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Send us Fan MailFeeling tired? Need to unwind? Then how about some gentle, soothing piano music? Welcome to the the Episode 2 of Series 6 in the Relaxing Piano Playlist! In this episode, I perform for you music all centered on the theme of Spring with works by Mendelssohn, Grieg, Sindig, MacDowell, Tchaicovsky and the second movement from the "Coronation" Piano Concerto No.26 by Mozart.
Joanna MacGregor's picks her top recording of Brahms' Piano Concerto no.2.
For most of human history, people went about their daily lives with a worm or two (or fifty) in their guts. Only in the past century, with pharmaceuticals and sanitation practices, have we made significant strides towards deworming the whole of humanity. And that's typically been thought of as a good thing, because having too many worms in your body can–quite literally–suck the life out of you. But is it possible to have… too few worms? Science wonders if deworming ourselves has actually led to an increase in certain chronic diseases. On this episode, we dive into Necator americanus, a.k.a. the American Hookworm, and its mysterious relationship with each of us. We trace the hookworm's 118-year journey from a demonized economic depressant, to its use as a desperate D.I.Y. immunosuppressant, to its potential as a medical treatment for a number of chronic diseases, everything from asthma to MS. We're bringing back two stories from our 2009 episode Parasites plus new research on hookworms and autoimmune diseases, reported by Molly Webster Special thanks to Ethan Hein for the use of his remix of Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 21. Plus, Doris Pierce, and Dan and Alice Hadley. EPISODE CREDITS: Reported by - Pat Walters and Molly Webster with help from - {{wREPORTERS}} Produced by - Matt Kielty with help from - Rebecca Rand Fact-checking by - Diane A. Kelly and Edited by - Arianne Wack EPISODE CITATIONS: Articles - Effect of experimental hookworm infection on insulin resistance in people at risk of type 2 diabetes (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37495576/) by Giacomin PR et al. Nat Commun. 2023 Jul 26 Signup for our newsletter!! It includes short essays, recommendations, and details about other ways to interact with the show. Sign up (https://radiolab.org/newsletter)! Radiolab is supported by listeners like you. Support Radiolab by becoming a member of The Lab (https://members.radiolab.org/) today. Follow our show on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook @radiolab, and share your thoughts with us by emailing radiolab@wnyc.org. Leadership support for Radiolab's science programming is provided by the Simons Foundation and the John Templeton Foundation. Foundational support for Radiolab was provided by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
We'll look at Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 3, Op. 37.
We'll look at Beethoven's Piano Concerto No, 4 in G Major, Op. 58.
We'll look at Beethoven's fifth and final piano concerto, the so-called “Emperor” Concerto in E-flat Major, Op. 73.
Consider taking out a paid subscription to The Piano Maven podcast via our Substack page (https://jeddistlermusic.substack.com/about), which you also can access by clicking on the "Donate" button here: https://rss.com/podcasts/pianomaven In response to your feedback from the previous episode devoted to Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 23 in A Major K. 488, Jed talks about four recordings of K. 488 that he missed, all of which you recommended!Here are links to the performances:Solomon - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKYmqFXqTZIGrigory Sokolov - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IcUx6b1TUlEZoltan Kocsis - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFSnhW-eRTEEva Poblocka - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dnZg_47a9YI&t=1144s
Consider taking out a paid subscription to The Piano Maven podcast via our Substack page (https://jeddistlermusic.substack.com/about), which you also can access by clicking on the "Donate" button here: https://rss.com/podcasts/pianomavenMozart's Piano Concerto No. 23 in A Major K. 488 is one of the composer's most popular and beloved works in this genre, and has been quite lucky on disc. Jed surveys the K. 488 discography, singling out distinctive versions to consider. Here are links to hear some of these:Arthur Rubinstein (1949, Golschmann/St Louis) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GwsJ5io1pt8Keith Jarrett - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ee3e0UTVc8I&list=PL44gxJwuwoabQLi7g9huA1zhqaAk77bYB&index=6Chick Corea - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DoGZVZd4870&list=PLxzmL-cP6cVe6bywQAEOMgNjAY6319qAW&index=3Walter Gieseking - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6v9_wUDEFkVladimir Horowitz - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vemFmTyo-tEHalina Czerny-Stefanska - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tYMwY1EzYgAnnie Fischer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMa_S5ZPxa4Rudolf Buchbinder - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTYFqkvYmcQMurray Perahia - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSePVTW_OiUAndras Schiff - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-oC69Em8_bI
Rodney Trudgeon's guest on People of Note this week is the young Spanish pianist Leo De Maria who was in Cape Town recently to play the Piano Concerto No 1 by Tchaikovsky. Leo won gold at the 2024 Unisa Piano Competition in Pretoria and subsequently made contact with the CPO. Leo comes from a musical family and says that he simply can't live without music. People of Note Sunday at 6pm and again on Thursday at midday, brought to you by PTP. And the Rocky Horror show continues to draw the crowds at Theatre on the Bay.
ReferencesExperimental & Molecular Medicine 2024 volume 56, pages 301–310Guerra, DJ. 2026. Unpublished LecturesFront Cell Dev Biol. 2019 Oct 15;7:226.Front Cell Dev Biol. 2019 Oct 15;7:226.Rachmaninoff, S.1900. Piano Concerto No. 2. in C. Minor.Op.18 Anna Fedorovahttps://music.youtube.com/watch?v=rEGOihjqO9w&si=eIl913Ike2TKS6NbLenon/McCartney. 1968. Martha My Dear. Beatles White Album.https://open.spotify.com/track/1swmf4hFMJYRNA8Rq9PVaW?si=e92dc6242a6148bc
On the latest episode of ‘New Classical Tracks,' pianist Jonathan Biss delivers the final recording of his Beethoven Piano Concerti project: a recording featuring composer Caroline Shaw's response to Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 3. Listen now with host Julie Amacher!
