Learning and stuff.
There’s a rumor going around that classical music is hoity toity. At the Classical Classroom podcast, we beg to differ. Come learn with classical music newbie Dacia Clay and the music experts she invites into the Classical Classroom. Subscribe on iTunesOther Ways to Listen
Classical Classroom Research Presentation: Classical Music Rivalries!
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.
Classical Classroom, Episode 35: Percussionist Craig Hauschildt gets fresh with Golijov’s “Ayre”
Osvaldo Golijov's "Ayre" – an amazing exercise in contrasts – is unlike any other piece you've ever heard on Classical Classroom. In fact, is it classical music?? Percussionist Craig Hauschildt (who works for a group called Da Camera that brings tons of classical music to Houston) answers that question, plus, we both try and fail at pronouncing a lot of words.
My Classical Music New Year’s Resolution
Happy 2014 everyone! I feel like it's been ages. You all look great. Well rested.
So, I don't know about you, but I have been busy making my New Year's resolutions [see pic above]. One of them is to go to more classical music concerts. But, I can't decide which to go to. So, I need your help!
Want for me to come to your concert? Convince me! Here's how:
– Submit a 1-2 minute recording of your classical music group/org/laptop-based experimental classical music project to this DropBox:
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Send me your sounds – Next, drop me a line at dclay@classical917.org. Make sure to include the following in the email:
— Your organization or group's name
— Details about the performance
— How to get in touch with you
— Why you think I should come to your show.
If I'm going to come to your show, I'll be in touch! Looking forward to some good shows in the new year. I will make sure to bring my lighter and glow sticks.
Classical Classroom, Episode 34: Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis with Keith Weber
In honor of Beethoven's 240-something birthday, Keith Weber, Grammy-nominated Producer, Director of Music and Organist at Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church in Houston, and Artistic Director of Grace Song, Inc., talks about just who this "Beethoven" guy was, why he was officially excused from having manners at parties, and all about his "Missa Solemnis" mass.
Christmas-y Classical-ish Tunes for You!
Silver & Gold by Sufjan Stevens
I'm possibly overly into this album right now, and you guys might dig it, too. I thought I loved Christmas/the holidays a lot until I discovered Sufjan Stevens' Christmas music. Silver & Gold: Songs for Christmas, Vols. 6–10 is his second collection of Christmas tunes, and it is vast: 58 tracks. (Songs for Christmas, Vols. 1-5 weighs in at a meager 42 tracks.) The dude is absolutely nutty about Christmas. Nut. Ty.
While Sufjan is not a classical musician in the strictest sense of the word (he has been called everything from "indie folk" to "baroque pop"), he clearly has an appreciation for it. He plays multiple instruments including the English horn and the oboe, and many of the tunes on Silver & Gold sound like (are?) early music. Stevens has also collaborated with classical musicians like Nico Muhly, which gives him classical music cred in my book.
Anyway, take a listen to the track above, and let me know what you think. Early music, right? I love that this exists in this collection alongside tunes like "Christmas Unicorn". This album gives Christmas fresh, new sounds and reminds us of the lovely sounds of Christmas past. Happy holly jolly, everyone!
Classical Classroom, Episode 33: Cracking “The Nutcracker” with Michael Remson and Shelly Power
We all know The Nutcracker, right? Wrong! In this episode of Classical Classroom, Shelly Power (director, Houston Ballet Academy) and Michael Remson (executive director, American Festival of the Arts) 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.
Classical Classroom, Episode 32: The Making of Handel’s Messiah with Robert Simpson
Handel's Messiah is a beloved Christmas favorite. But, as Robert Simpson, founder and artistic director of Houston Chamber Choir, tells us, it is oh-so-much more than the "Hallelujah" chorus. Like, 250 pages more. All of which we cover in this half-hour episode. Just kidding!
Classical Classroom, Episode 31: The Music of Hanukkah (Chanuka? Hanuka?) with Cantor Benjamin Matis
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, NY in Long Island schools us on the history and music of Hanukkah.
John
A little history on this one: Listener John S. has written in a couple of times wanting to know why we weren't covering Beethoven!? When we posted last week's episode, I had a feeling I might hear from him. 🙂
Hey Dacia,
Congrats! I was so excited to find the Beethoven episode. And that was an excellent choice– the 7th symphony 2nd movement is very famous, and rightly so I think! I'm glad you were able to get a sense of Beethoven's depth, or profundity. I hope there will be many more– you have so much good music to get to know!!
Regards,
John S.
Galveston, Tx
PS– too bad you didn't have more time. The whole 7th symphony is full of wonderful melodies and rhythms, and the last few seconds are like pure joy.
Classical Classroom, Episode 30: The Rite of Spring in Fall with Ana Maria Otamendi
Igor Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring was so revolutionary that its alien sounds literally incited a riot at its premiere. Dr. Ana Maria Otamendi, Venezuelan pianist and professor at the University of Houston tells us why! And btw, we are aware that it's Fall. But we don't even care!
Classical Music in the News
John Tavener, a classical music composer who recorded on the Beatles Apple label, passed away earlier this week.
Classical Classroom, Episode 29: Wesley Horner on the intimate conversation of Beethoven’s 7th Symphony
Beethoven's 7th Symphony (Yes! We finally talk about Beethoven!) is one of independent producer, author, documentary filmmaker, and Peabody Award-winner, Wesley Horner's favorite pieces of music. In this episode, Wes takes us on an emotional journey through this masterful musical conversation. Caution: you may want to dance or weep – or dance and weep – when you listen to this.
Hey there! Glad you made it.
There are no dumb questions here – only uninformed ones asked with inexplicable confidence. And panache!