Shows
Culture MonsterEpisode 18: Season Finale with Leonard SlatkinEpisode 18: American Conductor Leonard Slatkin
For the Culture Monster season finale, I speak with conductor Leonard Slatkin about his remarkable career and his new book, “Classical Crossroads.” I also endorse music by David Lang and Alan Hovhaness.
LINKS
The film “Olympia” documenting the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin
https://thesportjournal.org/article/leni-riefenstahls-olympia-brilliant-cinematography-or-nazi-propaganda/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3LOPhRq3Es
David Lang is an American composer known for his association with “Bang on a Can”
https://www.npr.org/2011/01/24/89442735/david-lang-wins-music-pulitzer
https://bangonacan.org/about_us/
“Cheating, Lying, Stealing” originally for chamber ensemble, heard here in a later version for band.
https://davidl...
2021-08-301h 08Culture MonsterEpisode 17: Conductor Holly Mathieson and remembering R Murray SchaferI speak with Holly Mathieson about her personal musical journey and endorse a Giller Prize winner.
LINKS
NYTimes on subway chimes:
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2021/08/13/arts/subway-train-sounds.html?unlocked_article_code=AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACEIPuonUyYiZ_tU1Gw5CRWySB4B991re1b-Wm_s1nGPlazOIQylL3qEJGYGB_QLWYrdla8B13yieQJUJFo4Tc8FI770VOV1xGU7vo52YlY4MKDk0t4_0Bjxu08KdBL59rTS3Pizkc-wkge3nsUjDbmbtXKbf1yd1cQwysoIlIQ_xoQEAxqjCGuBw0tZ-zK1hUsg8HWFcEXHM6_r4CBx-OMGEZwXc6GQ1XeJYWTLSmr2M-u5KMVUSWR-dEiQJsStr48hcOdgUIK_0MxckHcL7ir8SAWZtR5y7pmYAt83CIxgl0vBWC_GFfg&smid=url-share
Do Not Say we have nothing, by Madeline Thien
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.ca/books/259732/do-not-say-we-have-nothing-by-madeleine-thien/9780345810434
Interview with the Author in T...
2021-08-2356 minCulture MonsterEpisode 16 Conductor Dina Gilbert | Richard Strauss and the OlympicsI speak with conductor Dina Gilbert about her life and career and tell the story of the great Olympic Hymn by Richard Strauss, that time forgot.
LINKS
Darius Milhaud was a busy well-known composer during the 20th Century.
The New Yorker published a guide to his music in 2017
https://www.newyorker.com/culture/culture-desk/the-indomitable-humanism-of-darius-milhaud
Arthur Fiedler conducted the Boston Pops for 50 years.
https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/learning/general/onthisday/bday/1217.html
The “Boston Pops” an offshoot of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, is one of the most recorded ensembles in the world—known for its association with Arthur Fi...
2021-08-1659 minCulture MonsterEpisode 15: Paul Dornian and "The Raven Conspiracy"Episode 15: Paul Dornian and spectacle of the Olympics
As he exits his role at the Calgary Philharmonic, Paul Dornian chats with me about his life and career. Also
LINKS
“Rhapsody in Blue” from the 1984 Olympic opening ceremony
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylUF32pwvtI
Premiere of John Williams “Olympic Fanfare and theme”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MF0fEAFBOoM&t=168s
Lighting the 1984 Olympic Cauldron, featuring music by Philip Glass
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbbVk3AGVhE
“The Raven Conspiracy” by Carmen Braden, performed by members of the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iphtKI_Mg6M&t=13...
2021-08-0959 minCulture MonsterEpisode 14: Violist Nick Pulos and the new novel "Unlocking"I speak with violist Nick Pulos about his life and career, and recommend a new novel heating up the Alberta Bestseller list.
