Classical Classroom

Pianist Simone Dinnerstein talks all about her educational initiative, Bachpacking, and her community initiative, Neighborhood Classics, Bach Inventions, and how Led Zeppelin is more like Bach than Jay Z. Audio production by Todd “Toddsy Turvy” Hulslander with yips of joy from Dacia Clay. Music in this episode: – Bach Inventions, played live by Simone Dinnerstein, and from her new album, J.S. Bach: Inventions & Sinfonias – “Suit and Tie“, from the 20/20 Experience by Justin Timberlake, feat. Jay Z – “Misty Mountain Hop“, from untitled album by Led Zeppelin

Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 5 is dramatic, cinematic, erratic, sarcastic, and full of existential longing – according to Chief Conductor of the Lucerne Symphony Orchestra, James Gaffigan. Why is it important to listen to this symphony, the musical expression of Shostakovich’s depression and anxiety as he lived under Stalin’s thumb? Listen to this episode and find out! Audio production by Todd “Taller than Necessary” Hulslander with inspired napping from Dacia Clay. Music in the episode includes: – Dmitri Shostakovich, Symphony No. 5 in D minor, Op. 47, New York Philharmonic Orchestra led by Leonard Bernstein PS, I found a really cool article and video on this symphony from PBS’s Keeping Score.  To find out more about conductor James Gaffigan, go to To find out more about hilarious comedian Jim Gaffigan, go to a different website. :)

It's Black History Month! Time to learn about all of the amazing contributions that black people have made to classical music. Pay close attention because we had to talk really, really fast to fit this many people into a short. PS, You can check out our timeline of black classical music contributors in the "Raise Your Hand" section of our webpage. Audio production by Todd "Troubled Island" Hulslander with barely audible suggestions from Dacia Clay. Thanks to MusicLab intern Princeton Miles for lending his dulcet tones to this episode. Thanks also to St. John Flynn and Daniel Webbon for their contributions to our timeline, and to Daniel for his music research minioning. Music in this episode includes: – Ludwig van Beethoven, Violin Sonata No. 9 (Kreutzer Sonata) – Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, Hiawatha's Wedding Feast – William Grant Still, Symphony No. 1, "Afro-American" – George T Walker, Jr., Lilacs for voice and orchestra – Wynton Marsalis, from Blood on the Fields

The Grammy-nominated Enso String Quartet puts the "class" in this episode of Classical Classroom. We discuss where string quartets come from, why the instruments in a quartet go together so well, what sets Enso apart from other string quartets, and what it's like to play live (which apparently sometimes includes hitting yourself in the face and dancing to get away from bees). Audio production by Todd “Todd Terrific” Hulslander with a few carefully-worded complaints from Dacia Clay. Music in this episode includes: – Franz Joseph Haydn, String Quartet in C Major, Op.76 No.3 Hob. III:77, “Emperor”, Mvt. 1. Allegro & Mvt 2 Poco adagio, cantabile. Performed by the Kodaly Quartet (Naxos, 8.550314) – Franz Schubert, Quartet No. 12  in C minor, “Quartett-Satz”.  Performed by Enso String Quartet (currently unreleased) – Kurt Stallman,  “Following Franz” (currently unreleased) – Richard Strauss, Quartet in A Major, Op. 2: 1. Allegro (from the Enso Quartet website) For more information about the Enso String Quartet:

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

The Butterfly Lovers' Violin Concerto was written by two Chinese composers, Chen Gang and He Zhanhao, in 1959. In honor of Chinese New Year – which begins 1/31 – Houston Public Media's Catherine Lu has come back to the Classroom to teach us all about this gorgeous piece, which was based on possibly the most tragic opera ever. Audio production by Todd “??” Hulslander with ??????? by Dacia Clay. Music in this episode: – Butterfly Lovers’ Violin Concerto by Chen Gang and He Zhanhao – violin by Gil Shaham – “Leading a Camel” from the The Flowing River Water, by Yang Yi He (erhu example) …and don’t miss Catherine Lu’s 2-hour Chinese New Year classical music celebration on Classical 91.7 (and on classical917.org) at noon and again at 10pm, Friday (1/31)!

