#77 The Smell of Storm

These are dark, stormy times. Rainy sabbatical night. Hell. The music is dramatic and mischievous. Evil is rising. Farewell, Francesca.

Munch generates suspension, he's wild and unforgiving. Even in the middle calm section, he's the dark master.

Composer: Petr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Work: Francesca da Rimini
Recording: Boston Symphony Orchestra, Charles Munch

#67 The Smell of Dialog

Behold a shortcut! All the well known melodies from Carmen packed into 14 minutes. But forget about Carmen, focus on the dialog between violin and orchestra. It's a delicate and complicated one, no doubt.

Josefowicz can hold both lines, passion and structure. She's gliding but never too much. The dialog is balanced.

Composer: Pablo de Sarasate
Work: Carmen Fantasy
Recording: Leila Josefowicz, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, Neville Marriner