Comment received on December 8, 2008

Comment from podcast listener: Christian C.
Why never any organ music?

I love the Classical Music Spotlight.

I have discovered a great variety of wonderful, interesting music that I otherwise would probably not have bothered with. As a professional organist, though, it bothers me that, in nearly three years of listening, there has never once (I believe) been a podcast introducing “us” to any repertoire for organ. If I enjoy finding new music through the podcast, often for instruments and ensembles not in my line of sight, why wouldn’t someone else? Contrary to some people’s beliefs, there ARE people out there who enjoy the pipe organ, and Naxos has a huge collection of music for organ, some of it poorly known. Toss us organ-lovers a bone, please, and maybe it will add to our ranks of aficionados.

Comment received on October 16, 2008, 09:54

Comment from podcast listener: Jim W.
I know, the cynics are saying they’re just 20 minute commercials for Naxos. So what? Nothing wrong with entertainment and education at the same time. I especially enjoyed your podcasts on Leopold Stokowski. My high school choir teacher and “Fantasia” were my introductions to classical music, and Stokowski has always fascinated me. I could write an essay on this podcast and that, but for now just thanks very much for the podcasts, and I will continue to make purchases in spite of the cynics.

Comment received on October 14, 2008, 08:01

Comment from podcast listener: Kim W.
I’ve listened for many months to the Naxos Classical Music Podcast (via iTunes), and it’s definitely one of my favorites. The music is always beautifully chosen and presented, and Mr. Bisha’s presentation just makes it all that much better!

I’m fairly new to classical music, primarily due to having a hornist for a son. He’s in his first year of college now, majoring in theory and composition as well as performance. Your podcast is a great help in opening and expanding my awareness of the variety and wonder of the classical music universe.

I’ve several of your CDs as well, so thanks for the plethora of quality products!

Comment received on September 20, 2008, 00:31

Comment from podcast listener: Glenn A.
I love the podcast. Even when the music does not appeal to me, I learn so much from each one. The format — interspersing talk with music — is expertly done so that each informs the other. But I have one gripe — the podcast is far from free: I find I buy more CDs now than ever before. And it is all your fault. Furthermore, while it may all be part of your diabolical scheme to lure me into your infomercial web, I keep coming back for more and more. It appears I am stuck.

Thanks for the quality and the care.

Comment received on July 11, 2008, 13:14

Comment from podcast listener: Andrew D on the episode, Beethoven Symphony No. 9, arranged by Franz Liszt
At first I was surprised to hear that Franz Liszt’s transcription was put into two piano parts. I say this because I have sheet music of a version that’s for one piano only. My question is, did Liszt publish two versions, or, did he simply publish a single-piano transcription of movements 1-3 and publish a sepearate, two-pianos version of the symphony? Of course there could be other options, but I am just asking to clarify for when I get the sheet music. If you could clarify that for me, that would be great!

PS I love the 9th as a symphony, but as for transcriptions, my favorite is the
5th, especially the 3rd movement.

Comment received on April 17, 2008, 12:57

Comment from podcast listener: Chris Freud
Not a question, but a comment. I just wanted to thank Raymond of Naxos podcasting fame for his fun and informative shows. I’m a big classical music fan, but the podcast has really opened my eyes to some works which are now an important part of my collection.

Thanks for doing such a great job with the podcast and keep it up. I look forward to it every week.