Updates from the world's leading classical music label
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 Read More …
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 Read More …
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, Read More …
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, Read More …
In this episode, Jens and 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 Dave’s Classical Guide. Other Episodes: Classical Read 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 Read More …
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 Read More …