Radio Archive

Nolan remembers the longtime conductor of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and the impact he had on the Canadian classical music scene.

Selection: “Uranus, The Magician” from The Planets (Gustav Holst) - Toronto Symphony Orchestra (Sir Andrew Davis, conductor)

Nolan detailed how one concert in 1749 was a fiery celebration of a peace in more ways than one!

Selection: “La Réjouissance” from Music for the Royal Fireworks (G.F. Handel) - Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra (Jeanne Lamon, conductor)

Nolan shared the story behind one of the most recognizable pieces of classical music ever written and its unique power to transport listeners.

Selection: “Flower Duet” from Lakmé (Léo Delibes) - Aline Kutan, soprano; Allyson McHardy, mezzo-soprano; Orchestre Metropolitan (Alain Trudel, conductor)

On the 300th anniversary of its debut at the Nikolaikirche in Leipzig, Nolan provided a primer for Bach’s St. John Passion.

Selection: “Mein teurer Heiland” from St. John Passion (J.S. Bach) - Joshua Hopkins, baritone; Arion Baroque Orchestra (Alexander Weimann, conductor); Les Voix Baroques.

Nolan celebrated the best of the year that was in Canadian classical music as artists from across Canada descended on Halifax for the 2024 Juno Awards.

Selection: “Matinée enjouée” from Toute une journée (Maxime Goulet) - Orchestre classique de Montreal (Jacques Lacombe, conductor)

Nolan introduced listeners to the composer known as the father of Ukrainian classical music.

Selection: “Barcarolle” (Mykola Lysenko) - Winnipeg Mandolin Quintet

Nolan returned with the dark backstory to one of classical music’s most soothing pieces.

Selection: “Méditation” from Thaïs (Jules Massenet) - James Ehnes, violin; Orchestre symphonique de Quebec (Yoav Talmi, conductor)

On the first weekend in March, Nolan introduced listeners to the piece about an animal that gets a special spotlight at this time of year!

Selection: “Introduction and March of the Lion” from Le Carnaval des animaux (Camille Saint-Saëns) - Festival Ensemble of the Festival of the Sound (James Campbell, conductor)

On this anniversary of the invasion of Ukraine, Nolan shared a piece that represents national unity and resilience.

Selection: “Vechirnia pisnia” (Kyrylo Stetsenko) - Benjamin Butterfield, tenor; Albert Krywolt, piano

Nolan talked about the iconic piece of Black musical theatre that exists at the intersection of European operetta, vaudeville, and ragtime!

Selection: “When the Moon Shines” from In Dahomey (Will Marion Cook, James Vaughan & Alex Rogers) - Anita Johnson, soprano; Paragon Ragtime Orchestra (Rick Johnson, conductor)

Ahead of Valentine’s Day, Nolan shared a piano rendering of a sonnet written over 700 years ago.

Selection: Sonetto di Petrarca 123, “I vidi in terra angelici costumi” (Franz Liszt) - Ronald Turini, piano

Nolan shared a piece that was completed on this weekend 67 years ago that has become something of a family heirloom.

Selection: Piano Concerto no. 2, op. 102, 3rd mvt. (Dmitri Shostakovich) - I Musici di Montreal (Maxim Shostakovich, conductor; Dmitri Shostakovich Jr., pianist)

What if one of your greatest accomplishments in life wasn’t properly recognized until after you were gone? Nolan shared about Scott Joplin’s only opera and the efforts made to ensure the world would hear it.

Selection: “We’re Goin’ Around” from Treemonisha (Scott Joplin) - Kenneth Hicks (Original New York cast, 1975).

One of the greatest musical humourists of the last century passed away at the age of 88. Nolan dove into the musical and comedic legacy of P.D.Q. Bach.

Selection: “Lip My Reeds” (P.D.Q. Bach, aka Peter Schikele) - Tennessee Bassoon Quartet

On this weekend in 1785, W.A. Mozart released a set of string quartets dedicated to a very special mentor. Nolan talked about their relationship and the role string quartets played in their relationship.

