Podcasts about Four Last Songs

If you, like many of us, are struggling to find things to be grateful for this Thanksgiving, I have put together an episode featuring a national (and international) treasure, the exquisite soprano Roberta Alexander. In fact, I could just as easily have entitled this episode “Giving Thanks FOR Roberta Alexander.” Roberta has been featured many times on the podcast and I'm thrilled to bring her to you yet again in a refurbished bonus episode from the summer of 2023. Three works are foregrounded: first is Samuel Barber's dramatic scena Andromache's Farewell, which was composed for Martina Arroyo for the inaugural season of the New York Philharmonic at its new home at Lincoln Center. The recording featuring Roberta and conductor Edo de Waart is from the year 1993. There follows a complete performance (one of the finest in my experience) of Aaron Copland's song cycle Twelve Poems of Emily Dickinson, his most extended solo vocal work, heard in a 1990 recording with British pianist Roger Vignoles. And finally, the crowning jewel: a live performance of Roberta Alexander in her youthful prime singing Richard Strauss's Four Last Songs. To my ear, this represents the perfect meeting of composer and artist, a near-ideal rendition of these songs, and one which is not readily available anywhere else on the interwebs. This episode is further interspersed with jewels from Roberta's 1985 recording of songs by Leonard Bernstein, all of which are exquisitely (as well as sometimes painfully) appropriate at this moment in the history of the United States and provide us with food for thought as we observe with solemnity this iconic holiday. Countermelody is a podcast devoted to the glory and the power of the human voice raised in song. Singer and vocal aficionado Daniel Gundlach explores great singers of the past and present focusing in particular on those who are less well-remembered today than they should be. Daniel's lifetime in music as a professional countertenor, pianist, vocal coach, voice teacher, and journalist yields an exciting array of anecdotes, impressions, and “inside stories.” At Countermelody's core is the celebration of great singers of all stripes, their instruments, and the connection they make to the words they sing. By clicking on the following link (https://linktr.ee/CountermelodyPodcast) you can find the dedicated Countermelody website which contains additional content including artist photos and episode setlists. The link will also take you to Countermelody's Patreon page, where you can pledge your monthly support at whatever level you can afford.

The Greg and Dan Show welcomes Maestro George Stelluto and Vocalist Erica Petrocelli ahead of the Peoria Symphony Orchestra's April concert, Voyage, on April 20th at the Peoria Civic Center Theater. In this month's concert, the PSO will feature a guest conductor Louis Lohraseb and guest artist Erica Petrocelli with the performance of Strauss' Tod und Verklärung, Op. 24 and Four Last Songs, plus Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 4, Op. 36 in F minor. Visit peoriasymphony.org for tickets and more information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

durée : 00:15:04 - Le Disque classique du jour du mercredi 14 février 2024 - La soprano Asmik Grigorian nous offre l'enregistrement des "Quatre Derniers lieder" de Richard Strauss, en version orchestrale avec l'Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France dirigé par Mikko Franck, et en version avec piano accompagnée par Markus Hinterhäuser

At the Mzanzi National Philharmonic concert next Saturday at which the main work will be Mahler's Fifth Symphony conducted by Marin Alsop, the first half will feature dramatic soprano arias sung by Masabane Cecilia Rangwanashe who is based in Europe and who has been dazzling audiences with her radiant voice. She has just sung the Four Last Songs of Richard Strauss at a Proms concert in London and works regularly with Antonio Pappano at the Royal Opera House. Masabane has given solo recitals at the Wigmore hall and has appeared in Washington, Hamburg, Dresden, Atlanta and Chicago. I managed to get her on a zoom connection for this week's People of Note.

The South African soprano Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha talks to Front Row ahead of returning to the Proms this Saturday to sing Strauss's Four Last Songs with the National Youth Orchestra. Critics Sharlene Teo and Max Liu review Joy Ride, the feature film debut of Adele Lim, who also wrote Crazy Rich Asians - and also Ann Patchett's new novel Tom Lake, a story about how we tell the story of our lives – and how we fill the inevitable gaps. And the composer and conductor Carl Davis has died. His film and television successes include the themes for the BBC's 1995 adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, ITV's landmark history series the The World At War, and the TV adaptation of Far Pavilions. He wrote part of the Liverpool Oratorio with Paul McCartney to mark the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic's 150th anniversary. The composer and author Neil Brand joins us to celebrate the work of Carl Davis. Presenter: Tom Sutcliffe Producer: Paul Waters

