YourClassical Adventures

Episode 104 playlist J. S. Bach: Cello Suite No. 1 in G Major, BWV 1007: Prélude — Performed by Yo -Yo Ma Johann Sebastian Bach - Cello Suite No. 1 Prelude by Anonymous: Song of the Birds - Performed by Sheku Kanneh-Mason & CBSO Cellos Anonymous - Song of the Birds by Francesco Gasparini: Cantate da camera a voce sola, Op 1 — Performed by Roberta Invernizzi, Auser Musici & Carlo Ipata Francesco Gasparini - Cantate da camera a voce sola, Op 1 by Harold Arlen: Over the Rainbow — Performed by Yo-Yo Ma & Kathryn Stott Harold Arlen - Over the Rainbow by Akua Dixon: Afrika! Afrika! — Performed by Akua Dixon Akua Dizon - Afrika! Afrika! by You can now search and listen to YourClassical Adventures where podcasts are found. Explore more from YourClassical Adventures! What are you curious about? You must be 13 or older to submit any information to American Public Media/Minnesota Public Radio. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about things like our programs, products and services. See Terms of Use and Privacy.

When you picture your perfect day in the fall season, what does it look like Does it include crisp fall leaves, sweater weather and cooler temperatures? Join host Liz Lyon as we discover pieces that sound like the different stages of fall. Episode 102 playlist Scott Joplin: Maple Leaf Rag - (Used at the beginning and end of the episode) This piece by Scott Joplin was groundbreaking for the genre of rag music and became a template for the composers of rag music in the years to come. The Maple leaves change their color in the fall to the vivid browns and fiery reds. Performed by The Band and Lara Downes on Piano. Scott Joplin - Maple Leaf Rag by Fanny Mendelssohn: Das Jar No. 9 (September) - Fanny Mendelssohn composed a set of 12 piano pieces representing every month of the year. ‘September’ of Das Jahr (‘The Year’) is based it off a poem “To the Moon,” which compares the passage of time with a flowing river. Performed by Liana Serbescu on piano. Fanny Mendelssohn - Das Jahr No. 9 - September by Imogen Holst: Fall of Leaf — As you get further into the fall you can see the magic of leaves turning different colors and they begin to fall…. In this piece you can almost hear the individual leaves falling and drifting in the wind. Performed by Steven Isserlis on Cello. Imogen Holst - Fall of the Leaf by Tōru Takemitsu: A String Around Autumn — Tōru Takemitsu wrote this piece of music to celebrate a fall festival but it sounds like the end of autumn. It is sadder, more sparse and you can almost hear the promise that snow is on the way. Performed by Saito Kinen Orchestra and featuring Nobuko Imai on viola. Tōru Takemitsu - A String Around Autumn by Astor Piazzolla: Autumn in Buenos Aires (Otono Porteno) - Astor Piazzolla wrote a piece of music to celebrate the different seasons in Buenos Aires Argentina. Autumn contains musical raindrops and a wintery sun. Performed by the Buffalo Symphony Orchestra featuring Tessa Lark on violin. Astor Piazzolla - Autumn in Buenos Aires by You can now search and listen to YourClassical Adventures where podcasts are found. Explore more from YourClassical Adventures! What are you curious about? You must be 13 or older to submit any information to American Public Media/Minnesota Public Radio. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about things like our programs, products and services. See Terms of Use and Privacy.

Halloween is a great time to explore the most mysterious music ever composed. Episode 58 playlist Camille Saint-Saens: Danse Macabre — Music about ghosts and spirits coming alive in a graveyard to dance in the moonlight. LISTEN — Camille Saint-Saens: Danse Macabre by Carl Orff: O Fortuna from Carmina Burana — This piece makes us want to hide. Where is your favorite hiding spot? Do you use it when you play hide-and-seek? LISTEN — Carl Orff: O Fortuna by Edvard Grieg: Peer Gynt Suite No. 1, “In the Hall of the Mountain King” — This piece may make you feel like running. How fast can you run in place? LISTEN — Edvard Grieg: Peer Gynt Suite No. 1, “In the Hall of the Mountain King” Edvard Grieg: Peer Gynt Suite No. 1, “In the Hall of the Mountain King” by You can now search and listen to YourClassical Adventures where podcasts are found. Explore more from YourClassical Adventures! What are you curious about? Tell us what you think You must be 13 or older to submit any information to American Public Media/Minnesota Public Radio. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about things like our programs, products and services. See Terms of Use and Privacy.

