The New Criterion Podcasts

On October 22, Friends of The New Criterion gathered at a private New York club to hear Andrew Jones discuss his latest book, “The London Club: Architecture, Interiors, Art.”

This episode is about songs of the heart. There is one from Russia, performed two different ways. (That song is by a man named Tolstoy, although not the author of those great novels.) There is one from Samoa. This episode contains assorted treasures—not the least of them by J. S. Bach. Bellini, Excerpt from “La sonnambula” Bellini, Excerpt from “La sonnambula” Bach, Fugue in G major, BWV 577 Bach, “Liebster Jesu,” BWV 731 Tolstoy-Lim, “On This Quiet Summer Night” Tolstoy, “On This Quiet Summer Night” Trad., “La’u Lupe”

This episode begins with a Tchaikovsky work, Souvenir de Florence, heard at the Salzburg Festival this summer. There are other “souvenirs” from the festival too—by Mozart, Scriabin, et al. And the variety of performers is gratifying. Tchaikovsky, Sextet in D minor (“Souvenir de Florence”) Handel, “Vivi, tiranno! Io t’ho scampato,” from “Rodelinda” Scriabin, Poème in F-sharp minor, Op. 32, No. 1 Mozart, “Dalla sua pace,” from “Don Giovanni” Mompou, “Secret Bird” from “Intimate Impressions” Huang Tzu, “Flower in the Mist” Mozart, “Chi in Dio solo spera,” from “David penitente”

Jay offers a personal appreciation of Rodion Shchedrin (1932–2025). Bizet-Shchedrin, “Changing of the Guard,” from “Carmen Suite” Bizet-Shchedrin, “Bolero,” from “Carmen Suite” Rachmaninoff, Prelude in G-sharp minor, Op. 32, No. 12 Shchedrin, “Humoresque” Shchedrin, Piano Concerto No. 1, Scherzo-toccata Tchaikovsky, “Miniature overture,” from “The Nutcracker” Shchedrin, Chamber Suite, Finale

Jay offers a personal appreciation of Rodion Shchedrin (1932–2025). Bizet-Shchedrin, “Changing of the Guard,” from “Carmen Suite” Bizet-Shchedrin, “Bolero,” from “Carmen Suite” Rachmaninoff, Prelude in G-sharp minor, Op. 32, No. 12 Shchedrin, “Humoresque” Shchedrin, Piano Concerto No. 1, Scherzo-toccata Tchaikovsky, “Miniature overture,” from “The Nutcracker” Shchedrin, Chamber Suite, Finale