Eric Whitacre and The Sacred Veil

© Marc Royce

Sam chats to composer Eric Whitacre about their experience recording The Sacred Veil together with VOCES8. The 12-movement work is a collaboration between Whitacre and poet-lyricist Charles Anthony Silvestri, and comprises texts by Silvestri, Whitacre and Silvestri’s late wife Julie. Its intimate score ‘tells a story of courtship, love, loss and the search for solace’.

Find out more about the piece here: https://ericwhitacre.com/music-catalog/the-sacred-veil

…

Featured Clips:
Mov. 1: The Veil Opens
Mov. 11: You Rise, I Fall
Mov. 4: Magnetic Poetry
Mov. 12: Child of Wonder

… 

Buy us a coffee innit: https://ko-fi.com/classicalpod

… 

Follow us here:
instagram.com/classicalpod/
twitter.com/ClassicalPod
facebook.com/ClassicalPod/

The Lord of the Rings: A Musical Pilgrimage

© Benjamin Ealovega

Today’s episode is all about geography. Tim talks international competition politics and how Rachmaninov’s disputed legacy ties into the debate. Meanwhile Sam forges a musical map of Middle Earth in a Lord of the Rings analytical pilgrimage. All topped off with a very literal fluffy-dog story. Live long and prosper.

Check out Russia Beyond’s dubious Rachmaninov listicle: https://www.rbth.com/arts/334377-sergei-rachmaninoff-russian-composer

…

Music Referenced
Beethoven’s Piano Sonata No. 17, ‘The Tempest’
’Meet the Flintstones’ by Hoyt Curtin
The Open University theme tune
Various themes from Howard Shore’s soundtrack to The Lord of the Rings trilogy and Bear McCreary’s soundtrack to The Rings of Power

… 

Buy us a coffee innit: https://ko-fi.com/classicalpod 

… 

Follow us here:
instagram.com/classicalpod/
twitter.com/ClassicalPod
facebook.com/ClassicalPod/

Anna Thorvaldsdottir Doesn’t Need a Programme

Image © Anna Maggý

Tim travels to the home of Icelandic composer Anna Thorvaldsdottir for a classical chat. They discuss Icelandic’s musical pedigree, her upcoming role as Featured Artist at the Aldeburgh Festival, her cameo in Todd Field’s Tár and the importance (or unimportance) of a work’s conceptual inspiration in the ears of the listener.

…

Featured Clips:
ARCHORA, performed by the Iceland Symphony Orchestra under Eva Ollikainen
AIŌN, performed by the Iceland Symphony Orchestra under Eva Ollikainen
Ró, performed by CAPUT Ensemble under by Guðni Franzson

Links:
Anna’s website: https://www.annathorvalds.com/
Some info on her upcoming residency: https://www.annathorvalds.com/blog/2022/12/20/featured-artist-at-the-2023-aldeburgh-festival
Andrew Mellor on Iceland as a classical music powerhouse: https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/apr/05/iceland-classical-music-symphony-orchestra-uk-tour

… 

Buy us a coffee innit: https://ko-fi.com/classicalpod

… 

Follow us here:
instagram.com/classicalpod/
twitter.com/ClassicalPod
facebook.com/ClassicalPod/

Scoring Jane Austin

In today's episode Sam and Tim discuss recent concert hall dramas as unionised musicians seize the means of sound production. Meanwhile Sam peers into the gilded musical cages of Jane Austin’s Sense and Sensibility in the next instalment of his film music series.

…

Music Referenced
‘Mars’ from Holst’s The Planets
‘Gallop’ interlude from Shostakovich’s opera The Nose
‘My Father's Favourite’ from Patrick Doyle’s score to Sense and Sensibility

… 

Buy us a coffee innit: https://ko-fi.com/classicalpod 

… 

Follow us here:
instagram.com/classicalpod/
twitter.com/ClassicalPod
facebook.com/ClassicalPod/

Caroline Shaw and Her Many Composer Hats

© Dayna Szyndrowski

Tim speaks to the US singer, composer and producer Caroline Shaw. They cover her various composer hats, the upcoming performance of her Four Portraits at the Lyric Opera of Chicago, and their shared appreciation for Abba and Fiona Apple.

…

Links:
Caroline’s website: https://carolineshaw.com
Some info on Four Portraits: https://www.lyricopera.org/lyric-lately/notes-on-four-portraits/

… 

Buy us a coffee innit: https://ko-fi.com/classicalpod

… 

Follow us here:
instagram.com/classicalpod/
twitter.com/ClassicalPod
facebook.com/ClassicalPod/

Hans Zimmer is Batman

In our latest instalment: *POW* Sam investigates Batman’s secret musical identity *WHAM* Tim holds the Anglican Church to account in a hard-hitting exposé (not) *ZOINKS* We discuss Ukrainian composer Galina Grigorjeva’s new disc of choral music *ZAP* And yes, another excuse to talk about Star Trek.

