Podcasts about classical classroom

Violinist and Classical Classroom mascot Rachel Barton Pine is back to teach all about the violin concertos of Czech composer Antonin Dvorak and Soviet-Armenian Aram Khachaturian. Learn about their lives and music! Get lost with Dvorak in New York City! Hear about Khachaturian becoming a new father! Find out who threw shade at Dvorak and mucked up his whole concerto composing process, and how Khachaturian wrote his concerto in a blissed-out creative flurry. Also, learn about what makes "folk music" folksy and other music...not. 

It's been nearly six years since we started the Classical Classroom podcast in a small shed that also housed producer Todd's lawn mower. Since then, a lot has happened. We've learned so much from our amazing guests, traveled to music festivals, had parties and game show quizzes, talked to the dead, had trumpet lessons, and we moved into a storage unit behind KING FM in Seattle. Todd also got a new lawn mower.  In this episode, we'll revisit some of our favorite moments from the last 200 episodes and hear from some friends of the show along the way. Join us, won't you?  

There’s a lot going on in a glorious opera like Carmen: principal singers, chorus, orchestra, dancers, actors, costumes, sets, lights, fight scenes, wigs, drama! How on earth does something with so many moving parts manage to make it to the stage? Dacia Clay, of Classical KING FM 98.1 and the terrific Classical Classroom podcast, enjoyed a command performance of the show. She seized the opportunity to interrupt the opera and question the cast and crew about their role in bringing this magnificent beast of an opera to life. Learn all about the story – the one the audience sees and the one behind the stage – in this special Seattle Opera Podcast/Classical Classroom crossover episode.  All music in this episode from Seattle Opera’s performances of Carmen. Special thanks to Cellist Meeka Quan DiLorenzo, Director Paul Curran, Chorus Mezzo soprano Susan Salas, Mezzo soprano Ginger Costa-Jackson, Assistant Lighting Designer Connie Yun, Fight Choreographer Geoff Alm, Tenor Scott Quinn, Baritone Rodion Pogossov, Wigmaster Ashlee Naegle, and Conductor Giacomo Sagripanti. Carmen runs May 4 to 19, 2019 at Seattle Opera! Seattleopera.org/carmen for more info.

We love celebrating our alumni here at Classical Classroom, and Jade Simmons is one of our faves. This episode is from way back in 2013 when Jade was merely a very successful woman. Now, she's the host of iTunes #1 music podcast, Decomposed. A podcast rock star. We couldn't be more stoked for her. And we're kind of riding on her coattails by posting this rerun. Just a little.  -------------- Artists as entrepreneurs, Lady Gaga, horror movies, and Schubert! In this episode, concert pianist, author, lecturer, Huffington Post contributor, and probable superhero, Jade Simmons chats with Dacia about how Schubert's "Unfinished" Symphony changed her life. Audio production by Todd “ToHu” Hulslander with knowing winks of encouragement from Dacia Clay. Music from this episode includes: Schubert, Symphony, No. 8 in B minor D.759, aka the “Unfinished Symphony”

March is Music Education Month on the Classical Classroom, but it's also Bach's birthday month. So, it's obviously the perfect time to revisit this episode with Simone Dinnerstein in which we discuss a music education program she started about the music of Bach. (Bam. Venn diagram intersection = achieved!) Learn about the music of Bach, and perhaps, take some cues from Simone on bringing music ed to your own community. Special thanks to Todd Reynolds for his music, Taskforce: Farmlab from Outerbourough.

Grammy-nominated composer Mason Bates is also a bona fide DJ. As DJ Masonic, he brings classical music and electronica together on the dance floor at clubs like San Francisco's Mezzanine. As a composer, he brings the sounds of electronica to classical music in places like the Kennedy Center (where he's composer-in-residence). And so it's fitting that Bates' first opera is about famed Apple tech guru, Steve Jobs. But even for someone as comfortable in multiple musical worlds as Mason Bates, can it really work to tell a decidedly 21st century story using a 400-year-old medium? Turns out, yes. In this special crossover podcast (with Dacia Clay of Classical Classroom), Bates explains why Jobs' story and opera go together like iPhones and jelly. Wait...

To get ready for Bach's March birthday, we bring you the fascinating story of a man on a mission to bring Bach to the people. Bach's music changed cellist Dale Henderson's life. Though the concert hall was a fab venue for sharing this music, Dale wasn't satisfied to stop there. Bach's music, he felt, was for everyone  - not just classical music fans. So he schlepped his cello down into a New York City subway, and started playing "pop-up" concerts (for free). And thus, Bach in the Subways was born. The ongoing project now spans more than 40 countries where hundreds of musicians participate in their own cities' public spaces. Check out a video of Dale playing Bach at Classical KING FM (home of the Classical Classroom)! Special thanks to Todd Reynolds for his music, Taskforce: Farmlab from Outerbourough.   

Violinist (and veteran Classical Classroom guest) Rachel Barton Pine talks all about her Music by Black Composers initiative, a project that's been in the works for 15 years, and the companion album she recently released called Blues Dialogues, Vol. 1. She discusses why projects like this are important, especially in the classical music world, advocacy vs. cultural appropriation, and talks about the great music on the album. Music in this episode: Special thanks to Todd Reynolds for his music, Taskforce: Farmlab from Outerbourough.

