Toledo SymphonyLab™

In our final episode of Toledo SymphonyLAB, we once again dive into the music of Gustav Mahler - whose Third Symphony brings the TSO season to a close. Special return guest (and musicologist) Effie Papanikolaou shines light both on the man and the music, joining conductor Alain Trudel and Mahler enthusiast Zak Vassar (who also happens to be the TSO's President and CEO).

We preview and celebrate the upcoming season of the Toledo Symphony Orchestra as they mark 80 years of serving the community with great music.

We welcome warmer weather with a preview of the Toledo Symphony's chamber program, Summer Music. In addition to seasonal selections from Samuel Barber and Wolfgang Mozart, we learn all about a world premiere on the program, called Mojave Sketches for brass quintet and percussion. The composer, Navdeep Singh Galen, plus one of the performers, TSO Principal Tuba David Saltzman, give valuable insight to the work, which was inspired by the seven magic mountains art installation in California's Mojave desert.

We spend the hour getting to know Kerson Leong, who brings his violin to the Peristyle as soloist for Béla Bartók's Second Violin Concerto. Kerson leads us through the intricacies of Bartók's music, and recounts his early interest in the instrument (that is, after his parents discouraged Kerson's original choice, the double-bass - fearing transportation issues). And for our quiz of the day, we check in with Kerson's updated answers to the Violin Channel's Q&A (available on YouTube) from 2016.

As the Toledo Jazz Orchestra offers up its final performance of the season, we take the opportunity to examine the complex and virtuosic artistry of Toledo's own Art Tatum. We hear behind-the-scenes stories and marvel at Tatum's uncanny ability to transform simple melodies into one-of-a-kind showpieces for piano. We also uncover some fun facts which you may not know about Toledo's Jazz maestro in our quiz of the day!

We celebrate the return of superstar cellist Yo-Yo Ma to the Peristyle with a full house of Toledo Symphony personalities, including special guest Amy Chang (who is also a cellist). Hear stories and get to know Yo-Yo Ma through our conversation (and "Quiz"-versation), as he's not only a performing artist, but a driving force in the effort to use music to address global issues. Also, not to be forgotten is Johannes Brahms, whose final symphony pairs nicely with Yo-Yo Ma's rendition of the Elgar Cello Concerto on the program. Find out what these seemingly disparate works have in common with each other!

We highlight the Toledo Ballet's production of Sergei Prokofiev's Cinderella with guest appearances from the show's choreographer Eric Otto and the conductor of the program Jonathan McPhee. Think you know your Cinderella? Find out in our Fairy-Tale Quiz of the Day!

We delve into the wonderful wide world of Dimitri Shostakovich and his powerhouse Symphony No. 5 (which the TSO plays this weekend!). Also, we welcome the star of the show, Canadian pianist Jon Kimura Parker, who makes his Toledo Symphony debut with one of the most beloved concertos of its kind, the "Tchaik I" - a.k.a. Piotr Tchaikovsky's first piano concerto. And Did You Know? Jon Kimura Parker goes by the nickname "Jackie" when offstage. We'll explore some other well-known "Jackies" in our quiz of the day!

We spend the hour with arranger, composer, Big Band leader, Pops conductor, pianist, saxophonist, and (whew!) vocalist, Matt Catingub – who brings his talents to the Peristyle with the Toledo Jazz Orchestra. Get to know Matt as he talks about his mother, the singer Mavis Rivers (who signed on with Frank Sinatra's label in the late '60s), tells stories and drops names (George Clooney and Toni Tennille among them). Plus, we uncover some "Frank Facts" in our quiz of the day for the Sinatraphiles in our audience!

It's our April Fools Day special, as hilarity ensues with special guests Tony Geftos and Derek Emch joining us in the studio. Learn about our favorite pranks, hear some fake news reports (thank you, Tony!), and play "one true, two false" with newspaper headlines. Care to test your trivia knowledge? Try our quiz about the many shades of April. Listen in and celebrate the time of year when we all say, "April Fools!"

