Unveiling Margaret of Austria: Music, Grief, and the Green Lover

Unveiling Margaret of Austria: Music, Grief, and the Green Lover

In this episode, CRD Director Emma Pauncefort sits down with the Linarol Consort and soprano Héloïse Bernard to discuss their CRD Records debut album, Epitaph for a Green Lover. The conversation explores the fascinating life of Margaret of Austria, a powerful 16th-century patron of the arts whose personal tragedies—including multiple lost marriages and the death of a beloved pet parrot—are captured in her exquisite musical collections. Key Discussion Points * The Linarol Sound: The consort explains their unique identity, playing on a matched set of instruments based on the earliest surviving viol made by Francesco Linarol in 1540.  * Margaret of Austria’s Life: David Hatcher provides a biographical look at Margaret, from her time as a French princess and Duchess of Savoy to her influential reign as Regent of the Netherlands. A "Democratic" Collaboration: Héloïse Bernard discusses the "democratic" nature of the music, where the solo voice blends seamlessly into the texture of the viol consort rather than simply being accompanied by it. The "Green Lover": The origins of the album title, referring to an epic poem and song written for Margaret’s pet parrot, which serves as a relatable, humanising moment of grief.  * Material Legacy: The group discusses the beauty of Margaret’s surviving chansonniers (songbooks), including a rare manuscript featuring gold and silver notation on black-stained vellum. Favourite album moments * The Primal Cry: The final track, Coeurs desolez, described by the performers as an "absolute wail of primal desolation" that demands high volume.  * A Ghostly Transition: The haunting moment between the instrumental De tout Plongiet and the vocal entry of Soubz ce tumbel, where the "dead parrot" calls from the tomb.  * Technical Brilliance: The complexity of La Spagna, where the Renaissance counterpoint rivals the difficulty of modern cello concertos Intro music: Anon. "La Danse de Cleves" Outro music: Josquin des Prez 'Cueurs desolez par toute nation" Listen ⁠now on your streaming service of choice in hi res and Dolby Atmos⁠ [https://integral.lnk.to/EpitaphforaGreenLover] Follow ⁠The Linarol Consort on Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/artist/5ZmWIcQ8PcA5gWUbuG7JWx?si=zhsyBNqJSQyMCBqqzJcPzQ]

The Silent Depths: Paul Crossley’s Tribute to Federico Mompou

Renowned concert pianist Paul Crossley shares his lifelong, deep connection with Federico Mompou’s music. Paul shares how Mompou's unique style is characterized by its 'sadness' and 'silent music'. He explains how Mompou’s compositions, shaped by autobiographical elements and his grandfather's bell foundry, require a nuanced interpretation of the spaces between notes. Despite battling arthritis, which led to his retirement fromconcert performances, Paul passionately discusses the enduring significance and his evolving appreciation of these musical miniatures. We also explore Gerard Manley Hopkins' concept of art as 'the rehearsal of own' and its resonance with both the performer and the listener, highlighting the importance of personal interpretation and the challenges of recording such evocative works.

The Architect's View – Discovering Dimitar Nenov with Veneta Neynska

Dimitar Nenov (1901–1953) was a pianist-composer of extraordinary depth. Yet his music remains largely unknown beyond Bulgaria—where he is still rarely programmed—despite his towering influence on 20th-century Eastern European music. His works, blending architectural precision with boundless imagination, are at once intellectually rigorous and emotionally profound. In this episode, CRD Director Emma Pauncefort sits in conversation with Bulgarian pianist Veneta Neynska to open up the spaces and places traversed by Nenov’s unique musical language, here brought to life through the artistry of his present-day champion. Global Release of the album – March 2026 www.crdrecords.com/product/the-architects-view www.neynska.com #classicalpiano #modernpiano #spaceinmusic #pianist #classicalmusic

