Fire!
Like anything we humans don't really understand, fire fascinates us. But unlike such abstract concepts as infinity and gravity – and Cristiano Ronaldo's ability to keep a ball at his feet – fire is an everyday phenomenon we can create in an instant and examine up-close with our eyes. Unsurprisingly, it has fascinated composers ever since notated music existed.
Read more…This playlist takes in some of the most famous images of fire in music, from Wagner's uncanny evocation of a magic circle of flames to Handel's attempts to conjure the excitement of fireworks from two centuries earlier. We also hear some rarely heard yet utterly beautiful reflections of the element, and some striking contemporary works too. Along the way, there's some music that might have no concrete attachment to the flames or infernos, but burns with a passion that can only be described as 'fiery'!
[Due to geo-blocking restrictions, some tracks might be unavailable in certain territories.]