Sometimes composers and their work can get buried in time. Join producer Melanie Renate as we uncover and learn more about composers who aren’t as well known in the traditional classical world. Episode 96 playlist Gerald Finzi - Cello Concerto — Some of Gerald Finzi’s pieces are well known, but after he died his family worked hard to help make sure more of his music was made accessible to people. This is the last piece he wrote. LISTEN — Gerald Finzi: Cello Concerto Gerald Finzi: Cello Concerto by Jan Dismas Zelenka: Capriccio No. 4 — War causes great loss. One of the many things that can be lost or destroyed by war is art. Jan Dismas Zelenka’s music was thought to have been lost when his city was destroyed during a war. Luckily, some of his music survived. LISTEN — Jan Dismas Zelenka: Capriccio No. 4 Jan Dismas Zelenka: Capriccio No. 4 by Kikuko Kanai: Ryukyu Dances - 'Maidens Under the Moon' — There are so many amazing composers who aren’t well-known simply because their music hasn’t been recorded yet. Kikuko Kanai was well-known in her home country of Japan. Even though she composed more than 150 pieces of music, only a relative few have been recorded. LISTEN — Kikuko Kanai: Ryukyu Dances - 'Maidens Under the Moon' Kikuko Kanai: Ryukyu Dances - 'Maidens Under the Moon' by You can now search and listen to YourClassical Adventures where podcasts are found. Explore more from YourClassical Adventures! What are you curious about? You must be 13 or older to submit any information to American Public Media/Minnesota Public Radio. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about things like our programs, products and services. See Terms of Use and Privacy.

Enjoy peaceful music that can help you feel calm and relaxed. Episode 62 playlist Ralph Vaughan Williams: The Lark Ascending — Sometimes music can help you slow down and let your mind wander by creating pictures or places in your mind. Like this piece by Ralph Vaughan Williams. LISTEN — Ralph Vaughan Williams: The Lark Ascending Ralph Vaughan Williams: The Lark Ascending by Claude Debussy: Claire de Lune — Music can play a part in some of our favorite memories and can help us feel comforted and happy. LISTEN — Debussy: Claire de Lune Claude Debussy: Claire de Lune by Beethoven: Moonlight Sonata — Some music can help us relax our minds and our bodies and lull us to sleep. This piece is a good example of sleepy sounds. LISTEN — Beethoven: Moonlight Sonata Beethoven: Moonlight Sonata by You can now search and listen to YourClassical Adventures where podcasts are found. Explore more from YourClassical Adventures! What are you curious about? Submit your feedback https://www.classicalmpr.org/story/2021/04/17/classical-kids-corner You must be 13 or older to submit any information to American Public Media/Minnesota Public Radio. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about things like our programs, products and services. See Terms of Use and Privacy.

When Xuefei Yang was a young girl, she became the first Chinese guitarist to enter an international competition. It was one of many firsts for her as she paved the way for future female guitarists from China. Episode 68 playlist Xuefei Yang: Romance de Amor — This is a piece off of Xuefei Yang’s debut album. LISTEN — Xuefei Yang: Romance de Amor Xuefei Yang: Romance de Amor by Xuefei Yang: Shuo Chang — This piece was written by Chinese composer Chen Yi. Although they were famous for writing music for various instruments, this was the first time they composed a piece for the guitar. LISTEN — Xuefei Yang: Shuo Chang Xuefei Yang: Shuo Chang by Xuefei Yang: Flower Drum — This is from an album released in August 2020 and dedicated to the music of Yang’s home country, China. LISTEN — Xuefei Yang: Flower Drum Xuefei Yang: Flower Drum by You can now search and listen to YourClassical Adventures where podcasts are found. Explore more from YourClassical Adventures! What are you curious about? You must be 13 or older to submit any information to American Public Media/Minnesota Public Radio. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about things like our programs, products and services. See Terms of Use and Privacy.

