The New Criterion Podcasts

On May 7, the Friends and Young Friends gathered for an evening with Fr. George Rutler, who spoke about Shakespeare and Abraham Lincoln.

On April 9, the Friends and Young Friends gathered for a poetry party with David Lehman, winner of the 2025 New Criterion Poetry Prize.

On January 22, Friends of The New Criterion gathered at the offices of the magazine to celebrate the publication of Brooke Allen’s “Good Bones: Glorious Relics from the Age of Reading.”

“Chronological order is not the only order,” says Jay in this episode, but “it’s not a bad” one. The episode starts in the sixteenth century—“Gaudete, Christus est natus.” It stays there for a while and then goes to Bach, spirituals, Reger, Berlin (Irving), jazz, and more. A beautiful and diverse seasonal outpouring. A gift from composers, poets, and musical performers. Trad., “Gaudete, Christus est natus” Trad., “Ding Dong Merrily on High” Walton, “What cheer?” Bach, “Nun seid ihr wohl gerochen,” from the Christmas Oratorio Trad., “I Saw Three Ships” Reger, “Mariae Wiegenlied” Martin/Blane, “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” Brahe/Taylor, “Bless This House” Berlin, “White Christmas” Pierpont, “Jingle Bells” Trad., “What Month Was Jesus Born In?” Coots/Gillespie, “Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town” Trad., “Jerusalem in the Morning”

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

In recent days, the music world—classical and popular—has lost Alfred Brendel and Brian Wilson. Jay pays due tribute. He has other selections as well—beginning with a summer song, refreshing on a hot day, or any. Berlioz, “Villanelle,” from “Les nuits d’été” Mozart, Piano Sonata in E flat, K. 282, third movement Schubert, “Moments musicaux” No. 3 Liszt, “Eclogue,” from “Years of Pilgrimage: Year One: Switzerland” Trad., “Do, Lawd, Oh, Do, Lawd” Trad., “Walk Together, Children” Wilson-Love, arr., Chilcott, “Good Vibrations”

Ricky Ian Gordon has written a cycle of songs about flowers. In this episode, we hear one of them. Rachmaninoff wrote a song called “Lilacs.” We hear that, too. Bach opens his Goldberg Variations with an aria (and closes the work with that same aria). Tchaikovsky’s wrote a couple of blockbuster arias in The Queen of Spades. And on we go. Gordon, “We should not mind so small a flower” Rachmaninoff, “Lilacs” Bach, Goldberg Variations Tchaikovsky, Lisa’s Aria from Act III of “The Queen of Spades” Tchaikovsky, Prince Yeletsky’s Aria, Act II, “The Queen of Spades” Tchaikovsky, “It was in early spring” Shostakovich, Prelude in D-flat major Bach-Kempff, Siciliano

Have you ever heard Contemplazione, a piece for orchestra by Catalani, the composer of La Wally? Have you ever heard “Who’s Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf?”—but arranged for piano? These are two of the offerings in this eclectic, stimulating program. Catalani, “Contemplazione” Catalani, “Ebben? Ne andró lontana,” from “La Wally” Stravinsky, “Le Baiser de la fée” Shchedrin, “Changing of the Guard” from “Carmen Suite” Fauré, Pavane Churchill-Walford, “Who’s Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf?” Tveitt, “Sonata etere” Sibelius, “Was It a Dream?” Weill, “My Ship”

This year marks the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of Maurice Ravel’s birth. So we have been hearing a lot of him. Jay plays two pieces by him—two of his best, and most typical. There are also Spanish songs, by Obradors and Rodrigo. Some Schumann, some Vaughan Williams, and so on. Plus several stories—personal ones. An enriching, smile-making program. Obradors, “Del cabello más sutil” Rodrigo, “De ronda” Bernstein, Sonata for Clarinet and Piano Beethoven, “Leonore” Overture No. 3 Vaughan Williams, “Linden Lea” Ravel, “Pavane for a Dead Princess” Schumann, Sonata in D minor for Piano and Violin Handel, “Son nata a lagrimar,” from “Giulio Cesare” Ravel, “The Fairy Garden” from the “Mother Goose” Suite

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, “Merkenstein” Prokofiev, Allegro marcato, from Symphony No. 5 Mozart, Serenade No. 1 in D Brahms, Sonata for Violin and Piano No. 2 in A major Schumann, “The Bride of Messina,” Overture in C minor Shostakovich, “Little Stars” from “Spanish Songs” arr. Vaughan Williams, “Old Hundredth Psalm”

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?”