We love it when Classroom alums get recognized for their awesomeness. Such is the case for soprano Sonya Yoncheva. In addition to receiving the Opera Award by the Chilean Art Critics Circle, Sonya is on the cover of the Metropolitan Opera's wall calendar this year. We thought this was a great occasion to rerun her episode of Classical Classroom and to say, "You go, gworl." -------------------- In our first MusicWorks episode (that's our storytelling-centered subseries), soprano Sonya Yoncheva tells the story of how she happened upon her passion – singing opera – by being true to herself (and listening to her mother) and by practicing her buns off. This put her in a position to be ready when she got that call from the Met to fill in at the last moment. And the rest, as they say, is in the podcast. Audio production by Todd “Totally” Hulslander with awesomeness by Dacia Clay. Music in this episode: Giacomo Puccini: La Boheme – Donde lieta usci Charles Lecocq: Les Cent Vierges, Act III, No. 10 Je soupire et maudis le destin Giuseppe Verdi: La Traviata – Sempre libera Claudio Monteverdi: L’incoronazione di Poppea – “Pur ti Miro” (Sonya Yoncheva & Max Emanuel Cencic) W. A. Mozart: Il Re Pastore – “L’Amero saro costante” (Sonya Yoncheva & Marc Minkowski) Charles Gounod – Faust Final Trio – Anges Purs – Sonya Yoncheva, Joseph Calleja & Bryn Terfel Learn about composer George Heathco’s piece, “ReGifting Lions”, part of our MusicWorks intro, and oh-so-much more about him at www.georgeheathcomusic.com.   

Violinist Hilary Hahn has achieved more at just 39 years old than most of us will in a couple of lifetimes: multiple Grammy awards, 1594 concerts (so far), 20+ albums, 2 episodes of the Classical Classroom podcast, 2 kids, and a talking violin case. In this episode, Hahn talks about how much practice it actually takes to be her, her #100daysofpractice challenge on Instagram, and about how much work went in to her latest album, Hilary Hahn Plays Bach: Sonatas 1 and 2 Partita 1.  Music in this episode:   Special Thanks to Todd Reynolds for his music, Taskforce: Farmlab from Outerbourough. 

Sometimes composers just make stuff up. That is the lesson that Grammy-winning, super duper famous violinist Joshua Bell teaches in this episode of Classical Classroom. He also talks about how this is not just okay - it can be great, as it is in the piece "Scottish Fantasy" by composer Max Bruch. Learn about who Bruch was and where this piece came from (spoiler alert: not Scotland). Music in this episode:  Special Thanks to Todd Reynolds for his music, Taskforce: Farmlab from Outerbourough.  

Composer Jono Hill was given a unique task: to compose the score for a film about a classical musician. The movie As Far as the Eye Can See (directed by David Franklin and written by Paden Fallis) follows Jack Ridge, a now 40-year-old former Van Cliburn Competition winner who is more or less hiding out on his family's land in Texas. In this episode of Classical Classroom, Hill talks about the unique process of composing for film, and about the special challenges of composing for a movie with classical music at its center. Music in this episode: Tubaluba presents "Tubaluba Tidal Wave" featuring Janet Schwab Brahms Six Piano Pieces, Op. 118 Intermezzo in A Minor Murray Perahia, piano Special Thanks to Todd Reynolds for his music, Taskforce: Farmlab from Outerbourough.  

Pianist Angela Draghicescu never meant to become a classical music investigator. But a simple desire to play good music led her to an unavoidable conclusion: some very important composers were grossly underrepresented in classical music repertoire. But...why?, she wondered. Authorities seemed stumped and inquiries into the whereabouts of these composers' work turned up only dead ends. And thus began Angela's emotional journey to find answers. That search resulted in the creation of her project, Women Who Score. It also took Classical Classroom down a terrifying rabbit hole full of twists, turns, and questions as we, too, tried to find out what happened to the music of women composers throughout history. Music in this episode: Special Thanks to Todd Reynolds for his music, Taskforce: Farmlab from Outerbourough.

The Classical Classroom is back! But from where?? Hear host Dacia Clay recount the epic, harrowing tale behind the show's hiatus in this teaser episode. New full, real episodes will be out any day now. Dacia will be asking even more, even dumber questions about classical music. Come learn with us. Again.

Classical Classroom is finally coming back. Dacia Clay will be asking even more, even dumber questions about classical music to really smart people like Joshua Bell, Sharon Isbin, Hillary Hahn, Miro Quartet, Jono Hill, Anne Akiko Meyers, and many, many more. 

This episode does double duty: teaches you all about the trumpet and trumpet playing, while carrying out the secondary mission of Classical Classroom, i.e., the humiliation of the show’s host. Trumpet players George Chase and Jason Adams of the River Oaks Chamber Orchestra teach former trumpet player Dacia a trumpet lesson. Along the way, they say all kinds of important things about the history of the instrument. Plus, there are duck calls! Music in this episode: Brandenburg Concerto No. 2 in F Major Mvt. 3 -Bach played by the River Oaks Chamber Orchestra Duo No. 1 by Chris Gecker played by George Chase and Jason Adams Audio production by Todd “Ah!” Hulslander with running and hiding by Dacia Clay.