The modern guitar is a popular instrument, but did you know there are many different types of guitars? Join host Liz Lyon as we take a trip around the world to listen to the sounds of different guitars throughout history. Episode 67 playlist Issam Rafea and Gao Hong: From Our World to Yours — This piece showcases the oud, which is a pear-shaped, stringed instrument popular in countries such as Egypt, Syria, Armenia and Turkey. LISTEN — Issam Rafea and Gao Hong: From Our World to Yours Issam Rafea and Gao Hong: From Our World to Yours by John Dowland: Mrs. Winter’s Jump — The lute was popular in Europe in the 1500 and 1600s. There are different variations of the lute. There are lutes of different sizes and with different numbers of strings. LISTEN — John Dowland: Mrs. Winter’s Jump John Dowland: Mrs. Winter's Jump by Robert de Visee: La Muzette — The Baroque Guitar was popular in Spain. Everyone, from people in the streets up to King Charles II, was fond of this guitar. You can hear it featured in this piece. LISTEN — Robert de Visee: La Muzette Robert de Visee: La Muzette by You can now search and listen to YourClassical Adventures where podcasts are found. Explore more from YourClassical Adventures! What are you curious about? You must be 13 or older to submit any information to American Public Media/Minnesota Public Radio. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about things like our programs, products and services. See Terms of Use and Privacy.

Working and collaborating together is a great way to build a friendship. Join two friends, host Liz Lyon and producer Melanie Renate, as they explore friendship in classical music. Episode 74 playlist Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Haydn Quartets — Not much is documented about their friendship, but what we do know is that Mozart and Franz Joseph Haydn enjoyed spending time together and that they respected and inspired one another. LISTEN — Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Haydn Quartets Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Haydn Quartets by Edward Elgar: Enigma Variations, Nimrod — The Enigma Variations are like sketches of some of Edward Elgar’s friends. They describe not just their personality, but many of these variations also act as a musical reference to the way a friend laughed or spoke, or references a special moment they shared. LISTEN — Edward Elgar: Enigma Variations, Nimrod Edward Elgar: Enigma Variations, Nimrod by Yehudi Menuhin and Ravi Shankar: Prabhati — These two musicians were friends for 14 years before they decided to record an album together. This is a piece off their album, West Meets East. LISTEN — Yehudi Menuhin & Ravi Shankar: Prabhati Yehudi Menuhin & Ravi Shankar: Prabhati by You can now search and listen to YourClassical Adventures where podcasts are found. Explore more from YourClassical Adventures! What are you curious about? You must be 13 or older to submit any information to American Public Media/Minnesota Public Radio. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about things like our programs, products and services. See Terms of Use and Privacy.

