NACOcast: A Classical Music Podcast

Latest Episodes:

"To Repeat, or not to Repeat" (with Leonard Slatkin) May 03, 2010

Show notes

Christopher speaks with the distinguished conductor Leonard Slatkin about the problem of repeats in Schubert.
The conversation focuses on his Ninth Symphony, The Great C Major, with a careful examination of the exquisite Andante Con Moto.

"On The Spot" Mar 01, 2010

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Two conductors, twenty questions. In this episode, Christopher puts conductors Andrew Grams and James Gaffigan to the test with some challenging questions for aspiring maestros.

"Practice Makes Perfect" Feb 08, 2010

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In this episode, Christopher ponders the concept of deep practice and how successful musicians use intelligent repetition to build their skills.

"Measuring Time" Nov 04, 2009

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Christopher has been thinking about metronomes. Here he discusses the history of that irritating but essential device, and talks with NACO guest conductor Alexander Shelley about Maelzel, Beethoven and the challenges of the metronome for modern conductors.

NAC Orchestra 2009/10 Season Preview Jun 02, 2009

Show notes

Christopher takes you on an hour-long exploration of the NAC Orchestra's recently announced 2009-2010 season, complete with musical excerpts from the NAC Orchestra audio archives and Naxos Canada.

Tchaikovsky's Eugene Onegin Mar 31, 2009

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Bringing Onegin to Life. With insights from philosopher Isaiah Berlin and a wide ranging conversation with tenor Richard Troxell and stage manager Joseph Bascetta, this episode explores Tchaikovsky's opera Eugene Onegin. Opera Lyra Ottawa's production of Tchaikovsky's masterpiece opens April 4.

NACO Artistic Administrator, Daphne Burt Mar 11, 2009

Show notes

In this second in a series of podcasts which will look at the business and administration of symphony orchestras, NACOcast host Christopher Millard talks with Daphne Burt, artistic administrator of the NAC Orchestra.

James Gaffigan and Beethoven Symphony no. 1 Nov 24, 2008

Show notes

This week's episode of the NACOcast looks at Beethoven's First Symphony. American conductor James Gaffigan is Christopher's guest. Chris and James analyze the harmonies employed in the introduction of the first movement and continue with a discussion of the sonata form.

NACOcast LIVE! The Violin and The Voice Oct 22, 2008

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Live from Southam Hall at Canada's National Arts Centre, Christopher talks with Pinchas Zukerman and Arianna Zukerman about the voice as instrument, and the instrument as voice.

"Figuring Out Figaro" Sep 12, 2008

Show notes

In this episode, Christopher speaks with Opera Lyra Ottawa's Artistic Director Tyrone Paterson, Conductor Christoph Campestrini and mezzo-soprano Marion Newman about the new production of Mozart's opera The Marriage of Figaro. The conversation focuses on the personalities of each of the principal characters, their place in the social strata of their time and how Mozart's music so brilliantly captures their individual human experience.