32 Variations on a spherical theme – a football playlist for the 2018 FIFA World Cup™
Football and music: not always an easy alliance. Liverpool supporters in England do very well with "You'll Never Walk Alone", though, and fans in Latin lands can swing their hips to Nelly Furtado's "Força". But what can classically inclined football-lovers listen to? Here's the ultimate World Cup playlist on IDAGIO: a classical piece for every team – 32 variations on a spherical theme.
Read more…- Mussorgsky • Sorochinskaya yarmarka (The Fair at Sorochyntsi): Hopak (Arr. N. Rimsky-Korsakov for Orchestra) • Allegretto scherzandoSorochinskaya yarmarka (The Fair at Sorochyntsi): Hopak (Arr. N. Rimsky-Korsakov for Orchestra)
Allegretto scherzandoNeeme Järvi, Detroit Symphony OrchestraJanuary 1993, Detroit, Detroit Symphony Orchestra Hall - Khoury • Arabian Fantasy in BlueArabian Fantasy in BlueMeininger-Trio
Christiane Meininger (Flute), Milos Mlejnik (Violoncello), Rainer Gepp (Piano)2013, Bayerischer Rundfunk, Studio Franken - Arensky • Egipetskie nochi (Egyptian Nights) op. 50 (1908) • No. 7 Danse des égyptiennesEgipetskie nochi (Egyptian Nights) op. 50 (1908)
No. 7 Danse des égyptiennesDmitry Yablonsky, Moscow Philharmonic OrchestraMarch 1996, Moscow, Mosfilm Studio, Moscow - Bardesio • Piezas uruguayas • 3. Candombeando
- Santos • Symphony No. 5 (1966) “Virtus lusitaniae” • II. Zavala. ModeratoSymphony No. 5 (1966)
II. Zavala. ModeratoÁlvaro Cassuto, Orquestra Sinfónica PortuguesaJanuary 1997, Lisbon, Centro Cultural de Belém, Lisbon - Falla • El amor brujo (1924): 8. Danza ritual del fuego (Arr. for Euphonium and Piano) • Allegro ma non troppoEl amor brujo (1924): 8. Danza ritual del fuego (Arr. for Euphonium and Piano)
Allegro ma non troppoThomas Rüedi (Euphonium), Ivet Frontela (Piano)℗ 2016 - Saeverud • Peer Gynt op. 28 (1947) • 7. Blandet selskap (På Marokko-kysten)Peer Gynt op. 28 (1947)
7. Blandet selskap (På Marokko-kysten)Bjarte Engeset, Iceland Symphony OrchestraJune 2002, Reykjavík, Concert Hall of the ISO Reykjavik - Cowell • Homage to Iran (1957) • IV. Con spiritoHomage to Iran (1957)
IV. Con spiritoContinuum
Mark Steinberg (Violin), Joel Sachs (Tombak), Cheryl Seltzer (Piano)1992, New York City, American Academy and Institute of Arts and Letters - Rameau • Les fêtes de l'Hymen et de l'Amour RCT 38: Air gai (Act III)Les fêtes de l'Hymen et de l'Amour RCT 38: Air gai (Act III)Patrick Cöhen-Akenine, Ensemble Les Folies Francoises℗ 2001
- Dodds McCormick • Advance Australia Fair (2012) (Arr. for Piano and Orchester) “Fantasy on an Anthem” • Advance Australia Fair (2012) (Arr. for Piano and Orchester) "Fantasy on an Anthem"Advance Australia Fair (2012) (Arr. for Piano and Orchester)
Advance Australia Fair (2012) (Arr. for Piano and Orchester) "Fantasy on an Anthem"Tamara Anna Cislowska (Piano), David Stanhope
Adelaide Symphony Orchestra℗ 1997 - Gottschalk • Souvenir de Lima for Piano op. 74
- Nielsen • Sidskensang (Siskin Song) FS 40 CNW 348Sidskensang (Siskin Song) FS 40 CNW 348Michael Schønwandt, Danish National Vocal EnsembleJune 2014, København, Garrison Church
- Montero • A la Argentina. Improvisation for Piano (2010)
- Leifs • Iceland Cantata (Íslandskantata) op. 13 • No. 6. Allegro furiosoIceland Cantata (Íslandskantata) op. 13
No. 6. Allegro furiosoHörður Áskelsson (Choirmaster), Dorunn Björnsdóttir (Choirmaster), Hermann Bäumer
Iceland Symphony Orchestra, Schola Cantorum Reykjavicensis, Karnesskoli Boy's ChoirFebruary 2000, Reykjavík, Hallgrim's Church, Reykjavik - Pejačević • Blütenwirbel op. 45 • BlütenwirbelBlütenwirbel op. 45
BlütenwirbelNataša Veljković (Piano)2014, Stuttgart, Kammermusikstudio SWR Stuttgart - Zimmermann • Alagoana, Caprichos Brasileiros (1950) • IV. CabocloAlagoana, Caprichos Brasileiros (1950)
IV. CabocloKarl-Heinz Steffens, Deutsche Staatsphilharmonie Rheinland-PfalzJanuary 2014, Ludwigshafen, Philharmonie - Liszt • Années de pèlerinage. Première année: Suisse S 160 • 2. Au lac de WallenstadtAnnées de pèlerinage. Première année: Suisse S 160
2. Au lac de WallenstadtFrancesco Piemontesi (Piano)January 2017, Lugano, Auditorio Stelio Molo (RSI) - Lecuona • Un amor vendrá (From the film 'Carnival in Costa Rica')Un amor vendrá (From the film 'Carnival in Costa Rica')Carole Farley (Soprano), John Constable (Piano)2002, Stockholm, Nybrokajen 11