Synopsis The German composer Richard Strauss wrote his first song at age 6, and his last at age 84, a year before his death in 1949. Four of his last songs were for soprano and orchestra. These Four Last Songs, as they came to be known, were premiered in London, at the Royal Albert Hall, on today's date in 1950. Strauss had written to the great Norwegian soprano Kirsten Flagstad, suggesting "I would like to make it possible that [the songs] should be at your disposal for a world premiere ... with a first-class conductor and orchestra.” Flagstad did sing the premiere performances, with the first-rate Philharmonia Orchestra of London conducted by the legendary German conductor Wilhelm Furtwangler. In addition to those famous performers, credit for the realization of Strauss's request is also due to an unlikely and exotic patron of the arts, namely the Maharaja of Mysore, who put up a cash guarantee for the Strauss premiere. And since he could not be present himself, the Maharaja asked that the premiere be recorded and the discs shipped to him in Mysore. The Maharaja had wanted to be concert pianist, but the deaths of both his father and his uncle forced him to succeed to the throne in 1940 at the age of 21. In addition to underwriting the Strauss premiere, the young Maharaja championed the music of the Russian composer Nikolas Medtner, and, in 1945, the creation of the Philharmonia Orchestra of London as a recording ensemble for the enterprising EMI producer Walter Legge. In addition to Western classical music, the Maharaja was passionate about the court music of his native land, and, under the pen name of Shri Vidya, himself composed almost 100 works in the South Indian tradition. Music Played in Today's Program Richard Strauss (1864 - 1949) "Im Abendrot (At Twlight)," from "Four Last Songs" Jessye Norman, s; Leipzig Gewandhaus Orch; Kurt Masur, conductor. Philips CD 464 742

The album follows up on the soprano's Sony Classical debut, an aria recital entitled “Rachel,” released last year to unanimous international praise. Germany's Das Opernglas noted that “Willis-Sørensen sings marvelously with her beautifully shimmering, silvery, well-rounded soprano voice, whose slight vibrato enhances the emotions expressed.” While Gramophone Magazine recommended the album as “a rewarding and intelligent debut from a very fine singer”. French classical magazine L'Opéra praised her as “An uncommon talent, able to rival the best examples of the past”.TRACKLISTRICHARD STRAUSS 1864–1949 Four Last Songs / Vier letzte Lieder TrV 296 Four Last Songs 1. No. 1: Frühling (3:28)Text: Hermann Hesse 2. No. 2: September (4:59)Text: Hermann Hesse 3. No. 3: Beim Schlafengehen (5:44)Text: Hermann Hesse 4. No. 4: Im Abendrot (8:08) Text: Joseph von Eichendorff Final Scene from Capriccio TrV 179 A Conversation Piece for Music Text: Richard Strauss & Clemens Krauss 5. Mondscheinmusik. Andante con moto (3:36)Moonlight Interlude 6. “Wo ist mein Bruder?” (countess, major-domo) (2:51) 7. “Kein Andres, das mir so im Herzen loht” (countess) (4:36) 8. “Ihre Liebe schlägt mir entgegen” (countess) (4:53) 9. “Du Spiegelbild der verliebten Madeleine” (countess) (7:11)Help support our show by purchasing this album  at:Downloads (classicalmusicdiscoveries.store) Classical Music Discoveries is sponsored by Uber. @CMDHedgecock#ClassicalMusicDiscoveries #KeepClassicalMusicAlive#LaMusicaFestival #CMDGrandOperaCompanyofVenice #CMDParisPhilharmonicinOrléans#CMDGermanOperaCompanyofBerlin#CMDGrandOperaCompanyofBarcelonaSpain#ClassicalMusicLivesOn#Uber Please consider supporting our show, thank you!Donate (classicalmusicdiscoveries.store) staff@classicalmusicdiscoveries.com This album is broadcasted with the permission of Crossover Media Music Promotion (Zachary Swanson and Amanda Bloom).

The soprano Rachel Willis-Sørensen has just released an album of Richard Strauss, two late works – the Four Last Songs and the Closing scene from the opera Capriccio. On this new Sony Classical release she's joined by the Gewandhausorchester and Andris Nelsons. James Jolly caught up with her by Zoom to talk repertoire and the allure of Strauss's vocal writing. Gramophone Podcasts are given in association with Wigmore Hall.

