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Hosted by Jonathan James and joined by Angharad Smith, a.k.a ‘JJ & Haz’ , this bubbly duo delve through all music and genres, sharing with you their personal favourite pieces, along with some musical jokes that add a playful and informal feel to the podcast. Working as part of Arts Active's Cardiff Classical programme, we run lots of exciting extras alongside it to support the concerts. Check out the Arts Active website for more - www.artsactive.org.ukGot any comments for JJ and Haz? Email them to A2@artsactive.org.uk--------------------------------------------------------Yn cael eu cyflwyno gan Jonathan James, yng nghwmni Angharad Smith, neu ‘JJ a Haz’ fel y’u gelwir, mae’r ddeuawd fyrlymus hon yn pori drwy bob math o gerddoriaeth a genres, gan rannu gyda chi eu hoff ddarnau personol, ynghyd â rhai jôcs cerddorol sy’n ychwanegu teimlad chwareus ac anffurfiol i’r podlediad. Gan weithio fel rhan o'r rhaglen Gyfres Glasurol Actifyddion Artistig, rydym yn cynnal llawer o bethau ychwanegol cyffrous ochr yn ochr ag ef i gefnogi'r cyngherddau. Edrychwch ar wefan Arts Active i gael mwy - www.artsactive.org.ukOes gennych chi unrhyw sylwadau i JJ a Haz? Anfonwch ebost i [email protected]

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Upbeats: Season 5, Episode 9 (Braving The Solo Cello)

2026/06/24

JJ speaks with cellist James Morley about his life as an artist and the thought-provoking repertoire for solo cello he's bringing to Eglws Dewi Sant. There are pieces that require improvisation, electronics, even places where the artist is being 'played by the cello', creating unique, fascinating colours and timbres. This will be a recital like no other. Artists featured in the musical excerpts (in order): Sept Papillons by Kaija Saariaho - James Morley Solitiude by Recbecca Saunders - James Morley Ricercare no. 2 by Domenico Gabrielli - Guillermo Turina The motion between three worlds by initi figgis-vizueta - Benjamin Coyte Sept papillons by Kaija Saariaho - James Morley, then Oliver Herbert Sonata for Solo Cello by Zoltan Kodaly - Movt 1, Jean-Guihen Queyras Sonata for Solo Cello by Zoltan Kodaly - Movt 3, Sabastic Bäverstam Support the show www.artsactive.org.uk Email [email protected] X @artsactive Instagram artsactivecardiff Facebook artsactive #classicalmusic #artsactive #drjonathanjames #bravingthestave #musicconversations #funfacts #guestspeakers #cardiff #cardiffclassical

Upbeats: Season 5, Episode 8 (Braving Opera)

2026/05/29

JJ and Haz get all the stereotypes around opera off their chest before enjoying what the genre has to offer. Includes a tribute to Dame Felicity Lott, a treasure swap of Mozart arias and potted origins story. Mae JJ a Haz yn trafod yr holl stereoteipiau am opera cyn mwynhau'r hyn sydd gan y genre i'w gynnig. Yn cynnwys teyrnged i'r Fonesig Felicity Lott, cyfnewid trysor o ariâu Mozart a stori tarddiad wedi'i chrynodeb. Support the show www.artsactive.org.uk Email [email protected] X @artsactive Instagram artsactivecardiff Facebook artsactive #classicalmusic #artsactive #drjonathanjames #bravingthestave #musicconversations #funfacts #guestspeakers #cardiff #cardiffclassical

Upbeats: Season 5, Episode 7 (Braving Arrangements)

2026/04/25

JJ and Haz recognise the often unsung heroes that are the arrangers, orchestrators and transcribers of the musical world, drawing on their favourite re-imaginations of solo and orchestral pieces. We'd love you to send your own favourite examples on [email protected]. Mae JJ a Haz yn cydnabod yr arwyr sy'n aml yn ddi-glod sef trefnwyr a thrawsgrifwyr y byd cerddorol, gan ddefnyddio eu hoff ddarnau unigol a cherddorfaol wedi’u hailddychmygu. Byddem wrth ein bodd pe baech yn anfon eich hoff enghreifftiau chi at [email protected] Support the show www.artsactive.org.uk Email [email protected] X @artsactive Instagram artsactivecardiff Facebook artsactive #classicalmusic #artsactive #drjonathanjames #bravingthestave #musicconversations #funfacts #guestspeakers #cardiff #cardiffclassical

Upbeats: Season 5, Episode 6 (Braving the Solo Guitar)

