Uploaded May 2018 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Architecture? In classical music? It's more likely than you think.
This was a viewer request from YouTubers Teddy Pena, Dustin Troyer, Thrym GLG, and torram28. See the current request queue at lentovivace.com/requestqueue.html.
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Classical Nerd is a weekly video series covering music history, theoretical concepts, and techniques, hosted by composer, pianist, and music history aficionado Thomas Little.
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Music:
- Iannis Xenakis: Keqrops (1986), performed by Claudio Abbado and the Mahlerjugendorchester conducted by Roger Woodward [original upload: xFOUBHJp3Ms]
- Thomas Little: Dance! #2 in E minor, Op. 1 No. 2, performed by Rachel Fellows, Michael King, and Bruce Tippette
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Contact Information:
Questions and comments can be directed to:
nerdofclassical [at] gmail.com
Tumblr:
classical-nerd.tumblr.com
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All images and audio in this video are for educational purposes only and are not intended as copyright infringement. If you have a copyright concern, please contact me using the above information.
Architecture? In classical music? It's more likely than you think.
This was a viewer request from YouTubers Teddy Pena, Dustin Troyer, Thrym GLG, and torram28. See the current request queue at lentovivace.com/requestqueue.html.
----------
Classical Nerd is a weekly video series covering music history, theoretical concepts, and techniques, hosted by composer, pianist, and music history aficionado Thomas Little.
----------
Music:
- Iannis Xenakis: Keqrops (1986), performed by Claudio Abbado and the Mahlerjugendorchester conducted by Roger Woodward [original upload: xFOUBHJp3Ms]
- Thomas Little: Dance! #2 in E minor, Op. 1 No. 2, performed by Rachel Fellows, Michael King, and Bruce Tippette
----------
Contact Information:
Questions and comments can be directed to:
nerdofclassical [at] gmail.com
Tumblr:
classical-nerd.tumblr.com
----------
All images and audio in this video are for educational purposes only and are not intended as copyright infringement. If you have a copyright concern, please contact me using the above information.
![How We (Donât) Talk About Music: Cross-Domain Mapping
đ¶ Support the channel:
http://www.patreon.com/classicalnerd
https://www.paypal.me/classicalnerd
đ Sources/further reading:
âConceptualizing Music: Cognitive Structure, Theory, and Analysisâ by Lawrence Zbikowski (Oxford University Press, 2002)
ââFlow like a Waterfallâ: The Metaphors of Kaluli Musical Theoryâ by Steven Feld (Yearbook for Traditional Music, 1981, Vol. 13, pp. 22â47)
Music:
- Thomas Little: Dance! #2, performed by Rachel Fellows, Michael King, and Bruce Tippette
Contact Information:
Questions and comments can be directed to:
nerdofclassical [at] gmail.com
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/classicalnerd/
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/the_classical_nerd/
All images and audio in this video are for educational purposes only and are not intended as copyright infringement. If you have a copyright concern, please contact me using the above information. How We (Donât) Talk About Music: Cross-Domain Mapping](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/SzCvtFcCzS0/mqdefault.jpg)
![The âFifth Evangelist:â The Life and Works of Johann Sebastian Bach
đ¶ Support the channel:
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Please note that the clip at 9:59 was filmed several years ago as part of a short film project called âJohann Sebastian is Bach,â shot on location at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. (Go Fighting Pickles!)
đ Sources/further reading:
âBach: Music in the Castle of Heavenâ by John Eliot Gardiner (Knopf, 2013)
âA Pedagogical Approach to the Bach Two Part Inventionsâ by Carol W. Coryell (Masters thesis, University of North Texas, 1969): https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc663406/m2/1/high_res_d/1002774067-Coryell.pdf
âPerformance Practice of Johann Sebastian Bachs Passio Secundum Johannem â A Study of 25 Years of Recorded History (1982-2007) as Influenced by Events Surrounding the Historically Informed Performance Movementâ by Michael Troy Murphy (PhD dissertation, Florida State University, 2008): https://diginole.lib.fsu.edu/islandora/object/fsu:180409/datastream/PDF/view
âA Study of J.S. Bachâs Sacred and Secular Vocal Works Influenced by Popular Stylized Dance of the French Baroque Court: A Performerâs Guideâ by Dione J. Napier (DMA dissertation, University of Kentucky, 2014)
âVoice-Leading Patterns in the Fugal Expositions of J.S. Bachâs âWell-Tempered Clavierââ by William Jonathan Michael Renwick (PhD dissertation, CUNY, 1987): https://academicworks.cuny.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3478&context=gc_etds
Classical Nerd is a video series covering music history, theoretical concepts, and techniques, hosted by composer, pianist, and music history aficionado Thomas Little.
