ever been so thirsty you'd risk turning into a tiger? Can you die from an overly hot bath? Is there a dark side of the moon? Discover the answers to all this and more in our latest episode on the Brothers Grimm story Little Brother and Little Sister.   When an evil witchy step-mother turns her step-son into a fawn, he and his sister move into a cottage together. But when the fawn boy is chased down by the king's huntsmen, the king decides to marry his sister and it looks like we're due a happily ever after. But the evil step-mother has other ideas...   After the story, we discuss the confusing relationship the tale has with Hansel and Gretel before exploring brothers and sisters in fairy tales where we find ourselves hearing the brilliant story Nennillo and Nennella by Giambattista Basile.   This episode is Certified Grimm and may not be suitable for all listeners.   Twitter Facebook Instagram Patreon   grimmreadingpodcast@gmail.com Theme music: Bicycle Waltz by Goodbye Kumiko Other Music: Brahms' Rhapsody in G minor, op. 79 no. 2 performed by Martha Argerich // Brahms' Tragische Ouvertüre performed by Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra // Brahms' Waltz 11 performed by Martha Argerich  

This time we read the final story from the first volume of the Grimms' fairy tales: The Fox and the Geese. A tale in which our trusty cunning fox may have taken on more than he bargained for... After the story things get mega foxy as we hear two other stories - that's right, two! - where things don't turn up entirely roses for Reynard: "The Hare And The Fox" by Ludwig Bechstein, and "Beasts In A Pit" collected by Alexander Afanasyev. And that's not all! We also take the time to reintroduce Reynard the Fox (the archetypal trickster fox of Medieval epics), including his incredible connection Disney's Robin Hood. And finally we unveil a new section of the show, "Fox News", where we hear some shocking Kitsune news fresh out of Japan.  Twitter Facebook Instagram Patreon   grimmreadingpodcast@gmail.com Theme music: Bicycle Waltz by Goodbye Kumiko Other Music: Robert Schumann's Scenes from Childhood, Op. 15 - III. Blind Man's Buff // Chopin's Cello Sonata in G Minor, Op. 65 - II. Scherzo // Beethoven's Piano Sonata No.28 in A Major, Op.101 - III & IV.  

This time we read the shocking tale of Frau Trude. A young girl is enamoured with her neighbour Mrs. Trude. But her parents absolutely forbid her to go on a visit. Naturally, the young girl ignores her parents and before long we've got heads literally on fire among other bizarre happenings.  Will the girl escape or has curiosity killed the cat? Join us round the fire as we try to decipher this strange, dark little story. Our musings lead us once again face-to-face with Baba Yaga, before settling in for a brief history of witches and witchcraft - from it's ancient origins, to the early-modern European witch trials, as well as the development of the iconic witch of fiction. This episode is Certified Grimm for adult content, and may not be suitable for all listeners.   Twitter Facebook Instagram Patreon   grimmreadingpodcast@gmail.com Theme music: Bicycle Waltz by Goodbye Kumiko Other Music: Prokofiev's Montagues & Capulets performed by Filarmónica Juvenil de Cámara de Bogotá  // Beethoven's Sonatas No. 12 in A Major & 17. in D Minor performed by Paul Pitman

In this episode, we talk with Dr Jamie Tehrani of Durham University about his research into the origins of fairy tales. In his 2016 paper, co-authored with Sara Graça da Silva, they took phylogenetic modeling techniques - borrowed from the world of evolutionary biology where they're used to trace genetic lineages - and put them to work tracing the origins of folk tales. The results seemed to prove that many fairy tale narratives can indeed be traced back several thousand years. But how exactly do these methods work? And can they really prove the existence of stories before the invention of writing? We'd read the news articles and had a go at reading the paper, but we still didn't understand exactly how it worked. Fortunately, Dr Tehrani graciously offered up his time to explain how it was done. And we round things off with a fantastic story: The King And The Bishop. Twitter Facebook Instagram grimmreadingpodcast@gmail.com

