Podcasts by Explore the Symphony

Mozart and Religion from 2020-01-22T10:59:24

Marjolaine Fournier and Jean-Jacques van Vlasselaer discuss the role ...

Edvard Grieg from 2019-11-06T16:45:06

Marjolaine Fournier and Jean-Jacques van Vlasselaer describe the music of Edvard Grieg’s Peer Gynt, his A minor Piano Concer...

Béla Bartók and Witold Lutos?awski from 2019-09-26T16:16:19

Marjolaine Fournier and Jean-Jacques van Vlasselaer talk about two Concertos for orchestra: one by Béla Bartók and the other by Witold Lutos?awski. They take a moment to explain the format of a con...

Verdi’s Requiem from 2019-09-03T15:02:31

Jean-Jacques van Vlasselaer and Marjolaine Fournier discuss Verdi’s Requiem, first performed in Milan in 1874. The text f...

Claude Vivier from 2019-04-02T10:28:53

Marjolaine Fournier and Jean-Jacques van Vlasselaer discuss the masterful Claude Vivier, composer from Québec. His music, w...

Brahms’ and Schumann’s first symphonies from 2019-01-30T14:33:34

Marjolaine Fournier and Jean Jacques van Vlasselaer compare Brahms’ and Listen

Benjamin Britten’s War Requiem from 2018-10-19T14:02:14

Marjolaine Fournier and Jean-Jacques van Vlasselaer discuss Benjamin Britten’s Listen

Schubert's Ninth Symphony from 2018-09-27T16:49:22

John Storgårds will conduct the NAC Orchestra on October 10 and 11, 2018, in their performance of Schubert’s ninth and final symphony.

Marjolaine Fournier, NACO double bassist, and Jean-...

You don’t have to be a music-lover to love Beethoven from 2018-09-13T15:51:20

Marjolaine Fournier and Jean-Jacques van Vlasselaer prepare us for the Festival Focus 2018 featuring all nine Beethoven symphonies. Did he really invent the boogie-woogie?
Beethoven offere...

Kaija Saariaho, Violin Concerto Graal théâtre from 2018-03-22T15:17:05

Jean-Jacques van Vlasselaer and Marjolaine Fournier talk about Saariaho’s violin concerto which was featured as part of th...

Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade from 2018-02-16T15:25:07

This work opens many doors to wonderful and exciting musical study. It is a fine example of Orientalism and our perception of “the other”. Jean-Jacques van Vlasselaer and Marjolaine Fournier talk a...

Shostakovich Violin Concerto No 1 in A minor Op 77 from 2017-12-22T21:42:52

Your hosts Jean-Jacques van Vlasselaer and Marjolaine Fournier talk about Shostakovich’s Violin Concerto No. 1 in A minor, Op. 77, which will be performed by Listen

Sibelius’ Symphonic Poems from 2017-10-27T13:49:42

Jean-Jacques van Vlasselaer and Marjolaine Fournier present part two of their 2017-2018 podcasts on Sibelius. In this episode, hear them trace the trajectory of Sibelius’ six symphonic poems, all p...

Jean Sibelius' First Symphony from 2017-09-29T16:32:43

Jean Sibelius , born Johan Julius Christian Sibelius, was a Finnish composer and violinist of the late Romantic and early-modern periods. He is widely recognized as his country's greatest compos...

Harry Somers - Louis Riel from 2017-06-02T11:41:28

The story of the polarizing Métis leader and Canada’s westward expansion is told in this landmark work. Composed by Harry Somers for our nation’s centennial in 1967, this uniquely Canadian contr...

Sibelius' Majestic 2nd and 6th Symphonies from 2017-03-15T16:38:42

Jean Sibelius, born Johan Julius Christian Sibelius (8 December 1865 – 20 September 1957), was a Finnish composer and violinist of the late Romantic and early-modern periods. He is widely recogn...

Robert and Clara: The whirlwind love affair of Robert Alexander Schumann and Clara Josephine Wieck from 2017-03-01T14:40:57

Robert Schumann[1] (8 June 1810 – 29 July 1856) was a German composer and influential music critic. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest composers of the Romantic era. Schumann left the ...

Richard Strauss - Also sprach Zarathustra from 2017-01-24T10:38:25

Richard Georg Strauss (11 June 1864 – 8 September 1949) was a leading German composer of the late Romantic and early modern eras. He i...

