Music For a While

Several composers have written “moments musicaux,” or “musical moments,” including Schubert and Rachmaninoff. So has a contemporary American, Joshua Nichols. Jay plays a “moment” from each composer. (Actually, Rachmaninoff gets two.) He also plays music from Brazil, etc. The episode ends with a souvenir of the late André Watts. Rachmaninoff, Moment musical in C major, Op. 16, No. 6 Villa-Lobos... Source

A program of American, or American-ish, music, in honor of Independence Day. Trad., “My Country, ’Tis of Thee” Dvorak, String Quartet No. 12 in F major, Op. 96, “American,” final movement Puccini, “ Dovunque al mondo ,” from “Madama Butterfly” Joplin, “Gladiolus Rag” Gershwin, “Summertime,” from “Porgy and Bess” Gershwin-Wild, Virtuoso Étude on “Liza” Copland, “Going to Heaven!” Wheeler... Source

Yes, June is bustin’ out, and so is a new episode. Jay plays that song and several others, known and less known. There’s also piano music, a violin piece—a tasty musical meal. Rodgers & Hammerstein, “June Is Bustin’ Out All Over,” from “Carousel” Kern & Harbach, “Smoke Gets In Your Eyes,” from “Roberta” Albéniz, “Evocación,” from “Iberia,” Book 1 Strauss, Adolf, “Ich weiß bestimmt... Source

“Zadok the Priest” is the musical hit of British coronations, and has been since the 1720s. “The Swan” is a hit too, and is never more magical than in Godowsky’s piano arrangement. These are two of the selections in this episode. Others are by Mozart, Leroy Anderson, and other worthies. An appetizing, eclectic menu. Handel, “Zadok the Priest” Mozart, Serenade from “Don Giovanni” Anderson... Source

Jay concludes this episode with “Speak Low,” the Kurt Weill song (lyrics by Ogden Nash). Before that, you have any number of other interesting things. Well, a specific number: six. A very tasty menu of music. Handel, “The Harmonious Blacksmith” Strauss, “Malven” Boccherini-Berio, “Ritirata notturna di Madrid” García Lorca, “Sevillanas” Wagner, “Lohengrin,” Prelude to Act III Wolf, “Die Spröde”... Source

A program of music, by a slew of composers. Bach, “Preis und Dank,” from the Easter Oratorio Bach, “Mache dich, mein Herze, rein,” from the St. Matthew Passion Mascagni, Easter Hymn, from “Cavalleria rusticana” Trad., arr. Bonds, “You Can Tell the World” Handel, “I know that my Redeemer liveth,” from “Messiah” Rimsky-Korsakov, “Russian Easter Festival Overture” Fauré, Pie Jesu, from Requiem East... Source

A smorgasbord of music, from the light and Viennesey to the angular and modern. Bacewicz, Overture for Orchestra Vustin, “Lamento” Sæverud, “Ballad of Revolt” Johnston/Burke, “Pennies from Heaven” Escaich, “Nun komm” Helmesberger, “Entr’acte Valse” Mussorgsky, Serenade, from “Songs and Dances of Death” Strauss, Eduard, “Mit Extrapost — Polka schnell” Giordano, “Amor ti vieta,” from “Fedora”... Source

Paul Johnson, the great English historian and journalist, passed away last month. Music was important in the life of Paul Johnson. Jay has arranged a little program, in tribute. Mozart, Clarinet Concerto, first movement Bruckner, Scherzo from Symphony No. 9 Brahms, Intermezzo in B-flat minor, Op. 117, No. 2 Mozart, Ave verum corpus Nelson, “Crazy” Mozart, Clarinet Quintet Schumann... Source

This episode features the “Nokia tune”—which actually comes from a Spanish guitar piece. We also have tributes to two late-greats: the clarinetist Stanley Drucker and the organist Frederick Swann. And music by Handel, Berkeley, Guillaume Connesson (b. 1970), et al. A wonderful assortment. Poulenc, Sonata for Clarinet and Piano, last movement Debussy, “La plus que lente” Handel, “No, no... Source

A Christmas podcast: with carols, songs, and other things from all over. Various musical presents under this Tannenbaum. Bach, “Grosser Herr, o starker König,” from the Christmas Oratorio Trad., “The First Noël” Trad., “Joy to the World” Rinker & Huddleston, “December” Trad., “O du fröliche” Trad., “Balulalow” Trad., “Everywhere I Go, Somebody Talkin’ ’Bout Jesus” Gruber and Mohr, “Silent Night”... Source