The story of Mozart’s death has, over the years, taken on an awful lot of…story. Extant theories regarding how he died number in the hundreds and are still emerging. Even yours truly did an episode of Classical Classroom to try to get to the bottom of the whole thing. In this episode, Dr. Robert Greenberg, a music historian and bestselling creator of courses for the Great Courses and the Teaching Company (and now, for Robert Greenberg Music), explains the facts that we know that we know about how Mozart died. Plus, we explore why it’s so hard for us to accept that incredible human beings like Mozart can, and do die, of totally boring, normal causes. Audio production by Todd “Wolfie” Hulslander with suspicious eyeballing by Dacia Clay.

Classical music: the future frontier. These are the voyages of the podcast Classical Classroom. It’s mission: to explore strange new music – Sorry. I’ll stop. Where was I? Right! Composer, performer, and Mannes College of Musiccomposition faculty member, Missy Mazzoli talks to us about the future of classical music, from the future, aka, New York. Also talked about in this episode: Beth Morrison, Schoenberg, David Little, pillow fights, Lars von Trier, eighth blackbird, Richard Reed Parry, Bryce Dessner, Victoire, Abigail Fischer, “bands” vs. “ensembles”, operatic voice, and streaming music. PS, If you’re in the Houston area, Missy’s opera, Song from the Uproar, will be making its premiere here at Da Camera in March of 2015. For more info, click here! Audio production of this episode by Todd “Tisk Tisk” Hulslander with buckets of help from Dacia Clay. All music in this episode was composed by Missy Mazzoli. For more about Missy Mazzoli: www.missymazzoli.com

Spoon boy: Do not try and bend the spoon. That’s impossible. Instead, only try to realize the truth. Neo: What truth? Spoon boy: There is no spoon. Neo: There is no spoon? Spoon boy: Then you’ll see that it is not the spoon that bends; it is only yourself. – from The Matrix Dr. George E. Lewis is the Neo of the classical music Matrix. He doesn’t have a great deal of use for preconceived notions of genre and form and he doesn’t have a lot of time to worry about definitions. That’s because he’s pretty darn busy making music and art. In addition to chairing the Composition Area at Columbia University, he’s a composer, an electronic performer, an installation artist, a trombone player and a scholar. In this episode of Classical Classroom, Dr. Lewis pauses for a moment to talk about his experimental classical music, and about what he’s been doing at Rice University with the James Turrell Sky Space using the things Houston is best known for: its crazy weather and its diverse people. Music in this episode : “Anthem” performed by Wet Ink Ensemble from Relay, by George Lewis “Give It Up Or Turn It Loose” by James Brown from Sex Machine (live at Bell Auditorium, Augusta, Georgia) Audio production by Todd “Typical Todd” Hulslander with digitization by Dacia Clay and assistance from Mark DiClaudio. By the way, in this episode, Dr. Lewis talks about an art installation that he worked on with artist Carroll Parrott Blue for the Contemporary Arts Museum Houston called Whispering Bayou. Among the many cool things about this piece, in it, Lewis and Blue used recordings of Houstonians representing many of the 145 languages that are spoken in the city. Learn more here in this short video from Houston Public Media’s Arts InSight.

Okay, so we are re-gifting this year’s holiday episode from our 2013 collection. But it’s only because we thought you’d like it! Please re-enjoy learning about this gorgeous, never-gets-old classic. And from all of us at Classical Classroom HQ: peace, joy, and ALL THE PRESENTS to you this year! We all know The Nutcracker, right? Wrong! In this episode of Classical Classroom, Shelly Power (director, Houston Ballet Academy) and Michael Remson (executive director, AFA) blow your minds with the history of the ballet and a behind-the-scenes look at the massive undertaking that putting on the show entails every year. All music in this episode from The Nutcracker: Score by Pyotr Illyich Tchaikovsky Original choreography by Marius Petipas and Lev Ivanov Libretto adapted from E.T.A. Hoffmann’s story, The Nutcracker and the Mouse King Audio production by Todd “Pas de Todd” Hulslander with sugarplum fairies dancing in her head by Dacia Clay.

Holy 150th episode, Batman! Because we are so stoked to have reached this milestone, we bring you not one, but two treats: A new Classical Classroom show intro, and the comedic stylings of violinist Jennifer Koh. Jennifer was Musical America’s Instrumentalist of 2016 and recently put out an album of Tchaikovsky’s complete works for violin and orchestra. Some of Tchaikovsky’s pieces are commonly referred to as, “…the most daunting works in the violin repertoire.” Jennifer explains why a composer would write something that musicians consider intimidating to play, and why musicians like her have fun feeling the fear and doing it anyway. Also in this episode, bear witness to astonishingly inept sports talk, and the best story about a violinist playing softball ever. All music in this episode from Jennifer Koh’s CD, Tchaikovsky’s Complete Works for Violin and Orchestra. Audio production by Todd “Birthday Boy” Hulslander with assistance from Mark DiClaudio and parkour by Dacia Clay. Many thanks to our listeners for all the love and listening so far! You guys rawk. This episode brought to you by the following fake organization:

Before you get all excited, no: the Cypress String Quartet has not reunited. It’s just that we at Classical Classroom have been so busy that we’re a wee bit behind the times. By like…5 months-ish. This episode was originally recorded back in June of 2016, 3 days before the quartet’s last performance after 20 years together, and just after the release of their CD Beethoven: The Early String Quartets. CST members Jennifer Kloetzel (cello) and Tom Stone (violin) talk about how Beethoven’s music brought the group together, and about mastering his music from end to beginning. Learn about Beethoven’s periods and how his music toys with listeners’ emotions like a bad BF (Beethoven friend). Then learn who broke up the band! Music in this episode (all Beethoven performed by the Cypress String Quartet): String Quartet in B-flat Major Op.130  Grosse Fugue  String Quartet No. 1 in F Major, Op. 18 No.1: II. Adagio affettuoso ed appassionato String Quartet No. 8, Op. 59 No.2 “Rasumovsky”: II. Molto Adagio String Quartet No. 8 Op. 59 No. 2 “Raumovsky”: III. Allegretto Audio production by Todd “Middle Period” Hulslander with marginal help from Dacia Clay and assistance from Mark DiClaudio.

Fun fact: "Gilmore Girls" scripts are almost twice as long as other TV shows of comparable length. In this regard, this is the "Gilmore Girls" of "Classical Classroom" episodes. Andy Meyerson and Travis Andrews of the Living Earth Show teach all about electro-acoustic chamber music, sure, but they do a lot more. In addition to talking about the composers and works they commission, and about experimental classical music in general, you are guaranteed to hear boiling water used musically, and at least one verbal treatise on Lars Ulrich of Metallica. Take notes, people. This is pure gold. By the way, the Living Earth Show will be releasing a new album in late October called Dance Music. You'll preview music from that album in this episode. Check them out here: www.tles.bandcamp.com Music in this episode: - "Helpless," from Garage Days Re-Revisited by Metallica. - "Enter Sandman," from Metallica by Metallica. - Performed by the Living Earth Show: -- Family Sing-A-Long and Game Night (composed by Nicole Lizée) -- The Bell, The Ball, The Bow-Tie, & The Boot (composed by Jonathan Pfeffer) -- Tassel (composed by Anna Meredith) Audio production by Todd "Stevie Ray Todd" with keyboards by Dacia Clay and editing by Mark DiClaudio.

We’ve retrieved an episode from the Classical Classroom Wayback Machine for Chamber Music Month! Please, by all means, enjoy. ——————————————- The Grammy-nominated Enso String Quartet puts the “class” in this episode of Classical Classroom. We discuss where string quartets come from, why the instruments in a quartet go together so well, what sets Enso apart from other string quartets, and what it’s like to play live (which apparently sometimes includes hitting yourself in the face and dancing to get away from bees). Music in this episode includes: Franz Joseph Haydn, String Quartet in C Major, Op.76 No.3 Hob. III:77, “Emperor”, Mvt. 1. Allegro & Mvt 2 Poco adagio, cantabile. Performed by the Kodaly Quartet (Naxos, 8.550314) Franz Schubert, Quartet No. 12 in C minor, “Quartett-Satz”. Performed by Enso String Quartet Kurt Stallman, “Following Franz” Richard Strauss, Quartet in A Major, Op. 2: 1. Allegro Audio production by Todd “He-Man” Hulslander with a few carefully-worded complaints from Dacia Clay.

Today – that is April 18th 2016 – much of our fair city of Houston is underwater. There was a big scary flood, the power’s out, the roads are lakes, and we, the Classical Classroom team, literally can’t get to the station to access the files we need to post our new episode. We tried to cobble together an ark, but it turns out that’s a whole thing. However! Through sheer grit, determination and the power of the human spirit to use computers, we have unearthed this episode with Todd Reynolds, which we think – nay! – we know you will enjoy. Also, on a serious note, our city is in bad shape and a lot of folks are going to need some help after the floodwaters subside. If you can help, visit the Texas Red Cross Gulf Coast Region website and make a donation. That’s also a good place to go if you are in need of help.   What do we mean when we say “classical music”? Sure, sure: it refers to a period of music, like “Baroque” or “Romantic”. But we largely use the word as a sort of generic brand-name for a specific variety of sound. In this episode of Classical Classroom, genre-ignoring violinist Todd Reynolds attempts to define classical music. Does he succeed? Does he give up and just start talking about Prince instead? Maybe and maybe! Listen to this episode to find out. Audio production by Todd “Timbalander” Hulslander with at least 3 really good suggestions from Dacia Clay. Music in this episode: Third Construction by John Cage Composition for Four Instruments by Milton Babbitt “Pulses” from Music for 18 Musicians by Steve Reich Symphony No. 41 (the “Jupiter Symphony”), Molto Allegro by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart “Happy” from G I R L by Pharrell Williams “Let’s Go Crazy” from Purple Rain by Prince and the Revolution “Crossroads” and “Taskforce: Farmlab” from Outerborough by Todd Reynolds Fantasia in G Major, BWV 571 by Johann Sebastian Bach Todd Reynolds was a special guest of the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Center for the Arts. ABOUT THE MITCHELL CENTER The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Center for the Arts is dedicated to interdisciplinary collaboration across the performing, visual, and literary arts. Based at the University of Houston, the Mitchell Center commissions and produces new works, presents public performances and exhibitions, offers curriculum and scholarships, and hosts residencies with renowned visiting artists from throughout the world. The Center is home to the Mitchell Artist Lecture, an annual event featuring a pioneer in contemporary art-making, as well as CounterCurrent, an annual spring festival of new performance. The Mitchell Center forms an alliance among five departments at UH: the School of Art, Moores School of Music, School of Theatre & Dance, Creative Writing Program, and Blaffer Art Museum. For more information visit www.mitchellcenterforarts.org. For more about Todd Reynolds check out his blog: www.toddreynolds.wordpress.com

