Music for Life

In this episode, we discuss the musical styles that accompany competitive Irish step-dance and spotlight the Dublin Irish Dance company — interviewing its lead singer — in the lead-up to its performance at Armstrong Auditorium.

Dublin Irish Dance at Armstrong Auditorium:https://www.armstrongauditorium.org/performance/dublin-irish-dance
Facebook Event Page:https://www.facebook.com/events/216572108839398/

In this episode, we explore the Moscow Festival Ballet and its “best of Russian ballet” gala program they are bringing to Armstrong Auditorium.

Moscow Festival Ballet at Armstrong Auditorium (Night 1 — Jan. 29):https://www.armstrongauditorium.org/performance/moscow-festival-ballet
Facebook Event Page (Night 1 — Jan. 29):https://www.facebook.com/events/241880279623463/
Moscow Festival Ballet at Armstrong Auditorium (Night 2 — Jan. 30):https://www.armstrongauditorium.org/performance/moscow-festival-ballet-1
Facebook Event Page (Night 2 — Jan. 30):https://www.facebook.com/events/599132220296808/

In this episode, we discuss the composer Peter Tchaikovsky, some of his great ballet music, and specifically his Romeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture that was adapted into a ballet.

Moscow Festival Ballet at Armstrong Auditorium (Night 1 — Jan. 29):
www.armstrongauditorium.org/performance…ival-ballet

Facebook Event Page (Night 1 — Jan. 29):
www.facebook.com/events/241880279623463/

In this episode, we interview a founding member of the Brooklyn Rider string quartet, in the lead-up to its collaboration at Armstrong Auditorium with banjo virtuoso Bela Fleck — in a program titled “Night Flight Over Water.”

Bela Fleck and Brooklyn Rider at Armstrong Auditorium:https://www.armstrongauditorium.org/performance/béla-fleck-banjo-brooklyn-rider
Facebook Event Page:https://www.facebook.com/events/1468588976525161/

In this episode, we explore the fresh string quartet known as Brooklyn Rider and the banjo virtuoso and renowned composer Bela Fleck.

Bela Fleck and Brooklyn Rider at Armstrong Auditorium::
www.armstrongauditorium.org/performance…oklyn-rider

Facebook Event Page:
www.facebook.com/events/1468588976525161/

In this episode, we explore some of the great interview moments from the first season of our program, including talks with Gerard Schwarz, Eric Whitacre, Sara Sant’Ambrogio and many more — plus a few musical examples of pieces written to showcase the highest level of performance achievement.

In this episode, we explore the famous Csárdás folk style, and we speak to violinist Ray Chen in the leadup to his performance at Armstrong Auditorium.

In this episode, we explore Spanish composers like Manuel de Falla and his Popular Spanish Suite for violin.

In this episode, we explore the composer Camille Saint-Saëns and his first violin sonata in D minor — considered so difficult in places, only a mythical creature would likely be able to play it.

Violinist Ray Chen performance at Armstrong Auditorium:
www.armstrongauditorium.org/performance…n-violinist

Facebook Event page:
www.facebook.com/events/1406062416107393/

In this episode, we explore Belgian composers, including Eugène Ysaÿe and his fourth solo violin sonata, as well as violinist and composer Fritz Kreisler — to whom the sonata was dedicated.