Classical Classroom

      Eva-Maria Zimmerman and Keisuke Nakagoshi make beautiful music together as the musical duo ZOFO. On the same piano. At the same time. Why do they do this? What is this strange art form? And what does it all have to do with Terry Riley?! Learn all about piano four hands in this episode.     Eva-Maria Zimmerman and Keisuke Nakagoshi of ZOFO. Music in this episode is all from the CD ZOFO Plays Terry Riley:   Etude from the Old Country Half-Wolf Dances Mad in Moonlight G Song Praying Mantis Rag Cinco de Mayo Audio production by Todd “Terry Riley” Hulslander with half-wolf dances by Dacia Clay and editing by Mark DiClaudio. For more ZOFO: www.zofoduet.com

Time to celebrate our 100th show. It’s been quite a “Journey.” We toot some horns (mostly our own)and reminisce with some previous show flashbacks. We also meet some of the most famous classical music composers as they join in the festivities. ‘Cause there ain’t no party like a Beethoven doing Jagerbombs party. Party on Ludwig! Flash back to the original podcast logo  Party music from the best DJs in the biz: Italo House Pavarotti/Bocelli/Jovanotti REMIX #6 2015 by dj SRONYX el toro loco Bach Remix by R.S.D.‬‬ Classical Techno – Vivaldi 2000 (club mix) Mozart – Lacrimosa (DnB Remix) Journey – Open Arms  Journey – Don’t Stop Believin’ (MYNGA Remix) Sensual Musique Audio production by Todd “Me” Hulslander with strange absences from Dacia Clay and editing by Mark “We’re number one” DiClaudio.

Revisit Classical Classroom’s very first show! Classical music announcer Chris Johnson compares two very different recordings of the same piece. Gut strings, basso continuo, and the Baroque period are discussed.   Audio production by Todd “Teacup” Hulslander and Chris Johnson. Music used in this episode includes: Vivaldi’s Four Seasons Concerto, “Autumn” by: Itzak Perlman violin solo, London Philharmonic Fabio Biondi solo violin, Europa Galante

It’s summertime, and the classical musicians have all disappeared. No, it’s not a classical music-specific alien body snatching situation. It’s just that they’re all at music festivals! Because we miss them, we’ve decided to follow the musicians to a different fest each summer. This year, we head to the Aspen Music Festival! In our four-show series, we’ll be interviewing festival leaders, musicians, and whoever else will talk to us. In this, the fourth and final episode of our miniseries, we speak with cellist Alisa Weilerstein about music (and the composers who write it) for solo cello. You’ll learn about the All-Stars of the cello world, unexplained gaps in cello music history will be explained, and – perhaps most importantly – you’ll learn how to pronounce the name “Kodaly”. Music in this episode: Music for Children, Op. 65 Arr. Piatigorsky – March Bach Suite No. 1 Prelude and Minuet (from Classic FM YouTube video) Sonata for Solo Cello, Op.8 – 3. Allegro molto vivace Omaramor For Solo Cello Suite For Sol

It’s summertime, and the classical musicians have all disappeared. No, it’s not a classical music-specific alien body snatching situation. It’s just that they’re all at music festivals! Because we miss them, we’ve decided to follow the musicians to a different fest each summer. This year, we head to the Aspen Music Festival! In our four-show series, we’ll be interviewing festival leaders, musicians, and whoever else will talk to us. In this, the third episode of our miniseries, we speak with violinist Robert McDuffie about sustaining a career in classical music in the 21st century. Learn ALL THE SECRETS to building a career in the brave new technological landscape and to forging your own path as an artist. Robert McDuffie (L) with Mike Mills (R) of R.E.M. on piano, and students from the McDuffie Center for Strings. Courtesy of the artist’s website. Music in this episode: – Philip Glass, “American Four Seasons” with Robert McDuffie. – Robert McDuffie and Mike Mills, excerpts from “Concerto for Violin & Ro

It’s summertime, and the classical musicians have all disappeared. No, it’s not a classical music-specific alien body snatching situation. It’s just that they’re all at music festivals! Because we miss them, we’ve decided to follow the musicians to a different fest each summer. This year, we head to the Aspen Music Festival! In our four-show miniseries, we’ll be interviewing festival leaders and musicians. In this, the second episode of our miniseries, we spoke with pianist and awesome person, Orli Shaham. We find out what she’s up to in Aspen, and she teaches us about music by living composers that is inspired by Brahms. Music in this episode (all from Orli Shaham’s CD, “Brahms Inspired”): – Johannes Brahms – Op. 118 (Intermezzo in A major) – Bruce Adolphe – My Inner Brahms (an intermezzo) – Avner Dorman – After Brahms (Allegro con molto appassionato) – Arnold Schoenberg – Six little piano pieces, Op. 19 – Brett Dean – Hommage a Brahms (Engelsflugel 1) – Johannes Brahms – Op. 119 (Intermezzo in B minor – Ada

