Pianist Simone Dinnerstein talks all about her educational initiative, Bachpacking, and her community initiative, Neighborhood Classics, Bach Inventions, and how Led Zeppelin is more like Bach than Jay Z . Audio production by Todd "Toddsy Turvy" Hulslander with yips of joy from Dacia Clay. Music in this episode: – Bach Inventions, played live by Simone Dinnerstein, and from her new album, J.S. Bach: Inventions & Sinfonias – " Suit and Tie ", from the 20/20 Experience by Justin Timberlake, fe...
Mar 07, 2014•29 min•Ep. 40
Shostakovich's Symphony No. 5 is dramatic, cinematic, erratic, sarcastic, and full of existential longing – according to Chief Conductor of the Lucerne Symphony Orchestra, James Gaffigan. Why is it important to listen to this symphony, the musical expression of Shostakovich's depression and anxiety as he lived under Stalin's thumb? Listen to this episode and find out! Audio production by Todd "Taller than Necessary" Hulslander with inspired napping from Dacia Clay. Music in the episode includes:...
Feb 28, 2014•29 min•Ep. 39
It's Black History Month! Time to learn about all of the amazing contributions that black people have made to classical music. Pay close attention because we had to talk really, really fast to fit this many people into a short. PS, You can check out our timeline of black classical music contributors in the "Raise Your Hand" section of our webpage. Audio production by Todd "Troubled Island" Hulslander with barely audible suggestions from Dacia Clay. Thanks to MusicLab intern Princeton Miles for l...
Feb 22, 2014•12 min
The Grammy-nominated Enso String Quartet puts the "class" in this episode of Classical Classroom . We discuss where string quartets come from, why the instruments in a quartet go together so well, what sets Enso apart from other string quartets, and what it's like to play live (which apparently sometimes includes hitting yourself in the face and dancing to get away from bees). Audio production by Todd "Todd Terrific" Hulslander with a few carefully-worded complaints from Dacia Clay. Music in thi...
Feb 14, 2014•28 min•Ep. 38
Louis Andriessen is one of the most important contemporary composers you've (probably) never heard of. His work isn't widely played because he's written many pieces for varieties of ensembles that don't exist. In fact, specially created ensembles have sprung up because of Andriessen's pieces, including the famous British ensemble, Icebreaker. Guitarist, composer, and co-founder of Liminal Space Contemporary Music Ensemble , George Heathco, teaches us all about Andriessen and his contributions to...
Feb 07, 2014•38 min•Ep. 37
The Butterfly Lovers' Violin Concerto was written by two Chinese composers, Chen Gang and He Zhanhao, in 1959. In honor of Chinese New Year – which begins 1/31 – Houston Public Media's Catherine Lu has come back to the Classroom to teach us all about this gorgeous piece, which was based on possibly the most tragic opera ever. Audio production by Todd "??" Hulslander with ??????? by Dacia Clay. Music in this episode: – Butterfly Lovers' Violin Concerto by Chen Gang and He Zhanhao – violin by Gil ...
Jan 30, 2014•32 min•Ep. 36
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. Audio production by Todd "Mr. T" Hulslander, with a mean left hook from Dacia Clay and jabs by MusicLab intern, Daniel Webbon. Music used in this episode includes: – "Gonna Fly Now (Theme from Rocky )" by Bill Conti from the Rocky soundtrack – "Lithium" by Nirvana from Neverm...
Jan 18, 2014•11 min
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. Audio production by Todd "Trouble" Hulslander, with snacking and oversight by Dacia Clay. Music used in this episode: – Ayre (2004) by O...
Jan 10, 2014•33 min•Ep. 35
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. Audio production by Todd "Todd Rundgren" Hulslander without a lick of help from Dacia Clay. Music used in this episode: – Ludwig van Beetho...
Dec 20, 2013•37 min•Ep. 34
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. Audio production by Todd "Pas de Todd" Hulslander with sugarplum fairies dancing in her head by Dacia Clay. The Nutcracker: – Score by Pyotr Illyich ...
Dec 10, 2013•35 min•Ep. 33
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! Audio production by Todd "Jolly Old Saint Toddolas" Hulslander with stockings hung by the mixing board by Dacia Clay. Music used in this episode: – George Frideric Handel, Messiah , HWV 56 For more about the Houston Chamber...