Igor Fyodorovich Stravinsky: Pulcinella from 2016-11-29T17:24:38

Igor Fyodorovich Stravinsky was a Russian composer, pianist, and conductor. He is widely considered one of the most important and infl...

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky: Symphonies no. 5&6 from 2016-11-18T14:43:31

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky was a Russian composer of the late-Romantic period, some of whose works are among th...

Wilhelm Richard Wagner: Tristan und Isolde from 2016-06-06T14:25:41

Wilhelm Richard Wagner was a German composer, theatre director, polemicist, and conductor who is primarily known for his operas. Unlike most opera composers, Wagner wrote both the libretto and the ...

Erich Wolfgang Korngold: The Man Who Changed Movie Scores Forever from 2016-04-22T14:08:30

"Treating each film as an 'opera without singing' (each character has his or her own leitmotif) Korngold created intensely romantic, richly melodic and contrapuntally intricate scores, the best ...

The Music of George Gershwin from 2015-11-20T15:59:56

By far the bulk of Gershwin’s output is devoted to songs – more than five hundred of them, most of which come from his more than four dozen works for the musical stage. Two of these stage works ...

Episode 43: Mahler Symphony No. 4 from 2015-09-29T21:37:32

In the first of the 2015-16 season's "Explore the Symphony" podcasts, the NAC Orchestra's assistant principal double bass Marjolaine Fournier and one of Canada's foremost music journalists Jean-Jac...

Episode 42: Anton Bruckner and his Ninth Symphony from 2015-06-15T16:53:15

Words like “epic” and “timeless” are regularly applied to Bruckner symphonies. They have a pace of their own. But let yourself get in synch with their pulse, and you’ll be richly rewarded. The Nint...

Episode 41: Maurice Ravel and his two Piano Concertos from 2015-03-23T15:33:18

Join Marjolaine Fournier and Jean-Jacques Van Vlasselaer for an intriguing look into Maurice Ravel's life and his two piano concertos.

Episode 40: Jean-Marie Beaudet, founding father of the NAC Orchestra from 2015-03-13T16:34:23

A conversation with Josée Beaudet, the author of Jean-Marie Beaudet, l'homme orchestre. Beaudet was the very first music director at the NAC - he founded the orchestra, secured its first conductor...

Episode 39: Schumann and the Rhine from 2015-01-19T11:19:35

Marjolaine and Jean-Jacques reveal Schumann's relationship with the Rhine.

Episode 38: Brahms' Symphonies from 2014-12-09T16:08:52

In this week’s Explore the Symphony, Marjolaine and Jean-Jacques dig into not one, but all four of Brahms’ symphonies!

Musical Excerpt:
NAC Orchestra
Brahms, Symphony No. 1 ...

Episode 37: Hindemith from 2014-10-08T12:59:08

In this episode of Explore the Symphony, Marjolaine and Jean-Jacques discuss Symphonic Metamorphoses of Themes by Carl Maria von Weber by Paul Hindemith.

Musical excerpts:
Symphoni...

Episode 36: Shakespeare from 2014-09-22T17:55:33

In this Explore the Symphony, Marjolaine Fournier and Jean-Jacques van Vlasselaer talk about Shakespeare, Nicolai, Korngold and Mendelssohn.

Episode 35: Fauré from 2014-05-06T09:14:53

In this episode, Marjolaine and Jean-Jacques delve into Gabriel Fauré’s Requiem, once called, “a lullaby of death” and “a Requiem without the Last Judgment” for its gentle nature and sublime choral...

Episode 34: Schoenberg from 2014-03-20T13:33:54

In this Explore the Symphony, Marjolaine Fournier and Jeans-Jacques van Vlasselaer talk about the life of Arnold Schoenberg and his string sextet, Verklärte Nacht.

Episode 33: Bruckner (Symphony no. 2) from 2014-02-20T11:32:40

Today on Explore the Symphony Marjolaine and Jeans-Jacques discuss Anton Bruckner and his second symphony.

Episode 32: Shostakovich and his 10th Symphony from 2014-01-20T15:28:20

Marjolaine and Jean-Jacques van Vlasselaer sit down and discuss Dmitri Shostakovich and his 10th Symphony.