In honor of Presidents Day, we are rerunning not one, but TWO very presidential episodes of Classical Classroom. Originally, our discussion with AFA’s ‎executive and artistic director Michael Remson was so epic — spanning John Adams’ entire Nixon in China opera — that we divided it into two episodes. For your listening pleasure, we’ve merged the two episodes into one here. So, go get some apple pie, your whittling tools, and a glass of whiskey (this is how we imagine you listen to all Classical Classroom episodes) and settle in. In the first part of our conversation with composer, author, educator, and executive director of the American Festival for the Arts, Dr. Michael Remson, we cover Act 1 of Nixon in China:  world history, music history, and singing politicians. In Act 2, we meet the ladies. You don’t want to miss Mme. Mao yelling, opera-style. Richard Nixon playing piano in Beverly Hills, Calif., 1962 Audio production by Todd “The Toddler” Hulslander, with management oversight by Mr. Torey Malatia. JK! It was Dacia Clay. Music used in this episode includes: John Adams, Nixon in China. Libretto by Alice Goodman, Orchestra of St. Luke’s, Edo De Waart conducting. Nonesuch 79177.

Happy New Year, everybody! Get ready for an astonishing onslaught of awesome, a veritable juggernaut of wow, from Classical Classroom in 2016 (John Luther Adams! The Force Awakens! Alisa Weilerstein!), starting with this episode featuring Rufus Wainwright.   You may know Rufus Wainwright as a singer-songwriter, a piano man, a dude who hangs out with Elton John and Joni Mitchell. But as it turns out, he also writes classical music and opera. In this episode, he talks about his new opera, Prima Donna, and writing a traditional romantic opera today. Audio production by Todd “Toddwright” Hulslander with polite claps from Dacia Clay and editing by Mark DiClaudio. All music in this episode from the opera Prima Donna, available on Deutsche Grammophon.

  2013 was – I think we can all agree – a magical year. It was the year of the arthouse film Sharknado, the year of the Harlem Shake, and the year that Justin Bieber was separated from his pet monkey. But more important than any of those moments? Thanksgivukkah happened. Learn all about this phenomenon, about the history of Hanukkah, and about the music of the holiday in this Classical Classroom episode from the vault. Happy Thanksgivukkah everyone! That’s right: the Julian and the Hebrew calendars have aligned this year to create a day even more amazing than Hanukkah and more delicious than Thanksgiving. There won’t be another until the year 79811! To honor this rare occasion, Cantor Benjamin Matis of the Shelter Rock Jewish Center in Roslyn, New York in Long Island schools us on the history and music of Hanukkah. Audio production by Todd “Toddfurky” Hulslander with a side of help and gravy from Dacia Clay. Music in this episode includes: John Williams’ Star Wars (Main Theme) Ma’oz Tzur (Ashkenazi and Sephardic versions) George Frideric Handel’s Judas Maccabaeus (HWV 63) Richard Tucker singing “Sound an Alarm” (Judas Maccabaeus) David Paskin, The Ballad of Thanksgivukkah

Producer Todd thought he needed to take a “vacation” with his “family” last week, so we are giving you this month-appropriate rerun before returning next week with a slew, a treasure trove, a veritable cornucopia of new episodes. Meanwhile, sit back, relax, and learn about these great women of classical music. – Dacia —————————————– It’s Women’s History Month up in the Classroom! Houston Public Media’s own Amy Bishop (see also, Episode 9: Tone Poems) teaches us all about female classical music composers, from the millennia-old ethereal sounds of Hildegard von Bingen, to the contemporary works of Jennifer Higdon. Why have so many women composed classical music but so few have become household names (yet)? We jiu jitsu that question and others in this episode! Audio production by Todd “von Toddgen” Hulslander with double-plus masterful editorial decisions by Dacia Clay. Music in this episode: – Hildegard von Bingen: Caritas Abundat in Omnia (Love Abounds All) – Clara Schumann: Piano Concerto in a minor, Opus 7 (first movement) – Jennifer Higdon: Blue Cathedral For more about Classical Classroom, go to www.houstonpublicmedia.org/classroom. For more about Women’s History Month, go to www.womenshistorymonth.gov.