Dec 04, 2013•35 min•Ep. 32
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, New York in Long Island schools us on the history and music of Hanukkah. Audio production by Todd "Toddfurky" Hulslander with a side of help and gravy from Dacia Clay. M...
Nov 27, 2013•31 min•Ep. 31
Igor Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring was so revolutionary that its alien sounds literally incited a riot at its premiere. Dr. Ana María 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! Audio production by Todd "Travesty" Hulslander with aspersions cast by Dacia Clay. Music in this episode: Igor Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring Check out Ana Maria's performance of her arrangement of The Rite of Spri...
Nov 22, 2013•34 min•Ep. 30
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. Audio production by Todd "Toddtastic" Hulslander with deep, brooding glances from Dacia Clay. Music we used in this epi...
Nov 15, 2013•23 min•Ep. 29
Was Tchaikovsky's Symphony VI (aka "Pathetique", aka "Suicide Symphony") a suicide note or did he die of cholera, per the Official Word? You decide after this intweeging lesson with clarinetist and Shepherd School of Music Professor of Music, Michael Webster! Audio production by Todd "Toddsy Woddsy" Hulslander with roof raising by Dacia Clay. All music used in this episode was played by the Houston Youth Symphony, of which Prof. Webster is the Artistic Director and Conductor. Like what you hear?...
Nov 08, 2013•37 min•Ep. 28
1, 2…1, 2 this is just a test… A classical music test! In this episode, Professor St. John Flynn gives Dacia an oral examination of terms she's (supposedly) learned in the last 26 episodes of Classical Classroom . Has she learned anything?? It's nail-biter! Audio production by Todd "Totes" Hulslander with late night cramming and pizza consumption by Dacia Clay.
Nov 01, 2013•40 min•Ep. 27
Concert pianist and entrepreneur Richard Dowling illuminates some of Chopin's pieces by "ragging" them on the piano. It's a lesson in classical music and ragtime all rolled up in one, topped with live performances, and served with a side of fries. Music in this episode includes live performances by Richard Dowling of: Frederic Chopin, Nocturne in E-flat Major, Op. 9 No. 2 Ethan Uslan, Chopin's Knocked Urn Frederic Chopin, "Revolutionary" Etude in C Minor, Op. 10 No. 12 Joseph Lamb, Ragtime Night...
Oct 25, 2013•37 min•Ep. 26
Leonard Bernstein, Glenn Gould, Aaron Copland, and Igor Stravinsky join us – from the Afterlife! – for this special Halloween edition of the Classical Classroom. Learn about these giants of classical music in a way never before possible, in this roundtable discussion. Audio production by Todd "TODD!!!" Hulslander with terrifyingly good assistance from Dacia Clay. Music in this episode includes: – Igor Stravinsky, the Rite of Spring (opening sections) – Purity Ring's "Fineshrine" from the album, ...
Oct 18, 2013•21 min•Ep. 25
Chamber music, performing live as a group, and how movement informs music! In this episode, WindSync wind quintet talk about all of those things and about life as a touring group. Hotel rooms are trashed (okay, not really)! Miley Cyrus is discussed (very probably)! WindSync gets schooled by tango (definitely)! Audio production by Todd "Ermahgerd" Hulslander with "help" from Dacia Clay. For more about WindSync, go to www.windsync.org . For more about Classical Classroom, go to www.classical917.or...
Oct 11, 2013•21 min•Ep. 24
Mozart's death is still so mysterious over two centuries later, that we couldn't help but do a Research Presentation about it. In this short, Dacia explores why his death is an unsolved mystery, and why we're still so fascinated by it. Intweeged? Hit play to find out more! Music used in this episode includes: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's… La clemenza di Tito , K. 621 Requiem Mass in D minor K. 626 Introitus: Requiem aeternam Sequentia: Lacrimosa dies illa Communio: Lux aeterna For more information ...
Oct 04, 2013•7 min
Bach's Invention No. 1 contains an entire universe of music as we learn in this episode with Kurt Stallmann, Associate Professor of Music at Rice University's Shepherd School of Music. It gets metaphysical up in here, you guys. Audio production by Todd "Birthday Boy" Hulslander, with happy claps of approval by Dacia Clay. Music in this episode includes: – Johann Sebastian Bach, Invention No. 1 in C Major (from his Inventions and Sinfonias BWV 772–801, aka the Two- and Three-Part Inventions ), pl...
