You may not have heard of Werner Ehrhardt, but if you’ve spent any time with early music, you’ve probably heard his work. In this first instalment, the founder and leader of Concerto Köln and L’arte del mondo joins Jens and Joe to reflect on half a century of recording rare and early repertoire — and on how to discover music that has yet to be discovered.

0:20   Introduction
1:11   Introducing our guest – Werner Ehrhardt
3:09   Cologne 1985 – A Mecca for Old Music
5:57   Antonio Salieri – La Scuola de’ gelosi
9:16   Why Salieri?
11:38  The Grove Dictionary and the French Revolution
13:26  Karl Ditters von Dittersdorf – La Prise de la Bastille
14:22  Joseph Martin Kraus – the “Swedish Mozart”
18:06  Francesco Durante – Vivaldi vs. Musica Napoletana
21:14  Jan Ladislav Dussek – the Beethoven contemporary
23:15  The Carneval Oriental project
25:45  Israel in Egypt – an oratorio of three world religions
29:05  Conclusion

C10280  La Prise de la Bastille
BUY/STREAM: https://Naxos.lnk.to/C10280!Podcast

C10430  Joseph Martin Kraus – Symphonies
BUY/STREAM: https://Naxos.lnk.to/C10430!Podcast

C10371  Francesco Durante – Concerti Nos. 1–6
BUY/STREAM: https://Naxos.lnk.to/C10371!Podcast

C10444  Jan Ladislav Dussek – Piano Concertos
BUY/STREAM: https://Naxos.lnk.to/C10444!Podcast

C5263  Carneval Oriental
BUY/STREAM: https://Naxos.lnk.to/C5263!Podcast

C5151  Israel in Egypt
BUY/STREAM: https://Naxos.lnk.to/C5151!Podcast

• Concerto Köln — https://www.concerto-koeln.de/

• L’arte del mondo — https://www.lartedelmondo.de/en/termine

• Werner Ehrhardt — https://www.lartedelmondo.de/en/werner-ehrhardt

Antonio Salieri - Karl Ditters von Dittersdorf - Joseph Martin Kraus - Francesco Durante - Jan Ladislav Dussek - George Frideric Handel - Joseph Haydn - Antonio Vivaldi - Musica Antiqua - Reinhard Goebel - Collegium Aureum - Cappella Coloniensis

With:
Werner Ehrhardt (conductor), Jens F. Laurson (Journalist), and Johannes Kernmayer (Producer)

Follow Capriccio Records
► YouTube Channel
► Facebook: facebook.com/capricciorecords/
► Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/capricciorec/
► Twitter: https://twitter.com/CapriccioRec
► Learn more: http://capriccio.at/

ChaptersFeatured RecordingsFeatured ArtistsRecommended Persons

In their latest Classical Discoveries episode, Jens and Joe explore Dmitri Shostakovich’s symphonies — works of daring subversion masked as Soviet conformity. From the banned Fourth Symphony to the sardonic Ninth, they reveal how Shostakovich smuggled private rebellion into public music. Featuring the Gürzenich‑Orchester Köln’s powerhouse recordings, this is Soviet‑era genius at its most explosive: “Quiet in person, screaming in music.”

0:20   Introduction
1:20   Symphony No. 1 – One of the Best First Symphonies
4:30   Symphonies Nos. 2 and 3 – To Please the State
9:14   Symphony No. 4 – “Muddle Instead of Music”
14:03  Overview and Categorisation
15:39  Symphony No. 5 – Well‑Behaved and Popular
16:38  Symphony No. 7 – And the Fireman
18:00  Symphony No. 9 – Light and Simple Classicism
21:28  Symphony No. 14 – The Russian Loreley
24:17  Symphony No. 15 – Why Wilhelm Tell?
26:56  Quiet in Person – Screaming in Music
28:12  Symphony No. 15 – The Wagner Quotes
29:25  Conclusion

C7435  Shostakovich: The Symphonies
BUY/STREAM: https://Naxos.lnk.to/C7435!Podcast

• Gürzenich‑Orchester Köln

• Dmitrji Kitajenko

Kirill Kondrashin - Solomon Volkov - Serge Prokofiev

With:
Jens F. Laurson (Journalist) and Johannes Kernmayer (Producer)

Follow Capriccio Records
► YouTube Channel
► Facebook: facebook.com/capricciorecords/
► Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/capricciorec/
► Twitter: https://twitter.com/CapriccioRec
► Learn more: http://capriccio.at/

ChaptersFeatured RecordingFeatured ArtistsRecommended Persons

In their latest episode of the Classical Discoveries podcast, Jens and Joe explore the scintillating music of Charles Koechlin, a fascinating yet overlooked French symphonist who defies easy categorisation. Neither purely an impressionist nor simply a romantic, dramatic, lyric, abstract, or “programmatic” composer, Koechlin combined revolutionary, academic, and eclectic traits. One moment his language recalls Debussy and Ravel, the next he sounds like Poulenc, Florent Schmitt, or even Olivier Messiaen.