Selection: K. 465, String Quartet no. 19 “Dissonance”, 3rd mvt. (W.A. Mozart) - Windermere Quartet

How are those resolutions going? Nolan shared a cautionary tale of lofty goals and the unexpected successes of Alexander Scriabin.

Selection: Op. 32, no. 1 (Alexander Scriabin) - Frances Gray, pianist

Nolan poured out a musical glass of bubbly when he explored how champagne and New Year’s became so closely linked.

Selection: “Champagner Polka” (Johann Strauss II) - Vienna Philharmonic (Georges Prêtre, conductor)

Let’s face it - there are too many holiday favourites to enjoy at this time of year. Fortunately, Nolan shared one piece that combines several at once!

Selection: “Christmas Overture” (Samuel Coleridge-Taylor) - BBC Concert Orchestra (Barry Wordsworth, conductor)

As we approach the darkest days of the year, Nolan highlighted how nature can help us deal with it, and one musical piece that features a soloist very much used to the darkness.

Selection: “Melancholy” from Cantus arcticus (Einojuhani Rautavaara) - Royal Scottish National Orchestra (Hannu Lintu, conductor)

With snow blanketing Canada, Nolan shared the story of two lovers assisted by a snowman in Erich Korngold’s 1910 ballet!

Selection: “Serenade” from Der Schneemann (Erich Korngold) - Jacques Ammon, piano; Daniel Hope, violin; German Chamber Orchestra Quartet Berlin

On the occasion of the birth of the greatest figures in North American literature, Nolan shared how Louisa May Alcott inspired music that didn’t use her words.

Selection: “III. The Alcotts” from Concord Sonata (Charles Ives) - Louise Bessette, piano

Nolan shared about the life and works of the King of Ragtime, Scott Joplin.

Selection: “Original Rags” - John Arpin, piano

On this Remembrance Day, Nolan shared about the life and works of George Butterworth, and the tragedy of a creative life cut short.

Selection: “The Lads in their Hundreds” from A Shropshire Lad - Brett Polegato, baritone; Iain Burnside, piano

On this weekend in 1955, a cultural institution celebrated its re-opening in a significant way. Nolan took listeners back to that moment.

Selection: “O welche Lust!” from Fidelio (Ludwig van Beethoven) - Wiener Staatsoper Chorus & Orchestra (Karl Böhm)

On this weekend in 1942, Richard Strauss posed an important artistic question through his final opera. Nolan broke down that question and how it was displayed.

Selection: “Mondscheinmusik” from Capriccio (Richard Strauss) - Philharmonia Orchestra (Wolfgang Sawallisch, condutor)

October is already two-thirds gone, and the scenery is changing in beautiful ways across the country. Nolan shared a French musical tribute to the month.

Selection: “Poème d'octobre” (Jules Massenet) - Kimy McLaren, soprano; Michael McMahon, piano

On this weekend 180 years ago, one of the most recognizable pieces of classical music was heard for the first time. Nolan told us which beloved play inspired it, as well as the movement within that has became one of the most recognizable pieces of classical music of all time.

Selection: “Wedding March” from A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Felix Mendelssohn) - Orchestre Metropolitain de Montreal (Agnes Grossman, conductor)

Two weeks into the new season, Nolan shared a fall music playlist addition from the world of ballet.

Selection: The Seasons, no. 15, “Petit Adagio” (Alexander Glazunov) - Vancouver Symphony Orchestra (Kazuyoshi Akiyama, conductor)

On the weekend of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Nolan shared the art of Sherryl Sewepagaham and the many ways she shares her culture in her home province of Alberta.

Selection: “Okiwimaw Askiy” - Luminous Voices (Tim Shantz, conductor)

One of Canada’s oldest orchestras has folded after nearly eight decades. Nolan walked through the history of the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony Orchestra and the role it played in the Waterloo region’s cultural scene.

