Uploaded March 2025 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
🎶 Support the channel: patreon.com/classicalnerd
Filmed on location in Lippes Concert Hall in Slee Hall, University at Buffalo.
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Music:
- Erik Satie: Gymnopédie #1, performed in fits and starts by Thomas Little
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Contact Information:
Questions and comments can be directed to:
nerdofclassical [at] gmail.com
Facebook:
facebook.com/classicalnerd
Instagram:
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.
🎶 Support the channel: patreon.com/classicalnerd
Filmed on location in Lippes Concert Hall in Slee Hall, University at Buffalo.
----------
Music:
- Erik Satie: Gymnopédie #1, performed in fits and starts by Thomas Little
----------
Contact Information:
Questions and comments can be directed to:
nerdofclassical [at] gmail.com
Facebook:
facebook.com/classicalnerd
Instagram:
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.

![Composition Masterclass #5: Livestream + Q&A
🎶 Support the channel:
🎼 https://lentovivace.bandcamp.com
🎼 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:
- Jose V.: G Suite [MIDI render]
- Hunter Selbach: Sure Never Till My Latest Breath [MIDI render]
- Brennen Rigley: Atsa Tanai Ginun [MIDI render]
- Michael R.: Sextet in G minor [MIDI render]
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. Composition Masterclass #5: Livestream + Q&A](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/wsPVoAMxqis/mqdefault.jpg)
![The Dizzying Math of Conlon Nancarrow
🎶 Support the channel: http://www.patreon.com/classicalnerd
0:00 Introduction
0:26 I: Portrait of a Communist as a Young Man
3:48 II: Into Exile
7:48 III: The Player Piano
12:23 IV: The Studies
32:36 V: The Just Intonation of Time
38:49 VI: Rediscovery
41:32 VII: Beyond the Player Piano
📚 Sources/further reading:
“The Music of Conlon Nancarrow” by Kyle Gann (Cambridge University Press, 1995)
“Selected ’Studies’ for Player Piano by Conlon Nancarrow: Sources, Working Methods, and Compositional Strategies” by Helena Bugallo (PhD dissertation, SUNY Buffalo, 2004)
“Temporal Friction in Conlon Nancarrow’s Study No. 36 for Player Piano” by Jonathan Wesley Wilkes (PhD dissertation, UC Davis, 2009)
“Conlon Nancarrow’s ‘Temporal Dissonance’: Rhythmic and Textural Stratification in the Studies for Player Piano” by Margaret Elida Thomas (PhD dissertation, Yale, 1996)
https://www.bruceduffie.com/nancarrow2.html
Music:
- Thomas Little Wingate: Dance! #2, performed by Rachel Fellows, Michael King, and Bruce Tippette
- Conlon Nancarrow: Studies for Player Piano
- Conlon Nancarrow: Septet (1940), performed by the Ives Ensemble: https://soundcloud.com/dailai-tid-comment/conlon-nancarrow-septet-ives-ensemble
- Conlon Nancarrow: Trio #1 (1940), performed by David Krakauer, Celeste Marie Roy, and Joel Sachs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygQGu90Gd9w
- Conlon Nancarrow: Study #15, transcribed by Yvar Mikhashoff, performed by Imri Talgam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWuofqr6zss
- Conlon Nancarrow: Study #16, transcribed by Yvar Mikhashoff, performed by Ensemble Modern conducted by Ingo Metzmacher: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfUSwX8qhHQ
- Conlon Nancarrow: Study #6, grand piano version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AgyOb8O81To
- Conlon Nancarrow: Study #30: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2cu4cLWx14
- Conlon Nancarrow: String Quartet #3, performed by the Aizuri Quartet: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cE9EgqCPNNA
- Conlon Nancarrow: Piece for Tape: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ts0DDzUYNOI
Player piano footage: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k33NfhdDxaI
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. The Dizzying Math of Conlon Nancarrow](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/xc8mAa_uzMk/mqdefault.jpg)
![Solfège: An Introduction
A look at what we call our notes.
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:
- Thomas Little: Gossamer Limerence, Op. 9b, performed by Wooram Kwon and Thomas Little
- 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. Solfège: An Introduction](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/yS-yygL-894/mqdefault.jpg)
![What is a Chaconne?
A look at the 17th century macarena.
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:
- J.S. Bach: Violin Partita No. 2 in D minor, BWV 1004, Mvt. V “Chaconne,” arranged for solo piano by Ferruccio Busoni, performed by Stefano Ligoratti and available on IMSLP: http://tinyurl.com/gl8ubd8
- 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. What is a Chaconne?](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/z5R8o7EeKOo/mqdefault.jpg)
![Composition Masterclass #9: Irrational Time Signatures, Sonatinas, & Much More
🎶 Support the channel:
🎼 https://lentovivace.bandcamp.com
🎼 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.
Todays pieces:
- “something something” by Joonghyun Lee [w/ MIDI render]: 0:00
- “Bright Fanfare” by Lucas Holton [w/ MIDI render]: 38:37
- Piano Sonata #1 (exposition) by Andres Abarca [w/ MIDI render]: 57:54
- “Sonatina Introspecttivo” by Patrick Tianqi Liu [w/ MIDI render]: 1:17:38
- “Trio à Cordes: Couleurs” by Brooklyn Penkauskas [w/ MIDI render]: 1:26:56
- Little Piece by Joseph Alvarez (performed by Audrey Jiang) [original upload: VdefvChforg]: 1:38:17
Additional 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. Composition Masterclass #9: Irrational Time Signatures, Sonatinas, & Much More](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/zZ29O1vvLac/mqdefault.jpg)