#201 The Smell of Officer

The very beginning, that's Austria. The calling of mountains, amazing peaceful landscapes. But it turns to Vienna soon, and the machinery keeps going.

This is not a typical performance–it's not shining, not playful, no curlicues. It's more stubborn, more military. Walter is direct, calmed, he does not showboat. It seems correct somehow.

Composer: Johann Strauss II
Work: An der schönen, blauben Donau
Recording: Bruno Walter, Columbia Symphony Orchestra

#199 The Smell of Flush

Smell the hesitation and passion in the first tone–how it does not know where to go, whether to continue. It's a young love at its best: to love and to be loved in return with all the flushes and intoxications.

Čechová had to be in love when she played it. You get the sense of a week body being dragged back and forth by unknown forces. It's so dedicated, so painful, so beautiful.

Composer: Bedřich Smetana
Work: Louisen Polka
Recording: Jitka Čechová

#152 The Smell of Ants

It smells of noise, systematic, strategic noise. Ants in rows, exploring new paths. Communication signals. Shapes and contours.

How mechanical is it? How creative? How self-organized...

Composer: Alwin Nikolais
Work: Electronic Dance Music: Frail Demons: Dance 1
Recording: Maro Ajemian

#139 The Smell of Bread and Butter

I can smell a slice of bread in front of me. The music is spreading soft butter on it, the knife goes forth and back in flowing moves.

Karajan goes for fast tempo and shine. The recording is energizing and joyful.

Composer: Johannes Brahms
Work: Hungarian Dance No 5
Recording: Berliner Philharmoniker, Herbert von Karajan

#62 The Smell of Softness

One would say it's brisk, sharp music. But I smell a special softness in this recording. Round tones, lyricism. And with a modern touch, no rampant over-romanticizing.

Even in the most animated moments, it's not rigorous. Harnoncourt makes it breathe. This is C Major at its best.  

Composer: Antonín Dvořák
Work: Slavonic Dances Op. 72, No 7
Recording: Chamber Orchestra of Europe, Nikolaus Harnoncourt

#29 The Smell of Countdown

Vivid, intensive, and hasty dance. But the smell is of countdown–this will not last. Maybe it's because of its directness, especially in the middle part.

The outer theme behaves like a center piece. And the last chord in the final cyclone–the chord that should be the last one but is not–is from a different, better world.

Composer: Edvard Grieg
Work: Symphonic Dances, I. Allegro moderato e marcato
Recording: Estonian National Symphony Orchestra, Paavo Järvi

#25 The Smell of Jump

They're jumping and jumping again... Two cats, playing a game we cannot understand. Slow down, quick start, fast, then slow again, turn around–and pretend nothing really happened.

Valrie Kantorski and Ann Almond Pope deliver amazing experience here, especially when you're used to the version for orchestra. Their dynamics and tempo are perfect, and the sound is anything but skinny.

Composer: Johannes Brahms
Work: Hungarian Dance No 6
Recording: Kantorski-Pope Duo