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 (?), “I’m Against It” Hoiby, “Winter Song” Hoiby, “There came a wind like a bugle” Androzzo, “If I Can Help Somebody” Gubaidulina, “Glorious Percussion”

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/Wild, Pas de quatre (“Dance of the Cygnets”) from “Swan Lake” Bonds, “The Negro Speaks of Rivers” Prokofiev, Sonata for Solo Violin Modugno, “Volare” Wood & Mellin, “My One and Only Love” Bach, “Alleluja” from “Jauchzet Gott in allen Landen”

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

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. Dove, “Ring Out, Wild Bells” Gnattali, Guitar Concerto No. 4 Brahms, Ballade in D, Op. 10, No. 2 Billings, “Chester” (“Let tyrants shake their iron rod”) Martucci, Nocturne, Op. 70, No. 1 Verdi, Ave Maria from Otello

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 Criterion.

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 in Bethlehem” Trad., “What Month Was Jesus Born In?” Martin & Blane, “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” Tormé & Wells, “The Christmas Song”

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, “Die schweigsame Frau,” Act I, finale Strauss, “Die schweigsame Frau,” “Wie schön ist doch die Musik”

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” Chabrier, “Ballade des gros dindons” ?, “The Turkey of 29 Pounds” Valerius-Paulus, “We Gather Together” Brahe, “Bless This House” Beethoven, Andante from String Quartet No. 15 in A minor, Op. 132

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, arr. Masur, Ken-David, “Schöne Fremde” Dunhill, “The Cloths of Heaven” Kern, “Why Was I Born?” Scruggs, “Foggy Mountain Breakdown” Burke, “Black Coffee”

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” Sibelius, “Water Droplets” Widor, Toccata from Organ Symphony No. 5 Jones, “The Streetbeater”

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.

Roger Kimball, the Editor and Publisher of The New Criterion, discusses highlights of the October 2024 issue and reads from its opening pages.

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).

Roger Kimball, the Editor and Publisher of The New Criterion, discusses highlights of the September 2024 issue and reads from its opening pages.

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 movement Schubert, “Serenade” Rodgers-Sondheim, “Hate Song” from “The Mad Show” Prokofiev, March from “The Love for Three Oranges” Ginastera, Violin Concerto, final section C+C Music Factory, “Things That Make You Go Hmmm” Trad., “Shine You No More (Last Leaf)” Bach, Adagio from the Violin Sonata in G minor

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.

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 all attentive listeners to Music for a While who enjoy the well-considered selections that always delight the ear.” Bach, Fugue in C minor from “The Well-Tempered Clavier,” Book 1 Hindemith, “Ragtime (Well-Tempered)” Ravel, “Menuet sur le nom d’Haydn” Schumann, “Faschingsschwank aus Wien” Zemlinsky, “Afrikanischer Tanz” from “Symphonische Gesänge” Liszt, “Canzonetta del Salvator Rosa” from “Années de pèlerinage, deuxième année: Italie” Vasks, Dolcissimo from “The Book” Prokofiev, Sonata No. 7, Precipitato Martinů, Fantasia for String Quartet, Oboe, Theremin, and Piano Gounod, “Ah! lève-toi, soleil!” from “Roméo et Juliette” Tchaikovsky-Pletnev, Pas de deux from “The Nutcracker”

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 minor, Op. 1, No. 8 Gorecki, Prelude, Op. 1, No. 4 Puccini, “Bevo al tuo fresco sorriso,” from “La rondine” Puccini, “Chi il bel sogno,” from “La rondine” Young, Victor, arr., Evans, Bill, “When I Fall in Love” Porter, Cole, “Don’t Fence Me In” Tanker, André, arr., Shaw, Theron, “Morena Osha”

The Friends of The New Criterion recently gathered for an evening in celebration of Peter Vertacnik, whose “The Nature of Things Fragile” won the magazine’s twenty-third poetry prize. Listen to hear Peter read a number of poems from this new collection.

