Music to my ears
What the classical world has been listening to this month
Consone Quartet
Magdalena Loth-hill (violin):
I have been listening to the album The Goat Rodeo Sessions, featuring violinist Stuart Duncan, cellist Yo-yo Ma, double-bassist Edgar Meyer and Chris Thile on the mandolin. It’s such a clever and addictive mix of classical and folk music. I saw Chris perform live at the Southbank Centre as part of the London Jazz Festival and was blown away – he has infectious energy and enthusiasm, and seems equally at home playing solo Bach and Bartók as he does bluegrass.
Agata Daraškaitė (violin): I have a deep love for Schumann, and the recordings I keep returning to are the complete lieder by baritone Christian Gerhaher and pianist Gerold Huber. The way they shape phrases and colour is so natural, expressive and intimate – it’s chamber music at its finest! As string players performing music without words, we often deal with more abstract ideas, but there is so much we can learn from singers.
Elitsa Bogdanova (viola): I keep coming back to an album of music by the Bulgarian composer, pianist, teacher and architect Dimitar Nenov (1901-53), performed by my friend, the pianist Veneta Neynska. This album takes me back to my student days at the National Music School in Sofia, where I first discovered music by a whole host of Bulgarian composers, all marrying our unique folklore to the Western tradition. Veneta’s deep connection to Nenov’s music shines through in this beautifully crafted album.
And also…
George Ross (cello): I love listening to podcasts while travelling. Unfortunately, when you’re on the move it’s easy to zone out and miss a lot, but one show I make sure I’m fully tuned in for is This American Life. Each week, Ira Glass and his team of journalists compile several individual stories into compelling, themed episodes. There are almost 800 episodes, so you’re best off clicking on the ‘Recommended’ tab of their website if you’re unsure where to start!
The Consone Quartet are at King’s Lynn Festival on 23 and 24 July
Isabelle Van Keulen Violinist At the moment I am really into the five String Serenades by Robert Fuchs (1847-1927). I heard the Fourth Serenade played by the Württemberg Chamber Orchestra Heilbronn a few months ago and thought ‘this is wonderful music’ – I have since been digging further into it with regards to programming concerts in the future. The Serenades are lyrical, full of life and fantastic for strings. They are also quite easy listening, so if you’ve had a demanding first half, it’s something nice and soothing for the second half!
While looking for something to programme alongside Max Richter’s Vivaldi Four Seasons, Recomposed, I came across his
On The Nature of Daylight. It is very catchy, which I love, plus you can immediately tell who the composer is – just like you can tell, say, Lutosławski or Beethoven from the first note. It is quite minimalist, lovely to listen to and great to play. It all sits very well under the fingers, which makes it such a pleasure.
I absolutely adore the singer Billie Eilish. My daughter, who is just finishing her studies at
‘Billie Eilish’s “No Time to Die” gives me goosebumps every time I hear it’
CRITIC’S CHOICE
Freya Parr
A decade after he first took on Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons in Recomposed, Max Richter returned to this momentous concerto last year. Aspects of Recomposed can be heard throughout The New Four Seasons, but the addition of period instruments, gut strings and vintage analogue synthesisers make for a much grittier aesthetic. In Elena Urioste’s electrifying rendition with the Chineke! Orchestra, moments of captivating stillness give way to punchy, almost violent outbursts – perfect for my many scenic train trips across Europe in recent months.