Join the king's youngest son on an adventure of a lifetime, as he seeks the mystical golden bird that's been pinching his dad's apples. Helped by a patient, omnipotent fox, the prince gets more than he bargained for when he deceives his way into a princess's bathing house. Will he ever find the golden bird? And will his older brothers' jealously drive them to do the unthinkable? Find out in this week's story: The Golden Bird! Dastardly deception, desperate decapitation, and omnipotent foxes - this story is a truly a grimm reading epic. After we've recovered, we discuss its relation to other stories in the Grimms' collection, as well as taking a brief trip to pronunciation corner before heading around the world, to see where this strange tale is found elsewhere and exploring its relation to the Firebird of slavic lore.  Twitter Facebook Instagram Patreon   grimmreadingpodcast@gmail.com Theme music: Bicycle Waltz by Goodbye Kumiko Other Music: Stravinsky's Firebird Suite - Final Hymn, performed by the Columbia Symphony Orchestra // Chopin's Etude Op. 10, no. 2 in A minor - 'Chromatique', performed by Edward Neeman.

Twelve hunters, three lovers, and one sexist lion - join us for the Brothers Grimm story The Twelve Huntsmen!   A prince and princess are happily engaged. But when the prince's dying father makes him promise to marry another, the princess is cast aside. Unperturbed, the princess gathers together twelve doppelgangers and gets the team employed as her ex's huntsmen. But when a magical sexist lion threatens to reveal her identity, she finds herself facing two impossible challenges.    Will the game be up? And what does the new bride think of all these shenanigans? Find out (or possibly don't find out) in this week's exciting Grimm tale.    After the story, we unpick the manifold plot holes before exploring the 'forgotten fiancé' trope in an erased Grimm tale called Prince Swan.   Twitter Facebook Instagram Patreon   grimmreadingpodcast@gmail.com Theme music: Bicycle Waltz by Goodbye Kumiko Other Music: Beethoven's Piano Sonata No. 18 in E Flat Major 'The Hunt', Op. 31 no. 3 - II. performed by Paul Pitman

When a king is forced to marry a witch's daughter, his new bride turns her seven step sons into swans. Now it's up to their only sister to undo the curse. But when her new husband condemns her to death for baby eating, it looks like all might be lost. In fan favourite The Six Swans, we find magical yarn, star flowers, and a strip tease up a tree (no joke). It's the final installment in 'The Maiden Who Rescues Her Brothers' trilogy and after reading the story we discuss its place in the trilogy, before following its historical thread to the medieval story of The Swan Knight. Twitter Facebook Instagram Patreon   grimmreadingpodcast@gmail.com Theme music: Bicycle Waltz by Goodbye Kumiko Other Music: Camille Saint-Saen's Carnival of the Animals, The Swan, performed by the Malmo Symphony Orchestra, Gabriel Schwabe on cello //  Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake Waltz, performed by the Russian State Symphony Orchestra, with conductor Dmitry Yablonsky.

In Brother Lustig, a discharged soldier is bankrupted by Saint Peter. The two then team up to start a venture bringing the dead back to life. But when Lustig eats an undercooked lamb's heart, St. Peter decides to go his own way. Will this mismatched pair ever make up? And how will St Peter keep Brother Lustig on the straight and narrow? Find out in this epic buddy road caper, filled with haunted castles, undead princesses, and magical knapsacks.  After the tale, we try to unpick this piece of moral philosophical genius and discover how the story it connected to one of the oldest tales in human existence, The Smith And The Devil. This episode is Certified Grimm and may not be suitable for all listeners.    Twitter Facebook Instagram Patreon   grimmreadingpodcast@gmail.com Theme music: Bicycle Waltz by Goodbye Kumiko Other Music: Camille Saint-Saëns' Danse Macabre, Op. 40 Performed by University of Chicago Orchestra & Christoph Zbinden // Josef Suk's Serenade for strings in E flat major, Op. 6 Performed by Filharmonický orchestr Iwasaki

A surprise story this time - the Grimms' version of Beauty And The Beast! 
Called ‘The Summer And Winter Garden', join us on a breathtaking journey of kidnapping, heartache, and love against the odds. In the deep of winter, a father's most beautiful daughter asks him to bring back a rose from his work trip. When he takes a rose belonging to a hideous beast, the monster demands the man's daughter in marriage - to which he agrees. Can the daughter escape this fate? Or will she perhaps see another side to this supposed beast?