Episode 31: Hector Belioz from 2013-11-26T08:11:48

Marjolaine and Jean-Jacques van Vlasselaer sit down and discuss Hector Berlioz and his Symphonie Fantastique.

Episode 30: Richard Strauss from 2013-10-23T14:13:46

Marjolaine Fournier and Dr. Jean-Jacques Van Vlasselaer dive into the 2013-2014 season with Richard Strauss. They discuss his life, and focus on "Also Sprach Zarathustra", and the suites from "Der ...

Episode 29: Sibelius from 2013-03-04T20:30:05

Marjolaine Fournier and Jean-Jacques van Vlasselaer discuss Jean Sibelius, his life, his struggle with depression, alcoholism, and his 3rd Symphony.

Episode 28: Shostakovich from 2013-01-15T09:16:12

Marjolaine and Jeans-Jacques discuss Shostakovich, his life in the Soviet Union, and his 9th Symphony.

Episode 22: Sibelius Symphony No. 4 from 2013-01-07T14:52:24

Jean-Jacques and Marjolaine give Sibelius's Symphony no. 4 the, "Explore the Symphony" treatment.

Episode 23: Prokofiev's Alexander Nevsky from 2013-01-07T14:52:11

Marjolaine Fournier and Jean-Jacques van Vlasselaer discuss Prokofiev's stirring score, Alexander Nevsky. It was composed for Sergey Eisenstein's 1938 cinematic thriller and stands as a spectacular...

Episode 24: Dmitri Shostakovich from 2013-01-07T14:52:04

Marjolaine Fournier and Jean-Jacques Van Vlasselaer discuss Dmitri Shostakovich's life, from growing up in Saint Petersburg to political manoeuvrings in Stalin's Russia. Marjolaine and Jean-Jacques...

Episode 25: Carmina Burana from 2013-01-07T14:51:57

Marjolaine and Jeans-Jacques explore Carl Orff; his life in early 20th century Germany and his seminal work, Carmina Burana.

Episode 27: Schumann from 2012-10-16T11:28:26

In this episode, Marjolaine and Jean-Jacques talk about Robert Schumann's life leading up to the creation of his second symphony.

Episode 26: Elgar from 2012-09-10T09:02:02

In this Explore the Symphony, Marjolaine Fournier and Jean-Jacques van Vlasselaer talk about a truly singular Symphonic composer -- Edward Elgar -- THE shining star of British music, who's life sp...

Episode 21: Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 4 from 2011-11-03T07:34:27

The first of the 2011-12 season's "Explore the Symphony" podcasts examines the 4th Symphony of Tchaikovsky. From the quiet plucking of the strings to the bombastic brass in the finale, Tchaikovsky’...

Episode 20: The NAC Orchestra and Brahms’s final symphonies from 2010-12-14T10:43:38

The third of the 2010-11 season's "Explore the Symphony" podcasts examines the 3rd and 4th Symphonies of Johannes Brahms. In this podcast, the NAC Orchestra's assistant principal double bass Marjol...

Episode 19: The NAC Orchestra and Felix Mendelssohn from 2010-11-12T08:40:12

The second of the 2010-11 season's "Explore the Symphony" podcasts examines the short life and remarkable career of German composer Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847), one of the most popular composers ...

Episode 18: The NAC Orchestra's Mozart-Haydn Festival from 2010-09-21T15:39:29

The first of the 2010-11 season's "Explore the Symphony" podcasts is in honour of the 7-concert Mozart-Haydn Festival taking place September 22-30. In this podcast, the NAC Orchestra's assistant pr...

Episode 17: Mozart Concerto 23 for Piano and Orchestra from 2010-04-20T10:48:38

In the sixth of the 2009-10 season's "Explore the Symphony" podcasts, the NAC Orchestra's assistant principal double bass Marjolaine Fournier and one of Canada's foremost music journalists Jean-Jac...

Episode 16: Debussy's La Mer from 2010-02-25T09:19:29

In the fifth of the 2009-10 season's "Explore the Symphony" podcasts, the NAC Orchestra's assistant principal double bass Marjolaine Fournier and one of Canada's foremost music journalists Jean-Jac...

Episode 15: Bach! from 2009-12-11T10:02:11

In the fourth of the 2009-10 season's "Explore the Symphony" podcasts, the NAC Orchestra's assistant principal double bass Marjolaine Fournier and one of Canada's foremost music journalists Jean-Ja...

