#31 The Smell of Blue Skies

After the introduction, a cathedral is built. Its roof is missing, you can still see the blue skies. Very enjoyable piece of architecture.

Gardiner's account is grandiose, the sound is absorbent. Strict playing is combined with reckless joy. A peaceful movement that does not expect anything in reward. Enjoy.

Composer: Johannes Brahms
Work: Symphony No 2, IV. Allegro con spirito
Recording: Orchestre révolutionnaire et romantique, John Eliot Gardiner

#30 The Smell of Naked Calf

Here we have a game, filmed in black and white. Licentious girl is exposing her calf and then she's running away, smiling, to a meadow. There's no lust. For us, it's a comical situation–the film is speeded up a little bit.

In the serious middle section, we expect fun again and we're not disappointed. The music goes fast forward, slows down; it tries to astonish us but it's never enough. We want our heroine back.

Composer: Gustav Mahler
Work: Symphony No 1, II. Kräftig bewegt, doch nichz zu schnell
Recording: London Symphony Orchestra, Georg Solti

#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

#28 The Smell of Edge

The edge of hysteria. The edge of collapse. The edge of living. The smell of Le sacre du printemps but it's not spring at all. A wheel of misfortune, of regret. And at the end, pure fatalism.

I can't focus my emotions, I'm getting hyperactive. This violin concerto–only five years old!–is moving on all levels.

Composer: Magnus Lindberg
Work: Violin concerto, 3rd movement
Recording: Lisa Batiashvili, Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Sakari Oramo

#27 The Smell of Longing

First smell is the smell of Tom and Jerry. One goes after the other–pure fun, imitation, frivolity. But then... these are deep undertows. Ambition to be perfect. A younger sibling trying to match, to face up.

The performance is thrilling and intrusive. No wrong sounds, everything in place. It's delivering something complete. Nothing can or should be added.

Composer: Robert Schumann
Work: Sonata No 1 for piano and violin, III. Lebhaft
Recording: Andreas Staier, Daniel Sepec