Classical Classroom

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 Und Verklarung, Deutsche Grammophon 410 892
• Gershwin's "An American in Paris" from Rhapsody in Blue, RCA 68792

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.

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.

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.

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 learn with us in the Classical Classroom.

In this episode, Dacia Clay talks with Classical 91.7 program director St. John Flynn about Richard Strauss' "achingly beautiful" work, Four Last Songs, and we learn how it allegedly has something to do with the Smiths.

Audio production by Todd Hulslander and Dacia Clay, with assistance from St. John Flynn.

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 Warsmovie. 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

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.

Audio production by Todd Hulslander and Daniel Webbon.

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 Cleveland Orchestra. (And Episode 4 of our show.) And in addition to being a professional opera singer, Angela is Assistant Producer at WCLV. They are a classical music power couple, people. And some of our favorite humans. So, when you hear "Schmidt" in this episode, think "Mitchell." Kthx! ——————————————— In this episode, opera singer and classical music announcer Angela Mitchell talks about bel canto aria and sleepwalking, wrongly-accused hussies.

Angela Mitchell. Photo by Roger Mastroianni. Courtesy of the artist's website.

Audio production by Todd Hulslander and Angela Mitchell.

Music in this episode: – "La Sonnambula" ("The Sleepwalker") by Vincenzo Bellini.

For more about Angela Mitchell: www.angelamitchellsoprano.com

Thumbnail image of Angela as Nanetta in Verdi's Falstaff courtesy of Angela's website.

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, London Philharmonic
• Fabio Biondi solo violin, Europa Galante