It’s summertime, and the classical musicians have all disappeared. No, it’s not a classical music-specific alien body snatching situation. It’s just that they’re all at music festivals! Because we miss them, we’ve decided to follow the musicians to a different fest each summer. This year, we head to the Aspen Music Festival! For our next few shows, we’ll be interviewing festival leaders, musicians, and whoever else will talk to us. In this, the first episode of our miniseries, we spoke with Alan Fletcher, President and CEO of the Aspen Music Festival and School. He tells us what these music festivals are all about in general, and what makes Aspen unique. Music in this episode: “Mr. Sandman”. Aspen Bassoon Band (2011). Overture to Aida. New York Philharmonic, conducted by James Levine. Alan Fletcher, President and CEO of the Aspen Music Festival and School. Image courtesy of the Aspen Music Festival website. Audio production by Todd “Tricky” Hulslander with plate spinning by Dacia Clay and editing by Mark D

What’s in a piano? Jim Kozak has tuned a few, and he can tell you. He tunes pianos for the Houston Symphony, Da Camera of Houston, and for our own Houston Public Media. What does he do, and how does he do it? How does one become a piano tuner? Kozak tells all, including how a piano works, and why tuning for Alfred Brendel took two days. Music in this episode: “Montage” from the South Park episode, “Asspen“*. Written by Trey Parker. Ludwig van Beethoven, Bagatelle in A minor WoO 59 “Für Elise.” From Beethoven Piano Bagatelles. Alfred Brendel. JS Bach, Chromatic Fantasia and Fugue in D Minor. From Bach-Solo Piano Pieces by Alfred Brendel. Tools of the trade: Jim’s tuning lever and tuning fork. Photo by Dacia Clay. Audio production by Todd “Tuned In” Hulslander with dropouts by Dacia Clay and editing by Mark DiClaudio and/or Nick Dulworth. Thanks to George Heathco for the MusicWorks theme music. For more Classroom: www.houstonpublicmedia.org *Team CC contends that this is one of the most hilarious South Parke

What came before twerking, Harlem Shake-ing, and popping and locking? The Krakowiak, the Polonaise, and the Tarantelle (which have really cool names, now that we’re looking at it). Pianist Joel Fan teaches us all about classical dance music, the composers who made it, and the circumstances from which the dances emerged. Pianist Joel Fan. Courtesy of the artist’s website. Audio production by Todd “Pod God” Hulslander with moonwalking from Dacia Clay, and help from editor Mark DiClaudio and intern Nick Dulworth. Music in this episode: Bill Evans Trio: “Waltz for Debby” All other music from Joel Fan’s latest CD, Dances for Piano and Orchestra: Camille Saint-Saëns: Valse-Caprice in A-flat Major (“Wedding Cake”), Op. 76 Fryderyk Chopin: Krakowiak in F Major, Op. 14 Carl Maria von Weber / Liszt: Polonaise Brillante, Op. 72 (S.367) For more about Joel Fan: www.joelfanmusic.com

Since the U.S. has been celebrating its beginnings this week, we thought we’d go back to ours. We hope you enjoy this throwback. And! Because we were in the holiday spirit, we added a little present for you at the end of the show. We hope you enjoy it. And that Tchaikovsky doesn’t turn over too hard in his grave when you play it. P.S., When we recorded this episode, Angela was indeed a “Schmidt.” Now, she is a “Mitchell.” As in, married to Brett Mitchell. As in, Assistant Conductor of the Cleveland Orchestra. (And Episode 4 of our show.) And in addition to being a professional opera singer, Angela is Assistant Producer at WCLV. They are a classical music power couple, people. And some of our favorite humans. So, when you hear “Schmidt” in this episode, think “Mitchell.” Kthx! ——————————————— In this episode, opera singer and classical music announcer Angela Mitchell talks about bel canto aria and sleepwalking, wrongly-accused hussies. Audio production by Todd Hulslander and Angela Mitchell. Music in this epis