 A powerful tale of inter-species love, this gargantuan episode is one of our longest yet so settle in for a biggie where we explore the meaning behind the tale, its French origins in the Salons of Paris, and its ancient roman cousin, Cupid And Psyche.   Twitter Facebook Instagram Patreon   grimmreadingpodcast@gmail.com Theme music: Bicycle Waltz by Goodbye Kumiko Other Music: Dvořák's Slavonic Dances Op.72 No. 2: Allegretto Grazioso (Herbert von Karajan; Berliner Philharmoniker) // Mozart's Serenade in G, Eine kleine Nachtmusik // Chopin's Valse No. 6 in D flat major, Op. 64, No. 1 ('Minute' Waltz).

It's once more time to the annual Grimm Reading Christmas party! Get cosy round the fire for another dose of festive joy, complete with presents, pies, crackers, alcohol-free mulled wine and more! We get two stories this year. Firstly, a radical choice with the unseasonal story The Steadfast Tin Soldier by Hans Christian Andersen. Soon followed by the decidedly Dickensian tale The Story of a Cat by Mary De Morgan. Merry Christmas everyone! For more festive mayhem, join us over on Grimm Fables for another Andersen story. Otherwise, thanks so much for listening and we'll see you in the new year.    Twitter Facebook Instagram Patreon   grimmreadingpodcast@gmail.com Theme music: Bicycle Waltz by Goodbye Kumiko Other Music: Tchaikovsky's "Dance Of The Sugar Plum Fairy" from The Nutcracker Suite Performed by Gabriel Antonio Hernandez Romero on Piano // Tchaikovsky's "Clara and the Nutcracker" for the Nutcracker Suite performed by the Philharmonia Orchestra and "Pas de Deux" from The Nutcracker Suite - from the music.org European Archive  

In a village full of rich peasants, one little peasant alone remains destitute. But through a series of cunning and devious tricks, this little guy is going to turn the tables on everyone in quite spectacular fashion. Join us for The Little Peasant by the Brothers Grimm, where we meet a fatally gullible Shepard, a soothsaying squeezable raven and - shocker - a nice miller! After the story we uncover other tales that use similar motifs of trickery, including in works by legendary fairy tale authors Straparola, Basile (of course), and even Hans Christian Andersen.   Twitter Facebook Instagram Patreon   grimmreadingpodcast@gmail.com Theme music: Bicycle Waltz by Goodbye Kumiko Other Music: Brahms' Hungarian Dance No. 5  performed by Kassia & Arthur Nickisch // Brahms' 4 Piano Pieces Performed by Peter Bradley-Fulgoni  

In The Good Bargain, a peasant loses all his money and possessions to some animals. Angered, he goes to the king for justice. But instead of helping him, the king has other ideas.  This 'humorous' tale is the first one we've come across that is anti-Semitic. So, once we've finally deciphered the convoluted story, we then explore antisemitism in the Grimm's collection, putting the Grimm brothers on trial. We also look into how the Nazis co-opted the Grimms to spread propaganda in Nazi Germany.  Finally, we play a clip from a chat Matt had with Rachel O'Brien - who's recently written her thesis on the Grimms and the holocaust - where she shares her thoughts on the hidden side of anti-semitism in the Grimms.   

In The Three Feathers, an old king tests his three sons to see who will inherit the kingdom after his death. When the youngest brother emerges triumphant - thanks to an overweight toad - the older brothers demand satisfaction, and plot a jump to the death to settle the succession once and for all. Join us on the final adventure of The Simpleton Trilogy, where we find magical turnips, a popcorn-munching monarch, and a secret underground world. After the story we discuss fatalism, pub names, and take a deep-dive into the taboo world of animal-human love - a surprisingly popular and potent part of folklore. Twitter Facebook Instagram Patreon   grimmreadingpodcast@gmail.com Theme music: Bicycle Waltz by Goodbye Kumiko Other Music: Bach's Harpsichord Concerto No.3 in D major, BWV 1054 performed by the Paillard Chamber Orchestra & Robert-Veyron-Lacroix // Bach's Harpsichord Concerto no. 1 in D minor, BWV 1052 - III. Allegro - European Archive // Debussy's Arabesque No. 1. Andantino con moto performed by Gerluz  

