Classic 107 celebrates the jazz–classical connection with European flair
With the TD Winnipeg International Jazz Festival setting the city swinging from June 17 to 22, Classic 107 is joining the groove with a special weeklong radio series that highlights the deep, surprising connections between jazz and classical music.
Each afternoon at 1 p.m. from Monday, June 16 through Friday, June 20, we’ll showcase European composers who were inspired by jazz—putting their own stylish spin on syncopation, bluesy harmonies and improvisational flair.
When jazz burst onto the global scene in the early 20th century, it didn’t just reshape American music—it sent shockwaves across Europe. In smoky cafés, concert halls, and avant-garde salons, European composers were captivated by the rhythm, freedom, and emotional punch of this new sound. For many, jazz offered a fresh palette: syncopated rhythms, blue notes, and improvisational spirit challenged traditional musical boundaries and offered a new way of expressing the energy of modern life.
Composers like Ravel, Poulenc, Weill, Stravinsky and Schulhoff didn’t just imitate jazz—they integrated it into their own musical languages, creating a fascinating fusion of classical form and jazz flair. Whether through sly rhythmic twists, jazzy harmonies, or outright homage, these artists revealed just how deep the transatlantic connection ran. Jazz wasn’t just a trend—it was a revolution, and it changed the course of European music forever.
Here’s what’s coming up, along with a bit of background on the composers and works featured:
🎭 Monday, June 16 – Kurt Weill: Suite from The Threepenny Opera
Performed by Chicago Pro Musica
We kick things off with German composer Kurt Weill’s unforgettable Threepenny Opera suite—a biting, jazz-inflected score that launched “Mack the Knife” into pop culture history. Premiered in 1928, this music blends cabaret, jazz, and social satire. Weill’s partnership with playwright Bertolt Brecht turned heads for its gritty realism and cutting edge musical style—one that flirts constantly with jazz idioms.
🎷 Tuesday, June 17 – Dmitri Shostakovich: Jazz Suite No. 2
Performed by the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, conducted by Riccardo Chailly
From Berlin to the USSR: Dmitri Shostakovich, known for his symphonic genius, also dabbled in jazz. His Jazz Suite No. 2—written in the 1930s—features saxophones, banjos, and accordions in a cheeky, ironic blend of dance rhythms and orchestral satire. It’s witty, colourful, and shows just how far jazz had reached—even into Stalin’s Russia.
🕺 Wednesday, June 18 – Erwin Schulhoff: Suite Dansante en Jazz
Performed by Florian Novák
Schulhoff was one of the most fearless experimenters of his time. A Czech composer who fused jazz, Dadaism, and dance rhythms with classical forms, his Suite Dansante en Jazz (written in the 1920s) is a sparkling and stylish take on popular dance music of the era. With ragtime energy and Parisian flair, it’s a dazzling example of jazz’s impact on early 20th-century European art music.
🎹 Thursday, June 19 – Francis Poulenc: Concerto for Two Pianos and Orchestra
Performed by Louis Lortie and Hélène Mercier, with the BBC Philharmonic led by Yuli Turovsky
Poulenc’s double piano concerto is a crowd favourite—and for good reason. It’s playful, elegant, and unmistakably French, full of witty turns and charming lyricism. Poulenc was fascinated by jazz, and you’ll hear its influence especially in the breezy finale, with its syncopations and sly rhythmic play. Performed by two of Canada’s top pianists, this is one not to miss.
🎻 Friday, June 20 – Maurice Ravel: Violin Sonata in G Major
Performed by James Ehnes and Wendy Chen
We close the week with a masterwork by Maurice Ravel, who openly admired American jazz. His Violin Sonata in G, especially its second movement titled Blues, is a sultry, soulful tribute to the style. With its swung rhythms and melodic elegance, it’s a sophisticated take on the genre—and a fitting finale to a week that blends two musical worlds.
Why now? Because jazz is in the air.
From June 17–22, Winnipeg is alive with the sound of jazz as the TD Winnipeg International Jazz Festival returns with an all-star lineup of global headliners and hometown heroes. Expect everything from Afro-jazz and blues to genre-bending collabs, late-night jams, and international flair.
Whether you’re hearing jazz live in the Exchange District or tuning in from home, Classic 107’s mid-day tribute offers the perfect way to celebrate the spirit of the season. This week, jazz isn’t just a genre—it’s a state of mind.
So, mark your calendar, set your dial to Classic 107, and join us at 1 p.m. each day from June 16 to 20 as we explore how jazz sparked creativity across the Atlantic.