It's opera enthusiast time, as we welcome tenor Zach Borichevsky by phone to talk about his upcoming Puccini extravaganza at Rosary Cathedral with the TSO. We also take the opportunity to get to know Zach and his Toledo history, plus we nerd out on great tenors in our "drop-the-needle-and-name-that-tenor" quiz. What makes a singer great? Listen and find out!

It's a one-on-one between TSO Music Director Alain Trudel and WGTE's Brad Cresswell, as they preview the Toledo Jazz Orchestra's concert on March 23rd. The concert throws a spotlight on Jazz at Lincoln Center, with charts from Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn, including some of their most popular songs. We also dig into Alain's dual life as classical conductor and jazz trombonist - and how the two complement each other. And even though it isn't really fair with just one contestant, we do have a quiz: Who Wrote It? Ellington, Strayhorn, both, or neither? Come find out!

We celebrate Music in our Schools month with an overview of educational activities from the Toledo Symphony, and get to know the TSO's latest addition: Community Engagement Coordinator Ellie Lee. Joining in the discussion is the TSO's Vice President (complete with fanfare) of Education & Community Engagement, Rachel Schultz. So you think you're familiar with great educators in history? Find out in our quiz of the day!

Get to know mezzo-soprano Nina Yoshida Nelsen, who solos with the Toledo Symphony in songs by Alma Mahler. We hear Nina's story (that's pronounced NIGH-na by the way), and we learn about her activism and work in creating the Asian Opera Alliance, which advocates for greater representation of Asian voices both on the stage and behind the curtain. And later on, test your knowledge of women pioneers throughout history in our "Female Firsts" quiz!

Classical and Hip-Hop collide in this episode, which features special guest Jorge Casco, Executive Director of the Fly Dance Company. Fly Dance joins the Toledo Symphony for one performance only, combining the visceral energy of street dance with the most popular tunes from the classical repertoire. Jorge provides a behind-the-scenes look at how the Fly Dance Company does this, and how they pique the interest of young people in a whole new world that is at once familiar and yet unknown to them. And don't forget to join our panelists as they match wits in our quiz of the day, covering classical, hip-hop, and street dance!

As the excitement builds for superstar violinist Midori with the Toledo Symphony, we offer a one-on-one with TSO Music Director Alain Trudel who gives expert insight into the program, including the piece that Midori brings to the Peristyle: the beloved Mendelssohn Violin Concerto. Listen in, learn all about the music on the concert — and even test your Midori I.Q. with our quiz of the day (spoiler: Alain wins!).

It's our Valentine's Day special, SymphonyLAB style! Join us for sweet radio bon-bons and other auditory treats as we swap stories and learn about the many facets of love in our Jeopardy-themed quiz of the day. And as our gift to you, we present a special radio play – but with a twist! For the first time in TSLAB history, we turn to artificial intelligence to script our play: the new ChatGPT from Open AI. In the words of our simulated playwright, "Be sure to get your Love-a-Tron 9000 today!"

We take a look at the Toledo Symphony's all-French program, with special guest Mélisande McNabney, who solos in Francis Poulenc's harpsichord concerto at the Peristyle. Also joining us a bit later in the program is the Grammy award-winning conductor JoAnn Falletta, who provides insight into the music on the concert, which she leads with the TSO. And don't forget our quiz of the day as we test our panelists' knowledge of French composer facts! Photo of Mélisande McNabney by Matthew Perrin Photography

In this episode, we welcome soprano and arts administrator Mickey Emch back to the fold. Mickey is the vocal soloist for Elvis Costello's classical-esque take on one of Shakespeare's greatest plays, The Juliet Letters. We'll examine the music from this concert, including Beethoven's first string quartet and music for brass trio by Canadian composer Elizabeth Raum (who is also a friend and colleague of TSO Music Director Alain Trudel). And taking our cue from Beethoven's "first" in the quartet genre, we focus our quiz on various composer's very first published works.

We gear up for one of the most exciting family-friendly events of the season: Mary Poppins in Concert with the Toledo Symphony! Guest Conductor Daniel Meyer provides a glimpse behind the curtain of what it takes to bring this Disney film classic to life on the stage of the Stranahan Theater. We'll get to know Daniel inside and out, and of course, we'll test our Mary Poppins I.Q. with the quiz of the day. Tune in for a jolly 'oliday of a show!

