texasmusicfestival

When you hear the music of Pyotr Tchaikovsky, pretty much the last thing that comes to mind is self-doubt (Hello?! The man wrote actual cannons into his music!). But as conductor Mei-Ann Chenexplains, the Romeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture took him years to write because he was deeply self-critical. And his opinionated mentor, Mily Balakirev, didn’t help the situation. Learn all about Tchaikovsky’s creative process and about one of the most romantic pieces of music ever written in this episode.

Music in this episode:

• Romeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. Claudio Abbado conducting the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

Audio production by Todd “Toddkovsky” Hulslander with very bad ballet dancing by Dacia Clay and editing by Mark DiClaudio.

Mei-Ann Chen was in Houston for the Texas Music Festival, which continues through July 2nd. For more information, visit their website. 

Ottorino Respighi wasn’t a native of Rome, but he got there as quickly as he could. And then he set to writing lots of music about the place. Conductor Franz Anton Krager and Houston Symphony Principal Trumpet Mark Hughes teach all about Respighi, some of his Roman tone poems, and why he was a master of orchestration. Krager and Hughes will be performing Respighi together at the Texas Music Festival on June 11. It’s going to be fantastico!

Music in this episode (all by Ottorino Respighi):

• “Circenses.” Festa Romane. Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra with Mariss Jansons. EMI 49964.
• Excerpts from Pines of Rome. Chicago Symphony with Fritz Reiner. RCA 68079.

Audio production by Todd “Totally Tubular” Hulslander with “Like, ohmygawd!” by Dacia Clay and editing by Mark DiClaudio.

Thanks to Susan Farb Morris for her help with this episode!

How did classical guitar – and therefore, all guitar as we know it – almost become extinct? Who was the hero who saved it from the brink of doom? Why aren’t guitars an orchestral instrument? And why are guitarists nails so shiny? Classical guitarist Valerie Hartzell – member of the Presti Trio and director of the Classical Minds Guitar Institute – answers all of these burning questions and more in the big 5-0 episode of Classical Classroom.

Audio production by Todd “Terrific” Hulslander with “helpful” input from Dacia Clay.

Music in this episode:
– Oud music by Said Chraibi
– Spanish guitar in the Renaissance and Baroque by José Miguel Moreno
– “Be M’An Perdut, chanson de troubadour” by Bernart De Ventadorn (c.1140-c.1200)
– Recuerdos de la Alhambra by Francisco Tarrega, from Ex Tenebris…Lux, performed by Valerie Hartzell
– Danzas Gitanas, Op. 55: I. Zambra by Joaquin Turina from the self-titled CD by Presti Trio

For more about Valerie Hartzell: www.valeriehartzell.com

For information about the Classical Minds Guitar Institute: www.uh.edu

To see video of Valerie performing in our studio, go here. To hear St. John Flynn’s interview with her about the Classical Minds Guitar Institute and Competition, go here.

Photo from the Anchorage Daily News.