Jay has assembled a little celebration of spring: songs, arias, a symphony, a sonata. Who doesn’t want to sing spring? Argento, “Spring,” from “Six Elizabethan Songs” Sinding, “Rustle of Spring” Wagner, “Du bist der Lenz,” from “Die Walküre” Beethoven, “Spring” Sonata, Rondo Strauss, “Herr Lenz” Saint-Saëns, “Printemps qui commence,” from “Samson et Dalila” Schumann, “Er ist’s” Hoiby, “Always It’s Spring” Wolf, “Er ist’s” Schumann, “Spring” Symphony, first movement Warlock, “Pretty Ring Time”

On March 14, the Friends and Young Friends of The New Criterion gathered at the magazine’s headquarters to hear remarks from Dr. Alexander Chula on his new book, “Goodbye, Dr. Banda: Lessons for the West From a Small African Country.”

Recently, Carnegie Hall hosted a John Williams gala. The program was all-Williams and the composer himself conducted most of the concert. In this episode, Jay hosts his own little Williams gala. All by John Williams: “The Mission” Scherzo for Motorcycle and Orchestra from “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade” Olympic Fanfare and Theme Main Title from “Catch Me If You Can” Raiders March from “Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark” Flying Theme from “E.T.” The Imperial March, a.k.a. Darth Vader’s Theme, from “Star Wars”

On February 29, the Galliard Society joined the Friends and Young Friends of The New Criterion at The Players in New York for remarks delivered by Dominic Green.

Rossini was born on February 29, 1792. So Jay doffs his cap to him. We also hear Schubert, Brahms, Ravel, and worthy others (including Dvořák, who knew how to swing). Rossini, Overture to “La gazza ladra” Schubert, Symphony No. 5, first movement Ravel, Piano Concerto in D for Left Hand Alone Dvořák, Symphony No. 7, Scherzo Chopin, Étude in A flat, Op. 25, No. 1, “Aeolian Harp” Brahms, Piano Concerto No. 1 in D minor, Rondo

On the River Thames, the rise of cities & the future of history. A conversation occasioned by Jeremy Black’s essay in our February 2024 issue.

A Valentine’s Day special—with music by the likes of Strauss, Poulenc, and Barber, sung by the likes of Jessye Norman, Arleen Auger, and Leontyne Price. A bouquet, a box of candies—a musical present for you. Trad., arr. Quilter, “Over the Mountains” Strauss, “Traum durch die Dämmerung” Strauss, “Amor” Poulenc, “Fleurs” Koechlin, “Si tu le veux” Prokofiev, Amoroso, from “Cinderella” Fusté, “Háblame de amores” Donaudy, “O del mio amato ben” Leoncavallo, “Mattinata” Barber, “Nocturne” Wild, Étude on Gershwin’s “Embraceable You” Bridge, “Love Went A-Riding”

Some rare Prokofiev, some common Prokofiev. An operatic blast from the past (Price and Tucker). A tribute to Colette Maze, a French pianist who has died at 109. Another tribute to Ewa Podleś, the great Polish contralto. A mixture of music, and thoughts, in this episode. Tchaikovsky, “Miniature Overture” from “The Nutcracker” Prokofiev, Symphony No. 2 Puccini, Love Duet, “Madama Butterfly” Prokofiev, Symphony No. 5 Prokofiev, Amoroso from “Cinderella” Debussy, Arabesque No. 1 Prokofiev, “The Field of the Dead,” from “Alexander Nevsky”

Jay offers tracks of various types—appropriate to the season. From William Byrd on through spirituals and George Shearing. Merry Christmas. Bach, Christmas Oratorio Handel, “Messiah” Byrd, “This Day Christ Was Born” Niles, “I Wonder as I Wander” “Ding Dong! Merrily on High,” with George Shearing and his quintet Gounod, “Noël” Leontovych, “Carol of the Bells” Trad.?, “Long Ago in Bethlehem” Rutter, “Shepherd Pipe’s Carol” Adam, “O Holy Night” A medley of spirituals, from Chanticleer

Mussorgsky was inspired by some pictures at an exhibition. Mendelssohn, Strauss, and Tchaikovsky, among others, were inspired by their sojourns in Italy. In this podcast, Jay leads an enjoyable and enriching tour. Mussorgsky, “Pictures at an Exhibition” Mendelssohn, Symphony No. 4, Saltarello Strauss, “Aus Italien,” “Neapolitan Folk Life” Tchaikovsky, “Capriccio italien” Verdi, “Va, pensiero,” from “Nabucco” Mozart, “Ave verum corpus” Sibelius, “The Swan of Tuonela” Mozart, “Alleluia” from “Exsultate, jubilate”

Executive Editor James Panero sits down with Visiting Critic Wilfred M. McClay to discuss “The burden of the humanities,” the fifth annual Circle Lecture of The New Criterion. The full text of the speech will be available in the November 2023 issue. For more information about the Circle of The New Criterion, visit newcriterion.com/circle.

