YourClassical Adventures: Recent Episodes
American Public Media
Liz Lyon hosts YourClassical Adventures, a presentation of classical music for kids (and their grown-ups), produced by Melanie Renate. Join us as we ask questions that will help families explore classical music together!
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
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Anonymous: Song of the Birds -
Performed by Sheku Kanneh-Mason & CBSO Cellos
Anonymous - Song of the Birds
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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
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Harold Arlen: Over the Rainbow —
Performed by Yo-Yo Ma & Kathryn Stott
Harold Arlen - Over the Rainbow
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Akua Dixon: Afrika! Afrika! —
Performed by Akua Dixon
Akua Dizon - Afrika! Afrika!
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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It often takes more than just practice to become a good musician. It takes a good teacher. Join host Liz Lyon as we discuss some great music teachers who taught and inspired many talented classical musicians.
Episode 101 playlist
Antonin Dvorak & Arr. by Shinichi Suzuki: Humoresques — Shinichi Suzuki had always had a fondness for children and the idea of education. He thought that children could learn music just like they learned to speak—starting when they were very young and hearing music all around them. He developed the Suzuki method and arranged popular pieces of music for solo instruments. This is an example of one.
LISTEN — Antonin Dvorak & Arr. by Shinichi Suzuki: Humoresques
Antonin Dvorak & Arr. by S. Suzuki: Humoresques
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Nadia Boulanger: Three pieces for Cello and Piano — One of the most well-known music teachers of all time is Nadia Boulanger. She was a composer and conductor herself but dedicated her life to teaching. A lot of her students became incredibly famous composers. One of them said that Nadia knew everything there was to know about music. Several of her students talked about how she always made them feel confident in themselves and helped bring out their best. Performed by Amit Peled on cello.
LISTEN — Nadia Boulanger: Three pieces for Cello and Piano
Nadia Boulanger: Three pieces for Cello and Piano
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Jessie Montgomery: Banner — Aaron Dworkin was a violinist and through his own experiences realized the lack of diversity in classical music. He created the Sphinx Organization to help reflect the diversity in the United States in orchestras. It is also a way to support talented young Black and Latino performers and prepare them for professional careers in classical music. Some of the biggest names in classical music today are alumni from the Sphinx Organization, like composer Jessie Montgomery.
LISTEN — Jessie Montgomery: Banner
Jessie Montgomery: Banner
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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”
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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'
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
Steve Riskind
Kim Kashkashian
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
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Barrett Artists
Nokuthula Ngwenyama
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
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Jiyang Chen
Matthew Lipman
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
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What do you love about summertime? The sun is out all day long, so the days feel longer. It can really help to put you in a good mood. In this episode, producer Melanie Renate shares classical music inspired by the sun.
Episode 88 playlist
Yu Shi Wang: Sunflower — This piece was composed in 1962. There are lyrics that go along with the original composition, which describes the daily life of farmers in China.
LISTEN — Yu Shi Wang: Sunflower
Yu Shi Wang: Sunflower
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George Harrison: Here Comes the Sun — This is a famous song originally performed by The Beatles. It was written by guitarist George Harrison. Here, cellist Ofra Harnoy performs the piece with the Armin String Quartet.
LISTEN — George Harrison: Here Comes the Sun
George Harrison: Here Comes the Sun
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Ferde Grofe: Sunrise from Grand Canyon Suite — Can you imagine the sun coming up over the red rocks of the Grand Canyon? Maybe you can find art supplies to create the sunrise this piece makes you think of.
LISTEN — Ferde Grofe: Sunrise from The Grand Canyon Suite
Ferde Grofe: Sunrise from The Grand Canyon Suite
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Max Richter: On the Nature of Daylight — The colors of the world change throughout the day as the sun rises, crosses the sky and finally sets. This piece is all about how the sun slowly changes throughout the sky over an entire day.
LISTEN — Max Richter: On the Nature of Daylight
Max Ritcher: On The Nature of Daylight
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The saxophone is a unique instrument that has found itself played within classical to jazz music genres. Join host Liz Lyon as we explore the history of the saxophone and listen to examples of where the instrument shines.
Episode 87 playlist
Hector Berlioz: Chant Sacré — Hector Berlioz wrote this piece originally in 1829. In 1844, he arranged it for different groupings of instruments. One arrangement was for wind ensemble, which included two clarinets and four “saxhorns,” which we know today as the saxophone.
LISTEN — Hector Berlioz: Chant Sacré
Hector Berlioz: Chant Sacré
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Jacques Ibert: Concerto da Camera, Movement III — This concerto in its entirety has a large range of notes and at times requires the musician to play the saxophone’s highest notes.
LISTEN — Jacques Ibert: Concerto da Camera, Movement III
Jacques Ibert: Concerto da Camera, Movement III
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John Adams: Saxophone Concerto — John Adams’ father played the alto sax in swing bands in the 1930s. Adams said this early exposure to jazzy saxophone playing was inspiration for this piece.
LISTEN — John Adams: Saxophone Concerto
John Adams: Saxophone Concerto
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What do you do when you are stressed, mad or sad? Do you go for a run to pound your feet on the ground, or maybe you pick up a paintbrush or an instrument? Join host Liz Lyon as we explore ways musicians have used tough moments in their lives to create pieces of music that helped them to feel better. Maybe this music can help you feel better, too.
Episode 86 playlist
Garreth Brooke and Anna Salzmann: Healing — Anna Salzmann is a visual artist who has partnered with composer and musician Garreth Brooke to present a musical and visual piece of art called Healing, which they hope can help people explore the emotional process of healing.
LISTEN — Garreth Brooke and Anna Salzmann: Healing
Garreth Brooke and Anna Salzmann: Healing
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Johann Sebastian Bach: Partita in D minor for Solo Violin — Violinist Francisco Fullana had always found comfort in Bach’s music. He practiced music on his violin to help him heal while he was recovering from a shoulder injury. He also found comfort in the music by Bach during his time in isolation during the COVID pandemic.