0:20   Introduction
1:36   Koechlin – A little bit of everything?
4:51   Symphony No. 1 – Recording Session
9:01   Backgrounds – Jungle Book and the Symphony
10:56  A pupil of Fauré
11:27  The Seven Stars’ Symphony, Op. 132
12:16  The Movie Stars of the Symphony
14:33  Greta Garbo (Excerpt)
16:43  Charlie Chaplin (Excerpt)
17:45  Vers la voûte étoilée, Op. 129 (Excerpt)
19:27  Conclusion

C5533  Charles Koechlin: Symphony No. 1
BUY/STREAM: https://Naxos.lnk.to/C5533!Podcast

C5449  Charles Koechlin: The Seven Stars’ Symphony (Capriccio)
BUY/STREAM: https://Naxos.lnk.to/C5449!Podcast

Sinfonieorchester Basel

• Website: https://www.sinfonieorchesterbasel.ch

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgllfsUfm3qWSsZQE7vTnJw

Württembergische Philharmonie Reutlingen

• Website: https://www.wuerttembergische-philharmonie.de/musik/

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wuerttembergischephilharmonie/

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/philharmonie.reutlingen/

Ariane Matiakh

• Website: https://arianematiakh.com/

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/matiakhariane

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arianematiakh/

Recommended Persons

Claude Debussy - Gabriel Fauré - Albert Roussel - Olivier Messiaen - Charlie Chaplin - Clara Bow - Greta Garbo - Marlene Dietrich - Rudyard Kipling

With:
Jens F. Laurson (Journalist) and Johannes Kernmayer (Producer)

Follow Capriccio Records
► YouTube Channel
► Facebook: facebook.com/capricciorecords/
► Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/capricciorec/
► Twitter: https://twitter.com/CapriccioRec
► Learn more: http://capriccio.at/

In this episode, Jens & Joe dive into the forgotten reels of Dmitri Shostakovich’s film music, from Italian partisans to Austrian invaders — and ask why everyone knows Prokofiev’s Ivan the Terrible, but not The Fall of Berlin. A well‑earned shoutout, too, to Dave at @DavesClassicalGuide.

0:20   Introduction
1:32   Shostakovich and the Soviet Film Industry
4:30   The Gadfly (1955) – Bazar
7:04   The Gadfly (1955) – Romance
9:04   Dictates of the Soviet Regime
10:34  The New Babylon (1929)
13:45  Five Days – Five Nights (1961)
16:21  The Hidden Scores
17:50  King Lear – Incidental Music (1940)
20:06  Shostakovich vs. Prokofiev
20:50  The Fall of Berlin (1950)
22:54  The Film Music Recordings
23:46  Golden Mountains (1931)
26:03  King Lear – Film Music (1970)
28:14  Conclusion

8.573747  Shostakovich: The Gadfly (Naxos)
BUY/STREAM: https://Naxos.lnk.to/8573747!Podcast

C7450  Shostakovich: Film Music Edition (Capriccio)
BUY/STREAM: https://Naxos.lnk.to/C7450!Podcast

• Rundfunk‑Sinfonieorchester Berlin — https://www.instagram.com/rsb_orchester/

• Deutsches Symphonie‑Orchester Berlin — https://www.instagram.com/dsoberlin

• Deutsche Staatsphilharmonie Rheinland‑Pfalz — https://www.instagram.com/staatsphilharmonie/

• RIAS‑Kammerchor — https://www.instagram.com/rias_kammerchor/

• James Judd — https://www.jamesjudd.net/

• Michail Jurowski

Serge Prokofiev - Alfred Schnittke - Jacques Offenbach - Ludwig van Beethoven

With:
Jens F. Laurson (Journalist) and Johannes Kernmayer (Producer)

Follow Capriccio Records
► YouTube Channel
► Facebook: facebook.com/capricciorecords/
► Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/capricciorec/
► Twitter: https://twitter.com/CapriccioRec
► Learn more: http://capriccio.at/

ChaptersFeatured RecordingsFeatured ArtistsRecommended Persons

Franz Schmidt may not be the most neglected composer among the grand romantics of the 20th century, but the gap between the greatness of his music and its absence from concert halls is staggering. Together with conductor Jonathan Berman, who recently recorded Schmidt’s four symphonies with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Jens and Joe explore the Schmidt phenomenon and the enduring appeal of his music.

