Advertise on podcast: Conversations with Musicians, with Leah Roseman

This week’s episode features the fantastic composer Victoria Bond. You’ll be hearing music excerpted from several of her chamber music projects including Dancing on Glass, Frescoes and Ash and Instruments of Revelation. She has been commissioned by ensembles including the Houston and Shanghai Symphony Orchestras, the Cassatt String Quartet, and American Ballet Theater and has composed eight operas, six ballets, two piano concertos and orchestral, chamber, choral and keyboard compositions. She joins me for a wide-ranging interview and you’ll hear about her career as a conductor, the success of her Cutting Edge Concerts, her operas about strong women including Clara Schumann and Victoria Woodhull who ran for president of the U.S. in 1872 before women had the vote. Victoria is often inspired by other art forms and you’ll learn how this goes back to her childhood; she shared stories about her mother the pianist Jane Courtland who studied with Bartok. You’ll hear about some of her mentors including Ingolf Dahl, Roger Sessions , Pierre Boulez, André Previn, and Herbert von Karajan. I was so delighted to get to know both Victoria and her music! I’ve linked quite a few episodes for you in the show notes for Victoria with Boman Desai, Coleman Itzkoff, Nimrod Borenstein, Jessica Cottis, Ruby Colley, Christina Petrowska Quilico, Gail Archer and Katherine Needleman among more than 250 episodes since 2021. Sign up for my newsletter, where you’ll get exclusive information about upcoming guests, consider buying me a coffee on my Ko-fi page, and buying some unique podcast merchandise. You can also review this podcast, share it with your friends, and follow on your podcast app, YouTube, and social media. It’s a very challenging media landscape for independent podcasters like me, and I do all the many jobs of research, production and publicity. ALL LINKS HERE! (00:00) Intro (02:36) Dancing on Glass album with several short excerpts (08:29) different versions of her compositions, evocative titles, composition process (15:14) Binary with excerpts (19:20) Jane Courtland Victoria’s mother the pianist, Bartók (24:13) Black Light with several short excerpts, influence of jazz (33:18) Roger Sessions, Ingolf Dahl, learning composition, Brahms, Stravinsky, Bartók, musical structure (40:30) connecting with audiences, Pierre Boulez, Cutting Edge Concerts (47:00) Instruments of Revelation with clip of The High Priestess, dance collaborations, Lynne Taylor-Corbett (55:19) Frescoes and Ash with excerpts from movements 1 and 2 (01:03:39) visual art inspiration, Blue and Green Music, Georgia O’Keefe with clip with Cassatt String Quartet (01:09:23) Frescoes and Ash with clip of 3rd movement Scene From a Comedy (01:12:30) linked episodes (01:13:24) Victoria’s father opera singer, Samuel Epstein grandfather story, Ray Charles, Jane Courtland (01:20:48) career as a conductor, Rostropovich, Herbert von Karajan (01:28:26) women conductors, sexism, challenges of combining conducting and composing (01:35:26) opera Mrs. President about Victoria Woodhull (01:43:00) Leopold Bloom’s Homecoming with clip, James Joyce project (01:46:24) Clara Schumann opera, Boman Desai novel Trio ()1:56:46) writing schedule, trombone concerto Voices of Air