Music:
- Johann Sebastian Bach: Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 in G major, BWV 1048, performed by A Far Cry and available on IMSLP: https://tinyurl.com/yykz5yum
- Thomas Little: Dance! #2, arranged in a fugal style by Thomas Little and performed by Raymond Hawkins [ https://tinyurl.com/y3b3j8vt ]
- Johann Sebastian Bach: Brandenburg Concerto No. 4 in G major, BWV 1049, performed by the Gardner Chamber Orchestra and available on IMSLP: https://tinyurl.com/y2du3fho
- Johann Sebastian Bach: Brandenburg Concerto No. 6 in B-flat major, BWV 1051, performed by the Gardner Chamber Orchestra and available on IMSLP: https://tinyurl.com/y2mcgpha
Contact Information:
Questions and comments can be directed to:
nerdofclassical [at] gmail.com
Tumblr:
https://classical-nerd.tumblr.com
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/classicalnerd/
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/the_classical_nerd/
All images and audio in this video are for educational purposes only and are not intended as copyright infringement. If you have a copyright concern, please contact me using the above information. The âFifth Evangelist:â The Life and Works of Johann Sebastian Bach](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/T7UMnvTLads/mqdefault.jpg)
![Neo-Riemannian Theory: An Introduction
đ¶ Support the channel:
đŒ https://lentovivace.bandcamp.com
đŒ https://www.patreon.com/classicalnerd
0:00 : Who was Hugo Riemann?
1:38 : Whats This Theory Trying to Do?
3:50 : Basic Neo-Riemannian Transformations (P, R, and L)
6:52 : Some Secondary Transformations (N, S, and H)
8:27 : Uniform Triadic Transformations (UTTs)
12:15 : Why Isnt This Taught?
đ Selected Further Reading:
Uniform Triadic Transformations by Julian Hook (Journal of Music Theory, 46:1/2, SpringâAutumn 2022)
Alfred Schnittkes Triadic Practice by Christopher Segall (Journal of Music Theory, 61:2, Oct. 2017)
Classical Nerd is a video series covering music history, theoretical concepts, and techniques, hosted by composer, pianist, and music history aficionado Thomas Little.
Music:
- Thomas Little: Dance! #2, performed by Rachel Fellows, Michael King, and Bruce Tippette
- Thomas Little: Invasion of the Minor Seconds for Pierrot Ensemble and Percussion
Contact Information:
Questions and comments can be directed to:
nerdofclassical [at] gmail.com
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/classicalnerd/
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/the_classical_nerd/
All images and audio in this video are for educational purposes only and are not intended as copyright infringement. If you have a copyright concern, please contact me using the above information. Neo-Riemannian Theory: An Introduction](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/TY4awNdZ1y8/mqdefault.jpg)
![Robert Carl on Postmodernism, Spectralism, Studying with Xenakis, and More
đ¶ Support the channel: http://www.patreon.com/classicalnerd
Visit Dr. Carls web site at http://www.robertcarlcomposer.com
0:00 Introduction
0:54 Why Xenakis isnât postmodern
3:15 Postmodernism as movement vs. stance
4:18 How Xenakis âblew [Carlâs] mindâ
5:18 Postmodernism as restructuring
7:29 Having âoutsidersâ as teachers
11:30 Betsy Jolas and French âcultural self-awarenessâ
13:02 Spectralism and serialism in 1980s Paris
15:04 How studying history impacted Carlâs music
18:46 Non-teleological music (Zimmermann, Stockhausen, Oliveros)
21:15 Carlâs harmonic approach
23:44 Overtones as a structural device
25:21 Cowellâs âunified field theoryâ
27:00 âFrom the Ground Upâ (2002)
30:18 When overtones meet equal temperament
31:31 âChanging My Spotsâ (2005)
37:12 Choosing an intonation system
39:08 âNight Gardenâ (2012â13)
41:58 The âharmonic ladderâ
46:05 Modulation between harmonic series