The Albany Symphony Orchestra's April concerts are happening this weekend at the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall will include one of the greatest of all romantic concertos, Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2 performed by the legendary pianist, Garrick Ohlsson.
In this podcast episode, we talk with DMA student Aaron Kurz about winning the concerto competition and preparing to perform Prokofiev's Piano Concerto No. 3 with the University's Symphony Orchestra.
In Episode 535, Patrick, Jeffrey and Craig give some parenting updatesr, and then discuss five mostly baseball topics. 1. You've got a fast start, I want a ticket to any game: The usual and not-so-usual suspects are off to quick starts in 2026.2. Potent Quotables: Some wise and not-so-wise words from around the game.3. HATCHAT: A pope hat, a toque hat, and some new hats4. Around the Horn: Mostly elbow injuries5. Jeffrey has not paid enough attention any of the Mets, Craig has not paid enough attention to one thing about Ke'Bryan Hayes.Five and Dive is listener-supported, you can join our Patreon at patreon.com/fiveanddive. If you want to get in contact with the show, the e-mail address is fiveanddive@baseballprospectus.com. Our theme tune is by Andy Matthews, who you can follow on Bluesky @andymatthewsmusic. You can listen to him on Spotify and Apple Music. It was produced by Barrie Maguire and Tim Ferguson.
Mobile home park prices in the state are at risk of rising. What lawmakers say will keep those prices low. Plus, a decades-old food pantry abruptly shut its doors. Why its more than 80 locations are now closed.It's been months since the U.S. blockaded Cuba's oil supply to pressure the government to fall. It's caused power outages at hospitals there. We heard from a Minnesotan who has been there to help. And a high schooler is the first in the state to be recognized with a language certificate in Ojibwe. He shared his educational journey with us.Plus, there's just one finalist for a James Beard award in Minnesota. He's a sushi chef. We spoke to him about his craft.The Minnesota Music Minute was Ludwig van Beethoven's “Piano Concerto No. 24 in C minor”, performed by the Minnesota Orchestra. "Headed West" by Old Oaks was the Song of the Day.
Consider taking out a paid subscription to The Piano Maven podcast via our Substack page (https://jeddistlermusic.substack.com/about), which you also can access by clicking on the "Donate" button here: https://rss.com/podcasts/pianomavenJed discusses three of Emil Gilels' commercial recordings of Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1; with links to the performances below:with Fritz Reiner/Chicago Symphony (1955) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJy-hKfHdfwwith Lorin Maazel/New Philharmonia Orchestra (1972) –https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHl73cAsGhwwith Zubin Mehta/New York Philharmonic (1979) – (video) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKh0czWT96cand(audio) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oY4ql6BpkKI
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart - Piano Concerto No. 18: 3rd movementAlon Goldstein, piano Avery Cardoza, double bass Fine Arts QuartetMore info about today's track: Naxos 8.574693Courtesy of Naxos of America Inc.SubscribeYou can subscribe to this podcast in Apple Podcasts, or by using the Daily Download podcast RSS feed.Purchase this recordingAmazon
Consider taking out a paid subscription to The Piano Maven podcast via our Substack page (https://jeddistlermusic.substack.com/about), which you also can access by clicking on the "Donate" button here: https://rss.com/podcasts/pianomavenJed recommends recordings for one of his favorite Mozart Piano Concertos, No. 17 in G Major K. 453.Here are links to some of the recordings discussed:Ernst von Dohnanyi - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSo5SKsSQ6sEdwin Fischer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYPFLlW9AaURudolf Serkin - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQQeJuhxA_wPeter Serkin - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9x9VPtd2mcoMitsuko Uchida - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfb3wfVuNWoMurray Perahia - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RR_MBAupDcIAndrás Schiff - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCDBRFr1BI8Maria João Pires - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvVpObv8j3ULeif Ove Andsnes - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3w65MG5vxkMalcolm Bilson - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46DB8qZX1po
Zu Gast in der heutigen Sendung ist Lea Wyler, die Chefin vom Hilfswerk ROKPA. Im Gespräch mit Radio 1-Chef Roger Schawinski erzählt sie, welches die schwierigsten Momente in ihrem Leben waren und wie sie diese überwunden hat. Songs: Heal the World - Michael Jackson, Georgia - Stephen Sanchez, Moonlight Sonata Beethoven, Piano Concerto No. 1 - Tchaikovsky, We are the Champions - Queen
Victoria Symphony Orchestra presents its Master Series 4 Concert for the 2025-2026 Season. The program is entitled "All Beethoven" and includes Egmont Overture, Piano Concerto No. 5 and Symphony No. 6 7:30 PM in the VISD Fine Arts Center
This Day in Legal History: Reichstag Fire DecreeOn February 27, 1933, the German parliament building, the Reichstag, was set ablaze in Berlin, an event that would alter the course of constitutional government in Germany. The fire broke out just weeks after Adolf Hitler had been appointed Chancellor. Dutch communist Marinus van der Lubbe was arrested at the scene, and Nazi officials quickly blamed a broader communist conspiracy. The next day, President Paul von Hindenburg signed the Reichstag Fire Decree at Hitler's urging.The decree suspended key civil liberties guaranteed under the Weimar Constitution, including freedom of speech, freedom of the press, the right of assembly, and protections against unlawful searches and detention. It also allowed the central government to override state authorities. In practical terms, the measure authorized indefinite detention without trial. Police power expanded dramatically, and political opponents were arrested in large numbers.Although framed as a temporary emergency response, the decree had no meaningful expiration. It became the legal foundation for dismantling democratic institutions in Germany. Courts largely failed to check the expanding authority of the executive branch. The event demonstrates how emergency powers, once normalized, can erode constitutional safeguards from within. The Reichstag Fire and its legal aftermath remain a lasting example of how constitutional systems can collapse through formally lawful measures rather than open revolution.Former President Bill Clinton is scheduled to give private testimony to the House Oversight Committee regarding his past association with Jeffrey Epstein. The closed-door session follows testimony from Hillary Clinton, who said she does not recall meeting Epstein and denied having information about his crimes. Bill Clinton previously flew on