Are you ready to rumble?? Because these classical composers and musicians are. In this Classical Classroom short, learn all about how rivalries between musicians go back as far as music does, and how music is better for it. Audio production by Todd “Mr. T” Hulslander, with a mean left hook from Dacia Clay and jabs by MusicLab intern, Daniel Webbon. Music used in this episode includes: – “Gonna Fly Now (Theme from Rocky)” by Bill Conti from the Rocky soundtrack – “Lithium” by Nirvana from Nevermind – “Hypnotize” by the Notorious B.I.G. from Life After Death – Overture from The Barber of Seville by Giachino Rossini – Sinfonia Veneziana: Allegro assai by Antonio Salieri – Horn Call from Act 2 of Siegfried by Richard Wagner – Music of Changes, Book 1 by John Cage – Structures by Pierre Boulez – Piano Concerto No. 1 in C major, op. 15 by Ludwig van Beethoven (played by Lang Lang) – “I Knew You Were Trouble” by Taylor Swift from Red  

Osvaldo Golijov's "Ayre" – an amazing exercise in contrasts – is unlike any other piece you've ever heard on Classical Classroom. In fact, is it classical music?? Percussionist Craig Hauschildt (who works for a group called Da Camera that brings tons of classical music to Houston) answers that question, plus, we both try and fail at pronouncing a lot of words. Audio production by Todd “Trouble” Hulslander, with snacking and oversight by Dacia Clay. Music used in this episode: – Ayre (2004) by Osvaldo Noé Golijov – Folk Songs by Luciano Berio – “Debaser”, from the album Doolittle, by the Pixies For more about Da Camera of Houston, visit www.dacamera.com.

In honor of Beethoven's 240-something birthday, Keith Weber, Grammy-nominated Producer, Director of Music and Organist at Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church in Houston, and Artistic Director of Grace Song, Inc., talks about just who this "Beethoven" guy was, why he was officially excused from having manners at parties, and all about his "Missa Solemnis" mass. Audio production by Todd “Todd Rundgren” Hulslander without a lick of help from Dacia Clay. Music used in this episode: – Ludwig van Beethoven’s Missa solemnis in D major, Op. 123 For more information about Grace Song, Inc., go to www.gracesong.us.

We all know The Nutcracker, right? Wrong! In this episode of Classical Classroom, Shelly Power (director, Houston Ballet Academy) and Michael Remson (executive director, American Festival of the Arts) blow your minds with the history of the ballet and a behind-the-scenes look at the massive undertaking that putting on the show entails every year. Audio production by Todd “Pas de Todd” Hulslander with sugarplum fairies dancing in her head by Dacia Clay. The Nutcracker: – Score by Pyotr Illyich Tchaikovsky – Original choreography by Marius Petipas and Lev Ivanov – Libretto adapted from E.T.A. Hoffmann’s story, The Nutcracker and the Mouse King For more about the Houston Ballet, go to www.houstonballet.org. For more about American Festival for the Arts, go to www.afatexas.org.

Handel's Messiah is a beloved Christmas favorite. But, as Robert Simpson, founder and artistic director of Houston Chamber Choir, tells us, it is oh-so-much more than the "Hallelujah" chorus. Like, 250 pages more. All of which we cover in this half-hour episode. Just kidding! Audio production by Todd “Jolly Old Saint Toddolas” Hulslander with stockings hung by the mixing board by Dacia Clay. Music used in this episode: – George Frideric Handel, Messiah, HWV 56 For more about the Houston Chamber Choir and their upcoming performance of Messiah, go to www.houstonchamberchoir.org.

Happy Thanksgivukkah everyone! That’s right: the Julian and the Hebrew calendars have aligned this year to create a day even more amazing than Hanukkah and more delicious than Thanksgiving. There won’t be another until the year 79811! To honor this rare occasion, Cantor Benjamin Matis of the Shelter Rock Jewish Centerin Roslyn, New York in Long Island schools us on the history and music of Hanukkah. Audio production by Todd “Toddfurky” Hulslander with a side of help and gravy from Dacia Clay. Music in this episode includes: John Williams’ Star Wars (Main Theme) Ma’oz Tzur (Ashkenazi and Sephardic versions) George Frideric Handel’s Judas Maccabaeus (HWV 63) Richard Tucker singing “Sound an Alarm” (Judas Maccabaeus) David Paskin, The Ballad of Thanksgivukkah Aaaand, of course, this gem:  https://youtu.be/KX5Z-HpHH9g  

Igor Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring was so revolutionary that its alien sounds literally incited a riot at its premiere. Dr. Ana María Otamendi, Venezuelan pianist and professor at the University of Houston tells us why! And btw, we are aware that it’s Fall. But we don’t even care! Audio production by Todd “Travesty” Hulslander with aspersions cast by Dacia Clay. Music in this episode: Igor Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring Check out Ana Maria’s performance of her arrangement of The Rite of Spring on December 4th at the University of Houston’s Dudley Recital Hall. For more information, go to www.uh.edu/class/music.

