PODCAST:

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In this month's episode, we talk about the BBC Proms's pledge to achieve a 50:50 gender balance for commissioned pieces, a bid to buy part of a hoard of gold sovereigns found in a Broadwood piano, the plans for the new Edinburgh Concert Hall, and an unusual wager between two conductors…

Plus we talk about the remarkable music of Claude Debussy, who died one hundred years ago. He's on the cover of our April 2018 issue, and his life, works and reception are explored by writers Stephen Walsh and Roger Nichols. We introduce our exclusive cover CD, which pairs beautiful songs by Debussy and Mozart, and also give you a taste of our Recording of the Month, featuring volinist Patricia Kopatchinskaja and pianist Polina Leschenko.

And finally, in the First Listen corner, we share some of our favourite new classical recordings, including discs of Borgström, Beach and Mompou. This month's episode is presenter by editor Oliver Condy, deputy editor Jeremy Pound, reviews editor Rebecca Franks and editorial assistant Freya Parr. It's produced by Jack Fletcher.

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Links: BBC Proms pledge: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-43196414; Broadwood piano coin hoard: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-43344727; Edinburgh Concert Hall: https://www.scotsman.com/news/first-look-at-edinburgh-s-new-45m-concert-hall-1-4706369; Super-Bowl wager: https://www.wqxr.org/story/its-philadelphia-orchestra-and-boston-symphony-have-super-bowl-bet/; BBC Music Magazine April 2018 issue: http://www.classical-music.com/magazine/current-issue/bbc-music-magazine; Berg Violin Concerto: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/pierre-boulez-edition-berg/1076997477; Patricia Kopatchinska and Polina Leschenko's album, 'Deux': https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/deux-bart%C3%B3k-poulenc-ravel/1330154022; Borgström Violin Concerto: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/borgstr%C3%B6m-shostakovich-violin-concertos/1347393956; Ladies Night: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/ladies-night/1334787080; Julien Brocal: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/mompou-ravel-reflections/1356325346; Widmann Viola Concerto: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/widmann-viola-concerto/1338854150

Authors

Rebecca Franks
Rebecca FranksJournalist, Critic and former Managing Editor of BBC Music Magazine

Rebecca Franks is the former Managing Editor of BBC Music Magazine and a regular classical music critic for The Times. She is currently writing her first children's book.