Unlocking, by Amy Leblanc — published by UCalgary Press
https://press.ucalgary.ca/books/9781773851396/
Amy Leblanc received the 2020 Lieutenant Governor of Alberta Emerging Artist Award:
https://artsawards.ca/artist/amy-leblanc/
Canada’s National Arts Centre Orchestra, Ottawa was formed in 1969.
https://nac-cna.ca/en/orchestra/about/history
Nick Pulos was principal violist of the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra for many years.
https://www.winspearcentre.com/more/about/about-eso/
Josef Suk “Into a new Life” March
performed by Czech Philharmonic Orchestra - Vaclac Talich...
2021-08-0359 minCulture MonsterEpisode 13: Jeremy Brown, “S.” and animal composers?I speak with multi-instrumentalist and conductor Jeremy Brown about his varied career and endorse a book which isn’t a book. Also, can cats compose?
LINKS
Zez Confrery, jazz pianist and composer:
https://syncopatedtimes.com/zez-confrey/
Sacrlatti, “Fuga del Gatto”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PhCBn3-4JKI
Amy Beach, American Composer (1867-1944):
https://www.amybeach.org/about/biography/
Jeremy Brown is a professor at the School for Creative and Performing Arts, University of Calgary:
https://contacts.ucalgary.ca/info/scpa/profiles/204-29912
His book “The Wind Band Music of Henry Cowell”
The Wind Band Music of Henry Cowell
https://www.taylo...
2021-06-2156 minCulture MonsterEpisode 12: "Papa" Bach & Grant HarvilleEpisode 12: A chat with Grant Harville | “Papa Bach”
I speak with Grant Harville about making music in the heart of Montana, and make a recommendation for your next visit to Hamburg Germany.
LINKS
Minitur Wonderland, Hamburg:
https://www.miniatur-wunderland.com
Watch the world record wining train performance:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBNHmUT3GPg&t=17s
Behind the scenes of the trick:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfNEzpjY2Ho
“The Motherland hears the Motherland Knows”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uacEN-JtB9Q
Grant Harville is the Music Director of the Great Falls Symphony, Great Falls Montana.
https://www.gfsymphon...
2021-06-1449 minCulture MonsterEpisode 11: Claude Lapalme and Adolphe SaxI speak with Red Deer Symphony Conductor Claude Lapalme about his career and what does a conductor do when he can’t conduct for a year? Also the strange life of Adolphe Sax, and the German composer who got himself on the cover of TIME magazine.
LINKS
TIME Magazine’s 1938 article featuring Richard Strauss:
http://content.time.com/time/covers/0,16641,19380725,00.html
“Ben Folds Composes a Song LIVE for Orchestra In Only 10 Minutes”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BytUY_AwTUs
Adolphe Sax’s 201st birthday doodle:
https://www.google.com/doodles/adolphe-saxs-201st-birthday
The Metropolitan Museum has a collection of instruments as...
2021-06-0749 minCulture MonsterEpisode 10: Kimberley-Ann Bartczak & what exactly is in Haydn’s tombI speak with conductor, vocal coach and pianist Kimberley-Ann Bartczak about her journey to the podium and what making opera in Canada is like. Haydn’s skull was very useful to him while he was alive, but also had an unusual time after he was dead. Plus a double-dose of Culture Monster recommends…
SHOW NOTES
Kimberley-Ann Bartczak is Principal Coach and Accompanist, Pacific Opera Victoria:
https://pacificopera.ca/person/kimberley-ann-bartczak/
The Terminal (2004) directed by Steven Spielberg:
https://letterboxd.com/film/the-terminal/
CBC Radio “As it Happens” original story about Hassan al Kontar:
https://www.cbc.ca/radio/asithappens/as-it-happens-friday-full-episode-1.4618548/syrian-stranded-at-malaysia-airport-says-canadians-renewed-his-hope-in-humanity-1.4618550
CBC Radio upd...