The focus of this episode is violinist Winston Webber’ss wonderful book “ Best Seat in the House: love letters to a profession” and you’ll be hearing Winston read from the book, and share memories with us of musicians such as Pinchas Zukerman, Karl Ancerl, Ida Haendel and Greta Kraus. He also shared his experiences of violin lessons with Lorand Fenyves and conducting lessons with Sixten Ehrling, many moving experiences on tours, and insights into composers. We also exchanged ideas about programming and concert presentation, and his experience of quitting the Toronto Symphony to go to University of Toronto to study pre-med science while conducting several orchestras, before he borrowed a violin to change directions again to audition for NACO. Winston has been my colleague for decades, and has recently retired from his position as Assistant Principal Second Violin of Canada’s National Arts Centre Orchestra (NACO). Show notes with the book, suggested episodes, newsletter sign-up, podcast merch, podcast version, transcript: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/winston-webber (00:00) Intro (02:47) “Best Seat in the House” (09:22) Helmuth Rilling (12:32) CBC radio, NACO, Pinchas Zukerman, Trevor Pinnock, Mario Bernardi (16:33) advice for conductors, John Storgårds (21:17) reading from the book Sir Henry Wood, Musicians’ Chapel, Winston’s father (29:16) childhood love of orchestra in Detroit (31:34) decision to leave Toronto Symphony Orchestra to apply to medical school (38:07) reading from the book about Karel Ančerl (46:52) other linked episodes with many NACO musicians (47:56) conducting lessons with Sixten Ehrling, borrowing a violin to audition for NACO (54:26) Steven Staryk, Lorand Fenyves (57:19) prominent musicians Detroit, Jewish refugees (01:04:05) Ida Haendel (01:10:18) concert hall as a safe space, connecting with audiences (01:18:29) Michael Steinberg, the essence of the book (01:26:04) J.S. Bach (01:27:46) Flentrop organs at the NAC from the Dutch community (01:30:32) structure of the book, highlighting final section, Salisbury Cathedral concert (01:34:24) tour to Japan 1985 (01:40:38) Greta Kraus

The composer Stanley Grill joins me for a conversation about his beautiful compositions with a focus on some of his award-winning albums including The Mystic Trumpeter and Two Symphonies. Every composer’s path is unique and I was curious to learn about his personal career and creative choices which have sometimes gone counter to what people expect of a composer, and why his accidental career outside of music helped him in many ways. You’ll hear about some of his formative experiences and influences, including the legacy of Abby Whiteside’s piano pedagogy, the songs of Charles Ives, and some interesting lesser known composers he’s been researching including Gernsheim and Mayakovsky. All the music you’ll hear is Stanley Grill’s and is linked on his web site including scores. ALL THE LINKS! Show notes take you to Stanley's music, scores, suggested episodes, podcast merch, newsletter sign up, YouTube video version, transcript on my blog, and how you can support this independent podcast. (00:00) Intro (01:30) The Mystic Trumpeter with clips, Walt Whitman (09:04) Schenker and the importance of musical architecture, Abby Whiteside (15:47) Two Symphonies album with clip of 4th mvt Symphony for Peace music for peace project (19:48) writing for brass, Bruckner orchestration, Summer with clip of 3rd mvt (22:43) Stanley’s contrapuntal style, emphasis on getting his music recorded (28:57) chamber music including string trios with clip of Sinfonia 4, tribute to Bach (31:26) childhood love of music (34:50) suggested episodes and ways to follow and support this independent podcast (35:36) Abby Whiteside pedagogy (40:03) Charles Ives, Mahler, studying composition, decision to get a job outside of music (46:17) New York Transit Authority and other work outside music (54:14) Symphony of Sighs with clip (58:15) family background, Gernsheim, Mayaskovski, AI scraping blog post, composing

Andrew Arceci is an Early Music Specialist who performs on the viol family and is also a founding member of Floyds Row ensemble. You’ll be hearing music excerpted from their new album The Carlisle Sessions and also from Andrew’s earlier album with soprano Elizabeth Hungerford Love and Lust of wonderful music from the 16th and 17th centuries. Andrew also speaks about the tragic loss of his father, a prominent paediatric oncologist and how Andrew established the remarkable Winchendon Music Festival in Massachusetts, which features series of free concerts of jazz, early music, classical, and world music with established artists. It was fascinating to learn about Andrew’s path from jazz and classical bass to art history and early music scholarship which he studied at the Peabody Conservatory, The Julliard School and the University of Oxford. Andrew got into some fascinating specifics about the intricacies of reading different forms of notation while playing in different temperaments on many different instruments. On a personal note, he shared the joys of his nomadic life with his wife the violinist Asako Takeuchi, and some of the experiences they have shared living in Italy and Japan with their children. For Andrew's projects, the music featured in this episode, other suggested episodes, YouTube video, transcript, podcast merch, newsletter and more: All the links (00:00) Intro (02:34) Italian heritage (03:23) Floyds Row “The Carlisle Sessions” with clips from tracks 1, 5, 2 (12:20) Andrew’s art history background, discovering early music and viol family (18:37) Floyds Row “The Carlisle Sessions” with clips from track 3, and 4, balancing family life, George Lernis percussion (23:25) background in jazz, improv elements in early music, lute tablature, continuo (27:25) Winchendon Music Festival, loss of his father (36:20) Love and Lust with Elizabeth Hungerford with clips of Tobacco, Death, Life (44:38) suggested episodes and ways to support this podcast (45:35) Hume, Mark Cudek, Love and Lust project with clip of Amarilli track 5 (48:21) viola da gamba and viol family with clip of She Loves it Well and Chi Passa Per ‘sta Strada (01:00:28) languages, Japan, Italy (01:05:11) composing and arranging, music direction, art, Floyd’s Row (01:14:35) balancing touring, projects and home life