47:46 Fixed and frozen register
48:30 Composers should be theorists, too
51:00 Transcendentalism vs. humanism
54:25 Young composersâ diverse inspiration
55:53 How artificial intelligence will impact music industry
58:06 Concert musicâs appeal
59:52 Values in popular music
1:01:07 Recent work
1:02:21 Quasi-improvised âInfinity Avenueâ (2017)
1:03:19 Symphony No. 7 âInfinity Avenueâ (2020)
1:04:09 âInfinity Avenueâ as a continuing project
1:05:16 Only writing whatâs necessary
1:05:39 Conclusion
đ Sources/further reading:
Music Composition in the 21st Century: A Practical Guide for the New Common Practice by Robert Carl (Bloomsbury, 2020)
Temporal and Harmonic Concerns in the Music of Robert Carl by Daniel Morel (MM thesis, UMKC, 2018): https://mospace.umsystem.edu/xmlui/handle/10355/64180
Music:
Bernd Alois Zimmermann: Stille und Umkehr (1970), performed by the Frankfurt Radio Symphony conducted by Hans Zender: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UeteD0zHMqo
Robert Carl: From the Ground Up (2002), performed by John McDonald: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zpe2w8pd8jo
Robert Carl: Changing My Spots (2005), premiere recording
Robert Carl: Night Garden (2012â13)
Robert Carl: Infinity Avenue, quasi-improvised version (2017), performed by Henry Birdsey, Adam Buffington, Robert Carl, Zach Rowden, Trevor Saint, and Matt Sargent: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXw-InMYbKA
Robert Carl: Symphony No. 7 Infinity Avenue (2020), performed by Foot in the Door conducted by Edward Cumming: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1X2eX2z5r5U
Robert Carl: White Heron (2012), performed by the Boston Modern Orchestra Project conducted by Gil Rose: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NoDfLsfaiAA
Contact Information:
Questions and comments can be directed to:
nerdofclassical [at] gmail.com
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/classicalnerd/
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/the_classical_nerd/
All images and audio in this video are for educational purposes only and are not intended as copyright infringement. If you have a copyright concern, please contact me using the above information. Robert Carl on Postmodernism, Spectralism, Studying with Xenakis, and More](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/TuVNxkV7ULA/mqdefault.jpg)
![Alan Belkin on Salience, David Diamond, and More
Thanks again to Dr. Belkin for his time! Check him out at https://alanbelkinmusic.com/ or his YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUQ0TcIbY_VEk_KC406pRpg
Classical Nerd is a video series covering music history, theoretical concepts, and techniques, hosted by composer, pianist, and music history aficionado Thomas Little.
Music:
- Thomas Little: Dance! #2 in E minor, performed by Rachel Fellows, Michael King, and Bruce Tippette
Contact Information:
Questions and comments can be directed to:
nerdofclassical [at] gmail.com
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/classicalnerd/
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/the_classical_nerd/
All images and audio in this video are for educational purposes only and are not intended as copyright infringement. If you have a copyright concern, please contact me using the above information. Alan Belkin on Salience, David Diamond, and More](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/UFUjfPgTgJk/mqdefault.jpg)
![Great Composers: Giacinto Scelsi
A look at the final Count of Ayala Valva.
This was a viewer request from YouTuber BASSOONISTFROMHELL. Please note that requests for future videos are on hold for the time being, given the extraordinary number of requests Ive already received. See the current request queue at http://lentovivace.com/requestqueue.html.
