Last month the Classics a Day team made #BlackLivesMatter the theme. Systemic racism in classical music has limited exposure to composers of color. So for August, the team opened up the focus even further. #WeWriteSymphonies is a hashtag used by composers of color, and it seems like a logical extension of #BlackLivesMatter. For my contributions […]
Classical
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Torbjörn Iwan Lundquist Symphonic cycle continues
This release is the third recording of Torbjörn Iwan Lundquist symphonies by Sterling, and the fourth overall of his music. The two symphonies here both have unusual origins. Lundquist wrote a work for the Kroumata Percussion Ensemble in 1976. The project inspired him to do something larger, using the ensemble. The result was his eighth […]
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Zdenek Fibich orchestral series ends in fine form
This is the final volume in Naxos’ series of Zdenek Fibich orchestral works. It includes the last of his three symphonies, as well as orchestral music from three of his operas. Fibich completed his third symphony in 1898, just two years before his death. The work is ambitious, with a “darkness-to-light” premise that keeps the […]
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David Monrad Johansen – Norwegian treasure
As I continue to explore the highways and the byways of the classical repertoire, I find that every country has its national treasure. Sometimes, as with Antonin Dvorak, that treasure is shared with the world. Norway’s treasure, David Monrad Johanson hasn’t been — so far. Johansen is Norwegian, but his taste is cosmopolitan. Mixed in […]
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Classical Interviews – John Kanu
John Kanu is a UVA student and Cellist for Charlottesville Symphony. We spoke with him about how he got started, how he gets others into classical music, and what he’d like to see change in the classical music field. These interviews aired as part of Classical Sunrise, weekday mornings from 7-9am. Emotive playing How he […]
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Classical Interviews – Judith Shatin
Judith Shatin is a local composer, educator, and founder of UVA’s Virginia Center for Computer Music. We spoke about her teaching experience, music in her early years, and recent compositions she’s composed. For more on Judith Shatin, visit: JudithShatin.com These interviews aired as part of Classical Sunrise, weekday mornings from 7-9am. Her first exposure to music Classical […]
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Classical Interviews – Peter Spaar
Peter Spaar is the principal bassist for Charlottesville Symphony and a member of the Free Bridge Quintet. Peter talked with us about his experiences teaching, his musical journey growing up, and his love of both Jazz and Classical. For more on Peter Spaar, visit: Charlottesville Symphony website These interviews aired as part of Classical Sunrise, […]
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Classical Interviews – Miriam Gordon-Stewart
Miriam Gordon-Stewart is the Co-Founder and Artistic Director for Victory Hall Opera. In our interview she talks about VHO’s mission, its exploration of deaf opera as well as her childhood, and her career. For more on Miriam Gordon-Stewart, visit: VictoryHallOpera.org or MiriamGordon.com These interviews aired as part of Classical Sunrise, weekday mornings from 7-9am. Deaf […]
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#ClassicsaDay #BlackLivesMatter Week 5
The Classics a Day team unanimously decided to make #BlackLivesMatter the theme for July. Classical music isn’t immune to systemic racism. It’s an art form that, like painting, sculpture, literature, or poetry, is a powerful form of expression for many voices. But some voices are heard more often than others. If you’d like to learn […]