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SPOGreatMusic

SPOGreatMusic

By spogreatmusic

This podcast series from the Scarborough Philharmonic Orchestra (Ontario, Canada) features engaging and interesting interviews from our SPO team, Music Director, musicians, and community partners. We'll also have special guests and musicologists from around the world joining us, to share stories and history about classical music. New music performances can be found on our YouTube page.
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Celebrating the SPO’s 40th Anniversary Online

SPOGreatMusicNov 26, 2020

00:00
01:15:42
Music and Instruments at the time of Shakespeare, a dialogue with Ross W. Duffin
Oct 21, 202331:17
ICOT: Story-telling and identity in Canada's diverse cultural landscape

ICOT: Story-telling and identity in Canada's diverse cultural landscape

In this episode we’ll be interviewing the members of ICOT, formerly known as the Iranian Canadian Composers of Toronto, as well, exploring themes of identity in Canada's vastly diverse cultural landscape. ICOT is a collective of composers that revolves around story-telling, exploring identity as immigrant artists, and creating artistic bridges.

Apr 01, 202246:40
The Life of a Los Angeles Recording Studio Legend, Flutist Louise DiTullio

The Life of a Los Angeles Recording Studio Legend, Flutist Louise DiTullio

This podcast will focus on Louise DiTullio's work as a flutist in the Los Angeles recording studios during a period of over 50 years. She is one of the most widely heard flutists in the world, having performed on over 1,200 motion picture and television scores. She worked for the top film composers, including John Williams, Jerry Goldsmith, Danny Elfman, John Barry, Henry Mancini, and many more.

Feb 04, 202255:07
Music and Dance, Echo Chamber Toronto

Music and Dance, Echo Chamber Toronto

In today's episode we'll be exploring how music and dance have inspired one prominent Toronto musician to form Echo Chamber Toronto, an ensemble which combines chamber music with contemporary dance.

Stephen Bonfield, from Ludwig Van Toronto, writes: "Toronto’s hottest chamber performance series going these days"

Canadian Violinist Aaron Schwebel leads Echo Chamber Toronto. Aaron writes:

"My objective as Artistic Director is to create performances that offer a new lens through which both music and dance can be experienced. By merging these two art forms in an intimate setting, Echo Chamber performances deliver the unique opportunity to see and hear music and dance together as one integrated expression."

Dec 03, 202120:51
Inspiring the next generation; Music Education in Scarborough Intro

Inspiring the next generation; Music Education in Scarborough Intro

Throughout Scarborough, there are multiple excellent music programs. This includes a broad offering from those found in our public schools, to after school and weekend youth music programs. This includes vibrant and free programs run by Sistema Toronto, Axis Music, St. Paul’s L’Amoreaux Anglican Church, and more. There is an East Indian music program lead by Esther Mithradeva, an award-winning violinist in Scarborough. Scarborough Arts runs the East Youth Collective Program, which included the Sister Sound System, created through an artistic and personal development program for young women of colour. The program was led by the entertainer and entrepreneur, Dynesti. As well, the University of Toronto Scarborough Campus has an excellent music program.

Interviewees: Andres Tucci-Clarke (Managing Director of Sistema Toronto), Roger Mantie (Associate Professor of Music and Culture at the University of Toronto Scarborough Campus) and Tony Leong (Music Teacher at Sir Oliver Mowat Collegiate Institute and Conductor of the University of Toronto Scarborough Campus String Orchestra).

Oct 01, 202149:28
Orchestras in Ontario, SPO Great Music Partners, Part 2

Orchestras in Ontario, SPO Great Music Partners, Part 2

A look at the diverse world of orchestras in the province of Ontario. Besides the major orchestras like the Toronto Symphony and the National Arts Centre Orchestra, there are exciting orchestral activities throughout the province. Featuring part 1 interviewees conductor Philip Sarabura and Co-President of the Board Joann Alho (the Brantford Symphony), and part 2 Artistic Director Joyce Lai (Canadian Sinfonietta), Music Services Manager Ana-Maria Lipoczi (Canadian Music Centre), Vice-President Christine Fong (Cathedral Bluffs Symphony) and Executive Director Devin Scott (Scarborough Philharmonic Orchestra).

