Impolite to Listen: Classical Music Conversations
40 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 1 year ago -Classical music taken out of the ivory tower and into the town square. Hosted by Chris Arkin (trumpet, piano) and Sridhar Bhagavathula (flute).
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Episodes
ITL #37: I Used to Think...
February 14, 2023 11:00 - 56 minutes - 64.9 MBChris and Sridhar discuss the latter's upcoming audition, their dislike of the classical saxophone, and things about which they have changed their minds (including Aaron Copland, Wynton Marsalis, Yo-Yo Ma, and Beethoven's even symphonies). Join the discussion: Tweet us @shreggz and @chris_arkin Episode clips on Instagram @impolite2listen Useful links: Kate Clark - an introduction to the Baroque flute Telemann - Fantasia for Solo Flute in E Minor Jed Wentz - Blavet Flute Sonatas Saxo...
ITL #36: Rehearsal Rules
November 22, 2022 11:00 - 52 minutes - 60.2 MBChris and Sridhar discuss the New York Philharmonic’s new concert hall, TikTok’s influence on the music industry, and rules to make rehearsals run smoothly. Jump in! Tweet us @shreggz and @chris_arkin Episode clips on Instagram @impolite2listen Useful Links: New York Philharmonic's new David Geffen Hall Stella Katherine Cole Hank Green - So...TikTok Sucks Willem de Fesch - wikipedia Willem de Fesch: Concerto Grosso in B-Flat Major - Bremer Barockorchester Online Tone Generator Tu...
ITL#35: The Lenny Special
September 20, 2022 10:00 - 1 hour - 96.5 MBChris and Sridhar share some thoughts on YouTube Music before discussing the life, art, and legacy of Leonard Bernstein. Then, in true Lenny fashion, they (night)cap it off by naming some of their favorite Bernstein YouTube videos. Jump in! Tweet us @shreggz and @chris_arkin Episode clips on Instagram @impolite2listen Useful Links: YouTube Music - App Store Netherlands Bach Society Bernstein plays and conducts Rhapsody in Blue Bernstein - Ravel Piano Concerto Bernstein - Beethoven P...
ITL #34: Conservatory Blues
July 11, 2022 10:00 - 1 hour - 78.2 MBChris and Sridhar discuss their favorite Victor Borge bits, the ins and outs of concert attire, and the San Francisco Conservatory of Music's acquisition of the record label Pentatone. Join the discussion: Tweet us @shreggz and @chris_arkin Episode clips on Instagram @impolite2listen Useful links: Victor Borge documentary Victor Borge performs at the White House White House Steinway Victor Borge & Anton Contra play Monti's Czardas Victor Borge as Franz Liszt Victor Borge & Michala...
ITL #33: Music of the Plains
May 31, 2022 10:00 - 41 minutes - 47.2 MBChris and Sridhar discuss session gigs, band education, Chris’ dream of becoming a piano salesman, Howard Hanson’s Symphony No. 2, Gerard Schwarz, the Seattle Symphony, and the art of conducting. Join the discussion: Tweet us @shreggz and @chris_arkin Episode clips on Instagram @impolitemedia Useful links: Pierre Boulez with hula girls Karajan conducts Sibelius: Finlandia Karajan conducts Smetana: The Moldau Karajan conducts Wagner: Overture to Die Meistersinger Wayne Bergeron Mal...
ITL #32: From Kyiv With Love
April 13, 2022 12:00 - 1 hour - 70.3 MBITL is back with a 100% topical episode: after a quick review of the new West Side Story movie, Chris and Sridhar chat about the politics of music as it pertains to Putin's invasion of Ukraine. They discuss the cancellation of Russian music and musicians in wartime, music as propaganda, musicians who enable and benefit from Putin, and much more. Join the discussion: Tweet us @shreggz and @chris_arkin Episode clips on Instagram @impolitemedia Useful links: West Side Story 1961 Opening ...
ITL #31: Stirred, Not Shaken
February 22, 2022 11:00 - 1 hour - 75.7 MBIn this cocktail of an episode, Chris and Sridhar discuss the theme from HBO’s Succession, naming a chamber music group, George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue, whether or not music theory should be mandatory, and the merits of a theoretical perspective of music. They also get distracted and shop for domain names. Join the discussion: Tweet us @shreggz and @chris_arkin Episode clips on Instagram @impolitelisten Useful links: Succession - theme and opening credits Nicholas Britell explains...