Historically and traditionally, the arts have enjoyed the patronage of kings.We all know that culture broadens minds. It's an important basis by which society finds expression and happiness. So it is in the larger common good that culture has been encouraged. It binds a society and gives it an identity. And a personality. And sets up the basis for cultural interaction with other societies.People like kings patronise the arts to allow its exponents the freedom to live in their minds and pursue their muse. Musicians, dancers, artists, dramatists and storytellers have enjoyed the patronage of the palace.The Maharajas of Mysore—many of them—have pursued the arts themselves. The most notable among them being Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar—the last Maharaja of Mysore before his kingdom acceded to the Union of Indian states in 1947. He was a thinker, a published philosopher, a patron of the arts—but importantly, he, a patron without bias. While there is a rich legacy of Carnatic music patronised by him, Wadiyar fulfilled the last wish of legendary composer Richard Strauss. This is a little known fact.In 1950, he sponsored a performance at the Royal Albert Hall, by London's Philharmonia Orchestra led by German conductor Wilhelm Furtwängler and with soprano Kirsten Flagstad singing Strauss's final composition, Four Last Songs.The Maharaja was an accomplished musician too. Schooled in Carnatic and Western classical music, he tried to make meaning of the two forms and worked tirelessly to find a blend—later admitting that is was difficult. (As a musician, I want to say that unfortunately too many musicians have been pitiless in this pursuit.)Chronicling this unusual Maharaja is my guest today, Deepti Navaratna, author of an unconventionally structured biography of Wadiyar, titled The Maverick Maharaja.But as I researched her, I realised that she is unusual. By my reckoning, she is a wonderful Carnatic singer. And she is a neuroscientist, which means she is licensed to dissect brains in a laboratory.Scientific research is a linear and process driven discipline and conclusions are reached by goals and planned milestones. Surprises are often not welcome. The other side of her, is music. And the point of musical composition is to defy linearity while sticking to a framework of rules and conventions. The point of music is surprise.Maybe the two are connected. And maybe it takes a maverick to make the connection. Let's find out.ABOUT DEEPTI NAVARATNAA musician and neuroscientist, she served as the Regional Director, Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts. She directed the centre's research, academic and outreach activities at the intersection of arts and sciences. She is currently the TV Raman Pai Chair of Excellence and Professor of Humanities at the National Institute Of Advanced Studies, Bangalore.Buy The Maverick Maharaja: https://amzn.to/3ALLovEThe Mysore Anthem composed by the Maharaja of Mysore, JC Wadiyar and imagined by Dr Deepti Navaratna: https://youtu.be/axLDJ-HtQIcWHAT'S THAT WORD?!Co-host Pranati "Pea" Madhav joins Ramjee Chandran in "What's That Word?!",  where they discuss the word "MAVERICK".WANT TO BE ON THE SHOW?Reach us by mail: theliterarycity@explocity.com or simply, tlc@explocity.com.Or here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theliterarycityOr here:  https://www.instagram.com/explocityblr/

Reno Phil music director and conductor Laura Jackson speaks with Chris Morrison about "Prokofiev's Fifth," the fifth concert of the Reno Phil's 2021-22 season. The concerts feature Mozart's "Don Giovanni" Overture, Prokofiev's Symphony #5, and Strauss's "Four Last Songs" with soprano soloist Jessica Rivera.

Four Last Songs. Richard Strauss.

This episode features Richard Strauss's Four Last Songs, as well as a reflection on the impact of polls upon elections.

Alexandra Farber originally from Washington DC began her training at Maryland Youth Ballet and Houston Ballet too. Alexandra has also attended various summer programs, including those offered by the school of American Ballet Theater, San Francisco Ballet School, and the Houston Ballet, Ben Stevenson's Academy. She joined Texas Ballet Theater in 2012, and in her time there has performed as Odette-Odile, as Aurora in Sleeping Beauty- Atlanta, in Dracula, the Sugarplum, the Snow Queen and Clara in the Nutcracker, the Winter Fairy in Cinderella, and in William Forsythe's in the Middle Somewhat Elevated. In Ben Stevenson's Twilight pas de deux and his Four Last Songs. She also performed leading roles in George Balanchine's Allegro Brillante, Jerome Robbins' The Concert, Glenn Tetley's Voluntaries, Carlos Acosta's Carmen, Christopher Wheeldon's DGV dance, and many more. Her mixed media art was accepted into Viridian Artist's New York City, 30 under 30 show in 2021 and her latest choreography, The Way We Change was an official selection in the International Authors Film Festival, and won best dance film from the Silk Road Film Award, Cannes. She is passionate about art-making and supports those who do this on a consistent basis. In this episode, she shares about not just what 2020 deprived her of, but also her lessons learned, as well as what it brought her. She shares her perspective as an artist, a producer, and a choreographer, and also a creator outside the studio. Resources Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/farbie/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alexandra-farber Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandra-farber Thank you so much for listening, so much ❤ Susanne. Pointe To Rise links below:

Your free classical podcast this month is Four Last Songs by Richard Strauss, sung by Emma Pearson with the NZSO conducted by Hamish McKeich.

