Author Archives: Arcana

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About Arcana

My name is Ben Hogwood, editor of the Arcana music site (arcana.fm)

News – Winter Music in City Churches

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published by Ben Hogwood from the original press release

Almost at the mid-way point between the past and future Summer Music in City Churches festivals, we bring news of two winter warming concerts to enjoy in the lead-up to Christmas.

Pavel Sporcl, English Chamber Orchestra, Holy Sepulchre EC1A 2DQ Sunday 30 November, 7pm

The 29th Made in Prague Festival concludes in grand style with a gala celebrating Czech violin virtuoso Pavel Šporcl, whose expressive artistry and dazzling technique have enthralled audiences worldwide.

The programme features Mendelssohn’s Octet in E-flat major, bursting with youthful brilliance, alongside Dvořák’s lyrical Romance and spirited Mazurek. Šporcl’s virtuosity will shine in a solo by Paganini, ensuring a thrilling and unforgettable finale to this year’s festival.

City of London Choir: Carols in the City – St Giles Cripplegate EC2Y 8DA Friday 19 December, 6.30pm

Just ahead of a sell-out carol concert in the Barbican with the King’s College Cambridge choir, the City of London Choir and conductor Daniel Hyde return to St Giles Cripplegate with a wonderful selection of carols and Christmas music, in the company of organist Andrew Lumsden.

Beloved carols by contemporary composers including John Rutter, Morten Lauridsen and Cecilia McDowall sit alongside traditional favourites – with plenty of audience participation. The perfect start to your family festivities.

For links to the concerts, click here for the English Chamber Orchestra and here for the Carols in the City.

Published post no.2,721 – Monday 17 November 2025

In Appreciation – Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield

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by Ben Hogwood Photo of Mani in 2009 by Katherine Barton, edited by Gaz Davidson. Used courtesy of Wikipedia

Yesterday we learned the sad news of the unexpected death of Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield. Mani was best known as bassist for Stone Roses, where he was a founding member, and Primal Scream, who he joined in 1996. An obituary can be found on the BBC website, but I wanted to acknowledge his contribution to some of the late 1980s and 1990s most notable albums.

One of the first musical sounds you can hear on the Stone Roses debut is the lumbering bass line with which Mani introduces I Wanna Be Adored, one the band’s calling cards:

Meanwhile Fools Gold steps up the tempo, with a funkier but equally brilliant contribution from the bassist:

Many people see the second Stone Roses album as a drop in quality…but when you hear the bass groove driving the superb Begging You those opinions are called into question!

For Primal Scream, you can watch Mani driving one of the band’s excellent mid-90s cuts, If They Move, Kill ‘Em, on live footage from Later…with Jools Holland:

Meanwhile here is one of his final contributions to Primal Scream, driving the energetic Can’t Go Back:

Published post no.2,675 – Thursday 2 October 2025

News – Australian Chamber Orchestra celebrate 50 years with new recording

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published by Ben Hogwood from the original press release

The Australian Chamber Orchestra (ACO) continues its 50th anniversary celebrations with the release of a landmark new album, Beethoven & Brahms: Concertos for Violin and Orchestra, featuring Artistic Director Richard Tognetti as soloist. Timed to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the Orchestra’s very first concert, on 21 November 1975 at the Sydney Opera House, this release pays tribute to the ACO’s remarkable legacy while also honouring Artistic Director Richard Tognetti’s extraordinary 35 years of leadership.

Recorded live, the album showcases Tognetti and the ACO at their most vital and alive. Beethoven’s Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 61 was recorded in 2018 and Brahms’s Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 77 earlier this year. These cornerstones of the violin repertoire are reframed with the clarity, intimacy, and daring that have become hallmarks of the ACO’s sound.

It is the first time that Richard Tognetti has recorded the Brahms Concerto and his first full recording of the Beethoven for over 25 years.

Over the last five decades the ACO has become one of the world’s most dynamic ensembles, renowned for fearless programming, boundary-pushing collaborations and a singular, expressive sound. Tognetti has been at the centre of this transformation, reshaping the Orchestra into a globally recognised force through relentless curiosity and risk-taking artistry. More than a celebration, this album is a statement of intent: an affirmation that, at 50, the ACO remains as fearless, passionate, and forward-looking as ever.

Beethoven & Brahms: Concertos for Violin and Orchestra will be available as a special limited-edition vinyl release, with each copy signed by Richard Tognetti, as well as being released as a CD and in digital streaming and download formats.

Full details can be found on the Australian Chamber Orchestra website

Published post no.2,724 – Thursday 20 November 2025

On this day, 150 years ago – the first performance of Tchaikovsky’s ‘Polish’ Symphony

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by Ben Hogwood. Image by Charles Reutlinger, used courtesy of Wikipedia

On this day 150 years ago, the first performance took place of Tchaikovsky’s Symphony no.3 in D major, his Op.29, took place with the Moscow Symphony Orchestra conducted by Nikolai Rubinstein. The work carries the unofficial nickname Polish, on account of the Polonaise composed for its fifth and final movement.

The Third is almost certainly the least performed of Tchaikovsky’s symphonies, yet it is increasingly winning a place in the hearts of the composer’s fans. Listen below and you will see why, for the piece has an abundance of melodic charm and character:

Published post no.2,724 – Wednesday 19 November 2025

Switched On – Nine Inch Nails – TRON: Ares (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) (Interscope)

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by Ben Hogwood

What’s the story?

Anyone interested in the history of electronic music will know that being asked to score a TRON film is a rare badge of honour.

The previous two iterations in the series have been blessed with distinctive and influential series, from the Wendy Carlos original in 1982 or the Daft Punk soundtrack for 2010’s TRON: Legacy. The importance of the commission is shown in the fact that Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross have switched from their own ‘proper name’ branding to assume the familiar mantle of Nine Inch Nails, meaning TRON: Ares takes on extra significance.

As well as involving Reznor and Ross, Boys Noize and Hudson Mohawke add support as part of a high calibre production cast.

What’s the music like?

Both dated and futuristic, the TRON: Ares score is respectful to the past films in the series as well as being appropriately forward in its aims. The brooding synths throb and pulse in claustrophobic fashion, setting scenes of futuristic dread or an uneasy, present day calm.

At times it feels as though Nine Inch Nails are bringing forward the late 1990s’ penchant for dance-rock, with songs that Crystal Method or even Moby in his brief metal phase might have considered.

And yet the work through this substantial album tends to be more subtle, moving from ambient reflections of near emptiness (Echoes) to juggernauts with rousing choruses (As Alive As You Need Me To Be). On the way we get nods to the graceful synthesizers of Carlos in the original; also the dramatic, pumped-up orchestrations that Daft Punk used to such good effect in Legacy.

Does it all work?

Largely. On occasion the vocal gestures are too obvious yet surely fit the characterisation in the film. Otherwise the score reaches all the parts on headphones.

Is it recommended?

Yes, with conviction. Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross are seasoned film scorers, but don’t fall into the trap of recycling their ideas. TRON: Ares sounds every bit as futuristic as you would like, and its often-euphoric workings carry conviction in their full-bodied beats and bass. Even if you don’t see the film, make sure you hear the soundtrack.

Listen / Buy

You can explore purchase options for TRON: Ares at the Nine Inch Nails website

Published post no.2,722 – Tuesday 18 November 2025