Grimm Reading

How much porridge is too much porridge? Find out as we read the Brothers Grimm's tale 'Sweet Porridge'. From Tom Cruise to giant Vikings, Great Flood myths to perpetual motion machines - this one is truly a wild ride. We discuss Goethe, Disney, Bob Hoskins, Asbjørnsen and Moe, and much besides as we look at the many influences and obscure connections to this piece of narrative, folkloric fiction. ... Linktree Patreon Merch Store Instagram Twitter/X Facebook grimmreadingpodcast@gmail.com Theme music: Bicycle Waltz by Goodbye Kumiko Other Music: Chopin's Grande Valse Brillante, Opus 18 // Chopin's Fantaisie Impromptu, Op. 66.1 // Dvořák's String Quintet in E-flat Major, Op. 97

Witches, siblings, memory games, and magic - join us as we read and review 'The Lambkin And The Little Fish' from The Grimms' Fairy Tales. An evil stepmother turns two siblings into a lamb and a fish. When she orders her cook to slaughter the lamb sister, how can the fish brother save her? And will they ever regain their human form? In this episode, we discuss the Grimms' obsession with sibling adventure tales and hear another version of this folk tale type from Ottoman Turkey. Finally, we pick the next batch of stories that will lead us to the end of Series 8. ... Linktree Patreon Merch Store Instagram Twitter/X Facebook grimmreadingpodcast@gmail.com Theme music: Bicycle Waltz by Goodbye Kumiko Other Music: Mendelssohn's Lieder ohne Wortev (performed by Benjamin Moser, piano) // Chopin's Valse No. 6 in D flat major, Op. 64, No. 1 ('Minute' Waltz)

Four animals negotiate their time on Earth with God. Who will emerge with the most years? And is there a twist awaiting the victor? Join us as we read the Grimm fairy tale, “The Duration Of Life”. After the story, we discuss ideas of ‘the stages of life’ and ‘the ages of mankind’ from throughout history. Plus, we hear from a grumpy Sphinx and Matt reads his first Shakespeare soliloquy in a desperate attempt to win an Olivier Award. ... Linktree Patreon Merch Store Instagram Twitter/X Facebook grimmreadingpodcast@gmail.com Theme music: Bicycle Waltz by Goodbye Kumiko Other Music: Johannes Brahms' Op. 81 performed by Musopen Symphony // Johannes Brahms' Hungraian Dance No. 3 - Allegretto in F Major performed by Luis Sarro // Johannes Brahms' Hungraian Dance No. 7 - Allegretto in F Major performed by Andreas Pfaul

Things get weird as we read one of the most tantalisingly titled stories in the Brothers Grimm collection, 'One-Eye, Two-Eyes, and Three-Eyes'. A young girl suffers at the hands of her mother and sisters. Will a magical goat be able to save her? And if not, can a passing knight offer the help she needs? Join us as we read a most peculiar Grimm tale, before debuting a new segment, "Eye Stories of Ancient Religions," where we try to make sense of the Grimms annotations and see where this all started. ... Linktree Patreon Merch Store Instagram Twitter/X Facebook grimmreadingpodcast@gmail.com Theme music: Bicycle Waltz by Goodbye Kumiko Other Music: Beethoven's sonata No. 7 in C minor, Op. 30, No. 2 (Corey Cerovsek, violin; Paavali Jumppanen, piano) // Dvořák's Serenade for Strings Op.22 3 Scherzo // Maria Szymanowska's Polonaise No. 3 (Alexander Kostritsa, piano)

After a vicious attack on the family nest, four young sparrows are left to fend for themselves. When they return home, their anxious father enquires how they fared in the wide world. As each recounts their harrowing tale, we learn a valuable lesson in how to stay safe in a dangerous world. Join us as we read the Grimms' tale, The Sparrow And His Four Children! More a sermon than a story, we discuss the origins of the tale, from the bible through to the Grimms, before hearing an Indian sparrow story about violent retribution - much more familiar ground. ... Linktree Patreon Merch Store Instagram Twitter/X Facebook grimmreadingpodcast@gmail.com Theme music: Bicycle Waltz by Goodbye Kumiko Other Music: Beethoven's Sonata no. 17 in D minor, Op. 31 no. 2 - III. Allegretto performed by Paul Pitman // Motzart's Sonata No. 13 In B Flat Major, K.333 - I. Allegro performed by Brendan Kinsella // Beethoven's 12 German Dances performed by Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra

After an ill-advised street brawl, Death gets back on his feet thanks to a helping hand from a passing young man. As a reward, Death promises to send his messengers before claiming the man himself. Will this newfound freedom cause trouble? And what exactly are these messengers? Yes, it's the return of the fan-favourite recurring character: Death! And as ever with Death, things are not quite as straightforward as they appear... After the story, we chase the messengers of death around the world with the help of a centuries-old academic journal, and discover why this folktale has more to do with Buddhism than the German peasantry. ... Linktree Patreon Merch Store Instagram Twitter/X Facebook grimmreadingpodcast@gmail.com Theme music: Bicycle Waltz by Goodbye Kumiko Other Music: Camille Saint-Saëns' Danse Macabre, Op. 40 (Marika Fältskogh, Marc Soustrot, Malmö Symphony Orchestra) // Chopin's Nocturne in B flat minor, Op. 9 no. 1