2021-05-2645 minCulture MonsterEpisode 9: Tim Shantz | Bach, Handel & Eye SurgeryEpisode 9: Tim Shantz | Bach, Handel & Eye Surgery
I tell the story teased from the beginning of Culture Monster—what is the connection between Bach, Handel and eye surgery? I also speak with notable choral conductor Tim Shantz on the power of ensemble singing, and recommend a British novel from the 1990s.
LINKS
News story on the Toronto Gallery heist:
https://cp24.com/four-pieces-of-art-worth-combined-265-900-stolen-from-gallery-in-toronto-1.5395704…
Medical Journal article on Bach’s eye problems:
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaophthalmology/fullarticle/417322
University of Wisconsin Medical School’s version of the story:
https://www.med.wisc.edu/news-and-events/2009/december/handel-bach-blinded-18th-century-quackery/
Tim Shantz is a faculty...
2021-04-2948 minCulture MonsterEpisode 8 Gordon Gerrard & Beethoven's Legal TroubleI tell the story about how the difference between VON and VAN really messed up Beethoven’s day. Plus my conversation with the articulate music director of the Regina Symphony Orchestra.
Also, some updates on previous stories.
LINKS
“Soul” on Disney+
https://www.disneyplus.com/movies/soul/77zlWrb9vRYp
Digital Purchase:Soul
Petition to honour George Bridgetower with a historical plaque in Bath:
http://chng.it/XM2c6J4TPp
Calgary Opera’s Opera Labs:
https://calgaryopera.com/operalabs
the video about the first Lab project, “Namwayut”
https://vimeo.com/527922945
Gordon Gerrard Homepage:
https://www.gordongerrard.com
Gerrard is music director of the R...
2021-04-1254 minCulture MonsterEpisode 7: Violinist Edmond Agopian & Sousa's Secret CareerEpisode 7: Violinist Edmond Agopian & Sousa’s Secret Career
I speak with a musician of passionate curiosity, violinist Edmond Agopian. I also tell the story of John Philip Sousa’s secret career, and the mysterious tale of the artwork still on the Moon.
CBC website story on the Thorgy Thor | orchestra collaboration:
https://www.cbc.ca/cbcdocspov/features/drag-star-thorgy-thor-brings-her-star-power-to-the-world-of-orchestral-musi
CBC gem link to the complete film “Disruptor Conductor”
https://gem.cbc.ca/media/cbc-docs-pov/season-3/episode-5/38e815a-0119a7bfbd7?cmp=sch-disruptor
(note outside of Canada, the entire film might still be available here https://watchmoviesonlinenow.xyz/movie/752824/
Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser page at the Toront...
2021-03-291h 06Culture MonsterEpisode 6: Conductor Rosemary Thomson and the story of Beethoven and BridgetowerIn 1803 a virtuoso violinist came to visit Vienna and Beethoven wrote a new Sonata to play with him that would change music history; so why doesn’t it have Bridgetower’s name on it? The great musical partnership that wasn’t.
I also speak with Rosemary Thomson about all of the things conductors have to keep in balance, and the importance of having a personal relationship with her audience as music director of the Okanagan Symphony.
NPR Obit of Lou Ottens:
https://www.npr.org/2021/03/10/975598869/lou-ottens-inventor-of-the-cassette-tape-has-died
British Library Webpage about the Beethoven/Bridgetower tuning fork:
https://www.bl.uk/collection-items/beethovens...
2021-03-1559 minCulture MonsterEpisode 5: The Shuttle, A Centennial, and SchupannzighEpisode 5: The Shuttle, A Centennial, and Schupannzigh
Join me as I speak about a happy day for technology, a sad one for space exploration, and the difficulties of being Beethoven’s friend.
Arlington’s website describing the Challenger memorial:
https://www.arlingtoncemetery.mil/Explore/Monuments-and-Memorials/Space-Shuttle-Challenger
Richard Feynman’s memoir where he discusses the investigation into the Challenger disaster:
https://wwnorton.com/books/9780393355642
Wikipedia page on RUR author Karel Čapek:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karel_Čapek
Canadian Space Agency information page about DEXTRE:
https://asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/iss/dextre/default.asp
Lyrics to Beethoven’s song about Schupannzigh
"Schuppanzigh ist...