Epstein's plane multiple times after leaving office, and recently released Justice Department documents include photos of him with unidentified women. He has denied any misconduct and has expressed regret over his past association.Committee Chairman James Comer stated that neither Clinton is accused of wrongdoing but said they must address questions about Epstein's possible connections to their charitable foundation. The Clintons agreed to testify near their home in New York after lawmakers threatened contempt proceedings. Some Democrats supported compelling their testimony, while others criticized the inquiry as politically motivated.Democrats argue that Republicans are using the investigation to shield Donald Trump from scrutiny. They have called for Trump to be subpoenaed, noting that his name appears frequently in Epstein-related records and that he had social ties with Epstein before Epstein's 2008 conviction. Democrats also claim the Justice Department is withholding records involving allegations against Trump. The department has said it is reviewing the materials and has emphasized that released files contain unverified claims. Authorities have not charged Trump with any crimes related to Epstein. Epstein died in jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex-trafficking charges, and his death was ruled a suicide.Bill Clinton to give private testimony to Congress about Epstein | ReutersA federal judge has allowed construction of President Donald Trump's planned $400 million White House ballroom to continue, at least for now. U.S. District Judge Richard Leon denied a request from the National Trust for Historic Preservation to temporarily halt the project while its lawsuit moves forward. The group had sought a preliminary injunction to stop work, arguing that the administration failed to comply with federal laws, including obtaining congressional approval and conducting proper environmental review.Leon ruled that the preservationists had not met the legal standard required for such an emergency order. However, he indicated they may revise their complaint to better challenge the president's claimed statutory authority to proceed without Congress. The lawsuit contends that demolishing the historic East Wing and beginning construction violated federal restrictions on altering federal property in Washington, D.C. It also argues that the National Park Service should have completed a more detailed environmental impact statement before work began.The Trump administration maintains that the renovation fits within longstanding presidential authority over White House changes and serves public functions. Trump praised the ruling publicly and said the ballroom would symbolize national strength. The National Trust expressed disappointment but said it plans to amend its legal claims.The East Wing, originally built in 1902 and expanded in 1942, was demolished in October. The ballroom is part of broader renovations Trump has made since returning to office in 2025. Although construction is underway, no firm completion date has been announced.Trump's White House ballroom can move ahead for now, judge rules | ReutersPrediction-market company Kalshi has hired prominent Supreme Court advocate Neal Katyal to represent it in a series of disputes with state regulators. Katyal, a former acting U.S. solicitor general, appeared this week in a lawsuit Kalshi filed against Utah officials and is also handling similar cases in several other states. The company argues that its event-based trading contracts fall under the authority of the federal Commodity Futures Trading Commission, not state gambling regulators.States contend that platforms like Kalshi are effectively operating unlicensed sports-betting businesses. Other prediction-market operators, including Polymarket and Coinbase, are also fighting regulatory battles and have assembled experienced legal teams. The industry has grown rapidly, with tens of billions of dollars in trading volume last year, increasing scrutiny from state authorities.Kalshi bets on Neal Katyal in prediction market cases | ReutersNetflix has withdrawn its bid to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery after WBD's board determined that a competing offer from Paramount Skydance was superior. Netflix's co-CEOs said their proposed merger would have delivered value and likely cleared regulatory review, but matching Paramount's higher price no longer made financial sense. They described the deal as desirable at the right valuation, but not essential at any cost.Paramount's leadership welcomed WBD's decision, saying its proposal offers greater value and a clearer path to closing. To finalize the Paramount deal, a short match period must expire, Netflix's existing merger agreement must be terminated, and a definitive agreement between Paramount and WBD must be signed.Paramount recently raised its offer to $31 per share in cash, along with a quarterly ticking fee if the deal is not completed by a specified date. The proposal also includes a $7 billion regulatory termination fee if the transaction fails because of regulatory issues, as well as reimbursement of the $2.8 billion breakup fee WBD would owe Netflix upon ending their agreement. With Netflix stepping aside, Paramount is now positioned to complete the acquisition.Netflix Drops WBD Bid, Paving Way For Paramount Deal - Law360This week's closing theme is by Frédéric Chopin.This week's closing theme takes us to Chopin and his Piano Concerto No. 2 in F minor, a work that helped launch his international career. Although numbered second, it was actually the first of his two piano concertos to be written, composed in 1829 when he was just twenty. The concerto reflects Chopin's deep roots in the Polish Romantic tradition, while also revealing the poetic lyricism that would define his later solo piano works. Its sweeping first movement balances youthful brilliance with emotional intensity. The second movement, marked Larghetto, is intimate and expressive, often described as a musical love letter. The finale brings rhythmic energy and subtle references to Polish dance forms.The piece gained wider recognition when Chopin performed it during his Paris debut on February 27, 1832. That appearance introduced him to the influential musical circles of Paris and marked a turning point in his career. The concerto showcased not only his technical skill, but also his distinctive touch and refined musical voice. While later critics sometimes focused on the orchestration, the piano writing remains among the most elegant of the Romantic era. The work captures a young composer standing at the threshold of fame, blending vulnerability with confidence. As our closing theme this week, it reflects both artistic ambition and a historic February 27 connection that helped shape Chopin's legacy.Without further ado, Frédéric Chopin's Piano Concerto No. 2 in F minor, enjoy! This is a public episode. 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Pianist Kathryn Stott picks her favourite recording of Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto No.2.