Classical music: the future frontier. These are the voyages of the podcast Classical Classroom. It’s mission: to explore strange new music – Sorry. I’ll stop. Where was I? Right! Composer, performer, and Mannes College of Musiccomposition faculty member, Missy Mazzoli talks to us about the future of classical music, from the future, aka, New York. Also talked about in this episode: Beth Morrison, Schoenberg, David Little, pillow fights, Lars von Trier, eighth blackbird, Richard Reed Parry, Bryce Dessner, Victoire, Abigail Fischer, “bands” vs. “ensembles”, operatic voice, and streaming music. PS, If you’re in the Houston area, Missy’s opera, Song from the Uproar, will be making its premiere here at Da Camera in March of 2015. For more info, click here! Audio production of this episode by Todd “Tisk Tisk” Hulslander with buckets of help from Dacia Clay. All music in this episode was composed by Missy Mazzoli. For more about Missy Mazzoli: www.missymazzoli.com

This episode does double duty: teaches you all about the trumpet and trumpet playing, while carrying out the secondary mission of Classical Classroom, i.e., the humiliation of the show’s host. Trumpet players George Chase and Jason Adams of the River Oaks Chamber Orchestra teach host and former trumpet player, host Dacia, a trumpet lesson. Along the way, they say all kinds of important things about the history of the instrument. Plus, there are duck calls! Varieties of trumpet and mutes. Photo by Dacia Clay. Audio production by Todd “Ah!” Hulslander with running and hiding by Dacia Clay. Music in this episode: – Brandenburg Concerto No. 2 in F Major Mvt. 3 -Bach played by the River Oaks Chamber Orchestra – Duo No. 1 by Chris Gecker played by George Chase and Jason Adams For more about the River Oaks Chamber Orchestra: www.rocohouston.org For more about George Chase, check that very same link. For more about Jason Adams: www.trumpetowner.com But wait! There’s more! In case you didn’t get enough trumpet in Episode 63, this short is for you! Trumpet players George Chase and Jason Adams tell what the daily life of the trumpet player is like, and bring out the gadgets: Mutes and trumpet varieties galore. Oh, but we’re not done yet: You can see video – yes, video! – of George and Jason giving Dacia a trumpet lesson right here! Special thanks, by the way, to videographer Troy Schulze for his help with this outtake.  Trumpet players George Chase and Jason Adams give Classical Classroom host, Dacia Clay, a trumpet lesson. Article thumbnail image: (L-R) Trumpet players George Chase and Jason Adams. Photo by Dacia Clay.

August is Arts Appreciation Month! During August, Houston Public Media Arts and Culture is paying tribute to art forms that have inspired other art forms. We thought this Classical Classroom rerun fit with that theme perfectly, hence the rerunning. The remix has been alive as long as the Beastie Boys’ “License to Ill”. JK! It’s been around for as long as music. Learn how composers have been inspired by, paid tribute to, given tips of the hat to, and plain ripped off, each other since the very beginning. MusicLab intern, composer, drummer, and snappy dresser, Daniel Webbon tells all. Audio production by Todd “Sir Toddeus of Toddleton” Hulslander with serving suggestions by Dacia Clay. Music used in this episode includes: – Aerosmith and RUN-DMC “Walk This Way” (with an appearance by Missy Elliott) – Dies Irae: Gregorian Chant from the 13th century – Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Twelve Variations on “Ah vous dirai-je, Maman”, K. 265/300e – Gustav Mahler, Symphony No. 1 in D major – Dmitri Shostakovich, String Quartet No. 8 in C minor (Op. 110) – George Gershwin and DuBose Heyward, “Bess, You Is My Woman Now” from the opera Porgy and Bess – Miles Davis and Gil Evans, “Bess, You Is My Woman Now” from the album Porgy and Bess – Luciano Berio, Sinfonia

We put on our pith helmets, grab our binoculars, and train our compasses south for this Classical Classroom expedition to Brazil and Argentina. Pianist and educator Tali Morgulis talks about composers Villa-Lobos, Ginastera, Prado, and Piazzolla, how the classical music of South America differs from that of Europe, and…the tango! Audio production by Todd “Tango” Hulslander, with nuevo by Dacia Clay. All music used in this episode comes from the CD Archipelago of Light by Tali Morgulis: – Sonata No. 1, Op. 22 by Alberto Ginastera – Children’s Carnival by Heitor Villa-Lobos – Tango Suite by Astor Piazzolla – Islands by Almeida Prado For more about Tali Morgulis: www.tali.morgulis.net

How did classical guitar – and therefore, all guitar as we know it – almost become extinct? Who was the hero who saved it from the brink of doom? Why aren’t guitars an orchestral instrument? And why are guitarists nails so shiny? Classical guitarist Valerie Hartzell – member of the Presti Trio and director of the Classical Minds Guitar Institute – answers all of these burning questions and more in the big 5-0 episode of Classical Classroom. Audio production by Todd “Terrific” Hulslander with “helpful” input from Dacia Clay. Music in this episode: – Oud music by Said Chraibi – Spanish guitar in the Renaissance and Baroque by José Miguel Moreno – “Be M’An Perdut, chanson de troubadour” by Bernart De Ventadorn (c.1140-c.1200) – Recuerdos de la Alhambra by Francisco Tarrega, from Ex Tenebris…Lux, performed by Valerie Hartzell – Danzas Gitanas, Op. 55: I. Zambra by Joaquin Turina from the self-titled CD by Presti Trio For more about Valerie Hartzell: www.valeriehartzell.com For information about the Classical Minds Guitar Institute: www.uh.edu To see video of Valerie performing in our studio, go here. To hear St. John Flynn’s interview with her about the Classical Minds Guitar Institute and Competition, go here. Photo from the Anchorage Daily News.

