backstage
KRZYSZTOF PENDERECKI - A Life in Four Quartets
The whole stylistic world of Krysztof Penderecki in just over 70 minutes! Fear not, that’s not the length of our podcast today, it’s the time it takes to perform all his compositions involving string quartet and string trio. And they conveniently trace the composer’s startlingly divergent stylistic output, from the wild-as-it-comes 1960 String Quartet No.1 via the masterly String Trio to the romanticism of the Third and beyond.
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KURT WEILL - From Brecht to Broadway
If you know that sharks have teeth, dear, then that’s probably because Kurt Weill told you so in his song “Mack the Knife”. Pearly white they may be, too, but what else did Kurt Weill do? Mahagonny-something. Right. If you’re as ignorant as Jens, when it comes to matters Weill, join our podcast and let Joe help you discover what a astoundingly divergent universe of music this known-unknown composer has in store for you!
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REDISCOVERING SALIERI - Werner Ehrhardt on raiding the archives
You may not have heard of him, but if you have had any exposure to early music, chances are you have heard him: In this first installment, Werner Ehrhardt, the founder and leader of the early music ensembles Concerto Köln and L'arte del mondo, sits down with Jens and Joe for a chat about his half century of recording rare and early music and how you discover music that's yet to be discovered.
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MILOSLAV KABELÁČ - Symphony No.2
Miloslav Kabeláč ranks among the most significant Czech composers of the 20th century. Alongside Antonín Dvořák and Bohuslav Martinů, he is recognised as one of the greatest Czech symphonists, whose work represents a cornerstone of Czech musical heritage. His output encompassed practically all musical genres except opera, but at its core are eight symphonies, each with a unique orchestration. For this recording, the ORF Radio Symphony Orchestra enjoyed the welcome expertise of Czech conductor Jakub Hrůša, who meticulously articulated the richly orchestrated scores of this still underrated composer.
Recording: Vienna, 2023/2024 · Recording Supervision: Erich Hofmann · Recording Engineer: Friedrich Trondl · Publisher: Bärenreiter Praha · Producer: Johannes Kernmayer
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DMITRI SHOSTAKOVICH - The Symphonies
In their latest #ClassicalDiscoveries episode, Jens and Joe explore Shostakovich's symphonies—works of daring subversion masked as Soviet conformity. From the banned Fourth Symphony to the sardonic Ninth, they reveal how Shostakovich smuggled private rebellion into public music. Featuring Gürzenich-Orchester Köln's powerhouse recordings, this is Soviet-era genius at its most explosive. "Quiet in person, screaming in music." With: Jens F. Laurson (Journalist) · Johannes Kernmayer (Capriccio) · Martin Klebahn / 4tune Studios (Video Operator)
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CHARLES KOECHLIN - France's Hidden Symphonist
In their latest episode of their #ClassicalDiscoveries podcast, Jens and Joe take a look at the scintillating music of Charles Koechlin, a fascinating composer and forgotten French symphonist who is impossible to pigeonhole. Neither an impressionist, nor simply a romantic, dramatic, lyric, abstract, or descriptive composer, he combined revolutionary, academic, and eclectic traits. One second, he will display hints of Debussy and Ravel and the next sound like Poulenc, Florent Schmitt, or even Olivier Messiaen. With: Jens F. Laurson (Journalist) · Johannes Kernmayer (Capriccio) · Martin Klebahn / 4tune Studios (Video Operator)
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DMITRI SHOSTAKOVICH - The Film Music Scores
and many more
n their latest episode, Jens & Joe dive into the forgotten reels of Shostakovich’s film music, tackling anything from Italian partisans to Austrian invaders along the way – and wondering why everyone knows Prokofiev’s Ivan the Terrible, but not The Fall of Berlin. Plus: a well-earned shoutout to Dave at @DavesClassicalGuide. with: Jens F. Laurson (Journalist) · Johannes Kernmayer (Capriccio) · Martin Klebahn / 4tune Studios (Video Operator)
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EASTER CLASSICS - beyond J. S. Bach
anf many more
Easter marks the high point of the Christian year. It cannot be surprising, then, that some of the greatest compositions in classical music have been written to mark this feast. When today’s concert halls give a nod to Easter, Bach dominates programming. In their latest podcast, Jens and Joe explore some gems beyond Bach, from the age of the renaissance well into the 19th century.
with: Jens F. Laurson (Journalist) · Johannes Kernmayer (Capriccio) · Martin Klebahn / 4tune Studios (Video Operator)
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FRANZ SCHMIDT - beyond the "Seven Seals"
Franz Schmidt is not the most neglected composer among the 20th century grand romantics, but the discrepancy between the greatness of his music and his neglect in concert is staggering. Together with conductor Jonathan Bermann, who recently recorded Schmidt’s four symphonies with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Jens & Joe try to zero in on the phenomenon Schmidt and his music. with: Jonathan Bermann (Conductor) · Jens F. Laurson (Journalist) · Johannes Kernmayer (Capriccio) · Martin Klebahn / 4tune Studios (Video Operator)
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CHRISTIAN SINDING - The German Norwegian Composer
Discover the life and works of Christian Sinding, a Norwegian composer who spent most of his career in Germany. Learn about his symphonies, his place in late Romantic music, and why he's often overlooked in favor of his contemporary, Edvard Grieg.