Rupert Guenther is an Australian improvising violinist and pedagogue. Some of the music you’ll be hearing is excerpted from his 5 albums commissioned from the ABC. You’ll hear stories from his varied career, in both Australia and Vienna, and influences and mentors from Melvyn Cann, Terje Moe Hansen, Igor Ozim and Allan Zavod. He shares his approach to creating fully improvised music as a classically trained violinist and how he teaches his students to ground their playing with his reflective approach. You can also watch the video on my YouTube. Have a look at the show notes of this episode on my website, where you’ll find all the links, including different ways to support this podcast, and other episodes you’ll enjoy: All the links! photo: Anne Errey (00:00) Intro (01:43) Guildhall experience with clip of track 2 from New Letters to Esterhazy Sonata I (07:09) Terje Moe Hansen, Rupert’s first teachers (11:50) ABC commissions, remembering Melvyn Cann with clips track 3 and 1 from Sonata I The Moxbournienna Sonatas (19:03) playing with amplification with clip Sticks and Branches from Amplified Soundscapes for solo violin, benefits of improv (24:30) Igor Ozim, Brian Finlayson, Helfried Fister, Vienna (39:17) linked episodes and ways to support this independent podcast (40:30) Rolling Stones, Melbourne exposure to global music with clip of track 2 The Moxbournienna Sonata I (46:33) how busking helped connect with audiences with clip “Meeting Lao Tau from New Sacred Music vol. 2 (52:03) approach to teaching, getting over stage fright through improvisation, Conservatorium of Intuitive Music, with clip of track 4 New Letters to Esterhazy Sonata I (01:07:32) Allan Zavod (01:23:52) Cosmology projects, teaching improvisation (01:23:52) meditation and teaching

Ashley Kahn is a Grammy-winning music historian, author, professor and producer. He joins me to discuss his wonderful new book, Days of Miracle and Wonder: Paul Simon and the Trials and Triumphs of Graceland. You’ll hear about Joseph Shabalala and Ladysmith Black Mambazo, with whom Ashley toured, and many of the musicians who helped define the Graceland sound, including Bakithi Kumalo, Ray Phiri, producer Ray Halee and insights into Paul Simon’s songwriting process. You’ll hear Ashley read several excerpts from the book and reflect on how Graceland the album and later as a touring project affected the musicians living under Apartheid, and also those in exile like Hugh Masekela. He also speaks about several of his other projects including his books about the music of Thelonious Monk and John Coltrane and as co-writer of Carlos Santana’s award-winning autobiography “The Universal Tone: Bringing My Story to Light “. A recipient of many awards and honours, Ashley has a broad and fascinating career in the music industry and is a professor at the Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music at NYU TISCH. In the show notes, there’s a gallery of photos, so you may want to check those out. All the links in the show notes! You can also watch the video on my YouTube, the show notes also linked several suggested episodes. (00:00) Intro (03:17) Paul Simon, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Joseph Shabalala (11:37) Ashley reading from “Days of Miracle and Wonder” about Paul Simon’s songwriting process (13:56) Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Isicathamiya, Apartheid (20:01) defining sounds of Graceland, Bakithi Kumalo fretless bass, Isaac Mtshali, Vusi Khumalo, Ray Phiri (24:34) Ashley reading from “Days of Miracle and Wonder” about what makes an album a classic (26:42) Paul Simon’s lyrics (33:14) Ashley reading from “Days of Miracle and Wonder” about Paul Simon (34:00) Verna Gillis (37:11) Lorne Michaels, Ladysmith Black Mambazo on Saturday Night Live, Ray Halee (47:54) suggested episodes and ways to support and follow this podcast (49:11) cultural boycott, anti-Apartheid movement and Graceland (58:40) Ashley’s career as a music historian and author, Miles Davis, John Coltrane (01:05:50) Carlos Santana with Ashley reading from “The Universal Tone” (01:14:13) professor at NYU, advice for his students and young musicians

