Classical Classroom

Hélène Grimaud's recent release on Deutsche Grammophon, is a true "concept album." Flowing with water themed music from the classical repertoire it also bathes us with new musical bridges and transitions from composer and producer, Nitin Sawhney.

"What inspired the idea to record this album is really the fascination that so many composers of the 19th and 20th centuries seem to have had with the element of water," Grimaud states.

In this episode, Hélène and Dacia surf through the music selections, and wade through the details of how a project such as this ebbs and flows. They navigate through the process, from a tiny ripple of an idea to a tsunami of musical expression in the final CD release. They also dive into the ecological importance of conservation and Hélène's goal of streaming awareness for safe, clean water around the world.

With all of the good music on this show, you might need a bigger boat!

Featuring works by nine composers: Berio's Wasserklavier and includes Takemitsu's Rain Tree Sketch II, Fauré's Barcarolle No.5, Ravel's Jeux d'eau, "Almería" from Albéniz's Iberia, Liszt's Les Jeux d'eau à la Villa d'Este, the first movement of Janáček's In the Mists, and Debussy's La cathédrale engloutie.

Audio production by Todd "Trickle" Hulslander with splashing about by Dacia Clay and editing by Mark DiClaudio.

While we are cooking up new episodes for your enjoyment, please enjoy this delicious dish from our archives. Don't miss Avi's recent in-studio performances at WQXR, btw!

According to Deutsche Grammophonrecording 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, from Avi Avital's CD 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.

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 the alt classical movement. Or indie classical. Or whatever you wanna call it.

Music used in this episode includes:

• Hoketus by Louis Andriessen
• De Materie by Louis Andriessen (begins with 144 repetitions of same chord)
• De Staat by Louis Andriessen
• Yo Shakespeare by Michael Gordon
• Pierced by David Lang
• "Bone Chapel" from O Death by Oscar Bettison

Audio production from Todd "Twinkles" Hulslander with very marginal oversight from Dacia Clay.

PS, One of the images attached to this article is not George Heathco, but his TV doppleganger George from Being Human. Can you tell which is which? One of them loves Twilight. (Apologies, non-specific George!)

Happy Bach's 331st birthday! To celebrate, we had a partita party with violinist Rachel Barton Pine. (What's a "partita," you ask? Listen and learn, my friends.) Rachel explains Bach's sonatas and partitas and what makes them unique, and walks us through several examples from her new album Testament, which she released on March 21st to coincide with Bach's bday. Also discussed: What Bach means to her personally, and whether one needs to wear a beret when playing French music (spoiler alert: oui).

99% of the music in this episode is from Rachel Barton Pine's new release, Testament: Complete Sonatas & Partitas for Solo Violin by J. S. Bach. The other 1% is the producer's fault.

Audio production by Todd "Partodda" Hulslander with sarabande by Dacia Clay and editing by Mark DiClaudio.

Nadia Sirota is a busy lady. She's a violist and recording artist, she's a member of yMusic, Alarm Will Sound, and ACME (the American Contemporary Music Ensemble), she commissions work from new composers, she collaborates with classical and rock music makers (Missy Mazzoli, Nico Muhly, Jónsi, and Arcade Fire to name a few) and she's the host and co-producer of Q2 Music's contemporary classical music podcast, Meet the Composer. In this episode of Classical Classroom, Sirota talks about new classical music, from what to call it (Alt classical? Concert music? Music?) to the people who are making innovative work right now. Hear music so fresh it will make your clothes smell good.

Music in this episode:

• Clip from Meet the Composer, episode 10
• Andrew Norman "Music in Circles"
• Caroline Shaw "Partita for 8 Voices"
• Donnacha Dennehy "Gra Agus Bas"
• Nico Muhly "Drones and piano"

Audio production by Todd "Touché" Hulslander with whale song by Dacia Clay and editing by Mark DiClaudio.

To learn more, check out Nadia Sirota's website.

Masterpiece's Downton Abbey came to an end last night after six seasons. In this tell-all exposé, Scottish composer John Lunn talks about his years with the Crawley family, what Lord Grantham really thought of Branson, and his thoughts on Thomas Barrow's perpetual bad attitude. Okay, okay — not exactly. But Lunn does talk about how he got into writing for TV, how it's different than writing operas and violin concertos, and about being part of the Downton team for six seasons. Past (and future!) secrets are revealed. All in a lovely Scottish accent.