As our heading suggests, Jay fills this episode with preludes and other short pieces, and songs—by Tchaikovsky, Debussy, Shostakovich, and others. A wonderful, filling assortment. Shostakovich, Fugue in A major, from Preludes and Fugues, Op. 87 Debussy, “La fille aux cheveux de lin” Debussy, “Minstrels” Shostakovich, arr. Tsyganov, Prelude in D flat, Op. 34 Shostakovich, arr. Tsyganov... Source

This episode begins with “Early in the Morning,” the song by Ned Rorem (who just turned ninety-nine). It proceeds with “Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin’.” Later on, there is “Sunday Morning,” one of the “Sea Interludes” from Britten’s opera “Peter Grimes.” Jay was not going for a morning theme. It just happened that way. There is other music too, including a hymn, both in its straightforward choral... Source

True to the title of this episode, Jay has September songs: classical (Strauss and Ives, for example); popular (Earth, Wind & Fire!); and in between (Weill). A wonderful and timely bouquet. Marx, “Septembermorgen” Weill-Anderson, “September Song” Stenhammar, “September” Schmidt-Jones, “Try to Remember” Ives, “September” Strauss, “September” Earth, Wind & Fire, “September”... Source

As you can tell from the heading, Jay plays “Mood Indigo” in this episode—or rather, Ella Fitzgerald sings it. There is more jazz at the end, as the Oscar Peterson Trio does up “Tangerine.” This episode also includes an aria by Puccini—two versions of it. Then there is a rare and wonderful tone poem by Liszt. And more. Highly interesting, and nourishing. Chopin, Etude in C minor, Op. 10... Source

This summer, Jay had a long talk with Marilyn Horne, the great mezzo-soprano, resulting in a piece called “A Life of Singing.” He thought a podcast, to accompany the piece, would be good. You may well agree. Tracks of various types, showing the versatility, and the heart, of this extraordinary singer. Mahler, “Liebst du um Schönheit,” from “Rückert-Lieder” Bizet, “Dat’s Love” (Habanera)... Source

This episode begins with Mozart—a movement from a piano sonata. It ends with a popular song, from the mid-1950s: “Little Things Mean a Lot.” In between are wonders and curiosities—including the Orientalist song on which the James Bond theme is based. Mozart, Allegretto from Sonata No. 10 in C major, K. 330 “The Star-Spangled Banner,” arranged by Stravinsky “The Tahiti Trot... Source

Jay presents a program of music by Aram Khachaturian. You get the “Sabre Dance,” sure, from the ballet “Gayane.” But plenty more, too. Very interesting fellow, Khachaturian. All tracks by Aram Khachaturian Waltz from “Masquerade” (orchestra) Suite from “Gayane” Adagio from “Spartacus” Waltz from “Masquerade” (piano) Piano Concerto Violin Concerto... Source

Sometimes Jay indulges in hyperbole—but the hyperbole is not far off. In this episode, he calls Dawn Upshaw’s 1989 recording of “No word from Tom” (Stravinsky) “just about the best thing ever.” You may well agree. He begins the episode with another “just about the best thing ever”: Leontyne Price in “Summertime” (Gershwin), live in Munich, 1968. Also on the menu are Mozart, Bridge, Medtner... Source

Jay begins and ends with Simon Preston, the English organist, who recently passed away. He also pays tribute to Alexander Toradze, the Georgian-born American pianist who also passed away in recent days. There is a little piece by Chopin, with which Jay is in love. And more. You remember Mitch Miller, from “Sing Along with Mitch”? Well, he began his career as an oboist. And Jay has him in a... Source

A couple of weeks ago, Alexei Lubimov, a Russian pianist, was playing at an anti-war concert in Moscow. Police burst in to stop the concert. Lubimov kept playing until he had finished his piece (a Schubert impromptu). At the end of this episode, Jay plays a recording by Lubimov (Chopin this time). There is also Bach, Granados, Kapustin, Glass—a fine assortment. Bach, Sinfonia... Source

That's the title of a Bernstein song: “I Hate Music” (“but I like to sing”). In this episode, Jay has Barbara Bonney sing it. There's also music by Mozart and other familiar composers. And music off the beaten path: Catoire? And a brand-new work by the American Scott Wheeler. And more. The episode ends as the previous one did: with a piece by Leroy Anderson. After Phil Smith and some of his friends played this piece at Lincoln Center, Smith said, “Well, that was a gasser.” For sure. Bach, Carl Philipp Emanuel, “La complaisante” Bernstein, “I Hate Music” Catoire, “Étude fantastique” Mozart, “Deh vieni non tardar,” from “The Marriage of Figaro” Wheeler, Scott, Adagietto from “Birds of America”: Violin Concerto No. 2 Trad., arr. Carl Davis, “Shenandoah” Anderson, “Bugler's Holiday”