We're back for series 4! We open the series with a poor family starving to death and the Virgin Mary abducting their daughter. Years later, the Virgin goes off on a work trip and forbids the girl from opening a certain door. When the inevitable happens, the child is banished from heaven and things get weirder from there. Join us once more round the fire for “Our Lady's Child” (aka “Mary's Child”), where we meet an unlikely assortment of characters including the 12 Apostles, James Bond, Cousin Itt, and Nelly Furtado. After the tale, we discuss Pandora's Box and explore the earliest stories of ‘curious women'. Finally we reveal the results of our last story poll, launch a new one, and put to rest some lingering Puss In Boots business. Twitter Facebook Instagram Patreon   grimmreadingpodcast@gmail.com Theme music: Bicycle Waltz by Goodbye Kumiko Other Music: Ravel's string Quartet in F major - II. Assez vif, très rythmé // Dvořák's serenade for Strings Op.22 3 Scherzo (Piano arr.)

Another mini-special before the new series. This time we shamelessly plug our Patreon! We explain how you can support the podcast through our Patreon platform, then we announce some exciting new things we've got coming up for our patrons - including a Q&A episode and the release of The Pied-Piper. We then play a clip from our patron-only podcast Grimm Fables, before finally giving some patron shout-outs. Check out our patreon. Buy our episode The Pied-Piper at payhip.com (available from 26th September 2021) And do give a listen to our pod-friend Tudoriferous.

Greetings from a grim meadow! Massive constitutional changes are afoot in this special episode as we share our roundup of the winners and loser of series 3 for the first time for non-Patrons. We then share a piece of deleted audio from our Little Snow White recording - the incredible connection between Snow White and the siege of Troy. Finally we're pleased to announce our new Grimm Reading Spotify playlists: Series 1 Grimm Reading Soundtrack Series 2 Grimm Reading Soundtrack Series 3 Grimm Reading Soundtrack And please do check out the excellent Stories From Lore podcast. Theme music: Bicycle Waltz by Goodbye Komiko.

It's the series 3 finale so it's time for a big one - settle in for an epic adventure as we read Little Snow White!

 Filicide, attempted cannibalism, talking mirrors, seven little helpers, a very poisonous apple - it's the story you know and love but even more unpleasant and violent. Chatting with her mirror, a queen learns that her step-daughter is grown beautiful than she is. So she decides to kill her and eat the girl's heart. But Little Snow White escapes and finds shelter in a strange cottage, home to seven unexpected tenants. When the queen discovers Snow White is alive, she beings to weave dastardly plots, determined to put an end to Snow White for good. After the story we ask the important questions, including why would you drink wine from a mug? And is Snow White really a shoe? We then compare the story with other incarnations of the folktale, speculate on the validity of the “real-life” Snow White, hear tell of the incredible connection to Alan Turing, and finally explore the true meaning of the tale.  We've had a total blast this series, we hope you've enjoyed it as much as we have. Stay safe and keep it grimm!  -- Twitter Facebook Instagram Patreon   grimmreadingpodcast@gmail.com Theme music: Bicycle Waltz by Goodbye Kumiko Other Music: Beethoven's Allegretto in B-flat Major, WoO. 39 performed by the Claremont Trio // Chopin's Étude Op. 10, no. 5 in G flat major - 'Black Keys' // Carl Czerny's Variations on a popular Viennese Waltz by Franz Schubert

In Hans Married, Hans’s uncle decides to take matters into his own hands and get his nephew a wife. With his cunning, fool-proof method for securing a bride, Hans miraculously gets engaged to a rich peasant’s daughter. How does he do it? And will it all end happily ever after? Find out in the final installment of the Hans Saga, our penultimate episode of Series 3.   

