In their latest episode of the Classical Discoveries podcast, Jens and Joe explore the scintillating music of Charles Koechlin, a fascinating yet overlooked French symphonist who defies easy categorisation. Neither purely an impressionist nor simply a romantic, dramatic, lyric, abstract, or “programmatic” composer, Koechlin combined revolutionary, academic, and eclectic traits. One moment his language recalls Debussy and Ravel, the next he sounds like Poulenc, Florent Schmitt, or even Olivier Messiaen.

0:20   Introduction
1:36   Koechlin – A little bit of everything?
4:51   Symphony No. 1 – Recording Session
9:01   Backgrounds – Jungle Book and the Symphony
10:56  A pupil of Fauré
11:27  The Seven Stars’ Symphony, Op. 132
12:16  The Movie Stars of the Symphony
14:33  Greta Garbo (Excerpt)
16:43  Charlie Chaplin (Excerpt)
17:45  Vers la voûte étoilée, Op. 129 (Excerpt)
19:27  Conclusion

C5533  Charles Koechlin: Symphony No. 1
BUY/STREAM: https://Naxos.lnk.to/C5533!Podcast

C5449  Charles Koechlin: The Seven Stars’ Symphony (Capriccio)
BUY/STREAM: https://Naxos.lnk.to/C5449!Podcast

Sinfonieorchester Basel

• Website: https://www.sinfonieorchesterbasel.ch

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgllfsUfm3qWSsZQE7vTnJw

Württembergische Philharmonie Reutlingen

• Website: https://www.wuerttembergische-philharmonie.de/musik/

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wuerttembergischephilharmonie/

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/philharmonie.reutlingen/

Ariane Matiakh

• Website: https://arianematiakh.com/

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/matiakhariane

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arianematiakh/

Recommended Persons

Claude Debussy - Gabriel Fauré - Albert Roussel - Olivier Messiaen - Charlie Chaplin - Clara Bow - Greta Garbo - Marlene Dietrich - Rudyard Kipling

With:
Jens F. Laurson (Journalist) and Johannes Kernmayer (Producer)

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In this episode, Jens & Joe dive into the forgotten reels of Dmitri Shostakovich’s film music, from Italian partisans to Austrian invaders — and ask why everyone knows Prokofiev’s Ivan the Terrible, but not The Fall of Berlin. A well‑earned shoutout, too, to Dave at @DavesClassicalGuide.

0:20   Introduction
1:32   Shostakovich and the Soviet Film Industry
4:30   The Gadfly (1955) – Bazar
7:04   The Gadfly (1955) – Romance
9:04   Dictates of the Soviet Regime
10:34  The New Babylon (1929)
13:45  Five Days – Five Nights (1961)
16:21  The Hidden Scores
17:50  King Lear – Incidental Music (1940)
20:06  Shostakovich vs. Prokofiev
20:50  The Fall of Berlin (1950)
22:54  The Film Music Recordings
23:46  Golden Mountains (1931)
26:03  King Lear – Film Music (1970)
28:14  Conclusion

8.573747  Shostakovich: The Gadfly (Naxos)
BUY/STREAM: https://Naxos.lnk.to/8573747!Podcast

C7450  Shostakovich: Film Music Edition (Capriccio)
BUY/STREAM: https://Naxos.lnk.to/C7450!Podcast

• Rundfunk‑Sinfonieorchester Berlin — https://www.instagram.com/rsb_orchester/

• Deutsches Symphonie‑Orchester Berlin — https://www.instagram.com/dsoberlin

• Deutsche Staatsphilharmonie Rheinland‑Pfalz — https://www.instagram.com/staatsphilharmonie/

• RIAS‑Kammerchor — https://www.instagram.com/rias_kammerchor/

• James Judd — https://www.jamesjudd.net/

• Michail Jurowski

Serge Prokofiev - Alfred Schnittke - Jacques Offenbach - Ludwig van Beethoven

With:
Jens F. Laurson (Journalist) and Johannes Kernmayer (Producer)

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ChaptersFeatured RecordingsFeatured ArtistsRecommended Persons

Franz Schmidt may not be the most neglected composer among the grand romantics of the 20th century, but the gap between the greatness of his music and its absence from concert halls is staggering. Together with conductor Jonathan Berman, who recently recorded Schmidt’s four symphonies with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Jens and Joe explore the Schmidt phenomenon and the enduring appeal of his music.