Every good Beethoven deserves a fanboy, and Robert Schumann was that guy. Who was Schumann, and how was his work shaped by the influence of Beethoven? Pianist, Curtis Institute professor, and writer Jonathan Biss explains all – including his own (extremely cool) fanboy-esque immersion in the works of Schumann and Beethoven.  Jonathan Biss. Photo by Benjamin Ealovega. Courtesy of the artist’s website.   Audio production by Todd “Teletubby” Hulslander with frolicking by Dacia Clay and editing by Mark DiClaudio.    All music in this episode played by Jonathan Biss:   From his CD “Beethoven Piano Sonatas, Vol. 4“ Piano Sonata No. 1 in F minor, Op. 2 No. 1 (Allegro and Adagio) Piano Sonata No. 23 in F minor, Op. 57 “Appassionata” (Allegro assai and Allegro ma non troppo – Presto)   From his CD “Schumann: Fantasie, Kreisleriana & Arabeske“ Fantasie in C, Op. 17   From his CD “Beethoven, Schumann: Piano Works“ Davidsbündlerltänze Op.6   For more about Jonathan Biss: www.jonathanbiss.com For informat

Wu Man, world-renowned pipa player, stopped by the Classroom while she was in Houston to teach all about the French horn. JK! She taught all about the pipa, of course! In this episode, she talks about the pipa’s origins, its repertoire, about how she began playing it, and she plays some sweet tunes to illustrate the instrument’s range. Dacia Clay, Wu Man’s pipa, and Wu Man in the Geary Performance Studio. Photo by Todd Hulslander. Music in this episode played live in the Geary Performance Studio by Wu Man. Audio production by Todd “Totaled Todd” Hulslander with bobblehead bobbling by Dacia Clay and editing by Mark DiClaudio. For more about Wu Man: www.wumanpipa.org

What is a concertmaster? We wanted to know, too, so we schlepped over to the Texas Music Festival (now happening at the UH Moores School of Music), found ourselves some concertmasters, and asked them all about what they do. Glenn Dicterow is the outgoing concertmaster of the New York Philharmonic where he’s ruled for over 34 years (his role will be assumed by the Houston Symphony’s Frank Huang), and Moores School doctoral student Ingrid Hunter was the week one concertmaster for the Texas Music Festival. Learn aaaall about the mysterious and powerful role of the concertmaster from them in this episode! Ingrid Hunter and Glenn Dicterow. Photos courtesy of the Cypress Symphony and Glenn Dicterow’s website respectively. Music in this episode: – Richard Strauss: Ein Heldenleben, Op. 40. Glenn Dicterow, violin. New York Philharmonic, conducted by Zubin Mehta. Audio production by Todd “Tarzan Yell” Hulslander with tree swinging by Dacia Clay and editing by Mark DiClaudio. For more about the Texas Music Festival: ww

The pianist gives a lesson on one of the Big Daddies of classical music. Awadagin Pratt, a man so awesome that his website URL is just his first name, talks Johannes Brahms. Pratt is a recording artist, Professor of Piano, Artist in Residence, Chairman of the Piano Department, and Artistic Director of the Art of the Piano Festival at the College Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati. He talks about who Brahms was, why he is one of the Big Daddies of classical music, what it has to do with Edith Bunker, and how the beard made it all possible. Awadagin Pratt playing in the East Room of the White House, November 2009 (the First Lady and President Obama in the foreground). Official White House Photo by Samantha Appleton. Audio production by Todd “Are You There Todd? It’s Me, Dacia” Hulslander with Tiger Eyes by Dacia Clay and editing by Mark DiClaudio. All music in this episode from Awadagin Pratt and Zuill Bailey’s CD “Brahms Works For Cello And Piano”. For more about Awadagin Pratt: www.awadagi

The violinist walks through a piece by a lesser-known composer who was once more famous than Mozart. Grammy-winning violinist Hilary Hahn, who has played a few concerts in her day – somewhere around 1,437 of them – talks about Henri Vieuxtemps’ Violin Concerto No. 4, which she plays on her latest CD. Is music composed by a violinist for violinists easier or more challenging to play? How was it that Vieuxtemps was more popular than Mozart at one point and now…not so much? And most importantly, Hahn discusses her violin case’s Twitter account.   Violinist Hilary Hahn. Photo © Michael Patrick O’Leary, courtesy of IMG Artists. Audio production by Todd “Takei” Hulslander with beaming up by Dacia Clay and editing by Mark DiClaudio. Music in this episode, from Hilary Hahn’s CD Mozart 5 Vieuxtemps 4 Violin Concertos (Deutsche Grammophon): – Henri Vieuxtemps, Violin Concerto No. 4 in D Minor, Op. 31. Hilary Hahn, violin. The Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen. Conducted by Paavo Järvi. For more Hilary Hahn: www.hilar