When you are learning any subject, is it helpful to have small assignments to work on in order to practice your skills? Join host Liz Lyon as we explore pieces of music that are helpful for learning an instrument. Episode 100 playlist György Ligeti: Etude No.13 “The Devil’s Staircase” — Etudes are short pieces of music that are written to practice a specific technical skill. Composer György Ligeti wrote a very difficult etude for solo piano that forces the player to get used to playing the entire keyboard. It is called, “The Devil’s Staircase” because it sounds like the piece is climbing up a staircase. Performed by Maria Nemtsova on Piano. LISTEN — György Ligeti: Etude No.13 “The Devil’s Staircase” György Ligeti: Etude No.13 “The Devil’s Staircase” by Nicolo Paganini: Caprice 24 in A Minor — Composer Niccolò Paganini was a violin superstar who created a ton of new techniques or ways to play the violin. Some of these techniques were published in a set of 24 pieces. The first 23 each focus on a specific skill but number 24 is a piece that combines all of the skills you have learned through the first 23. Performed by Itzhak Perlman on Violin. LISTEN — Nicolo Paganini: Caprice 24 in A Minor Nicolo Paganini: Caprice 24 in A Minor by Ralph Van Williams: Concerto Grosso — The Rural Music Schools Association asked composer Ralph Vaughn Williams to write a piece of music that could be played by students at all levels. He talked to a lot of teachers to write for three different levels: Beginner, Intermediate and advanced. These three sections all play together at the same time. Performed by Bournemouth Sinfonietta. LISTEN — Ralph Van Williams: Concerto Grosso Ralph Van Williams: Concerto Grosso by You can now search and listen to YourClassical Adventures where podcasts are found. Explore more from YourClassical Adventures! What are you curious about? Tell us what you think You must be 13 or older to submit any information to American Public Media/Minnesota Public Radio. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about things like our programs, products and services. See Terms of Use and Privacy.

Which classical pieces go with big things that happen in your life such as moving or living with quarantines? Join host Liz Lyon and producer Melanie Renate and listen to music that deals with change. Episode 54 playlist Claude Debussy: Arabesque No. 1 — Debussy moved when he was a child to live with his aunt, who discovered his musical talent. This is one of his popular pieces. Debussy - Arabesque No. 1 by Ludwig Van Beethoven: Ode to Joy — Beethoven experienced change when he lost his hearing, but that didn’t stop him from creating great music like this well-known selection from his Symphony No. 9. Ludwig Van Beethoven: "Ode to Joy" from Symphony No. 9 by MPR Philip Glass: Etude No. 6 — Pianist Simone Dinnerstein had to cope with change during quarantine and found a new way to record music, including this performance. Philip Glass - Etude No. 6 by YourClassical Adventures is available in your favorite podcast portal. Explore more from YourClassical Adventures! What are you curious about? Tell us what you think You must be 13 or older to submit any information to American Public Media/Minnesota Public Radio. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about things like our programs, products and services. See Terms of Use and Privacy.

How do musicians know when to play loud? Join host Liz Lyon and producer Melanie Renate as we explore classical music that loves using the loud dynamic called "forte." Episode 56 playlist Johannes Brahms: Hungarian Dance No. 5 —This entire piece is being played at a loud, or forte level. LISTEN — Johannes Brahms: Hungarian Dance No. 5 by Gustav Holst: The Planets - Mars, The Bringer of War — Holst puts emotions into his piece by going from quiet to forte. LISTEN — Gustav Holst: The Planets - Mars, The Bringer of War Gustav Holst - The Planet: Mars, The Bringer of War by George Fredrich Handel: Trumpet Concerto; Overture — The trumpet is a loud and powerful instrument. This piece is used to get your attention. LISTEN — George Fredrich Handel: Trumpet Concerto; Overture Handel Trumpet Concerto in D Overture by You can now search and listen to YourClassical Adventures where podcasts are found. Explore more from YourClassical Adventures! What are you curious about? Tell us what you think You must be 13 or older to submit any information to American Public Media/Minnesota Public Radio. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about things like our programs, products and services. See Terms of Use and Privacy.