Chapters
0:20 Introduction
1:20 Special Guest: Jonathan Berman
2:24 The Symphonies Project
7:47 Karajan vs. Schmidt
9:04 "Intermezzo" – The One-Shot Hit
10:40 Notre Dame
14:24 Fantasia for Piano and Orchestra
16:17 Variations on a Hussar's Song
18:16 Nothing Like Bruckner
20:03 Franz Schmidt – Discography
21:36 Biographical Shadows
25:00 Conclusion

Featured Recordings
C10248–49 – Franz Schmidt: Notre Dame

C5274 – Franz Schmidt: Orchestral Works
BUY/STREAM: https://Naxos.lnk.to/C5274!Podcast

C67093 – Franz Schmidt: Organ Works

C5526 – Franz Schmidt: Piano Works
BUY/STREAM: https://Naxos.lnk.to/C5526!Podcast

Featured Artists
Jonathan Berman: https://www.instagram.com/jonathanbermanconductor/
Jasminka Stančul: https://www.instagram.com/jasminkastancul/?hl=en
Deutsche Staatsphilharmonie Rheinland-Pfalz: https://www.staatsphilharmonie.de/de/
Alexander Rumpf
Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin: https://www.dso-berlin.de/de/
Christof Prick: http://www.christof-prick.de/

Recommended Persons
Anton Bruckner
Richard Wagner
Gustav Mahler
Herbert von Karajan
Dimitri Mitropoulos

With Jens F. Laurson (Journalist) and Johannes Kernmayer (Producer)

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Explore the life and works of Nino Rota, the Italian composer celebrated for both his iconic film scores and his classical music. Discover his collaborations with legendary directors, his opera The Florentine Straw Hat, and his distinctive gift for blending nostalgia, optimism, and humor in his music.

Chapters
0:20 Introduction
1:02 Biographical Facts
1:58 Italian Hollywood
4:05 Rota and Opera
9:14 Rota vs. Rózsa
10:44 Concerto for Strings
12:53 Harp Concerto
13:59 The Orchestra Rehearsal
15:40 Listen to Nino Rota!
16:26 Conclusion
16:50 Il Gattopardo

Featured Recordings

1. C5466 – Nino Rota: The Florentine Straw Hat
   Listen now: https://Naxos.lnk.to/C5466ID

2. C5494 – Nino Rota: Concert Music
   Listen now: https://Naxos.lnk.to/C5494ID

3. C5246 – Nino Rota: Il Gattopardo
   Listen now: https://Naxos.lnk.to/C5246ID

Featured Artists
Tetiana Miyus: https://tetianamiyus.com/
Piotr Buszewski: https://www.instagram.com/piotrbuszewski
Daniele Squeo: https://www.danielesqueo.com/home/
Opera Graz: https://oper-graz.buehnen-graz.com/
WDR Funkhausorchester: https://www1.wdr.de/orchester-und-chor/funkhausorchester/index.html
Felix Bender: https://www.felixbender.com/home
Esther Peristerakis: https://www.instagram.com/esther.peristerakis/

Recommended Persons
Miklós Rózsa
Federico Fellini
Luchino Visconti

With Jens F. Laurson (Journalist) and Johannes Kernmayer (Producer)

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Discover Karl Weigl, the forgotten Viennese composer who carried Romanticism into the 20th century. Join Jens and Joe on Classical Discoveries as they explore Weigl’s life, legacy, and remarkable output, including symphonies and string quartets. Learn about his early career under Mahler, his “Mahler without the neurosis” style, his struggles as an émigré in the United States, and the rediscovery of his music. Featuring insights from his grandson and excerpts from works such as the Left-Hand Piano Concerto and Third Symphony, this episode asks why Weigl deserves a place in the modern repertoire.

Subscribe for more hidden classical gems.

#KarlWeigl #ClassicalMusic #Podcast #VienneseMusic #Composer

Chapters
00:20 Introduction
00:56 Surprised by Beauty
02:38 His Grandson’s Memories
05:33 Viennese Glory
08:22 The Left-Hand Piano Concerto
10:09 Schoenberg Cycle Vienna
11:50 The Symphonies
13:27 American Obscurity
16:12 Some Chamber Music
17:32 Conclusion

Featured Recordings
C5232 – Weigl: Piano and Violin Concertos
C5365 – Weigl: Symphony No. 1
C5385 – Weigl: Symphonies Nos. 4 & 6
C5318 – Weigl: Chamber Music

Featured Artists
Florian Krumpöck
David Frühwirth
Jürgen Bruns
Deutsche Staatsphilharmonie Rheinland-Pfalz

