Different strokes

I’m always one to share what’s on my running playlist. As I started working in radio, my fellow runners were even more curious about what is in my headphones. I’m ceratinly not tied too classical music all the time, even though I do deploy it quite frequently. But recently I got an intriguing inquiry - could I suggest some classical selections for rowing?

In case you missed it, a look back at my running playlist recap from a half marathon.

As a firm believer that there’s exercise that’s right for everyone, I can also concede that there are types of exercise that may not be particularly good for an individual. This was my past experience with rowing. I’m aware of all of the potential benefits of the erg. I just generally don’t enjoy it. But that doesn’t mean I can’t tailor a playlist to it.

What I’ve learned is that, like running, on the rowing machine tempo is everything. And not just tempo, but cadence. Out and back are not evenly balanced the way they are in, say, weightlifting. This is drive and recovery. Ebb and flow. But balancing strong beats and weak beats? We do that in music all the time. Looking at a rowing tempo of about 22-28 strokes per minute (SPM) means considering music at about 88 beats per minute (BPM) at four beats per stroke. Mathematically, 96, 104, and 112 BPM are also in that 22-28 SPM range. And naturally, energy use is key. It’s a great tempo for a funeral march, but that’s not what we’re looking for. Best case, like a good run, that SPM number will get fast as the workout goes, I assume.

Enough math though. Some of this is just vibes. With all of that in mind, my first and most obvious selection is Bolero by Maurice Ravel.

The tempo marking is simply “Tempo di Bolero, moderato assai,” rather than a BPM number. As a percussionist, I was taught to practice the ostinato snare drum line that rules the piece at 72 BPM. It’s right in the middle of the SPM range - one 3/4 bar is one stroke. The tempo does not change, but the intensity grows throughout. So while the rowing will be consistent, it will feel more aggressive as you go.

Speaking of French music, there’s actually a world of organ pieces that fit the similar category. Processional, with sustained energy, right int hat tempo sweet spot. This includes another Bolero actually - Bolero sur un theme de Charles Racquet by Pierre Cochereau. An improvisation played at Notre Dame in 1973, and later notated, it too has the long concerto that could give a workout some shape.

But there is rowing potential beyond Bolero. Charles Marie Widor’s Toccata, famously used in Easter postludes and weddings, might be in 4/4 time, but its usual tempo of about 100 BPM puts it at about 25 SPM. And more than the two takes on the bolero, the Toccata actually makes enough sound to be heard in the rower’s headphones the entire time.

For exercise in general, dance is a double edged sword. Because dance movements are often quite short, so they won’t get you very far. But there are plenty of good choices within this rhythmic pattern.

Romantic era ballet is a better choice than you might think. you just have to put together a prescreened set of pieces.

Not sticking to waltzes or triple meters in general opens a whole world. So getting used to internally switching the division of the larger beat will give you a much longer list of possibilities. Recordings will vary considerably in tempo. What can I say? Conductors are like that. So choosing the playlist will rely on these differences being explored. The good news is, if a favorite piece doesn’t work right away, you can try just finding another rendition.

Incidentally, one of my back pocket guilty pleasures for a run that I think might be a real drag is actually a playlist full of Disney tunes. I first used it during the middle of the night run in my second Ragnar race. Coming up the hill into Four Roses after 9 miles at 3am, with Go the Distance in my ears was surprisingly exhilirating. And now it’s a favorite tool for perking things up. Plenty of cuts fit the tempo bill here.

If you want help building a classical playlist for a task or occasion, feel free to reach out. I’m always glad to point you in a good direction. No AI chatbot necessary. And of course, you can always join me for a handpicked playlist of music weekday mornings on Symphony Hall.

-Colleen

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