Selection: Serenade no. 1, mvt. 5 “Scherzo” (Johannes Brahms) - Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony Orchestra (Raffi Armenian, conductor)

It's hard to underestimate the impact that teachers can have on our lives. Nolan shares the story of a music teacher who shaped some of the greatest musicians of the 20th century.

Selection: 3 Pièces for cello and piano, no. 1 “Modéré” - Marina Thibeault, viola, Marie-Eve Scarfone, piano

One of the greatest composers in English history would have celebrated his 336th birthday this weekend. Nolan shared some of his story, and how his music has added a unique voice to the reconciliation journey here in Canada.

Selection: “Pakaskitawew” (Andrew Balfour, after Henry Purcell) - Musica Intima

Labour Day weekend is a time when Canadians are out and about taking advantage of some of the last vacation days before school starts again. On the other hand, folks spend their long weekend doing a far less fun activity: moving. Nolan provided us with a musical reprieve... and a reminder that it could always be worse.

Selection: “The Girl in 14G” (Jeanine Tesori & Dick Scanlan) - Kristen Chenoweth, singer

Nolan celebrated the iconic French master whose works are shrouded in mysterious sounds.

Selection: Prélude no. xi, “La Danse de Puck” - Francine Kay, pianist

Nolan remembered the titan of the operatic stage, who passed away at the age of 89, and shared more about her life and legacy.

Selection: “Si, mi chiamano Mimi” from La bohème (Giacomo Puccini) - Renata Scotto, soprano, Maggio Musicale Fiorentino Orchestra

It was on this weekend in 1644 that one of the greatest composers for the violin was born. But, as Nolan explained, his greatness came on his own terms.

Selection: Partia no. 1 in d minor, mvt. iv, “Aria” - Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra

Nolan gave us an introduction to the pioneering 17th century composer and the many ways she existed as an outlier.

Selection: “Amor, dormiglione”- Suzie LeBlanc, soprano, Ensemble Constantinople

Theatres across Canada were buzzing with two of the 2023 biggest movies this summer, but Nolan pointed out that classical music took on one of these stories long before Christopher Nolan did.

Selection: “Am I in your light?” from Doctor Atomic (John Adams) - Julia Bullock, soprano, BBC Symphony Orchestra

On this weekend in 1961, one of the most symbolic racial barriers in classical music was broken. Nolan shared the incredible story of Grace Bumbry, and the actual recording of the moment the first Black singer graced the stage at Bayreuth.

Selection: “Geliebter, komm! Sieh dort die grotte…” from Tannhäuser (Richard Wagner) - Grace Bumbry, mezzo-soprano, Bayreuther Festspiel Orchester

Nolan told us about the Chichester Psalms, which debuted on this weekend in 1965, and the personal plea that Leonard Bernstein made through the music.

Selection: “Psalm 23” from Chichester Psalms (Leonard Bernstein) - Vienna Boys Choir, Israel Philharmonic Orchestra (Leonard Bernstein, conductor)

Nolan introduced us to the 2023 inductees to the Order of Canada, and the classical musical figure who’s been sharing her leadership in Canada’s choral scene for over four decades.

Selection: Angelus ad virginem (Lydia Adams) - Elmer Iseler Singers (Lydia Adams, conductor)

For the first weekend of summer, Nolan took us on a lazy float along the river, with Frederick Delius’ tone poem providing the soundtrack.

Selection: “Summer Night on the River” (Frederick Delius) - Symphony Nova Scotia (Georg Tintner, conductor)

In the midst of Pride Month celebrations across Canada, Nolan shared an historic piece of music that wouldn't have been possible without a queer love story.

Selection: Intermezzo (act III) from Vanessa (Samuel Barber) -BBC Symphony Orchestra (Leonard Slatkin, conductor)

On the occasion of what would have been his 98th birthday, Nolan shared about the life and work of Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, and the special connection he had with poetry.