This episode begins with a Vivaldi concerto and ends with a seasonal favorite: “Sleigh Ride,” by Leroy Anderson. In between, there is music by Bruch, Grieg, Stephen Foster, and others. In the mix is a spiritual, “Hold Out Your Light.” An eclectic, refreshing, and interesting program of music. Vivaldi, Flute Concerto in D, Op. 10, No. 3 Bruch, Violin Concerto No. 1 in G minor Bell, Joshua, cadenza for first movement of Beethoven's Violin Concerto Grieg, Finale from String Quartet in G minor Bristow, Symphony No. 4, “Arcadian” Trad., “Blow the Wind Southerly” Trad., “Hold Out Your Light” Foster, “Jeanie with the Light Brown Hair” Anderson, “Sleigh Ride”

In this episode, Jay does his annual Christmas show—this year featuring E. Power Biggs, Heidi Grant Murphy, Oscar Peterson, Marilyn Horne, and other worthy performers. A glad season, with glad music. “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen” Handel, “And He Shall Purify,” from “Messiah” “Angels We Have Heard on High” “Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella” “Long Ago in Bethlehem” “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day” “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town” “In dulci jubilo” “O Come, All Ye Faithful” “Last Month of the Year” “O Holy Night” Handel, “Worthy is the Lamb” and “Amen,” from “Messiah”

This episode begins with the “Chinese Dance” from “The Nutcracker”—a ballet that has been banned in Berlin. Wokeness has hopped the pond. Jay also plays an excerpt from an old, old opera based on the tale of Orpheus and Eurydice; and an excerpt from a new opera based on the same. In addition, there is music by Franz Schubert, Daniel Asia, and Stephen Sondheim—who passed away on November 26, at ninety-one. A striking menu of music, this episode has. Tchaikovsky, “Danse chinoise,” from “The Nutcracker” Gluck, “Che farò senza Euridice,” from “Orfeo ed Euridice” Aucoin, “This is what it is to love an artist,” from “Eurydice” Asia, “Halleluyah,” from Symphony No. 2 Schubert, arr. Dietz, “Ave Maria” Sondheim, “A Little Priest,” from “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street”

Nelson Freire, who passed away this month, said that pianists ought to play with joy. He did. There is a lot of joy in this episode, and sublimity, ethereality, and other qualities to savor. From Wagner to Errol Garner. Trad., arr. Schindler, “Jasmine Flower” Puccini, “Signore, ascolta,” from “Turandot” Wagner, “Selig, wie die Sonne meines Glückes lacht,” from “Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg” Albéniz-Godowsky, Tango in D major Kern-Garner, “The Way You Look Tonight”

A piece he was writing about soccer, believe it or not, put Jay in mind of a song. So did the title of the latest Bond movie. There have been some passings in music recently: of Carlisle Floyd, Edita Gruberová, and Bernard Haitink. Jay pays tribute to these musicians, and, as usual, to music itself. Trad., arr. Britten, “Come You Not from Newcastle?” Trad., arr. ?, “Ain't Got Time to Die” Chopin, Etude in E major, Op. 10, No. 3 Chopin-Melichar, “In mir klingt ein Lied” Floyd, “Ain't it a pretty night,” from “Susannah” Bellini, “Casta diva,” from “Norma” Bruckner, Symphony No. 8

In the current issue of the magazine, Jay has a chronicle on the 2021 Salzburg Festival. In this episode, he plays some of the music he discusses: from Bach to Mozart to Gershwin. (There are seven composers in all.) A marvelous array of pieces and performers. Bach, Keyboard Partita No. 1 in B flat, Gigue Handel, “Lascia la spina, cogli la rosa,” from “Il trionfo del Tempo e del Disinganno” Bach, Keyboard Partita No. 5 in G, Gigue Mozart, Exsultate, jubilate Cimara, “Stornello” Gershwin, Preludes Massenet, “En fermant les yeux,” from “Werther” Beethoven, Missa solemnis

The opening piece, Jay says is one of the most joyous, most exuberant pieces ever written. It is a movement of a symphony, actually—the finale. Jay closes this program with Victor Borge, the musician-comedian, or comedian-musician—but in a serious vein. There is much to soak in, in this relatively brief program. Maybe the kind to listen to twice. Mozart, Symphony No. 34 in C, K. 338, finale Rorem, “Ferry Me Across the Water” Bach-Loussier, Toccata and Fugue in D minor, BWV 565 Henriques, Lullaby

