In this episode, Jens & Joe dive into the forgotten reels of Dmitri Shostakovich’s film music, from Italian partisans to Austrian invaders — and ask why everyone knows Prokofiev’s Ivan the Terrible, but not The Fall of Berlin. A well‑earned shoutout, too, to Dave at @DavesClassicalGuide.

0:20   Introduction
1:32   Shostakovich and the Soviet Film Industry
4:30   The Gadfly (1955) – Bazar
7:04   The Gadfly (1955) – Romance
9:04   Dictates of the Soviet Regime
10:34  The New Babylon (1929)
13:45  Five Days – Five Nights (1961)
16:21  The Hidden Scores
17:50  King Lear – Incidental Music (1940)
20:06  Shostakovich vs. Prokofiev
20:50  The Fall of Berlin (1950)
22:54  The Film Music Recordings
23:46  Golden Mountains (1931)
26:03  King Lear – Film Music (1970)
28:14  Conclusion

8.573747  Shostakovich: The Gadfly (Naxos)
BUY/STREAM: https://Naxos.lnk.to/8573747!Podcast

C7450  Shostakovich: Film Music Edition (Capriccio)
BUY/STREAM: https://Naxos.lnk.to/C7450!Podcast

• Rundfunk‑Sinfonieorchester Berlin — https://www.instagram.com/rsb_orchester/

• Deutsches Symphonie‑Orchester Berlin — https://www.instagram.com/dsoberlin

• Deutsche Staatsphilharmonie Rheinland‑Pfalz — https://www.instagram.com/staatsphilharmonie/

• RIAS‑Kammerchor — https://www.instagram.com/rias_kammerchor/

• James Judd — https://www.jamesjudd.net/

• Michail Jurowski

Serge Prokofiev - Alfred Schnittke - Jacques Offenbach - Ludwig van Beethoven

With:
Jens F. Laurson (Journalist) and Johannes Kernmayer (Producer)

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ChaptersFeatured RecordingsFeatured ArtistsRecommended Persons

Easter marks the high point of the Christian year, and some of the greatest works in classical music were written for this feast. While today’s concert programs often revolve around Bach, Jens and Joe, in their latest podcast, explore other Easter-themed gems — from the Renaissance to the 19th century.

0:20   Introduction
1:10   The Bulk of Compositions
3:00   Anton Schweitzer – The Resurrection of Christ (1776)
6:48   Copy/Paste – how scripts survived
7:53   La Passione – the libretto by Pietro Metastasio
9:50   Antonio Salieri – La Passione (1776)
11:52   Josef Mysliveček – La Passione (c. 1770)
14:05   Alessandro Scarlatti – La Colpa, Il Pentimento, La Grazia (1708)
16:50   Claudio Monteverdi – Vespers for the Feast of the Ascension (c. 1620)
20:02   Jan Dismas Zelenka – Gesu al Calvario (1735)
21:53   The Kyiv Archive – Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach
23:09   C. P. E. Bach – St. John Passion (1772)
24:28   Telemann and the Hamburg Bach
25:31   Georg Philipp Telemann – The Resurrection and Ascension of Jesus (1760)
27:13   20th-Century Passion Music
28:16   Joe’s Short Version of Parsifal
29:05   Conclusion

Featured Recordings

C5425  Anton Schweitzer: The Resurrection of Christ
BUY/STREAM: https://Naxos.lnk.to/C5425!Podcast

C60100  Antonio Salieri: La Passione di Nostro Signore Jesu Cristo
BUY/STREAM: https://Naxos.lnk.to/C60100!Podcast

C71025–26  Josef Mysliveček: La Passione di Nostro Signore Jesu Cristo
BUY/STREAM: https://Naxos.lnk.to/C7102526!Podcast

C10411–12  Alessandro Scarlatti: La Colpa, Il Pentimento, La Grazia
BUY/STREAM: https://Naxos.lnk.to/C1041112!Podcast

C10521  Claudio Monteverdi: Vespers for the Feast of the Ascension
BUY/STREAM: https://Naxos.lnk.to/C10521!Podcast

C10887–88  Jan Dismas Zelenka: Gesu al Calvario
BUY/STREAM: https://Naxos.lnk.to/C1088788!Podcast

C60103  C. P. E. Bach: St. John Passion
BUY/STREAM: https://Naxos.lnk.to/C60103!Podcast

