What the classical world has been listening to this month
Simon Trpčeski Pianist
I have been enjoying Saint-Saëns’s Piano Concerto No. 5, which I will soon be recording. It features this wonderful mix of oriental flavours and French charm, and the balance between the piano and the orchestra is so well done. I am amazed by the lightness of the soundworld in this concerto: there is a feeling of pure joy, yet the overall result is never less than fulfilling. A great example of Saint-Saëns’s superb abilities as a composer.
I have also been revisiting Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 10, and I am amazed once again by the immense power of this piece. It seems to make some profound statements about the incomparable inner power of the human being, and it is all so masterfully crafted by Shostakovich. Living through such continuously unsettled times as we are at the moment, this work’s unending drive reminds us that humankind must always find a way to victory – so that we can make a better life for ourselves and for our children.
I love the track ‘Mara’ by Nulta Pozitiv. Around 30 years ago, this Macedonian rap group came up with something quite unconventional: a song that merged the story of the newly independent country of Macedonia with the love of a fictional African prince for a proud Macedonian girl. The song expresses Mara’s self-respect and pride in her nation – and it sends a strong message to our politicians through some beautifully crafted Macedonian humour.
And also…
At the end of our family summer holiday, we went white-water rafting on the Tara River in Montenegro. The fresh, sparkling water and the beauty and drama of the landscape – including a very exciting zipwire ride over a canyon – reminded us all of the power of Mother Nature, before which we humans are so powerless. A great inspiration for the new season!
Simon Trpčeski’s new recording of Brahms’s piano concertos is out on Linn Records on 3 November
Lea Desandre Mezzo-soprano
Come Away With Me by Norah Jones is an album I’ve been enjoying for many years. I find it very true in its words, her poetry is wonderful, and I love to listen to jazz performers as they have such a natural way of singing – they have a quality of voice that has imperfections, but it is those imperfections that make it perfect. Norah Jones has a very warm but clear voice, she really paints the words and is very careful with every vowel sound.
I grew up in a movie family, as my parents worked in the film industry. Every weekend we would sit down together and watch films, a
