Classical Classroom Episode 220: Cello, Is It Me You're Looking For? with Joel Dallow
Classical Classroom
Some musicians slide into a symphony position like [image of child on slide]. Joel Dallow isn't one of them. It took 5 years to get his position in the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. Now, he's on the other side of the audition table as a judge. Which makes him the perfect teacher for cellists who aim to join a symphony. And that's exactly what he does. In this episode, he breaks it down: what it's like to be on both sides of the audition table, what auditions entail, and what judges are listening for.
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Classical Classroom, Episode 219: Arranged and Deranged with Joe Burgstaller
Classical Classroom
Joe Burgstaller may *seem* like a normal guy whose played trumpet since he emerged from the womb. But do not be fooled, listener. Something is amiss. (See: Joe's music videos, particularly the video we talk about in this episode which took 26 trips through a car wash to get juuust right.) Is it the lip pursing? Something in the brass? In this episode, Joe teaches all about arranging music---a creative feat that requires communion with dead composers across time.
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Classical Classroom, Episode 218: Peter Dugan on the Magic of Collaboration
Classical Classroom
When pianist Peter Dugan performed on NPR's From the Top at the age of 18, he had no idea that he would one day host the show. In this episode, Peter talks about how he came to be at the helm of a show that's been going for 25 years juuust before a pandemic began. He also teaches us about love, the magic the binds the molecules of music together. And he illustrates how collaborations between musicians have created that magic throughout history, and on From the Top, even in a global pandemic.
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Classical Classroom, Episode 217: A Brassy, Classy, Yuletide Concert
Classical Classroom
Ginger Turner is--excuse us--a brassy broad. She was in the Army and the US Army's Field Band for 27 years. So when it came time to put on the annual Holiday Brass Concert for the International Women's Brass Conference (IWBC) during the pandemic, she leaned right into the challenge. And what resulted was pure, live, holiday magic. Learn about Ginger, the IWBC, and the feats of strength it took to put on a beautiful Christmas concert *safely* during COVID. And how you can watch it!
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Classical Classroom, Episode 216: Merry Melodica Men-mas!
Classical Classroom
We hope yule enjoy this holiday-ish show with Tristan Clarke, half of YouTube sensation, the Melodica Men. Learn how 2 Juilliard- and Peabody-trained brass musicians took a detour from their traditional classical music work to play toy instruments on street corners, how they blew up the internet with an 89-second version of "The Rite of Spring," and why they are completely mesmerizing to watch. Also, learn how they distilled "The Nutcracker Suite" down to around 2 minutes of pure Christmas magic.
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Classical Classroom, Episode 215: Très Bien! Stéphane Denève Teaches the History of French Music
Classical Classroom
Conductor and music director Stéphane Denève is busy. He's got at least 4 jobs on 2 continents. But thanks (?) to the pandemic, we caught him sitting still for long enough to teach the ENTIRE HISTORY of French classical music! He starts at the beginning with chant, and goes all the way through to contemporary composers. Learn about pivotal moments in French music history, hear its evolution, and learn what defines it. Oh! And hear him sing up and down the solfege scale so fast it will make you say, "oui!"
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Classical Classroom, Episode 214: The Harp Will Go On with Yolanda Kondonassis
Classical Classroom
When it comes to the harp, Yolanda Kondonassis is kind of a big deal. She’s literally written the book on the topic. In this episode, she teaches all about the history of the harp, describes the different kinds of harp, its mechanics, its repertoire, and about harp music being written today. She also tells the story of her personal history with the harp and how those first few plucks altered her life FOREVAH!
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Classical Classroom, Episode 213: Orli Shaham Talks Piano (Man)
Classical Classroom
The piano. A seemingly normal instrument. But where did it come from, and how did it get here? Is it a percussion or a string instrument? Is it safe for young people, or will it influence your child to become interested in (gasp!) music, like it did one Orli Shaham? In this episode, Shaham describes how she was helplessly lured by the piano, as well as how this instrument wound up in peoples' homes. She also talks about its repertoire, and how your child can start playing. Listen at your own peril.
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Classical Classroom, Episode 212: All Together Now with Lisa Bielawa
Classical Classroom
Composer, producer, and vocalist Lisa Bielawa wants *you* for her project, Broadcast from Home! Each week during the pandemic, Bielawa is creating a "chapter"--a piece of music--based on the written and recorded submissions she gets from people all around the globe about their current experience. In this interview, Lisa teaches about other music made in times of plague, and talks about her crazy-ambitious creative process for Broadcast from Home, as well as how you can be a part of it!
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Classical Classroom, Episode 211: Music for (Sacred) Space with Michael Whalen
Classical Classroom
Have you ever wondered what the atmosphere of a space sounds like? Well look no further! In this episode, Emmy Award winning film and TV composer Michael Whalen teaches all about the history of ambient music. He talks about its classical music roots, how circuits and tape collages and German composers had a part in its evolution, and how Brian Eno changed everything. He also talks about his own new album of music for sacred spaces.
info_outlineWhen you think of opera, words like "grandiose," "extravagant," and "whoa" come to mind. Those words all describe Georges Bizet's Carmen. Singing, dancing, costumes, sets, orchestras, fight scenes, wigs, drama! How on Earth does something with so many moving parts even get to the stage? Much less, successfully and entertainingly?! We wanted to know. And as it happens, the Seattle Opera was staging Carmen right down the street. So, we went on a field trip to see the show and - because we're us - badgered the cast and crew about their parts 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 Classical Classroom/Seattle Opera Podcast crossover episode.
All music in this episode from Seattle Opera's performances of Carmen.
P.S., The Seattle Opera is performing Carmen from May 4 - 19, 2019! Learn yet more about it (and hear more podcasts about it).