C60113  C. P. E. Bach: St. Matthew Passion
BUY/STREAM: https://Naxos.lnk.to/C60113!Podcast

C60132  C. P. E. Bach: St. Mark Passion
BUY/STREAM: https://Naxos.lnk.to/C60132!Podcast

C10596  Telemann: The Resurrection and Ascension of Jesus
BUY/STREAM: https://Naxos.lnk.to/C10596!Podcast

Recommended Persons

• Thüringer Bach Collegium — https://www.bachland.de/en/

• Christoph Spering — YouTube Channel

• Howard Arman — Biography on Naxos

• Michael Schneider — Biography on Naxos

• La Stagione — https://www.lastagione.de/

• Hermann Max — Biography on Naxos

• Rheinische Kantorei — Ensemble on Naxos

• Sing-Akademie zu Berlin — https://www.sing-akademie.de/

Antonio Salieri - Georg Philipp Telemann - Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach - Pietro Metastasio - Josef Mysliveček - Claudio Monteverdi - Alessandro Scarlatti - Jan Dismas Zelenka - Arvo Pärt - Dan Tun - Edward Elgar - Herbert von Karajan

With:
Jens F. Laurson (Journalist) and Johannes Kernmayer (Producer)

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ChaptersFeatured RecordingsFeatured ArtistsRecommended Persons

Franz Schmidt may not be the most neglected composer among the grand romantics of the 20th century, but the gap between the greatness of his music and its absence from concert halls is staggering. Together with conductor Jonathan Berman, who recently recorded Schmidt’s four symphonies with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Jens and Joe explore the Schmidt phenomenon and the enduring appeal of his music.

Chapters
0:20 Introduction
1:20 Special Guest: Jonathan Berman
2:24 The Symphonies Project
7:47 Karajan vs. Schmidt
9:04 "Intermezzo" – The One-Shot Hit
10:40 Notre Dame
14:24 Fantasia for Piano and Orchestra
16:17 Variations on a Hussar's Song
18:16 Nothing Like Bruckner
20:03 Franz Schmidt – Discography
21:36 Biographical Shadows
25:00 Conclusion

Featured Recordings
C10248–49 – Franz Schmidt: Notre Dame

C5274 – Franz Schmidt: Orchestral Works
BUY/STREAM: https://Naxos.lnk.to/C5274!Podcast

C67093 – Franz Schmidt: Organ Works

C5526 – Franz Schmidt: Piano Works
BUY/STREAM: https://Naxos.lnk.to/C5526!Podcast

Featured Artists
Jonathan Berman: https://www.instagram.com/jonathanbermanconductor/
Jasminka Stančul: https://www.instagram.com/jasminkastancul/?hl=en
Deutsche Staatsphilharmonie Rheinland-Pfalz: https://www.staatsphilharmonie.de/de/
Alexander Rumpf
Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin: https://www.dso-berlin.de/de/
Christof Prick: http://www.christof-prick.de/

Recommended Persons
Anton Bruckner
Richard Wagner
Gustav Mahler
Herbert von Karajan
Dimitri Mitropoulos

With Jens F. Laurson (Journalist) and Johannes Kernmayer (Producer)

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Explore the life and works of Nino Rota, the Italian composer celebrated for both his iconic film scores and his classical music. Discover his collaborations with legendary directors, his opera The Florentine Straw Hat, and his distinctive gift for blending nostalgia, optimism, and humor in his music.

Chapters
0:20 Introduction
1:02 Biographical Facts
1:58 Italian Hollywood
4:05 Rota and Opera
9:14 Rota vs. Rózsa
10:44 Concerto for Strings
12:53 Harp Concerto
13:59 The Orchestra Rehearsal
15:40 Listen to Nino Rota!
16:26 Conclusion
16:50 Il Gattopardo

Featured Recordings

1. C5466 – Nino Rota: The Florentine Straw Hat
   Listen now: https://Naxos.lnk.to/C5466ID

2. C5494 – Nino Rota: Concert Music
   Listen now: https://Naxos.lnk.to/C5494ID

3. C5246 – Nino Rota: Il Gattopardo
   Listen now: https://Naxos.lnk.to/C5246ID

Featured Artists
Tetiana Miyus: https://tetianamiyus.com/
Piotr Buszewski: https://www.instagram.com/piotrbuszewski
Daniele Squeo: https://www.danielesqueo.com/home/
Opera Graz: https://oper-graz.buehnen-graz.com/
WDR Funkhausorchester: https://www1.wdr.de/orchester-und-chor/funkhausorchester/index.html
Felix Bender: https://www.felixbender.com/home
Esther Peristerakis: https://www.instagram.com/esther.peristerakis/

