Rudolph Nureyev stars in a re-creation of the original Ballets Russes production. Nijinsky’s choreography for the piece was carefully documented in a series of still photographs, so this production is very authentic.
045 The God of Dance
Vaslav Nijinksy bursts onto the scene as a new kind of ballet dancer for a new kind of ballet, becoming the star of Sergei Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes. Over a five year period, 1909-1913, these two men would redefine ballet.
Playlist:
Fanfare
Opening Theme
Shéhérezade
Composed in 1888 by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov. Public domain.
Public domain recording. Source.
Prélude à l’après-midi d’un faune
Composed in 1894 by Claude Debussy. Public domain.
Performed by the Natalia Ensemble, and used pursuant to a Creative Commons license. Details.
Closing Theme
Except when otherwise indicated, the contents of this podcast are © and ℗ 2015, 2016 by Mark Painter, all rights reserved. Some sound effects used by arrangement with Pond 5.
044 Charlatan and Charmer
The Russian aristocrat Sergei Diaghilev brings Russian art to the Western world, and becomes a hugely influential figure in the world of art.
Playlist:
Fanfare
Opening Theme
Concerto No. 1 in F-sharp Minor
Composed in 1892 by Sergei Rachmaninoff. Public domain.
Performed by the University of Washington Symphony Orchestra, Neal O’Doan, piano. Recording used pursuant to a Creative Commons license. Details.
Closing Theme
Except when otherwise indicated, the contents of this podcast are © and ℗ 2015, 2016 by Mark Painter, all rights reserved. Some sound effects used by arrangement with Pond 5.
043: Carry a Big Stick
In his final years as President, Theodore Roosevelt continues to pursue an aggressive foreign policy, while at home, racial tensions, an earthquake, and a stock market panic roil American politics.
Playlist:
Fanfare
Opening Theme
“El Himno de Bayamo”
Composed in 1867 by Perucho Figueredo. Public domain.
Performed by the United States Navy Band. Public domain recording. Source.
“Jacob’s Ladder”
Traditional. Arranged by Mark Painter.
Closing Theme
Except when otherwise indicated, the contents of this podcast are © and ℗ 2015, 2016 by Mark Painter, all rights reserved. Some sound effects used by arrangement with Pond 5.
042: A Square Deal for Every Man
Theodore Roosevelt is re-elected in 1904, breaking the Vice Presidents’ curse. William Howard Taft emerges as Roosevelt’s most trusted advisor and spokesperson, and Roosevelt begins to speak of Taft as his preferred successor. 1906 proves to be Roosevelt’s best year yet, as he gets much of his legislative agenda through Congress.
Playlist:
Fanfare
Opening Theme
“The Cascades”
Composed in 1904 by Scott Joplin. Public domain.
Public domain recording. Source. Thanks to Ragnar Hellspong.
Closing Theme
Except when otherwise indicated, the contents of this podcast are © and ℗ 2015, 2016 by Mark Painter, all rights reserved. Some sound effects used by arrangement with Pond 5.
041: Fear God and Dread Nought
In 1906, the Royal Navy launched HMS Dreadnought, a revolutionary new design of battleship. The following year, British and Russian diplomats negotiated an Anglo-Russian entente, along the lines of the earlier Anglo-French entente.
Playlist:
Fanfare
Opening Theme
“Cançáo do Exército”
Composed by Teófilo de Magalhães. Public domain.
Performed by The United States Navy Band. Public domain recording. Source.
“Jack Tar March”
Composed in 1903 by John Philip Sousa. Public domain.
Performed by The United States Navy Band. Public domain recording. Source.
Prelude from Das Rheingold
Composed in 18693 by Richard Wagner. Public domain.
Performed by The United States Marine Band. Public domain recording. Source.
Closing Theme
Except when otherwise indicated, the contents of this podcast are © and ℗ 2015, 2016 by Mark Painter, all rights reserved. Some sound effects used by arrangement with Pond 5.
040: Moments of Tension
In 1905, Germany precipitates an international crisis over French intervention in Morocco, hoping to drive a wedge between France and Britain.
Playlist:
Fanfare
Opening Theme
“Arabesca” from 12 danzas españolas, arranged for guitar.
Composed in 1880 by Enrique Granados Campiña. Public domain.
Performed by William Riley. Public domain recording. Source.
Except when otherwise indicated, the contents of this podcast are © and ℗ 2015, 2016 by Mark Painter, all rights reserved. Some sound effects used by arrangement with Pond 5.
039: You Are All Wrong
The Entente Cordiale had been a tremendous diplomatic success for Britain. Now, the British government hopes to come to a similar understanding with Russia, and possibly with Germany as well. But Russia, losing a war with Britain’s ally, Japan, is not feeling much love for the United Kingdom. And Germany’s naval buildup is a major bone of contention between her and Britain.
Playlist:
Fanfare
Opening Theme
“Rule, Britannia!”
Composed in 1740 by Thomas Arne. Public domain.
Closing Theme
Except when otherwise indicated, the contents of this podcast are © and ℗ 2015, 2016 by Mark Painter, all rights reserved. Some sound effects used by arrangement with Pond 5.
038: The Politics of the Future
By 1905, the Conservatives had controlled the British government for nearly twenty years. But they could not control the forces that were transforming British society. The Liberals are poised to take power, but the rise of the Labour Party poses the question, are even the Liberals out of touch with modern Britain?
Playlist:
Fanfare
Opening Theme
Fanfare-Rondeau
Composed in 1729 by Jean-Joseph Mouret. Public domain.
“Ja, vi elsker dette landet” (“Yes, We Love This Country”)
Composed in 1864 by Rikard Nordraak. Public domain.
Performed by the United States Navy Band. Public domain recording. Source.
Except when otherwise indicated, the contents of this podcast are © and ℗ 2015, 2016 by Mark Painter, all rights reserved. Some sound effects used by arrangement with Pond 5.
Reminder
Today is the 240th anniversary of the independence of the United States of America. So, there will be no new episode this week, but we will be back next week!