Carnivals are a celebration of culture and community. Join host Liz Lyon as we share some classical music inspired by carnivals from around the world. Episode 99 playlist Camille Saint-Saëns: Carnival of the Animals — The Carnival of the Animals is a comedic musical suite. It contains 14 movements that introduce a variety of animals including lions, hens and roosters, wild donkeys, tortoises, an elephant, kangaroos, sea animals, long-eared animals, and birds. Which animals does this piece make you think of? LISTEN — Camille Saint-Saëns: Carnival of the Animals Camille Saint-Saëns: Carnival of the Animals - Finale by Ary Barroso: Aquarela do Brasil — This is one of the most popular Brazilian songs of all time. Barroso wrote "Aquarela do Brasil" when he couldn’t leave his home one rainy night because of a heavy storm. Sambas like this one are played with big-band instruments during the Rio Carnival Parade, where students from samba schools show off their dance skills. This version is performed by Voyager. LISTEN — Ary Barroso: Aquarela do Brasil Ary Barroso: Aquarela do Brasil by Arturo Marquez: Conga del Fuego Nuevo — In Cuba, the conga dance often is used in big festivals and is seen during parades. This piece is performed by the Simon Bolivar Symphony Orchestra. LISTEN — Arturo Marquez: Conga del Fuego Nuevo Arturo Marquez: Conge del Fuego Nuevo by Ellen Taaffe Zwilich: Peanuts Gallery - Snoopy Does the Samba — Peanuts Gallery is a piano concerto by American composer Ellen Taaffe Zwilich, inspired by the characters of the Peanuts comic strip. Can you imagine a dog named Snoopy doing a samba dance? LISTEN — Ellen Taaffe Zwilich: Peanuts Gallery, Snoopy Does the Samba Ellen Taaffe Zwilich: Peanuts Gallery, Snoopy Does the Samba by Antonin Dvořák: Carnival Overture — Composer Antonin Dvorak wrote a piece to put right in the middle of a crowd at a carnival in Europe. He tried to capture all the different scenes such as people dancing, eating food and singing. LISTEN — Antonin Dvořák: Carnival Overture Antonin Dvořák: Carnival Overture by You can now search and listen to YourClassical Adventures where podcasts are found. Explore more from YourClassical Adventures! What are you curious about? Tell us what you think You must be 13 or older to submit any information to American Public Media/Minnesota Public Radio. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about things like our programs, products and services. See Terms of Use and Privacy.

Just like classical music, water can be found in many different forms. When in its liquid form water can be smooth flowing and calm or it can be fast-moving and rough. Join host Melanie Renate as we navigate water in classical music. Episode 98 playlist Claude Debussy: En Bateau — Can you hear the waves gently flowing back and forth, or hear them rocking up against a boat? Performed by the Lyon National Orchestra. Claude Debussy: On a Boat(En Bateau) by Margaret Bonds: Troubled Water — When life is rough you could say that there are “troubled waters”. Margaret Bonds arranged a popular song Wade in the Water into a classical piece to reflect the idea of Troubled Water. Performed by Charlotte Mueller. Water and Waves - Margaret Bonds - Troubled Water by Richard Wagner: Overture to The Flying Dutchman — This is apiece about a sea captain and his daughter who get caught in a wild storm while out at sea… and they must find a way to steer the ship to safety! Performed by the Berlin Philharmonic. Richard Wagner: Overture to The Flying Dutchman by Henry Mancini: Moon River — When composer Henry Mancini was asked to write a song for a film, he turned to water. His childhood home in Georgia overlooked a major river, now named after his song Moon River. Performed by the Brussels Orchestra with Renaud Capucon on violin. Water and Waves - Henry Mancini - Moon River by You can now search and listen to YourClassical Adventures where podcasts are found. Explore more from YourClassical Adventures! What are you curious about? You must be 13 or older to submit any information to American Public Media/Minnesota Public Radio. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about things like our programs, products and services. See Terms of Use and Privacy.

