Music For a While

As Jay tells us at the beginning, he has been reviewing from two summer festivals: the Mostly Mozart Festival (New York) and the Salzburg Festival, in Mozart’s hometown. He discusses and plays a variety of music performed at these festivals: Haydn, Beethoven, Mendelssohn, Enescu – and Mozart, for sure. Tracks played: Mozart, Overture to “The […]

Jay revisits some old favorites and hails at least one new favorite. Tracks played: Tchaikovsky, Waltz from “The Sleeping Beauty” Mozart, Sonata for Violin and Piano in B flat, K. 454 Steve Reich, “It’s Gonna Rain” McHugh/Koehler, “Spreadin’ Rhythm Around” Arvo Pärt, Symphony No. 4 Arensky, Piano Trio in D minor Scriabin, Prelude in C […]

Or rather, three nominees. Plus, Gerard Schwarz, the trumpeter/conductor whom Jay interviewed recently on his “Q&A” (here). This episode provides beauty, wonder, excitement, controversy, solace – it’s music. Links to the tracks in this week’s show: Haydn, Trumpet Concerto, final movement, Gerard Schwarz et al. Piston, Symphony No. 4, Seattle Symphony, Gerard Schwarz Stölzel, “Bist […]

Jay says “Happy Independence Day” with a buffet of American music, starting with “The Banjo” and ending with “America the Beautiful.” In between, you will have many melodies, many voices, all adding up to America. Have a great one. Track listing for this show: Gottschalk, “The Banjo,” Ivan Davis “Camptown Races,” Marilyn Horne et al. […]

Introducing this episode, Jay says, “Gonna throw a little ballet at you” – and he does. Some music from ballets. He also throws in some arias, some jazz, and more. An interesting, diverse, soul-pleasing episode.  Track listing for this show: Massenet, “Elegy,” the Berlin Philharmonic, Herbert von Karajan Massenet, “Elegy,” José van Dam et al. […]

Jay discusses, and plays, an old song: “A Soft Day.” You also have a little music from Brazil. And a composer who escaped the Nazis. And some Cole Porter. Also, what about the question of Wagner? Can you listen to him, SOB that he was? Finally, Franco Zeffirelli died – which leads to a reflection […]

From Norway, a story about Mrs. Grieg – and some music by Mr. From Israel, some thoughts about Bruch, Bloch, and others. This episode also includes a dollop of Rameau, a spiritual, a heavenly piece by Chopin, and more. Food for thought and soul. This is a podcast of The New Criterion.

Jay Nordlinger begins a new podcast, a music ’cast. As he says, he’ll talk about music – make some points, tell some stories, tell some jokes – but mainly play music. Because why talk when you can listen? He begins this inaugural episode with the song from which he swipes his title (“Music for a […]