Our Choices
The BBC Music Magazine team’s current favourites
Oliver Condy Editor
Organists are now allowed inside their churches to do a spot of practice – my local parish church has a rather lovely two-manual tracker instrument which I’ve greatly missed over the past months. Cue oodles of Bach, Buxtehude, a sonata movement or two of Mendelssohn and a rendition of Percy Whitlock’s splendid Plymouth Suite. Just the thing to blow away the cobwebs. Jeremy Pound Deputy editor
At nearly 900 pages, Citizens, Simon Schama’s superb history of the French Revolution, has been keeping me occupied for quite a while. Looking for apt aural accompaniment, I turned to Giordano’s Andrea Chenier, whose eponymous hero was one of the many to lose their heads as a result of Robespierre’s grim machinations. Both fast-paced and, at times, hauntingly beautiful, it’s a superb opera, especially with José Carreras in the role of the doomed poet himself.
Alice Pearson Cover CD editor
While re-appraising my CD collection I came across orchestral music by the British composer, poet, philosopher and occultist Cyril Scott (above). His Two Passacaglias on Irish Themes are skilfully orchestrated through Scott’s rich harmonic palette. Last performed at the Proms in 1954, the work is due another airing!
Michael Beek Reviews editor
Thursday lunchtime concerts at St George’s Bristol are looking rather different of late, but
I’ve enjoyed dipping into the venue’s specially curated mix of live-streamed, archive and prerecorded performances in recent weeks. Pianist William Howard has been a highlight, performing Howard Skempton Nocturnes, but the variety is great – from English folk to Indian ragas on violin. Freya Parr Editorial assistant
With insomnia snapping at my heels more and more during lockdown, I’ve found Radio 3’s
Night Tracks to be the most soothing antidote to a racing late-night brain. It’s introduced me to an eclectic range of music, from pieces of Gregorian chant to obscure Mingus tracks. Sara Mohr-pietsch’s immersive soundtracks are best enjoyed when paired with a peppermint tea, a bit of mood lighting and a large pair of fluffy socks. The perfect night-time ritual.