What do classical music pieces sound like when they include a mandolin? Join host Liz Lyon as we explore a bit of the history of the mandolin and listen to examples of it being used within classical music. Episode 97 playlist Zequinha de Abreu: Nao Me Toques — Zequinha de Abreu was a Brazilian composer who wrote this fun piece. It has been played by many different instruments, but here is an example of how the mandolin can really shine. Performed by Caterina Lichenberg and Mike Marshall. LISTEN — Zequinha de Abreu: Nao Me Toques Zequinho De Abreu: Nao Me Toques by Johann Sebastian Bach: Trio Sonata No 6 — The Mandolin is tuned just like a violin, which means the mandolin can easily replace the violin in a piece of music. Like in this trio from composer Johann Sebastian Bach. It features a Cello, a Bass, and instead of a violin, it features a mandolin. LISTEN — Johann Sebastian Bach: Trio Sonata No 6 Johann Sebastian Bach: Trio Sonata No 6 by Bill Monroe: Bill Monroe Medley — The mandolin spent its early days most often playing an accompanying role in classical music. Bill Monroe created a new style of playing which became incredibly popular and even got a name for itself, Bluegrass. This is a medley of some of his most famous pieces. This version is performed by The Modern Mandolin Quartet. LISTEN — Bill Monroe: Bill Monroe Medley Bill Monroe: Bill Monroe Medley by Chris Thile: Raining at Sunset — Chris Thile is what is known as a virtuoso for playing mandolin. He is also a singer, composer, bandleader, and radio personality. He often writes and plays what is sometimes referred to as progressive bluegrass. He wrote this piece. Here is another mandolin virtuoso, Joshen Ross performing the piece. LISTEN — Chris Thile: Raining at Sunset Chris Thile: Raining at Sunset - Jochen Ross on Mandolin by You can now search and listen to YourClassical Adventures where podcasts are found. Explore more from YourClassical Adventures! What are you curious about? You must be 13 or older to submit any information to American Public Media/Minnesota Public Radio. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about things like our programs, products and services. See Terms of Use and Privacy.

Classical music and dancing have been dance floor partners for hundreds of years. Join host Liz Lyon as we explore different forms of dance and the classical music that pairs with them. Episode 95 playlist Peter Tchaikovsky: Waltz of the Flowers — This waltz may sound familiar. Tchaikovsky wrote it the first act of his ballet Sleeping Beauty. To dance the waltz you can move side to side and back and forth like you’re flowing and floating. You can let your arms float like the wings of a bird. The waltz also includes gentle spinning in circles. LISTEN — Peter Tchaikovsky: Waltz of the Flowers Peter Tchaikovsky: Waltz of the Flowers by Johann Strauss Jr.: By the Beautiful Blue Danube — The Viennese Waltz is the oldest type of ballroom dancing. Strauss was asked to write a piece for the Vienna Men’s Choral Society to help uplift the people of Vienna. This piece started out as a choral piece and was inspired by a poem. LISTEN — Johann Strauss Jr.: By the Beautiful Blue Danube Johann Strauss Jr: By the Beautiful Blue Danube by George Bizet: Carmen Habanera — This piece is a famous tango by French composer, George Bizet. Dancing the tango involves good posture with your knees slightly bent. As you learn to dance the tango it can be helpful to move your feet to the speed of “slow, slow, quick, quick, slow”. LISTEN — George Bizet: Carmen Habanera George Bizet: Carmen Habanera by Astor Piazzolla: Libertango — Argentine musician, Astor Piazzolla wrote this piece in the ‘70s as a request by his agent to write something they felt would be good to play on the radio. He wrote this piece. Its name is the blending of two words— “libertad,” which is Spanish for “freedom” and “tango”. LISTEN — Astor Piazzolla: Libertango Astor Piazzolla: Libertango by Peter Tchaikovsky: Dance of the Little Swans — Tchaikovsky is well-known for his ballets. His ballet Swan Lake is considered one of the greatest of all time. When ballet dancers perform this piece they do a move called a pas de chat which looks an awful lot like graceful hopping. LISTEN — Peter Tchaikovsky: Dance of the Little Swans Peter Tchaikovsky: Dance of the Little Swans by You can now search and listen to YourClassical Adventures where podcasts are found. Explore more from YourClassical Adventures! What are you curious about? You must be 13 or older to submit any information to American Public Media/Minnesota Public Radio. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about things like our programs, products and services. See Terms of Use and Privacy.

