Classical Classroom

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

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 important of all, Hahn discusses her violin case's Twitter account. 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.hilaryhahn.com For more Classroom: www.houstonpublicmedia.org/classroom

As you probably know and have been celebrating 'round the Festivus pole, it's 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 Ernő Dohnányi's String Quartet No. 3. This is, hands down, our most French (Frenchest?) show to date. 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 For more about the Modigliani Quartet: www.en.modiglianiquartet.com For more about Chamber Music Houston: www.chambermusichouston.org (Btw, you can also see video of the Modigliani concert here!) For more Classroom: www.houstonpublicmedia.org/classroom

Brahms' Opus 118 - plus the first two Intermezzos 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: www.uh.edu/class/music/faculty-staff/hester_t/ For more about the Texas Music Festival: www.uh.edu/class/music/tmf/

When pianist and NPR Music's "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. 2. I Adagio sostenuto e espressivo. - Sonata for Pianoforte and Violoncello in A Major, Op. 69. --- I Allegro ma non tanto --- III Allegro vivace (From their "Shuffle.Play.Listen." CD) - Arcade Fire: "Empty Room" - Radiohead: "Pyramid Song" (From other places...) - Ludwig van Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 23 in F Minor, Op. 57. Arthur Rubinstein. For more about Christopher O'Riley, Matt Haimovitz, and their new CD: www.pentatonemusic.com/pentatone-oxingale-series-beethoven-period For more Classroom: www.houstonpublicmedia.org/classroom

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: Mandolin Concerto in G major, S. 28. - REM: "Losing My Religion" from Out of Time. - Antonio Vivaldi: - Concerto in A minor RV 356 - Largo from Converto in C major RV 443 - Concerto in G minor RV 315 "Summer" from The Four Seasons. For more about Avi Avital: www.aviavital.com For more Classroom: www.houstonpublicmedia.org/classroom

Two amazing concerts. Two genres of music. Two very different experiences. 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! Find more Classroom at www.houstonpublicmedia.org/classroom, and 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: www.therestisnoise.com/2005/02/applause_a_rest.html

Who was Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov and why does he have two last names? And why would a 19th century Russian composer write a symphonic poem based on a collection of West and South Asian folk tales written in Arabic in the 16th century? What does it all mean?? Most* of these questions and more are all answered within by Buffalo Philharmonic/Virginia Symphony Orchestra conductor, music advocate, and all around amazing lady, JoAnn Falletta. Music in this episode from the Buffalo Philharmonic's recording of Rimsky-Korsakov's "Sheherazade," conducted by JoAnn Falletta. Audio production by Todd "Twister" Hulslander with high kicks by Dacia Clay and editing by Mark DiClaudio. For more about JoAnn Falletta: www.joannfalletta.com For more Classroom: www.houstonpublicmedia.org/classroom *We still don't know what's up with the two names thing.

This week, composer Nico Muhly is premiering a brand new work, "How Little You Are," in Austin, Texas. He talks about the classical (or concert)music world's premiering process, and about how and why listening to classical music golden oldies is different than listening to a new work, about the inspiration for his new piece, and of course, about Prince. Music in this episode: - Mozart: Magic Flute. Conducted by John Eliot Gardiner. - Bach: Magnificat. - Stravinsky: Petrouchka. Michael Tilson Thomas conducts the Philharmonia Orchestra. - Joni Mitchell: A Case of You (from Blue) - Prince: A Case of You (from A Tribute to Joni Mitchell) - Nico Muhly: Sensational Calligraphic Scribble / Amor Nos Une / Room Song (from Object Songs) - Philip Glass: Koyaanisqatsi (from Koyaanisqatsi - Life Out of Balance motion picture score) - Nico Muhly: Mothertongue Pt. 1: Archive (from Mothertongue) Audio production by Todd "TIE fighter" Hulslander with lightsaber skills by Dacia Clay. Editing by Mark DiClaudio. For more about Nico Muhly: www.nicomuhly.com For more Classroom: www.houstonpublicmedia.org/classroom For more about Nico's world premiere - happening Saturday, 4/18/15, at Bass Concert Hall at the University of Texas - go here: www.texasperformingarts.org/season/how-little-you-are-nico-muhly-austin.