…

Music Referenced
‘The Ritual/Ancient Battle /2nd Kroykah’ by Gerald Fried
‘Batman Theme’ by Neal Hefti
Danny Elfman’s Batman theme
Shirley Walker’s theme to Batman: The Animated Series
Main theme from Batman Forever by Elliot Goldenthal
Hans Zimmer’s score to The Dark Knight
‘Journey to the Line’ from Hans Zimmer’s score to The Thin Red Line
‘Gollum’s Theme’ from Howard Shore’s score to The Lord of the Rings
Galina Grigorjeva: Agnus Dei; Prayer; Diptych; In Paradisum; God is the Lord; and Nox vitae, performed by the Estonian National Male Choir under Mikk Üleoja

… 

Buy us a coffee innit: https://ko-fi.com/classicalpod 

… 

Follow us here:
instagram.com/classicalpod/
twitter.com/ClassicalPod
facebook.com/ClassicalPod/

Ella Taylor Juggling Opera Roles

© Nick Rutter

Sam speaks to soprano Ella Taylor about their upcoming roles in Philip Glass’s Akhnaten at ENO and Verdi’s Don Carlo at the Royal Opera. The conversation turns to Ella’s trepidation at embarking on a new production with a new set of co-workers, what it means to be a trans singer playing trouser roles – and ancient Egyptian trivia.

…

Links:
Trans Voices video: https://www.theguardian.com/culture/video/2022/mar/10/the-uks-first-professional-trans-choir-its-a-joyful-act-of-resistance
Akhnaten at ENO: https://www.eno.org/whats-on/akhnaten/
Don Carlo at ROH: https://www.roh.org.uk/tickets-and-events/don-carlo-by-nicholas-hytner-details
Shadwell’s Powder Down: https://shadwell.bandcamp.com/album/powder-down

… 

Buy us a coffee innit: https://ko-fi.com/classicalpod 

… 

Follow us here:
instagram.com/classicalpod/
twitter.com/ClassicalPod
facebook.com/ClassicalPod/

The Banshees of East Dulwich

Returning to your ears for the first time this year, the boys bring with them a film-music special. Sam unwraps Carter Burwell’s magnificent score to The Banshees of Inisherin while Tim quizzes Sam on Oscar nominations, German model trains and a certain topless dictator.

…

Music Referenced
John Williams’s soundtracks to Jaws, ET, Schindler’s List, Superman and Star Wars
Richard Strauss’s Death and Transfiguration
Carter Burwell’s score toThe Banshees of Inisherin: ‘The Mystery of Inisherin’, ‘Walking Home Alone’
Bulgarian Women’s Choir: Polegnala E Toudora
John McCormack: ‘Siciliana / Cavalleria’

… 

Buy us a coffee innit: https://ko-fi.com/classicalpod 

… 

Follow us here:
instagram.com/classicalpod/
twitter.com/ClassicalPod
facebook.com/ClassicalPod/

Sheku On Song

Tim speaks to wunder cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason about sibling dynamics, touring in the States and his new album Song. But before all that, Sam gets stuck in a Groundhog Day-inspired time loop while trying to analyse one of the pieces from Sheku’s album: the 12 Variations on ’Ein Mädchen oder Weibchen‘ by Ludwig van Beethoven.

You can find links to Sheku’s album Song here: https://sheku.lnk.to/SongSo

…

Music Referenced
Beethoven‘s 12 Variations on ’Ein Mädchen oder Weibchen’
‘Ein Mädchen oder Weibchen’ from Mozart’s The Magic Flute
ABBA: ‘Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)’
Beethoven‘s Vestas Feuer
‘Notte e giorno faticar’ from Mozart’s Don Giovanni
Beethoven’s Diabelli Variations in C Major, Op. 120: Variation 22
Alien Ant Farm: ‘Smooth Criminal’

… 

Buy us a coffee innit: https://ko-fi.com/classicalpod 

… 

Follow us here:
instagram.com/classicalpod/
twitter.com/ClassicalPod
facebook.com/ClassicalPod/

Jules Buckley and the Queen of Soul

Sam is back in the interview seat chatting to conductor, producer and arranger Jules Buckley about his upcoming Aretha Franklin Prom with singer-songwriter Sheléa. They talk about he art of arranging, the unquestionable genius of Franklin and Buckley’s relationship with the Proms.

…

Aretha Prom Stuff
Event Page: https://www.bbc.co.uk/events/eqrcd4
Watch it on BBC Four/iPlayer (from 27 August): https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001bdx5
Listen on Radio 3/Sounds: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001b5km

… 

Buy us a coffee innit: https://ko-fi.com/classicalpod 

… 

Follow us here:
instagram.com/classicalpod/
twitter.com/ClassicalPod
facebook.com/ClassicalPod/

Howard Goodall (Always Meet Your Heroes)

Sam chats to one of his mega heroes, the composer and broadcaster Howard Goodall. Together they discuss awards ceremonies, Howard’s pandemic piece Never to Forget, the mixed field of composition and, of course, working with Rowan Atkinson.