Come one, come all to this year’s Grimm Reading Christmas party! We engage in the usual frivolity with presents and festive cheer. And of course, we once more delve into the strange world of E.T.A. Hoffmann’s The Nutcracker And The Mouse King. We also introduce a new segment - the Christmas monster of the year! We meet Jólakötturinn, aka The Yule Cat, a terrifying giant feline who roams Iceland on Christmas. Have a wonderful Christmas season, wherever you are and we’ll see you in the new year. ... Linktree Patreon Merch Store Instagram Twitter/X Facebook grimmreadingpodcast@gmail.com Theme music: Bicycle Waltz by Goodbye Kumiko Other Music: Tchaikovsky's "Dance Of The Sugar Plum Fairy" & "The Magical Castle in the Kingdom of Sweets" from The Nutcracker Suite from the music.org European Archive

Has Christmas always been wholesome? What did Halloween steal from Christmas? And what happens when you bump into a Krampus? Join us for a special interview episode, where we talk to Sarah Clegg, author of "The Dead of Winter: The Demons, Witches and Ghosts of Christmas". We discuss her run-ins with Christmas monsters, learn about the surprisingly unruly history of Christmas celebrations, and hear why Jacob Grimm may have a lot to answer for... From wassailing to ghostly walks, this is Christmas in a whole new light. ... Linktree Patreon Merch Store Instagram Twitter/X Facebook grimmreadingpodcast@gmail.com Theme music: Bicycle Waltz by Goodbye Kumiko Other Music: Tchaikovsky's Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy

An industrious woman dreams big, but how will her husband, Long Laurence react when she reveals her plans? An unexpectedly brutal tale leads to an exploration of 'air castles', from Aesop to Leo Tolstoy, and a man getting a faceful of rice gruel... This episode is Certified Grimm for adult themes and may not be suitable for all listeners. ... Linktree Patreon Merch Store Instagram Twitter/X Facebook grimmreadingpodcast@gmail.com Theme music: Bicycle Waltz by Goodbye Kumiko Other Music: Brahms' Piano Trio No.2, Op.87 performed by Edwin Fischer, Wolfgang Schneiderhan, & Enrico Mainardi // Brahms' String Quintet No.1, Op.88 performed by Musicians from Marlboro // Brahms' 7 Fantasien, Op.116 performed by Ivan Ilić

Evil wizards, crying stags, sharp-shooting damsels – prepare for a wild tale as the Grimms go full Indiana Jones with "The Glass Coffin". A poor tailor seeks shelter from a storm in a forest cabin; little does he know his life is about to change forever. When a violent stag abducts him, the tailor finds himself in a mysterious cave complete with two glass boxes. What will he find? And why did the Edwardians go mad for glass caskets? Find out all this and more in our latest episode. ... Linktree Patreon Merch Store Instagram Twitter/X Facebook grimmreadingpodcast@gmail.com Theme music: Bicycle Waltz by Goodbye Kumiko Other Music: Beethoven's Sonata, La major, Op.69 - I. Allegro ma non tanto.1 // Chopin's Fantasy-Impromptu No. 4 in C sharp minor, Op. 66

It’s a 2-4-1 deal at Grimm Castle today as we read TWO Brothers Grimm tales: “The Hurds” and “Looking For A Bride”. What’s the correct way to choose your spouse? What does ‘hurd’ mean? And what’s the best way to prep cheese? All this and more will be revealed as we explore two short, sweet and sexist tales from the master storytellers. ... Linktree Patreon Merch Store Instagram Twitter/X Facebook grimmreadingpodcast@gmail.com Theme music: Bicycle Waltz by Goodbye Kumiko Other Music: Brahms' 2 Rhapsodies, Op.79 performed by Luis Kolodin // Brahms' Hungarian Dance No.2 in D minor performed by Caroline Goulding & Shuai Wang // Brahms' String Sextet No.1, Op.18 performed by Musicians from Marlboro

Things are getting spooky at Castle Grimm as we celebrate Halloween with the story “Koshchei the Deathless”, aka “Maria Morevna”. Prepare to be whisked into a world of immortal evil wizards, battle-loving queens, and rivers of fire. There may even feature a brief cameo from an old friend… Happy Halloween all! Linktree Patreon Merch Store Instagram Twitter/X Facebook grimmreadingpodcast@gmail.com Theme music: Bicycle Waltz by Goodbye Kumiko Other Music: Aram Khachaturian's Masquerade Waltz // Liszt's Totentanz (Dance of the Dead) S. 126/2