Beethoven's 7th Symphony (Yes! We finally talk about Beethoven!) is one of independent producer, author, documentary filmmaker, and Peabody Award-winner, Wesley Horner's favorite pieces of music. In this episode, Wes takes us on an emotional journey through this masterful musical conversation. Caution: you may want to dance or weep – or dance and weep – when you listen to this.     Audio production by Todd "Toddtastic" Hulslander with deep, brooding glances from Dacia Clay. Music we used in this episode: - Ludwig van Beethoven, Symphony No. 7 in A major, Op. 92, 2nd movement Also, I couldn't help noticing that during our conversation, Wes and I started to sound a little like "NPR's Delicious Dish":

Was Tchaikovsky’s Symphony VI (aka “Pathetique”, aka “Suicide Symphony”) a suicide note or did he die of cholera, per the Official Word? You decide after this intweeging lesson with clarinetist and Shepherd School of Music Professor of Music, Michael Webster! Audio production by Todd “Toddsy Woddsy” Hulslander with roof raising by Dacia Clay. All music used in this episode was played by the Houston Youth Symphony, of which Prof. Webster is the Artistic Director and Conductor. Like what you hear? Go hear HYS play this piece (Symphony No. 6 in B minor, Op. 74, Pathétique) live in their Side-by-Side Concert with the Houston Symphony. For more information, go to www.houstonyouthsymphony.com!

1, 2…1, 2 this is just a test… A classical music test! In this episode, Professor St. John Flynn gives Dacia an oral examination of terms she's (supposedly) learned in the last 26 episodes of Classical Classroom. Has she learned anything?? It's nail-biter! Audio production by Todd “Totes” Hulslander with late night cramming and pizza consumption by Dacia Clay.

Concert pianist and entrepreneur Richard Dowling illuminates some of Chopin’s pieces by “ragging” them on the piano. It’s a lesson in classical music and ragtime all rolled up in one, topped with live performances, and served with a side of fries. Music in this episode includes live performances by Richard Dowling of: Frederic Chopin, Nocturne in E-flat Major, Op. 9 No. 2 Ethan Uslan, Chopin’s Knocked Urn Frederic Chopin, “Revolutionary” Etude in C Minor, Op. 10 No. 12 Joseph Lamb, Ragtime Nightingale Claude Debussy, Golliwogg’s Cakewalk (not performed by Mr. Dowling) Audio production by Todd “Toddry” Hulslander with sarcastic slow claps of approval from Dacia Clay.

Leonard Bernstein, Glenn Gould, Aaron Copland, and Igor Stravinsky join us – from the Afterlife! – for this special Halloween edition of the Classical Classroom. Learn about these giants of classical music in a way never before possible, in this roundtable discussion. Audio production by Todd “TODD!!!” Hulslander with terrifyingly good assistance from Dacia Clay. Music  in this episode includes: – Igor Stravinsky, the Rite of Spring (opening sections) – Purity Ring’s “Fineshrine” from the album, Shrines – Eric Whitacre’s Virtual Choir 4: Fly to Paradise   

Chamber music, performing live as a group, and how movement informs music! In this episode, WindSync wind quintet talk about all of those things and about life as a touring group. Hotel rooms are trashed (okay, not really)! Miley Cyrus is discussed (very probably)! WindSync gets schooled by tango (definitely)! Audio production by Todd “Ermahgerd” Hulslander with “help” from Dacia Clay. For more about WindSync, go to www.windsync.org.  For more about Classical Classroom, go to www.classical917.org/classroom. Love our shows? Show us by donating a few bucks here: bit.ly/UQweya. Donations contribute directly to your own continued audio happiness! Music in this episode includes performances by WindSync!: Leonard Bernstein (arr. WindSync), Overture to Candide Astor Piazzolla (arr. WindSync), Histoire du Tango Cafe 1930 Gallo Ciego (w/ Hector Del Curto on bandoneon)

  Mozart's death is still so mysterious over two centuries later, that we couldn't help but do a Research Presentation about it. In this short, Dacia explores why his death is an unsolved mystery, and why we're still so fascinated by it. Intweeged? Hit play to find out more! Music used in this episode includes: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s… La clemenza di Tito, K. 621 Requiem Mass in D minor K. 626 Introitus: Requiem aeternam Sequentia: Lacrimosa dies illa Communio: Lux aeterna For more information about the Mozart Festival radio series, go to www.themozartfestival.org. Classical 91.7 will be broadcasting the series throughout the month of October. For more information about our broadcast, go to www.classical917.org!