Classical Nerd is a weekly video series covering music history, theoretical concepts, and techniques, hosted by composer, pianist, and music history aficionado Thomas Little.
Music:
- Giacinto Scelsi: Four Pieces on a Single Note, performed by the Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra conducted by Peter Rundel [original upload: MfTjz6emd7c]
- Thomas Little: Dance! #2 in E minor, Op. 1 No. 2, performed by Rachel Fellows, Michael King, and Bruce Tippette
Contact Information:
Questions and comments can be directed to:
nerdofclassical [at] gmail.com
Tumblr:
classical-nerd.tumblr.com
All images and audio in this video are for educational purposes only and are not intended as copyright infringement. If you have a copyright concern, please contact me using the above information. Great Composers: Giacinto Scelsi](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/UX_8DJeaGaU/mqdefault.jpg)
![Tuning: An Introduction
đ¶ Support the channel: http://www.patreon.com/classicalnerd
đ Sources/further reading:
Info on quarter-comma meantone and Werkmeister III were sourced from tables on Kyle Ganns web site [https://www.kylegann.com/histune.html], which in turn comes from Tuning: Containing the Perfection of Eighteenth-Century Temperament, the Lost Art of Nineteenth-Century Temperament, and the Science of Equal Temperament by Owen Jorgensen (Michigan State University Press, 1991).
The video featuring split sharps may be found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7GhAuZH6phs
Additionally, I highly recommend the book How Equal Temperament Ruined Harmony (and Why You Should Care) by Ross W. Duffin (Norton, 2007).
Music:
- Thomas Little: Dance! #2, performed by Rachel Fellows, Michael King, and Bruce Tippette
Contact Information:
Questions and comments can be directed to:
nerdofclassical [at] gmail.com
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/classicalnerd/
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/the_classical_nerd/
All images and audio in this video are for educational purposes only and are not intended as copyright infringement. If you have a copyright concern, please contact me using the above information. Tuning: An Introduction](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Uikxrhl5w2E/mqdefault.jpg)
![Rethinking Dissonance (A Theory of Harmonic Symmetry)
đ¶ Support the channel:
đŒ https://lentovivace.bandcamp.com
đŒ https://www.patreon.com/classicalnerd
Classical Nerd is a video series covering music history, theoretical concepts, and techniques, hosted by composer, pianist, and music history aficionado Thomas Little.
Music:
- Thomas Little: Dance! #2 in E minor, performed by Rachel Fellows, Michael King, and Bruce Tippette
Contact Information:
Questions and comments can be directed to:
nerdofclassical [at] gmail.com
Tumblr:
https://classical-nerd.tumblr.com
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/classicalnerd/
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/the_classical_nerd/
All images and audio in this video are for educational purposes only and are not intended as copyright infringement. If you have a copyright concern, please contact me using the above information. Rethinking Dissonance (A Theory of Harmonic Symmetry)](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/VARBs7_K2z8/mqdefault.jpg)
![Great Composers: Imogen Holst
A look at the second-most-famous Holst.
This was a viewer request from YouTuber classicalmusic26. If youve got a question or request for a future video, leave a comment, shoot me a message through YouTube, or use the email/Tumblr links below.
Classical Nerd is a weekly video series covering music history, theoretical concepts, and techniques, hosted by composer, pianist, and music history aficionado Thomas Little.
Music:
- Imogen Holst: âPhantasyâ Quartet, performed by the London Conchord Ensemble [original upload: a5wokRknTRE]
- Thomas Little: Dance! #2 in E minor, Op. 1 No. 2, performed by Rachel Fellows, Michael King, and Bruce Tippette
Contact Information:
Questions and comments can be directed to:
nerdofclassical [at] gmail.com
Tumblr:
classical-nerd.tumblr.com
All images and audio in this video are for educational purposes only and are not intended as copyright infringement. If you have a copyright concern, please contact me using the above information. Great Composers: Imogen Holst](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/VHcMU5D41TI/mqdefault.jpg)
![Musical Sudoku: Serialisms History and Techniques
Math in music? Its more likely than you think.
This was a viewer request from YouTuber Quinn Roberts. See the current request queue at http://lentovivace.com/requestqueue.html.