JoVia Armstrong is a an award-winning percussionist, composer and educator whose work blends rhythm, technology, and experimental composition. This year she was voted as one of the best percussionists in the world by DownBeat Magazine’s 74th Annual Critics Poll. She leads the electroacoustic ensemble Eunoia Society which explores sound as a healing tool and you’ll be hearing music from their first two albums, The Antidote Suite and Inception, which are linked in the show notes for you. In fact, I found out about JoVia when I interviewed Leslie De Shazor a couple of years ago for this podcast, and my episode with her is linked for you along with a few other suggested episodes. Today you’ll learn about JoVia’s collaborators and mentors including Nicole Mitchell and Francisco Mora Catlett as well as her development as a musician with the encouragement of her family. JoVia spoke with me about the importance of mentoring youth, self-reflection and self-care. She is currently Assistant Professor of music at the University of Virginia, where she teaches in the Composition and Computer Technology Program while researching the intersection of Black contemplative music, technology and urban space. You can also watch this video on my YouTube, and I’ve also linked the transcript. It'ss a joy to bring these inspiring episodes to you, and I do all the many jobs of research, production and publicity. Have a look at the show notes of this episode on my website, where you’ll find all the links, including JoVia Armstrong, the albums featured in this episode, how you can support this podcast, podcast merch and other episodes you’ll enjoy: All the links! (00:00) Intro (03:10) keyboards, Leslie DeShazor, her teaching at the University of Virginia, managers (14:09) Eunoia Society, elements of contemplative music with clip of Meditations on Oya from The Antidote Suite (18:38) Nicole Mitchell, Black Earth SWAY (24:00) The Antidote Suite, Bridget Cooks, with clip of Breathe (29:44) grad school in California, sisters, remembering Joyce (37:30) cajon, Francisco Mora Catlett, suggested episodes and ways to support this independent podcast (37:41) Elizabeth Catlett, Francisco Mora Catlett, cajon, Musique Noire (45:20) The Antidote Suite, about Shades and Shapes with clip of the music, Herbie Hancock influence (50:49) working with women, self-reflection, reverb and caves, self-care (01:05:08) Inception album, Eunoia Society, problem with audiences in classical music concerts, clips of track 1 and 2 (01:13:16) supportive parents, mentoring youth

Cellist Coleman Itzkoff joins Leah Roseman to discuss his multi-disciplinary career spanning baroque music, contemporary ballet, and theatre. Discover the surprising links between his youth as a competitive skateboarder and his physical artistry on stage. He shares insights into co-founding AMOC, accessing peak creativity, and how family and mentors shaped his unique path. You can also watch the video on my YouTube - Have a look at the show notes of this episode on my website, where you’ll find all the links. CLICK for ALL the LINKS! photo: Titilayo Ayangade (00:00) Intro (02:12) musical family, aunt Kris Yenney, PACO (07:46) AMOC Matthew Aucoin, with clip of “Dual” from live performance with Lizzie Burns (13:56) first dance experience with Or Schraiber, AMOC (19:38) Procession, dancing, Bobbi Jene Smith and Or Schraiber, Lost Mountain, NACO (33:44) Dall’Abaco caprices, baroque cello with clips of No. 6 and 1 (39:24) other linked episodes and ways to support this independent podcast (40:27) experimentation with endpins and standing, skateboarding (48:22) Coleman’s youth with musician parents, Greenwood Music Camp, skateboarding skills and music (55:54) accessing more creativity and ease, earplugs, polyvagal theory, meditation (01:04:48) Ruckus early music, 12th Night (01:07:53) variety in his career, Cerrone concerto, Anthony Marwood (01:10:06) Sonic Alchemy album, Peteris Vasks, Mina Gajič (01:12:42) Broken Theater, Or Schraiber (01:15:21) teachers Eric Kim, Desmond Hoebig, Ralph Kirschbaum, Timothy Eddy

