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.
Wednesday October 10th
Across Canada, it sure does feel like the kind of day for Mahler. And who are we to hold that back from you?
(our on-air broadcast played one movement from this piece, also performed by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. However, the piece we played was with Georg Solti directing.)
Sarah Brightman, the classical crossover soprano (and former wife of Andrew Lloyd Webber) is going to the space station. It's been announced that she will be Russia's next space tourist, along with a handful of other non-astronauts. While this may seem odd, it's nothing new. During the first manned hot air balloon flight, the Montgolfier brothers were instructed to use convicted criminals by King Louis XVI (in case anything went wrong). However, in the end volunteers took the flight and landed safely. It looks like no matter what the danger, people will be willing to do something if they are first in line.
SHIFT today has some real poignant cover songs. Instead of covering the classics, we're keeping it all contemporary. First, an acoustic version of the South Korean rapper PSY's viral hit "Gangnam Style" (this one will require a bit of trust, but if you have any exercise it). Second, an engaging reworking of "Pumped Up Kicks", but from Miracles of Modern Science.
Is it possible that your body type simply doesn't respond to exercise the way other bodies do? A British company not only believes it, but they'll let you know your results if you send them a cheek swab. But really, do you want to know? Or could knowing be the worst thing?
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 Alison Howard ( alison.howard@cbc.ca ) or Alex Redekop ( alex.redekop@cbc.ca ).