Nacocast: Classical Music Podcast With Sean Rice

"Two Fifths": Paul Kennedy, host of CBC's Ideas, looks at Beethoven's Fifth Piano Concerto and Fifth Symphony and asks, "What was Beethoven thinking?"

Guest host Robert Harris, author and CBC host, speaks on "Brahms The Progressive".

Nick sits down with Alexander Shelley to discuss the state of opera, in particular, La Bohème by Giacomo Puccini, Shelley's youth and inspiration to become an opera conductor.

In Memoriam: Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau. Nick pays tribute to the great German baritone, who died earlier this year.

Nick sits down with Joel Quarrington (double bass), Chris Millard (bassoon), and Jonathan Wade (timpani) to discuss the bass sections of the orchestra. They discuss the importance of the "low notes" in balancing out the melody and giving body to the works.

Nick Atkinson talks to Margaret Munro Tobolowska and Tina Fedeski about The Leading Note Foundation, a music education program in Ottawa based on Venezuela's El Sistema

In a program entitled, "Come into the Garden, Maud", host Nick Atkinson revisits the English parlour song.

Host Nick Atkinson (tuba) talks with his NAC Orchestra colleagues Karen Donnelly (trumpet) and Doug Burden (trombone) about musicians who make the transition from bands to orchestras.

After more than 60 episodes over 5 seasons, NACOcast founding host, Christopher Millard officially hands over the hosting duties for the NAC's premiere podcast series to Nicholas Atkinson, NAC Orchestra principal tuba, avid record collector and opera buff. Join us in thanking Christopher for 5 stellar years as host and welcoming Nick to his first NACOcast episode.

Guest host Charles "Chip" Hamann, NAC Orchestra Principal Oboe, in conversation with Maestro Trevor Pinnock, on the occasion of his latest visit to the National Arts Centre.

In contrast to his defiant First Symphony, Brahms turned to an overall feeling of cheerfulness for his Symphony No. 2, a subtle work that displays the brilliance of the master composer. With lilting melodies and uplifting harmonies, Brahms’s work will remain with you days after the performance. After a stunning NAC debut in fall 2010, young Finnish pianist Juho Pohjonen is back by popular demand, joining the NAC Orchestra for Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 21, a work often referred to as the Elvira Madigan Concerto after its limpid sounds were used in the popular 1967 Swedish film of the same title.

In this first of two interviews with Trevor Pinnock, writer and broadcaster Eric Friesen speaks with Maestro Pinnock about Handel's Messiah.

Christopher, on tour with the NAC Orchestra in St. John's, interviews Susan Knight, founding director of Newfoundland's world-renowned Shallaway choir. Among the many themes explored in this edition of the NACOcast is the fundamental importance of music education.

Canadian journalist Paul Wells explores Sibelius' Symphony No 1 in conversation with acclaimed conductor Maestro Thomas Dausgaard.

Italy was the programatic theme of the NACO concerts and pre-concert talks of October 6 & 7. "Capriccio Italien" was the title of talks which paired William Littler, the erudite music critic of the Toronto Star, with the ebullient theatre expert and classical music buff Paul Lefebvre. It was a most enjoyable romp through the musical landscape of Italy guided by this virtuoso duo.

A talented student trumpet player suffers a serious lip injury. In this edition of the NACOcast, Christopher follows the struggle to recover and explores the dangers facing eager young virtuosi.

This week, Marjolaine Fournier caught up with conductor, composer, commentator and broadcaster, Rob Kapilow in his dressing room at the NAC. They talked about what makes music great, and what makes for great music.

It may still be winter in Ottawa, but as the days get longer Christopher gets more hopeful. A little Beethoven always helps! Jonathan Biss visits the NAC's Hexagon studio to discuss the Spring Sonata. The show concludes with a complete performance of this sunny masterpiece with Pinchas Zukerman and Jonathan Biss recorded live in the bitter cold of February.

We all remember Antonio Salieri as portrayed by F. Murray Abraham in Peter Shaffer's Oscar-winning film, Amadeus. Was the historical Salieri obsessively envious of Mozart? Did he kill him? In this edition of the NACOcast, Christopher speaks with Ian Kyer on the music, life, and mythology of Antonio Salieri.

The CBC’s Robert Harris began his career in broadcasting in Ottawa many years ago, and we were very happy to bring him ‘home’ as a guest speaker during the Mozart-Haydn Festival. Robert literally took a page from his book "How to Listen to Mozart" in his pre-concert talk of the same title.  It was standing room only in the NAC’s Salon on September 29th as Robert guided patrons through the lexicon of Mozart’s style and development in his short life.