Apr 30, 202145:26
Orchestras in Ontario, SPO Great Music Partners, Part 1

Orchestras in Ontario, SPO Great Music Partners, Part 1

A look at the diverse world of orchestras in the province of Ontario. Besides the major orchestras like the Toronto Symphony and the National Arts Centre Orchestra, there are exciting orchestral activities throughout the province. Featuring part 1 interviewees conductor Philip Sarabura and Co-President of the Board Joann Alho (the Brantford Symphony), and part 2 Artistic Director Joyce Lai (Canadian Sinfonietta), Music Services Manager Ana-Maria Lipoczi (Canadian Music Centre), Vice-President Christine Fong (Cathedral Bluffs Symphony) and Executive Director Devin Scott (Scarborough Philharmonic Orchestra).

Apr 16, 202135:45
The Art of Composing Music for Animated Films, Part 2, Featuring Daniel Goldmark, Author of Tunes for ‘Toons: Music and the Hollywood Cartoon
Apr 02, 202150:26
The Art of Composing Music for Animated Films, Part 1
Mar 19, 202147:20
Storytelling Through Music, New Canadian Music for the Odin String Quartet

Storytelling Through Music, New Canadian Music for the Odin String Quartet

There is a long history of composers being inspired to tell stories through instrumental music, with Vivaldi’s Four Seasons being a famous example. In 2018, the SPO in partnership with its ensemble-in-residence, the Odin String Quartet, embarked on the Drying Ink project to create new Canadian music for the quartet. Interestingly, each of the composers involved created music with an embedded story. This episode will look at ways composers can tell stories using music and why this type of creation is appealing. Featuring interviews with members of the Odin String Quartet and 7 Canadian composers connected to this project.

Mar 04, 202154:08
Piano Music of Maurice Ravel

Piano Music of Maurice Ravel

The piano music of Maurice Ravel is among the most exciting, the most colourful, and, for the performers, the most challenging in the piano repertoire. This episode will look at the life of Maurice Ravel, his beautifully expressive piano compositions, and the challenges of performing it. Featuring University of Ottawa professor and musicologist Christopher Moore and piano soloist Alexander Panizza.

Feb 18, 202141:12
East Meets West

East Meets West

China has a rich musical history, but it is constructed differently than music in the western world. This episode will look at the ways composers have combined traditional Chinese music with western classical music, including a discussion of the Oscar winning movie Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, the Butterfly Lover’s Violin Concerto and more. Featuring interviews with conductor and composer Tak Ng Lai and composer Kevin Zi-Xiao He.

Feb 04, 202142:42
O Canada, the Song

O Canada, the Song

Canadians all sing it, but how much do we really know about it? This episode is based on the article, Calixa Lavallee and the Construction of a National Anthem by Ross W. Duffin (The Musical Quarterly). A fascinating exploration of the man and the music behind O Canada. Featuring an interview with Ross W. Duffin himself.

Jan 21, 202123:31
Celebrating the SPO’s 40th Anniversary Online (Part 2)

Celebrating the SPO’s 40th Anniversary Online (Part 2)

Discover the 40-year history of the Scarborough Philharmonic Orchestra. The triumphs and challenges, as well as the passion and love for great music that has sustained the orchestra through the decades. There will be several interviews featuring musicians, SPO music directors and other members from the SPO community. Special thanks to our 2020/2021 Music Director, Conductor, and podcast Producer, Ronald Royer, and Executive Director and podcast Executive Producer, Devin Scott, for all their hard work keeping our history moving forward.

Jan 07, 202153:34
Canadian Holiday Music, from the Huron Carol to the Present

Canadian Holiday Music, from the Huron Carol to the Present

The Huron Carol was the first Christmas song composed in Canada, written using the language of the Huron/Wendat people in 1642. Progressing through the centuries to present day music, this episode will look at Canada’s cultural history through the lens of holiday music. Including musical traditions and music from Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba and the unique “Santa Claw” songs from the Maritimes. Featuring interviews with SPO conductor and composer Ronald Royer, Toronto Choral Society conductor Geoffrey Butler,  Toronto based singer-songwriters Jacelyn Holmes and folk artist, translator, farmer and pilot Anastasia Fyk.