It’s a quick, punchy story this week so we also read out lots of listeners messages, and take the opportunity to choose the opening stories of Series 4 and finally launch a new Patron Story Poll.   Listen to previous episodes in the Hans Saga: Hans In Luck
 Clever Hans -- Twitter Facebook Instagram Patreon   grimmreadingpodcast@gmail.com Theme music: Bicycle Waltz by Goodbye Kumiko Other Music: Brahms' Violin Concerto, Op.77 Performed by Henryk Szerng & Orchestre National de France

Hans is back! In his first starring role since the pilot episode, we follow Hans as he attempts to woo Gretel by demanding presents from her. Will Hans get the girl of his dreams? Or will it all end with some livestock losing their eyes? And how is this story related to quantum physics? Find out all this and more, as we slip into a the nightmare groundhog day that is Clever Hans by the Brothers Grimm. After the story, we try and piece together the shaky Grimm Reading cinematic universe, hear a 15th century version of the tale, and finally dip into the fascinating history of Clever Hans the magical German maths horse. Hear the other stories mentioned in the episode: Hans In Luck Hansel And Gretel Clever Gretel Clever Elsie -- Twitter Facebook Instagram Patreon   grimmreadingpodcast@gmail.com Theme music: Bicycle Waltz by Goodbye Kumiko Other Music: Grieg's Peer Gynt Suite No. 1, Op. 46 - I. Morning performed by the Czech National Symphony Orchestra // Mendelssohn's Lieder ohne Worte, Op.19b - 3. Molto allegro e vivace performed by Benjamin Moser // Chopin's Etude Op. 10, no. 8 in F major

Welcome to Extra Grimm, where we delve a little deeper into the world of the Brothers Grimm for the curious. In this episode, we talk to Brothers Grimm expert Jack Zipes. The conversation centers around a particular folk tale type, that of ATU 325 “The Magician And His Apprentice”. The interview starts with Jack recalling how his journey into this tale type all started with wondering why the Harry Potter series has achieved such phenomenal success. Eventually, he concluded that it’s because it’s really a gigantic version of “The Magician And His Apprentice.” From this bombshell opening, we discuss Richard Dawkins concept of memes as well as why fairy tales are so important, Hegel's theory of dialectics, and how ATU 325 is perhaps one of the most important tales in the history of oral storytelling. Fortunately, we have already done one of the Grimm’s two stories of this type - you can hear our episode The Thief And His Master here. (highly recommended background homework for this episode!) You can pick up a copy of Jack’s 2017 book “The Sorcerer's Apprentice: An Anthology of Magical Tales” which examines this type of folktale, charting is journey from antiquity to the modern day. And here’s a link to his own fairy tale publishing company, Little Mole And Honey Bear. And here’s Jack Zipes’ website. This episode contains spoilers for as yet unread stories and also contains themes that may not be suitable for all listeners. Twitter Facebook Instagram grimmreadingpodcast@gmail.com

While out on his daily rounds, a poor fisherman nets an enchanted fish prince. When his wife hears how he let the fish go, she demands he return and ask the fish to give them a cottage. Things then escalate fast, as the fisherman's wife gets a taste for the property market and chases a career in politics.  Will they be content with their lot, or will greed see them fall to their ruin? Find out all this and more in the absolutely massive tale, The Fisherman and His Wife. After the story we discuss it's meaning and form, including the idea of an anti-fairy and the shadow of Napoleon Bonaparte. The Grimms then lead us back to our old friend Shakespeare, and finally we learn about the legend of Pope Joan thanks to our pod-friends Pontifacts. Twitter Facebook Instagram Patreon   grimmreadingpodcast@gmail.com Theme music: Bicycle Waltz by Goodbye Kumiko Other Music: Ravel's Miroirs - III. Une barque sur l'ocean performed by Robert Ewen Birchall // Byrd's Mass for Four Voices - I. Kyrie Eleison performed by the Ensemble Morales // Má vlast - Vltava performed by the Musopen Symphony