LISTEN — Johann Sebastian Bach: Partita in D minor for Solo Violin
J.S. Bach: D minor Partita for Solo Violin
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Joshua McGhee: Let God Bring Tomorrow — Joshua McGhee is a talented multi-instrumentalist, meaning he plays more than one instrument. He has been commissioned to write pieces of music in response to some tragic events. Let God Bring Tomorrow was written in response to a mass shooting.
LISTEN — Joshua McGhee: Let God Bring Tomorrow
Joshua McGhee: Let God Bring Tomorrow
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You can now search and listen to YourClassical Adventures where podcasts are found.
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A metronome is a musical device that produces a clicking sound to help you keep a certain tempo. You can snap your fingers or tap your foot to keep tempo, too. Join host Liz Lyon as we listen to classical music pieces with a wide range of tempos. One tempo is so slow that the piece of music lasts more than 600 years!
Episode 85 playlist John Cage: Organ² (As Slow As Possible) — When this piece was written, composer John Cage did not specify a tempo. This offered a quirky opportunity to musicians: How can someone truly play this piece as slow as possible? Some musicians have spent 12 or more hours playing this piece, but in a church in Germany, a single chord of this piece is held for 2,527 days before it moves on to the next.
LISTEN — John Cage: Organ² (As Slow As Possible)
John Cage: Organ²
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Arvo Part: Spiegel im Spiegel — If you hold a mirror facing forward and stand in front of a mirror, you will see that your reflected image is repeated over and over for infinity. The name of this piece is German and means, “Mirrors in the Mirror” which refers to an infinity mirror and the infinite number of reflected images.
LISTEN — Arvo Part: Spiegel im Spiegel
Arvo Part: Spiegel im Spiegel
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Niccolo Paganini: Moto Perpetuo — A “virtuoso” is someone who is highly skilled in music or other creative art. Niccolo Paganini was the most celebrated violin virtuoso of his time. If you learn any violin techniques, you will likely be learning techniques he developed.
LISTEN — Niccolo Paganini: Moto Perpetuo
Niccolo Paganini: Moto Perpetuo
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Camille Saint-Saëns: Samson and Delilah - Bacchanale — Camille Saint-Saëns was a French composer, organist, conductor and pianist. Before he was even 3, he was curious about the piano and had the ability to identify a musical note without assistance.
LISTEN — Camille Saint-Saëns: Samson and Delilah - Bacchanale
Camille Saint-Saëns: Samson and Delilah - Bacchanale
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Johannes Brahms: Hungarian Dance No. 4 — This is only one of 21 total Hungarian Dances that Brahms composed, all inspired by Hungarian folk music and Hungary’s deep tradition of dance. They were originally written for piano and were later arranged by Brahms and other composers to allow a full orchestra to present these pieces.
LISTEN — Johannes Brahms: Hungarian Dance No. 4
Johannes Brahms: Hungarian Dance No. 4
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This time of year can bring a lot of interesting storms. Join host Liz Lyon as we use our imagination to picture thunderstorms while discovering classical music that was inspired by the rain, wind and rumbles of these storms.
Episode 84 playlist
Eric Whitacre: Cloudburst — Handbells, a thunder sheet, bass drum, suspended cymbal, wind chimes and piano all accompany an eight-part choir. The added claps, snaps and thick smacks by the singers help bring a thunderstorm to life through song.
LISTEN — Eric Whitacre: Cloudburst
Eric Whitacre: Cloudburst
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Ludwig Van Beethoven: Pastoral Symphony — This was one of only two symphonies that Beethoven named. Using your imagination, can you recognize what parts of a thunderstorm the instruments mimic?
LISTEN — Ludwig Van Beethoven: Pastoral Symphony
Ludwig Van Beethoven: Pastoral Symphony
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Michael Kamen: The Eye of the Storm — American composer Michael Kamen was well known for his scores to many movies you might know, including The Iron Giant, X-Men, The Avengers and 101 Dalmatians. This piece is from The Iron Giant and helps to set the mood for an unknown object crashing through Earth’s atmosphere in the middle of a storm at sea.
LISTEN — Michael Kamen: The Eye of the Storm
Michael Kamen: The Eye of the Storm
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Ferde Grofé: Grand Canyon Suite - Cloudburst — The Grand Canyon Suite includes five movements that paint a specific scene that is typical of the Grand Canyon. The movements are “Sunrise,” “Painted Desert,” “On the Trail” and “Sunset,” with the fifth and final movement, “Cloudburst,” portraying a storm in the Grand Canyon.
LISTEN — Ferde Grofé: Grand Canyon Suite, 5. Cloudburst
Ferde Grofé: Grand Canyon Suite, 5. Cloudburst
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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.
Part 2 of a two-part episode: Video game music has evolved over time from simple 8-bit tones to classical-music masterpieces. Join host Liz Lyon as we listen to some video-game compositions that have made a name for themselves in the world of classical music.
Episode 83 playlist
Martin O’Donnell and Michael Salvatori: Halo Theme — For the theme from Halo, composer Martin O’Donnell was inspired by the Beatles’ song “Yesterday.” This particular piece was arranged by composer and sound designer Pascal Michael Stiefel.
LISTEN — Martin O’Donnell and Michael Salvatori: Halo Theme
Martin O'Donnell and Michael Salvatori: Halo Theme
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Koji Kondo: The Legend of Zelda Theme — This song appears in every game in The Legend of Zelda series in one way or another. Either as the main theme, mixed in with a different piece of music or through brief cameo appearances in certain parts of the game.