Recommended Persons
Miklós Rózsa
Federico Fellini
Luchino Visconti

With Jens F. Laurson (Journalist) and Johannes Kernmayer (Producer)

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► Learn more about Capriccio: http://capriccio.at/

Discover Karl Weigl, the forgotten Viennese composer who carried Romanticism into the 20th century. Join Jens and Joe on Classical Discoveries as they explore Weigl’s life, legacy, and remarkable output, including symphonies and string quartets. Learn about his early career under Mahler, his “Mahler without the neurosis” style, his struggles as an émigré in the United States, and the rediscovery of his music. Featuring insights from his grandson and excerpts from works such as the Left-Hand Piano Concerto and Third Symphony, this episode asks why Weigl deserves a place in the modern repertoire.

Subscribe for more hidden classical gems.

#KarlWeigl #ClassicalMusic #Podcast #VienneseMusic #Composer

Chapters
00:20 Introduction
00:56 Surprised by Beauty
02:38 His Grandson’s Memories
05:33 Viennese Glory
08:22 The Left-Hand Piano Concerto
10:09 Schoenberg Cycle Vienna
11:50 The Symphonies
13:27 American Obscurity
16:12 Some Chamber Music
17:32 Conclusion

Featured Recordings
C5232 – Weigl: Piano and Violin Concertos
C5365 – Weigl: Symphony No. 1
C5385 – Weigl: Symphonies Nos. 4 & 6
C5318 – Weigl: Chamber Music

Featured Artists
Florian Krumpöck
David Frühwirth
Jürgen Bruns
Deutsche Staatsphilharmonie Rheinland-Pfalz

Recommended Persons
Arnold Schoenberg
Alexander Zemlinsky
Franz Schmidt
Erich Korngold
Erich Zeisel
Hanns Eisler
Hans Gál
Gustav Mahler
Wilhelm Furtwängler
Leopold Stokowski

With Jens F. Laurson (Journalist) and Johannes Kernmayer (Producer)

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► Learn more about Capriccio: http://capriccio.at/

Classical Discoveries: A Festive Journey Beyond Bach

Join Jens and Joe for a delightful exploration of Christmas music that goes far beyond Bach! Discover hidden gems like Pfitzner’s Christelflein, Rheinberger’s Star of Bethlehem, and Cartellieri’s Christmas Oratorio. Journey from Renaissance masterpieces to Romantic treasures, with music by Mendelssohn, Saint-Saëns, and even Sibelius.

Enjoy surprises such as Schoenberg’s Christmas Music and Pablo Casals’ El pesebre, plus the enchanting sounds of Russian Orthodox Christmas traditions. Jens and Joe share personal stories from their own performances and recordings, adding warmth and insight to the festive atmosphere.

Whether you’re a lifelong classical enthusiast or looking for fresh additions to your holiday playlist, this episode unwraps new Christmas classics and cherished favorites—with a charming attempt at Silent Night!

Chapters
00:21 Introduction
02:05 No Favorite Song
03:02 Heinrich Schütz – Christmas History
04:34 A Season for Boys’ Choirs
06:46 Rheinberger – The Star of Bethlehem
11:09 Cartellieri – Christmas Oratorio
13:09 Mendelssohn – Vom Himmel hoch
15:09 Jens’ Christmas Favorites
16:52 100 Christmas Classics
18:40 Assisi Christmas Cantatas
21:07 Jean Sibelius – Op. 1
22:36 Christmas Emotions
24:30 Orthodox Christmas
27:44 A Silent Night Finale

