The New Criterion Podcasts
A monthly review of the arts and intellectual life. Interviews, poetry readings, musical criticism, and more. newcriterion.com
Episodes
April 8, 2025 • 50 mins
This is Episode No. 100 of “Music for a While.” To mark the occasion, Jay presents music associated with that number: 100. So, we can consider this a centennial celebration.
Bach, “Darum wir billig loben dich,” from the Cantata BVW 130
Dvořák, Scherzo from Sonatina for Violin and Piano, Op. 100
Bach, “Er ist mein Licht, mein Leben,” from the Cantata BVW 100
Haydn, Presto, from Symphony No. 100 in G major, “Military”
Beethoven,...
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March 20, 2025 • 75 mins
On March 19, Friends of The New Criterion gathered in New York to hear a conversation between the New Criterion contributors D. J. Taylor and Dominic Green on the question “What would Orwell do?”
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March 15, 2025 • 38 mins
An appetizing, eclectic program. Charity is represented by a sturdy American song: “If I Can Help Somebody.” Malice is represented by a movement from Walton’s Symphony No. 1, marked “Presto con malizia.” Much to listen to and absorb.
Shostakovich, “A Spin through Moscow” from “Moscow, Cheryomushko”
Fauré, “Clair de lune”
Beethoven, “Abscheulicher!,” from “Fidelio”
Walton, Symphony No. 1, Scherzo: Presto con malizia
Ruby (?), “...
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February 23, 2025 • 35 mins
This episode begins with Pärt’s “Hymn to a Great City.” (That would be New York.) Elsewhere, there are songs, setting Langston Hughes and Mark Van Doren. Oscar Peterson plays a pop song, adding various musical ingredients. Finally, there is a tribute to Edith Mathis, the Swiss soprano, who has died at eighty-seven. Much to listen to, and maybe even think about.
Pärt, “Hymn to a Great City”
Wheeler, “If I Had a Wife”
Tchaikovsky/...
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February 10, 2025 • 41 mins
In this episode, three pieces by the American Amy Beach—two piano pieces and a song (to a poem by Robert Browning). Also, a piece by Bach’s cousin. And other worthy numbers.
Walther, “Lobe den Herren”
Beach, “A Hermit Thrush at Eve”
Dvořák, “Goin’ Home”
Beach, “A Hermit Thrush at Morn”
Beethoven, Triple Concerto
Beach, “Ah, Love, but a Day”
Beethoven, Sonata for Violin and Piano in G major, Op. 96
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January 27, 2025 • 41 mins
Tennyson wrote a famous poem for New Year’s Day, or any day. Jonathan Dove, a contemporary English composer, set it to music. This episode begins with that piece. There is also a song from the American Revolution, sometimes known as “Chester” (“Let tyrants shake their iron rod”). Jay further includes a little-known composer from Brazil with a flavorful name: Radamés Gnattali. Then you get Brahms and others. A nice, varied menu.
Do...
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January 26, 2025 • 38 mins
Jeremy Black and James Panero discuss the transformative power of steam engines, the evolution of rail systems, and the cultural and social impact of railways in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. They also explore the challenges of public transport systems, the importance of public safety, and Black’s latest article on the history of the British Navy. Occasioned by “The scream of steam” in the January 2025 issue of The New Cr...
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December 22, 2024 • 33 mins
A Christmas selection: songs old and newer, performed by Leontyne Price, Luciano Pavarotti, Heidi Grant Murphy, Odetta, Mel Tormé, et glorious al.
Trad., “Angels We Have Heard on High”
Bach, “Herr, wenn die stolzen Feinde schnauben,” from the Christmas Oratorio
Trad., “Ríu ríu chíu”
Trad., “Il est né, le divin Enfant”
Schultz, “Ihr Kinderlein, kommet”
Schubert-Melichar, “Mille cherubini in coro”
Trad. (Moravian), “Long Ago i...
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December 10, 2024 • 32 mins
Lately, Jay has been writing about Stefan Zweig’s memoirs, “The World of Yesterday.” Zweig was a writer of immense talent and versatility. He also knew a lot of music and a lot of musicians. Composers set poems of his to music. Strauss collaborated with him on an opera. This episode is dedicated to Zweig and music.