Laura Jackson, Reno Phil music director and conductor, speaks with Chris Morrison about the fourth concerts of the Reno Phil's 2025-26 Classix season, "Stravinsky's Firebird," on February 21 and 22, 2026. The concerts include What Trees May Speak by Jonathan Sokol, the Suite from Igor Stravinsky's ballet The Firebird, and the Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-flat minor by Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, with piano soloist Jon Nakamatsu.
Donald Macleod takes a tour of the life of Franz Xaver Mozart, son of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, with guest Professor Cliff Eisen.Music featured: Piano Concerto No 1 in C, Op 14 (excerpt) Das Finden, Op 27 No 2 (Drei Deutsche Lieder) Variations on a Minuet from W. A. Mozart's Don Giovanni, Op 2 Piano Quartet in G minor Op 1 Variation 28 for Anton Diabelli's Waltz Piano Concerto No 1 in C, Op 14 (Allegro maestoso) Rondo in F, Op 4 (excerpt) Nein! (Sechs Lieder, No 3) Violin Sonata in B flat, Op 7 Piano Concerto No 1 in C, Op 14 (Adagio) Polonaise mélancolique No 5 in F minor, Op 17 Piano Concerto No 1 in C, Op 14 (Allegretto) Violin Sonata in F, Op 15 (excerpt) Sinfonia in D Das liebende Mädchen (Sechs Lieder, No 1) An spröde Schönen (Sechs Lieder, No 2) Piano Sonata in G Violin Sonata in F, Op 15 (Polonaise) In der Väter Hallen ruht, Op 12 Piano Concerto No 2 in E flat, Op 25 (excerpt) Variations on a Theme of an Ukrainian Folk Song, Op 18 An Emma, Op 24 Grand Sonata for piano and cello in E, Op 19 Polonaise mélancolique, Op 22 No 1 (Risoluto) Piano Concerto No 2 in E flat, Op 25 (Allegro con brio) Engel Gottes künden Rondo in E minor Polonaise mélancolique, Op 22 No 2-4 An den Abendstern, Op 27 No 1 Piano Concerto No 2 in E flat, Op 25 (excerpt)Presented by Donald Macleod Produced by Luke Whitlock for BBC Audio Wales & West For full track listings, including artist and recording details, and to listen to the pieces featured in full (for 30 days after broadcast) head to the series page for Franz Xaver Wolfgang Mozart (1791-1844): https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002q4m1And you can delve into the A-Z of all the composers we've featured on Composer of the Week here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3cjHdZlXwL7W41XGB77X3S0/composers-a-to-z
Eleven-year-old Peoria native Amelia Ly performed Beethoven's “Piano Concerto No. 2” with the Lviv National Philharmonic of Ukraine on January 16. The concert marked Amelia's international orchestral debut.
Eleven-year-old Peoria native Amelia Ly performed Beethoven's “Piano Concerto No. 2” with the Lviv National Philharmonic of Ukraine on January 16. The concert marked Amelia's international orchestral debut.
Eleven-year-old Peoria native Amelia Ly performed Beethoven's “Piano Concerto No. 2” with the Lviv National Philharmonic of Ukraine on January 16. The concert marked Amelia's international orchestral debut.
We humans seem to love comeback stories, and there is no comeback quite as compelling in the classical music world as Rachmaninoff's Second Piano Concerto. It was written three years after the disastrous premiere of his First Symphony, a premiere so catastrophic that it lives on in the annals of musical history, and is the essential starting point for understanding the Second Piano Concerto and how it came to be. The concerto revived both Rachmaninoff's career and his spirits, and it remains his most famous orchestral work. It is a towering masterpiece of Romanticism, overflowing with glorious melody after glorious melody, supported by virtuosic and sumptuous writing for the solo piano, and a deeply satisfying orchestral part that continues to make audiences swoon around the world. Today on the show, we'll begin with the story of Rachmaninoff's First Symphony, and then walk through this extraordinary concerto, highlighting what truly makes Rachmaninoff's music so special. Hint: it's not just the pretty melodies. Recording: Vladimir Ashkenazy with the Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra, Kirill Kondrashin cond.
The newly renovated Troy Savings Bank Music Hall will welcome two-time Grammy Award-winning Albany Symphony for dazzling holiday performances on December 13 and 14.Audiences will enjoy Haydn's most famous work, the “Surprise” Symphony; Mozart's greatest concerto, his Piano Concerto No. 20 in d minor, Bach's joyful, virtuosic Brandenburg Concerto No. 5, and the thrilling world premiere of a work by an extraordinarily brilliant 14-year-old composer, Isaac Thomas. On December 7th, families can revel in the sparkle of Magic of the Season, the Capital Region's most beloved holiday spectacular, returning with its heartwarming blend of music, community, and festive delight. Maestro David Alan Miller is here with all the details.