2021-02-1129 minCulture MonsterEpisode 4: The Mystery of Carlos Kleiber & Conversation with Carlos FogginEpisode 4: The Mystery of Carlos Kleiber & Conversation with Carlos Foggin
I explore the mystery of famed maestro Carlos Kleiber, and speak with Rocky Mountain Symphony conductor Carlos Foggin about Beethoven, the Organ, and how taking a basic first aid course changed his life.
The Polaris Centre is active on social media and is also here:
https://www.polariscentre.ca
Carlos Foggin is the Music Director of the Rocky Mountain Symphony:
https://www.rockymountainsymphony.ca
A Finnish Orchestra and conductor give a stirring performance of Sibelius Symphony No. 5:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIIfMjRMqRs
The Swan of Tuonela performed by Fin...
2021-01-2649 minCulture MonsterEpisode 3: Mark Morash and the Shakespeare RiotEPISODE 3: Mark Morash and the Shakespeare Riot
I speak with Interim Music Director of the Calgary Opera about his musical journey, the need for Opera companies to invest in R&D, and the emotional power of the human voice. I also tell the story of the time competing versions of “The Scottish Play” in New York City caused a riot.
SHOW NOTES and links!
The story of the battle of the film rights over agent 007 is told in Robert Sellers book “The Battle for Bond.”
http://tomahawkpress.com/battle-for-bond-banned-edition/
Stratford Festival productions at CBC GEM:
https://gem.cbc.ca/series/stratford...
2021-01-1256 minCulture MonsterEpisode 2: Rolf Bertsch and a Great Canadian Crime CaperIn this episode, I speak with Conductor and Pianist Rolf Bertsch about his Career and genius of Beethoven, and also relate my favourite Canadian crime story: now with a 2020 update. Also, a complete holiday piano performance from Han Ding.
SHOW NOTES episode 2
Piano Performances heard in this episode performed by HAN DING: https://www.handingonline.com
Theatre Calgary’s Official Christmas Carol page: https://www.theatrecalgary.com/shows/a-christmas-carol
The ICI-Tele broadcast of the Les Grands Ballets Canadiens “Nutcracker” https://ici.tou.tv/casse-noisette/S01E01?lectureauto=1
Official Royal Canadian Mint Page about the Million Dollar Coin: https://www.mint.ca/store/m...
2020-12-2453 minCulture MonsterEp01:Guest Karl Hirzer and the problem with Beethoven's BirthdayCulture Monster episode 1
Welcome to the first episode of Culture Monster!
I dive into the difficulty of Beethoven’s Birthday, a Canadian Art Scandal, and speak with Karl Hirzer about the skills needed to be successful as an orchestra conductor.
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Links and more useful info:
C-Monster bite of the day:
“Conductor breaks down scenes from movies and TV” (YouTube)
https://cutt.ly/UhOt3XY
Macleans article about the “Voice of Fire” Controversy
https://cutt.ly/ZhOqu67
Wikipedia article on “Voice of Fire” (Including image)
https://cutt.ly/QhOqfHm
Karl Hirzer’s bio on the CalgaryPhil.com
https://cutt.ly/ahOqnWy
Performance...
2020-12-1442 minCulture MonsterTaste of episode 1Karl Hirzer of the Calgary Philharmonic joins me for the first episode of Culture Monster. What did we talk about? Here is a quick taste.
2020-12-1300 minCulture MonsterCulture Monster Trailerit's almost time for Culture Monster the podcast to begin. This is place for Curious Conversations with musicians and artists of Calgary and beyond, as well as fascinating facts and stories of the giants from the past. Season 1 starts December 2020
2020-11-2900 min