A Voyage Through an Extraordinary Lost Treasure – Heavenly Light

Join CRD Director Emma Pauncefort, the conductor of the emerging British group Selene consort Daniel Gilchrist and musicologist Russell Blacker for a fascinating exploration of bringing works from the Eton Choirbook, a treasure trove of early English choral music, back to life. In this podcast episode, we discuss the history of the choirbook, its unique features, the challenges of reconstructing its missing parts and the joy (and challenges!) of performing such intricate music. Key Points: * The Eton Choirbook: Eton College, a royal institution founded by King Henry VI, was the birthplace of the choirbook, a highly valued resource that featured lavish illuminations. * Missing Parts: About a third of the choirbook is lost, and some pieces have incomplete sections. * Reconstruction: Russell Blacker has dedicated years to reconstructing these lost works, using his expertise in music history and composition. * Selene Choir: A young, vibrant choir, they were chosen by Dr. Blacker to record the reconstructed Eton Choirbook repertoire. * The Why Now: The project is a response to a renewed interest in early music and the desire to bring these hidden gems to a wider audience. * Challenges: The music is complex, with multiple voice parts and long, demanding melodic lines. * The Joy of Reconstruction: Dr. Blacker shares his experiences and the challenges he faced in reconstructing the missing parts of the choirbook. * Highlights: * The 'Magnificat', a six-part work by Wylkynson, is considered the jewel of the crown. * The 'O Virgo Prudentissima', another Wylkynson piece, is unique in that it uses two simultaneous plainchants. * The jubilant style of English singing is highlighted in the works of 'Wylkynson' and others. The full album is now available to stream in hi res and Dolby Atmos wherever you get your music: https://integral.lnk.to/HeavenlyLight Also available to purchase from CRD Records: https://www.crdrecords.com/product/heavenly_light/

Exploring Musical Landscapes: A Journey with Pete Judge

Emma Pauncefort sits in conversation with Pete Judge, trumpeter-composer-turned-pianist, about his latest project ‘Piano 3’ which ties together music and landscapes. Pete shares the inspiration behind his compositions, highlighting the influence of the likes of C20th composer Gerald Finzi and the impact of nature and seasonal changes. We discuss his connection to the environments of Southern Britain and his bid to advocate for broader environmental concerns in his music as he seeks to replicate the extraordinary minimalist repetitions we see around us. Our discussion explores the coexistence of stillness and movement in Pete’s work and his personal journey of transforming improvisations into fixed compositions. He also shares his experience of recording at St George's in Bristol, England versus ‘solo’ performances and how he always works in dialogue with the space.   00:00 A Glorious Morning in Bath 01:50 Musical Inspirations and Influences 02:48 The Art of Notated Music 09:57 Seasonal Inspirations and Creative Process 12:56 The Piano as a Sketchbook 17:18 Live Performances and Collaborations 22:12 The Fluidity of Musical Performance 23:04 Recording Process Insights 24:20 The Role of Space and Acoustics 26:25 Organic Recording Experience 30:04 Personal and Emotional Journey 32:06 Environmental and Artistic Reflections 36:44 Musical Style and Influences 40:49 Future Projects and Inspirations 42:56 Closing Remarks and Gratitude Links ⁠Pre-save Piano 3 now on your favourite streaming service⁠: ⁠ https://orcd.co/piano3 [https://orcd.co/imagiquealbumsave] Stream singles already released: ⁠Pete Spotify Profile⁠ https://open.spotify.com/artist/079OQUvzp6K2MIAoiVYEMX?si=EbaeunaARMynetkKTkhRkQ [https://open.spotify.com/artist/079OQUvzp6K2MIAoiVYEMX?si=EbaeunaARMynetkKTkhRkQ]  ⁠ Pete Apple Profile https://music.apple.com/gb/artist/pete-judge/1160252843 [https://music.apple.com/gb/artist/pete-judge/1160252843] Learn more about Pete Pete website https://www.petejudgemusic.com/ [https://www.petejudgemusic.com/] Instagram Profile https://www.instagram.com/petejudgemusic/ [https://www.instagram.com/petejudgemusic/] #PeteJudge #ClassicalMusic #NatureInspired #Piano3 #Improvisation