2026/04/02

Braving the Solo Guitar JJ and Haz end up speaking Spanish with a Welsh accent as they take in the history and fascinating facts of the classical guitar, from the strings used through to the stereotype hairstyles. Herio’r Gitar Unawd Mae JJ a Haz yn gorffen siarad Sbaeneg gydag acen Gymreig wrth iddynt ddod i ddeall hanes a ffeithiau hynod ddiddorol y gitar glasurol, o’r tannau a ddefnyddir i’r steiliau gwallt stereoteipiedig. Support the show www.artsactive.org.uk Email [email protected] X @artsactive Instagram artsactivecardiff Facebook artsactive #classicalmusic #artsactive #drjonathanjames #bravingthestave #musicconversations #funfacts #guestspeakers #cardiff #cardiffclassical

Upbeats: Season 5, Episode 5 (Braving Variations)

2026/02/21

After busting the February blues with some jolly tunes, JJ tries to convince Haz that Bach's Goldberg Variations are, indeed, brilliant. Also: Haz's Mari Lywd experience, what 'Rachpag' means, and top tips for chamber musicians that involve good cake. Ar ôl ymladd y tristwch Chwefror gyda rhai caneuon llawen, mae JJ yn ceisio perswadio Haz bod Amrywiadau Goldberg gan Bach, mewn gwirionedd, yn wych. Hefyd: profiad Mari Lywd gan Haz, yr hyn mae 'Rachpag' yn ei olygu, a chynghorion gorau i gerddorion siambr sydd yn cynnwys cacen dda. Listen to the Braving the Stave playlist here Grandewch ar y rhestr chwarae Braving the Stave yma Support the show www.artsactive.org.uk Email [email protected] X @artsactive Instagram artsactivecardiff Facebook artsactive #classicalmusic #artsactive #drjonathanjames #bravingthestave #musicconversations #funfacts #guestspeakers #cardiff #cardiffclassical

Upbeats: Season 5, Episode 4 (Braving the Solo Violin)

2026/01/26

JJ and Haz set out their musical resolutions for the new year before enjoying the world of solo Bach violin ahead of Irène Duval's concert. And Haz falls in love, temporarily. Mae JJ a Haz yn creu eu haddunedau cerddorol ar gyfer y flwyddyn newydd, cyn mwynhau byd ffidil unigol Bach cyn cyngerdd Irène Duval. Ac mae Haz yn syrthio mewn cariad, dros dro. Listen to the Braving the Stave playlist here Grandewch ar y rhestr chwarae Braving the Stave yma Support the show www.artsactive.org.uk Email [email protected] X @artsactive Instagram artsactivecardiff Facebook artsactive #classicalmusic #artsactive #drjonathanjames #bravingthestave #musicconversations #funfacts #guestspeakers #cardiff #cardiffclassical

Upbeats: Season 5, Episode 3 (Braving The Trumpet)

2025/11/25

JJ and special guest, composer Richard Barnard, explore the character and impressive range of the trumpet, from blood-curdling battle calls to breathy jazz ballads. Then Richard reveals the inner workings of his piece for Matilda Lloyd, trumpeter extraordinaire. Listen to the Braving the Stave playlist here Grandewch ar y rhestr chwarae Braving the Stave yma Support the show www.artsactive.org.uk Email [email protected] X @artsactive Instagram artsactivecardiff Facebook artsactive #classicalmusic #artsactive #drjonathanjames #bravingthestave #musicconversations #funfacts #guestspeakers #cardiff #cardiffclassical

Upbeats: Season 5, Episode 2 (Braving Halloween 2025)

2025/10/27

Haz’s healthy obsession with Horror prompts discussions on Welsh Halloween traditions, from apple-bobbing to tail-less black pigs, a swap of scary musical scores and diverse examples of ‘night music’. For some good cheer, there are also favourite moments from ‘West Side Story’ - all inspired by the Lumas Winds’ programme. Mae obsesiwn iach Haz ag arswyd yn ysgogi trafodaethau ar draddodiadau Calan Gaeaf Cymru, o siglo afalau i foch duon di-gynffon, cyfnewid sgoriau cerddorol brawychus ac enghreifftiau amrywiol o 'gerddoriaeth nos'. I gael rhywfaint o hwyl, mae yna hefyd hoff eiliadau o 'West Side Story' - pob un wedi'i ysbrydoli gan raglen Lumas Winds. Listen to the Braving the Stave playlist here Grandewch ar y rhestr chwarae Braving the Stave yma Support the show www.artsactive.org.uk Email [email protected] X @artsactive Instagram artsactivecardiff Facebook artsactive #classicalmusic #artsactive #drjonathanjames #bravingthestave #musicconversations #funfacts #guestspeakers #cardiff #cardiffclassical