LISTEN — Koji Kondo: The Legend of Zelda Theme
Koji Kondo: The Legend of Zelda Theme
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Austin Wintory: Journey, I Was Born for This — This is the final track of the official Journey soundtrack, which plays over the ending credits of the game. The lyrics are written in five languages, all of which were borrowed from various historical documents and works of poetry. The title, “I Was Born for This,” is a translation of a quote attributed to Joan of Arc.
LISTEN — Austin Wintory: Journey, I Was Born For This
Austin Wintory: Journey, I Was Born For This
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What sort of relationship do video games and classical music share? Join host Liz Lyon for the first part of our exploration of video-game music and how it has developed a deep relationship with classical music. Part 2 will be posted April 30.
Episode 82 playlist
Koji Kondo: Super Mario Brothers Theme — This was originally composed for the 1985 Nintendo Entertainment System video game Super Mario Brothers. Sound designer Koji Kondo says he found this piece to be the most difficult to compose. This version of the theme is performed by the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra.
LISTEN — Koji Kondo: Super Mario Brothers Theme
Koji Kondo: Super Mario Brothers Theme
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Yoko Shimomura: Kingdom Hearts, Hikari — Yoko Shimomura is a Japanese composer and pianist. She has written for video games such as the Mario & Luigi series as well as Final Fantasy XV, but she is best known for writing the music for the video game Kingdom Hearts. Here is a popular piece from that game performed by the New Japanese Philharmonic Orchestra.
LISTEN — Yoko Shimomura: Kingdom Hearts, Hikari
Yoko Shimomura: Kingdom Hearts, Hikari
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Claude Debussy: Claire de Lune — Video-game music is often used to help set the mood and provide insight into the specific game. Those who know the game The Evil Within, a game for older teens and adults, also know that when they hear Claire de Lune, by Claude Debussy, within the game, safety is nearby.
LISTEN — Claude Debussy: Claire de Lune
Claude Debussy: Claire de Lune
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Nobuo Uematsu composed music for the Final Fantasy video-game series. The music has become so popular that orchestras have performed it on tour. Uematsu has never had a formal musical education, but he was passionate and persistent, and now his music is legendary.
Episode 81 playlist
Nobuo Uematsu: Final Fantasy, Main Theme — As Uematsu was seeking out work as a composer, a friend asked him to help her write music for video games. Final Fantasy was one of the first games he worked on. This is the main theme of the game.
LISTEN — Nobuo Uematsu: Final Fantasy, Main Theme
Nobuo Uematsu: Final Fantasy, Main Theme
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Nobuo Uematsu: Final Fantasy VII, One-Winged Angel — When Uematsu wrote music for Final Fantasy VII, he got to work with an orchestra and a choir for the first time. The results were amazing. Here is one of his most popular pieces from Final Fantasy VII.
LISTEN — Nobuo Uematsu: Final Fantasy VII, One-Winged Angel
Nobuo Uematsu: Final Fantasy VII, One Winged Angel
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Nobuo Uematsu: Final Fantasy VII, Don’t Be Afraid — “Distant Worlds” is a concert tour performed by an orchestra, choir, and vocal and instrumental soloists. The concerts are unique multimedia experiences, with Final Fantasy video game presentations projected onto giant screens throughout the concert. Here is a piece that has been performed on the tour.
LISTEN — Nobuo Uematsu: Final Fantasy VII, Don’t Be Afraid
Nobuo Uematsu: Final Fantasy VII, Don't Be Afraid
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There is a strange instrument that was once believed to have magical powers. Join host Liz Lyon as we learn a little about the history of the glass armonica and listen to music composed for this unique instrument.
Episode 80 Glass Armonica Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Adagio for Glass Armonica — In the last year of Mozart’s life, he composed this piece for the glass armonica, which has been referred to as one of unearthly beauty.
LISTEN — Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Adagio for Glass Armonica
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Adagio for Glass Armonica
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Johann Abraham Peter Schulz: Largo — There were many rumors surrounding the glass armonica. In Germany, some towns actually banned the instrument. Here is a piece written for it by German composer Johann Abraham Peter Schulz.
LISTEN — Johann Abraham Peter Schulz: Largo
Johann Abraham Peter Schulz: Largo
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James Horner: Spock — The glass armonica also is sometimes referred to as the bowl organ. It produces ethereal sounds and when paired with the harp, composer James Horner thought it created the perfect theme for Spock in the Star Trek movie The Wrath of Khan.
LISTEN — James Horner: Spock
James Horner: Spock
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Carter Burwell: The Glass Armonica — Carter Burwell is best known for his work as a film composer. He wrote this piece for the glass armonica to accompany the movie Mr. Holmes, which portrays the famous literary detective Sherlock Holmes in his old age.
LISTEN — Carter Burwell: The Glass Armonica
Carter Burwell: The Glass Armonica
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Classical music is often thought of as strict and serious, but throughout history composers each had their own sense of humor that they would let shine through in some of their pieces. Join host Liz Lyon and producer Melanie Renate as they share laughter and comedy through classical music.
Episode 79 playlist
Joseph Haydn: Surprise Symphony — Haydn was known to include musical jokes in his music. In the second movement of his Surprise Symphony, he wrote in loud chords within the soft dynamics of the piece. It brings surprising energy to an otherwise mellow piece.
LISTEN — Joseph Haydn: Surprise Symphony
Joseph Haydn: Surprise Symphony
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Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: A Musical Joke — Mozart was known to have a varied sense of humor. He played pranks on people and would often write jokes into his music. Some musicologists argue this piece was either written to parody the work of less-educated musicians or to mock those whom he felt followed the strict concepts of conventional classical music too closely.
LISTEN — Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: A Musical Joke
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: A Musical Joke
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Ludwig van Beethoven: Rage Over a Lost Penny — As the story goes, one night Beethoven’s neighbors overheard him arguing with his housekeeper about a lost (or stolen) gold penny. This piece was composed around that time and became part of the legend of Beethoven’s bad moods.