Internationally renowned composer and Oberlin professor Jesse Jones joins host Leah Roseman. Jesse has been awarded the Guggenheim and Rome Prizes, he also thrives in bluegrass-fusion with the group EZRA, and we're featuring music excerpted from several albums. We explore Jacob Jolliff’s album of Jesse's music—including his recent mandolin concerto—and also feature clips from Xak Bjerken’s performance of Variations on Oklahoma Rooster. Jesse discusses building instruments, his personal approach to microtonality, and how a sudden accident completely transformed his musical path. You can watch the video on my YouTube or listen to the podcast, and I’ve also linked the transcript. Have a look at the show notes of this episode on my website, where you’ll find all the links. There you can sign up for my newsletter to get access to exclusive information about upcoming guests, consider buying me a coffee on my Ko-fi page, or buying some unique podcast merch. I've linked several suggested episodes for you with Banjo player Adam Hurt, mandolinist Joe K. Walsh, instrument innovator, and improvisor, creator of the Bazantar, the late Mark Deutsch, Irish composer Karen Power, who uses nature recordings from some of the most remote places on earth, Jesse Stewart the Canadian composer, percussionist, visual artist, researcher and educator, and composer and pianist Michael Stephen Brown, among so many episodes since 2021. You can also review this podcast, share it with your friends, and follow on your podcast app, YouTube, and social media. Click here (00:00) Intro (01:55) connecting to his roots, Ezra Froggy’s Demise, Craig Butterfield clip of McLaughlin (06:41) Ezra, discovering Bluegrass, learning different instruements, Jacob Joliff, Max Allard, clip of Sobreandando from Froggy’s Demise (15:12) Jacob Jolliff, mandolin with clips of Jolliff Plays Jones, Prelude, Tune Book Finale (18:26) development of Jesse’s compositional style, clip of Tamborine from Tune Book (24:08) Lutherie (31:49) love of banjo, clip of Golden Hill (34:47) Xak Bjerken with clip track 6 Whippersnap (39:09) Commissions, Xak Bjerken Variations on Oklahoma Rooster with clips of Procession and Riffing with Xak Bjerken, video linked in show notes (44:42) Whippersnap with clip of My Point eXAKtly from Whippersnap by EZRA (45:45) linked episodes and ways to support this independent podcast (46:45) Whippersnap, clip of Milk on Tap, Max Allard (48:56) need for contrast, Gossamer with a clip, why the band hasn’t performed much (53:41) Professor at Oberlin, fascination with microtonality, Mark Deutsch Bazantar (59:55) musical memories, Jesse’s youth and family, String Helix (01:09:04) vocal music, Sharon Harms, first symphony (01:12:08) Rome Prize experience