This summer on the Mind Over Finger Podcast, I promise you a fantastic time with wonderful guests! Every month I'm having a live Q&A with amazing musicians in my Facebook group, the Mind Over Finger Tribe and, as to be expected, much wisdom is being shared! We start with pianist Konstantin Soukhovetski, we continue in May with violinist Callum Smart, in June you'll hear from trumpet player Christopher Still from Honesty Pill, July will bring violinist Esther Abrami, and we'll spend time with guitarist Brandon Jack Acker in August. I hope you can join us live for the upcoming sessions. All of the details are in the Mind Over Finger Tribe at facebook.com/groups/mindoverfingertribe.   If you're enjoying today's content, take a screenshot as you're listening, share on social and tag me and my guest so we can thank you for tuning in!     Frustrated with your playing?  Unsatisfied with you career?  Ready for a change? Whatever your challenge, you don't have to go at it alone, and I can help.  Visit www. https://www.mindoverfinger.com/workwithme to learn more and book your call and let's discuss how to get you from where you are to where you want to be.   THE MUSIC MASTERY EXPERIENCE will be back in June 2021.  This is my LIFE CHANGING, highly personalized group coaching program where I show you how to implement mindful & effective practice techniques, how to make them habits, and how to get RESULTS. Save your spot at http://www.mindoverfinger.com/mme and get access to some really cool bonuses.     MORE ABOUT KONSTANTIN SOUKHOVETSKI: Website: https://www.konstantinthepianist.com/ YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/konstantinstar Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheRockStarPianist/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/konstantinstar/ Twitter: https://www.facebook.com/TheRockStarPianist/   Following the premiere of his transcription of R. Strauss' Four Last Songs at L'Esprit du Piano Festival in Bordeaux, France  Konstantin Soukhovetski has cemented his place as one of premiere pianist/composers of his generation. His transcriptions have been heard around the world from South African to Hong Kong; in United States' NYC's Lyric Chamber Music Society, New Orlean's MASNO, Sacramento's Crocker Museum and Pianofest in The Hamptons, where Konstantin is Artist-In-Residence since 2011. Konstantin has won 2019 Innovation Award from Music Academy Of The West. Konstantin Soukhovetski continues the Golden Age traditions of piano performance instilled in him by his mentor- the great American pianist Jerome Lowenthal.   Pending post-COVID schedule will take Konstantin Soukhovetski to Lincoln Center's Alice Tully Hall with Rachmaninoff Concerto #4 with Pegasus Orchestra, and UC Davis's Mondavi Arts Center with Brahms Concerto #2 with Auburn Symphony. Konstantin will premiere a new ballet by Russian-American award-winning composer Polina Nazaykinskaya commissioned by MorDance in November of 2021. Konstantin is currently working on his first opera libretto for “Tear Down This Wall” in collaboration with Polina Nazaykinskaya commissioned for the 75th Anniversary Season of Mississippi Opera in 2023. In 2018 Konstantin gave world premiere of Ms. Nazaykinskaya ballet “Nostalgia” with Rioult Dance at the Joyce Theater in New York City. Acting credits include: as a narrator with Miami Symphony's Musimelange performance  Stravinsky's Soldier's Tale, Forbidden Juilliard as multiple characters at The Juilliard School and Club Makkor in NYC and Victor or Children in Power as Young Victor at  Moscow State Satire Theatre, Moscow, Russia. Feature film: Dishonorable Vendetta directed by Andre Josef. Short features: Decent Men, Ossetia and Hansel and Gretel, Carbon Based  and  Pictures. Konstantin is a producer and host of “The Real Pianists of The Hamptons" filmed at Pianofest in The Hamptons. Highlights of career: Johannesburg Philharmonic and Eastern Cape Philharmonic Orchestra on multiple South African tours after winning Silver at UNISA International Piano competition in Pretoria, South Africa; Miami Symphony Orchestra, Richmond, Austin,  Auburn, Westmoreland, Virginia and Asheville Symphony Orchestras. He appeared at London's Wigmore Hall, New York's Weill Recital and Zankel Halls at Carnegie Hall, Phillips Collection in Washington, DC, Auditorium Du Louvre in Paris, France and Zentrum Paul Klee in Bern, Switzerland to name a few. Following his debut at Alice Tully Hall, in New York's Lincoln Center asThe Juilliard School 's 2006 William Petschek Debut Recital Award winner The New York Times headlined: “Romanticism so intense it warms up Philip Glass.” ​Mr. Soukhovetski has worked with distinguished conductors: Daniel Meyer, Gérard Korsten, Eduardo Marturet, James DePreist, Jahja Ling, François-Xavier Roth, Doron Salomon, Conrad von Alphen, Michael Goodwin, Stephen Ramsey, Omri Hadari, Andrew Grams and Emil Tabakov. Mr. Soukhovetski is a board member of Southampton Cultural Center, NY where is an Managing Director of The Rising Stars Piano Series and has served on the juries of numerous competitions including Hong Kong Music Schools Festival. Mr. Soukhovetski is an Adjunct Faculty and an alumnus of The Juilliard School where he has earned his BM, MM, and AD degrees with Jerome Lowenthal. Born in Moscow to a family of artists he studied at the Moscow Central Special Music School, under the auspices of the Moscow State Conservatory, with Anatoly Ryabov. ​Awards: ​Second Prize, 2011 Iowa International Piano Competition Third Prize, 2011 Bosendorfer International Piano Competition Second Prize and Audience Prize, 2010 Ima Hogg International Competition First Prize and Audience Prize, 2007 New Orleans International Piano Competition William Petschek Debut Recital Award Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowship for New Americans Second Prize, 2004 UNISA International Piano Competition in Pretoria, South Africa Third Prize, 2003 Cleveland International Piano Competition The Juilliard School's Arthur Rubinstein Award The Juilliard School's 2003 Gina Bachauer Competition First Prize, 2002 Hilton Head International Piano Competition Second Prize, 2002 Walter W. Naumburg International Piano Competition Grand Prize and First Prize at 1997 World Piano International Competition         Join the Mind Over Finger Tribe for access to my weekly live videos and to exchange with a community of like-minded musicians   Visit www.mindoverfinger.com and sign up for my newsletter to get your free guide to an exceptionally productive practice using the metronome.  This guide is the perfect entry point to help you bring more mindfulness and efficiency into your practice and it's filled with tips and tricks on how to use that wonderful tool to take your practicing and your playing to new heights.     THANK YOU: A HUGE thank you to my fantastic producer, Bella Kelly, who works really hard to make this podcast as pleasant to listen to as possible for you. Most sincere thank you to composer Jim Stephenson who graciously provided the show's musical theme.  Concerto #1 for Trumpet and Chamber Orchestra – Movement 2: Allegro con Brio, performed by Jeffrey Work, trumpet, and the Lake Forest Symphony, conducted by Jim Stephenson. Thank you to Susan Blackwell for the introduction.  You can find out more about Susan, her fantastic podcast The Spark File, and her work helping creatives of all backgrounds expand their impact by visiting https://www.susanblackwell.com/home.   MIND OVER FINGER: www.mindoverfinger.com https://www.facebook.com/mindoverfinger/ https://www.instagram.com/mindoverfinger/    