As a penniless woodcutter’s health fades, he leaves his three sons the only things he has in the world - a cat and scythe and a cock. To find fortune, he instructs them to seek out a country in which these things are unknown. One by one the sons head out into the wide world with their gifts. But, when the final son finds himself on an island plagued by mice and rats, the inhabitants get more than they bargained for. Will they make their fortune? And can you use a cannon for everything? Find out all this and more in The Three Sons of Fortune.  After the story, the Grimm’s lead us down the rabbit hole where we meet the famous English folk hero Dick Whittington and delve into the history of Dick Whittington and his cat. Finally, deep in the rabbit hole, we find ourselves exploring the history of pantomime and its roots in the ancient world. Hey, someone had to do it. Twitter Facebook Instagram Patreon   grimmreadingpodcast@gmail.com Theme music: Bicycle Waltz by Goodbye Kumiko Other Music: Beethoven's Violin Sonata No. 8 in G major - 1. Allegro assai, performed by Paul Rosenthal & Edward Auer // Max Lewandowsky's String Sextet, Op. 5.

When the family cook plots to kill a foundling boy, his adoptive sister comes to the rescue and the two take flight, shapeshifting their way out of danger. The cook deploys her henchmen to hunt them down but when they fail, she waddles after them herself for a final showdown. Who will emerge victorious? Find out in this week’s tale, Fundevogel (aka Fledgling)! After the story, we talk similarities to other tales, shapeshifting Jesus news, and then squeeze in an extra Russian fairy tale where at long last we have the pleasure of welcoming Baba Yaga to Grimm Castle. Twitter Facebook Instagram Patreon   grimmreadingpodcast@gmail.com Theme music: Bicycle Waltz by Goodbye Kumiko Other Music: Bach's English Suite no. 3, BWV 808 performed by Radek Materka // Sergei Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto no. 3, Op. 30 - III. Finale: Alla breve performed by Sinfonia of Leeds

Talking dead fingers, aggressive domestic appliances, and a devil under a duvet - prepare yourself for the madness that is the Brothers Grimm's "The Godfather". In this utterly bizarre story we have essentially a mashup of two Grimm stories we've heard before, namely - Godfather Death and The Strange Feast. Is this hybrid version better than the originals or a step too far? Twitter Facebook Instagram Patreon   grimmreadingpodcast@gmail.com Hear Matt's recital of The Godfather Theme. Theme music: Bicycle Waltz by Goodbye Kumiko Other Music: Two versions of Tchaikovsky's Sentimental waltz no. 6 from Op. 51: firstly, a piano and cello arr. with Elizaveta Sushchenko on cello; secondly, a piano version performed by Peter Bradley-Fulgoni // Chopin's Polonaise No. 6 in A flat major, Op. 53   

Finding himself alone in a forest, a musician decides to play his fiddle and entice a human friend. Before long, several animals approach and ask for music lessons. On gaining their trust, the musician cruelly entraps them and wanders on. Eventually the animals escape and together plot revenge. Will they have their justice? And where exactly does this musician get off? Find out in this week’s episode, The Wonderful Musician (aka The Strange Musician). Twitter Facebook Instagram Patreon   grimmreadingpodcast@gmail.com Theme music: Bicycle Waltz by Goodbye Kumiko Other Music: Beethoven's Violin Concerto in D Major Op. 61 - III. Rondo: Allegro performed by the US Marine Chamber Orchestra

In Clever Gretel, a free-wheeling cook throws a party for herself at her master's expense. After she’s eaten all his chicken and drunk all his wine, Gretel’s master returns home ready for dinner… But our clever heroine plays those above her like a fiddle, and easily gets herself out of trouble. Join us as we try to dissect the mayhem and enjoy a story from The One Thousand and One Nights (aka The Arabian Nights). Twitter Facebook Instagram Patreon grimmreadingpodcast@gmail.com Theme music: Bicycle Waltz by Goodbye Kumiko Other Music: Chopin's Etude Op. 25 no. 8 in D flat major - 'Sixths' // Beethoven's Sonata No. 8 in C Minor 'Pathétique' // Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov's Scheherazade: The Young Prince and the Princess // Chopin's Ballade No. 1 in G minor, Op. 23.2