- Bartók • Duos for 2 Violins BB 104 Sz. 98, Vol. IV (1931) • 39. Szerb Tánc (Serbian Dance)Duos for 2 Violins BB 104 Sz. 98, Vol. IV (1931)
39. Szerb Tánc (Serbian Dance)Péter Csaba (Violin), Vilmos Szabadi (Violin)℗ 2014 - Rautavaara • Praktisch Deutsch, Motet for Declamatory Chorus (1969) • 1. HotelPraktisch Deutsch, Motet for Declamatory Chorus (1969)
1. HotelEric-Olof Söderström, Finnish Radio Chamber Choir1995, Järvenpää, The Jarvenpaa Hall - Chávez • Cantos de México for Orchestra (1933) • Cantos de MéxicoCantos de México for Orchestra (1933)
Cantos de MéxicoEnrique Bátiz, Orquesta Sinfónica del Estado de México℗ 1995 - Peterson-Berger • Svensk lyrik (Swedish Lyricism) Series 1, Book 6 “Gullebarns vaggsånger” • 2. Mumla tumla humlaSvensk lyrik (Swedish Lyricism) Series 1, Book 6
2. Mumla tumla humlaAnne Sofie von Otter (Mezzo-soprano), Siegfried Köhler
Sveriges Radios Symfoniorkester℗ 2012 - Yun • East-West Miniatures for Oboe and Violoncello (1994) • 1. East-West Miniature IEast-West Miniatures for Oboe and Violoncello (1994)
1. East-West Miniature IThomas Hecker (Oboe), Mischa Meyer (Violoncello)March 2014, Berlin, Jesus-Christus-Kirche (Dahlem) - Dufay • Bon jour, bon moisBon jour, bon moisBernhard Landauer (Countertenor), Michael Posch
Ensemble Unicorn1995, Wien, Evangelische Kirche A.B. - Sousa • The Pathfinder of Panama March (1915)The Pathfinder of Panama March (1915)Timothy W. Foley, The Great American Main Street Band℗ 1991
- Berlioz • Les Troyens H 133 • Act III • No. 17. 'De Carthage les cieux' (Chorus of the Carthagians)Les Troyens H 133
Act III • No. 17. 'De Carthage les cieux' (Chorus of the Carthagians)Joyce DiDonato (Mezzo-soprano), Michael Spyres (Tenor), Marie-Nicole Lemieux (Mezzo-soprano), Stéphane Degout (Baritone), Marianne Crebassa (Mezzo-soprano), Hanna Hipp (Mezzo-soprano), Nicolas Courjal (Bass), Philippe Sly (Bass), Cyrille Dubois (Tenor), Stanislas De Barbeyrac (Tenor), Agnieszka Slawinska (Soprano), Bertrand Grunenwald (Bass), Jean Teitgen (Bass), Jérôme Varnier (Bass), Frédéric Caton (Bass), Richard Rittelmann (Bass), John NelsonLive
Orchestre Philharmonique de Strasbourg, Badischer Staatsopernchor, Choeur Philharmonique de Strasbourg, Choeur de l'Opéra national du Rhin℗ 2017 - Ruders • Concerto in Pieces: Purcell Variations for Orchestra (1994-1995) • Variation VII. Andante lamentosoConcerto in Pieces: Purcell Variations for Orchestra (1994-1995)
Variation VII. Andante lamentosoThomas Søndergård, Aarhus SymfoniorkesterJune 2008, Aarhus, Concert Hall Aarhus - Lutosławski • Little Suite (1951) (Version for Orchestra) • 2. Hurra PolkaLittle Suite (1951) (Version for Orchestra)
2. Hurra PolkaEdward Gardner, BBC Symphony OrchestraDecember 2011, Watford, Colosseum - Martinů • First Orchestral Suite from the Ballet 'Špalíček' H 214a (1931-1932) (Arr. M. Říha) • 3b. In the Magician's Palace: Dance of the LionFirst Orchestral Suite from the Ballet 'Špalíček' H 214a (1931-1932) (Arr. M. Říha)
3b. In the Magician's Palace: Dance of the LionNeeme Järvi, Estonian National Symphony Orchestra2014, Tallinn, Estonia Concert Hall Tallinn - Carmichael • Latin American Suite for Piano four hands • 2. Joropo (Venezuela-Colombia)Latin American Suite for Piano four hands
2. Joropo (Venezuela-Colombia)Carles & Sofia Piano Duo
Carles Lama (Piano), Sofia Cabruja (Piano)2005, Girona, Auditori Viader - Dan • Six Songs for Children (1945) • 4. Saury FishSix Songs for Children (1945)
4. Saury FishYoshikazu Mera (Countertenor), Kikuko Ogura (Piano)May 1997, Danderyd, Danderyd Grammar School
We take you from Group A to Group F and begin, of course, with the hosts. Musical atmosphere is more important than suitability for clapping or singing along (there's enough of that already in the stadium). Generally composers from each country are given preference over unofficial national anthems; so Spain is represented by Manuel de Falla rather than 'Carmen'. But there are exceptions when it makes musical sense: we pick Liszt to represent Switzerland, and Bernd Alois Zimmermann makes an appearance for Brazil. The flipside is that Germany is represented by a Finn (but not Sibelius). Belgium looks back to the renaissance, while a lament seemed about right for England.
