Roger Kimball, the Editor and Publisher of The New Criterion, discusses the April 2020 issue and reads from its opening pages.

The title of this episode pretty much tells its story. Jay plays balm-like music, and delight-giving music—heavy on the Bach. At the beginning of the show, he asks, “Need I say that music is extra-important in these strange and trying times?” He answers, “Of course I don’t.”

Tracks played:

Bach–Petri, “Sheep May Safely Graze”

Bach, “Jauchzet Gott in allen Landen”

Bach, “Alleluia”

Chopin, Étude in A flat, Op. 25, No. 1, “Aeolian Harp”

Haydn, Piano Concerto in D

Elgar, Nimrod Variation

Bach, Bourées from English Suite No. 2 in A minor

Bach, Gigue from English Suite No. 2 in A minor

Ochs, attr. Handel, “Dank sei dir, Herr”

Bach, Allegro for keyboard only, Violin Sonata No. 6 in G

Trad., “Give Me Jesus”

Lots of parents now have kids at home, in need of schooling. A friend of Jay’s asked him, “Could you put together a little program for my kids?” Here it is: Bach, Mozart, Brahms, Chopin, and worthy others. A neat, balanced smattering. For “kids” of all ages.

Tracks played:

Bach, Prelude in C major, Book I, “The Well-Tempered Clavier”

Chopin, Etude in C major, Op. 10, No. 1

Mozart, Twelve Variations on “Ah, vous dirai-je, Maman”

Brahms, “Wie Melodien zieht es mir”

Wagner, Prelude, Act III, “Lohengrin”

Puccini, “Addio, mio dolce amor,” from “Edgar”

Debussy, “Reflets dans l’eau”

Turina, “Zapateado”

Shostakovich, Scherzo, Piano Quintet in G minor

Lowry, arr. Copland, “At the River”

Roger Kimball, the Editor and Publisher of The New Criterion, introduces a handful of noteworthy pieces from the March 2020 issue and reads from its opening pages.

Jay ends this episode with the beloved theme song to “The Jeffersons,” “Movin’ on Up.” It was co-written and sung by Ja’net DuBois, who died recently. Also in this episode you have two arias by Handel; a piano piece by Ravel, miraculously played; some little-known Mozart, which is knockout; and yet more. Take a break away, as Jay says.

Tracks played:

Handel, “Bel piacere,” from “Agrippina”

Galuppi, Andante from the Keyboard Sonata No. 5 in C major

Handel, “Pensieri, voi mi tormentate,” from “Agrippina”

Ravel, “Une barque sur l’océan,” from “Miroirs”

Mozart, Chaconne from the ballet music to “Idomeneo”

DuBois-Barry, “Movin’ on Up”

Jay Nordlinger, the music critic for The New Criterion, joins James Panero for a discussion of the classical music world and the life of a critic today.

James Panero, the executive editor of The New Criterion, discusses the architectural history of one of New York’s artistic treasures, all the way up to the ill-advised renovations being undertaken today.

This episode begins with a song by Giuseppe Martucci, sung by Rosa Feola, the young Italian soprano. It ends with an aria by Giacomo Puccini, sung by Mirella Freni, the legendary Italian soprano who died in recent days. In between is a smorgasbord, including Haydn, Mozart, and a couple of British songs that Jay and others love.

Tracks played:

Martucci, “Maggiolata”

Haydn, Cello Concerto in C major

Mozart, Great Mass in C minor

Dunhill, “The Cloths of Heaven”

arr. Britten, “Down by the Salley Gardens”

Mozart, Horn Concerto No. 3 in E flat

Puccini, “Vissi d’arte,” from “Tosca”

Roger Kimball, the Editor and Publisher of The New Criterion, introduces the magazine’s “Sovereignty or Submission” conference held in Washington, D.C.

John O’Sullivan, an editor at large at National Review, shares his thoughts on the importance of a national consensus and recent factors undermining it. Audio taken from The New Criterion’s “Sovereignty or Submission” conference in Washington, D.C.

A form of this address appeared in the January 2020 issue under the title, “The Left v. the nation.”