SPOGreatMusic

The piano music of Maurice Ravel is among the most exciting, the most colourful, and, for the performers, the most challenging in the piano repertoire. This episode will look at the life of Maurice Ravel, his beautifully expressive piano compositions, and the challenges of performing it. Featuring University of Ottawa professor and musicologist Christopher Moore and piano soloist Alexander Panizza.

China has a rich musical history, but it is constructed differently than music in the western world. This episode will look at the ways composers have combined traditional Chinese music with western classical music, including a discussion of the Oscar winning movie Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, the Butterfly Lover’s Violin Concerto and more. Featuring interviews with conductor and composer Tak Ng Lai and composer Kevin Zi-Xiao He.

Canadians all sing it, but how much do we really know about it? This episode is based on the article, Calixa Lavallee and the Construction of a National Anthem by Ross W. Duffin (The Musical Quarterly). A fascinating exploration of the man and the music behind O Canada. Featuring an interview with Ross W. Duffin himself.

Discover the 40-year history of the Scarborough Philharmonic Orchestra. The triumphs and challenges, as well as the passion and love for great music that has sustained the orchestra through the decades. There will be several interviews featuring musicians, SPO music directors and other members from the SPO community. Special thanks to our 2020/2021 Music Director, Conductor, and podcast Producer, Ronald Royer, and Executive Director and podcast Executive Producer, Devin Scott, for all their hard work keeping our history moving forward.

The Huron Carol was the first Christmas song composed in Canada, written using the language of the Huron/Wendat people in 1642. Progressing through the centuries to present day music, this episode will look at Canada’s cultural history through the lens of holiday music. Including musical traditions and music from Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba and the unique “Santa Claw” songs from the Maritimes. Featuring interviews with SPO conductor and composer Ronald Royer, Toronto Choral Society conductor Geoffrey Butler,  Toronto based singer-songwriters Jacelyn Holmes and folk artist, translator, farmer and pilot Anastasia Fyk.

Discover the 40-year history of the Scarborough Philharmonic Orchestra. The triumphs and challenges, as well as the passion and love for great music that has sustained the orchestra through the decades. There will be several interviews featuring musicians, SPO music directors and other members from the SPO community. Special thanks to our 2020/2021 Music Director, Conductor, and podcast Producer, Ronald Royer, and Executive Director and podcast Executive Producer, Devin Scott, for all their hard work keeping our history moving forward.

Beethoven’s life, his personality, his daily schedule, his favourite foods, and influences on his life and music will be discussed. We will examine what inspired and motivated Beethoven, leading him to create some of the most famous and popular classical music of all time. Included will be a discussion of his chamber music, including interviews with University of Toronto Music Professor Dr. Alexander Rapoport, SPO music director Ronald Royer, SPO Artist-in-Residence Dr. Lisa Tahara and pianist Alexander Panizza.

Part 2 examines Beethoven's mid to late works. Make sure to also listen to Part 1, focusing on Beethoven’s early life and career. Excerpts from the piano sonatas are recorded by Alexander Panizza.

Beethoven’s life, his personality, his daily schedule, his favourite foods, and influences on his life and music will be discussed. We will examine what inspired and motivated Beethoven, leading him to create some of the most famous and popular classical music of all time. Included will be a discussion of his chamber music, including interviews with University of Toronto Music Professor Dr. Alexander Rapoport, SPO music director Ronald Royer, SPO concertmaster Corey Gemmell, and pianists Alexander Panizza, Emily Rho and Dr. Lisa Tahara.

Part 1 will focus on Beethoven’s early life and career, while Part 2 (November 13 release) will examine his mid to late work. Excerpts from the piano sonatas will be recorded by Alexander Panizza.

J.S. Bach’s compositions for solo cello and violin are milestones in the repertoire for a solo unaccompanied instrument. This episode will look at J.S. Bach’s life, his solo suites for the cello and his partitas for the violin, and his influence on other composers who have written solo works. Featuring interviews with Eric Siblin, author of J.S. Bach’s The Cello Suites (Anansi with support from the OAC and CCA), SPO concertmaster Corey Gemmell, and Canadian composer Frank Horvat, discussing his recent Music for Self-Isolation series of solo instrument works.

How have plagues and pandemics affected musical life, musicians, and composers? This episode will focus on the European plagues from the 1300s through the 1800s, and the global 1918 and 2019 pandemics. Featuring interviews with Dr. Remi Chiu, author of Plague and Music in the Renaissance (Cambridge University Press), Katherine Carleton, Executive Director of Orchestras Canada, and conductor/composer William Rowson.