Category Archives: Playlists

In appreciation – Edo de Waart

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by Ben Hogwood

This week the Dutch conductor Edo de Waart announced his retirement, after six decades at the top of his game. On inspection of his discography, de Waart has conducted a number of important recordings – either in San Francisco, Minnesota or the Netherlands – and a selection of these are included in the playlist below, which begins with a classic recording of Steve Reich‘s Variations for winds, strings and keyboards and ends with the landmark Harmonium, by John Adams:

Published post no.2,147 – Saturday 13 April 2024

Playlist – Charles Villiers Stanford (died 29 March 1824)

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by Ben Hogwood

This is a playlist to mark the contribution to classical music of the Irish composer Charles Villiers Stanford, who died on 29 March 1924.

If you are a first-time listener to Stanford, the playlist gives a first indication of the strength of his output – though there is much more to enjoy should you wish to go further!

The Irish Rhapsodies have a lot of melodic charm…while the Piano Concerto no.2 is a fine work that is a late Romantic equivalent to Rachmaninov. Stanford was a fine choral and vocal composer, too – there are glimpses of that here – while for sheer positivity and generosity of melody, his Symphony no.6 takes some beating

You can enjoy all of those below! Arcana intends to return to Stanford’s music in more detail later in the year…

Published post no.2,135 – Monday 1 April 2024

In appreciation – Maurizio Pollini

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by Ben Hogwood. Picture (c) Matthias Bothor / DG

Yesterday we heard the sad news of the death of the great Italian pianist Maurizio Pollini, at the age of 82.

You can read a number of tributes to Pollini, by Barry Millington on the Guardian website and by HarrisonParrott, his agents.

Throughout his career Pollini recorded for Deutsche Grammophon, leaving a succession of remarkable recordings ranging from a famous early collection of the Chopin Etudes through to pioneering modern collections, with a landmark LP of works by Schoenberg and a 20th century collection of Stravinsky, Webern, Boulez and Prokofiev. The playlist below is a personal selection of favourites and a memory from seeing Pollini play Schumann‘s Fantasie in C major at the Royal Festival Hall.

Published post no.2,127 – Saturday 24 March 2024

Playlist – Roger Norrington at 90

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by Ben Hogwood

Last week one of the most esteemed British conductors celebrated his 90th birthday. Sir Roger Norrington has been a prominent force in the classical music recording industry over the last 30 years. His interpretations are largely informed by historical performance practice – which is to see he and his forces look to recreate the music of the day.

Norrington’s interpretations have tended to divide critics as to their effectiveness, and his approach has been more provocative with music from the turn of the 19th century. To some extent the ‘marmite’ reception has come about because he has conducted symphonic music from the likes of Bruckner and Mahler. This ‘marmite’ reception has sometimes overshadowed the sheer commitment and enthusiasm he has demonstrated for the British musical cause, whether with the London Classical Players or latterly with the Stuttgart Radio Symphony Orchestra.

His recording achievements with the former include a notable Beethoven symphony cycle for EMI, energetic and brilliantly played, and some standout recordings of symphonies by Mozart and Schubert, together with a thrilling collection of Rossini overtures. In Stuttgart, Norrington reprised some of this work as well as going deeper into the symphonic tradition. Meanwhile with the London Philharmonic Orchestra he recorded an intriguing set of Vaughan Williams symphonies. Some of the highlights of these discs can be heard below:

Playlist – celebrating Mother’s Day

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Today is Mothering Sunday in the UK – and here is a playlist celebrating mothers.

We begin with a touching suite for piano by Josef Suk. About Mother is dedicated not to his own mother but for his children about their mother, his wife Otilie Dvořák. Then we continue with a famous song from Suk’s father-in-law, Antonin Dvořák, Songs My Mother Taught Me.

Taking the theme a little loosely we move on to Ravel, and his delectable ballet Ma mère l’oye (Mother Goose) – evidence of the French composer’s beautiful writing for orchestra.

Finally something of an English rarity, Cecilia McDowall setting the Magnificat (the song of Mary, Mother of God) for chorus and orchestra. It is a striking piece with which to end.

I hope you enjoy!

This playlist is dedicated to the memory of my aunt, Angela – who passed away on Thursday. It is also posted in mind of her sister – my own mother Coralie (above), whose musical influence on my own life I celebrated on Arcana here.