Branford Marsalis' stark 2014 solo album "In My Solitude" includes jazz standards like "Stardust" next to C.P.E. Bach's "Sonata in A Minor for Oboe, Wq. 132". His jazz discography is peppered with classical releases. What's that all about?! Where do jazz and classical intersect? How is playing one different from the other - or is it? Find out in this episode! Audio production by Todd "The Twister" Hulslander with a firm handshake from Dacia Clay and editing by Mark DiClaudio. Music in this episode: - Lee Dorsey: "Working In The Coal Mine" (1966) - Murray Perahia & Radu Lupu: Mozart - Sonata in D Major for Two Pianos - Andrew Litton, Branford Marsalis & English Chamber Orchestra: "L'Isle Joyeuse" from Romances for Saxophone - Ferenc Erkel Chamber Orchestra & Jozsef Kiss: CPE Bach - Sonata in A Minor for Oboe Solo, Wq. 132: 1. Poco adgio - ...and from Branford Marsalis' In My Solitude: Live at Grace Cathedral: --- CPE Bach - Sonata in A Minor for Oboe Solo, Wq. 132: 1. Poco adgio --- Hoagy Carmichael/ Mitchell Parish - "Stardust" --- Ryo Noda - MAI, Op 7 --- Improvisation No.1 For more about Branford Marsalis: www.branfordmarsalis.com For more Classroom: www.houstonpublicmedia.org/classroom Da Camera of Houston is bringing Branford to Houston this month! To learn more, go to www.dacamera.com.

Hold on to your hats - it's the world premiere of Classical Classroom's first single. It's dedicated to our guests to show our appreciation. It's also made by them, entirely unbeknownst to them. All of our guests are passionate about music - so passionate that when they talk about music, they inevitably start singing and making little noises to illustrate what they're talking about. Producer Todd has been sneakily saving all of this singing and noisemaking, and from that, he's made this beautiful song for you. We hope you like it, and that your April Fool's Day is terrible. JK!

March is Music in Our Schools month! In this second edition of our MusicWorks series, we take a field trip to an public high school that's a kind of music education utopia - Houston's High School for the Performing and Visual Arts (HSPVA) (or, Fame High School, as I like to imagine it). We chat with Brad Smith - HSPVA's orchestra conductor - and with two student musicians about classical music's role at their school and in their lives. Music in this episode all played by the HSPVA Orchestra and conducted by Brad Smith. Audio production by Todd "Tryhard" Hulslander with emojis by Dacia Clay. Editing by Mark DiClaudio. For more about HSPVA: www.houstonisd.org/hspvarts For more about Brad Smith: www.bradsmithconductor.com For more about Music in Our Schools month: www.nafme.org/programs/miosm

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.

What's it like to be more or less the only character in a live, full-length opera, playing the role of a real-life intense person who lived life intensely, while accompanied by an electric guitar? Mezzo-soprano Abigail Fischer dishes about playing Isabelle Eberhardt, the inspiration for Missy Mazzoli's opera "Song from the Uproar: The Lives and Deaths of Isabelle Eberhardt", with the NOW Ensemble. Audio production by Todd "Touché!" Hulslander with karate chops from Dacia Clay. Music in this episode is all from Missy Mazzoli's "Song from the Uproar" which you can hear and purchase from this link: www.missymazzoli.bandcamp.com/album/song-from-the-uproar PS, If you liked this, check out Classical Classroom, Episode 69: The Kids Are Alright, With Missy Mazzoli. If you're in Houston, you can see Abigail Fischer in "Song from the Uproar" this coming Friday 3/20. For tickets go to: www.dacamera.com For more about Abigail Fischer: www.abigailfischer.com For more Classroom: www.houstonpublicmedia.org/classroom

It's Women's History Month, and all month, we are bringing you amazing women in classical music! In this episode, guitarist Valerie Hartzell, creator/director of the Classical Minds Festival and Competition, talks about the ladies of classical guitar. Who are they? Why did their numbers diminish over time? And what can we do about it?? Audio production by Todd "Not Tony Danza" Hulslander with editing by Mark DiClaudio and bossing by Dacia Clay. Music in this episode: - "Rosita" by Francisco Tarrega. Played live in studio (also available on Valerie's Ex Tenebris Lux CD). - Chaconne in G Major by George Frideric Handel. Played by Ida Presti and Alexandre Lagoya. For more about Valerie Hartzell: www.valeriehartzell.com For more Classroom: www.houstonpublicmedia.org/classroom