Today, we’re unravelling a piece that’s as simple as it is spellbinding - one of the most well known and oddly mesmerising compositions of the 20th century. Some call it brilliant, others find it unbearable, and few sit on the fence. And the piece that’s at the heart of this marmite reputation? Ravel’s Bolero. We explore what makes this 15-minute loop so unforgettable, from its relentless snare drum rhythm to its slow-burning crescendo to determine what it is that keeps listeners hooked (or drives them mad). Plus, things get very heated between Andy and Sue in the end-of-episode quiz…#PitchMeClassicalInstagram: @londonphilharmonicorchestra TikTok: @lporchestraBluesky: @lporchestraFacebook: @londonphilharmonicorchestra YouTube: @londonphilharmonicorchestra Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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30:00
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30:00
Are some violinists more equal than others?
The violin section of an orchestra is split into two halves: first violins and second violins. Do the firsts really get all the glory while the seconds do the heavy lifting, or are the seconds the orchestra’s unsung heroes? In an effort to decide whether some violinists are more equal than others, we explore the history behind this division, unpack stereotypes, and examine the unique challenges of playing in each section. We also look at how this structure can shape careers, and what it’s like to transition from one section to the other. Plus, Emma and Cassi face a violin-themed quiz, covering everything from calories burned while playing to musical world records set on bicycles…#PitchMeClassicalInstagram: @londonphilharmonicorchestra TikTok: @lporchestraBluesky: @lporchestraFacebook: @londonphilharmonicorchestra YouTube: @londonphilharmonicorchestra Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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33:55
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33:55
I’ll enjoy it more if I’m allowed my phone out
It’s a battle between technology and tradition: should mobiles phones be banned, tolerated, or even embraced in concert halls? Are phone-friendly performances the future of classical music, or are they a threat to the sacred concert ritual? We’ve all heard a phone go off at the most inopportune moment, but increasingly the classical music world is finding more creative ways to integrate phones into the concert experience. In this episode, we explore how concert halls, composers, and performers are adapting - or resisting - the presence of mobiles phones and in concert venues. Plus, Minn and Martin reveal their ringtones (or lack thereof) and face off in a challenge: who can come up with the best phone-related superpower?#PitchMeClassicalInstagram: @londonphilharmonicorchestra TikTok: @lporchestraBluesky: @lporchestraFacebook: @londonphilharmonicorchestra YouTube: @londonphilharmonicorchestra Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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33:33
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33:33
By 2050, will all new pieces of classical music be written by AI?
In this episode, YolanDa and Francis are joined by AI expert Lora Aroyo to discuss artificial intelligence and its place in classical music. Their conversation covers everything from how AI developed to what its current capabilities of composing classical music are. They touch on the ethical and artistic implications of AI-generated music, evaluate its strengths and limitations, and try to define what makes music composed by humans unique. Plus, in the quiz, Lora and Francis tell us how they would like AI to be used to improve their day to day musical lives…#PitchMeClassicalInstagram: @londonphilharmonicorchestra TikTok: @lporchestraBluesky: @lporchestraFacebook: @londonphilharmonicorchestra YouTube: @londonphilharmonicorchestra Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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37:46
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37:46
Do the brass really have the most fun?
What makes a typical brass player? What really happens on a ‘viola night’? Can the saxophone truly be considered a brass instrument? And just how do you clean a tuba? YolanDa, Lee and Claudia dive into the world of brass, weighing the pros and cons of being part of the brass section and comparing it to the rest of the orchestra. They share favourite brass moments, discuss the sometimes notorious reputation of brass players, and attempt to pinpoint the characteristics that make brass players unique. Plus, in the quiz, Lee and Claudia take a shot at guessing the collective noun for a group of brass players… Any guesses?#PitchMeClassicalInstagram: @londonphilharmonicorchestra TikTok: @lporchestraBluesky: @lporchestraFacebook: @londonphilharmonicorchestra YouTube: @londonphilharmonicorchestra Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Saxophonist and presenter YolanDa Brown and players from the London Philharmonic Orchestra pitch their thoughts on some of classical music’s most-asked questions, with plenty of chit-chat and laughter along the way. Instagram: @londonphilharmonicorchestraTikTok: @lporchestraFacebook: @londonphilharmonicorchestraYoutube: @londonphilharmonicorchestra Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Brasil