ITL #30: Whiplash
January 24, 2022 11:00 - 1 hour - 82.3 MBChris and Sridhar play a game of Overrated/Underrated/Properly Rated with the Cleveland Orchestra, seats behind the orchestra in a concert hall, Mahler's 5th Symphony, and standing ovations. Then, for another edition of ITL At the Movies, they discuss Damien Chazelle's 2014 film "Whiplash," which prompts a conversation about abusive teachers and "old school" teaching methods. (Disclaimer--in the spirit of "Whiplash," this episode is uncensored.) Join the discussion: Tweet us @shreggz and...
ITL #29: All I Want for Christmas
December 24, 2021 13:00 - 1 hour - 74.2 MBAfter an obligatory chat about The Nutcracker, Chris and Sridhar reveal their musical Christmas wishlists. They discuss vocal training, baroque instruments, ballet orchestras, music festivals, entertainment in the metaverse, and the growing number of pops concerts. Will Santa give them what they want? Join the discussion: Tweet us @shreggz and @chris_arkin Episode clips on Instagram @impolitelisten Useful links: Staatsballett Berlin (not Munich!) on the Nutcracker ITL #13: The Christm...
ITL#28: Gone Chopin
December 13, 2021 13:00 - 1 hour - 71 MBChris and Sridhar discuss concerts during COVID, tips for writing program notes, buying a digital piano, the International Chopin Piano Competition, and the music of Frédéric Chopin in general. Join the discussion: Tweet us @shreggz and @chris_arkin Episode clips on Instagram @impolitelisten Useful links: International Chopin Piano Competition - wikipedia 2021 Chopin Piano Competition - full playlists Bruce Liu, first prize winner - first round Bruce Liu - second round Bruce Liu - ...
ITL #27: What Makes Music Scary?
October 31, 2021 12:00 - 46 minutes - 53.1 MBFor this Halloween special, Chris and Sridhar ask: what makes music scary? They discuss "scary" associations with certain kinds of music, whether or not music can be intrinsically scary, classic scores for Alfred Hitchcock films, and Saint-Saëns' "Danse Macabre." Join the discussion: Tweet us @shreggz and @chris_arkin Episode clips on Instagram @impolitelisten Useful links: Karl Richter - Bach Toccata and Fugue in D Minor German Brass - Toccata and Fugue in D Minor Sideways - Why Pip...
ITL #26: Concerts in Caves
October 05, 2021 12:00 - 59 minutes - 68.6 MBChris and Sridhar discuss Beethoven’s 10th Symphony as completed by Artificial Intelligence, the role of AI in music, a pop quiz, and some superlative questions. Shots are fired, but it’s all in good fun. Brought to you by: Quorum Coffee: combining the artisan flavors of family-grown, single-origin coffee with the community and vibe of a neighborhood coffee shop. Order the new Coffee to the People roast—and check out the Impolite to Listen featurette—at quorumcoffee.com Join the discussi...
ITL #25: The Jazz Loft
September 21, 2021 14:56 - 1 hour - 83 MBChris and Sridhar discuss the documentary “The Jazz Loft According to W. Eugene Smith.” They also discuss the musical scenes and cultures of various cities and their orchestras. Tweet us @impolitelisten Episode clips on Instagram @impolitelisten Useful Links: W. Eugene Smith - Profile (with lots of his photos!) W. Eugene Smith - Master of the Photo Essay W. Eugene Smith - Wikipedia The Picture He Took When He Stood Up - Blast photo Soldier from the Battle of Saipan Train tracks fro...
ITL #24: I Love a Piano
September 07, 2021 12:00 - 49 minutes - 56.8 MBChris and Sridhar discuss big news in the classical music streaming world, Chris' first composition, composition technology, video game music, and the merits of the piano as an instrument. Email us your feedback: [email protected] Tweet us @impolitelisten Episode clips on Instagram @impolitelisten Useful Links: Primephonic statement on Apple Music Forest Morning by Chris Arkin Chris' website Video game music with the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra Spitfire Audio E.T. bi...
ITL #23: Off the Record
August 23, 2021 12:00 - 1 hour - 107 MBChris and Sridhar discuss some behind the scenes for Sridhar's recently released solo flute album, recording techniques, the merits of recording, and solo music in general. They also set "The Jazz Loft According to W. Eugene Smith" as homework and finish by veering into a vexillological tangent. If you enjoy the show, tell your friends about us or help spread the word on social media. We appreciate your support! Email us your feedback: [email protected] Tweet us @impolitelisten ...