Episode 14: Beethoven Symphony No. 8 from 2009-11-12T10:31:54

In the third of the 2009-10 season's "Explore the Symphony" podcasts, the NAC Orchestra's assistant principal double bass Marjolaine Fournier and one of Canada's foremost music journalists Jean-Jac...

Episode 13: Berlioz Romeo and Juliet from 2009-10-20T13:40:37

In the second of the 2009-10 season's "Explore the Symphony" podcasts, the NAC Orchestra's assistant principal double bass Marjolaine Fournier and one of Canada's foremost music journalists Jean-Ja...

Episode 12: Mahler Symphony No. 1 from 2009-10-08T11:01:52

In the first of the 2009-10 season's "Explore the Symphony" podcasts, the NAC Orchestra's assistant principal double bass Marjolaine Fournier and one of Canada's foremost music journalists Jean-Jac...

Episode 11: Ravel Piano Concerto in G from 2009-06-10T12:16:07

This episode of the NAC Orchestra's podcast series exploring the Romantic Concerto looks at Ravel's 'modern' Piano Concerto in G performed. The podcast is hosted by the NAC Orchestra's assistant pr...

Episode 10: Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 4 from 2009-05-12T19:34:35

This episode of the NAC Orchestra’s podcast series exploring the Romantic Concerto looks at Beethoven’s spellbinding Piano Concerto No. 4 performed by Angela Hewitt and the National Arts Centre Orc...

Episode 9: Rachmaninov Piano Concerto No. 3 from 2009-03-13T21:26:09

In this ongoing exploration of the Romantic Concerto in podcasts throughout the NAC Orchestra's 08-09 season, the Orchestra's assistant principal double bass Marjolaine Fournier and one of Canada's...

Episode 8: Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 3 from 2009-01-06T12:13:39

In this ongoing exploration of the Romantic Concerto in podcasts throughout the NAC Orchestra's 08-09 season, the Orchestra's assistant principal double bass Marjolaine Fournier and one of Canada's...

Episode 7: Chopin Piano Concerto No. 1 from 2008-12-08T13:25:56

In this ongoing exploration of the Romantic Concerto in podcasts throughout the NAC Orchestra's 08-09 season, the Orchestra's assistant principal double bass Marjolaine Fournier and one of Canada's...

Episode 6: Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 1 from 2008-09-30T07:22:36

The NAC Orchestra presents its second season of "Explore the Symphony", a series of musical podcasts hosted by the National Arts Centre Orchestra's assistant principal double bass Marjolaine Fourni...

Episode 5: Bruckner Symphony No. 9 from 2008-06-06T23:05:20

Jean-Jacques van Vlasselaer and Marjolaine Fournier explore the music of Bruckner and the man behind the music.

Episode 4: Brahms Symphony No. 4 from 2008-05-13T10:40:28

Jean-Jacques van Vlasselaer and Marjolaine Fournier explore the life and times of Johannes Brahms and his 4th Symphony.

Episode 3: Shostakovich Symphony No. 9 from 2008-01-07T16:01:06

Discover Shostakovich's "anti-war" symphony. His 9th Symphony is one of the composer's shorter symphonies, a totally non-serious, unpretentious piece shot through with sardonic humour, verve and wit.

Episode 2: Dvo?àk Symphony No. 9 from 2007-11-28T21:00:39

Discover one of classical music's best-loved symphonies, Dvo?àk's 9th Symphony, in the context of the composer's life and times.

Episode 1: Beethoven Symphony No. 9 from 2007-10-01T17:31:08

Discover Beethoven's symphonic monument -- his 9th symphony -- in its social, historical, and musical context as well as its continuing importance today.

Introduction from 2007-09-18T16:50:40

In this introductory episode, Marjoloaine Laroche discusses the symphonic form and demystifies terms such as sonata, cadenza, and fugue.

Introduction from 2007-09-18T16:50:40

In this introductory episode, Marjoloaine Laroche discusses the symphonic form and demystifies terms such as sonata, cadenza, and fugue.

Introduction from 2007-09-18T16:50:40

In this introductory episode, Marjoloaine Laroche discusses the symphonic form and demystifies terms such as sonata, cadenza, and fugue.