Arts & Culture
From Buenos Aires to Beijing: Classic 107 Celebrates Folklorama in Sound
🎉 Celebrating Folklorama on Classic 107: A Global Musical Journey, Weekdays at 1 PM (August 4–8, 2025) Classic 107 invites listeners to join us from Monday, August 4 through Friday, August 8, during the 1 PM hour, as we celebrate Folklorama 2025 through music inspired by the Argentina (Tango Pavilion), China (Chinese Pavilion), Ireland (Celtic Ireland Pavilion), Spain (Spain Pavilion), and Ukraine (Spirit of Ukraine Pavilion) pavilions — all part of Week 1 of the Festival, running August 3–9 in venues across Winnipeg . Folklorama, the world’s largest and longest-running multicultural festival, offers food, performances, cultural displays, and more from dozens of participating communities right here in Winnipeg. Tune In and Celebrate! From Monday to Friday at 1 PM, Classic 107 takes you on an international musical tour inspired by Folklorama’s Pavilion themes. Learn the stories behind the music, enjoy world‑class performances, and feel the spirit of Folklorama even on the radio. Celebrate Folklorama with us—no passport needed. 🎶 Monday, August 4 – Argentina (Tango Pavilion) Theme: The passion, rhythm, and elegance of Argentine tango and classical fusion 📻 1 PM Hour Playlist 1:00 PM – "Por una Cabeza" – Carlos Gardel Performed by Ksenija Sidorova (accordion) and Nicola Benedetti (violin) → One of the most iconic tangos of all time, composed in 1935 by Carlos Gardel. The melody captures the bittersweet tug-of-war between romance and risk, famously featured in Scent of a Woman. 1:03 PM – "Tangazo" – Astor Piazzolla Performed by Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal with Pedro da Silva (guitar) → Piazzolla’s masterwork of nuevo tango, combining classical form with tango’s sultry, syncopated rhythms. Written in 1969, it’s moody, modern, and quintessentially Argentine. 1:21 PM – "El Choclo" – Ángel Villoldo Performed by Daniel Binelli (mandolin) and Pedro da Silva (guitar) → One of the earliest tango standards (1903), El Choclo translates to "The Corn Cob." Its catchy, dramatic melody has made it an enduring favourite of tango ensembles around the world. 1:28 PM – "Suite Buenos Aires: Pompeya & Palermo" – Máximo Pujol Performed by Duo Similia → Pujol is one of the foremost composers for guitar in Argentina. This suite pays tribute to Buenos Aires neighbourhoods and weaves tango and milonga elements with classical textures. 1:36 PM – "Graciela y Buenos Aires" – José Bragato Performed by Benoît Loiselle (cello) and Les Violons du Roy led by Jean-Marie Zeitouni → Bragato, a close collaborator of Piazzolla, crafted this piece as an elegant homage to the tango capital. Cello takes centre stage in a sweeping, melancholic melody. 1:44 PM – "Estancia: Ballet Suite" – Alberto Ginastera Performed by the Simón Bolívar Youth Orchestra of Venezuela, conducted by Gustavo Dudamel → A rousing ballet from 1941 that celebrates the gaucho (Argentine cowboy) tradition with propulsive folk rhythms and colourful orchestration. 1:56 PM – "Buenos Aires" – Carlos Gardel → A nostalgic farewell to the city Gardel loved. Rich with yearning and tango flavour, it closes the hour on a note of cultural pride. 🎶 Tuesday, August 5 – China (Chinese Pavilion) Theme: Folk traditions and modern symphonic storytelling from across China 📻 1 PM Hour Playlist 1:00 PM – "Picking Reed Flowers" – Jiangsu Folksong Performed by Dehai Liu (pipa) and Takako Nishizaki (violin) → A lyrical duet merging Eastern and Western instruments, this folk tune evokes imagery of a tranquil Chinese countryside. 1:03 PM – "Butterfly Lovers Violin Concerto" – He Zhanhao & Chen Gang Performed by Takako Nishizaki (violin) with the Shanghai Conservatory Orchestra, conducted by Cheng Wu Fan → Composed in 1959, this romantic work fuses Chinese opera techniques and melodies with Western classical form. Based on the tragic legend of Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai — a Chinese Romeo & Juliet. 1:33 PM – "Happy Song" – Traditional Performed by Xu Pingxin (Chinese dulcimer – yangqin) → A spirited folk melody traditionally played during festivals and weddings, showcasing percussive brilliance and cheerful energy. 1:38 PM – "Morning Star Lily Flower" – Feng Liu Performed by On-Yuen Wong with the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Yip Wing-sie → A contemporary composition evoking floral imagery and celestial tranquility. Harmonically lush and delicately orchestrated. 1:43 PM – "Spirit of Spring – Piano Concerto" – Du Mingxin Performed by Jeno Jando (piano) with the Hungarian National Philharmonic (Nemzeti Filharmonikus Zenekar) under Zuohuang Chen → Written in the 1980s, this piano concerto embodies optimism and rebirth, blending pentatonic melodies with Western harmonies. 