The award-winning pianist Donna Weng Friedman enjoys a distinguished career as a soloist, chamber musician, educator, curator, producer, and filmmaker. She spoke to me about many of her inspiring projects, including the Joy Luck Trio, Microvids with composer Stefania de Kenessey and collaborators including violinist Curtis Stewart. You’ll hear how she got into film making and her award-winning personal film Never Fade Away about her parents, featuring Chun Wai Chan, the New York City Ballet's first Chinese principal dancer. Donna shared great advice for fellow music educators and students, how she came to be mentored by Radu Lupu, and perspectives on her career choices as a parent and many initiatives to amplify women composers and conductors. You can also watch the video on my YouTube: show notes bring you to Donna Weng Friedman's music and projects, suggested episodes, newsletter sign-up to get access to exclusive information,podcast merchandise, transcript, suggested episodes and how you can buy me a coffee to help keep this podcast going! All Links Here (00:00) Intro (02:42) Microvids, Stefania de Kenessey with clips of number 7 En Llamas Lola Lopez Guardone and clip of 9 Running on Empty Krystal Joy Brown (09:35) Curtis Stewart improvisations, with clip of number 8 The Grand Opening (14:19) Stefania de Kenessey, Anne Lundy, Virago Symphonic Orchestra, Pascale VAn Os, Brava Maestra, clip of number 11 Pura Alegria (21:39) Joy Luck Trio, Karen Han erhu, Gao Hong pipa with clip of Pastorale (33:21) racist encounter, Asian identity, Harmony and Heritage (38:26) linked episodes, podcast merch, newsletter (39:26) Never Fade Away and making the film, Chun Wai Chan (50:56) exploring different forms of artistic expression, with clip of Clouds with Curtis Stewart from Microvids, Migrant museum Fenix (58:42) teaching music, stage fright (01:08:34) Heritage and Harmony Silver Linings album, Chinary Ing with clip of Space Between the Fish and the Moon (01:10:08) Indira Mohajan with clip of Night by Florence Price, Her Music Her Story women composers (01:12:42) composer Kim Sherman Quiet Poems album with clip of Water Circles, need for new music for young students (01:17:18) teachers, Nadia Boulanger, Radu Lupu (01:23:14) balancing career with parenting, duo with Carter Brey, classical music apps The Music Bee Club

I was honoured to record this interview with Boman Desai, whose wonderful recent novel “Brahms Comes to Dinner” I highly recommend. You’ll hear how this work came out of Boman’s larger novel “Trio” and he shared stories about several of his other acclaimed novels including “The Memory of Elephants”, “Portrait of a Woman Madly in Love” and his book about the Lennon-McCartney Beatles songs “Dancing About Architecture”. Some of Boman’s writing comes from his Parsi family history and the life of his grandmother, and you’ll hear about several life-changing moments including with the legendary editor and writer Diana Athill. You can also watch the video on my YouTube and I’ve also linked the transcript. Have a look at the show notes of this episode on my website, where you’ll find all the links I've also linked suggested episodes with Martha Anne Toll, Heather Taves, Michael Stephen Brown, Thomas Cabaniss, Yale Strom, Gabriel Kahane, Scott Nygaard among so many episodes since 2021. Sign up for my newsletter, where you’ll get exclusive information about upcoming guests, consider buying me a coffee on my Ko-fi page, or buying some unique podcast merch. All the links! (00:00) Intro (02:08) Brahms, Clara and Robert Schumann (18:28) excerpt from “Brahms Comes to Dinner”, research letters, diaries (31:21) excerpt from “Trio” Robert and Clara Schumann (35:26) Boman’s musical memories from childhood in India, Tovey writing about music (42:27) Parsi community, Diana Athill (45:24) other linked episodes and supporting this podcast (46:14) editor Diana Athill, “The Memory of Elephants”, Zoroastrian Parsi family, grandmother’s life (57:16) “The Elephant Graveyard”, the life of an author (01:06:30) “A Googly in the Compound” (01:11:56) editing and publishing his books (01:14:12) “Portrait of a Woman Madly in Love” (01:19:59) “A Googly in the Compound” (01:23:43) Diana Athill, life of a writer (01:29:28) Beatles book “Dancing About Architecture”, song analysis, writing about music (01:35:43) move back to India

