What does pop owe to classical music?

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So, Hear Me Out – the classical music podcast

Southbank Centre

10 episodes

3 days ago

So, Hear Me Out is a brand new podcast from London’s Southbank Centre, exploring the big questions around classical music — and why it still matters today. Join hosts Linton Stephens (musician, broadcaster and Deputy Artistic Director of Chineke! Orchestra) and Gillian Moore (writer, broadcaster and Artistic Associate at Southbank Centre) as they challenge assumptions, unpick controversies, and share fresh ways of listening to the music you thought you knew. Each episode starts with a question — from “can classical music be laugh-out-loud funny?” to “is it okay to borrow instruments and styles from other cultures?” — and opens the door to two hand-picked pieces of music. Some you’ll recognise instantly, others might be brand new to you, but all will spark new perspectives. Expect surprising connections, plenty of feeling (not just theory), the occasional detour to Gillian’s piano, and a warm invitation into the classical world — no PhD required.

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Music Commentary

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What does pop owe to classical music? | So, Hear Me Out

So, Hear Me Out – the classical music podcast

34 minutes 16 seconds

1 month ago

What does pop owe to classical music? | So, Hear Me Out

In this episode, we find Beethoven in hip-hop and Chopin in pop.

We're diving into how modern music channels the classics, starting with Linton, who unpacks Nas’s hip-hop anthem ‘I Can’ and its iconic 'Für Elise' sample.

And then Gillian traces the transformation of Chopin's Prelude No. 20 into Barry Manilow’s soaring pop sensation, 'Could It Be Magic?'

Episode highlights:

00:00 Introduction

00:47 Pop music's classical roots

02:33 Personal musical journeys

05:10 Classical inspirations in Pop

06:21 Nas and Beethoven

19:24 Chopin's Influence on Barry Manilow’s ‘Could it be Magic?’

33:27 Conclusion and final thoughts

Featured music:

Nas' I Can (2002)

Barry Manilow's Could It Be Magic? (1971)

Get in touch:

📩 Send your classical questions to ⁠podcasts@southbankcentre.co.uk⁠

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Credits

Produced by Connor Gani

Executive Producers Emily Dicks and Phil Smith

Sound Mix by Solomon King

A Reduced Listening production for Southbank Centre