In the second part of Charlie's chat with his best and oldest friend, The Fast Show co-creator Paul Whitehouse, the friends talk about music snobbery, Match of the Day, John Lydon, going to the opera in a shorts and T-shirt, lockdown locks – and DJ Mike Smash also makes an appearance. The podcast features an extract of ‘Torna a Surriento' by Ernesto de Curtis, performed by Luciano Pavarotti and the Orchestra of the Maggio Musicale Fiorentina. We also heard a clip of ‘Off Side' by Barry Stoller, better known as the Match of the Day theme, followed by part of Mozart's Violin Concerto No.5, performed by the London Symphony Orchestra & Nikolaj Szeps-Znaider, available on the London Symphony Orchestra's own label, LSO Live: https://lsolive.lso.co.uk/. Paul chose an extract of Louis Farrakhan's live performance of Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto, and the final extract was from ‘Going to Sleep' from Richard Strauss' Four Last Songs, performed by Jessye Norman and the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra. The Charlie Higson and Friends podcasts were originally broadcast as a series on Scala Radio in April 2021. Scala Radio is a classical music and entertainment station broadcasting across the UK on DAB digital radio, smart speaker, SKY TV channel 0216, the Scala Radio app and online at scalaradio.co.uk

The German composer Richard Strauss wrote his first song at age 6, and his last at age 84, a year before his death in 1949. Four of his last songs were for soprano and orchestra, settings of one poem by the Romantic poet Josef von Eichendorff, and three by the modern poet and novelist Hermann Hesse. These “Four Last Songs,” as they came to be known, were premiered in London, at the Royal Albert Hall, on today’s date in 1950. Strauss had written to the great Norwegian soprano Kirsten Flagstad, suggesting "I would like to make it possible that [the songs] should be at your disposal for a world premiere … with a first-class conductor and orchestra.” Flagstad did sing the premiere performances, with the first-rate Philharmonia Orchestra of London conducted by the legendary German conductor Wilhelm Furtwangler. In addition to those famous performers, credit for the realization of Strauss’s request is also due to an unlikely and exotic patron of the arts, namely the Maharaja of Mysore, Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar Bahudar, who put up a cash guarantee for the Strauss premiere. And since he could not be present himself, the Maharaja asked that the premiere be recorded and the discs shipped to him in Mysore. The Maharaja had wanted to be concert pianist, but the deaths of both his father and his uncle forced him to succeed to the throne in 1940 at the age of 21. Mysore was one of the most prosperous states of India, and, in addition to underwriting the premiere of Strauss’s “Four Last Songs”, the young Maharaja championed the music of the Russian composer Nikolas Medtner, and, in 1945, the creation of the Philharmonia Orchestra of London as a recording ensemble for the enterprising EMI producer Walter Legge. In addition to Western classical music, the Maharaja was passionate about the court music of his native land, and, under the pen name of Shri Vidya, himself composed almost 100 works in the South Indian tradition.

The German composer Richard Strauss wrote his first song at age 6, and his last at age 84, a year before his death in 1949. Four of his last songs were for soprano and orchestra, settings of one poem by the Romantic poet Josef von Eichendorff, and three by the modern poet and novelist Hermann Hesse. These “Four Last Songs,” as they came to be known, were premiered in London, at the Royal Albert Hall, on today’s date in 1950. Strauss had written to the great Norwegian soprano Kirsten Flagstad, suggesting "I would like to make it possible that [the songs] should be at your disposal for a world premiere … with a first-class conductor and orchestra.” Flagstad did sing the premiere performances, with the first-rate Philharmonia Orchestra of London conducted by the legendary German conductor Wilhelm Furtwangler. In addition to those famous performers, credit for the realization of Strauss’s request is also due to an unlikely and exotic patron of the arts, namely the Maharaja of Mysore, Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar Bahudar, who put up a cash guarantee for the Strauss premiere. And since he could not be present himself, the Maharaja asked that the premiere be recorded and the discs shipped to him in Mysore. The Maharaja had wanted to be concert pianist, but the deaths of both his father and his uncle forced him to succeed to the throne in 1940 at the age of 21. Mysore was one of the most prosperous states of India, and, in addition to underwriting the premiere of Strauss’s “Four Last Songs”, the young Maharaja championed the music of the Russian composer Nikolas Medtner, and, in 1945, the creation of the Philharmonia Orchestra of London as a recording ensemble for the enterprising EMI producer Walter Legge. In addition to Western classical music, the Maharaja was passionate about the court music of his native land, and, under the pen name of Shri Vidya, himself composed almost 100 works in the South Indian tradition.