1:57 PM – "Mu Guiying" (from Chinese Opera) Performed by the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Yip Wing-sie → A musical portrait of a legendary female warrior from the Song Dynasty. The piece honours strength and leadership, using traditional operatic themes in orchestral form. 🎶 Wednesday, August 6 – Ireland (Celtic Ireland Pavilion) Theme: From folk songs to grand symphonic rhapsodies—an Irish musical tapestry. 1:00 PM – “Molly Malone” (The Blarney Lads) → A beloved Dublin street ballad, “Cockles and mussels,” immortalizing the fictional fishmonger Molly Malone in Irish folklore. 1:02 PM – Irish Symphony (Sir Hamilton Harty) Performed by the Ulster Orchestra under Bryden Thompson → Composed in 1904, Harty’s Symphony in D minor blends Irish folk themes with late-Romantic orchestration. Harty, an Irish conductor and composer famed for championing national melodies, won the work in a composition competition and later became conductor of the prestigious Hallé Orchestra. His music resonates with Irish spirit presented in grand symphonic form 1:39 PM – “Mo Ghile Mear” (Traditional; UCD Choral Scholars) → A traditional Irish folk lament (“My gallant son”) revitalized as an anthem reflecting heritage, loss, and resilience. 1:43 PM – 6th Irish Rhapsody (Charles Villiers Stanford) Performed by Lydia Mordkovitch (violin) & Ulster Orchestra under Vernon Handley → Stanford’s violin-led rhapsody draws on Irish folk tunes, elaborating them within lush orchestral textures. 1:54 PM – “Dublin” (The Chieftains) → An instrumental homage to Ireland’s capital by legends of Irish folk music. 1:56 PM – “When Irish Eyes Are Smiling” (Irish Tenors) 🎶 Thursday, August 7 – Spain (Pabellón de España) Theme: Passionate Iberian rhythms meet poetic guitar and vocal artistry. 1:00 PM – “Asturias” (Isaac Albéniz; John Williams, guitar) → Originally a piano piece inspired by Spanish dance rhythms, popularized on guitar by John Williams’ fiery interpretation. 1:06 PM – “El Amor Brujo” (Manuel de Falla; Tourangeau & Montreal Symphony) → A haunting ballet-cantata rooted in Andalusian gypsy legend. Fuses flamenco rhythms, folk tunes, and orchestral drama. 1:33 PM – Canciones Clásicas Españolas IV (Fernando Obradors; Bayrakdarian & Parker) → A lyrical song from the Spanish zarzuela tradition, marked by elegance, nostalgia, and vocal refinement. 1:36 PM – Concierto de Aranjuez, 2nd movement (Joaquín Rodrigo; John Williams & Winnipeg Symphony under Kazuhiro Koizumi) → Poetic and deeply emotive—Rodrigo’s signature guitar concerto movement evokes yearning and pastoral beauty. 1:47 PM – “Valencia” & “Asturiana” (Enrique Granados; Alicia de Larrocha) → Two vibrant piano dances from Danzas Españolas, each pulse with regional color—from festive Valencia to the soulful Asturias. 1:56 PM – Selections from Aires de la Mancha (Joaquín Rodrigo or Federico Moreno Torroba; John Williams) → Celebratory orchestral suite capturing the spirit of La Mancha’s folk traditions and landscapes. 🎶Friday, August 8 – Ukraine (Spirit of Ukraine Pavilion) Theme: Patriotism, lyricism, and classical richness—from symphony to solo piano. 1:00 PM – Symphony No. 1 “From My Homeland” (Bortkiewicz; BBC Scottish Orchestra under Martyn Brabbins) → A sweeping Romantic symphony that conveys deep national pride and identity—a tribute to Ukrainian homeland. 1:40 PM – Ukraine Suite, movements "Duma" and "Vesnyanka" (Ihor Shamo; Natalya Petrychenko, piano) → Intimate piano miniatures reflecting Ukrainian folk character and seasonal cycles. 1:46 PM – Final movement of String Quartet (Vasyl Barvinsky; Vivere Quartet) → Chamber music finale built on lyrical folk-inspired themes and classical structure reverberating Ukrainian soul. 1:51 PM – Taras Bulba Overture (Franz Waxman; London Philharmonic under John Mauceri) → A cinematic overture inspired by Gogol’s epic tale. Bold, dramatic, and emotionally charged. 1:57 PM – Étude No. 11 (Mykola Kosenko; Natalya Shkoda, piano) → A solo piano study showcasing virtuosity and folk idioms—a closing nod to Ukraine’s pianistic traditON So whether you’re planning your pavilion-hopping route, reminiscing about a past visit, or simply eager to explore global cultures through music, tuning in to Classic 107 at 1 PM each weekday is your passport to the world. This special Folklorama-inspired hour brings the spirit, soul, and sound of the festival straight to your speakers—no passport required. From fiery tango to lilting Irish folk and stirring Ukrainian symphonies, each program reflects the heart of a culture celebrated during Week 1 of Folklorama. It’s the perfect soundtrack to your afternoon—and a musical celebration of one of Winnipeg’s most vibrant and unifying festivals.