A phrase has crept up into our political discussion: “to know what time it is.” Jay begins this episode with a Rodgers & Hart song: “I Didn’t Know What Time It Was.” Then we have Mozart, Boccherini, Rachmaninoff, Donizetti—a slew of interesting items. The episode ends with Louis Armstrong and His Hot Five. Rodgers & Hart, arr. Riddle, “I Didn’t Know What Time It Was” Mozart, String Quartet in C, K. 465, first movement Boccherini, Quintet No. 4, “Fandango” movement Rachmaninoff, Serenade in B-flat minor, Op. 3, No. 5 Donizetti, excerpt from “Poliuto” Rachmaninoff, “Lilacs,” arranged by the composer for piano Rachmaninoff, “Lilacs” (song) Castelnuovo-Tedesco, Quintet in F major, Op. 143, first movement Atkins, “Heebie Jeebies”

Frederica von Stade—known all over as “Flicka”—is an American mezzo-soprano and one of the greatest singers of our time, or any. Last month, Jay recorded a podcast with her, a “Q&A”: here. She is one of the most versatile singers. What Jay presents here is a sampler. Mozart, “Ah, perdona al primo affetto,” from “La clemenza di Tito” Fauré, “La rose” Trad., arr. Britten, “O Waly, Waly,” “Come You Not from Newcastle?,” “Oliver Cromwell” Rossini, “Bel raggio lusinghier,” from “Semiramide” Trad., arr. Canteloube, “Baïlèro,” from “Chants d’Auvergne” Hall, “Jenny Rebecca” Berlioz, “L’île inconnu,” from “Les nuits d’été” Mahler, Symphony No. 4, last movement

Several composers have written “moments musicaux,” or “musical moments,” including Schubert and Rachmaninoff. So has a contemporary American, Joshua Nichols. Jay plays a “moment” from each composer. (Actually, Rachmaninoff gets two.) He also plays music from Brazil, etc. The episode ends with a souvenir of the late André Watts. Rachmaninoff, Moment musical in C major, Op. 16, No. 6 Villa-Lobos, Aria from Bachianas Brasileiras No. 5 Villa-Lobos, “A prole do bebê” (complete) Oswald, Elegy Nichols, Joshua, Moment musical, “A great slide with a side of funk” Offenbach, Barcarolle from “The Tales of Hoffmann” Rachmaninoff, Moments musicaux, Op. 16 (complete) Verdi, “Non so le tetre immagini,” from “Il corsaro” Schubert, Moment musical in F minor, Op. 94, No. 3

A program of American, or American-ish, music, in honor of Independence Day. Trad., “My Country, ’Tis of Thee” Dvorak, String Quartet No. 12 in F major, Op. 96, “American,” final movement Puccini, “ Dovunque al mondo ,” from “Madama Butterfly” Joplin, “Gladiolus Rag” Gershwin, “Summertime,” from “Porgy and Bess” Gershwin-Wild, Virtuoso Étude on “Liza” Copland, “Going to Heaven!” Wheeler, “Isolation Rag” Bernstein, “Mambo,” from “West Side Story” Harbison, “Standards” Lowry-Copland, “At the River”

Yes, June is bustin’ out, and so is a new episode. Jay plays that song and several others, known and less known. There’s also piano music, a violin piece—a tasty musical meal. Rodgers & Hammerstein, “June Is Bustin’ Out All Over,” from “Carousel” Kern & Harbach, “Smoke Gets In Your Eyes,” from “Roberta” Albéniz, “Evocación,” from “Iberia,” Book 1 Strauss, Adolf, “Ich weiß bestimmt, ich werd' dich wiedersehen” Bloch, “Nigun,” from “Baal Shem” Romberg & Hammerstein, “Stout-hearted Men,” from “The New Moon” Lehrer, “Alma” Respighi, “Notturno”

Roger Kimball, the Editor and Publisher of The New Criterion, discusses highlights of the June 2023 issue and reads from its opening pages.