Culture Monster
Curious, Cultural Conversation from Calgary and Beyond! CULTURE MONSTER delivers intriguing stories about the giants from the past and introduces you to fascinating figures from the present. Hear what art-makers think about their work in their own words, and listen to host Jonathan Gresl bring to life some forgotten tales from the worlds of music, film, literature and more. There is always more to explore on CULTURE MONSTER.
Episodes
August 30, 2021 • 68 mins
Episode 18: American Conductor Leonard Slatkin
For the Culture Monster season finale, I speak with conductor Leonard Slatkin about his remarkable career and his new book, “Classical Crossroads.” I also endorse music by David Lang and Alan Hovhaness.
LINKS
The film “Olympia” documenting the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin
https://thesportjournal.org/article/leni-riefenstahls-olympia-brilliant-cinematography-or-nazi-propaganda/
http...
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August 23, 2021 • 56 mins
I speak with Holly Mathieson about her personal musical journey and endorse a Giller Prize winner.
LINKS
NYTimes on subway chimes:
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2021/08/13/arts/subway-train-sounds.html?unlocked_article_code=AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACEIPuonUyYiZ_tU1Gw5CRWySB4B991re1b-Wm_s1nGPlazOIQylL3qEJGYGB_QLWYrdla8B13yieQJUJFo4Tc8FI770VOV1xGU7vo52YlY4MKDk0t4_0Bjxu08KdBL59rTS3Pizkc-wkge3nsUjDbmbtXKbf1yd1cQwysoIlIQ_xoQEAxqjCGuBw0t...
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August 16, 2021 • 59 mins
I speak with conductor Dina Gilbert about her life and career and tell the story of the great Olympic Hymn by Richard Strauss, that time forgot.
LINKS
Darius Milhaud was a busy well-known composer during the 20th Century.
The New Yorker published a guide to his music in 2017
https://www.newyorker.com/culture/culture-desk/the-indomitable-humanism-of-darius-milhaud
Arthur Fiedler conducted the Boston Pops for 50 years.
https://ar...
Mark as Played
August 9, 2021 • 59 mins
Episode 15: Paul Dornian and spectacle of the Olympics
As he exits his role at the Calgary Philharmonic, Paul Dornian chats with me about his life and career. Also
LINKS
“Rhapsody in Blue” from the 1984 Olympic opening ceremony
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylUF32pwvtI
Premiere of John Williams “Olympic Fanfare and theme”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MF0fEAFBOoM&t=168s
Lighting the 1984 Olympic Cauldron, featuring music b...
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August 3, 2021 • 59 mins
I speak with violist Nick Pulos about his life and career, and recommend a new novel heating up the Alberta Bestseller list.
Unlocking, by Amy Leblanc — published by UCalgary Press
https://press.ucalgary.ca/books/9781773851396/
Amy Leblanc received the 2020 Lieutenant Governor of Alberta Emerging Artist Award:
https://artsawards.ca/artist/amy-leblanc/
Canada’s National Arts Centre Orchestra, Ottawa was formed in 1969.
http...
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June 21, 2021 • 56 mins
I speak with multi-instrumentalist and conductor Jeremy Brown about his varied career and endorse a book which isn’t a book. Also, can cats compose?
LINKS
Zez Confrery, jazz pianist and composer:
https://syncopatedtimes.com/zez-confrey/
Sacrlatti, “Fuga del Gatto”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PhCBn3-4JKI
Amy Beach, American Composer (1867-1944):
https://www.amybeach.org/about/biography/
Jeremy Brown is a professor at...
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June 14, 2021 • 49 mins
Episode 12: A chat with Grant Harville | “Papa Bach”
I speak with Grant Harville about making music in the heart of Montana, and make a recommendation for your next visit to Hamburg Germany.
LINKS
Minitur Wonderland, Hamburg:
https://www.miniatur-wunderland.com
Watch the world record wining train performance:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBNHmUT3GPg&t=17s
Behind the scenes of the trick:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfNEz...
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June 7, 2021 • 49 mins
I speak with Red Deer Symphony Conductor Claude Lapalme about his career and what does a conductor do when he can’t conduct for a year? Also the strange life of Adolphe Sax, and the German composer who got himself on the cover of TIME magazine.
LINKS
TIME Magazine’s 1938 article featuring Richard Strauss:
http://content.time.com/time/covers/0,16641,19380725,00.html
“Ben Folds Composes a Song LIVE for Orchestra In Only 10 Minute...
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May 26, 2021 • 45 mins
I speak with conductor, vocal coach and pianist Kimberley-Ann Bartczak about her journey to the podium and what making opera in Canada is like. Haydn’s skull was very useful to him while he was alive, but also had an unusual time after he was dead. Plus a double-dose of Culture Monster recommends…
SHOW NOTES
Kimberley-Ann Bartczak is Principal Coach and Accompanist, Pacific Opera Victoria:
https://pacificopera.ca/person/kimberle...