Dec 10, 202040:02
Celebrating the SPO’s 40th Anniversary Online

Celebrating the SPO’s 40th Anniversary Online

Discover the 40-year history of the Scarborough Philharmonic Orchestra. The triumphs and challenges, as well as the passion and love for great music that has sustained the orchestra through the decades. There will be several interviews featuring musicians, SPO music directors and other members from the SPO community. Special thanks to our 2020/2021 Music Director, Conductor, and podcast Producer, Ronald Royer, and Executive Director and podcast Executive Producer, Devin Scott, for all their hard work keeping our history moving forward.

Nov 26, 202001:15:42
Beethoven, The Man and His Chamber Music, Part 2

Beethoven, The Man and His Chamber Music, Part 2

Beethoven’s life, his personality, his daily schedule, his favourite foods, and influences on his life and music will be discussed. We will examine what inspired and motivated Beethoven, leading him to create some of the most famous and popular classical music of all time. Included will be a discussion of his chamber music, including interviews with University of Toronto Music Professor Dr. Alexander Rapoport, SPO music director Ronald Royer, SPO Artist-in-Residence Dr. Lisa Tahara and pianist Alexander Panizza.

Part 2 examines Beethoven's mid to late works. Make sure to also listen to Part 1, focusing on Beethoven’s early life and career. Excerpts from the piano sonatas are recorded by Alexander Panizza.

Nov 12, 202001:02:46
Beethoven, The Man and His Chamber Music, Part 1

Beethoven, The Man and His Chamber Music, Part 1

Beethoven’s life, his personality, his daily schedule, his favourite foods, and influences on his life and music will be discussed. We will examine what inspired and motivated Beethoven, leading him to create some of the most famous and popular classical music of all time. Included will be a discussion of his chamber music, including interviews with University of Toronto Music Professor Dr. Alexander Rapoport, SPO music director Ronald Royer, SPO concertmaster Corey Gemmell, and pianists Alexander Panizza, Emily Rho and Dr. Lisa Tahara.

Part 1 will focus on Beethoven’s early life and career, while Part 2 (November 13 release) will examine his mid to late work. Excerpts from the piano sonatas will be recorded by Alexander Panizza.

Oct 29, 202057:47
Socially Distanced: Music for a Solo Instrument, from J.S. Bach to the Present

Socially Distanced: Music for a Solo Instrument, from J.S. Bach to the Present

J.S. Bach’s compositions for solo cello and violin are milestones in the repertoire for a solo unaccompanied instrument. This episode will look at J.S. Bach’s life, his solo suites for the cello and his partitas for the violin, and his influence on other composers who have written solo works. Featuring interviews with Eric Siblin, author of J.S. Bach’s The Cello Suites (Anansi with support from the OAC and CCA), SPO concertmaster Corey Gemmell, and Canadian composer Frank Horvat, discussing his recent Music for Self-Isolation series of solo instrument works.

Oct 15, 202053:48
Plagues, Pandemics and Musicians

Plagues, Pandemics and Musicians

How have plagues and pandemics affected musical life, musicians, and composers? This episode will focus on the European plagues from the 1300s through the 1800s, and the global 1918 and 2019 pandemics. Featuring interviews with Dr. Remi Chiu, author of Plague and Music in the Renaissance (Cambridge University Press), Katherine Carleton, Executive Director of Orchestras Canada, and conductor/composer William Rowson.

Oct 01, 202051:50
Sharing a Passion for Music; Introduction to the SPO Great Music Podcast Series

Sharing a Passion for Music; Introduction to the SPO Great Music Podcast Series

Episode one is an introduction to the series, featuring interviews with artists from organizations involved with the podcast, including Ronald Royer (music director of the SPO), William Rowson (music director of the Stratford Symphony), Derek Spooner (executive director of Scarborough Arts), and Tamar Ilana (executive director of FabCollab).

Sep 17, 202048:39
SPOGreatMusic Trailer Episode

SPOGreatMusic Trailer Episode

Introductory episode to the all-new SPOGreatMusic podcast. Premiere episode to be released Friday September 18th, 2020.

Sep 08, 202004:54