How are the Black Keys and Beethoven alike? They both had the low-down dirty blues. JK! They both compose(d) music for two instruments! You’ve heard his symphonies. Now hear cellist Norman Fischer – of the Fischer Duo, the Concord String Quartet, and Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music – talk about Beethoven’s chamber works for cello and piano. Why did Beethoven create music for a new, tiny arrangement of instruments? Did he do it for the dolla dolla billz? Did he do it to impress a king? Find out in this episode of Classical Classroom! Audio production for this episode by Todd “Tiddlywinks” Hulslander with no production help whatsoever from that lazy nogoodnik Dacia Clay. All music in this episode performed by the Fischer Duo, and most of this comes from the Fischer Duo’s new CD, “Beethoven: Cello and Piano Complete“.

Dacia Clay is either presenting a case to the Supreme Court or having a pint in Adams Morgan, I can’t remember which. Anyway, she has not shown up to work, so we are going to re-run a previous show about chamber music. What’s that? It is National Chamber Music Month? Well now, that just works out, doesn’t it? Enjoy…  –Todd Chamber music, performing live as a group, and how movement informs music! In this episode, WindSync wind quintet talk about all of those things and about life as a touring group. Hotel rooms are trashed (okay, not really)! Miley Cyrus is discussed (very probably)! WindSync gets schooled by tango (definitely)! Audio production by Todd “Ermahgerd” Hulslander with “help” from Dacia Clay. For more about WindSync, go to www.windsync.org.  For more about Classical Classroom, go to www.classical917.org/classroom. Love our shows? Show us by donating a few bucks here: bit.ly/UQweya. Donations contribute directly to your own continued audio happiness! Music in this episode includes performances by WindSync!: Leonard Bernstein (arr. WindSync), Overture to Candide Astor Piazzolla (arr. WindSync), Histoire du Tango Cafe 1930 Gallo Ciego (w/ Hector Del Curto on bandoneon)

  Rachel Barton Pine, classical violinist, and member of the metal band Earthen Grave, has played with orchestras all over the world, and under the baton of many renowned conductors. But in this episode of the Classical Classroom, she comes back to a piece – over, and over, and over, and over – studied by every young violin player. Rachel shows us how Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in E Minor has been interpreted by violinists across history and cultures, and how this ebullient piece is given new life by each new musician who plays it. Rachel Barton Pine, classical violinist, and member of the metal band Earthen Grave, has played with orchestras all over the world, and under the baton of many renowned conductors. But in this episode of the Classical Classroom, she comes back to a piece – over, and over, and over, and over – studied by every young violin player. Rachel shows us how Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in E Minor has been interpreted by violinists across history and cultures, and how this ebullient piece is given new life by each new musician who plays it. Audio production by Todd “Toddy Ruxpin” Hulslander, with kind of creepy hovering during the editing process by Dacia Clay. Music in this episode: – “Life Carries On” from Dismal Times, by Earthen Grave – Brahm’s Violin Concerto, Rachel Barton Pine with Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Carlos Kalmar conducting. – “Rock You Like a Hurricane” from Love at First Sting by the Scorpions. – “Ice Cream Man” from Van Halen by Van Halen. – Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in E Minor as performed (not necessarily in this order) by: — Rachel Barton Pine with Gottinger Symphonie Orchester. Christoph-Mathias Mueller conducting. — Joshua Bell with Camerata Salzburg. Roger Norrington conducting. — Fritz Kreisler with Berlin State Opera Orchestra. Leo Blech conducting. — Jascha Heifetz with Boston Symphony Orchestra. Sir Thomas Beecham conducting. — Maxim Vengerov with Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra. Kurt Masur conducting. — Isaac Stern with Philadelphia Orchestra. Eugene Ormandy conducting. — Henryk Szeryng with London Symphony Orchestra. Antal Dorati conducting. — Nathan Milstein with New York Philharmonic. Bruno Walter conducting. — Anne-Sophie Mutter with Berlin Philharmonic. Herbert von Karajan conducting.  — Itzhak Perlman by London Symphony Orchestra. Andre Previn conducting. — Maud Powell For more information about Classical Classroom: www.houstonpublicmedia.org/classroom For more information about Rachel Barton Pine: www.rachelbartonpine.com But wait! There’s more! In this short Classical Classroom, she talks about the most important thing her two musical loves share in common: emotional power. Audio production by Todd “Goes to 11” Hulslander with lighters in the air by Dacia Clay. Music in this episode: – “Death Is Another Word” from Earthen Grave, by Earthen Grave – Brahm’s Violin Concerto, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Carlos Kalmar conducting. – “Rock You Like a Hurricane” from Love at First Sting by the Scorpions – “Ice Cream Man” from Van Halen by Van Halen – “Arpeggios from Hell” by Yngwie Malmsteen – Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto in D major, Vadim Repin with Kirov Orchestra. Valery Gergiev conducting. – Sibelius’ Violin Concerto in D minor, Salvatore Accardo with London Symphony Orchestra. Sir Colin Davis conducting. – “Wasted Years” from Somewhere in Time by Iron Maiden – “Ozzy/ Black Sabbath Medley” by Rachel Barton Pine

It’s Women’s History Month up in the Classroom! Houston Public Media’s own Amy Bishop (see also, Episode 9: Tone Poems) teaches us all about female classical music composers, from the millennia-old ethereal sounds of Hildegard von Bingen, to the contemporary works of Jennifer Higdon. Why have so many women composed classical music but so few have become household names (yet)? We jiu jitsu that question and others in this episode! Audio production by Todd “von Toddgen” Hulslander with double-plus masterful editorial decisions by Dacia Clay. Music in this episode: – Hildegard von Bingen: Caritas Abundat in Omnia (Love Abounds All) – Clara Schumann: Piano Concerto in a minor, Opus 7 (first movement) – Jennifer Higdon: Blue Cathedral For more about Classical Classroom, go to www.houstonpublicmedia.org/classroom. For more about Women’s History Month, go to www.womenshistorymonth.gov.