I have been so inspired to discover the brilliant British-American violinist Tamsin Waley-Cohen’s wonderful discography and I so enjoyed this opportunity to talk to her about her creative life. She spoke to me about the debut of her sister’s violin concerto and you’ll hear about Freya Waley-Cohen’s earlier work Permutations. Tamsin has performed and recorded extensively with the great pianist and composer Huw Watkins and you’ll also be hearing short excerpts from their album “Reflection” including two works written for Tamsin: Huw’s Violin Sonata and the late Oliver Knussen’s Reflection. She opened up about postpartum anxiety, depression,and also the creativity parenting requires, and connected to that, her upcoming album with Cordelia Williams “Dreamscapes and Lullabies”. Tamsin is Artistic Director of the Two Moors Festival in the U.K. and she shared her thoughtful curation of their upcoming October programming. We also talked about the satisfaction and intensity of touring and her wholistic approach to playing the violin. Finally, Tamsin shared some powerful musical memories with some of her great mentors. Complete Show Notes with all the LINKS! You can also watch the video on my YouTube, I’ve also linked the transcript along with Tamsin's website, other suggested episodes, newsletter, podcast merch: LINKS (00:00) Intro (02:13) Freya Waley-Cohen composer and sister, Permutations and Unveil with clips, new concerto (17:05) album Reflection with Huw Watkins with many clips of music by Oliver Knussen, Watkins, Prokofiev, Stravinsky (32:27) C.P.E. Bach sonatas, playing on gut strings (37:04) other suggested episodes and ways to support this podcast (38:05) motherhood, anxiety and depression, matrescence with clip of 3rd mvt Prokofiev F minor Sonata (50:28) new project “Dreamscapes and Lullabies” with Cordelia Williams (56:37) balancing her performance career, (59:28) Two Moors Festival 2026 programs (01:05:53) ECHO award, approach to music making with clip of Stravinsky 5th mvt Duo Concertante (01:13:41) practicing violin, Prussia Cove, András Keller. Ruggiero Ricci, Stephen Kovacevich (01:18:16) Tüür’s Memoirs with Colin Currie

Mary Beth Orr is a wonderful award-winning horn player and folk vocal artist. Throughout this moving episode you’ll be hearing short excerpts from her album “The Singing Horn” which celebrates traditional Appalachian songs with Mahler and contemporary works composed for Mary Beth through Vox Novus’ Fifteen Minutes of Fame Project. Mary Beth is currently 3rd Horn of the Grand Rapids Symphony, and she shares the best advice I’ve heard about succeeding at orchestral auditions. Mary Beth also experienced a serious accident that threatened her life and then her ability to play the horn and she shares many other difficult personal challenges. I was so moved to hear her story and wisdom and I encourage you to come back and listen to the end. You can watch the video on my YouTube or listen to the podcast, and I’ve also linked the transcript. Have a look at the show notes of this episode on my website, where you’ll find all the links (suggested episodes, podcast merch, newsletter, and of course Mary Beth and her album). SHOW NOTES: IMPORTANT LINKS! (00:00) Intro (01:43) The Singing Horn, with clips of tracks 1,2,6,3 (12:37) 15 Minutes of Fame project Robert Voicsey with clips of tracks 15, 13 (16:26) Mahler, The Singing Horn album inspirations, clips track 4 (22:45) becoming a mother, creative process, clip of her song Good and True track 25 (28:51) live experience, connecting with audiences, arrangements and collaborators with clips track 7, 24, 26 (40:41) other suggested episodes (41:50) Appalachian singing style, why the horn is hard (50:13) female brass mentors (53:11) the accident and recovery with clip track 12 (01:07:24) grief and living life with joy with clip of track 18 (01:14:06) Mary Beth’s sister Ann Marie Orr, disability awareness (01:19:31) audition and career advice