All music in this episode (except for the Bach) from the CD, Downton Abbey: The Ultimate Collection:

• Prelude & Fugue No. 24 in B Minor BWV 893. JS Bach. Angela Hewitt.
• The Suite
• Such Good Luck
• Escapades
• End of An Era

Audio production for this episode by Todd "Lord of Toddington" Hulslander with pregnant pauses by Dacia Clay and assistance from Mark DiClaudio.

Learn more about John Lunn here.

For more about Downton Abbey, go here.

Classical music renaissance man, Hugh Sung

Hugh Sung is a modern classical music renaissance man: He's a podcaster, a techie, a pianist who's collaborated with people like Jennifer Higdon and Hillary Hahn, an author, an inventor, a former Curtis Institute Professor who now teaches online. Sung has crafted a life — and a career — that keeps him close to his passion and that constantly engages his busy mind. In this MusicWorks episode, learn how and why Hugh does it, and be inspired to create your own Musical Life.

Music in this episode:

• Myths Op.30: I. The Fountain Of Arethusa. Karol Szymanowski. Performed by Aaron Rosand with Hugh Sung.
• Man of Steel. Hugh Sung
• Capriccio-Waltz In E Major Op.7. Henryk Wieniawski. Performed by Aaron Rosand with Hugh Sung.
• Four Souvenirs: Samba. Paul Schoenfield. Performed by Jasmine Choi and Hugh Sung.

Audio production by Todd "Mind Like a Steel Trap" Hulslander with x-ray vision by Dacia Clay and editing by Mark DiClaudio.

To hear Dacia Clay's interview on Hugh's podcast, go here.

For more about Hugh Sung: www.hughsung.com

Thanks to our MusicWorks theme music composer, George Heathco.

MusicWorks is a Classical Classroom subseries that takes a look at what people are doing in the classical music world today.

Beyond Pluck is a harp duo, comprised of Paula Bressman and Rachel Miller. In addition to the classical repertoire, they also like arranging pop songs for the harp, working with scientists and artists, touring clubs as well as concert halls, and long walks on the beach. In this episode, Paula and Rachel talk about the history of the harp and how it works, its repertoire, conjuring fairies, and why anyone would want to play something so ginormous. They also perform, illustrating the range of the harp, from Bach to Rihanna. That's right: we found harp in a harpless place.

All music in this episode played by Beyond Pluck.

Audio production by Todd "Tragically Hip" Hulslander with cagey responses by Dacia Clay and editing by Mark DiClaudio.

In honor of Presidents Day, we are rerunning not one, but TWO very presidential episodes of Classical Classroom. Originally, our discussion with AFA's ‎executive and artistic director Michael Remson was so epic — spanning John Adams' entire Nixon in China opera — that we divided it into two episodes. For your listening pleasure, we've merged the two episodes into one here. So, go get some apple pie, your whittling tools, and a glass of whiskey (this is how we imagine you listen to all Classical Classroom episodes) and settle in.

In the first part of our conversation with composer, author, educator, and executive director of the American Festival for the Arts, Dr. Michael Remson, we cover Act 1 of Nixon in China: world history, music history, and singing politicians. In Act 2, we meet the ladies. You don't want to miss Mme. Mao yelling, opera-style.

Richard Nixon playing piano in Beverly Hills, Calif., 1962

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 China. Libretto by Alice Goodman, Orchestra of St. Luke's, Edo De Waart conducting. Nonesuch 79177.

Start your Valentine's Day week with cellist Alisa Weilerstein's introduction to the music of Sergey Rachmaninov. Who was this romantic man, and what makes him different from all the other guys – I mean, composers? Weilerstein walks us through Rachmaninov's Sonata in G Minor for Cello and Piano. Plus, she talks about her musical relationship with performing partner, pianist Inon Barnatan, and what it's like to be part of a long-term creative duo. \

Music in this episode is all from Weilerstein and Barnatan's CD, Chopin and Rachmaninov Cello Sonatas:

• Sonata in G Minor for Cello and Piano, Opus 19. Sergey Rachmaninov.

Audio production by Todd "Toight like a toiger" Hulslander with grrrr aargh's from Dacia Clay and editing by Mark DiClaudio.

If you enjoyed this episode with Alisa Weilerstein, check out her other Classical Classroom episode – all about the Aspen Music Festival and playing solo cello.