LISTEN — Ludwig van Beethoven: Rage Over a Lost Penny
Ludwig van Beethoven: Rage Over a Lost Penny
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PDQ Bach: My Bonnie Lass She Smelleth — PDQ Bach, otherwise known as Peter Schickele, is educated in musical composition. He took early comedic inspiration from musician Spike Jones, who specialized in spoof arrangements in the 1940s.
LISTEN — PDQ Bach: My Bonnie Lass She Smelleth
PDQ Bach: My Bonnie Lass She Smelleth
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Leroy Anderson with Martin Breinschmid: The Typewriter — This piece features a typewriter as a percussion instrument. Only professional drummers can manage the typewriter part in this piece because of how fast the typing speed is.
LISTEN — Leroy Anderson with Martin Breinschmid: The Typewriter
Leroy Anderson Martin Breinschmid: The Typewriter
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G. Berthold: Duetto Buffo di Due Gatti — This piece is often performed as a comical encore at the end of a concert performance. The singers repeat the word, “meow,” and might even occasionally hiss during the piece.
LISTEN — G. Berthold: Duetto Buffo di Due Gatti
G. Berthold: Duetto Buffo di Due Gatti
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When you close your eyes and think of being brave and courageous, what comes to mind? Join host Liz Lyon as we explore courage through classical music.
Episode 78 playlist
Alan Silvestri: The Avengers — To compose the theme for The Avengers, Alan Silvestri drew inspiration from a specific scene where all of the superheroes were suddenly gathered, standing still, shoulder to shoulder in the middle of a battle. He wanted the music to carry that heroic and courageous energy.
LISTEN — Alan Silvestri: The Avengers
Alan Silvestri: The Avengers
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Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky: The Enchantress Overture — Tchaikovsky overcame many fears throughout his life. He struggled with self-doubt and stage fright. He even feared that his head might fall off when conducting. This led him to awkwardly hold his chin with one hand while conducting with the other. He courageously overcame this fear and was able to conduct his opera The Enchantress.
LISTEN — Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky: The Enchantress Overture
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky: The Enchantress Overture
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Florence Price: Symphony No. 1 — Price was a Black classical composer, pianist, organist and music teacher. She acted courageously her entire life as she worked to be successful in music during a time of deep racial segregation in the United States. In 2009, a large collection of her works was found in her abandoned summer home.
LISTEN — Florence Price: Symphony No. 1
Florence Price: Symphony No. 1 in E Minor
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Women have played a major role in classical music history, but because they were women often their work was lost or simply overlooked. Join host Liz Lyon and producer Melanie Renate as we discuss a few of the countless women who have made a large impact in classical music.
Episode 77 playlist
Hélène de Montgeroult: Thème Varié dans le genre moderne — Hélène de Montgeroult plays a large role in classical music history. She was the first female professor at the Paris Conservatoire in 1795. She was a pianist and composer and paved the way for other composers like Ludwig Van Beethoven and Clara Schumann.
LISTEN — Hélène de Monteroult: Thème Varié dans le genre moderne
Hélène de Montgeroult: Thème Varié dans le genre moderne
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Elfrida Andrée: Symphony No. 2 — Elfrida Andrée was a Swedish organist, composer and conductor. She was an activist in the Swedish women’s movement and was the first woman to graduate as an organist. She was also the first woman in Sweden to become a cathedral organist and conduct a full orchestra.
LISTEN — Elfrida Andrée: Symphony No. 2
Elfrida Andrée: Symphony No. 2
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Undine Smith Moore: Mother to Son — Undine Smith Moore is known as the Dean of Black Women Composers. She was the granddaughter of enslaved people and through a life filled with music, she became not only an accomplished composer but a renowned teacher. Most of her work is vocal compositions influenced by Black spirituals and folk music.
LISTEN — Undine Smith Moore: Mother to Son
Undine Smith Moore: Mother to Son
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In music and in life, when someone makes a creative choice “in the moment” its called improvising. Join host Liz Lyon as we explore ways composers and musicians have played with improvising in their music.
Episode 76 playlist
Johann Sebastian Bach: Musical Offering Ricercar a 3 — Bach was well known for his improvising skill. This piece was composed through the use of improvisation and was based on a musical theme.
LISTEN — Johann Sebastian Bach: Musical Offering Ricercar a 3
Johann Sebastian Bach: Musical Offering Ricercar a 3
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Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Allegretto - Variation — Mozart was skilled at composing music on the spot. He would improvise pieces in public. For example, he closed the premiere of his Prague Symphony with a half-hour improvisation.
LISTEN — Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Allegretto - Variation
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Allegretto - Variation
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Gabriela Montero: Improvisation No. 2 — Gabriela Montero is a Venezuelan pianist known best for her real-time improvisation of complex musical themes and pieces suggested by her audiences during live performances.
LISTEN — Gabriela Montero: Improvisation No. 2
Gabriela Montero: Improvisation No. 2
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Electric string instruments can give new energy to familiar classical pieces and also give familiar pop and rock songs a new classical-inspired twist. Join host Liz Lyon as she touches on the history of electric string instruments, and listen to some pieces performed on electric strings.
Episode 75 playlist
Stuff Smith: How High the Moon — Hezekiah Leroy Gordon Smith, better known as Stuff Smith, was an American jazz violinist credited as being the first performer to use electric amplification techniques on a violin.
LISTEN — Stuff Smith: How High the Moon
Stuff Smith: How High the Moon
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John Adams: A New Day — Electric violin soloist Tracy Silverman refers to his type of instrumentation as “progressive string playing” — classical string playing that weaves in contemporary music genres like rock, jazz, and hip-hop. Here he is playing “A New Day,” by John Adams.
