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. 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 For more Classroom: www.houstonpublicmedia.org/classroom

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! 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. For more Classroom: www.houstonpublicmedia.org/classroom

Our 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 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

The opera "Billy Budd" was written by Benjamin Britten with a libretto by E.M. Forster and based on a short novel by Herman Melville, PLUS there are a lot explosions and pirates! Okay. Not really pirates, but close! Composer Daron Hagen teaches all about Britten and this opera with an all-star cast of creators. Music in this episode all from Britten Conducts Britten: Operas, Vol. 1 - Albert Herring / Billy Budd / Owen Wingrave / Peter Grimes on Decca. Audio production by Todd "Tim Riggins" Hulslander with clear eyes and full heart by Dacia Clay and editing by Mark DiClaudio. For more Classroom: www.houstonpublicmedia.org/classroom

Composer Stephen Paulus passed away last October and left a void in many hearts along with an amazing legacy. Composer Alex Freeman teaches about Paulus the man, and the music he left for us. Music in this episode (both by Stephen Paulus): - Pilgrims' Hymn - Concerto for Violin and Orchestra Audio production by Todd "Tastee Freez" Hulslander with punches and kicks from Dacia Clay. For more about Stephen Paulus: www.stephenpaulus.com For more about Alex Freeman: www.alexfreemanmusic.com For more Classroom: www.houstonpublicmedia.org/classroom

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 Solo Cello - 3. Intermezzo e Danza Finale Audio production by Todd "Team Edward" Hulslander with sparkling by Dacia Clay and editing by Mark DiClaudio and possibly Nick Dulworth. For more about Alisa Weilerstein: www.alisaweilerstein.com For more about the Aspen Music Festival: www.aspenmusicfestival.com For more Classroom: www.houstonpublicmedia.org/classroom

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. Music in this episode: - Philip Glass, "American Four Seasons" with Robert McDuffie. - Robert McDuffie and Mike Mills, excerpts from “Concerto for Violin & Rock Band” - Vitamin String Quartet, "Its the End of The World" by REM Audio production by Todd "El Lobo Rojo" with blank stares by Dacia Clay and editing by Mark DiClaudio and Nick Dulworth. For more about the Aspen Music Festival: www.aspenmusicfestival.com For more about Robert McDuffie: www.robertmcduffie.com/ For more Classroom: www.houstonpublicmedia.org/classroom

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 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 - Adagio) Audio production by Todd "The Great Toddsby" Hulslander with green lights from Dacia Clay and editing by Mark DiClaudio. For more about Orli Shaham: www.orlishaham.com For more about the Aspen Music Festival: www.aspenmusicfestival.com For more Classroom: www.houstonpublicmedia.org/classroom

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. Audio production by Todd "Tricky" Hulslander with plate spinning by Dacia Clay and editing by Mark DiClaudio. For more about Alan Fletcher AND the Aspen Music Festival: www.aspenmusicfestival.com For more Classroom: www.houstonpublicmedia.org Many thanks to the good people at the Aspen Music Festival for making this happen!

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. Piano tuning fork and tuning lever 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 Park episodes of all time. Right up there with "Mecha-Streisand."

What came before twerking, Harlem Shake-ing, and popping and locking? The Krakowiak, the Polonaise, and the Tarantelle (which have very 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. 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 For more Classroom: www.houstonpublicmedia.org/classroom

Since the US 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 episode: - "La Sonnambula" ("The Sleepwalker") by Vincenzo Bellini. For more about Angela Mitchell: www.angelamitchellsoprano.com For more Classroom: www.houstonpublicmedia.org

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, professor, and writer Jonathan Biss explains all - including his own (extremely cool) fanboy-esque immersion in the works of Schumann and Beethoven. 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 more Classroom: www.houstonpublicmedia.org

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. 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 For more Classroom: www.houstonpublicmedia.org/classroom

What is a concertmaster? We wanted to know, too, so we schlepped over to the Texas Music Festival, 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, and Moores School of Music 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! 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: www.uh.edu/class/music/tmf/ For more about Glenn Dicterow: www.glenndicterow.com For more about Ingrid Hunter: www.cypresssymphony.org/ingrid-hunter/ For more Classroom: www.houstonpublicmedia.org/classroom