Classical Nerd is a weekly video series covering music history, theoretical concepts, and techniques, hosted by composer, pianist, and music history aficionado Thomas Little.
Music:
- Arnold Schoenberg: Piano Suite, Op. 25, performed by Peter Bradley-Fulgoni and available on IMSLP: https://tinyurl.com/yarg6ygr
- Thomas Little: Dance! #2 in E minor, Op. 1 No. 2, performed by Rachel Fellows, Michael King, and Bruce Tippette
Contact Information:
Questions and comments can be directed to:
nerdofclassical [at] gmail.com
Tumblr:
classical-nerd.tumblr.com
All images and audio in this video are for educational purposes only and are not intended as copyright infringement. If you have a copyright concern, please contact me using the above information. Musical Sudoku: Serialisms History and Techniques](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/VhA3W3PAb5g/mqdefault.jpg)
![Confronting Stillness: The Life and Works of Morton Feldman
đ¶ Support the channel:
đŒ https://lentovivace.bandcamp.com
đŒ https://www.patreon.com/classicalnerd
đ Sources/further reading:
http://www.cnvill.net/mfhall.pdf
http://nilsvigeland.com/writings-interviews/morton-feldman-ii
http://www.cnvill.net/mf-interview-with-Nils-Vigeland.pdf
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/242758215_Morton_Feldman_and_Abstract_Expressionism_Time_and_sound_construction_in_his_piano_miniatures_of_the_1950s_and_1960s
https://publications.lakeforest.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1007&context=seniortheses
http://rohandrape.net/ut/rttcc-text/Hanninen2004a.pdf
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKyW2Ua_9YY
http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php/topic,28007.20.html
https://fsu.digital.flvc.org/islandora/object/fsu:175589/datastream/PDF/view
https://portal.rcs.ac.uk/mdonohue/wp-content/uploads/sites/261/2017/02/Vertical_thoughts-morton-feldman.pdf
http://www.ex-tempore.org/mpaccione/MPACCIONE.htm
This was requested by Ryan Edwards, Chlamydius Spearmint, Joe Rhodes, Harrison Koley, Stavroula Mi, and Zachary Detrick. See all requests at http://www.lentovivace.com/classicalnerd.html.
Classical Nerd is a video series covering music history, theoretical concepts, and techniques, hosted by composer, pianist, and music history aficionado Thomas Little.
Music:
- Thomas Little: Dance! #2 in E minor, performed by Rachel Fellows, Michael King, and Bruce Tippette
- Morton Feldman: Coptic Light, performed by the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra conducted by Peter Eötvös [original upload: PgS37X4P2hM]
- Morton Feldman: The King of Denmark, performed by Colin Frank [original upload: rZpa0WWAK5c]
- Morton Feldman: Rothko Chapel, performed by the Ensemble Intercontemporain and Les Cris de Paris conducted by Gregor A. Mayrhofer [original upload: ks_mZJR-lAQ]
- Morton Feldman: Between Categories, performed by Frank Wolff, Wilhelm Schulz, Christoph Keller, Morton Feldman, Hans-Peter Friedrich, Ulf Klausenitzer, Burkhard Wissemann, and Michael Dietz [original upload: XUnT3FOg0tI]
- Morton Feldman: Piano and Orchestra, performed by John Tilbury and the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra [original upload: r_gzPtMuKRw]
- Darude: Sandstorm, clip originally from Wikipedia [http://tinyurl.com/y2cch3md]
Footage:
- Morton Feldman, Ursula Oppens, and Elliott Carter in conversation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZzEnuUJEsA
Contact Information:
Questions and comments can be directed to:
nerdofclassical [at] gmail.com
Tumblr:
classical-nerd.tumblr.com
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/classicalnerd/
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/the_classical_nerd/
All images and audio in this video are for educational purposes only and are not intended as copyright infringement. If you have a copyright concern, please contact me using the above information. Confronting Stillness: The Life and Works of Morton Feldman](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/VpL80kd9qcY/mqdefault.jpg)