In this podcast I explore the idea that Dvorak redeems the problems of life – specifically the problem of his homesickness for Czechoslovakia – not by solving them but by turning them into music.

What's the deal with Mozart's Jupiter symphony?

Jan 24th, 2024 19m 17s

Commentators seem unable to praise the Finale of Mozart's 41st symphony enough, containing, "they say," the greatest 30 seconds of music ever written. I thought I'd work out why – and I'm not so sure I agree.

In Dulci Jubilo

Dec 23rd, 2023 13m 40s

In this podcast I explore the relationship of carols to the magic of Christmas.

Hely-Hutchinson's Carol Symphony

Dec 1st, 2023 16m 50s

When I first rehearsed this music I could make no sense of it! So I made a podcast. Now I find parts of the Carol Symphony quite moving.

Mahler's First Symphony – Movement 1

Apr 30th, 2023 24m 42s

Journey to "where no [person] has gone before" or an early morning walk? Chamber music or symphony of gigantic proportions? Mark and Matthew listen to key moments from a work haunted by themes of joy, unrequited love and death.

Louise Farrenc's 2nd Symphony

Nov 14th, 2022 21m 58s

Matthew and Mark discover the classical in the romantic.

Brahms Violin Concerto

Sep 28th, 2022 21m 25s

Mark and Matthew listen to the first movement of Brahms' violin concerto and discover that, at heart, its depth and richness lies in the organic development of simple, musical ideas.

The Italian Symphony – Mendelssohn

Jun 5th, 2022 22m 26s

The opening pizzicato – the cork pops on a bottle of Prosecco – the brilliant Italian sunshine reveals the exquisite detail of Mendelssohn's mastery.

Beethoven's Symphony No. 7, 1st Movement

Apr 11th, 2022 21m 20s

Mark listens to the first movement of Beethoven 7th Symphony with the conductor, Matthew Jones. What does it mean to hear a work for the first time?

What's going on at the beginning of the last movement of Beethoven's Ninth?

Mar 29th, 2021 19m 22s

In this podcast, I unpack the narrative that forms the opening of the Ninth Symphony's Finale, as Beethoven searches for "joyful sounds," a tune we can all sing – the Ode to Joy.

A sublime slow movement: Beethoven A minor Quartet, No. 15

Jun 22nd, 2020 15m 56s

The slow movement of the A minor quartet is profound–but somehow difficult to discover without careful listening.

Schubert and broken hearted lovers, a "Winter's Journey"

Jun 11th, 2020 10m 43s

In this podcast, I explore ways in which Schubert uses music in the first song of his cycle, "Winter's Journey," to give the lyrics an angle, rather like a film score gives a scene an angle. The singer is Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau with Gerald Mo

Dylan Goes Electric

Jun 5th, 2020 11m 34s

This is a podcast produced for a music class at Humber College. It speaks to Bob Dylan's switch, in Bringing It All Back Home, from purely acoustic instruments to the introduction of the electric guitar: from folk to folk rock.

Liszt's "Les Preludes"

May 1st, 2020 15m 16s

First impressions of Liszt's symphonic poem, "Les Preludes:" the story of development.

Brahms Piano Concerto No. 2

Apr 24th, 2020 15m 52s

Mark talks about the paradoxical relationship between the piano and orchestra in the opening movement of Brahms' 2nd piano concerto.

Please Please Me: what makes the Beatles different

Apr 5th, 2020 11m 33s

This is a podcast I created for a course I teach in music. In it I explore what sets the Beatles apart from their contemporaries in their first no. 1 hit.

Elvis's Mystery Train: Cover or New Song?

Mar 3rd, 2020 11m 23s

I made this podcast for my "musical pioneers" class at Humber College. In it I compare Herman Junior Parker's original song, Mystery Train, released in 1953 with Presley's version released in 1955.

Shostakovich's 10th Symphony

Feb 29th, 2020 21m 29s

Mark is joined by Matthew, conductor of the EPO, to discuss musical development in the 1st movement of Shostakovich's 10th symphony: the composer's treatment of "dance," the conversation between simultaneous musical lines and the way the compos

Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture

Jan 22nd, 2020 15m 17s

In his 1812 overture, Tchaikovsky tells the story of Napoleon's advance to, and retreat from Moscow, and the final victory of the Russians. He uses hymns, national anthems and folk songs to represent the main events. Mark asks whether it is the

Bach, the baroque and the bass line

Jan 16th, 2020 9m 41s

This podcast was recorded for a music appreciation class for non musicians at Humber college. In line with the Etobicoke Philharmonic Orchestra's upcoming "discovery" concert, it locates the baroque period in the broad history of western art mu

Bach's Brandenburg Concerto No. 4

Dec 10th, 2019 13m 49s

Some thoughts on the driving rhythm and interweaving motives of Bach's 4th Brandenburg Concerto.

White Christmas Time (the good and the . . . well, not so good)

Dec 8th, 2019 14m 29s

In a departure from the western art music genre, Mark contemplates the depth (or not) of Paul McCartney's "Wonderful Christmas Time" and Otis Redding's "White Christmas."

Elgar's Enigma Variations

Nov 13th, 2019 19m 9s

Mark Listens to Edward Elgar's Enigma Variations, tracing its connection to Hans Zimmer's soundtrack to Dunkirk

Stravinsky Firebird Suite (1919)

Oct 16th, 2019 22m 24s

Mark listens with Matthew to Stravinsky's Firebird suite and discovers how Stravinsky creates a musical image of the story presented in dance

Brahms Sextet in Bb major

Jun 18th, 2019 27m 12s

Mark listens with violist Lea Kerstein, member of the folk-pop duo, Citizen Jane, to the first movement of Brahms' wonderful Bb major sextet op. 18, played here by the Stuttgart Soloists.