Classical Californians: RZA

Danny Hastings

This week's Classical Californian is RZA, the rap and hip-hop producer who was a founder of the Wu-Tang Clan. One of his most recent projects is a ballet that he wrote during Covid, which was performed with dancers, and has now been recorded by the Colorado Symphony. He'll play some of the selections from A Ballet Through Mud, as well as works from the classical and film music repertoire that influenced him in his own music making.

Classical Californians: RZA

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RZA: “Divine Intervention” from A Ballet Through Mud – Colorado Symphony, Christopher Dragon

RZA: “A Ballet Through Mud” from A Ballet Through Mud – Colorado Symphony, Christopher Dragon

RZA: “Soft Footsteps” from A Ballet Through Mud – Colorado Symphony, Christopher Dragon

RZA: “Freedom of Movement” from A Ballet Through Mud – Colorado Symphony, Christopher Dragon

RZA: “The Lotus Arrives” from A Ballet Through Mud – Colorado Symphony, Christopher Dragon

Burt Bacharach: "Walk On By" - Isaac Hayes

Bill Conti: “Gonna Fly Now” from the Rocky Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

Claude Debussy: “Clair de Lune” – Jean-Yves Thibaudet, piano

Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No. 5, mvt. 1 – Vienna Philharmonic, Carlos Kleiber

Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade, mvt. 1 – New York Philharmonic, Alan Gilbert

John Williams: “The Imperial March” from The Empire Strikes Back Original Motion Picture Soundtrack – London Symphony Orchestra, John Williams