Music can still be music without a melody or harmony, but you can’t really have music without some sort of rhythm. Join host Liz Lyon as we explore the musical concept of rhythm. Episode 94 playlist George Gershwin: I’ve Got Rhythm — Gershwin worked with his older brother on this piece. He composed the music, and his older brother, Ira Gershwin, wrote the lyrics. This rhythm can really help to put you in a good mood. LISTEN — George Gershwin: I’ve Got Rhythm George Gershwin: I’ve Got Rhythm by Igor Stravinsky: The Rite of Spring — Rhythm doesn’t have to be a simple pattern of sound and silence. In 1913, Stravinsky used rhythm in new ways that people weren’t used to. Because of this, many listeners didn’t like this piece at first, but over time it has become an orchestral favorite. LISTEN — Igor Stravinsky: The Rite of Spring Igor Stravinsky: The Rite of Spring by Danny Elfman: Percussion Quartet, 3rd Movement — Percussion instruments do a great job of presenting the rhythm of a piece. Sometimes pieces of music are written just for percussion, and they can play really complicated rhythms. Here the Third Coast Percussion Ensemble plays a piece by Elfman. LISTEN — Danny Elfman: Percussion Quartet, 3rd Movement Danny Elfman: Percussion Quartet by You can now search and listen to YourClassical Adventures where podcasts are found. Explore more from YourClassical Adventures! What are you curious about? You must be 13 or older to submit any information to American Public Media/Minnesota Public Radio. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about things like our programs, products and services. See Terms of Use and Privacy.

The percussion instrument family is massive. In a previous episode, we shared pieces of music featuring a few different percussion instruments including the xylophone. Did you know that the xylophone has siblings? Join host Liz Lyon and producer Melanie Renate as we explore pieces of classical music that feature more mallet instruments. Episode 93 playlist Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Schnelle Füße, rascher Mut Glockenspiel — The Magic Flute is an opera composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The glockenspiel is featured in this fairytale. This instrument started out as a set of individual bells, but they were eventually replaced by steel bars. At first, the glockenspiel was considered a substitute for real bells, but it gradually became its own instrument. LISTEN — Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Schnelle Füße, rascher Mut Glockenspiel Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Schnelle Füße, rascher Mut Glockenspiel by Jennifer Bellor: Reflections at Dusk — The vibraphone was invented in 1920 and quickly became a major instrument used in jazz and dance bands. It can also be found in the orchestra. Jennifer Bellor uses the vibraphone throughout her 2019 album, which was inspired by Nevada sunsets. The feeling of sunsets is described using the mystical and magical sounds of the vibraphone. LISTEN — Jennifer Bellor: Reflections at Dusk Jennifer Bellor: Reflections at Dusk by Steve Reich: Nagoya Marimbas — The marimba is an instrument that has been around for hundreds of years and has its roots both in Africa and Central America. Indigenous Mayan populations even constructed and played the marimba. Composer, Steve Reich has used the marimba throughout much of his work and he is known as one of a handful of living composers who can legitimately claim to have altered the direction of musical history. LISTEN — Steve Reich: Nagoya Marimbas Steve Reich: Nagoya Marimbas by You can now search and listen to YourClassical Adventures where podcasts are found. Explore more from YourClassical Adventures! What are you curious about? You must be 13 or older to submit any information to American Public Media/Minnesota Public Radio. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about things like our programs, products and services. See Terms of Use and Privacy.