There's no shortage of national clichées; football without stereotypes is no fun. World-famous works rub shoulders in the line-up with abstruse rarities.
The history of classical music is eurocentric. In some countries, above all in the southern hemisphere, the role of classical music has been secondary to important homegrown culture and music. That means there's a bit of free association for some nations, with certain African countries represented by their national animals: Nigeria is symbolised by the Eagle, Senegal by Lions. For Tunisia we look back to ancient times with an appearance of Carthage. And there's a final exception with a surprise appearance for Morocco by a Norwegian composer, played by an Icelandic orchestra.
RUSSIA: Modest Mussorgsky: Sorochinskaya yarmarka (The Fair at Sorochyntsi): Hopak (Arr. N. Rimsky-Korsakov for Orchestra)
SAUDI ARABIA: Joelle Khoury: Arabian Fantasy in Blue
EGYPT: Anton Stepanovich Arensky: Egipetskie nochi (Egyptian Nights) op. 50
URUGUAY: José Fernández Bardesio: Piezas uruguayas; 3. Candombeando
PORTUGAL: Joly Braga Santos: Symphony No. 5 “Virtus lusitaniae”; II. Zavala. Moderato
SPAIN: Manuel de Falla: El amor brujo: No. 8 Danza ritual del fuego (Arr. for Euphonium and Piano)
MOROCCO: Harald Saeverud: Peer Gynt op. 28; 7. Blandet Selskap (På Marokko-Kysten)
IRAN: Henry Dixon Cowell: Homage to Iran for Violin and Piano; IV. Con spirito
FRANCE: Jean-Philippe Rameau: Les fêtes de l'Hymen et de l'Amour RCT 38: Air gai (Act III)
AUSTRALIA: Peter Dodds McCormick: Advance Australia Fair (Arr. for Piano and Orchester) "Fantasy on an Anthem"
PERU: Louis Moreau Gottschalk: Souvenir de Lima for Piano op. 74
DENMARK: Carl August Nielsen: Sidskensang (Siskin Song) FS 40 CNW 348
ARGENTINA: Gabriela Montero: A la Argentina. Improvisation for Piano
ICELAND: Jón Leifs: Iceland Cantata (Íslandskantata) op. 13; No. 6 Allegro furioso
CROATIA: Dora Pejačević: Blütenwirbel op. 45
NIGERIA: Benjamin Britten: The Eagle has Two Heads: Fanfare
BRASIL: Bernd Alois Zimmermann: Alagoana, Caprichos Brasileiros; IV: Caboclo
SWITZERLAND: Franz Liszt: Années de pèlerinage. Première année: Suisse S 160; 2. Au lac de Wallenstadt
COSTA RICA: Ernesto Lecuona: Un amor vendrá (From the film 'Carnival in Costa Rica')
SERBIA: Béla Bartók: Duos for 2 Violins BB 104 Sz. 98 - Vol. 4; 39. Szerb Tánc (Serbian Dance)
GERMANY: Einojuhani Rautavaara: Praktisch Deutsch, Motet for Declamatory Chorus; 1. Hotel
MEXICO: Carlos Chávez: Cantos de México for Orchestra
SWEDEN: Wilhelm Peterson-Berger: Svensk lyrik (Swedish Lyricism) Series 1, Book 6 “Gullebarns vaggsånger”; 2. Mumla tumla humla
SOUTH KOREA: Isang Yun: East-West Miniatures for Oboe and Violoncello
BELGIUM: Guillaume Dufay: Bon jour, bon mois
PANAMA: John Philip Sousa: The Pathfinder of Panama March
TUNISIA: Hector Berlioz: Les Troyens (The Trojans) H 133; 17. 'De Carthage les cieux' (Chorus of the Carthagians)
ENGLAND: Poul Ruders: Concerto in Pieces: Purcell Variations for Orchestra (1995); Variation VII. Andante lamentoso
POLAND: Witold Lutosławski: Little Suite (Version for Orchestra); 2. Hurra Polka
SENEGAL: Bohuslav Martinů: First Orchestral Suite from the Ballet 'Špalíček' H 214a (Arr. M. Říha); 3b. In the Magician's Palace: Dance of the Lion
COLOMBIA: John Carmichael: Latin American Suite for Piano four hands; 2. Joropo (Venezuela-Colombia)
JAPAN: Ikuma Dan: Six Songs for Children; 4. Saury Fish