When Pop and Classical Collide (with James Bennett II)

Once upon a time, classical music was pop, so today it's worth stepping back and asking: where does one genre stop and the other begin? Can classical ever be popular again? And why do only some classical tracks makes for good samples? Luckily James Bennett II of classical station WQXR is on hand to break down these and other musical conundrums, including but not limited to: killer opera clowns, Bach hip hop hybrids, and the namesake album of this very podcast.

Songs discussed:

Dessa and the Minnesota Orchestra - Chaconne

Enrico Caruso - Vesti la Giubbia

Mario Lanza - Because You’re Mine

Wendy Carlos - Prelude and Fugue in C Minor

Jackie Evancho - Nessun Dorma

Jackie Evancho - Burn

Lindsay Stirling - Underground

Vitamin String Quartet - Shallow

Florence Price - Symphony 1

Nas - I Can

Black Eyed Peas - Back 2 Hip Hop

Victoria - Impropreia

Kanye West - Gone

Check out more of James's writing here: https://www.wqxr.org/people/james-bennett-ii/

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