In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Janelle Colquhoun about her incredible life before and after blindness. Her “I'm Blind, Whatever!” attitude is contagious and inspiring! At age 10, Janelle Colquhoun was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, which she ignored as she pursued her passion to be on stage. During school she took music, dance and drama lessons, performed in choirs, stage shows, dance revues and played trumpet in concert and jazz bands before winning a scholarship to study opera at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music. At the end of expo Janelle accepted a full-time contract with the Australian Opera, where a highlight was singing in a trio with Dame Joan Sutherland in her Farewell Season. Two years and many successful singing competitions later, Janelle moved to Europe where she sang with the Oper Frankfurt until aged 29 she went blind from the complications of diabetes. She moved back to Brisbane and between many more diabetes-related health issues including stomach cancer, 3 years of dialysis, a heart attack, a kidney-pancreas transplant, and since being immunosuppressed a chronic lung infection, her ongoing professional performances continued with singing the High Priestess in Michael Edgley’s stadium production of Aida, singing the Four Last Songs with the Brisbane Sinfonia, and being a principal in the Access Arts / IHOS Opera experimental opera ‘The Divine Kiss’. Janelle has recorded 3 solo CDs and has appeared as singer, speaker, workshop facilitator and media spokesperson throughout Australia and in Paris, Bermuda, Seoul, Chicago, Montreal, Switzerland, Dubai, London, Auckland, Berlin, New Delhi, Singapore and Kathmandu. In 1999 Janelle established Salubrious Productions, an entertainment and production agency specialising in representing professional artists with disability. She has produced over 1400 mainstream and disability stream events including concerts, art exhibitions, pantomimes, cabarets and a film. She has held innumerable contracts with the Brisbane City Council including the classical and world music lunchtime concert series 2002-2015, and the Children’s and Music Library Series 2002-2012. Janelle is the convener of Sisters in Crime Queensland and has sat on 24 NGO and government committees including the peer panels of the Brisbane City Council, Arts Queensland and Australia Council. Currently she sits on five state and federal health committees as a consumer representative. Although Janelle had never previously been interested in sports, in 2017 she took up blind archery and in 2019 became the Australian Indoor and Outdoor Blind archery Champion and record holder for both. Episode links at https://neshnikolic.com/podcast/janelle-colquhoun

Iain Burnside recommends recordings of Richard Strauss's Four Last Songs

Gramophone's current Young Artist of the Year is Lise Davidsen, a singer with a huge future ahead of her. May 31 sees the release of her much-anticipated Decca debut album, opera arias and orchestral songs by Wagner and Richard Strauss, for which she's joined by the Philharmonia Orchestra and Esa-Pekka Salonen. James Jolly went to see her at her home in Copenhagen for a 'Musician and the Score' article on Strauss's Four Last Songs (you can read it in Gramophone's June issue), but he also took the opportunity to talk to her more generally about this solo album.

Sangerinde og sangunderviser Maria Bennedbæk kunne ikke lytte til anden musik, efter hun til en koncert hørte ”Beim Schlafengehen” fra Richard Strauss’ sangcyklus Vier Letzte Lieder. Den har fulgt hende siden og minder hende om at være faldet til ro i livet. Og den har stor betydning i hendes familie, hvor hun har spillet og sunget den for sin søn, siden han var helt lille. Varighed: 4:53

"Music is life, and, like life, inextinguishable" wrote Danish composer Carl Nielsen of his Fourth Symphony, written during the early years of World War I. His life-affirming composition is preceded by Strauss' poignant Four Last Songs, which has been called "the most beautifully delivered farewell in all of music."

