Nico Muhly, indie classical, and the future of classical music! In this episode, Classical 91.7 announcer Chris Johnson – our first returning instructor! – comes back to the Classical Classroom. This one isn't for the faint of heart: there are banjos! Audio production by Todd "Toddy" Hulsander with gentle nudges of encouragement from Dacia Clay. Music used in this episode includes: – The Only Tune (parts 1-3), from Nico Muhly's Mothertongue , on Brassland Records....
Jul 12, 2013•26 min•Ep. 14
In this special 4th of July edition of Classical Classroom Research Presentations, Dacia ponders why Americans listen to Russian music on their Independence Day. She uncovers the [not really that] secret history of how one man and his love of pyrotechnics made Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture the theme music for America's most patriotic celebration. Written, produced, and otherwise manhandled by Dacia Clay. Music used in this episode includes: – Pyotr Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture , Boston Pops Orchest...
Jul 03, 2013•6 min
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. Timothy Hester. Courtesy of the UH website. 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...
Jul 03, 2013•29 min•Ep. 13
WindSync Wind Quintet bassoonist, Tracy Jacobson, takes Dacia along on her journey to continue her musical education as a professional musician. She steps outside of her comfort zone and into Debussy's piano works. Come with us to Paris, talk in your museum voice, and have some wine. It'll be awesome! Audio production by Todd Hulslander with encouraging yelps from Dacia Clay, and s few nods and shakes of the head from Tracy Jacobson, too. For more about WindSync: www.windsync.org . Thumbnail pho...
Jun 28, 2013•36 min•Ep. 12
Mendelssohn's "A Midsummer Night's Dream", Suite from Incidental Music! In this episode, Classical 91.7 announcer and producer, and Cheeto the cat's person, Catherine Lu chats with Dacia. Learn about scherzos, nerds, and Dacia's totally plausible theory about Puck's "love potion". Audio production from Todd Hulslander, with a lot of help this time actually from Dacia Clay. Music used in this episode includes: – Mendelssohn: Incidental Music to "A Midsummer Night's Dream," Op. 61 (We used CBS/Son...
Jun 21, 2013•41 min•Ep. 11
In this episode, River Oaks Chamber Orchestra's Artistic Director, founder, and principal oboist, Alecia Lawyer takes Dacia inside the mind of an oboe player. In this strange world, people grow their own (bamboo), enjoy fame alongside Willie Nelson, and live on the edge without all of the annoying parachutes and bungee cords. Audio production by Todd Hulslander, with pearls of editing wisdom from Dacia Clay. Music used in this episode includes: – Le Tombeau de Couperin by Ravel: St. Paul chamber...
Jun 14, 2013•29 min•Ep. 10
In this episode, Classical 91.7's Saturday Morning Music host and contra dancer extraordinaire, Amy Bishop takes Dacia on a journey with Smetana, Strauss, and Gershwin to learn about tone poems, invoking a surprising number of mermaids and mimes. Audio production by Todd Hulslander with "insightful" suggestions from Dacia Clay. Music used in this episode includes: Smetana's "The Moldau" from Tchaikovsky/Smetana , Chesky CD65 Richard Strauss' "Death and Transfiguration" from Metamorphosen, Tod Un...
Jun 07, 2013•35 min•Ep. 9
In this episode, independent producer, author, documentary filmmaker, Peabody Award-winner (et cetera, et cetera…), Wesley Horner chats with Dacia about Bach's B Minor Mass and bringing classical music to people who hate wearing tuxedos. Audio production by Todd Hulslander with occasional grunts of approval from Dacia Clay.
May 31, 2013•24 min•Ep. 8
In this episode, Classical 91.7's Senior Recording Engineer, host of Music from the Movies, and Emmy-nominated composer, Brad Sayles talks to Dacia about his own work and the creative process of a classical music composer. Audio production by Todd Hulslander with assistance from Dacia Clay. You can find music used in this episode at www.bradsayles.com .
May 22, 2013•24 min•Ep. 7
In this episode, Grammy-nominated Producer, Director of Music and Organist at Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church in Houston, and Artistic Director of Grace Song, Inc. Keith Weber teaches Dacia about Camille Saint-Saëns' Organ Symphony. Audio production by (also Grammy-nominated!) Todd Hulslander with assistance from Dacia Clay.
May 10, 2013•30 min•Ep. 6
Classical 91.7 audio librarian, Dacia Clay has a deep, dark secret: she knows next to nothing about classical music. But she wants to learn! Luckily, she's surrounded by classical music experts every day. In each episode of the Classical Classroom, Dacia's colleagues and some local classical music luminaries take turns giving her classical music "homework assignments" and educating her. You'll learn about everything from bel canto aria to the use of leitmotif in the score to Star Wars. Come lear...
Apr 30, 2013•24 min•Ep. 5
In this episode, conductor Brett Mitchell — Assistant Conductor for the Cleveland Orchestra, man of too many accolades to mention, and former Assistant Conductor of the Houston Symphony — talks about John Williams' use of leitmotif in the score to the original Star Wars movie. Listen, you must. Audio production by Todd "Tatooine" Hulslander, with use of the Force by Dacia Clay. For more about Brett Mitchell: www.brettmitchellconductor.com...
Apr 24, 2013•23 min•Ep. 4
In this episode, Dacia Clay talks with MusicLab intern and Moores School graduate student, Daniel Webbon, about Steve Reich's "Piano Phase" andclassical music minimalism. Audio production by Todd Hulslander and Daniel Webbon.
Apr 18, 2013•19 min•Ep. 3
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 Cleve...
Apr 10, 2013•24 min•Ep. 2
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. In this episode, Dacia Clay talks with Chris Johnson about Vivaldi's "Autumn", and rich people having picnics. 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, Lo...
Apr 03, 2013•11 min•Ep. 1