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April 28, 2021 • 48 mins
Episode 9: Tim Shantz | Bach, Handel & Eye Surgery
I tell the story teased from the beginning of Culture Monster—what is the connection between Bach, Handel and eye surgery? I also speak with notable choral conductor Tim Shantz on the power of ensemble singing, and recommend a British novel from the 1990s.
LINKS
News story on the Toronto Gallery heist:
https://cp24.com/four-pieces-of-art-worth-combined-265-900-stolen-from-gallery...
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April 12, 2021 • 54 mins
I tell the story about how the difference between VON and VAN really messed up Beethoven’s day. Plus my conversation with the articulate music director of the Regina Symphony Orchestra.
Also, some updates on previous stories.
LINKS
“Soul” on Disney+
https://www.disneyplus.com/movies/soul/77zlWrb9vRYp
Digital Purchase:Soul
Petition to honour George Bridgetower with a historical plaque in Bath:
http://chng.it/XM2c6J4TPp
Calgar...
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March 29, 2021 • 66 mins
Episode 7: Violinist Edmond Agopian & Sousa’s Secret Career
I speak with a musician of passionate curiosity, violinist Edmond Agopian. I also tell the story of John Philip Sousa’s secret career, and the mysterious tale of the artwork still on the Moon.
CBC website story on the Thorgy Thor | orchestra collaboration:
https://www.cbc.ca/cbcdocspov/features/drag-star-thorgy-thor-brings-her-star-power-to-the-world-of-orchestral-musi...
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March 15, 2021 • 59 mins
In 1803 a virtuoso violinist came to visit Vienna and Beethoven wrote a new Sonata to play with him that would change music history; so why doesn’t it have Bridgetower’s name on it? The great musical partnership that wasn’t.
I also speak with Rosemary Thomson about all of the things conductors have to keep in balance, and the importance of having a personal relationship with her audience as music director of the Okanagan Symphony....
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February 10, 2021 • 29 mins
Episode 5: The Shuttle, A Centennial, and Schupannzigh
Join me as I speak about a happy day for technology, a sad one for space exploration, and the difficulties of being Beethoven’s friend.
Arlington’s website describing the Challenger memorial:
https://www.arlingtoncemetery.mil/Explore/Monuments-and-Memorials/Space-Shuttle-Challenger
Richard Feynman’s memoir where he discusses the investigation into the Challenger disaster...
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January 25, 2021 • 49 mins
Episode 4: The Mystery of Carlos Kleiber & Conversation with Carlos Foggin
I explore the mystery of famed maestro Carlos Kleiber, and speak with Rocky Mountain Symphony conductor Carlos Foggin about Beethoven, the Organ, and how taking a basic first aid course changed his life.
The Polaris Centre is active on social media and is also here:
https://www.polariscentre.ca
Carlos Foggin is the Music Director of the Rocky Mountain Symph...
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January 11, 2021 • 56 mins
EPISODE 3: Mark Morash and the Shakespeare Riot
I speak with Interim Music Director of the Calgary Opera about his musical journey, the need for Opera companies to invest in R&D, and the emotional power of the human voice. I also tell the story of the time competing versions of “The Scottish Play” in New York City caused a riot.
SHOW NOTES and links!
The story of the battle of the film rights over agent 007 is told in Robert Seller...
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December 24, 2020 • 53 mins
In this episode, I speak with Conductor and Pianist Rolf Bertsch about his Career and genius of Beethoven, and also relate my favourite Canadian crime story: now with a 2020 update. Also, a complete holiday piano performance from Han Ding.
SHOW NOTES episode 2
Piano Performances heard in this episode performed by HAN DING: https://www.handingonline.com
Theatre Calgary’s Official Christmas Carol page: https://www.theatrecalgary.com/...
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December 13, 2020 • 42 mins
Culture Monster episode 1
Welcome to the first episode of Culture Monster!
I dive into the difficulty of Beethoven’s Birthday, a Canadian Art Scandal, and speak with Karl Hirzer about the skills needed to be successful as an orchestra conductor.
----more----
Links and more useful info:
C-Monster bite of the day:
“Conductor breaks down scenes from movies and TV” (YouTube)
https://cutt.ly/UhOt3XY
Macleans article about the “Vo...
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December 13, 2020 • 58 secs
Karl Hirzer of the Calgary Philharmonic joins me for the first episode of Culture Monster. What did we talk about? Here is a quick taste.
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November 28, 2020 • 42 secs
it's almost time for Culture Monster the podcast to begin. This is place for Curious Conversations with musicians and artists of Calgary and beyond, as well as fascinating facts and stories of the giants from the past. Season 1 starts December 2020
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