Featured Albums
💿 Capriccio C10508 – Schütz / Schelle: Christmas Histories
💿 Capriccio C10594 – Christmas with the Vienna Boys’ Choir
💿 Orfeo C230082 – Pfitzner: Das Christ-Elflein
💿 Capriccio C10551 – Rheinberger: The Star of Bethlehem
💿 Capriccio C10337 – Rheinberger: Organ Suite
💿 Capriccio C71015 – Cartellieri: Christmas Oratorio
💿 Capriccio C10216 – Saint-Saëns / Mendelssohn
💿 Capriccio C7331 – 100 Christmas Classics
💿 Capriccio C3032 – Assisi Christmas Cantatas
💿 Capriccio C3031 – Scandinavian Christmas
💿 Capriccio C3033 – Orthodox Christmas
💿 Capriccio C3030 – Christmas in the Austrian Alps

With: Jens F. Laurson (Journalist) and Johannes Kernmayer (Producer)
#christmas #classicalchristmas #choral #sacredmusic #traditionalmusic #scandinavianmusic #orthodoxmusic

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Learn more at capriccio.at

Discover the life and works of Christian Sinding, the Norwegian composer who spent most of his career in Germany. Explore his symphonies, his place in late Romantic music, and why he is so often overshadowed by his contemporary Edvard Grieg.

Chapters
0:20 Introduction
1:24 Norwegian One-Hit Wonder
3:00 The Symphonies – Recording Impressions
7:19 Essentially German Music?
8:11 Biographical Facts
9:00 Symphony No. 1 – To Conquer the World
10:21 Grieg vs. Sinding
11:29 Symphony No. 4 – Frost and Spring
14:43 Biographical Facts
15:24 Sinding To-Do List
16:47 Conclusion

Featured Recordings

1. Capriccio C5540 – Christian Sinding: The Symphonies 1–4
   Listen now: https://Naxos.lnk.to/C5540ID

2. Naxos 8.557266 – Sibelius / Sinding Violin Concertos
   Listen now: https://Naxos.lnk.to/8557266ID

Featured Artists
Karl-Heinz Steffens: https://www.instagram.com/karlheinzsteffens/
Norrköping Symphony Orchestra: https://www.norrkopingssymfoniorkester.se/english

Recommended Persons
Edvard Grieg
Jean Sibelius
Richard Wagner
Felix Weingartner
Arthur Nikisch

With Jens F. Laurson (Journalist) and Johannes Kernmayer (Producer)

#Capriccio #Capricciorecords #Podcast #ChristianSinding #ClassicalMusic #NorwegianComposer #Symphonies #LateRomantic #EdvardGrieg #Leipzig #NordicMusic #ForgottenComposers #MusicHistory #ClassicalDiscoveries

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In this episode, we explore the fascinating life and work of composer Miklós Rózsa, focusing on his “double life” balancing film scoring and concert hall composition. Initially resistant to working in film, Rózsa went on to achieve great success in Hollywood, winning three Academy Awards for his scores to Ben-Hur, Spellbound, and A Double Life.

The hosts discuss Rózsa’s autobiography and his complex relationship with the world of film, contrasting his views with those of composers like Shostakovich, who seemed less troubled by such artistic boundaries. They delve into how Rózsa used his film work to fund his concert compositions, negotiating unique contracts that allowed him summers in Italy to focus on “serious” music.

You’ll hear excerpts from several of Rózsa’s concert works—including the energetic Overture to a Symphony Concert, the lyrical Hungarian Serenade, and the expressive Sinfonia concertante—and learn about his collaborations with legendary figures like Leonard Bernstein, Bruno Walter, Jascha Heifetz, and János Starker. Throughout, the hosts challenge long-standing biases against film composers and celebrate Rózsa’s contributions to both classical and cinematic music.

Chapters
0:21 Introduction
1:24 A Double Life
4:55 A Serious Classical Composer
7:55 Overture Op. 26a – The Recording Session
9:53 A Different Style?
10:55 The Film Career
12:01 Hungarian Serenade Op. 25
14:42 Sinfonia concertante Op. 29 (Preview)
17:08 Conclusion

💿 Featured Recording 💿

1. RÓZSA, M.: Overture to a Symphony Concert / Hungarian Serenade / Tripartita
   Label: Capriccio C5514
   🎧 Listen now: https://Naxos.lnk.to/C5514!Podcast

Hosts: Jens F. Laurson (Journalist) & Johannes Kernmayer (Producer)

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#capriccio #podcast #MiklósRózsa #FilmComposer #ClassicalMusic #MovieScores #BenHur #Spellbound #ADoubleLife #Composer #HollywoodComposer #HungarianComposer #FilmMusic #Soundtrack #ClassicalMusicPodcast #MusicHistory #20thCenturyMusic #PodcastRecommendation #MusicLover #NewMusic

In this episode of Classical Discoveries, we welcome Dr. Christoph Becher — former dramaturg and general director — to unpack the art and challenges of curating a concert season. Dr. Becher outlines the three-pronged approach involving the orchestra chief, guest conductor, and presenter, each bringing distinct goals and perspectives.