Fireworks have been used in many cultures for hundreds of years as a way to celebrate. Join host Liz Lyon and producer Melanie Renate as we explore pieces of music inspired by fireworks. Episode 92 playlist Claude Debussy: Feux d’Artifice — This piece is the last of Debussy’s 24 preludes. It is a challenging piece to play and can help you imagine a spectacular fireworks display over Paris. LISTEN — Claude Debussy: Feux d’Artifice Claude Debussy: Feux d'Artifice by Oliver Knussen: Flourish With Fireworks — Knussen wrote this piece to celebrate his friend Michael Tilson Thomas as he began his first season as principal conductor of the London Symphony Orchestra. LISTEN — Oliver Knussen: Flourish With Fireworks Oliver Knussen: Flourish With Fireworks by Peter Tchaikovsky: 1812 Overture - Finale — This piece features a cannon that adds to the intense celebratory flavor. When the music is played with cannons in concert, you might see a member of the orchestra within sight of those working the cannon who cues the team with the cannon so that its booming sound hits its mark within the music. LISTEN — Peter Tchaikovsky: 1812 Overture - Finale Peter Tchaikovsky: 1812 Overture by George Fredrich Handel: Music for the Royal Fireworks — This piece was written to celebrate peace in London. There were fireworks that accompanied the music when it was performed in April 1749. However, because rainy weather caused many firework misfires and one pavilion of the performance space caught fire, Handel’s music was the true star of the show. LISTEN — George Fredrich Handel: Music for the Royal Fireworks George Fredrich Handel: Music for the Royal Fireworks by You can now search and listen to YourClassical Adventures where podcasts are found. Explore more from YourClassical Adventures! What are you curious about? Submit your feedback https://www.classicalmpr.org/story/2021/04/17/classical-kids-corner You must be 13 or older to submit any information to American Public Media/Minnesota Public Radio. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about things like our programs, products and services. See Terms of Use and Privacy.

Harmony in music is when more than one note or chord is layered on top of one another. It creates an often pleasing and sometimes interesting sound. Join host Liz Lyon and producer Melanie Renate as we explore the concept of harmony. Episode 91 playlist Thomas Tallis: If Ye Love Me — A great example of harmony is a madrigal, which is a vocal piece of music that includes a number of voices ranging from two to eight, but usually three to six voices. Madrigals present a great opportunity to play with harmony. LISTEN — Thomas Tallis: If Ye Love Me Thomas Tallis: If Ye Love Me by Johann Sebastian Bach: Bach's Minuet in G Major — When learning music, this piece of music is often one of the first pieces to be included in lessons. It can happily be a solo, but once you add an accompaniment, such as a piano or even a full orchestra, then you’ve created harmony. LISTEN — Johann Sebastian Bach: Bach's Minuet in G Major Johann Sebastian Bach: Bach's Minuet in G by Robert de Visee: La Muzette — This music is performed by four string instruments working together to create a piece that shows harmony in a variety of ways. Can you hear when the harmony is pleasing to the ear (consonant) or when the harmony is a little uncomfortable (dissonant)? LISTEN — Robert de Visee: La Muzette Bedrich Smetana: String Quartet No. 1 - From My Life by You can now search and listen to YourClassical Adventures where podcasts are found. Explore more from YourClassical Adventures! What are you curious about? You must be 13 or older to submit any information to American Public Media/Minnesota Public Radio. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about things like our programs, products and services. See Terms of Use and Privacy.

The viola often plays a supporting role in the orchestra, but these three viola players bring the instrument into the spotlight. Join Host Liz Lyon as we talk about how these musicians found their way to the viola. Episode 90 playlist Kim Kashkashian: In Nomine — Along with being a successful viola player, Kashkashian also teaches the instrument. She also founded Music for Food, a musician-led hunger relief initiative that has presented hundreds of artists in concert and has created more than one and a half million free meals for people in need. LISTEN - Gyorgy Kurtag: In Nomine Gyorgy Kurtag: In Nomine by Nokuthula Ngwenyama: Some Stuff - Ngwenyama became well-known when she won the Primrose International Viola Competition in 1993 and the Young Concert Artists International Auditions in 1994. She is not just a violist but also a composer, a teacher and a leader in the world of music. This is a piece she composed. LISTEN - Nokuthula Nngwenyama: Some Stuff Nokuthula Ngwenyama: Some Stuff by Matthew Lipman: Fuga Libre — Lipman is new to the music world but has already made a name for himself performing with orchestras around the world. He released his first album in 2015. This is one of the pieces from that album. LISTEN - Garth Knox: Fuga Libre Garth Knox: Fuga Libre by You can now search and listen to YourClassical Adventures where podcasts are found. Explore more from YourClassical Adventures! What are you curious about? You must be 13 or older to submit any information to American Public Media/Minnesota Public Radio. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about things like our programs, products and services. See Terms of Use and Privacy.