Are you ready to rumble?? Because these classical composers and musicians are. In this Classical Classroom short, learn all about how rivalries between musicians go back as far as music does, and how music is better for it. Audio production by Todd “Mr. T” Hulslander, with a mean left hook from Dacia Clay and jabs by MusicLab intern, Daniel Webbon. Music used in this episode includes: – “Gonna Fly Now (Theme from Rocky)” by Bill Conti from the Rocky soundtrack – “Lithium” by Nirvana from Nevermind – “Hypnotize” by the Notorious B.I.G. from Life After Death – Overture from The Barber of Seville by Giachino Rossini – Sinfonia Veneziana: Allegro assai by Antonio Salieri – Horn Call from Act 2 of Siegfried by Richard Wagner – Music of Changes, Book 1 by John Cage – Structures by Pierre Boulez – Piano Concerto No. 1 in C major, op. 15 by Ludwig van Beethoven (played by Lang Lang) – “I Knew You Were Trouble” by Taylor Swift from Red  

Leonard Bernstein, Glenn Gould, Aaron Copland, and Igor Stravinsky join us – from the Afterlife! – for this special Halloween edition of the Classical Classroom. Learn about these giants of classical music in a way never before possible, in this roundtable discussion. Audio production by Todd “TODD!!!” Hulslander with terrifyingly good assistance from Dacia Clay. Music  in this episode includes: – Igor Stravinsky, the Rite of Spring (opening sections) – Purity Ring’s “Fineshrine” from the album, Shrines – Eric Whitacre’s Virtual Choir 4: Fly to Paradise   

Chamber music, performing live as a group, and how movement informs music! In this episode, WindSync wind quintet talk about all of those things and about life as a touring group. Hotel rooms are trashed (okay, not really)! Miley Cyrus is discussed (very probably)! WindSync gets schooled by tango (definitely)! Audio production by Todd “Ermahgerd” Hulslander with “help” from Dacia Clay. For more about WindSync, go to www.windsync.org.  For more about Classical Classroom, go to www.classical917.org/classroom. Love our shows? Show us by donating a few bucks here: bit.ly/UQweya. Donations contribute directly to your own continued audio happiness! Music in this episode includes performances by WindSync!: Leonard Bernstein (arr. WindSync), Overture to Candide Astor Piazzolla (arr. WindSync), Histoire du Tango Cafe 1930 Gallo Ciego (w/ Hector Del Curto on bandoneon)

August is Arts Appreciation Month! During August, Houston Public Media Arts and Culture is paying tribute to art forms that have inspired other art forms. We thought this Classical Classroom rerun fit with that theme perfectly, hence the rerunning. The remix has been alive as long as the Beastie Boys’ “License to Ill”. JK! It’s been around for as long as music. Learn how composers have been inspired by, paid tribute to, given tips of the hat to, and plain ripped off, each other since the very beginning. MusicLab intern, composer, drummer, and snappy dresser, Daniel Webbon tells all. Audio production by Todd “Sir Toddeus of Toddleton” Hulslander with serving suggestions by Dacia Clay. Music used in this episode includes: – Aerosmith and RUN-DMC “Walk This Way” (with an appearance by Missy Elliott) – Dies Irae: Gregorian Chant from the 13th century – Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Twelve Variations on “Ah vous dirai-je, Maman”, K. 265/300e – Gustav Mahler, Symphony No. 1 in D major – Dmitri Shostakovich, String Quartet No. 8 in C minor (Op. 110) – George Gershwin and DuBose Heyward, “Bess, You Is My Woman Now” from the opera Porgy and Bess – Miles Davis and Gil Evans, “Bess, You Is My Woman Now” from the album Porgy and Bess – Luciano Berio, Sinfonia

Nico Muhly, indie classical, and the future of classical music! In this episode, Classical 91.7 announcer Chris Johnson – our first returning instructor! – comes back to the Classical Classroom.  This one isn't for the faint of heart: there are banjos! Audio production by Todd “Toddy” Hulsander with gentle nudges of encouragement from Dacia Clay. Music used in this episode includes: – The Only Tune (parts 1-3), from Nico Muhly’s Mothertongue, on Brassland Records.

Classical 91.7 audio librarian, Dacia Clay has a deep, dark secret: she knows next to nothing about classical music. But she wants to learn! Luckily, she’s surrounded by classical music experts every day. In each episode of the Classical Classroom, Dacia’s colleagues and some local classical music luminaries take turns giving her classical music “homework assignments” and educating her. You’ll learn about everything from bel canto aria to the use of leitmotif in the score to Star Wars. Come learn with us in the Classical Classroom. In this episode, Dacia Clay talks with Classical 91.7 program director St. John Flynn about Richard Strauss' "achingly beautiful" work, Four Last Songs, and we learn how it allegedly has something to do with the Smiths. Audio production by Todd Hulslander and Dacia Clay, with assistance from St. John Flynn.