Welcome to Shift, where Tom Allen takes you on a daily musical journey from the stalwarts of Classical music to the cutting edge of Contemporary tunes. Join us here on CBC music for a round-up of the stories of the day, some videos of music (or maybe just videos interesting to music fans) and a place to speak your voice.
Thursday September 20th
Music reflects the era in which it was written. When Bach composed, he walked everywhere as a means of transport. Brahms, in his time, often rode upon horseback. Their music, respectively, can give the feeling of walking and riding. Albert Roussel's serenade comes from the 1920s. At this point, trains of all variety were in regular use. Roussel's time coincided with the peak of the Paris Metro. Instead of sounding like a billowing train crossing the prairies, his composition here somehow inherently feels underground. Can you think of music that properly embodies the era around it?
(our on-air broadcast featured Roussel's piece being performed by the Montreal Chamber Players)
A new animal has leapt into internet stardom. This time, it isn't a cat. When a goat squeals in peril in a small body of water, a small piglet dives in to be the hero. But really, you have to see it to believe it. An nearby witness is heard to swear off eating pork from that moment on. Will you do the same?
Babies are born in cabs, on planes... this one is the first to be born at the front lines of battle.
Don't forget that tomorrow is the Rainbow Battle: Week 2. Last week, Ian Tyson's rendition of Over the Rainbow earned him a win over the Maynard Ferguson Sextet. Tomorrow will have a brand new version of Over the Rainbow for Ian to contend with. Check back, and have your say.
You can contact us at SHIFT with your ideas, questions, or anything else by sending us a message on our Facebook page. Through email, you can reach show producers Alex Redekop ( alex.redekop@cbc.ca ) or Alison Howard ( alison.howard@cbc.ca).