Selection: Dichterliebe, no. 1, “Im wunderschönen Monat Mai” (Robert Schumann) - Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, baritone; Hartmut Holl, piano

It's the sign you see before every movie at the theatre, every entrance to a gallery, and every classical music concert: please silence your phones. Unfortunately, there are always some people who ignore this request, and, Nolan regaled us, one award-winning Canadian musician wasn't about to take it lying down.

Selection: Excerpt from Symphony no. 9, mvt. 1 (Anton Bruckner) - Orchestre Métropolitain (Yannick Nezet-Seguin, conductor)

Nolan shared a musical tribute to Mom, courtesy of Antonin Dvorak.

Selection: “Als die alte Mutter” (Antonin Dvorak) - Maureen Forrester, contralto; Sir Andrew Davis, piano

Nolan explored the relationship between coronations and classical music, and one very specific musician with a very important part to play.

Selection: “His Mercy Endureth Forever” (Judith Weir) - Westminster Cathedral Choir (James O’Donnell, conductor)

We can never know how the things we do in the world impact others, and that's especially true for the classical composer Nolan introduced to in this episode.

Selection: Piano Concerto no. 4, mvt. 1(Darius Milhaud) - Michael Korstick, piano; Kaiserlautern Radio Orchestra (Alun Francis, conductor)

When we think of musicians breaking the law, your first instinct might be to think of a rock star. However, Nolan tells us that that’s not always the case…

Selection: Horn Concerto, mvt. 2 “Elegy” (Ethel Smyth) - Marie Luise Neunecker, horn; NDR Hannover Radio Philharmonic (Uri Mayer, conductor)

Pack your linen pants, a nice pair of sandals, and your trowel! Nolan took us on a surprise transatlantic garden party with a classical music soundtrack!

Selection: Nights in the Gardens of Spain, mvt. 2 “Danza lejana” (Manuel de Falla) - Angela Chang, piano; Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra (Hans Graf, conductor)

Nolan brought us tales of more refined April Fool’s Day jokes in classical music!

Selection: Ein musikalischer Spaß, mvt. 4 (W.A. Mozart) - Concentus Musicus of Vienna (Nikolaus Harnoncourt, conductor)

With the arrival of spring, Nolan shared a piece celebrating the return of birdsong calling us out of our winter slumbers.

Selection: “Flocks a Mile Wide” from The Lost Birds (Christopher Tin) - Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (Christopher Tin, conductor)

The 2023 Juno Awards celebrated the best and brightest of Canada’s classical music community. Nolan highlighted a few of this year’s noteworthy recordings.

Selection: 1st mvt., Cello Concerto in D major (Giovanni Battista Sammartini) - Elinor Frey, cellist; Rosa Barocca (Claude Lepalme, conductor)

One of the most iconic operas in history debuted on this weekend in 1851. Nolan introduced it to us along with one of its most beloved arias.

Selection: “Caro nome” from Rigoletto (Giuseppe Verdi) - Pierrette Alarie, soprano; Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin (Lee Schaenen, conductor)

One of the most famous ballets ever celebrated its birthday on this weekend, and Nolan shared its history with us.

Selection: “Pas d’action” from Swan Lake (Pyotr Illyich Tchaikovsky) - Orchestre symphonique de Montreal

Just because something isn’t music doesn’t mean it isn’t musical! Nolan told us about the poet W.H. Auden, who didn’t only work with some of the 20th century’s most revered composers, but wrote about the process!

Selection: “The Composer” by W.H. Auden, underscored by “Traquillamente” from Tentos (Hans Werner Henze) - Jeffrey McFadden, guitar

For all of the amazing things about classical music, it has long been a genre of colonialism. However, the contributions Black composers made to symphonies and concertos were as monumental as they were unique. Nolan shared an example of this from the early 20th century.