We welcome dynamic pianist/composer Stewart Goodyear back to Toledo to perform his own music: the Caribbean-inspired dance suite for piano and orchestra, Callaloo. Not only do we hear what went into the creation of this saucy dish, we get to know Stewart himself through personal stories and shared insights. We also talk about two other "dance" works on the program: John Adams' The Chairman Dances, and Sergei Rachmaninoff's Symphonic Dances. And in keeping with tradition, we have a trivia-filled quiz of the day, Guess the Rock. Is it Sergei Rachmaninoff (AKA "Rach"), Dwayne Johnson (AKA "The Rock"), or Elvis (AKA "The King of Rock...")? Listen in and find out!

We continue our 2023 festivities with a "getting-to-know-you episode" featuring two recent additions to the Toledo Symphony family: Emily McCready (Marketing Manager at Toledo Alliance for the Performing Arts) and Georgi Dimitrov (Associate Principal Viola). Hear their stories, play some icebreaker games, and join us for a look both behind the curtain and in front of it from our special guests!

We ring in 2023 SymphonyLAB style with our predictions and resolutions — plus our favorite moments from the past year (and what we're looking forward to in 2023). And of course, it just wouldn't be a party without a quiz! Test your movie trivia knowledge with our Twixmas Movie Quote quiz! But most importantly, we wish all of you a Very Happy New Year!

In the midst of the Holidays, we find yet another reason to celebrate: Toledo SymphonyLAB's 200th episode! Our intrepid panel tests their TSLAB 101 as they take a walk down memory lane and talk about our favorite episodes from the past few years. Speaking of favorites, do you have a favorite special audio effect from the soundboard? Be sure to tune in and hear ours! *crowd cheer with applause*

It's A Swingin' Christmas as we welcome not one but two Scotts: Scott Lavender and Scott Potter, conductor and trumpeter/President respectively of the Toledo Jazz Orchestra. We hear the ensemble's backstory and open up the discussion with newly minted Artistic Director of the TJO, Alain Trudel. But wait, there's more... as we test our scottological IQ with our quiz of the day, "Great Scotts in History."

It's a full house as we celebrate the Toledo Ballet's 82nd annual Nutcracker! On the phone is the ballet's Artistic Director Eric Otto and in the studio are the Toledo Symphony's Music Director Alain Trudel - PLUS the TSO's Vanessa Gardner, Rachel Schultz and Natalie Frushour. Join us for a (mostly) made-up tag-team retelling of the Nutcracker story; insights into this newly choreographed, inclusive production, and of course, a Pop Up Plié Quiz!

It's Christmas at the Peristyle like none other, as we welcome singer and trombonist extraordinaire Aubrey Logan to the show. Fellow trombonist and conductor Alain Trudel is in-house for the panel, as we hear all about Aubrey's formidable talents. And we test our literary knowledge with a Christmas Quotes Gone Wrong quiz!

We preview and celebrate the annual Toledo Symphony performance of G.F. Handel's Messiah at Rosary Cathedral, alongside our customary TSLAB nod to Thanksgiving. Special guest Mickey Emch (who sings in Messiah) joins us for an extended dinner party, with plenty of music, fun, and quizzes – including a healthy dose of Handel and a dollop of Turkey trivia!

TSO Music Director Alain Trudel leads us into an in-depth exploration of The Great American Songbook, which is also the theme behind the Toledo Jazz Orchestra's debut concert as part of the TSO family (with Alain at the helm). We also touch on the upcoming concert with singing sensation Ledisi, who brings her Nina Simone tribute to the Peristyle. And, if you're a fan of Jazz and Big Band, you'll want to tune in for our quiz of the day!

It's all about the science of sound, as we welcome special guest Amanda Miller from Imagination Station. We'll talk about their partnership with the TSO, quiz our science knowledge, and try a crafting experiment in the studio - creating our own musical instruments.

