Episodes
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ITL #37: I Used to Think...
Chris 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...
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ITL #36: Rehearsal Rules
Chris 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…
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ITL#35: The Lenny Special
Chris 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...
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ITL #34: Conservatory Blues
Chris 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…
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ITL #33: Music of the Plains
Chris 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...
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ITL #32: From Kyiv With Love
ITL 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...
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ITL #31: Stirred, Not Shaken
In 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...
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ITL #30: Whiplash
Chris 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...
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ITL #29: All I Want for Christmas
After 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...
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ITL#28: Gone Chopin
Chris 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…
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ITL #27: What Makes Music Scary?
For 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...
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ITL #26: Concerts in Caves
Chris 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…
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ITL #25: The Jazz Loft
Chris 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…
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ITL #24: I Love a Piano
Chris 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...
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ITL #23: Off the Record
Chris 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.…
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ITL #22: Vinyl Revival
Chris 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...
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ITL #21: The Grumpy Special
In 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…
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ITL #20: Anniversary Special - Part III
Chris 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...
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ITL #19: Anniversary Special - Part II
Chris 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.)…
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ITL #18: Anniversary Special - Part I
To 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...
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ITL #17: Kind of Baroque
Chris 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...
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ITL #16: When in Seville
Chris 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...
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ITL #15: Mostly Mozart
Chris 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,...
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ITL #14: The King's Gambit
New 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...
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ITL #13: The Christmas Special
Chris 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…
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ITL #12: Talking Tango - Interview with Iona Italia
Impolite 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…
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ITL #11: The Vertigo Effect
Chris 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…
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ITL #10: Side Notes
After 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...
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ITL #9: The Glass Cage
After 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,...
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ITL #8: #Beethoven250?
After 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....
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ITL #7: The Source Code
Chris 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...
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ITL #6: Remembering Ennio Morricone
Chris 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...
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ITL #5: What is American Music?
Chris 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...
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ITL #4: YouTube Showdown
Chris 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...
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ITL #3: The Holiday Special
After 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...
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ITL #2: Does Film Music Count?
Chris 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…
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ITL #1: Should We Ban Applause?
Chris 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...
About this show
Classical music taken out of the ivory tower and into the town square. Hosted by Chris Arkin (trumpet, piano) and Sridhar Bhagavathula (flute).
Hosted by
Chris Arkin & Sridhar Bhagavathula
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