LISTEN — John Adams: A New Day
John Adams: A New Day
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2CELLOS: Eye of the Tiger — This cellist duo from Croatia are classically trained musicians who play instrumental arrangements of well-known pop and rock songs. They also play classical and film music and have even been featured on several TV series episodes.
LISTEN — 2CELLOS: Eye of the Tiger
2CELLOS: Eye of the Tiger
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Deborah Henson-Conant: Nightingale — Deborah Henson-Conant wrote this piece in memory of her mother’s voice. “Nightingale” is her most-requested tune in concert. She often plays on an electric acoustic pedal harp, which can be used with an amplifier or played like a normal pedal harp.
LISTEN — Deborah Henson-Conant: Nightingale
Deborah Henson-Conant: Nightingale
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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
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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
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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
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Do you have a favorite band or musician? Join host Liz Lyon as we listen to a variety of pieces from one of her favorite groups, the Harlem Quartet
Episode 73 playlist
The Harlem Quartet: Take the A Train — The Harlem Quartet is a string quartet, meaning there are four musicians who all play string instruments. This piece is the title track from their first album.
LISTEN — The Harlem Quartet: Take the A Train
The Harlem Quartet: Take the A Train
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The Harlem Quartet: Mozart Goes Dancing — The Harlem Quartet teamed up with a jazz piano legend Gary Burton on this Grammy-winning piece.
LISTEN — The Harlem Quartet: Mozart Goes Dancing
The Harlem Quartet: Mozart Goes Dancing
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The Harlem Quartet: Graceful Ghost — The album Cross Pollination was released in July 2020. This is one of the movements from a piece on that album.
LISTEN — The Harlem Quartet: Graceful Ghost
The Harlem Quartet: Graceful Ghost
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Duets are made up of two musicians making music together, but how many different kinds of duets are there? The combinations seem endless. Join host Liz Lyon, along with producer Melanie Renate, as they pair together to play a few of their favorite examples of duets.
Episode 72 playlist
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Sonata for Piano 4 Hands — Wolfgang and his sister Nannerl both wrote piano duets and would often play them together, side by side, on one piano. This piece was written by Mozart.
LISTEN — Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Sonata for Piano 4 Hands
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Sonata for Piano 4 Hands in C Major
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Léo Delibes: Flower Duet— This piece is from the opera Lakmé, which premiered in Paris in 1883. Two characters sing together as they gather flowers by a river.
LISTEN — Léo Delibes: Flower Duet
Léo Delibes: Flower Duet
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Andrew Beall: Song of ‘Almah — This piece was originally written for the marimba and soprano, but composer Andrew Beall wanted to tell this story purely instrumentally. He chose to pair the marimba with a cello because the combination is rare and he felt the cello is the instrument most similar to the human voice..
LISTEN — Andrew Beall: Song of ‘Almah
Andrew Beall: Song of ‘Almah
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Did you know that ensembles can be different sizes? Join host Liz Lyon as we listen to music performed by a variety of ensembles of differing sizes.
Episode 71 playlist
William Grant Still: Symphony No. 2 (“Song of a New Race”) — Orchestras are usually large ensembles with lots of musicians. The Detriot Symphony Orchestra performs with close to 100 musicians. Here they perform a piece by William Grant Still.
LISTEN — William Grant Still: Symphony No. 2 (“Song of a New Race”)
William Grant Still: Symphony No. 2
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Kerry Muzzey: Pulling a Thread — Modern classical and film composer Kerry Muzzey released an album in 2014 called The Architect. The Chamber Orchestra of London recorded this piece under the direction of conductor Andrew Skeet.
LISTEN — Kerry Muzzey: Pulling a Thread
Kerry Muzzey: Pulling a Thread
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Samuel Coleridge-Taylor: Humoresque — The New York Times once said, “The Catalyst Quartet is beautiful to watch, like a family in lively conversation at the dinner table: anticipating, interrupting, changing subjects.” Here the musicians perform a piece by Samuel Coleridge-Taylor.
LISTEN — Samuel Coleridge-Taylor: Humoresque
Samuel Coleridge-Taylor: Humoresque
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Home can be many things. It can be a person or place that brings us comfort or offers inspiration. Join host Liz Lyon as we listen to pieces of music inspired by the people and places different musicians consider to be their home.
Episode 70 playlist
Itzhak Perlman: A Yiddishe Mamme — Violinist Itzhak Perlman’s mother was his support system when he became famous at a young age. As an adult, he recorded music that reminded him of his mother and his Jewish roots.
LISTEN — Itzhak Perlman: A Yiddishe Mamme
Itzhak Perlman: A Yiddishe Mamme
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Liu Tieshan: Dance of the Yao People — Chinese professor Liu Tieshan was inspired by the melodies of his home country. He collaborated with composer Mau Yuan to write this piece, which was inspired by traditional festival music of the Yao People of southern and southwest China.
LISTEN — Liu Tieshan: Dance of the Yao People
Liu Tieshan: Dance of The Yao People
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Xavier Dubois Foley: Shelter Island — Violinist Randall Goosby and Xavier Foley play together in this piece, which Foley composed to celebrate their friendship and the place that they met.
LISTEN — Xavier Dubois Foley: Shelter Island
Xavier Dubois Foley: Shelter Island
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Have you ever seen a piece of clothing or a piece of art that inspired you to try to make your own version? Composers do this regularly with pieces of music. Join host Liz Lyon as we explore variations and arrangements.
Episode 69 playlist
Pablo De Sarasate: Carmen Fantasy — Pablo De Sarasate loved operas and would sometimes pick a favorite opera melody and turn it into a piece he could play on his violin. This piece is based on a famous opera, Carmen.