It is characteristic of this podcast to contain a variety of music. But this episode is exceptionally diverse, with music by George Walker, Lili Boulanger, and Florence Price, to go with music by Mozart, Shostakovich, and Hindemith. Jay lays it out for you. Interesting and rewarding musical terrain. Walker, “Lyric for Strings” Shostakovich, Concerto No. 1 in C minor for Piano, Trumpet, and Strings, last movement Mozart, Serenade No. 10 in B flat for winds, “Gran Partita” Boulanger, Lili, “D'un vieux jardin,” from “Trois Morceaux” Price, “Ethiopia's Shadow in America” Hindemith, “Symphonic Metamorphosis of Themes by Carl Maria von Weber,” March

“Care to romp around in some Romantic piano music?” asks Jay. “Virtuosic Romantic piano music? High-quality salon stuff? Well, that's what we're going to do.” Jay gives us a program of the talented, witty, dashing Moritz Moszkowski (1854–1925). The final piece is maybe Moszkowski's best loved: “Étincelles,” or “Sparks.” Music of Moritz Moszkowski Étude de Virtuosité in F, Op. 72, No. 6 “Chanson bohème” “Caprice espagnole” Piano Concerto No. 2 in E, Op. 59 Étude de Virtuosité in A flat, Op. 72, No. 11 “Guitarre,” arr. Sarasate “Étincelles”

Jay has a piece by Bach, and one of his best. He has another piece once attributed to Bach. And he has a third piece that may or not be—by the master, that is. In any case, wonderful music, and a highly interesting program. Bach?-Stokowski, Toccata and Fugue in D minor, bwv 565 Stölzel (formerly attributed to Bach), “Bist du bei mir” Bach, Toccata and Fugue in D minor, bwv 538

When Jay says “just perfect,” in this episode, he is referring to Marilyn Horne's singing of “At the River.” This is the piece that ends the podcast. It's a little Independence Day nod. Elsewhere, Jay discusses and plays a Debussy song, two famous guitar pieces, and a piano piece by Frederic Rzewski, the American composer (also a political radical), recently deceased. A neat, varied, interesting, and enriching program. Debussy, “La mer est plus belle que les cathédrales” Villa-Lobos, Prelude No. 5 Rzewski, “Down by the Riverside” Barrios, “Julia Florida” Lowry, arr. Copland, “At the River”

This episode begins with a poem, first published in The New Criterion, in 2002: Charles Tomlinson's “If Bach had been a beekeeper.” It speaks of “the honey of C major.” We then duly hear some Bach in C major. We also hear a famous aria—an aria made famous by a movie. And “Estrellita,” in two different versions: the original song, plus what Heifetz did to it, or rather, for it. The podcast includes other appetizing items as well. A fine smorgasbord. Bach, Prelude and Fugue in C major, “The Well-Tempered Clavier,” Book 2 Catalani, “Ebben? Ne andrò lontana,” from “La Wally” Ponce-Heifetz, “Estrellita” Coleridge-Taylor, “You Lay So Still in Sunshine” Milhaud, “Love, My Heart” Shostakovich, Piano Concerto No. 2, first movement Ponce, “Estrellita”

Jay provides a program of songs and arias about spring: a variety of composers and languages. And performers. Maria Callas and Ella Fitzgerald are among them. This is a wonderful category of music: rhapsodic, hopeful, giddy, appreciative. Spring it up. Argento, “Spring,” from “Six Elizabethan Songs” Hahn, “Le printemps” Strauss, “Der Lenz” Wagner, “Du bist der Lenz,” from “Die Walküre” Rachmaninoff, “Spring Waters” Saint-Säens, “Printemps qui commence,” from “Samson et Dalila” Hoiby, “Always It’s Spring” Rodgers & Hammerstein, “It Might As Well Be Spring”

In this episode, Jay begins with some playing by Maxim Lando, a teenage pianist. There is also a solo-violin piece by John Corigliano: “Stomp.” At the end, Jay pays tribute to Christa Ludwig, one of the greatest singers of all time, who has passed away at 93. In a life of interviewing, he has been starstruck very few times, he says. He was by Christa Ludwig. Sibelius, Piano Sonata in F, Op. 12 Led Zeppelin / Maxim Lando, “Stairway to Heaven” Glazunov, finale, Symphony No. 5, “Heroic” Corigliano, “Stomp” Mancini, Theme to “Peter Gunn” Brahms, “Wie Melodien zieht es mir”