We welcome concert pianist, conductor, professor, food and wine aficionado and all-around bon vivant Awadagin Pratt for a backstage discussion about his appearance with the Toledo Symphony. Awadagin brings a new work by Jessie Montgomery to the Peristyle, alongside two works that pay tribute to Music Director Alain Trudel and his five years at the helm of the TSO: Beethoven's iconic Fifth Symphony and Schubert's miraculous Symphony No. 8, the "Unfinished" Symphony.

We celebrate Halloween as goblins, ghouls, and ghosts rise to haunt the stage of the Valentine Theatre! It's a full (haunted) house as we welcome Alain TROLL-dell, Zak-O-Lantern Vassar, Merwin BOO, and special guest Robert "Bobbing-for-Apples" Clemens. Lots of spooky "treats" await, including our list of Top Ten Phobias, a Halloween Password game, and a deep dive into the TSO's Psycho (film with orchestra) program. As a coup de grâce, we offer up our own SymphonyLAB version of the Henrik Ibsen/Edvard Grieg classic, In The Hall of the Mountain King. Are you scared yet?

In advance of her appearance with the TSO, the wonderful pianist Élisabeth Pion joins us on the program to talk about her career thus far and the piece she brings to the Valentine theater, Wolfgang Mozart's Piano Concerto #24. It's an all-Mozart program (and podcast) which includes works written at various stages during Mozart's all-too-brief lifetime. We know about Mozart, but what were we all doing at ages 8, 17, and 29? Tune in to find out, and play along with our "Music in the Minor Key" Quiz!

We welcome the man, the legend, the conductor Carl Topilow to the show as he prepares to face the Toledo Symphony once more in a special program of favorites far and wide. We hear testimonials about Carl from his colleagues, and Carl recounts his work with the TSO and others over the years. Also, we talk up Carl's book, The Orchestral Conductor's Career Handbook, which provides a truly behind-the-scenes look at the responsibilities of the symphonic conductor. AND don't forget our quiz of the day - it's a clarinet quiz in honor of Carl's alter-ego as a virtuoso of that instrument (as we learn, Carl's clarinets come in many different colors!).

We welcome Eric Otto, the new Artistic Director of Toledo Ballet to the SymphonyLAB crew, along with TAPA Business Manager, repeat TSlabber (and former ballet dancer) Natalie Frushour. It's a getting-to-know-you episode, with games, quizzes and more!

We welcome the man, the legend, the conductor Carl Topilow to the show as he prepares to face the Toledo Symphony once more in a special program of favorites far and wide. We hear testimonials about Carl from his colleagues, and Carl recounts his work with the TSO and others over the years. Also, we talk up Carl's book, The Orchestral Conductor's Career Handbook, which provides a truly behind-the-scenes look at the responsibilities of the symphonic conductor. AND don't forget our quiz of the day - it's a clarinet quiz in honor of Carl's alter-ego as a virtuoso of that instrument (as we learn, Carl's clarinets come in many different colors!).

We welcome Eric Otto, the new Artistic Director of Toledo Ballet to the SymphonyLAB crew, along with TAPA Business Manager, repeat TSlabber (and former ballet dancer) Natalie Frushour. It's a getting-to-know-you episode, with games, quizzes and more!

Toledo Symphony Principal Keyboardist Valrie Kantorski joins us for a look under the hood of the TSO's new Taskin/Hubbard harpsichord, which is the focus of this program at the Toledo Club. Also, the TSO's David Dyer takes us to harpsichord school for some interesting historical facts (guillotine, anyone?), and we make up some new harpsichord-ish instruments in our quiz of the day!

Take a ride through the magical film scores of John Williams, as we take the Toledo Symphony's Music of John Williams concert as our point of departure. Just sit right back and you'll hear a tale... what famous TV show did JW write for? Tune in for our quiz of the day to find out!

As the new TSO season begins, we follow suit and embark on our own sixth season with all things Romeo and Juliet (musically, at least). We play some season roulette and preview what's to come. And don't forget to try your luck at our quiz of the day!