ITL #22: Vinyl Revival
July 12, 2021 12:00 - 1 hour - 91.5 MBChris and Sridhar discuss orchestras’ concert programs as America tentatively opens up. Then they pilot a segment, “Vinyl Revival,” in which they each talk about all aspects—music, artwork, liner notes, etc.—of a record that they own. Today’s records are Frank Sinatra’s “Sinatra at the Sands” and Bob Dylan’s “Bringing It All Back Home.” If you enjoy the show, consider telling your friends about us. We appreciate your support! Email us your feedback: [email protected] Tweet us yo...
ITL #21: The Grumpy Special
June 01, 2021 12:00 - 1 hour - 108 MBIn this long awaited return, Chris and Sridhar discuss the ways in which classical music institutions might launch successful digital ventures, the pay what you can model, Steven Spielberg's 2021 remake of West Side Story, realism in musicals, and how La La Land is, surprisingly, a breath of fresh air. If you enjoy the show, consider following us on social media. We appreciate your support! Email us your questions/comments/concerns: [email protected] Tweet us your feedback @impo...
ITL #20: Anniversary Special - Part III
April 22, 2021 12:00 - 35 minutes - 41 MBChris and Sridhar answer more questions in the final installment of the Anniversary Special: 1.) What’re your opinions on “pop” classical musicians such as André Rieu? 2.) Sridhar, have you ever played an Indian flute? 3.) Chris, how do I learn to play jazz? 4.) What is your favorite movie about classical music? Thank you to all of our listeners for tuning in over the past year, and here’s to another! Cheers! Useful links: André Rieu - The Beautiful Blue Danube Chris Botti and Josh Grob...
ITL #19: Anniversary Special - Part II
April 20, 2021 12:00 - 33 minutes - 38.6 MBChris and Sridhar answer some more of your questions in the Anniversary Special sequel: 1.) What advice do you have for performance anxiety? 2.) What are your thoughts on music competitions? 3.) Can you tell us more about Chris’ page turning days? 4.) Have you guys ever performed together? 5.) What was the most surprising part about making a podcast? Thank you to all of our listeners for tuning in over the past year, and here’s to another! Cheers! Useful links: Check out our website! Im...
ITL #18: Anniversary Special - Part I
April 16, 2021 12:00 - 40 minutes - 46.7 MBTo celebrate the show's first anniversary, Chris and Sridhar answer some questions they have been asked over the year in three installments. Today's questions are: 1.) What orchestras or artistic organizations have done a good job handling the pandemic? 2.) Who do you think is the most underrated composer? 3.) What was your favorite class in music school? Thank you to all of our listeners for tuning in over the past year, and here's to another! Cheers! Useful links: Check out our website...
ITL #17: Kind of Baroque
March 30, 2021 12:00 - 1 hour - 123 MBChris and Sridhar discuss famous musical families, Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach and his father Johann Sebastian, the magnificence of the organ as an instrument, the affinities between Baroque and Jazz music, and a mysterious instrument conceived by Leonardo da Vinci. Also...we have merch! Go browse our wares—it’s a great way to help support the show while repping our swag. We truly appreciate it. Impolite to Listen merch Useful Links: Sridhar's New York Times Crossword Carl Philipp Emanue...
ITL #16: When in Seville
February 25, 2021 13:00 - 1 hour - 103 MBChris and Sridhar do a live listening of Mozart’s newly discovered piece before discussing the peculiar role of Spain in Western music, operas set in Seville, and the greatness of Georges Bizet’s “Carmen.” Also...we. have merch! Go browse our wares—it’s a great way to help support the show while repping our swag. We truly appreciate it. Impolite to Listen merch Useful Links: Mozart's Allegro in D The Unknown Mozart Previously unknown Mozart piece enthuses Mozart week Classic FM artic...
ITL #15: Mostly Mozart
February 02, 2021 13:00 - 1 hour - 94 MBChris and Sridhar discuss the premiere of a newly discovered work by Mozart, the challenges of playing Mozart, some frustrations with Mozart despite his obvious genius, and some of their favorite Mozart interpreters. If you enjoy the show, you can “buy us a coffee,” tell your friends about us, spread the word on social media, or rate/review us on Apple Podcasts. We appreciate your support. Buy us a coffee Check out our new website! Tweet us our feedback @impolitelisten Short clips on I...
ITL #14: The King's Gambit
January 19, 2021 13:00 - 1 hour - 111 MBNew year, new ITL: after some light banter about the rebranding, Chris and Sridhar discuss the similarities between music and chess, why it might be that there are so many musicians who are avid chess players, a poster for an old New York Philharmonic concert conducted by none other than Gustav Mahler, Rimsky-Korsakov’s “Scheherezade,” and Leonard Bernstein’s affinity for Mahler. If you enjoy the show, you can “buy us a coffee,” tell your friends about us, spread the word on social media, ...