When the King decides to celebrate the birth of his daughter by sentencing his twelve sons to death, the boys flee to live a feral life in the woods where they vow to kill any maiden they meet.  A decade later, the Princess vows the rescue her brothers and she heads out into the forest. But things take a turn for the worse when she accidentally turns them all into birds and a foreign king carries her off to another land...  Will she ever rescue her brothers? Why does she have a golden star on her forehead? And can snakes survive in boiling oil? We answer all these questions and more in this week's episode: The Twelve Brothers. This episode is Certified Grimm and may not be suitable for all listeners. Twitter Facebook Instagram Patreon grimmreadingpodcast@gmail.com Theme music: Bicycle Waltz by Goodbye Kumiko Other Music: Brahms' Serenade No.1 in D major Op.11 - VI. Rondo - Allegro and String Quartet No.1 in C minor Op.51, No.1 - IV. Allegro from the European Archive

Happy Grimm new year! We’re kicking things off with a surprise story – the one and only Puss in Boots.  When the family cat suddenly demands a pair of boots, a poor young miller spends his last few coins granting the cat's wish. A idiotic whim or the investment of a lifetime? Join us on the classic adventure of Puss in Boots, where we see our furry hero outsmarting, outwitting and outdressing everyone who comes in his path! We then hear about the many guises of puss in boots from the global oral folk tradition, before embarking on a trip through the canals of time as we see 'Her Pussyship' develop as a literary character, from late-medieval Venice to Antonio Banderas. Finally, we reveal the results of our last story poll and launch the first poll of 2021. Twitter Facebook Instagram Patreon grimmreadingpodcast@gmail.com Theme music: Bicycle Waltz by Goodbye Kumiko Other Music: Liszt's 2 Waltzes S.126b 1 and 2  performed by Mauro Tortorelli // Leroy Anderson's The Waltzing Cat performed by Markus Staab

Join us for the third annual Grimm Reading Christmas Party! We've got gifts, port, cracker jokes and festive fare for all, before Adam reads us the truly epic Irish fairy tale 'The Christmas Cuckoo'. And finally, we reveal the winner of our competition and some plans for next year. Thank you so much to everyone for listening, messaging, and supporting us in various ways - especially our wonderful patrons. And thanks to Pook Press for collaborating with us for the 2020 competition. You can join us for more Christmas fun in the fable stable podcast, otherwise stay safe and we'll see you in the new year. Keep it Grimm! Twitter Facebook Instagram Patreon grimmreadingpodcast@gmail.com Theme music: Bicycle Waltz by Goodbye Kumiko (+ sleigh bells) Other Music: Tchaikovsky's "Dance Of The Sugar Plum Fairy" from The Nutcracker Suite Performed by Gabriel Antonio Hernandez Romero on Piano // Tchaikovsky's "The Magical Castle in the Kingdom of Sweets" and "The Christmas Tree" from The Nutcracker Suite - from the music.org European Archive

A magic well, a prickly spindle, talking bread, and snowy beds - this week’s tale is our latest patron story poll winner, Mother Holle (Frau Holle)! An evil step-mother and wicked step-sister force a young maiden into a parallel universe. When she reaches an enchanting cottage, she finds a scary old lady waiting. Will she pass the test of Mother Holle? And what will her nasty family do if she returns? After this festive tale, we hear from German listeners about what Mother Holle means to them to today, and we trace Holle’s origins all the way to her ancient roots as a pagan goddess. Our competition is still in full swing too! Let us know which story you think deserves a different score and you could win some awesome prizes! Story leaderboard: https://grimmreading.podbean.com/p/2020-competition-story-scores/  Pook Press bookshop: http://ow.ly/7VRY50Bau0z  Twitter Facebook Instagram Patreon grimmreadingpodcast@gmail.com Theme music: Bicycle Waltz by Goodbye Kumiko Other Music: Vivaldi's Four Seasons "Winter" Violin Concerto in F minor, RV 297 // Carl Czerny's Variations on a popular Viennese Waltz by Franz Schubert, Op. 12 // Grieg’s Peer Gynt Suite No. 1 Op. 46 III. Anitra's Dance, recorded at Omega Studios, Edward S. Petersen conducting

