TACO Talk

Join Tom on a wild ride through the dotted rhythms of syncopation, a structure that displaces notes from a clockbeat pattern for a more organic and dynamic effect. Using examples from different genres, Tom illustrates the visceral impact of displacing the beat, and talks about why savvy composers do it.

Handel and Haydn Society Concertmaster, and TACO collaborator Aisslinn Nosky drops by to talk with Tom about the ins and outs of playing concertmaster, as well as her brilliant recording of Mozart’s sublime masterpiece Sinfonia Concertante.

ACO Principal Horn and consummate storyteller R.J. Kelley talks with Artistic Director Thomas Crawford about the horn’s transition from the hunt to the orchestra pit, along with the musical, mechanical and social ramifications of the move.

In this week's episode, violinist Chloe Fedor talks with Tom about bringing out the nuances of the Bach Chaconne, which she recently performed in concert with the ACO. Listen to their conversation and discover the fascinating story behind her 250-year-old violin and its unlikely relationship to... roller skates!

Join Tom and Mark as they walk you through The American Classical Orchestra’s evolution, discuss the period-instrument movement in the United States, and explain why TACO plays those “old” instruments.

TACO Talk is a weekly podcast series from The American Classical Orchestra, affectionately called TACO by its members. Through in-depth conversation with the orchestra’s musicians and some very special guests, host and artistic director Thomas Crawford shares insights while spinning tunes and tales about music, performance, and beyond.

Produced by Mark Zaki, each episode takes a unique and intriguing glimpse into the world of music, making a rich connection with the past and exploring the ways classical musicians intersect with historic performance and contemporary culture.