ITL #13: The Christmas Special
December 18, 2020 13:00 - 1 hour - 124 MBChris and Sridhar say goodbye to 2020 with an epic Christmas Special. They discuss classic--and Classical--Christmas music, what makes music sound Christmassy, their favorite things to listen to around this time of year, and yes...The Nutcracker. If you enjoy the show, consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts or telling your friends about us. We appreciate your support. Check out our website! Rate, review, and share us on Apple Podcasts Tweet us your feedback @impolitelisten Short c...
ITL #12: Talking Tango - Interview with Iona Italia
November 30, 2020 14:00 - 1 hour - 131 MBImpolite to Listen welcomes its first guest as Sridhar interviews tango dancer, teacher, and author Iona Italia. They discuss the complexity of tango music, how it evolved from immigrant influences in Buenos Aires, interpreting music through dance, the dynamics of leading and following, orchestras of tango’s Golden Age, placebo effects in dancing, Tango Nuevo, and more. Useful Links: Iona Italia - ionaitalia.com Buy Iona's tango books on Milonga Press "Our Tango World vol. 1: Learning &...
ITL #11: The Vertigo Effect
November 16, 2020 13:00 - 1 hour - 70.6 MBChris and Sridhar discuss Keith Jarrett’s retirement, the blurry line between composition and improvisation, late Romantic/early Modern music by Claude Debussy and Erik Satie, and the San Francisco Ballet’s new video with music from Alfred Hitchcock’s “Vertigo”. Useful Links: Check out our website! Rate, review, and share us on Apple Podcasts Tweet us your feedback @impolitelisten Short clips on Instagram (@impolitelisten) Discuss this episode on Reddit r/impolitetolisten Keith Jarre...
ITL #10: Side Notes
October 16, 2020 12:00 - 1 hour - 173 MBAfter some John Cage follow up, Chris and Sridhar discuss the Steinway & Sons Spirio player piano, vinyl revival, the concertos of Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninoff, and how AI might affect the future of the music industry. Useful Links: Check out our website! Rate, review, and share us on Apple Podcasts Tweet us your feedback @impolitelisten Short clips on Instagram (@impolitelisten) Discuss this episode on Reddit r/impolitetolisten 4'33'' performed by a death metal band Tabla - Indian ...
ITL #9: The Glass Cage
September 23, 2020 12:00 - 50 minutes - 92.3 MBAfter issuing a correction from Episode 1, Chris and Sridhar discuss Glenn Gould's early appreciation of recording technology, the music of John Cage and Philip Glass, the phenomenon of 20th century music generally, and humans' attitudes towards the new. Useful Links: Check out our website! Rate, review, and share us on Apple Podcasts Tweet us your feedback @impolitelisten Short clips on Instagram (@impolitelisten) Longer clips on YouTube Glenn Gould plays Beethoven's 6th Symphony on...
ITL #8: #Beethoven250?
September 02, 2020 13:38 - 1 hour - 166 MBAfter catching up on some long overdue housekeeping items, Chris and Sridhar discuss Daniel Barenboim's marathon performances and masterclasses on Beethoven's Piano Sonatas, the issue of tempo and tempo relations in Beethoven interpretations, Beethoven as a cusp composer, and yes, #Beethoven250. Useful Links: Check out our website! Rate, review, and share us on Apple Podcasts Tweet us your feedback @impolitelisten Short clips on Instagram Longer clips on YouTube "The Importance of Be...
ITL #7: The Source Code
August 04, 2020 12:00 - 1 hour - 117 MBChris and Sridhar discuss whether or not Bach is beyond criticism, the comparisons between Bach and Shakespeare, Bach's pedagogical importance, and his influence on popular music. They then wade into the period instruments debate, and finish off by talking about performance spaces that aren't concert halls. Useful Links: Check out our website! Tweet us your feedback @impolitelisten Episode clips on Instagram Leonard Bernstein: The Creative Performer Ira Glass thinks Shakespeare sucks ...
ITL #6: Remembering Ennio Morricone
July 16, 2020 12:00 - 42 minutes - 78.1 MBChris and Sridhar honor the passing of the legendary composer Ennio Morricone. They discuss the iconic status of his film scores, his gifts as a melodist, his use of non-orchestral instruments, his role in the evolution of Hollywood music, and his passion for chess. Useful Links: Check out our website! Tweet us your feedback @impolitelisten Episode clips on Instagram Ennio Morricone: wikipedia Watch "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly" on Netflix Watch "Cinema Paradiso" on Amazon "The G...
