Classic Music Podcast

It wasn't until the mid-1960s that a complete recording of Wagner's Ring operas was published.   However, down the decades of recorded history, Wagner's Ring Cycle existed in extracts and the odd complete act.  A ten LP set documents singers associated with the early decades of Wagner's  Bayreuth Festival.  Drawing on these, Laurence Lewis hosts a sequence of Das Rhinegold recordings - that will in the following editions encompass all the Ring operas - dating from 1904 to 1910..  Total Playing Time: 13.55 mins.  

Middle of the Road Maestro, Norrie Paramor explores songs with the number Two in title across his album, Just We Two.  Laurence Lewis finds a ten inch copy of this LP released in 1956, which still makes some lovely sounds.  Total Playing Time: 9.14mins.

Little known in the West, behind the Iron Curtain Bulgaria created an operatic tradition.   Companies had their star singers and productions that, in their own way, rivalled those in Europe and America.  Laurence Lewis has chosen four Bulgarian Operatic Superstars, showcasing them in operas by Wagner, Rossinii, Puccini and the Bulgarian composer Parashkiev Hadjiev.  Playing Time: 15.59mins.

A flirt, flirting and a bean jumping, invite you to join the musical world of composer Robert Farnon (1917 - 2005).  A legendary figure in his time, it's surprising how many of his compositions and  arrangements linger in the memory - even if you don't know their composer.  An antique 10inch LP provides Laurence Lewis with an opportunity to catch the bean, chat to the flirt and tune into to Robert Farnon.  Playing Time: 11.07 mins.

Guido Cantelli (1920 - 1956) died in an aircraft disaster.  He is another of those musicians who lit-up the musical world, and were then snuffed out.  We are fortunate that his art is preserved on a handful of commercial recordings, mainly with the Philharmonia Orchestra.  Laurence Lewis features some of these, alongside a Tchaikovsky surprise!  Playing Time: 14.33 mins.  (Laurence Lewis is the author of - Guido Cantelli: Portrait of a Maestro)

A recreation of the long-running BBC series that commenced in 1940 to provide (initially)  munitions workers with a bqckground of uplifting music over the sound of their machines.  Laurence Lewis  fills in the historical details, while the music is played from original recordings  made in 1943.  Playing Time: 13.29mins. 

The precious first recordings - 1938 - 1939 - by violinist Ginette Neveu (1919 -1949), that shine a light on an early career, as the lights were dimming everywhere.  Music by Kreisler, Suk and Chopin, presented by Laurence Lewis.  Playing Time: 9.26 mins.

Interest in the music of Gustav Mahler continues to grow,  The LP record and subsequent technologies have taken advantage of this.  But did you know that during the 78rpm era an extensive back-catalogue of Mahler recordings existed?  Laurence Lewis listens to Mahler recordings published between 1903 and 1929, finding  some extraordinary performances. Total Playing Time: 15.29mins.

Some celebrated violin showpieces backgrounding the tragic story of Josef Hassid (1923 - 1950), recalled by Laurence Lewis.  Playing Time:  14.23 mins.

Recorded on location in Argyle Street, Kings Cross, London, an episode celebrating the centenary of Peter Sellers, with some of his classic comic recordings,  and the 70th anniversary of Ealing Studios comic masterpiece, The Ladykillers, (from the location of the famous rickety house) which gave Sellers his first major starring role.    Hosted by Laurence Lewis.  Playing Time: 13.12 mins.