The New Criterion Podcasts

James Panero, the Executive Editor of The New Criterion, discusses the pathology of recent protests and the impending demise of Teddy Roosevelt’s statue at the American Museum of Natural History. https://newcriterion.com/issues/2020/9/a-classical-illness

The title of this episode pretty much tells the story: Jay discusses, plays, and celebrates piano duets. Schubert, “Marche militaire” No. 1 in D major, Op. 51, No. 1 Debussy, “En bateau,” from the “Petite Suite” Mendelssohn, Andante and Allegro brillante, Op. 92 Mozart, Concerto for Two Pianos in E flat

Actually, Jay says “an ingenious, joyful jolt.” He is speaking of the Toccata in G by Théodore Dubois. That’s how the podcast begins. We also get Grieg (and a memory of a TV game show, long ago). Lead Belly (singing “Study War No More”). Mozart, Hahn, and “America” — a fugue on “America,” which is also known as “My Country, ’Tis of Thee” (and as “God Save the Queen” by some of our cousins). Dubois...

In honor of Independence Day, Jay does an all American program: ending with “Plenty Good Room,” the spiritual. He begins with some ballet, cowboy style: “Hoe Down” (Copland). Along the way, we have songs, piano pieces, an aria, some bluegrass—Happy Fourth, to all. Copland, “Hoe-Down,” from “Rodeo” MacDowell, “By a Meadow Brook,” from “Woodland Sketches” Beach, “Ah, Love, but a Day” Wheeler, Scott,...

This episode begins with a shout -- “a shout of joy on the organ,” Jay says. It also has a poem, written and recited by Langston Hughes. And a song, setting that same poem. The episode includes a little Broadway -- and other curiosities, finds, and wonders. Enjoy “music for a while.“ Hughes-Manz, “God of Grace and God of Glory” Langston Hughes, “I, Too” Margaret Bonds, “I, Too” Frederic Rzewski, “...

In a new podcast from The New Criterion, Eric Gibson and James Panero discuss sculpture in exile and culture under siege. Eric Gibson's book "The Necessity of Sculpture: Selected Essays and Criticism, 1985–2019" can be found at https://newcriterion.com/bookstore?mode=criterion. Cover photo: the recently defaced Robert Gould Shaw Memorial in Boston, Massachusetts, depicting Shaw and the 54th Regime...

“Got a real smorgasbord for you,” says Jay—“even more than usual. An almost wacky variety.” He begins with Rachmaninoff, turns to Satie, then to a classic American song, then to Satie again, then to Penderecki, and on to Fauré and Busoni (no, not Bach-Busoni). Some interesting issues, points, personalities, and, of course, music. Rachmaninoff, “Spring Waters” Satie, “Vexations” Androzzo, Alma Baze...

Roger Kimball, the Editor and Publisher of The New Criterion, discusses highlights of the June 2020 issue and reads from its opening pages.

Jay begins with some festive music: specifically, the “Festive Overture” of Shostakovich. He has a showtune: “Some Other Time.” He has an Aretha Franklin hit, about zoomin’. He has a spiritual: “Ain’t Got Time to Die.” Some French organ music. And more. He ends with Karel Ančerl, the great Czech conductor who endured horror and produced much beauty and brilliance. Tracks played: Shostakovich, “Fes...

James Panero, the Executive Editor of The New Criterion, reconsiders the Gilded Age author Anna Bowman Dodd and her uncanny predictions about the future.

Jay plays some music by a Bach son. There is also Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, Saint-Saëns, and other composers. The episode ends with a tribute to Rosalind Elias, the late American mezzo-soprano: the thirteenth and last child of Lebanese immigrants. Tracks played: Bach, Carl Philipp Emanuel, Rondo II in C minor Saint-Saëns, “Aimons-nous” Beethoven, Sonata for Piano and Violin in G major, Op. 3, No. 3,...

Roger Kimball, the Editor and Publisher of The New Criterion, discusses highlights of the May 2020 issue and reads from its opening pages.

Jay’s previous episode was devoted to music of spring. As he points out, it’s still spring—and there’s a lot of spring music out there. So he goes a second round. This round serves up Schubert, Mahler, Copland, Rodgers & Hammerstein, and more. A colorful, happy bouquet. Tracks played: Argento, “Spring” Schumann, “Spring” Symphony Mahler, “Frühlingsmorgen” Mahler, “Der Trunkene im Frühling,” from “...

James Panero, the Executive Editor of The New Criterion, discusses the long history of plagues and their relationship to the art of our Western tradition, especially in Venice.

Jay has seven pieces—songs, an opera aria, a piano piece, a violin sonata, and a violin concerto. All in honor of spring. It has sprung, whether the pandemic likes it or not. Happy spring, everyone. Tracks played: Vivaldi, “Spring,” from “The Four Seasons” Hahn, “Le Printemps” Beethoven, “Spring” Sonata Saint-Saëns, “Printemps qui commence,” from “Samson and Delilah” Strauss, “Herr Lenz” Sinding,...

Roger Kimball, the Editor and Publisher of The New Criterion, discusses the April 2020 issue and reads from its opening pages.

The title of this episode pretty much tells its story. Jay plays balm-like music, and delight-giving music—heavy on the Bach. At the beginning of the show, he asks, “Need I say that music is extra-important in these strange and trying times?” He answers, “Of course I don’t.” Tracks played: Bach–Petri, “Sheep May Safely Graze” Bach, “Jauchzet Gott in allen Landen” Bach, “Alleluia” Chopin, Étude in...

Lots of parents now have kids at home, in need of schooling. A friend of Jay’s asked him, “Could you put together a little program for my kids?” Here it is: Bach, Mozart, Brahms, Chopin, and worthy others. A neat, balanced smattering. For “kids” of all ages. Tracks played: Bach, Prelude in C major, Book I, “The Well-Tempered Clavier” Chopin, Etude in C major, Op. 10, No. 1 Mozart, Twelve Variation...

Roger Kimball, the Editor and Publisher of The New Criterion, introduces a handful of noteworthy pieces from the March 2020 issue and reads from its opening pages.

Jay ends this episode with the beloved theme song to “The Jeffersons,” “Movin’ on Up.” It was co-written and sung by Ja’net DuBois, who died recently. Also in this episode you have two arias by Handel; a piano piece by Ravel, miraculously played; some little-known Mozart, which is knockout; and yet more. Take a break away, as Jay says. Tracks played: Handel, “Bel piacere,” from “Agrippina” Galuppi...

Jay Nordlinger, the music critic for The New Criterion, joins James Panero for a discussion of the classical music world and the life of a critic today.

James Panero, the executive editor of The New Criterion, discusses the architectural history of one of New York’s artistic treasures, all the way up to the ill-advised renovations being undertaken today.

This episode begins with a song by Giuseppe Martucci, sung by Rosa Feola, the young Italian soprano. It ends with an aria by Giacomo Puccini, sung by Mirella Freni, the legendary Italian soprano who died in recent days. In between is a smorgasbord, including Haydn, Mozart, and a couple of British songs that Jay and others love. Tracks played: Martucci, “Maggiolata” Haydn, Cello Concerto in C major...

Roger Kimball, the Editor and Publisher of The New Criterion, introduces the magazine’s “Sovereignty or Submission” conference held in Washington, D.C.

John O’Sullivan, an editor at large at National Review, shares his thoughts on the importance of a national consensus and recent factors undermining it. Audio taken from The New Criterion’s “Sovereignty or Submission” conference in Washington, D.C. A form of this address appeared in the January 2020 issue under the title, “The Left v. the nation.”