NACOcast: A Classical Music Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Soul Stirring Music Mar 15, 2017

Show notes

Sean Rice and Alexander Shelley talk about the "Soul Stirring Music" coming up in the 2017-2018 season of the NAC Orchestra.

"I am full of anticipation for the NAC Orchestra season ahead and the glorious music that awaits us. We will host some of the finest performers in the world - artists like Itzhak Perlman, Emanuel Ax, Lang Lang, Angela Hewitt, Stephen Hough, Pinchas Zukerman and John Storgards."

- Alexander Shelley

A Night of Classical Collisions #TheKiss Dec 12, 2016

Show notes

In celebration of Beethoven and Schumann – two highly expressive and innovative composers, the NAC Orchestra created an eclectic evening of music, dance and art called Classical Collisions. Fine art inspired graffiti artists while classical music mixed with DJ scratching - and everybody danced.

Artist Anita Kunz, who was commissioned to create the illustration of Beethoven and Schumann in a fraternal kiss loved the concept. “It’s a lovely, warm idea of brotherhood between these two great composers.”

For Music Director Alexander Shelley it was an opportunity to welcome a diverse community of artists to collaborate and create. "It’s absolutely appropriate that we should have other improvisers in the building showing what they do with these themes." explained Shelley.

Classical Collisions was a 21st century interpretation of the free spirited romantic era. And it was a party I’m sure both Beethoven and Schumann would have loved.

Joel Quarrington and Peter Paul Koprowski's Concertante for Double Bass, Strings and Percussion Dec 07, 2016

Show notes

November 16 & 17 was the world-premiere of Peter Paul Koprowski's Concertante for Double Bass, Strings and Percussion, written for and performed by the NAC Orchestra’s own world-class, mega-talented principal double bass Joel Quarrington. Sean talks with Joel about his roots, his training and his career as a double bass player.

Excerpts of Peter Paul Koprowski's Concertante for Double Bass, Strings and Percussion from the NAC Orchestra concert in Southam Hall on November 17, 2016.

Canadian Brass Nov 23, 2016

Show notes

Did you know the Canadian Brass shares founding members with the National Arts Centre Orchestra!? Join Sean Rice in a conversation about the history and future of Canadian Brass with founding member Chuck Daellenbach and newest member Caleb Hudson. Chuck shares stories like filling in with the NAC Orchestra, getting to Carnegie Hall by way of children's concerts, and Caleb talks about possibly the most difficult audition in history.

Musical excerpts are from their spectacular concerts with the NAC Orchestra from November 3-5, 2016.

Is Classical Music Really Dead? May 17, 2016

Show notes

The death knell for classical music has been ringing for decades.
Yet many say the music is not only alive, it’s kicking!

Join us for a fascinating, up-close-and-personal conversation with two highly original voices – Alexander Shelley, Music Director of the NAC Orchestra, and Andrew Potter, Editor of the Ottawa Citizen. With special guest Nadia Sirota ,violist and host of WQXR's Q2 Music Meet the Composer podcast.

Sean Rice chats with Nadia Sirota before the Canadian premiere of Nico Muhly’s Electrifying Viola Concerto Apr 26, 2016

Show notes

Vanguards of the New York indie classical scene, composer Nico Muhly and violist Nadia Sirota embody the meaning of "classical reincarnated" in an electrifying concert.

Nadia Sirota joins Alexander Shelley in the Canadian premiere of Nico Muhly’s Electrifying Viola Concerto. This much anticipated work was commissioned by an international consortium of orchestras and organisations made up of Orquesta Nacionales de España, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Festival of Saint Denis and National Arts Centre Orchestra.

Nadia Sirota’s debut album, First Things First (New Amsterdam Records), was a New York Times 2009 record of the year, and she can also be heard on albums by Grizzly Bear, yMusic (a new music ensemble who commission Sufjan Stevens, Son Lux, and other young American composers),Jonsi, the National, Ratatat, Doveman, My Brightest Diamond, and Arcade Fire’s Grammy-winning The Suburbs.

Exploring the works of Richard Strauss with Alexander Shelley Mar 23, 2016

Show notes

Nick talks to Alexander Shelley about his plan to perform, over the next several seasons, the works of one of his favourite composers, Richard Strauss. The orchestra begins next week with performances of Don Juan and Death and Transfiguration.

Sean Rice takes you inside the music of the All-Canadian Wolfgang Session Number 5 Jan 15, 2016

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Sean Rice is back with another special “all-Canadian WolfGANG” edition of the NACOcast! This time, Sean interviews Canadian composer Andrew Staniland in advance of the world premiere of the NAC-commissioned arrangement of his work The Beauty of Reason for bass clarinet and harp. The rest of the program features music by composers from the Great White North including Marjan Mozetich and Vivian Fung, whose music is inspired by music from other parts of the world, as well as music from Elizabeth Raum and Montrealer Samy Moussa. You’ll be amazed by the talent in this country.

Humour in Music Dec 08, 2015

Show notes

Looking at the lighter side of the classics, with selections from Mozart, Rossini and others. Elisabeth Schwarzkopf appears for the first time on the same playbill as Spike Jones.

Special Edition: Sean Rice, 2nd clarinetist with the NAC orchestra, interviews Bryce Dessner Nov 19, 2015

Show notes

WolfGANG is back! He’s got a new bowtie, and he’s ready to get his groove on. Come to the Mercury Lounge to hear works by the great Philip Glass, Montrealer Analia Llugdar, and Bryce Dessner (you might know him from The National). This music is sure to take the chill out of the air.
Presented with Mercury Lounge, in partnership with the Arboretum Festival, The WolfGANG Sessions push classical music out of its comfort zone. The music mixes contemporary and indie classical with exciting collaborations between NAC Orchestra musicians, video projection artists and DJs. Get ready to hear “classical music” at Mercury Lounge in a whole new way. It’s music with a wild side.

Philip Glass: String Quartet No. 5
Analia Lludgar: Luz for violin and cello
Johannes Maria Staud: Black Moon for bass clarinet
Bryce Dessner: Aheym for string quartet