…

Howard Stuff
Website: http://www.howardgoodall.co.uk/
Scores: https://www.fabermusic.com/shop/list?_contributor=Howard%20Goodall&order=sales_desc

… 

Buy us a coffee innit: https://ko-fi.com/classicalpod 

… 

Follow us here:
instagram.com/classicalpod/
twitter.com/ClassicalPod
facebook.com/ClassicalPod/

The (John) Adams Family

A short time ago in a South London bedroom not so far away … CLASSICAL POD. Sam finds new ways of listening, via the early work of John (Coolidge) Adams. He analyses the US composer’s 1973 work for chamber ensemble and tape Christian Zeal and Activity. Meanwhile, Tim quizzes Sam on City of Culture 2025 Bradford, not before a quick pit stop at Iceland’s world-famous Phallological Museum.

…

Music referenced:
Star Wars: Main Theme by John Williams
Vince Vance & The Valiants: ‘All I Want for Christmas is You’
The ‘Lacrimosa’ from Mozart’s Requiem
‘Make Our Garden Grow’ from Bernstein’s Candide
Star Wars: Luke and Leia Theme
‘March’ from Prokofiev’s The Love for Three Oranges
Star Wars: Parade of the Ewoks
‘The Sacrifice from’ Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring
Star Wars: The Dune Sea of Tatooine
John Adam’s Christian Zeal and Activity, performed by Edo de Waart and the San Francisco Symphony
Gavin Bryers’s Jesus’ Blood Never Failed Me Yet
‘Onward Christian Soldiers’
The Main Theme from Hustle

… 

Buy us a coffee innit: https://ko-fi.com/classicalpod 

… 

Follow us here:
instagram.com/classicalpod/
twitter.com/ClassicalPod
facebook.com/ClassicalPod/

Nate Holder on Decolonising the Music Curriculum

Sam chats to Professor and International Chair of Music Education at the Royal Northern College of Music Nate Holder about decolonising the music curriculum – what it means, and what it practically involves – as well as questioning what the goals of music education should be.

…

Nate Stuff
Website: https://www.nateholdermusic.com/
The Why Music Podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-why-music-podcast
Books (order here):
Where Are All The Black Female Composers?
Where Are All The Instruments?
Why Is My Piano Black And White?
I Wish I Didn't Quit: Music Lessons

… 

Buy us a coffee innit: https://ko-fi.com/classicalpod 

… 

Follow us here:
instagram.com/classicalpod/
twitter.com/ClassicalPod
facebook.com/ClassicalPod/

We Won't Give Up the Fight: Ukraine and Its Music

Sam and Tim emerge from their winter hibernation for a special episode celebrating the diverse and utterly distinct musical culture of Ukraine. Six Ukrainian composers and performers share their favourite Ukrainian-composed music, while Sam takes a sideways look at Valentin Silvestrov’s delicate piece for synthesiser, piano and strings The Messenger.

Big thanks to Antonii Baryshevsky, Anna Fedorova, Pavel Gintov, Victoria Loukianetz, Ivan Nebesnyy and Ludmilla Yurina.

The Jesus Christ Superspecial

This Christmas, to celebrate 50 years since Jesus Christ Superstar first opened on Broadway, we’ve dedicated an entire episode to unwrapping its magic. What is it about the rock opera that makes it, as one Times critic wrote, ‘the one masterpiece of Lloyd Webber’s career’? Why, after five decades, does it still give pause for theological thought? And how can one piece of music connect such disparate-seeming artists as Dmitri Shostakovich, Googoosh, Lin Mannuel Maranda, and Kanye West? Featuring interviews with Sirs Tim Rice and Karl Jenkins, Alain Boublil, Peaches and Nico Muhly, this is … The Jesus Christ Superspecial.

Manchester Collective Get Reflective

NuqneH! In this week’s episode Sam has a wide-ranging chat with the founding members of Manchester Collective, Rakhi Singh and Adam Szabo. They discuss unusual programming and widely sourced inspirations – as well as the range of skills a modern musician needs. Qapla'!

There Was a Young Man Called Ivor …

Against all the odds, the boys were invited backstage to the Ivors Composer Awards. Tune in to hear them try almost too hard to brand themselves the Ant and Dec of the classical music world. Also – the late, great Victoria Wood in this week’s analysis of Franz Schmidt’s Fourth Symphony, not before some flagrant Handelian recycling.

Louise Farrenc Doing What Berlioz Can’t

There’s a French flavour to this week‘s episode as we take the next step in our series of neglected pieces – with a little help from Adelle. There’s also a tribute to the composer of the Channel 4 News theme, Alan Hawkshaw, and receive police guidance on where not to practise your flute.