Violinists Philippe Bernhard and Loïc Rio talk about Dohnányi’s String Quartet No. 3. As you probably know and have been celebrating ’round the Festivus pole, May is National Chamber Music Month! In this episode we talk to real live chamber musicians, violinists Philippe Bernhard and Loïc Rio of the Modigliani Quartet. They talk all about ErnÔ Dohnányi’s String Quartet No. 3. This is, hands down, our most French (Frenchest?) show to date. Modigliani Quartet: (L-R) Philippe Bernhard, Laurent Marfaing, François Kieffer, and Loïc Rio. Courtesy of the artists’ website. Audio production by Todd “T-Dawg” Hulslander with mad parkour skillz from Dacia Clay and editing by Mark DiClaudio. Music in this episode is from the Modiglianis’ Houston concert which happened Thursday, April 9, 2015 at Stude Concert Hall, Shepherd School of Music Rice University. Thanks very much to Chamber Music Houston for the use of this recording! Dohnányi, Quartet No. 3 in A Minor, Op. 33 Shostakovich, Quartet No. 1 in C Major, Op. 49 (Bt

Brahms’ Opus 118 – plus the first two Intermezzos played live! In this episode, Associate Professor Timothy Hester from the University of Houston Moores School of Music, teaches Dacia a bonafide lesson. Don’t miss Prof. Hester waxing nostalgic about his childhood love of Steppenwolf. Audio production by Todd “the Todd” Hulslander with post-hypnotic suggestions from Dacia Clay and editing by Mark DiClaudio. Music used in this episode includes: – Brahms Six Pieces for Piano, Opus 118, Intermezzos No.’s 1 & 2 For more about Timothy Hester, go here. For more about the Texas Music Festival, go here. Timothy Hester. Courtesy of the UH websit

When pianist and From the Top host Christopher O’Riley and cellist Matt Haimovitz recorded a new album of Beethoven’s music, they decided to kick it old school: Chris played an original Broadwood fortepiano and Matt played a Goffriller cello with ox-gut strings. Why would these two artists – often recognized for their arrangements of Radiohead, for performing with young musicians, and for playing classical music in nightclubs – decide to play period instruments? Is there a true benefit to playing music on the instruments it was written for, or is this classical music nerdery? Learn the answers to these and so many other questions in this episode! Audio production by Todd “Todd Rundgren” Hulslander with harshing of mellows by Dacia Clay and editing by Mark DiClaudio. Music in this episode: (From Christopher O’Riley and Matt Haimovitz’s new CD, Beethoven, Period.) Sonata for Pianoforte and Violoncello in F Major, Op. 5, No. 1. II Rondo. Allegro vivace Sonata for Pianoforte and Violoncello in G Minor, Op. 5, No

According to Deutsche Grammophon recording artist Avi Avital, while the bass is not bad, it’s more about that mandolin. Which is also what this whole episode is about! Avi tells all: Where did the mandolin come from? Who composes for it? Why does he advocate for such a strange instrument? And how much did he play that one REM song in high school? Learn all of this and more right here! Audio production by Todd “Terrific” Hulslander with electric slides by Dacia Clay and editing by Mark DiClaudio. Music in this episode: The Music of Brazil / Jacob do Bandolim, Vol. 1 / Recordings 1949 – 1958. “Choro de varanda”. Mike Marshall and Chris Thile: “Fisher’s Hornpipe”. From Into the Cauldron. Hamilton ee Holanda: Choro Caprice for Caprichos. Ludwig van Beethoven: Sonatina for Mandolin and fortepiano in C Major. Diego Fasolis and Duilio Galfetti. Domenico Scarlatti: Mandolin Sonata in D minor Allegro. Camerata Mandolinos Classico. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Don Giovanni, “Deh vieni alla finestra”. Johann Nepomuk Hummel

What’s it like to be a classical music novice at a classical music performance? Host Dacia Clay goes to a rock show and a classical concert and compares the experiences. The parallels are telling. The disparities are despairing. What’s the deal?? We hope you’ll become part of this discussion! Email your concert experiences to dclay@houstonpublicmedia.org. PS, To read more about the history of applause at classical concerts, check out this essay by Alex Ross: “Applause: A Rest Is Noise Special Report.“