Classical Pairings

Host Nicholas Johnson speaks with a knowledgeable duo of curators; Philip Ponella of Indiana University and Joshua Ratliff of Newfields. They pair three amazing wines with music from all over the world and discuss how collecting is about much more than just accumulation.

Host Nicholas Johnson talks with Classical Music Indy’s own program director Michael Toulouse as they enjoy some amazing German-style beer from head brewer Scott Ellis and the folks at Liter House. They wax poetic and pair their drinks with works by one of the most celebrated composers of all time.

Host Nicholas Johnson speaks with Mark Ortwein, assistant principal bassoonist with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra and Corrie Cook of The Smoking Goose. They talk about finding silver-linings during trying times, before sampling an amazing Charcuterie array from  Goose paired with some amazing compositions.

Host Nicholas Johnson chats with executive chef Erin Gillum of Spoke & Steele along with experimental composer and musician Rob Funkhouser about creative use of space as organizations and industries adapt to the ‘New Normal.’

Host Nicholas Johnson, along with music sociologist and pianist Joshua Thompson and Chef Oya Woodruff of The Trap, have a socially distanced conversation about how artists and entrepreneurs are paving the way forward during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Join the Classical Pairings crew as we revisit a live pairing event hosted by Chilly Water Brewing in the fall of 2019! Nicholas Johnson hosted the event and musical selections were performed by Joshua Thompson. Insight into the brewing process was provided by head brewer Dan Krzywicki. To learn more about future Classical Pairings Live events, contact [email protected]

Pairings from this event include:
The Chilly Water Radler paired with In the Bottoms by Robert Nathaniel Dett and Ringplay by William Grant Still.

The Moonlight Sonata Vienna Lager paired with The Adagio in Fminor by Chevalier De Saint-Georges.

The One-Hop-Wonder IPA paired with Africa Suite: Land of Romance by William Grant Still.

The Breakfast in America Oatmeal Stout paired with the Three-Fours Waltz Suite by Samuel Coleridge-Taylor.

The Blood on the Tracks IPA paired with 24 Negro Melodies by Samuel Coleridge-Taylor.

The Wall Berliner Weiss paired with The Single Petal of a Rose by Duke Ellington.

Host Nick Johnson discusses the importance of being local and creating unique experiences with Jacob Joyce, Associate conductor of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, and Dave Colt and Clay Robinson, co-owners of Sun King Brewing.

Host Nick Johnson talks with composer Michael Schelle and Neal Brown of The Libertine liquor bar talk about cultural appropriation and fusion foods. Later they’ll sample some extremely unique cocktails and avant-garde music

The audio and video versions have been modified to include longer musical excerpts.

Host Nick Johnson discusses inspirations and currents trends in the hospitality and arts industries with female leaders from both. Jessica Taylor, mixologist for Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits, and Janna Hymes, Music Director of the Carmel Symphony Orchestra, share a few drinks and classical music selections in this episode.

Host Nick Johnson brings you the ins and outs of the cafe and coffee culture in Vienna straight from the source! He’s joined by musical guests who live and work in Vienna to discuss composers like Gustav Mahler, Johann Strauss Jr., and Franz Schubert and the relationship they had with coffeehouses.

In our second episode of Classical Pairings, host Nick Johnson talks music and popcorn with Matthew Kraemer, the Music Director of the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra, and Carly Swift and Mandy Selke, the owners of Just Pop In!

Our very first episode features Ron Smith, a beer judge based in Carmel, IN, and Jay Harvey, long-time music critic for the Indianapolis Star and host of his own music blog. We were hosted by St Joseph Brewery in the Mass Ave neighborhood, where our host and guests sampled their Testament Tripel.