ITL #5: What is American Music?
July 04, 2020 12:00 - 1 hour - 137 MBChris and Sridhar celebrate the Fourth of July by asking: what makes American music American? They discuss 19th century American music, jazz as the quintessential American art form, George Gershwin, the universality of West Side Story, Dvořák in the New World, the American landscape reflected in its music, California as the creative capital of the world, and (regrettably) John Philip S***a. Useful Links: Check out our website! Tweet us your feedback @impolitelisten Episode clips on Inst...
ITL #4: YouTube Showdown
June 18, 2020 15:24 - 1 hour - 137 MBChris and Sridhar discuss their favorite classical music YouTube videos. Useful Links: Check out our website! Tweet us your feedback @impolitelisten Episode clips on Instagram YouTube Top 5 Showdown playlist Jacques Bono plays Bach on electric bass Benjamin Zander: The Transformative Power of Classical Music Gilles Apap's cadenza to Mozart Violin Concerto No. 3 Gustavo Dudamel conducts Danse Bacchanale by Camille Saint-Saëns Jameson Whiskey Ad - "The Hawk of Achill" Jean-Pierre R...
3. The Holiday Special
May 21, 2020 17:45 - 55 minutes - 102 MBAfter doing some housekeeping, Chris and Sridhar discuss the digital world of classical music before veering off into a conversation about The Nutcracker's various innovations and difficulties, eventually finding their way back on topic by talking about Spotify, YouTube, and the Berlin Philharmonic's Digital Concert Hall. Useful Links: Check out our website! Tweet us your feedback @impolitelisten Episode clips on Instagram Overcast: our recommended free podcast player for iOS Impolite...
ITL #3: The Holiday Special
May 21, 2020 17:45 - 55 minutes - 102 MBAfter doing some housekeeping, Chris and Sridhar discuss the digital world of classical music before veering off into a conversation about The Nutcracker's various innovations and difficulties, eventually finding their way back on topic by talking about Spotify, YouTube, and the Berlin Philharmonic's Digital Concert Hall. Useful Links: Check out our website! Tweet us your feedback @impolitelisten Episode clips on Instagram Overcast - our recommended free podcast player for iOS Impolit...
ITL #2: Does Film Music Count?
May 01, 2020 14:00 - 1 hour - 141 MBChris and Sridhar discuss whether or not film music counts as classical music, the relationship between opera and film, "silent" films, iconic scores, what we can learn about film as a novel art form, composers who straddle the classical and film worlds, great director/composer collaborations, "the greatest ghost story ever told", and they both watch the documentary "Score". USEFUL LINKS Honk It's My Birthday "Grizzly Man" soundtrack Richard Thompson in "Grizzly Man" recording session T...
2. Does Film Music Count?
May 01, 2020 14:00 - 1 hour - 141 MBChris and Sridhar discuss whether or not film music counts as classical music, the relationship between opera and film, "silent" films, iconic scores, what we can learn about film as a novel art form, composers who straddle the classical and film worlds, great director/composer collaborations, "the greatest ghost story ever told", and they both watch the documentary "Score". USEFUL LINKS Honk It's My Birthday "Grizzly Man" soundtrack Richard Thompson in "Grizzly Man" recording session T...
ITL #1: Should We Ban Applause?
April 17, 2020 21:18 - 32 minutes - 59.7 MBChris and Sridhar discuss the (de)merits of applause, the effects of applause on repertoire and interpretive choices, Glenn Gould’s recording of Beethoven’s 6th Symphony on piano, how recording technology affects concert expectations, the Netherlands Bach Society’s “All of Bach” project, and musicians/human beings extraordinaire. USEFUL LINKS Claudio Abbado booed at Vienna State Opera Glenn Gould: Canadian pianist Gould plays Beethoven's 6th Symphony on piano Bird call cadenza in Beeth...
1. Should We Ban Applause?
April 17, 2020 21:18 - 32 minutes - 59.7 MBChris and Sridhar discuss the (de)merits of applause, the effects of applause on repertoire and interpretive choices, Glenn Gould’s recording of Beethoven’s 6th Symphony on piano, how recording technology affects concert expectations, the Netherlands Bach Society’s “All of Bach” project, and musicians/human beings extraordinaire. USEFUL LINKS Claudio Abbado booed at Vienna State Opera Glenn Gould: Canadian pianist Gould plays Beethoven's 6th Symphony on piano Bird call cadenza in Beeth...