Upbeats: Season 5, Episode 1 (Braving The Loss of Summer)

2025/09/26

To see in this new series, JJ and Haz say farewell to summer with the music of half-light, slumber and nocturnes. Along the way you'll find out why we should feel sorry for Janacek's postman, who the mysterious Silke Schäfer is, and why Swiss tea bags have a superior design. Listen to the Braving the Stave playlist here Grandewch ar y rhestr chwarae Braving the Stave yma Support the show www.artsactive.org.uk Email [email protected] X @artsactive Instagram artsactivecardiff Facebook artsactive #classicalmusic #artsactive #drjonathanjames #bravingthestave #musicconversations #funfacts #guestspeakers #cardiff #cardiffclassical

Upbeats: Season 4, Episode 20 (Braving The Viola)

2025/06/18

After getting some stereotypes out of the way - viola jokes, composers who played viola, best viola shreds - Haz and JJ explore the wonders of the instrument, from how it got its name, via lesser known orchestral moments, through to solo works that put it on the map. Along the way: Lionel Tertis' big-hipped viola, and the connection between violists and basketball players. The perfect end to the season! Listen to the Braving the Stave playlist here Grandewch ar y rhestr chwarae Braving the Stave yma Support the show www.artsactive.org.uk Email [email protected] X @artsactive Instagram artsactivecardiff Facebook artsactive #classicalmusic #artsactive #drjonathanjames #bravingthestave #musicconversations #funfacts #guestspeakers #cardiff #cardiffclassical

Upbeats: Season 4, Bonus episode 2: Interview with Christiana Mavron (Mavron Quartet)

2025/05/21

JJ interviews Christiana Mavron ahead of the Mavron Quartet's performance in the Arts Active Lunchtime Concert Series, on 3rd June 2025. Cardiff Classical Lunchtime Recitals: The Mavron Quartet - Arts Active Tickets Support the show www.artsactive.org.uk Email [email protected] X @artsactive Instagram artsactivecardiff Facebook artsactive #classicalmusic #artsactive #drjonathanjames #bravingthestave #musicconversations #funfacts #guestspeakers #cardiff #cardiffclassical

Upbeats: Season 4, Episode 19 (Braving Neoclassicism)

2025/05/21

Jon and Haz find out why it's best not to say 'neoclassicism' in a hurry before plunging into beautiful reinventions of the past. Along the way, Haz makes the connection between Stravinsky and sweating and Jon discovers Couperin's 'Tic-Toc Choc'. Support the show www.artsactive.org.uk Email [email protected] X @artsactive Instagram artsactivecardiff Facebook artsactive #classicalmusic #artsactive #drjonathanjames #bravingthestave #musicconversations #funfacts #guestspeakers #cardiff #cardiffclassical

Upbeats: Season 4, Episode 18 (Braving The Clarinet)

2025/04/23

JJ and Haz extol the virtues and versatility of the clarinet, from its humble folk beginnings through to its many shapes and sizes of today. Includes the instrument's nicknames, its use in classical and jazz and its resemblance to milk chocolate. Support the show www.artsactive.org.uk Email [email protected] X @artsactive Instagram artsactivecardiff Facebook artsactive #classicalmusic #artsactive #drjonathanjames #bravingthestave #musicconversations #funfacts #guestspeakers #cardiff #cardiffclassical

Upbeats: Season 4, Bonus episode 1: Interview with Tabea Debus (recorder) and Samuele Telari (accordion)

2025/03/27

The duo performing in an upcoming Cardiff Lunchtime series at Eglwys Dewi Sant talk with Jon about how they met, the background to their instruments and the thinking behind their innovative and beautifully considered programme. Support the show www.artsactive.org.uk Email [email protected] X @artsactive Instagram artsactivecardiff Facebook artsactive #classicalmusic #artsactive #drjonathanjames #bravingthestave #musicconversations #funfacts #guestspeakers #cardiff #cardiffclassical

Upbeats: Season 4, Episode 17 (Braving the Musical Zoo)

2025/03/27

With the unusual pairing of a recorder and accordion coming up in a concert, Jon and Haz do a quick survey of other rarer concert instruments. In this 'musical zoo' are instruments that are both haunting and hooting, folk and electronic, and one that reminds Haz of a 'depressed Cor Anglais.' Support the show www.artsactive.org.uk Email [email protected] X @artsactive Instagram artsactivecardiff Facebook artsactive #classicalmusic #artsactive #drjonathanjames #bravingthestave #musicconversations #funfacts #guestspeakers #cardiff #cardiffclassical