Joanna MacGregor's top recommendation of Bartok's Piano Concerto no.2.
Send us a textFeeling tired? Need to unwind? Then how about some gentle, soothing piano music? Welcome to the Episode 8 of the Fifth Series in the Relaxing Piano Playlist! In this episode, I perform for you music by Muzio Clementi, Adolf Henselt, Samuil Maykapar, Philip Scharwenka and Mvt 2 of Mendelssohn's Piano Concerto No.1 in G.
This week we're taking a look at perhaps the most famous percussion instrument, the triangle. We know even YOU can play it, so we're here to teach you all about it so you can go out into the world and pass as a true professional. Be sure to like and share with a friend! Music: https://imslp.org/wiki/Piano_Concerto_No.1%2C_S.124_(Liszt%2C_Franz) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/legalcode
Jay offers a personal appreciation of Rodion Shchedrin (1932–2025). Bizet-Shchedrin, “Changing of the Guard,” from “Carmen Suite” Bizet-Shchedrin, “Bolero,” from “Carmen Suite” Rachmaninoff, Prelude in G-sharp minor, Op. 32, No. 12 Shchedrin, “Humoresque” Shchedrin, Piano Concerto No. 1, Scherzo-toccata Tchaikovsky, “Miniature overture,” from “The Nutcracker” Shchedrin, Chamber Suite, Finale
A brand-new season of City Ballet The Podcast launches today with a fresh New Combinations conversation between Associate Artistic Director Wendy Whelan and Resident Choreographer Justin Peck. Commissioned by Miami City Ballet a decade ago, Peck is in the midst of rehearsing his Heatscape for its NYCB stage debut, with the help of original dancers and coaches Michael Sean Breeden, Patricia Delgado, and Jeannette Delgado. He shares what drew him to Bohuslav Martinů's Piano Concerto No. 1, a piece that both references earlier works and prefigures musical changes to come—an interesting parallel to Peck's Miami-inspired choreography and collaboration with artist Shepard Fairey on the ballet's scintillating backdrop. (37:09) Edited by Emilie Silvestri Music: "Sisyphus" by Andrew Wegman Bird Wixen Music Publishing, Inc. as agent for Muffet Music Co
This Day in Legal History: Switzerland's Federal CharterOn August 1, 1291, the seeds of what would become modern Switzerland were planted with the signing of the Federal Charter, or Bundesbrief, by the cantons of Uri, Schwyz, and Unterwalden. This wasn't the dramatic formation of a nation-state as we think of it today—it was three rural Alpine communities making a legal pact for mutual defense and cooperation in the face of growing Habsburg pressure. The document itself is barely over 300 words long, written in Latin, and mostly focuses on conflict resolution and how not to stab each other in the back (literally and figuratively). But make no mistake, this was a radical assertion of local legal autonomy during a time when imperial rule was the norm.The Federal Charter stands as an early example of federalism—three small political entities entering into a horizontal, legally binding agreement without ceding total sovereignty to a monarch or emperor. In legal terms, it was more covenant than constitution, but its emphasis on mutual aid, lawful arbitration, and collective security laid the groundwork for Switzerland's famously decentralized structure. The signatories agreed to resist foreign judges and unlawful acts of violence, a precursor to ideas we now enshrine in due process and the rule of law.This wasn't a flashy revolution. There were no declarations of independence or fiery speeches. Just some pragmatic legalese scratched onto parchment that said, in effect, “Let's have each other's backs, settle disputes fairly, and not get bossed around by some distant duke.” Over time, this unassuming agreement evolved into the Swiss model of federalism and neutrality that still defines the nation today. It's not just legal history—it's a reminder that even minimalist governance structures can have maximal staying power.Federal judges who issued rulings against Donald Trump's policies have come forward with disturbing accounts of harassment, threats, and violent intimidation. At a “Speak Up For Justice” event, five judges—including Chief U.S. District Judge John McConnell—described receiving death threats, being targets of “swatting” incidents, and even having pizzas delivered to their homes under the name of a murdered judge's son. McConnell, who blocked a major White House funding freeze earlier this year, disclosed that he received six credible death threats and over 400 hostile voicemails. One threat involved someone searching the dark web for his address, saying they wanted "Smith & Wesson to pay him a visit."Judge John Coughenour, who ruled against Trump's effort to limit birthright citizenship, recounted a terrifying police raid on his home due to a false murder report. The FBI later alerted him to a bomb threat. Despite being appointed by Republican President Reagan, Coughenour criticized political attacks on the judiciary as damaging to democratic institutions. The White House called the threats unacceptable and emphasized the importance of judicial safety. On the same day as the event, the Senate confirmed Trump's nominee Gadyaces Serralta to lead the U.S. Marshals Service, who pledged to prioritize judge protection.By mid-June, 408 threats against 297 judges had been logged in the fiscal year. Judge Esther Salas, whose son was murdered in 2020, praised the speaking judges for breaking their silence in defense of judicial independence.US judges recount death threats, 'swatting' after rulings against Trump | ReutersAccording to exclusive reporting done by Reuters, the U.S. State Department plans to allocate up to $7.85 million to support deportation operations in Costa Rica, marking a significant expansion of American-backed regional immigration enforcement. The funds, redirected from an economic development account, will be transferred to the Department of Homeland Security, which will coordinate with Costa Rican authorities to carry out deportations of migrants—especially those transiting through the country en route to the U.S.This arrangement resembles a 2024 Biden-era agreement with Panama, where the U.S. financed detention and deportation of migrants moving northward. The new Costa Rica program is framed as a capacity-building effort that will fund deportation logistics and training on asylum screening. Still, critics warn it could deny vulnerable populations fair access to asylum protections.The plan follows a Trump administration request earlier in the year for Costa Rica to accept 200 migrants from Africa, Asia, and Europe previously detained in the U.S. Many of them remain in Costa Rica, raising questions about long-term outcomes. Details on when deportations will begin or the final destination countries remain unclear.Officials have also acknowledged that some migrants are now traveling south through Costa Rica, fleeing northward crackdowns and the end of Biden's humanitarian parole options. The agreement does not require a direct connection between the migrant and the country to which they may be deported, a detail likely to fuel ongoing human rights concerns.Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has been visiting countries throughout Latin America to explore similar arrangements, suggesting this may be part of a broader regional deportation strategy under Trump's immigration policy.Exclusive: US plans to fund deportations from Costa Rica, document shows | ReutersThe U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit closely examined whether President Donald Trump overstepped his authority by using emergency powers to impose sweeping tariffs on foreign imports. The legal challenge, brought by 12 Democratic-led states and five small businesses, centers on Trump's use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA)—a 1977 law typically used for financial sanctions—to justify tariffs against countries like China, Canada, and Mexico. Judges on the panel, many of whom were appointed by Democratic presidents, expressed skepticism, with one noting the law “doesn't even say tariffs.”This is the first major appellate test of Trump's tariff authority, and it comes just as a deadline approaches for new tariff hikes. Trump has used tariffs aggressively in his second term as both an economic and geopolitical tool, citing trade imbalances and foreign inaction on fentanyl as justifications. The challengers argue that only Congress has the constitutional power to impose tariffs, not the president.While the court has allowed the tariffs to remain in place during the litigation, a final ruling could have major implications. A previous lower court decision had already questioned whether IEEPA allows for tariffs tied to longstanding trade deficits. Meanwhile, tariffs have become a significant revenue source, generating over $100 billion so far this fiscal year—money the administration may need after passing new tax cuts.The case won't affect tariffs enacted under other legal provisions, like those on steel and aluminum. Trump's legal team argues that restricting presidential tariff power would hinder trade negotiations. The president has recently secured agreements with the EU and Japan, and is currently working on deals with Mexico and others to avoid further tariff hikes.US appeals court scrutinizes Trump's use of tariffs as trade deadline looms | ReutersThis week's closing theme is by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, a composer of some note.This week's closing theme is a bright and confident slice of Mozart at his most charming: the Piano Concerto No. 19 in F major, K. 459, first movement, Allegro. Written in 1784 during a period of remarkable productivity, this concerto is one of the six that Mozart composed that year alone—each one displaying a different facet of his evolving style. No. 19 stands out for its buoyancy and rhythmic vitality; it's elegant without being self-serious, energetic but never frantic.Mozart, still in his late twenties, was performing regularly in Vienna, dazzling audiences with works that showcased both his pianistic skill and his compositional inventiveness. This piece was likely written for one of his own concerts, tailored to suit both his technical flair and his subtle wit. The Allegro opens with a playful orchestral theme, crisp and sunny, which soon gives way to the piano's entrance—graceful, witty, and full of character.There's a conversational quality to the movement: the orchestra tosses out ideas, the piano responds, elaborates, jokes, and dances. But beneath its lightheartedness lies Mozart's usual sophistication: unexpected harmonic turns, rhythmic displacements, and crisp motivic development keep the listener alert. The movement doesn't strive for drama or tragedy—it's pure Mozartian joy, rendered in tight musical logic and unfailing charm.As a closer, it offers an ideal farewell note: upbeat, clean, and full of clarity. You leave the room a little taller, a little lighter, like the music has tidied your thoughts and restored your sense of order. Mozart's No. 19 may not be the flashiest of his concertos, but it radiates something rarer: calm confidence, musical humor, and the sense that everything—at least for a few minutes—is exactly where it should be.Without further ado, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 19 in F major, K. 459, first movement, the Allegro. Enjoy! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.minimumcomp.com/subscribe
In this week's episode, Derek delves into the enduring keyboard works of Mozart with live CRC performances by pianists Jonathan Biss, Rafał Blechacz, and Barry Douglas with the Camerata Ireland. Adagio in B Minor, K. 540Menuet in D Major, K. 355Jonathan Biss [12/9/2018 performance]Rondo in A Minor, K. 511Rafał Blechacz [4/8/2018 performance]Piano Concerto No. 27 in B‐flat Major, K. 595LarghettoAllegroCamerata Ireland; Barry Douglas, piano/conductor [10/27/2001 performance]Dive deeper into this episode's repertoire by heading to our YouTube channel for a discussion with some of our audience members about the program.Follow us to stay up to date on the latest from Capital Region Classical including concerts, events, and new episodes of Inside the Music:WebsiteFacebookInstagramYouTube© Capital Region Classical
We would love to hear from you, wherever you are!perfectpitchpod.comhttps://www.perfectpitchpod.com/contact/@NickHelyHutchThank you for listening - please do get in touch with any comments!