In Jorinda and Joringel, young love is cruelly interrupted when an evil witch kidnaps Jorinda, forcing Joringel into a lonely shepherding career. But will a prophetic dream provide him with the means to rescue his beloved from the witch's castle, or is Jorinda doomed forever? Join us as we tumble down rabbit holes, exploring ancient myths, sad birds, and vampires.  Our competition is still in full swing too! Let us know which story you think deserves a different score and you could win some awesome prizes! Story leaderboard: https://grimmreading.podbean.com/p/2020-competition-story-scores/  Pook Press bookshop: http://ow.ly/7VRY50Bau0z  Twitter Facebook Instagram Patreon grimmreadingpodcast@gmail.com Theme music: Bicycle Waltz by Goodbye Kumiko Other Music: Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 4 1st, 2nd and 3rd movements performed by Debbie Hu 

In Fitcher's Bird (aka Fowler's Fowl), we join an evil wizard as he kidnaps pretty girls, takes them to his fancy pad, and puts them to the test. But this sick sorcerer get's more than he bargained for with our plucky, clucky, and crafty heroine. We talk serial killing folklore, egg metaphors, and finally dip our toes into the creepy world of the infamous Bluebeard!This episode is certified Grimm and may not be suitable for all listeners. Our competition is still in full swing too! Let us know which story you think deserves a different score and you could win some awesome prizes! Story leaderboard: https://grimmreading.podbean.com/p/2020-competition-story-scores/ Pook Press bookshop: http://ow.ly/7VRY50Bau0z  Twitter Facebook Instagram Patreon grimmreadingpodcast@gmail.com Theme music: Bicycle Waltz by Goodbye Kumiko Other Music: Beethoven's sonata for violin and piano No. 7 in C minor, Op. 30, No. 2, Finale, performed by Corey Cerovsek (violin) and Paavali Jumppanen (piano) // Jules Massenet's Toccata, performed Jean Dube // Bach's Toccata and Fugue in D Minor, performed by Paul Pitman

A long time in the making, we are delighted to present our super special biography of the Brothers Grimm!
 From humble beginnings to super professor stardom, we follow the brothers as they traipse across Germany in a tumultuous time of war and instability. Please don your history hats and settle by the fire as we embark on our biggest adventure yet, somehow starting in ancient Rome and landing squarely in 21st century.  Chapter index: Once Upon a Time (04:08) University and the Magic Horn (14:24) Occupation and Fairy Tales (19:16) German Liberation (28:43) Peace and Publishing (36:15) Gottingen and Exile (47:21) Berlin and a Dictionary (55:24) For more information on some of the topics covered, we couldn’t recommend these podcasts more highly: Rex Factor, Totalus Rankium, Pontifacts, and The History of English Podcast. Our competition is still in full swing! Let us know which story you think deserves a different score and you could win some awesome prizes!Story leaderboard: https://bit.ly/3j7S3W7 
Pook Press bookshop: http://ow.ly/7VRY50Bau0z Twitter Facebook Instagram Patreon grimmreadingpodcast@gmail.com Theme music: Bicycle Waltz by Goodbye Kumiko Other Music: Beethoven's Douze Danses Allemandes - 1 Do majeur.

After a princess insults her suitors, her angry father makes her marry a singing fiddler and she's plunged into a life of poverty. But will their new crockery start-up save them from hunger and plight? And how many plot holes can a story have before it stops making sense?   Find out in our latest tale King Thrushbeard, where we learn why princesses need to do what they're told, which bird has the most crooked beak, and what exactly Shakespeare and Henry VIII have to do with it all.   Our competition is still in full swing too! Let us know which story you think deserves a different score and you could win some awesome prizes!Story leaderboard: https://grimmreading.podbean.com/p/2020-competition-story-scores/ Pook Press bookshop: http://ow.ly/7VRY50Bau0z   Twitter Facebook Instagram Patreon grimmreadingpodcast@gmail.com Theme music: Bicycle Waltz by Goodbye Kumiko Other Music: Brahms' “Rhapsody in B minor” - Op. 79 No. 1 performed by Muriel Nguyen Xuan // Brahms' Schicksalslied, Op. 54 performed by MIT Concert Choir