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 ..read more

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 cli ..read more

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 ..read more

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 Wad ..read more

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 by Clara Schumann: Variations on a Theme  ..read more

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 Ba ..read more

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 ..read more

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: Walt ..read more

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 patt ..read more

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, bu ..read more