LISTEN — Pablo De Sarasate: Carmen Fantasy
Pablo De Sarasate: Carmen Fantasy
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Clara Schumann: Variations on a Theme — Famous composer Clara Schumann was married to another famous composer, Robert Schumann. Sometimes she would write her own version of a piece of music that her husband composed. That’s what she did here.
LISTEN — Clara Schumann: Variations on a Theme
Clara Schumann: Variations on a Theme
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Maurice Ravel: Pictures at an Exhibition — Originally, this piece was written by Modest Mussorgsky for solo piano, but Maurice Ravel rearranged the piece to adapt it for an orchestra. This is a frequently performed variation.
LISTEN — Maurice Ravel: Pictures at an Exhibition
Maurice Ravel: Pictures at an Exhibition
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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The month of December is packed full of different holidays and we all celebrate them in different ways. Music can unite us all in celebration. Bells are a common sound throughout the festive season. Join host, Liz Lyon as we explore music that features different types of bells.
Episode 66 playlist
Sonos Handbell Ensemble: Silent Night — The oldest existing hand bells are found in China from 1600 B.C.
LISTEN — Sonos Handbell Ensemble: Silent Night
Sonos Handbell Ensemble: Silent Night
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Boston Pops Orchestra: Sleigh Ride — Sleigh bells, also known as jingle bells, were originally fastened to horses to warn pedestrians of an approaching sleigh.
LISTEN — Boston Pops Orchestra: Sleigh Ride
Boston Pops Orchestra: Sleigh Ride
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Dale Warland Singers: Carol of The Bells — Originally based on traditional Ukrainian folk chants in celebration of the coming new year. This melody was rearranged for orchestra and new lyrics were written which centered on the theme of bells.
LISTEN — Dale Warland Singers: Carol of The Bells
Dale Warland Singers: Carol of The Bells
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Composer Eric Whitacre is well known for the choral pieces he writes and their distinctive sound. Join host, Liz Lyon as she explores some of his music in this episode of YourClassical Adventures.
Episode 65 playlist
Eric Whitacre: Water Night — One of his earliest works, written in 1995. The text is from Octavio Paz’s poem, “Agua Nocturna”.
LISTEN — Eric Whitacre: Water Night
Eric Whitacre: Water Night
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Eric Whitacre: Sleep — The setting for this choral composition is a poem by Robert Frost, “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening”. The theme of the lyrics, sleep, was based on the last stanza of this poem, “And miles to go before I sleep.”
LISTEN — Eric Whitacre: Sleep
Eric Whitacre: Sleep
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Eric Whitacre: When David Heard — The text for this piece is one single, and sorrowful sentence accompanied by purposeful and dramatic silence.
LISTEN — Eric Whitacre: When David Heard
Eric Whitacre: When David Heard
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Where do you find your favorite melodies in classical music? Join Liz Lyon and listen to beautiful melodies in this episode of YourClassical Adventures.
Episode 64 playlist
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: 12 Variations of “Ah! Vous Dirai-Je, Maman” — This was originally a French melody. Lyrics were added long after it was composed.
LISTEN — Amadeus Mozart: 12 Variations of “Ah! Vous Dirai-Je, Maman”
Amadeus Mozart: 12 Variations of “Ah! Vous Dirai-Je, Maman”
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Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky: Sleeping Beauty Waltz — This was written for the ballet Sleeping Beauty and used in the animated version of the story.
LISTEN — Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky: Sleeping Beauty Waltz
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky: Sleeping Beauty Waltz
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Howard Shore: Concerning Hobbits — This was written for the film The Lord of the Rings as a melody that would become synonymous with the Hobbits.
LISTEN — Howard Shore: Concerning Hobbits
Howard Shore: Concerning Hobbits
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Mozart: Queen of the Night Aria — This is not the easiest tune to sing or hum along to, but it’s fun to try and definitely a catchy melody.
LISTEN — Mozart: Queen of the Night Aria
Mozart: Queen of the Night Aria
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The human voice can add something special to music that other instruments simply can not do. Listen to some classical music examples that will explain why the human voice is so unique.
Episode 63 playlist Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov: The Flight of the Bumblebee — Singer Bobby McFerrin teams up with cellist Yo-Yo Ma. Do you think McFerrin sounds more like a bumblebee or more like a cello?
LISTEN — Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov: The Flight of the Bumblebee
Nikolai Rimsky Korsakov: The Flight of the Bumblebee
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The King’s Singers: Horizons — The human voice is a great instrument for storytelling and can help paint a picture through words.
LISTEN — The King’s Singers: Horizons
The King’s Singers: Horizons
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Eriks Esenvalds: Only in Sleep — When multiple people sing together, such as in ensembles or choirs, it can help elicit emotions.
LISTEN — Eriks Esenvalds: Only in Sleep
Eriks Esenvalds: Only in Sleep
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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
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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
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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
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Find out what the music of Claude Debussy sounds like, and explore all the pictures it can paint in your mind. Hear different examples of Debussy's music below.
Episode 61 playlist
Claude Debussy: Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun — One of Debussy’s most famous works and one of the first to be described as “impressionistic.”
LISTEN Debussy: Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun
Claude Debussy: Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun
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Claude Debussy: "Nuages" from Nocturnes — “Nuages” is the French word for “clouds.” What kind of clouds do you think Debussy was writing about?
LISTEN — Debussy: "Nuages" from Nocturnes
Claude Debussy: Nocturnes No. 1. "Nuages"
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Claude Debussy: Gardens in the Rain — Here's a fun piece he wrote about a lush garden wet with rain.
LISTEN — Debussy: Gardens in the Rain.
Claude Debussy: Estampes Jardins sous la pluie (Gardens in the Rain)
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Claude Debussy: "Play of the Waves" from La Mer — Can you hear the parts of this piece that sound like calm, peaceful water? How about rough, choppy waves?