This is my third conversation with Ian Brennan in this mini ongoing series with him, within my podcast. If you missed Parts 1 and 2 they are linked in the show notes for you. Today you’ll hear about how he recorded some of the oldest voices in the world in Azerbaijan, and some of the bonus tracks including the Kronos quartet and The Good Ones. Ian shared how he met the Malawi Mouse Boys and then brought them to international attention, and what that has meant for them. We talked about the Chicago Gunfire Survivors project, Ian’s book Peace by Peace, 99 Steps Toward Violence Prevention and De-escalation, and the powerful Parchman Prison albums. At the end I asked him about his Grammy-nominated album with Ramblin’ Jack Elliot “I Stand Alone”. In the show notes you’ll find photos from the album covers by Ian’s wife the Italian-Rwandan filmmaker and photographer Marilena Umuhoza Delli. You'll find the track information for the excerpts in the timestamps and everything is linked in the show notes on my website. You can also watch the video on my YouTube or listen to the podcast on your preferred platform and I've also linked the transcript. Have a look at the show notes where you'll find all the links, including different ways to support this podcast . Please note that I’ve linked suggested episodes you’ll find interesting along with other episodes with Ian, each focusing on different albums he’s recorded. Complete show notes (00:00) Intro (02:40) Azerbaijan “The Oldest Voice in the World” album with clips tracks 1, 5, album linked in show notes (13:13) Ageism, Azerbaijan, clips of tracks 23 Kronos and 26 The Good Ones (17:58) the Malawi Mouse Boys with clips, In Memory of a Hungry Child and tracks 2, 5 “Score for a film about Malawi without music from Malawi”, NPR Tiny Desk (26:30) Malawi Mouse Boys touring, WOMAD, daily struggles (34:50) Other suggested episodes (35:51) Malawi Mouse Boys homemade instruments, Track 14, album linked in show notes (46:17) Chicago Gunfire Survivors clips track 3, 2, 6 (55:23) book Peace by Peace, non-violent crisis intervention, great advice for all of us (01:08:12) Parchman Prison Project with clips from 2 albums linked in show notes Break Every Chain, MC Hammer, Parchman Prison Blues (01:17:20) Ramblin’ Jack Elliott “I Stand Alone”, Grammy nomination

I’m so happy to bring you this episode with the British Ivor-nominated composer, violinist and sound artist Ruby Colley. She grew up with her artist parents and her brother Paul who is neuro-divergent and non-speaking. This conversation shines a light on her beautiful album Hello Halo with the brilliant Exaudi vocal ensemble. She composed this alongside her brother, transcribing Paul’s sounds and using recordings of his voice to make a vocal map of his life & relationships. You’ll be hearing music from this work as well as her project Overheard. Ruby spoke to me about the influence of Breton folk music and J.S. Bach and how she uses field recordings. You’ll also hear about how she has collaborated in some of her audiovisual projects with her mother the artist Kate Adams who founded Project Art Works, a visual arts organization that collaborates with neurodiverse individuals and those with cognitive impairment and high support needs. We talked about navigating music education, stepping away from competitive environments, the joy of improvisation and Ruby’s upcoming project inspired by the beauty of swifts. You’ll find the track information for the musical excerpts in the timestamps and everything is linked in the complete show notes on my website. You can watch the video on my YouTube or listen to the podcast on your preferred platform, and I’ve also linked the transcript. It’s a joy to bring these inspiring episodes to you, and I do all the many jobs of research, production and publicity. Have a look at the show notes of this episode on my website, where you’ll find all the links, including different ways to support this podcast, and other episodes you’ll enjoy, with Karen Power, Gaelynn Lea, Ian Brennan, Mack Hagood, Mark Growden and Teagan Faran, among so many since 2021. (00:00) Intro (02:28) Hello, Halo, Paul’s communication with clips of track 1, 4 (09:37) Kate Adams Cosmology of Care with clip of track 6, what we all need (13:37) notation, clip of track 3, field recordings, Ivor Novello nomination, film (17:13) Project Art Works, makaton sign language, connecting with other families (22:46) Overheard, Edgeland, audio-visual work, how birds change their song, with clips of track 7, 8, 2 from Overheard (31:20) other episodes you’ll enjoy and ways to support this podcast (32:13) field recordings, creating Overheard, clip of track 5 Bell of the Waves from Overheard, improvisation, Bach, Breton folk music (37:56) music education, Dartington College, neurodivergent (42:51) becoming a parent, interdisciplinary approach to the arts (46:52) new project with swifts, teaching