I programmet diskuteras Méhuls opera Uthal, Jevgenij Kissin spelar Beethoven samt Franz Schmidts andra symfoni med Wiens filharmoniker ledd av Semyon Bychkov. Johan väljer Vaughan Williams. I panelen Bengt Forsberg, Evabritt Selén och Magnus Lindman som tillsammans med programledaren Johan Korssell betygsätter följande skivor:  ÉTIENNE-NICOLAS MÉHUL Uthal, opera i en akt Karine Deshayes, Yann Beuron m.fl. Namurs kammarkör Les Talens Lyriques Christophe Rousset, dirigent Ediciones Singulares ES 1026 LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN Pianosonater nr 3, 14, 23, 26 och 32, Variationer c-moll Jevgenij Kissin, piano DGG 479 7581 (2 CD) FRANZ SCHMIDT RICHARD STRAUSS Symfoni nr 2 Ess-dur Träumerei am Kamin Wiens filharmoniker Semyon Bychkov, dirigent Sony  88985355522 Referensen Franz Schmidts andra symfoni Johan refererar till och jämför med en inspelning med Chicagos symfoniorkester under ledning av Neeme Järvi, inspelad på Chandos.  Johans val Johan spelar valda delar ur ett nytt album med Ralph Vaughan Williams sjunde symfoni, Sinfonia Antartica (sopransolist: Mari Eriksmoen), Pianokonserten, (här med 2 pianon, solister:Louis Lortie och Hélène Mercier) samt Four Last Songs (med barytonen Roderick Williams). Andrew Davis leder Bergens filharmoniker. Inspelad på Chandos.  Andra i programmet nämnda eller rekommenderade inspelningar: Schmidts andra symfoni med Malmös symfoniorkester ledd av Vasilij Sinajskij på skivmärke Naxos; med Chicagos symfoniorkester under ledning av Neeme Järvi på Chandos (Referensen) samt en live-inspelning med Wiens filharmoniker dirigerad av Dimitri Mitropoulos på skivmärket Music & Arts. Beethovens pianosonater med Paul Lewis på skivmärke Harmonia Mundi, Alfred Brendel på Philips samt med Friedrich Gulda på märket Decca.  Svepet Johan sveper över två historiska album, båda inspelade på ICA Classics; den första där Herbert von Karajan leder Philharmonia Orchestra i musik av Mozart (bl a pianokonsert nr 23 med solisten Clara Haskil), Ravel och Tjajkovskij, inspelad 1955-56 i Royal Festival Hall i London samt den andra som även den är inspelad i Royal Festival Hall 1953 där Guido Cantelli leder Philharmonia Orchestra i musik av Rossini, Schumann och Brahms.

Richard Georg Strauss (11 June 1864 – 8 September 1949) was a leading German composer of the late Romantic and early modern eras. He is known for his operas, which include Der Rosenkavalier, Elektra, Die Frau ohne Schatten and Salome; his Lieder, especially his Four Last Songs; his tone poems, including Don Juan, Death and Transfiguration, Till Eulenspiegel's Merry Pranks, Also sprach Zarathustra, Ein Heldenleben, Symphonia Domestica, and An Alpine Symphony; and other instrumental works such as Metamorphosen and his Oboe Concerto. Strauss was also a prominent conductor in Western Europe and the Americas, enjoying quasi-celebrity status as his compositions became standards of orchestral and operatic repertoire. Also sprach Zarathustra, Op. 30 (Thus Spoke Zarathustra or Thus Spake Zarathustra) is a tone poem by Richard Strauss, composed in 1896 and inspired by Friedrich Nietzsche's philosophical novel of the same name.The composer conducted its first performance on 27 November 1896 in Frankfurt. A typical performance lasts half an hour. The work has been part of the classical repertoire since its first performance in 1896. The initial fanfare – titled "Sunrise" in the composer's program notes – became particularly well-known after its use in Stanley Kubrick's 1968 film 2001: A Space Odyssey. - Wikipedia

Soprano Christine Brewer is widely regarded as one of the finest performers of Richard Strauss' achingly beautiful Four Last Songs - his farewell to the world. She talks to us here about her journey with this work from hearing it for the first time to what will be her 96th performance at The Lammermuir Festival in September. She performs at The Lammermuir Festival this year on Saturday 20 September at 7.00pm in St Mary's Haddington with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra and conductor Marytn Brabbins. www.lammermuirfestival.co.uk for more details and tickets The concert will be recorded live by BBC Radio 3 for broadcast Music featured in this podcast: Christine Brewer, soprano and The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra with Donald Runnicles (Telarc) Strauss: Four Last Songs Excerpts from: no 1: Frühling no 2: September no 3: Beim Schlafengehen Christine Brewer photo: Christian Steiner

Classical 91.7 audio librarian, Dacia Clay has a deep, dark secret: she knows next to nothing about classical music. But she wants to learn! Luckily, she’s surrounded by classical music experts every day. In each episode of the Classical Classroom, Dacia’s colleagues and some local classical music luminaries take turns giving her classical music “homework assignments” and educating her. You’ll learn about everything from bel canto aria to the use of leitmotif in the score to Star Wars. Come learn with us in the Classical Classroom. In this episode, Dacia Clay talks with Classical 91.7 program director St. John Flynn about Richard Strauss' "achingly beautiful" work, Four Last Songs, and we learn how it allegedly has something to do with the Smiths. Audio production by Todd Hulslander and Dacia Clay, with assistance from St. John Flynn.

 The sensational Kirsten Flagstad is heard in the World Premiere of Strauss' Four Last Songs from 1950 under Wilhelm Furtwaengler  in London.She is then heard in three Strauss songs: Befreit, Allerseelen, and Caecilie, from San Francisco in 1950 under Merolla. She is joined by Set Svanholm in Wagner Scenes from The Flying Dutchman, Lohengrin, Tristan und Isolde, and Die Meistersinger, from 1949 also under Gaetano Merolla.   (70 min.)

In today's Proms Music Guide, Andrew McGregor talks about Strauss' Four Last Songs.