This episode ends with “Embraceable You,” the Gershwin song—but in a piano arrangement by Earl Wild. An extraordinary thing. The episode begins with some Bach—the same piece, more or less, two different ways. Jay also has some music by Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, known by some as “the African Mahler.” There is a story, too, about French horn playing. Does your pulse race when you have a big solo? You bet it does. Much to savor here. Bach, Prelude in E minor from Book I of “The Well-Tempered Clavier” Bach-Siloti, Prelude in B minor Coleridge-Taylor, Clarinet Quintet in F-sharp minor, Op. 10, first movement Dove, “Departure,” from “Airport Scenes” Tchaikovsky, Symphony No. 5, slow movement Gershwin-Wild, “Embraceable You”

Jay begins with a toast from “La rondine,” Puccini’s opera; he ends with “The Lord’s Prayer,” sung by Leontyne Price on “The Ed Sullivan Show.” Lots in between, of course: including tributes to the jazz pianist and composer Claude Bolling; the jazz guitarist Pat Metheny; and the organist John Weaver. A delicious program. Puccini, “Bevo […]

What a strange title. What could it mean? That Jay addresses “The Well-Tempered Clavier” (both books), that masterpiece by Bach. And that he addresses music by Catalan composers. A successful mixture, we think you will find. Bach, Prelude and Fugue in C major, “The Well-Tempered Clavier,” Book II Montsalvatge, two songs from “Cinco canciones negras” Mompou, […]

In 1913, Vachel Lindsay wrote “General William Booth Enters into Heaven.” It speaks of the founder of the Salvation Army. Peggy Noonan cited this poem in a recent column. In 1914, Charles Ives set the poem to music. You will hear it in this episode. Also a Beatles concerto (yes), a rag by an early […]

Jay has an assortment for you—some Bach, some jazz, some Russian, some French, a spiritual . . . It all ends with a thrilling “First Nowell.” Bach, “Jauchzet, frohlocket,” Christmas Oratorio Berlin, “White Christmas” Bach, “Nun seid ihr wohl gerochen,” Christmas Oratorio Gauntlett, “Once in Royal David’s City” Trad., “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen” Chesnokov, “Gabriel Appeared” Trad., […]Join the conversation and comment on this podcast episode: https://ricochet.com/podcast/music-for-a-while/sounds-of-christmas/.Now become a Ricochet member for only $5.00 a month! Join and see what you’ve been missing: https://ricochet.com/membership/.Subscribe to Music For a While in Apple Podcasts (and leave a 5-star review, please!), or by RSS feed. For all our podcasts in one place, subscribe to the Ricochet Audio Network Superfeed in Apple Podcasts or by RSS feed.

This episode is a real smorgasbord—works, mainly short, by Domenico Scarlatti, Rachmaninoff, Duparc, Stravinsky, Jonathan Dove, and Jerome Kern, among others. A tasty, diverse spread. You may well want it all. Scarlatti, D., Sonata in G, K. 14 Rachmaninoff, Andante, Cello Sonata Duparc, Lento, Cello Sonata Lachenmann, “Five Variations on a Theme by Franz Schubert” […]Join the conversation and comment on this podcast episode: https://ricochet.com/podcast/music-for-a-while/bits-and-pieces/.Now become a Ricochet member for only $5.00 a month! Join and see what you’ve been missing: https://ricochet.com/membership/.Subscribe to Music For a While in Apple Podcasts (and leave a 5-star review, please!), or by RSS feed. For all our podcasts in one place, subscribe to the Ricochet Audio Network Superfeed in Apple Podcasts or by RSS feed.

In honor of the recent “blue moon,” Jay plays four songs about the moon—two classical, two popular. He also has some Quincy Jones, some Cannibal Corpse (yup), some Villa-Lobos, and some Bruckner. Complain if you will, but not about a lack of variety. Rodgers & Hart, “Blue Moon” Bellini, “Vaga luna, che inargenti” Dvořák, “Song […]Join the conversation and comment on this podcast episode: https://ricochet.com/podcast/music-for-a-while/over-the-moon/.Now become a Ricochet member for only $5.00 a month! Join and see what you’ve been missing: https://ricochet.com/membership/.Subscribe to Music For a While in Apple Podcasts (and leave a 5-star review, please!), or by RSS feed. For all our podcasts in one place, subscribe to the Ricochet Audio Network Superfeed in Apple Podcasts or by RSS feed.