Reger, “Ein Drängen ist in meinem Herzen”
List, “Feux follets”
Marx, “Ein Drängen ist in meinem Herzen”
Strauss, “...
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November 27, 2024 • 32 mins
As Jay explains in his introduction, he has done many Christmas podcasts. And Fourth of July podcasts. And an Easter podcast or two. And Halloween podcasts. But not until now a Thanksgiving podcast. So, here are songs of gratitude and other items appropriate to the holiday. A little feast on its own, filling but not fattening.
Handel or Ochs, “Dank sei Dir, Herr”
Berlin, “I’ve Got Plenty to Be Thankful For”
Strauss, “Zueignung”
...
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November 20, 2024 • 38 mins
This episode begins with Mozart—the glorious, peppy last movement of a piano concerto—and ends with Sarah Vaughan, singing a song (“Black Coffee”). In between we have Bill Monroe, Fanny Mendelssohn, Earl Scruggs—a real variety show. But all to a purpose.
Mozart, Piano Concerto No. 14 in E flat, K. 449, last movement
Clarke, “The Cloths of Heaven”
Monroe, “Blue Moon of Kentucky”
Bernstein, “Some Other Time”
Mendelssohn, Fanny, ...
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November 8, 2024 • 40 mins
Jay begins with the song for which the podcast is named: “Music for a While,” by Purcell. He ends with some theme music by the late Quincy Jones, “The Streetbeater.” In between are Mendelssohn, Liszt, Sibelius, and estimable others. A nicely diverse program.
Purcell, “Music for a While”
Mendelssohn, “Song without Words”
Mozart, Symphony No. 35 in D, “Haffner,” Presto
Liszt, “Chasse-neige”
Strauss, excerpt from “Elektra”
Sibel...
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October 31, 2024 • 85 mins
On October 24, the Friends and Young Friends of The New Criterion gathered at The Players with David Dubal for a special version of his beloved piano evenings, featuring Cecile Licad performing Frédéric Chopin’s 24 Preludes, Op. 28.
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October 1, 2024 • 20 mins
Roger Kimball, the Editor and Publisher of The New Criterion, discusses highlights of the October 2024 issue and reads from its opening pages.
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September 11, 2024 • 15 mins
On September 5, the Friends and Young Friends of The New Criterion gathered at the magazine’s headquarters to hear remarks from D. J. Taylor in celebration of his new books, “Orwell: The New Life” (Simon & Schuster) & “Who is Big Brother?” (Yale University Press).
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September 10, 2024 • 21 mins
Roger Kimball, the Editor and Publisher of The New Criterion, discusses highlights of the September 2024 issue and reads from its opening pages.
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June 25, 2024 • 42 mins
Werner Hink, who for many years was a concertmaster of the Vienna Philharmonic, has died. Jay interviewed him some years ago and found him memorable. This episode ends with some playing by Hink (Bach). There is also some Schubert by Isaac Stern, whom Hink prized. There’s a little Broadway, a little rap. A nice buffet of music.
Mozart, Overture to “The Marriage of Figaro”
Beethoven, Piano Sonata No. 27 in E minor, Op. 90, second m...
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June 4, 2024 • 42 mins
Jeremy Black, author of “The Holocaust: History and Memory,” and James Panero, Executive Editor of “The New Criterion,” discuss the misplacing of blame for the Middle East’s instability.
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May 22, 2024 • 49 mins
Jay begins this episode with Paul Hindemith, who in 1921 combined his interest in ragtime with his love of Bach. There is also a minuet by Ravel, glancing back at Haydn. There is a song by Zemlinsky, setting Langston Hughes. There are wonders and curiosities in this episode—which, by the way, has a sponsor: Michael Lohafer, who, as Jay says, is “a particular authority on Mozart.” Mr. Lohafer says, “My sponsorship is on behalf of al...
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April 22, 2024 • 39 mins
In this episode, Jay begins with a shout—“Carolina Shout,” the classic jazz number by James P. Johnson. There are songs by Schumann, Puccini, and Porter (Cole). There are piano preludes—starter pieces by their composers. At the end, there is a sunburst of calypso. Enjoy this smorgasbord.
Johnson, James P., “Carolina Shout”
Schumann, “Röseleine, Röseleine!”
Bonds, Margaret, “Young Love in Spring”
Szymanowski, Prelude in E-flat m...
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