What more can one say about the legendary soprano Kirsten Flagstad, possessor of one of the greatest natural voices in opera history?    This podcast features songs and arias from her career, from the early days to her farewell, plus some commercial recordings made later on. I know you will enjoy this marvelous soprano.    Featured are scenes from Tannhauser, Gotterdamerung, Walkure,    Parsifal, the World Premiere of the Strauss' Four Last Songs in 1950,  and some miscellaneous material as narrated.   (74 min.)    

Series exploring famous pieces of music and their emotional appeal. Richard Strauss was 84 when he completed his last work. It was the Four Last Songs, which, although about death, convey a sense of calm acceptance. It was written of its time in 1948, but it still touches the hearts of many listeners today. As the soprano voice delves ever deeper into the richness of the music, interviewees tell how the Four Last Songs have brought calm and beauty at key moments in their lives.

      A comparison of various renditions of Strauss' Four Last Songs,   including the world premiere (1950) as sung by Kirsten Flagstad.     Since many people like to test themselves on a podcast  like this, I am deliberately not listing theartists here. The artists' names will beprovided after each group of three selections.                                        ENJOY!!!!!                             I

Sue Lawley's castaway this week is the composer George Fenton, whose work includes music for Groundhog Day, Shadowlands, Cry Freedom, The Company of Wolves and The Fisher King. Born George Howe in South London in 1950, he taught himself to play the guitar at the age of eight and by the age of 14 was playing the organ - "dreadfully"! He wanted to be an actor, and got an early break in Alan Bennett's play Forty Years On. As time went on, however, he found directors were always asking him to play an instrument, so he switched to music as his main focus. He got his first job as composer and musical director for a production of Twelfth Night at the RSC in Stratford in 1974. Eight years later, and still almost entirely self-taught, he was nominated for an Oscar for his score for Richard Attenborough's Gandhi. It was only his fourth attempt at film music.Since 1982 he has been nominated for four more Oscars (for Cry Freedom, The Fisher King and Dangerous Liaisons) and three Golden Globes; he's won three BAFTAs, two Ivor Novello Awards and an EMMY and written music for more than 100 television productions including Bergerac, The Jewel in the Crown, Talking Heads and The Blue Planet. In addition he cornered the market in jingles for daily news bulletins across the BBC. George Fenton is a visiting professor at the Royal College of Music in London, and regularly appears on television arts shows and documentaries as an authority on music.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]Favourite track: On Going to Sleep from Four Last Songs by Richard Strauss Book: Short Stories by Anton Chekhov Luxury: A piano or, failing that, for comfort a tin of condensed milk & tin opener

Sue Lawley's castaway this week is the composer George Fenton, whose work includes music for Groundhog Day, Shadowlands, Cry Freedom, The Company of Wolves and The Fisher King. Born George Howe in South London in 1950, he taught himself to play the guitar at the age of eight and by the age of 14 was playing the organ - "dreadfully"! He wanted to be an actor, and got an early break in Alan Bennett's play Forty Years On. As time went on, however, he found directors were always asking him to play an instrument, so he switched to music as his main focus. He got his first job as composer and musical director for a production of Twelfth Night at the RSC in Stratford in 1974. Eight years later, and still almost entirely self-taught, he was nominated for an Oscar for his score for Richard Attenborough's Gandhi. It was only his fourth attempt at film music. Since 1982 he has been nominated for four more Oscars (for Cry Freedom, The Fisher King and Dangerous Liaisons) and three Golden Globes; he's won three BAFTAs, two Ivor Novello Awards and an EMMY and written music for more than 100 television productions including Bergerac, The Jewel in the Crown, Talking Heads and The Blue Planet. In addition he cornered the market in jingles for daily news bulletins across the BBC. George Fenton is a visiting professor at the Royal College of Music in London, and regularly appears on television arts shows and documentaries as an authority on music. [Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: On Going to Sleep from Four Last Songs by Richard Strauss Book: Short Stories by Anton Chekhov Luxury: A piano or, failing that, for comfort a tin of condensed milk & tin opener

The castaway in Desert Island Discs this week is the Controller of BBC1, Alan Yentob. He'll be talking to Sue Lawley about his upbringing in Manchester and London, the Cathedral boarding school where he and his twin brother were the only two Jewish boys and his 27 years at the BBC.During that time he rose steadily through the ranks to become Head of Music and Arts, ending up as the only person to have run both BBC1 and BBC2.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: Four Last Songs from Beim Schlafengehen by Richard Strauss Book: Essays by Michel de Montaigne Luxury: Video recorder

The castaway in Desert Island Discs this week is the Controller of BBC1, Alan Yentob. He'll be talking to Sue Lawley about his upbringing in Manchester and London, the Cathedral boarding school where he and his twin brother were the only two Jewish boys and his 27 years at the BBC. During that time he rose steadily through the ranks to become Head of Music and Arts, ending up as the only person to have run both BBC1 and BBC2. [Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: Four Last Songs from Beim Schlafengehen by Richard Strauss Book: Essays by Michel de Montaigne Luxury: Video recorder