Toledo Symphony Principal Keyboardist Valrie Kantorski joins us for a look under the hood of the TSO's new Taskin/Hubbard harpsichord, which is the focus of this program at the Toledo Club. Also, the TSO's David Dyer takes us to harpsichord school for some interesting historical facts (guillotine, anyone?), and we make up some new harpsichord-ish instruments in our quiz of the day!

TSO Principal Horn Megan Amos is our guest for this episode, as she prepares to take the stage under the solo spotlight for Richard Strauss' first horn concerto. We hear the "helium-induced" version of Megan's story, and get the backstory on Strauss' horn concerto. Inspired by Strauss' relationship with his father (a famous horn player), we examine the parent/child relationship both in personal terms and in our quiz of the day. But wait, there's more – as we visit with the other composers on the program, J.S. Bach and Robert Schumann.

Take a ride through the magical film scores of John Williams, as we take the Toledo Symphony's Music of John Williams concert as our point of departure. Just sit right back and you'll hear a tale... what famous TV show did JW write for? Tune in for our quiz of the day to find out!

As the new TSO season begins, we follow suit and embark on our own sixth season with all things Romeo and Juliet (musically, at least). We play some season roulette and preview what's to come. And don't forget to try your luck at our quiz of the day!

It's a one-on-one conversation with Toledo Symphony Music Director Alain Trudel. We not only talk about Alain's path to Toledo, but also dig deep behind the curtain and survey the celebrated conductor's preferences, both professional and personal. If there's one takeaway to this episode, it's the gaurantee that after listening, you'll be much more familiar with Alain than ever before!

Looking to Memorial Day 2022 and this TSO program, we welcome special guest Rodney Miller - revered conductor and John Philip Sousa authority. Rodney tells us his story and all about Sousa. Be sure to test your Sousa IQ with our little quiz, Sousa or Barnum?

We spend time with violinist extraordinaire Nick Kendall (a.k.a. "Nicky Diamondz," a.k.a. "Nicky Five Tones," a.k.a. "Little Nicky") one third of the superstar string trio Time for Three and their appearance in Toledo with the TSO. Learn the backstory behind Nick and the trio (including those "nick"names), their venture into singing territory, and some exciting recent projects – including creating the soundtrack for Robin Wright's directorial debut film, Land. Also, do you know which famous trio (not Time for Three) has a museum in Pennsylvania dedicated to their many antics? No? Be sure to check out our quiz of the day: Famous Trios in History (a.k.a. Trio Trivia)!

We talk about one of the TSO's most important programs, the Toledo Symphony Youth Orchestras. Joining us for a conversation about how the TSO is preparing the next generation of musicians (or just instilling important values through music), are four special guests: Rachel Schultz, Director of Education; conductor Chad Hutchinson (who leads the Symphonic Orchestra in an upcoming program); TSYO Coordinator Samantha Zelnick, and longtime (now retired) manager of the Youth Orchestras, Dorothy Coats.

TSO Music Director Alain Trudel puts on his composer hat for this episode, along with composer Christopher Dietz for a conversation about their music which is being premiered by the Toledo Symphony on June 3rd. Alain's new work is for piano and orchestra, called Alter(e), with star pianist Charles Richard-Hamelin, while Chris Dietz premieres his explosive work for orchestra, Origin Story. As Alain tells us, his piece took shape mostly during the pandemic (when he had time to write). As for Chris, his work's title can refer to many things, but in this case it's the story of "us" – the origin and evolution of the human species itself. Plus, we explore a different kind of "origin story" with our quiz of the day!

We offer a heartfelt tribute to Richard P. (Dick) Anderson, who until his death at age 90 last year was an indefatigable champion of the arts (in addition to being a pillar of the business and agricultural worlds). As the Toledo Symphony prepares to memorialize the man with music, we reminisce on Dick's lifetime of giving back to the community – and his legacy which will be felt for many years to come.

The Canadian Brass are descending on the Toledo Museum of Art Peristyle with the Toledo Symphony. We mark the occasion with a tribute to one of the most popular classical groups of all time. Stick around and test your All-Canadian IQ with a collection of quizzes, one about Canadian slang, one about the Canadian Brass in particular, and two about Canada itself.