We’re back for series 8! Magic beds, secret raves, invisible soldiers - we kick things off with "The Twelve Dancing Princesses" aka "The Shoes That Were Danced To Pieces". It’s a somewhat famous story and surprisingly magical and romantic for the Grimms, albeit overtly violent and deeply problematic. So join us as we once more delve into the world of the Brothers Grimm, and chase this folk tale from ancient Babylon through Victorian England (via the story "Kate Crackernuts"), and ending unexpectedly at Barbie. ... Linktree Patreon Merch Store Instagram Twitter/X Facebook grimmreadingpodcast@gmail.com Theme music: Bicycle Waltz by Goodbye Kumiko Other Music: Strauss's Wiener Blut Op.354 Waltz // Tchaikovsky's Waltz in F sharp minor, no. 9 from Op. 40

The series is over, but were you listening? Join us for a live quiz where we ask questions on Series 7 trivia, and three lucky winners receive prizes. Series 8 is coming on October 12th! You can watch the live quiz on YouTube via this link. Linktree Patreon Merch Store Instagram Twitter/X Facebook grimmreadingpodcast@gmail.com Theme music: Bicycle Waltz by Goodbye Kumiko

Link to the Livestream: https://youtube.com/live/QtmQlB-g_Sk?feature=share Come and join us this Saturday, 30th August, for our livestream quiz to mark the end of Series 7! Play along with the multiple-choice questions that cover all of the tales we've heard this series, and there are prizes to win! So we hope you've been brushing up on your Volume 2 stories... The stream will be live on YouTube on 30th August from: 7pm British Summer Time 8pm Central European Summer Time 2pm Eastern Daylight Time 11am Pacific Daylight Time We look forward to seeing you there! ... Linktree Patreon Merch Store Instagram Twitter/X Facebook grimmreadingpodcast@gmail.com

Link to the Livestream: https://youtube.com/live/06yd2583kNA?feature=share Come and join us this Saturday, 28th June, for our livestream quiz to mark the end of Series 7! Play along with the multiple choice questions that cover all of the tales we've heard this series, and there are prizes to win! So we hope you've been brushing up on your Volume 2 stories... The stream will be live on YouTube on 28th June from: 7pm British Summer Time 8pm Central European Summer Time 2pm Eastern Daylight Time 11am Pacific Daylight Time We look forward to seeing you there! ... Linktree Patreon Merch Store Instagram Twitter/X Facebook grimmreadingpodcast@gmail.com

Season 7 is in the bag! But which stories were the best and worst of the bunch? We reveal the winners and losers of the series, share some porridge updates, hear what listeners have to say, and set up the start of series 8. QUIZ! Saturday 28th June 7pm (BST) Link to the Series 7 Live Quiz so you can subscribe and join in the fun. ... Linktree Patreon Merch Store Instagram Twitter/X Facebook grimmreadingpodcast@gmail.com Theme music: Bicycle Waltz by Goodbye Kumiko Other Music: Dvořák's String Quintet No. 3 in E-flat Major // Dvořák's Humoresque

Three friendly bachelor bears decide to take a walk while their porridge cools. Little do they suspect that an opportunistic young lady called Goldilocks will break in and help herself to breakfast. Will the bears catch her in the act or will she get away? What’s the best way to have porridge? And where do Aristotle and Stephen Hawking fit into all this? Join us for the series seven finale as we read Goldilocks and the Three Bears - and then share the history of how the story developed. ... Linktree Patreon Merch Store Instagram Twitter/X Facebook grimmreadingpodcast@gmail.com Theme music: Bicycle Waltz by Goodbye Kumiko Other Music: Dvorak's Legends, Op.59 - 2. Molto moderato (G major) // Beethoven's Piano Sonata no.15 in D major op.28 Pastoral - IV. Rondo. Allegro ma non tropp, performed by Karine Gilanyan

Creepy villains, elderly princesses, troublesome beards - this is not your average fairy tale. In Old Rinkrank, a princess gets imprisoned in a glass mountain by an evil creature and given an unpleasant new name. Will she be able to save herself? And will her fiancé have waited for her? Find out in the penultimate episode of the season! After the story, we attempt to ascend our own glass mountain and identify the tale's place in the canon of folklore, leading us to Poland and Norway where things get, you guessed, nice and weird. ... Linktree Patreon Merch Store Instagram Twitter/X Facebook grimmreadingpodcast@gmail.com Theme music: Bicycle Waltz by Goodbye Kumiko Other Music: Beethoven's Piano Sonata no. 14 in C#m 'Moonlight', Op. 27 no. 2 - III. Presto // Beethoven's 13 Sonata No. 8 in C Minor Pathétique, Op. 13 - III. Rondo-Allegro

When a horned owl takes up residence in a barn, the townsfolk slowly lose their minds as they try to oust the intruder. Will the townsfolk come to their senses and the owl escape? Or is the owl to meet a grisly end? From owls to algorithms, killer trains to Puerto Rican pirate vessels, this episode takes us on a wild ride through some of the stranger corners of history as we dig into what exactly this story means. ... Linktree Patreon Merch Store Instagram Twitter/X Facebook grimmreadingpodcast@gmail.com Theme music: Bicycle Waltz by Goodbye Kumiko Other Music: Camille Saint-Saëns' Cello Concerto No. 1 in A Minor, Op. 33 - I. Allegro non troppo // Franz Schubert's Sonata in B Flat Major, D. 960 - IV. Allegro ma non troppo, performed by Paul Pittman