LISTEN — Debussy: "Play of the Waves" from La Mer
Claude Debussy: La Mer (The Sea) Jeux de vagues (Play of the Waves)
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Lento music can feel like a relaxing afternoon watching the clouds slowly drift by.
Episode 60 playlist Franz Liszt: Liebestraum No. 3 — Music played at a lento tempo sounds slow and relaxed.
LISTEN Franz Liszt:Liebestraum No. 3
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Ludwig Van Beethoven: String Quartet No. 16 - 3rd mvt, Lento — Do slow pieces like this make you feel relaxed, sad or dreamy?
LISTEN Ludwig Van Beethoven: String Quartet No. 16 - 3rd mvt, Lento
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Antonin Dvorak: String Quartet No. 12 - 2nd mvt, Lento — This first movement is titled, Lento. Does it sound like the beginning of a story?
LISTEN Antonin Dvorak: String Quartet No. 12 - 2nd mvt, Lento
Antonin Dvorak - String Quartet No. 12
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The piano went through many changes before becoming the instrument we know today. Listen to some examples that explore the history of the piano.
Episode 59 playlist Lodovico Giustini: Sonata da Cimbalo di Piano — One of the first pieces ever written for the piano by the first known composer of piano music.
LISTEN — Lodovico Giustini: Sonata da Cimbalo di Piano
Lodovico Giustini: Sonata da Cimbalo di Piano
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Fredrich Chopin: Ballade No. 1 — The composer uses a special tool at the bottom of the piano called a pedal to make the notes blend.
LISTEN — Fredrich Chopin: Ballade No. 1
Fredrich Chopin: Ballade No. 1
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Franz Liszt: La Campanella — This composer was a virtuoso pianist. This is one of his most complex and challenging pieces of piano music to play.
LISTEN — Franz Liszt: La Campanella
Liszt: La Campanella
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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
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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
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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”
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Composers use their imagination to bring stories to life through music. Join host, Liz Lyon, and producer, Melanie Renate as they explore the beautiful music of flutist and composer Valerie Coleman and hear her ensemble, Imani Winds.
Episode 57 playlist Valerie Coleman: Silver Rain — When she was young, Valerie would play outside and imagine that sticks were flutes before she practiced and became a flutist and composer.
LISTEN Valerie Coleman: Silver Rain
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Valerie Coleman: Ev'ry Time I Feel the Spirit — Valerie often brings her heritage into her music. This piece was inspired by an African American spiritual.
LISTEN Valerie Coleman: Ev'ry Time I Feel the Spirit
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Valerie Coleman: Umoja — Umoja is Kiswahili for the word 'Unity'. This piece is performed by Valerie’s ensemble, Imani Winds.
LISTEN Valerie Coleman: Umoja
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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
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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
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George Fredrich Handel: Trumpet Concerto; Overture — The trumpet is a loud and powerful instrument. In this piece, it is used to get your attention.
LISTEN George Fredrich Handel: Trumpet Concerto; Overture
Handel Trumpet Concerto in D Overture
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Have you ever wanted to learn how to play the drums or any percussion instrument? Join host Liz Lyon and producer Melanie Renate as we learn about three percussion instruments and how they add excitement to music.
Episode 55 playlist Richard Strauss: Also Sprach Zarathustra — There are two notes played back and forth on timpani. It's a pitched, percussion instrument. Can you hear the two different pitches on the timpani?
LISTEN Richard Strauss: Also Sprach Zarathustra
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Maurice Ravel: Bolero — One of the most famous pieces in classical music featuring the snare drum. Can you hear the snare played continuously throughout this piece?
LISTEN Maurice Ravel: Bolero
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Aaron Copland: "Hoe Down" from Rodeo — This is a really fun piece of ballet music featuring the xylophone. The xylophone almost looks like a keyboard, but you strike the wooden bars with mallets. Can you hear the xylophone among all of the other instruments?
LISTEN Aaron Copland: Hoe Down from Rodeo
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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
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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
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Which classical pieces excite you the most? Join Melissa Dundis and listen to the beautiful piano music of Chopin.
Episode 53 playlist Frederic Chopin: Polonaise No. 6 (Heroic) — This style of the polonaise is common in piano music from Poland.
Fredrich Chopin: Polonaise No. 6 (Heroic)
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Frederic Chopin: Raindrop Prelude - The lower-sounding note that repeats throughout the prelude is the constant rainfall.
Frederic Chopin: Prelude No. 15 (Raindrop)
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Frederic Chopin: The “Little Dog” Waltz— Is this what your dog sounds like when they are running around the house or yard?
Frederic Chopin: Waltz No. 6 (Little Dog Waltz)
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Which classical pieces excite you the most? Join Melissa Dundis and listen to different pieces inspired by carnivals and celebrations.
Episode 52 playlist Jean Baptiste Arban: Carnival Overture — This piece was inspired by a noisy and colorful carnival in Venice, Italy.
Jean Baptiste Arban: Carnival Overture
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Arturo Marquez: Conga del Fuego Nuevo - This piece was written for a carnival in Mexico and features the famous conga line dance theme.
Arturo Marquez: Conge del Fuego Nuevo
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Camille Saint-Saens: Carnival of the Animals - Finale — This is a suite of music based on different animals that you might see at a carnival or parade.
Camille Saint-Saens: Carnival of the Animals - Finale
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Which classical piece paints a picture in your mind? Join Melissa Dundis and listen to different pieces inspired by paintings on this episode of YourClassical Adventures.
Episode 50 playlist Modest Mussorgsky: The Great Gate of Kiev — This piece was inspired by a painting of a great big gate, opening to a city in Russia.
Modest Mussorgsky: The Great Gate of Kiev
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Ralph Vaughan Williams: In the Fen Country - This piece is like a poem, using the music to describe the beautiful, wide open landscapes in England.
