‘Piano Concerto no. 2’ by Sergei Rachmaninoff is a vehicle for virtuosic performance. It requires the pianist to display superhuman levels of physical prowess! In this episode I share insights into the piece, I discuss pianos, and we explore virtuosity in classical music. This episode features the first movement from ‘Piano Concerto no. 2’ by the composer Sergei Rachmaninoff . I recommend the recording featuring the pianist Leif Ove Andsnes, with the Berlin Philharmonic conducted by Antonio Pappano. Further information: https://www.athousandpictures.com/episode17. I hope you enjoy the show! Pl ..read more

‘Symphony no. 1’ by Johannes Brahms has one of the most magnificent endings in all music. The piece itself is a journey of conviction, and when you arrive at the finale you hear the composer’s sense of accomplishment. In this episode I share insights into the piece, I discuss the role of the timpani within an orchestra, and we continue to discover what it is that makes performances thrilling. This episode features the fourth movement from ‘Symphony no. 1’ by the composer Johannes Brahms. I recommend the recording by the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra conducted by Riccardo Chailly (conductor). Fu ..read more

‘Symphony no. 41’ by Mozart is a display of compositional prowess. Mozart’s playing games in the music: his brilliant musical mind composes in a way that entertains the audience, the musicians, and himself. In this episode I share insights into the piece, we take a close look at the violin, and I discuss the virtuosity of composers. This episode features the fourth movement from ‘Symphony no. 41 by the composer Mozart. I recommend the recording by the Manchester Camerata conducted by Douglas Boyd. Further information: www.athousandpictures.com/episode15.   I hope you enjoy the show! Pleas ..read more

‘The Moldau’ by Bedřich Smetana is a wonderfully picturesque piece describing a journey down one of Europe’s most magnificent rivers. And even better, it’s your imagination that brings this piece to life! In this episode I share insights into the piece, I discuss Symphonic Poems, and also I describe why a listener must have conviction in their responses to music. This episode features ‘The Moldau’ by the composer Bedřich Smetana. I recommend the recording by The Cleveland Orchestra conducted by George Szell. Further information: www.athousandpictures.com/episode14.   I hope you enjoy the ..read more

‘The Rite of Spring’ by Igor Stravinsky is the piece that jolted classical music into the Twentieth Century. It’s a ballet and its central theme is a human sacrifice. There’s bombastic outbursts, pounding rhythms, and a driving intensity. In this episode I share insights into the piece, I discuss orchestral virtuosity and we discover music from ballet. This episode features the ‘Sacrificial Dance’ from ‘The Rite of Spring’ composed by Igor Stravinsky. I recommend the recording by The Philadelphia Orchestra, conducted by Yannick Nézet-Séguin  Further information: www.athousandpictures.com ..read more

‘Symphony no. 2’ by Gustav Mahler is a piece for an enormous orchestra with a choir, and it features one of the greatest endings in all music. Its sheer scale and intensity is astonishing: this music creates a universe. In this episode I share insights into the piece and I discuss how an orchestra’s conviction can create thrilling performances. This episode features the fifth movement from ‘Symphony no. 2’ by the composer Gustav Mahler. I recommend the recording by the Hamburg Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Simone Young. Further information: www.athousandpictures.com/episode12.   I h ..read more

‘Star Wars’ by John Williams is some of the best music ever written. Even those who’ve never seen the films instantly recognise it. In this episode I share insights into the piece, I discuss music from film, tv, and video games, and also I explore what it is that makes performances thrilling. This episode features the ‘Main Title’ from ‘Star Wars, Episode 4, Original Motion Picture Soundtrack’ by the composer John Williams. I recommend the recording by the London Symphony Orchestra conducted by John Williams. Further information: www.athousandpictures.com/episode11.   I hope you enjoy the ..read more

‘Symphony no. 1’ by Brahms is a piece that’s a favourite amongst musicians, and it may even be the piece I love most. But, composing it was an immense challenge: it took Brahms perhaps twenty years to complete! In this episode I share insights into the piece, I discuss Symphonies, and I conclude my series of episodes on how music works by taking a look at Form. This episode features the fourth movement from ‘Symphony no. 1’ by the composer Johannes Brahms. I recommend the recording by the London Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Marin Alsop. Further information: www.athousandpictures.com/epi ..read more

The ‘Cello Concerto’ by Elgar is the most famous piece for solo cello accompanied by an orchestra. The beautiful, rich sound of the cello is captivating. But, we also sense loneliness: the cellist seems to be searching for something. In this episode I share insights into the piece and I answer the questions ‘What is a Concerto?’ and ‘What is Texture?’. This episode features the first movement from the ‘Cello Concerto’ by the composer Edward Elgar. I recommend the recording by the London Symphony Orchestra, featuring the cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason, conducted by Sir Simon Rattle. Further informa ..read more

The piece ‘Of A Sad Evening’ by the composer Lili Boulanger is harrowing. Its desolate atmosphere conveys the tragedy of its composer’s life: she would die at 24, shortly after composing this piece. For a listener, it’s intense and powerful. In this episode I share insights into the piece, we continue to discover the different types of pieces orchestras play, and I answer the question ‘What is Orchestration?’. This episode features the piece ‘Of A Sad Evening’ (D’un Soir Triste) by the composer Lili Boulanger. I recommend the recording by the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Yan Pascal ..read more