Chapters
0:20 Introduction
1:20 Special Guest: Jonathan Berman
2:24 The Symphonies Project
7:47 Karajan vs. Schmidt
9:04 "Intermezzo" – The One-Shot Hit
10:40 Notre Dame
14:24 Fantasia for Piano and Orchestra
16:17 Variations on a Hussar's Song
18:16 Nothing Like Bruckner
20:03 Franz Schmidt – Discography
21:36 Biographical Shadows
25:00 Conclusion

Featured Recordings
C10248–49 – Franz Schmidt: Notre Dame

C5274 – Franz Schmidt: Orchestral Works
BUY/STREAM: https://Naxos.lnk.to/C5274!Podcast

C67093 – Franz Schmidt: Organ Works

C5526 – Franz Schmidt: Piano Works
BUY/STREAM: https://Naxos.lnk.to/C5526!Podcast

Featured Artists
Jonathan Berman: https://www.instagram.com/jonathanbermanconductor/
Jasminka Stančul: https://www.instagram.com/jasminkastancul/?hl=en
Deutsche Staatsphilharmonie Rheinland-Pfalz: https://www.staatsphilharmonie.de/de/
Alexander Rumpf
Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin: https://www.dso-berlin.de/de/
Christof Prick: http://www.christof-prick.de/

Recommended Persons
Anton Bruckner
Richard Wagner
Gustav Mahler
Herbert von Karajan
Dimitri Mitropoulos

With Jens F. Laurson (Journalist) and Johannes Kernmayer (Producer)

► Subscribe to Capriccio YOUTUBE Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/CapriccioRecords
► FACEBOOK Page: facebook.com/capricciorecords/
► INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/capricciorec/
► TWITTER: https://twitter.com/CapriccioRec
► Learn more about Capriccio: http://capriccio.at/

Explore the life and works of Nino Rota, the Italian composer celebrated for both his iconic film scores and his classical music. Discover his collaborations with legendary directors, his opera The Florentine Straw Hat, and his distinctive gift for blending nostalgia, optimism, and humor in his music.

Chapters
0:20 Introduction
1:02 Biographical Facts
1:58 Italian Hollywood
4:05 Rota and Opera
9:14 Rota vs. Rózsa
10:44 Concerto for Strings
12:53 Harp Concerto
13:59 The Orchestra Rehearsal
15:40 Listen to Nino Rota!
16:26 Conclusion
16:50 Il Gattopardo

Featured Recordings

1. C5466 – Nino Rota: The Florentine Straw Hat
   Listen now: https://Naxos.lnk.to/C5466ID

2. C5494 – Nino Rota: Concert Music
   Listen now: https://Naxos.lnk.to/C5494ID

3. C5246 – Nino Rota: Il Gattopardo
   Listen now: https://Naxos.lnk.to/C5246ID

Featured Artists
Tetiana Miyus: https://tetianamiyus.com/
Piotr Buszewski: https://www.instagram.com/piotrbuszewski
Daniele Squeo: https://www.danielesqueo.com/home/
Opera Graz: https://oper-graz.buehnen-graz.com/
WDR Funkhausorchester: https://www1.wdr.de/orchester-und-chor/funkhausorchester/index.html
Felix Bender: https://www.felixbender.com/home
Esther Peristerakis: https://www.instagram.com/esther.peristerakis/

Recommended Persons
Miklós Rózsa
Federico Fellini
Luchino Visconti

With Jens F. Laurson (Journalist) and Johannes Kernmayer (Producer)

► Subscribe to Capriccio YOUTUBE Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/CapriccioRecords
► FACEBOOK Page: facebook.com/capricciorecords/
► INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/capricciorec/
► TWITTER: https://twitter.com/CapriccioRec
► Learn more about Capriccio: http://capriccio.at/

Discover Karl Weigl, the forgotten Viennese composer who carried Romanticism into the 20th century. Join Jens and Joe on Classical Discoveries as they explore Weigl’s life, legacy, and remarkable output, including symphonies and string quartets. Learn about his early career under Mahler, his “Mahler without the neurosis” style, his struggles as an émigré in the United States, and the rediscovery of his music. Featuring insights from his grandson and excerpts from works such as the Left-Hand Piano Concerto and Third Symphony, this episode asks why Weigl deserves a place in the modern repertoire.

Subscribe for more hidden classical gems.

#KarlWeigl #ClassicalMusic #Podcast #VienneseMusic #Composer

Chapters
00:20 Introduction
00:56 Surprised by Beauty
02:38 His Grandson’s Memories
05:33 Viennese Glory
08:22 The Left-Hand Piano Concerto
10:09 Schoenberg Cycle Vienna
11:50 The Symphonies
13:27 American Obscurity
16:12 Some Chamber Music
17:32 Conclusion

Featured Recordings
C5232 – Weigl: Piano and Violin Concertos
C5365 – Weigl: Symphony No. 1
C5385 – Weigl: Symphonies Nos. 4 & 6
C5318 – Weigl: Chamber Music

Featured Artists
Florian Krumpöck
David Frühwirth
Jürgen Bruns
Deutsche Staatsphilharmonie Rheinland-Pfalz

Recommended Persons
Arnold Schoenberg
Alexander Zemlinsky
Franz Schmidt
Erich Korngold
Erich Zeisel
Hanns Eisler
Hans Gál
Gustav Mahler
Wilhelm Furtwängler
Leopold Stokowski

With Jens F. Laurson (Journalist) and Johannes Kernmayer (Producer)

► Subscribe to Capriccio YOUTUBE Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/CapriccioRecords
► FACEBOOK Page: facebook.com/capricciorecords/
► INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/capricciorec/
► TWITTER: https://twitter.com/CapriccioRec
► Learn more about Capriccio: http://capriccio.at/