The Spin Doctor Europadisc's Weekly Column

Looking back on 2021

22nd December 2021

The past twelve months have been another roller coaster for most of us, as normal life (whatever that might mean) has struggled to get going, in a rather stop-start manner, against a background of continued challenges and restrictions, even for those of us lucky to live in regions with effective health and social services. Many who work in the arts have been forced to re-evaluate priorities, with some forced to leave the sector altogether, while others have had their working lives completely upended. Overall, however, the... read more

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In praise of... Saint-Saëns

14th December 2021

This week marks the centenary of the death of Camille Saint-Saëns (9 October 1835–16 December 1921), one of the giants of French 19th-century music. A child prodigy, piano and organ virtuoso and polymath (among his passionate interests beside music were the French, Greek and Latin classics, and the natural sciences including astronomy), he was a prolific composer steeped in the Viennese tradition but also a passionate champion of French music both new and old. Renowned for his versatility and natural musical giftedness,... read more

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The Power of Myth

8th December 2021

The interest aroused by our recent review of Scenes from the Kalevala on the BIS label serves as a powerful reminder of the enduring appeal that myths and legends have for composers. Although every indication is that music had been a part of myth-telling since ancient times, it was only in the early 17th century with the representational magic of the early operas of Peri, Caccini, and above all Monteverdi’s L’Orfeo (1607) that the musico-dramatic potential of classical myths was unleashed with full force. The particular... read more

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A Question of Identity

30th November 2021

Identity matters. All of us are defined (in our own eyes and those of others) by a variety of factors: where we come from (family, social and economic status, cultural, national and religious background, nationality and geographic location), what we do (job, leisure, personal relationships and commitments) and what we aspire to (what we’d like to be, and also what we hope or try not to be). Identity is also important to groups (political, professional, amateur, sporting, cultural, activist), and is significant even to... read more

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Orpheus Britannicus: A Giant of Early Music

24th November 2021

Among this year’s musical anniversaries and super-anniversaries (ranging from Stravinsky, Mario Lanza and Astor Piazzolla to Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck and Josquin des Prez), one particular name carries special resonance for British early music lovers. 2021 marks both the centenary of the birth and 50th anniversary of the death of Robert Thurston Dart (3 September 1921–6 March 1971). Known professionally simply as Thurston Dart (and ‘Bob’ to his friends and colleagues), he was an enormously influential performer and academic... read more

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