The discussion explores how radio symphony orchestras balance their mission to promote contemporary music with the need to attract audiences. Dr. Becher shares engaging anecdotes from his career — from championing Henze’s Raft of the Medusa to navigating hesitant presenters — while reflecting on audience resistance to modern and even some romantic composers like Dohnányi.

The hosts also discuss Dr. Becher’s upcoming book on Schoenberg, designed to make the composer’s music more accessible, alongside his innovative programming work at leading institutions. Highlights include his Hamburg concert series featuring surprise modern pieces and collaborations on major performances such as Dvořák’s The Spectre’s Bride.

Chapters
0:21 Introduction
1:06 Introducing our Guest – Christoph Becher
1:50 How to Prepare a Seasonal Concert Program
5:12 A Mission for Non-Standard Repertoire
13:19 Ideas Out of the Bathtub
14:43 The Schoenberg Problem
19:32 The Schoenberg Book
22:32 The Role of a Program Director
27:40 Recordings with the ORF Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra
29:29 Conclusion

💿 Featured Recordings 💿

1. Hans Werner Henze: Floß der Medusa — Capriccio C5482
   🎧 Listen: https://Naxos.lnk.to/C5482!Podcast

2. Ernst von Dohnányi: The Veil of Pierrette — Capriccio C5388
   🎧 Listen: https://Naxos.lnk.to/C5388!Podcast

3. Antonín Dvořák: The Spectre’s Bride — Capriccio C5315
   🎧 Listen: https://Naxos.lnk.to/C5315!Podcast

4. Kurt Weill: Propheten — Capriccio C5500
   🎧 Listen: https://Naxos.lnk.to/C5500!Podcast

5. Dohnányi / Weiner — Capriccio C5380
   🎧 Listen: https://Naxos.lnk.to/C5380!Podcast

6. Zemlinsky: Sinfonietta — Capriccio C5377
   🎧 Listen: https://Naxos.lnk.to/C5377!Podcast

Hosts: Jens F. Laurson (Journalist), Johannes Kernmayer (Producer), and Dr. Christoph Becher (Program Director)

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#classicalmusic #contemporarymusic #contemporaryclassical #musicmanagement #sponsorship #classicaldiscoveries #arnoldschoenberg

The influence of Gustav Mahler on the performance practice of Beethoven's symphonies is explored in this episode. Mahler's "retouchings," made to adapt Beethoven’s works for the larger orchestras and concert halls of his time, are examined in detail. The discussion also considers how these revisions shape modern interpretations of Beethoven’s symphonic repertoire.

0:00 Introduction0:58 Mahler and Wagner3:44 The Recording Sessions7:07 The Orchestrations8:38 Missing Authentic Beethoven11:19 Egomaniac Mahler?13:00 The Retouched Works17:04 The Big Conclusion

1. Capriccio C5484Beethoven – The Mahler Re-orchestrationsListen now: ⁠https://Naxos.lnk.to/C5484!Podcast⁠

2. Naxos 8.574429Schumann, R.: Symphonies Nos. 1 and 2 (Re-orchestrated by G. Mahler)Listen now: ⁠https://Naxos.lnk.to/8574429!Podcast⁠

3. Naxos 8.574430Schumann, R.: Symphonies Nos. 3 and 4 (Re-orchestrated by G. Mahler)Listen now: ⁠https://Naxos.lnk.to/8574430!Podcast⁠

With: Jens F. Laurson (Journalist) and Johannes Kernmayer (Producer)

► Subscribe on YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/c/CapriccioRecords⁠► Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/capricciorecords/⁠► Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/capricciorec/⁠► Twitter: ⁠https://twitter.com/CapriccioRec⁠► Learn more: ⁠http://capriccio.at/⁠

#capriccio #capricciorecords #podcast #musicpodcast #musichistory #Beethoven #Mahler #ClassicalMusic #Symphony #Retuschen #Orchestration #Classicaldiscoveries #beethovensymphony #symphony #classical #music