An episode dedicated to one work. A whimsical piece that has sparked many controversies about its ‘proper’ performance. With insights from Felix Mendelssohn, Franz Liszt, Ferruccio Busoni and Heinrich Schenker, among others.








Music fragments:

J.S. Bach, Chromatische Fantasie und Fuge d-moll BWV 903. Lodewijk Muns*



*complete recording on https://lodewijkmuns.nl/podcast/sprekende-muziek/ 

Text quotations: see the references in Bach on the Piano, https://lodewijkmuns.nl/2022/10/08/bwv-903/

idem. György Sándor. Columbia Masterworks ML 4304 (1950)

idem. Edwin Fischer. Warner Classics 6294992 (1931)

Music that speaks: Instrumental recitative

Lodewijk Muns, musicologist, composer and pianist, discusses topics such as music and memory, music and language, and the limits of music, with the piano at his fingertips.

Beyond the Bony Labyrinth: because the sound that enters our ears only becomes music when we recognize it. Music appeals to our memory, emotions, imagination, and capacity for language.

Philosophy: because it deals with the connections between music and other aspects of life, with clarification, and dispelling smoke screens.

This is the English version of the Dutch podcast Voorbij de oren.

Making this podcast takes some inspiration, a lot of enthusiastic labour, a lifetime of experience and a bit of money. If you’re interested, please consider making a donation. It will help to continue the podcast and means a great incentive for the author.