Earlier this year it was clear I was musically stuck. Spotify unwrapped told me that for the nth year in a row I’d mostly listened to Lloyd Cole, Dylan, Nick Lowe, Teenage Fanclub, Leonard Cohen et al. Now, I love them all dearly but seriously… Basically with endless choice had come paralysis.

Then came an extended period of mostly solitary forced rest, with the need for a project of some sort to distract from pain and other worries. So I thought, what about a bit of classical?

I’ve dabbled before, but in a Greatest Hits kind of way. Fair bit of Bach, bit of Mozart, bit of Vivaldi, maybe even some Purcell. But always the obvious stuff. The sheer range of composers, works, instruments, versions always felt a bit overwhelming, so back to Bandwagonesque it was.

So a couple of months ago, painkillered up and after a bit of internet research I fired up Spotify with intent. Starting with major composers and major works, then following recommendations, playlists and the internet, I disappeared down a rabbit hole from which I’m yet to emerge. Who knew what riches awaited me?! (I should perhaps have guessed…).

Truth is I haven’t felt » Continue Reading.