Our Town

If you want a prime collection of Copland's more accessible works, this is it. Yes, it's true that Bernstein's recordings of individual pieces are often bolder and livelier; but this set offers the composer's own authoritative view of his work, and for that reason alone it is priceless. In addition, it includes virtually all the orchestral pieces he composed during his "populist phase," from El Salon Mexico (1936) to the Clarinet Concerto (1948). You won't find some of these lesser-known gems, such as An Outdoor Overture (1938) or Letter from Home (1944, written–like Rhapsody in Blue–for Paul Whiteman), on typical single-disc Copland compilations. I'd even go so far as to claim this as one of the four indispensable compilations of American instrumental music from the first half of the twentieth century (the others on my list–in case anyone cares–are Joshua Rifkin playing Scott Joplin, Oscar Levant playing Gershwin, and the Blanton-Webster band recordings of Duke Ellington).

How has a small place in northern Finland managed to become Europe's most eco-friendly town? Ii has slashed its CO2 emissions by 80% and is producing 10 times more renewable energy than it consumes. This community project could be an inspiration for us all - but such rapid change is not without opposition.

In The Art of Being a Tourist at Home, Jenny Herbert takes us on a journey through our neighbourhood streets and our local parks, through museums and libraries, art galleries and bookshops. There's wonder to be found in the theatre and music-making all around us, vibrancy in fresh-food markets, new friends to meet through hobbies and clubs, and so many lifetime learning opportunities to be had – all without the stress involved in planning a holiday.

A riveting portrait of a rural Pennsylvania town at the center of the fracking controversy

When a mural by the world's best-known street artist, Banksy, appeared overnight in Port Talbot, it caused a sensation - but also a problem. Despite a local campaign, Season's Greetings was sold to an art dealer and removed. But the legacy of Banksy is now to be seen everywhere across the steel town, with an explosion of street art and murals inspired by the Banksy.

The PHIL KEAGGY 2-CD reissue containing three full albums–his 1980 album " PH'LIP SIDE ," his 1981 album " TOWN TO TOWN ," and his 1982 album " PLAY THRU ME "–on two CDs. Wonderful production work, still sounds amazing now.