Behzod Abduraimov's performances combine an immense depth of musicality with phenomenal technique and breath-taking delicacy. He performs with renowned orchestras worldwide including Philharmonia Orchestra, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, San Francisco Symphony, The Cleveland Orchestra, Orchestre de Paris, Concertgebouworkest, Czech Philharmonic, Vienna Symphony Orchestra, NHK Symphony and Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester Berlin (RSB). Regular festival appearances include Aspen, Verbier, Rheingau, La Roque Antheron, Lucerne and Ravello festivals. Behzod's second recording for Alpha Classics, featuring works by Ravel, Prokofiev, and Uzbek composer Dilorom Saidaminova, was released on 12 January 2024. The album was Gramophone' Editor's Choice in January 2024, and was included in Apple Music ‘10 Classical Albums You Must Hear This Month' of February 2024. The year 2021 saw the highly successful release of his first recital album for Alpha Classics based on a program of Miniatures including Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition. In 2020, recordings included Rachmaninov's Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini with Lucerne Symphony Orchestra under James Gaffigan, recorded on Rachmaninoff's own piano from Villa Senar for Sony Classical, and Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No.3 with Concertgebouworkest, for the RCO live label. Born in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, in 1990, Behzod began the piano at age five, as a pupil of Tamara Popovich at Uspensky State Central Lyceum in Tashkent.
Joanna MacGregor picks her favourite recording of Mozart's Piano Concerto no.21 K.467
Peter Tchaikovsky - Piano Concerto No. 3Bernd Glemser, pianoPolish National Radio Symphony Orchestra Antoni Wit, conductorMore info about today's track: Naxos 8.550819Courtesy of Naxos of America Inc.SubscribeYou can subscribe to this podcast in Apple Podcasts, or by using the Daily Download podcast RSS feed.Purchase this recordingAmazon
Send us a textWe close out our “Forgotten Dreams” theme with the 1996 film Shine, the true story of piano prodigy David Helfgott, who cracks under the pressure of his overbearing father and his attempt to master Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 3. Karl's shakeup was that the film must have won an award (this one won several, mostly for star Geoffrey Rush), so we also discuss whether we ourselves have ever won an award, some award show history, and whether a movie winning awards would compel us to watch it.
So today's episode is ALL about a concept that might sound super depressing at first glance, but is actually one of the most powerful tools we have for emotional growth. I'm talking about encountering futility - yep, that word you probably haven't tossed around since your college philosophy class (if ever)!What Is Futility Anyway?
Today is the Vernal Equinox. We're promised incremental victories of light. But early spring is no darling — not here in the high desert. Here, she can be chafing and mercurial; she can show up in sputtering, immature fits and freezes; in mean winds that would cut down the most tender and flower-faced among us without reason.Earlier this week, the sky howled and turned the color of mud at mid-day. Cell phones blared out public safety warnings. Dust agitated at every seam.What's a nervous system to do? Have mercy on the tender-hearted, Lord — on the dream of apricots and cherries, and the boy at school pickup who is rubbing and rubbing his nose against the back of his chapped hand.Like you, I am learning to find refuge. I am learning to take shelter in the soft aliveness of my body; remembering in adulthood what came so easily and imaginatively to my younger self — how to build a fort, how to tuck into a small world of my own making.So, I gather a reading light, a ball of yarn, knitting needles, and a poetry collection, and I tent a wool blanket over my head to hole up for the duration.One thing I know for sure is how a poem can serve like the keel of a boat, offering stability and resistance against sideways forces. A poem — a few words that, when linked together at an angle just so, can carry us into and beyond their meaning. And so it is with this needfulness, under a blanket in my living room, that I come to Wordsworth's “Lines Written in Early Spring,” a meditation he wrote in 1798 on the joyful, interwoven consciousness of nature — a “thousand blended notes” of birdsong — and humanity's grievous failure to remember its place under the canopy of all things.In the grove where the speaker sits, twigs “spread out their fan,” flowers “enjoy the air,” and Nature, personified, is a force with a “holy plan.” But human beings, the speaker laments, have lost the splendrous sensibilities of spring: “If such be Nature's holy plan / Have I not reason to lament / What man has made of man?”It occurs to me that man has done many good things with his hands. I am thinking now of a live performance of Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2, or the sweater that Wendy-from-the-yarn-shop just masterfully knitted, or the perfectly packaged mini-waffles my friend Ted brought back from a recent trip to Japan.But much of the time, we get things at least half-wrong. Like seed-creatures, we struggle to find our way upward through hard ground. We move too quickly, unaware of our conditions, and make mistakes. We forget to pause and remember the purpose of our unearthing. And we forget the interweave, the garden of our original belonging.So, I'm teaching myself how to knit. Novice that I am, it's awkward work. It's near-in. I tink (a new word for me, a semordnilap that refers to the act of un-stitching) almost as often as I knit. I struggle to position my hands, to maintain the right angle, I poke around and lose count and then I have to begin again.And in all this seeming progress and unraveling, as I return to mistakes embedded long ago, a new pattern — peaceful and even elegant — is steadily emerging. Oh, nervous system, dear friend. I am un-stitching and stitching myself back together again. I am braiding threads of myself into an artwork of my own making, which is weaving me back into something greater than my own making. And when the thing is ready, I will hold it up in wonder. I will hold it to my cheek.Together, we are making sense of being human in an era of radical change. Your presence here matters. Thank you for reading, sharing, ‘heart'ing, commenting, and subscribing to The Guest House. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shawnparell.substack.com/subscribe
Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2, featuring pianist Anna Geniushene, is preceded by two dynamic shorter works evoking themes of infectious energy and the movement of dance, with commentary from co-hosts Sir Donald Runnicles and Jeff Counts.This episode features:Anna Geniushene with the Grand Teton Music Festival Orchestraand Chamber Music with Festival musiciansAlberto GinasteraMalambo from Estancia: Four Dances, Op. 8aDalia Stasevska, conductorClaude DebussyDanse sacrée et danse profaneLing Ling Huang, violinConnor Chaikowsky, violinSusan Gulkis Assadi, violaThomas Carpenter, celloJoseph McFadden, bassElisabeth Remy Johnson, harpSergei RachmaninoffPiano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Op. 18Anna Geniushene, pianoJuraj Valčuha, conductorLive from the Grand Teton Music Festival is hosted by Music Director Sir Donald Runnicles and GTMF General Manager Jeff Counts. Episodes premiere on Wednesdays at 8 PM MT on Wyoming Public Radio and are available the next day wherever you get your podcasts.The Grand Teton Music Festival, founded in 1962, unites over 250 celebrated orchestral musicians led by Music Director Sir Donald Runnicles in Jackson Hole, Wyoming each summer. Stay connected for the latest Festival updates: Instagram Facebook Email List GTMF Website
John Field - Piano Concerto No. 2: 1st movementBenjamin Frith, piano Northern SinfoniaDavid Haslam, conductorMore info about today's track: Naxos 8.553771Courtesy of Naxos of America Inc.SubscribeYou can subscribe to this podcast in Apple Podcasts, or by using the Daily Download podcast RSS feed.Purchase this recordingAmazon
Donald Macleod delves into the lives and music of The Turkish FiveIn 1923 the Turkish Republic came into being. On the agenda for the founding father and first president, Mustafa Kemal Atatȗrk, was the aim to develop a new Turkish musical language, and to disassociate culturally with the Ottoman past. This new musical culture would be a blend of traditional Turkish music, in combination with Western classical music.A group of composers known as the Turkish Five were pioneers in this movement to form a synthesis between East and West. They included Cemal Reşit Rey (1904-1985), Ulvi Cemal Erkin (1906-1972), Hasan Ferit Alnar (1906-1978), Ahmet Adnan Saygun (1907-1991) and Necil Kâzim Akses (1908-1999). The Turkish Five became hugely influential in their home country as composers, teachers, conductors and artistic directors, and also became well known abroad, receiving many honours.This week, Donald Macleod is joined by Prof. Mine Doğantan-Dack and Dr. Emre Araci to delve into the impact these composers had on the music in the Turkish Republic. Music featured: Ulvi Cemal Erkin: Camdan sakiz akiyor (Seven Folk Songs) Piano Concerto (excerpt) Duyuşlar (excerpt) Piano Quintet (Ritmico e enérgico) Seven Folk Songs (excerpt)Ahmet Adnan Saygun: Meseli, Op 25 (Anadolu'dan) Piano Concerto No 1, Op 34 (excerpt) Theme and Variations, Op 2 String Quartet No 1, Op 27 (excerpt) Yunus Emre, Op 26 (excerpt) Halay, Op 25 (Anadolu'dan) String Quartet No 2, Op 35 (Grave) Köröğlu, Op 41 (Ten Turkish Folk Songs) Piano Concerto No 2, Op 71 (excerpt)Necil Kâzim Akses: Concerto for Orchestra (excerpt) Five Turkish Piano Pieces (excerpt) Violin Concerto (Adagio – Allegro) Andante (Ten Piano Pieces) Five Pieces for Piano (excerpt)Cemal Reşit Rey: Three Turkish Folks Songs (Twelve Anatolish Folk Songs) Nomad Zeybek Air (Turkish Scenes) Feast (Instantanés) Fatih Sultan Mehmet “Le Conquerant” Andante and AllegroHasan Ferit Alnar: Piano Trio (excerpt) Şu Yamaçta (8 Piano Pieces) Uyuşuk Dans (8 Piano Pieces) Concerto for Qānūn and String Orchestra (Allegro poco moderato) Piano Trio (excerpt)Presented by Donald Macleod Produced by Luke Whitlock for BBC Audio Wales & WestFor full track listings, including artist and recording details, and to listen to the pieces featured in full (for 30 days after broadcast) head to the series page for The Turkish Five https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002822p And you can delve into the A-Z of all the composers we've featured on Composer of the Week here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3cjHdZlXwL7W41XGB77X3S0/composers-a-to-z
Peter Tchaikovsky - Piano Concerto No. 2: FinaleBernd Glemser, piano Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra Antoni Wit, conductorMore info about today's track: Naxos 8.550820Courtesy of Naxos of America Inc.SubscribeYou can subscribe to this podcast in Apple Podcasts, or by using the Daily Download podcast RSS feed.Purchase this recordingAmazon
Ernst von Dohnanyi - Piano Concerto No. 1: 3rd movementSofja Gulbadamova, pianoRheinland-Pfalz State Philharmonic Orchestra Ariane Matiakh, conductorMore info about today's track: Capriccio C5387Courtesy of Naxos of America Inc.SubscribeYou can subscribe to this podcast in Apple Podcasts, or by using the Daily Download podcast RSS feed.Purchase this recordingAmazon
Peter Tchaikovsky - Piano Concerto No. 1: 1st movementKonstantin Scherbakov, piano Russian Philharmonic Orchestra Dmitry Yablonsky, conductorMore info about today's track: Naxos 8.557257Courtesy of Naxos of America Inc.SubscribeYou can subscribe to this podcast in Apple Podcasts, or by using the Daily Download podcast RSS feed.Purchase this recordingAmazon