Selection: “Summerland” (William Grant Still) - Monica Gaylord, piano

On the occasion of her birthday, Nolan shared more about the life of Canadian composer Ann Southam and her legacy, which stretches far beyond music.

Selection: “Glass Houses No. 1” - Christina Petrowska Quilico, piano

What happens when musical power collides with one of the 20th century's most infamous leaders? Nolan shared the story of the cultural standoff between Dmitri Shostakovich and Joseph Stalin over the composer’s 1936 opera, Lady Macbeth of the Mtsensk District.

Selection: “Burying the Corpse in the Cellar” from Lady Macbeth of the Mtsensk District (Dmitri Shostakovich) - CBC Winnipeg Orchestra (Eric Wild, conductor)

How much of a perfectionist are you? Nolan introduced us to Henri Duparc, the composer who could never satisfy his own standards, and impacted his legacy in the process.

Selection: “L’invitation au voyage” - Gino Quilico, baritone; Alain Lefevre, piano

From the orchestra pit to the jazz lounge, this instrument is one of the most widely-used in Western music. On the anniversary of its invention, Nolan shared a proper birthday celebration for the clarinet!

Selection: 1st mvt., Sonata op. 167 (Camille Saint-Saëns) - André Moisan, clarinet; Louise-Andrée Baril, piano

Nolan celebrated the birthday of one of France’s most consequential and unique composers.

Selection: 2nd mvt., Sextet, FP 100 - Pentaedre (Daniele Bourget, flute; Martin Carpentier, clarient; Normand Forget, oboe; David Jalbert, piano; Mathieu Lussier, bassoon; Louis-Phillippe Marsolais, horn)

What would New Year’s Eve be without dancing? Nolan shared the history of one of the most popular dances that rings in the new year!

Selection: “Donaulegenden” (Franz Lehar) - Hanover North German Radio Philharmonic Orchestra (Klauspeter Seibel, conductor)

For a Christmas classical music selection, Nolan introduced a selection that marries two faith traditions together.

Selection: “Weihnachtsmusik” (Arnold Schoenberg) - Taverner Consort (Andrew Parrott, conductor)

Nolan shared a musical tribute to a boreal companion that plays a big part in our lives each December.

Selection: “Pini di Villa Borghese” from Pini di Roma (Ottorino Resphigi) - Vancouver Symphony Orchestra (Kazuyoshi Akiyama, conductor)

Nolan told the story of the composer who united two of Europe’s classical superpowers.

Selection: “Panis Angelicus” - Les petits chanteurs de Mont-Royal (Gilbert Patenaude, conductor)

Nolan takes us on a trip to Denmark - and beyond - by introducing us to an often-overlooked figure of Scandinavian classical music.

Selection: “Wie Sternenschimmer an einem bläulichen Himmel bei Sonnenuntergang” from Sfærernes Musik - Danish National Symphony Orchestra (Thomas Dausgaard, conductor)

It’s a legend that has inspired revolutions and classical musicians alike! Nolan shared one of the pieces inspired by William Tell and its subversive nature.

Selection: 3rd mvt., String Quartet no. 9 (Dmitri Shostakovich) - Pacifica Quartet (Sibbi Bernhardsson, violin; Simin Ganatra, violin; Masumi per Rostad, viola; Brandon Vamos, cello)

Conflict shapes music just as much as it shapes lives. Nolan told a story about how one piece of music was altered by the outbreak of the First World War.

Selection: “Sospiri” (Edward Elgar) - Tanya Prochazka, cellist

Nolan’s first-ever classical music column celebrated the life of one of the biggest classical music stars, and shared a performance he dedicated to one of the most beloved royals of all time.

Selection: “Donna non vidi mai” from Manon Lescaut (Giacomo Puccini) - Luciano Pavarotti, tenor; Philharmonia Orchestra (Leone Magiera, conductor)