Sep 20, 2013•30 min•Ep. 23
Classical music is seriously funny. Iconoclast Emeritus, professor, and former classical announcer Ira J. Black talks all about just how funny serious classical music can be. There are surprises, Dudley Moore, and um…more in our most hilarious episode yet. Audio production by Todd "Tootsie" Hulslander with reassuring winks and nods from Dacia Clay. Music in this episode includes: – Haydn's "Surprise Symphony"
Sep 13, 2013•32 min•Ep. 22
All about the flute!! Joel Luks, CultureMap Houston editorial staffer and columnist, and classically trained flutist, teaches all about the history and surprising range of the dainty, lovely, badass, whale-sound-making, beatboxing flute. He takes us from "Carmen" to Mario Brothers (and a few other places in between). Audio production by Todd "Big Head Todd" Hulslander with positive affirmations by Dacia Clay. Warning: This episode contains a few naughty words. Music used in this episode includes...
Sep 06, 2013•38 min•Ep. 21
Hear the second part of our conversation with composer, author, educator, and Executive Director of the American Festival for the Arts, Dr. Michael Remson, about John Adams'minimalist opera, Nixon in China ! In this episode: Act 2, wherein we meet the ladies. You don't want to miss Mme. Mao yelling, opera-style. Audio production by Todd "the Toddler" Hulslander, with management oversight by Mr. Torey Malatia. JK! It was Dacia Clay. Music used in this episode includes: – John Adams, Nixon in Chin...
Aug 30, 2013•29 min•Ep. 20
All about Act 1 of John Adams' minimalist opera, Nixon in China ! In this episode, the first part of our conversation with composer, author, educator, and Executive Director of the American Festival for the Arts, Dr. Michael Remson. World history, music history, and singing politicians?? This episode has pretty much everything you didn't know you'd been waiting for. Audio production by Todd "Hot Toddy" Hulslander with snarky but - let's face it - spot-on suggestions from Dacia Clay. Music used i...
Aug 23, 2013•22 min•Ep. 19
All things clarinet! In this episode, clarinetist, radio host, and Classical 91.7 MusicLab intern, Alexandra Doyle talks with Dacia. Among many things, we learn that auditioning may or may not make one pee one's pants. If you like reeds and/or David Bowie, you'll like this one. Audio production by Todd "Toddly Winks" Hulslander with paroxysms of approval from Dacia Clay. Music used in this episode includes: – Hector Berlioz, Symphonie fantastique, Op.14: V. Songe d'une nuit du Sabbat – Sergei Pr...
Aug 16, 2013•27 min
Time for a research presentation! In this short, Dacia explores the history of banned and censored classical music. And you thought classical music was just for elevators and nap time!
Aug 08, 2013•8 min
August is Arts Appreciation Month ! During August, Houston Public Media Arts and Culture is paying tribute to art forms that have inspired other art forms. We thought this Classical Classroom rerun fit with that theme perfectly, hence the rerunning. The remix has been alive as long as the Beastie Boys' "License to Ill". JK! It's been around for as long as music. Learn how composers have been inspired by, paid tribute to, given tips of the hat to, and plain ripped off, each other since the very b...
Aug 02, 2013•34 min•Ep. 17
Artists as entrepreneurs, Lady Gaga, horror movies, and Schubert! In this episode, concert pianist, author, lecturer, Huffington Post contributor, and probable superhero, Jade Simmons chats with Dacia about how Schubert's "Unfinished" Symphony changed her life. Audio production by Todd "ToHu" Hulslander with knowing winks of encouragement from Dacia Clay. Music from this episode includes: – Schubert, Symphony, No. 8 in B minor D.759, aka the "Unfinished Symphony"
Jul 26, 2013•29 min•Ep. 16
Samuel Barber's "Knoxville: Summer of 1915", as sung by – no, not Bryan Adams – Eleanor Steber. In this episode, Keith Weber, Grammy-nominated Producer, Director of Music and Organist at Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church in Houston, and Artistic Director of Grace Song, Inc., teaches Dacia about this all-American commissioned piece. Audio production by Todd "Todd Almighty" Hulslander with spiritual guidance from Dacia Clay.
Jul 19, 2013•28 min•Ep. 15
