The New Criterion Podcasts

Roger Kimball, the Editor and Publisher of The New Criterion, discusses highlights of the October 2022 issue and reads from its opening pages.

Executive Editor James Panero sits down with Visiting Critic Joshua T. Katz to discuss “The beginnings: first words, first lines, first stories,” the fourth annual Circle Lecture of The New Criterion.

True to the title of this episode, Jay has September songs: classical (Strauss and Ives, for example); popular (Earth, Wind & Fire!); and in between (Weill). A wonderful and timely bouquet. Marx, “Septembermorgen” Weill-Anderson, “September Song” Stenhammar, “September” Schmidt-Jones, “Try to Remember” Ives, “September” Strauss, “September” Earth, Wind & Fire, “September”

As you can tell from the heading, Jay plays “Mood Indigo” in this episode—or rather, Ella Fitzgerald sings it. There is more jazz at the end, as the Oscar Peterson Trio does up “Tangerine.” This episode also includes an aria by Puccini—two versions of it. Then there is a rare and wonderful tone poem by Liszt. And more. Highly interesting, and nourishing. Chopin, Etude in C minor, Op. 10, No 2 (“Re...

This summer, Jay had a long talk with Marilyn Horne, the great mezzo-soprano, resulting in a piece called “A Life of Singing.” He thought a podcast, to accompany the piece, would be good. You may well agree. Tracks of various types, showing the versatility, and the heart, of this extraordinary singer. Mahler, “Liebst du um Schönheit,” from “Rückert-Lieder” Bizet, “Dat’s Love” (Habanera), from “Car...

This episode begins with Mozart—a movement from a piano sonata. It ends with a popular song, from the mid-1950s: “Little Things Mean a Lot.” In between are wonders and curiosities—including the Orientalist song on which the James Bond theme is based. Mozart, Allegretto from Sonata No. 10 in C major, K. 330 “The Star-Spangled Banner,” arranged by Stravinsky “The Tahiti Trot,” an arrangement by Shos...

Jay presents a program of music by Aram Khachaturian. You get the “Sabre Dance,” sure, from the ballet “Gayane.” But plenty more, too. Very interesting fellow, Khachaturian. All tracks by Aram Khachaturian Waltz from “Masquerade” (orchestra) Suite from “Gayane” Adagio from “Spartacus” Waltz from “Masquerade” (piano) Piano Concerto Violin Concerto

Sometimes Jay indulges in hyperbole—but the hyperbole is not far off. In this episode, he calls Dawn Upshaw’s 1989 recording of “No word from Tom” (Stravinsky) “just about the best thing ever.” You may well agree. He begins the episode with another “just about the best thing ever”: Leontyne Price in “Summertime” (Gershwin), live in Munich, 1968. Also on the menu are Mozart, Bridge, Medtner, and Sz...

Roger Kimball, the Editor and Publisher of The New Criterion, discusses highlights of the June 2022 issue and reads from its opening pages.

Jay begins and ends with Simon Preston, the English organist, who recently passed away. He also pays tribute to Alexander Toradze, the Georgian-born American pianist who also passed away in recent days. There is a little piece by Chopin, with which Jay is in love. And more. You remember Mitch Miller, from “Sing Along with Mitch”? Well, he began his career as an oboist. And Jay has him in a concert...

James Panero reads “The obtuse bard,” his article on Winslow Homer in the June 2022 issue of The New Criterion. https://newcriterion.com/issues/2022/6/the-obtuse-bard

Douglas Murray discusses his latest book, “The War on the West,” during an event for the Friends of The New Criterion with an introduction by James Panero, Executive Editor.

Roger Kimball, the Editor and Publisher of The New Criterion, discusses highlights of the May 2022 issue and reads from its opening pages.

A couple of weeks ago, Alexei Lubimov, a Russian pianist, was playing at an anti-war concert in Moscow. Police burst in to stop the concert. Lubimov kept playing until he had finished his piece (a Schubert impromptu). At the end of this episode, Jay plays a recording by Lubimov (Chopin this time). There is also Bach, Granados, Kapustin, Glass—a fine assortment. Bach, Sinfonia, Easter Oratorio Gran...

A conversation between Larry P. Arnn, the president of Hillsdale College and the 2022 Edmund Burke Award winner, and Executive Editor James Panero on the future of education in America and the salvation of free government. https://newcriterion.com/gala

Roger Kimball, the Editor and Publisher of The New Criterion, discusses highlights of the April 2022 issue and reads from its opening pages.

New Criterion Poetry Editor Adam Kirsch & Executive Editor James Panero discuss the April 2022 poetry issue; in celebration of The New Criterion Poetry Prize, Bruce Bond & Nicholas Pierce read from their winning books.

On February 24, Kelly Jane Torrance, Op-Ed Editor of the New York Post, addressed a gathering of the Young Friends of The New Criterion in New York. Listen to her remarks on the recent invasion of Ukraine and working on the front lines of journalism during a crisis. Torrance is introduced by Roger Kimball, Editor of The New Criterion, with prefatory remarks by Executive Editor James Panero.

Roger Kimball, the Editor and Publisher of The New Criterion, discusses highlights of the February 2022 issue and reads from its opening pages.

That’s the title of a Bernstein song: “I Hate Music” (“but I like to sing”). In this episode, Jay has Barbara Bonney sing it. There’s also music by Mozart and other familiar composers. And music off the beaten path: Catoire? And a brand-new work by the American Scott Wheeler. And more. The episode ends as the previous one did: with a piece by Leroy Anderson. After Phil Smith and some of his friend...

Roger Kimball, the Editor and Publisher of The New Criterion, discusses highlights of the January 2022 issue and reads from its opening pages.

This episode begins with a Vivaldi concerto and ends with a seasonal favorite: “Sleigh Ride,” by Leroy Anderson. In between, there is music by Bruch, Grieg, Stephen Foster, and others. In the mix is a spiritual, “Hold Out Your Light.” An eclectic, refreshing, and interesting program of music. Vivaldi, Flute Concerto in D, Op. 10, No. 3 Bruch, Violin Concerto No. 1 in G minor Bell, Joshua, cadenza...

In this episode, Jay does his annual Christmas show—this year featuring E. Power Biggs, Heidi Grant Murphy, Oscar Peterson, Marilyn Horne, and other worthy performers. A glad season, with glad music. “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen” Handel, “And He Shall Purify,” from “Messiah” “Angels We Have Heard on High” “Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella” “Long Ago in Bethlehem” “I Heard the Bells on Christmas...

Roger Kimball, the Editor and Publisher of The New Criterion, discusses highlights of the December 2021 issue and reads from its opening pages.

This episode begins with the “Chinese Dance” from “The Nutcracker”—a ballet that has been banned in Berlin. Wokeness has hopped the pond. Jay also plays an excerpt from an old, old opera based on the tale of Orpheus and Eurydice; and an excerpt from a new opera based on the same. In addition, there is music by Franz Schubert, Daniel Asia, and Stephen Sondheim—who passed away on November 26, at nin...