Ralph Vaughan Williams: In the Fen Country
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Sergei Rachmaninoff: The Isle of the Dead — This piece was based on a painting of an abandoned island surrounded by dark waters.
Sergei Rachmaninoff: Isle of the Dead
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What is a symphony? Join Melissa Dundis and listen to different sections of a symphony on this episode of YourClassical Adventures.
Episode 49 playlist Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: 1st movement from Symphony No. 40 — The first movement of a symphony is usually fast, energizing and exciting.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Symphony No 40 - I
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Ludwig van Beethoven: 2nd movement from Symphony No. 7 - The second movement is usually slow and can feel like a sadder or sweeter part of the story.
Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No 7 - II
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Dmitri Shostakovich: Finale from Symphony No. 5 — The finale is a really fun, loud and exiting movement that finishes the symphony and allows the piece to show off its best qualities.
Dmitri Shostakovich: Finale from the Symphony No. 5
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Have you heard any music by the famous pianist Amy Beach? Join Melissa Dundis and listen to Beach's original compositions on this episode of YourClassical Adventures.
Episode 48 playlist Amy Beach: Ballade — This is a popular piano piece by the composer.
Amy Beach: Ballade
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Amy Beach: 2nd mvt from the Gaelic Symphony - This became the first symphony published by a woman in the United States.
Amy Beach: Gaelic Symphony - 2nd mvt.
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Amy Beach: 1st mvt from the Piano Concerto — Back in the day, you could have heard Beach perform this work of hers live.
Amy Beach: Piano Concerto - 1st mvt.
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What does the viola sound like? Join Melissa Dundis and listen to beautiful viola music on this episode of YourClassical Adventures.
Episode 47 playlist Hector Berlioz: 1st mvt. from Harold in Italy— The main character in this piece, Harold, is portrayed by the viola.
Johann Hoffmeister: 2nd mvt. from the Viola Concerto — In a viola concerto, the violist is the only soloist.
Johann Sebastian Bach: 3rd mvt. from Brandenburg Concerto No. 6 — Bach loved the viola, and he wrote this piece for two viola soloists.
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Download Episode 45
What pieces of classical music include the mandolin? Join Melissa Dundis and listen to classical music played on the mandolin, on this episode of YourClassical Adventures.
Episode 45 playlist Antonio Vivaldi: Mandolin Concerto— The mandolin was popular in this kind of music, by baroque composer Antonio Vivaldi.
Antonio Vivaldi: Mandolin Concerto
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Bela Bartok: Romanian Folk Dances— Can you imagine dancing around to this classical/folk piece?
Bela Bartok: Romanian Folk Dances
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Edgar Meyer and Chris Thile: Why Only One — Here the mandolin is playing a duet with an upright bass.
Edgar Meyer and Chris Thile: Why Only One
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Download Episode 44
What holidays are celebrated with fireworks? The New Year and of course, the Fourth of July. Join Melissa Dundis and listen to classical music inspired by fireworks on this episode of YourClassical Adventures.
Episode 44 playlist Claude Debussy: Feux d’artifice— This piece was written to sound like a bunch of fireworks going off.
Claude Debussy: Feux d'artifice
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George Fredrich Handel: Music for the Royal Fireworks — This piece was written for at the end of a war, to celebrate peace in London.
George Fredrich Handel: Music for the Royal Fireworks
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Peter Tchaikovsky: 1812 Overture - Finale — This piece features a cannon balls that kind of sound like fireworks.
Peter Tchaikovsky: 1812 Overture
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Download Episode 43
This is one of the most important composers in England during the 20th century.
Episode 43 playlist Samuel Coleridge-Taylor: The Song of Hiawatha Overture— This piece was inspired by a poem called written by the man he was named after. It’s about the adventures of two fictional characters, a native American warrior named Hiawatha.
Samuel Coleridge Taylor: The Song of Hiawatha Overture
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Samuel Coleridge-Taylor: Dance No. 1 from Four African Dances — This is music he
based off old African dance tunes and spirituals. It’s a dance from his Four African Dances.
Samuel Coleridge Taylor: Dance No. 1 from Four African Dances
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Samuel Coleridge-Taylor: Ballade in A minor — This was one of his first pieces to give him
international fame, and was what made people call him a “genius”.
Samuel Coleridge-Taylor: Ballade in A minor
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The Bassoon is a large, low sounding instrument. It’s so big that players must sit down while playing.
Episode 42 playlist Camille Saint-Saens: Bassoon Sonata— Like the other woodwinds, the body of the instrument like a long tube. So long, that the player must sit down when performing.Listen to the bassoon and piano play this sonata by Camille Saint-Saëns. How would you describe the sound?
Camille Saint-Saens: Bassoon Sonata
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Gordon Jacob: Afternoon with a Dinosaur — What do you think the basoon and the music sound like in this piece?
Gordon Jacob: Afternoon with a Dinosaur
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Paul Dukas: The Sorcerer’s Apprentice — This is one of the most famous pieces to feature the bassoon. Have you seen the Disney classic, Fantasia?
Paul Dukas: The Sorcerer's Apprentice
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Download Episode 41
How many pieces do you know about water? How about Row, Row, Row Your Boat? Enjoy this playlist of classical music that sounds like water and waves.
Episode 41 playlist Claude Debussy: On a Boat — Can you hear the waves gently flowing back and forth, or hear them rocking up against a boat?
Claude Debussy: On a Boat(En Bateau)
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Franz Schubert: Music from the “Trout” Quintet — Can you imagine fish and wildlife jumping in and out of water in this piece?
Franz Schubert: 1st mvt. from the "Trout" Quintet
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Richard Wagner: Overture to The Flying Dutchman — This piece is about a sea captain that runs into a terrible storm while out sailing.
Richard Wagner: Overture to The Flying Dutchman
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