Recommended Persons
Arnold Schoenberg
Alexander Zemlinsky
Franz Schmidt
Erich Korngold
Erich Zeisel
Hanns Eisler
Hans Gál
Gustav Mahler
Wilhelm Furtwängler
Leopold Stokowski

With Jens F. Laurson (Journalist) and Johannes Kernmayer (Producer)

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Classical Discoveries: A Festive Journey Beyond Bach

Join Jens and Joe for a delightful exploration of Christmas music that goes far beyond Bach! Discover hidden gems like Pfitzner’s Christelflein, Rheinberger’s Star of Bethlehem, and Cartellieri’s Christmas Oratorio. Journey from Renaissance masterpieces to Romantic treasures, with music by Mendelssohn, Saint-Saëns, and even Sibelius.

Enjoy surprises such as Schoenberg’s Christmas Music and Pablo Casals’ El pesebre, plus the enchanting sounds of Russian Orthodox Christmas traditions. Jens and Joe share personal stories from their own performances and recordings, adding warmth and insight to the festive atmosphere.

Whether you’re a lifelong classical enthusiast or looking for fresh additions to your holiday playlist, this episode unwraps new Christmas classics and cherished favorites—with a charming attempt at Silent Night!

Chapters
00:21 Introduction
02:05 No Favorite Song
03:02 Heinrich Schütz – Christmas History
04:34 A Season for Boys’ Choirs
06:46 Rheinberger – The Star of Bethlehem
11:09 Cartellieri – Christmas Oratorio
13:09 Mendelssohn – Vom Himmel hoch
15:09 Jens’ Christmas Favorites
16:52 100 Christmas Classics
18:40 Assisi Christmas Cantatas
21:07 Jean Sibelius – Op. 1
22:36 Christmas Emotions
24:30 Orthodox Christmas
27:44 A Silent Night Finale

Featured Albums
💿 Capriccio C10508 – Schütz / Schelle: Christmas Histories
💿 Capriccio C10594 – Christmas with the Vienna Boys’ Choir
💿 Orfeo C230082 – Pfitzner: Das Christ-Elflein
💿 Capriccio C10551 – Rheinberger: The Star of Bethlehem
💿 Capriccio C10337 – Rheinberger: Organ Suite
💿 Capriccio C71015 – Cartellieri: Christmas Oratorio
💿 Capriccio C10216 – Saint-Saëns / Mendelssohn
💿 Capriccio C7331 – 100 Christmas Classics
💿 Capriccio C3032 – Assisi Christmas Cantatas
💿 Capriccio C3031 – Scandinavian Christmas
💿 Capriccio C3033 – Orthodox Christmas
💿 Capriccio C3030 – Christmas in the Austrian Alps

With: Jens F. Laurson (Journalist) and Johannes Kernmayer (Producer)
#christmas #classicalchristmas #choral #sacredmusic #traditionalmusic #scandinavianmusic #orthodoxmusic

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Learn more at capriccio.at

Discover the life and works of Christian Sinding, the Norwegian composer who spent most of his career in Germany. Explore his symphonies, his place in late Romantic music, and why he is so often overshadowed by his contemporary Edvard Grieg.

Chapters
0:20 Introduction
1:24 Norwegian One-Hit Wonder
3:00 The Symphonies – Recording Impressions
7:19 Essentially German Music?
8:11 Biographical Facts
9:00 Symphony No. 1 – To Conquer the World
10:21 Grieg vs. Sinding
11:29 Symphony No. 4 – Frost and Spring
14:43 Biographical Facts
15:24 Sinding To-Do List
16:47 Conclusion

Featured Recordings

1. Capriccio C5540 – Christian Sinding: The Symphonies 1–4
   Listen now: https://Naxos.lnk.to/C5540ID

2. Naxos 8.557266 – Sibelius / Sinding Violin Concertos
   Listen now: https://Naxos.lnk.to/8557266ID

Featured Artists
Karl-Heinz Steffens: https://www.instagram.com/karlheinzsteffens/
Norrköping Symphony Orchestra: https://www.norrkopingssymfoniorkester.se/english

Recommended Persons
Edvard Grieg
Jean Sibelius
Richard Wagner
Felix Weingartner
Arthur Nikisch

With Jens F. Laurson (Journalist) and Johannes Kernmayer (Producer)

#Capriccio #Capricciorecords #Podcast #ChristianSinding #ClassicalMusic #NorwegianComposer #Symphonies #LateRomantic #EdvardGrieg #Leipzig #NordicMusic #ForgottenComposers #MusicHistory #ClassicalDiscoveries

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