Dr. Music

"Classical's Cool!" Dr. Music is a fun, friendly educational podcast that introduces listeners to great classical music. The podcast is primarily for people who have little to no knowledge of classical music, and don't know where to begin their experience. Other styles will be discussed in relation to the various topics we cover. No prior knowledge of classical music necessary! All that is necessary is a desire to learn, and have fun doing it.

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Dr. Music

Dr. Music Season 2 Episode 19

August 30, 2021 • Matthew Marullo

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The French composer Jules Massanet (1842-1912) is known mainly for his operas, though general audiences are often familiar with either specific arias or suites from operas. Besides the very popular Meditation from his opera Thaïs , the ballet suite from Le Cid contains some popular Spanish folk pieces. Yet how does one make a simple folk-like melody sound interesting and fresh within a serious orchestral composition? It takes the hand of a very talented composer like Massanet to breathe new life into what could have been a bland, conventional presentation of a folk melody. We shall see how Massanet treats two pieces from his ballet suite, the Castillane and the Aragonaise. This episode will show how a singable folk melody can be packed with surprises!