Anthony Plog on Music

Dan Locklair is an esteemed American composer and educator, known for his contributions to sacred music and his long tenure at Wake Forest University in North Carolina. Born in Charlotte, he began his career as a professional organist at just 14 and has since crafted a diverse body of work, which includes orchestral pieces and choral compositions. Locklair's notable achievements include being the Composer-in-Residence at Wake Forest and composing pieces for significant events, such as 'The Peace may be exchanged' for Ronald Reagan's funeral. In this episode, we explore the transition from a full-time teaching career to dedicating more time to composition, his experiences with students, and insights into the evolving world of classical music.

In Part 1 of the conversation, Dan shares his reflections on retirement after 43 years in academia, emphasizing the joy of having time solely for composition. He recounts humorous anecdotes from his teaching days and discusses the balance between commissioned works and personal projects. "If someone truly wants to be a composer, they’ll find their way, regardless of the challenges," he notes, illustrating his passion for music and teaching.

[Subscriber Content] In Part 2, we dive deeper into Dan's creative process, discussing the importance of crafting music while also addressing frustrations that come with it. He highlights key influences from his education, including his mentors and the impact of major works he's composed. Expect to hear about his relationship with significant figures in music education, like Sam Adler, and how these experiences have shaped his journey. Dan’s stories reveal the human side of being a composer and educator, showcasing the emotional depth behind his music and the lessons he's learned along the way.

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Tony welcomes two remarkable trumpet players and educators, Ryan Gardner and Tomislav Špoljar. Ryan is the Associate Professor of Trumpet at the University of Colorado Boulder, where he combines a wealth of experience with a passion for fostering community among trumpet players. Tomislav, based in Croatia, not only performs but also organizes significant music festivals, including the upcoming International Trumpet Guild conference, which seeks to unite trumpet players from around the globe. Together, they share insights into their journeys as trumpet entrepreneurs, their teaching philosophies, and the importance of building a vibrant, international trumpet community.

In Part 1, Ryan and Tomislav dive into the motivations behind organizing the upcoming ITG conference in Croatia. Ryan emphasizes the need to bring the ITG back to Europe, while Tomislav shares the excitement of connecting with musicians and creating lasting memories. One of the standout quotes comes from Ryan, who says, “The community of trumpet players is what keeps me engaged and motivated.” They discuss the challenges and rewards of their roles within the ITG and reflect on their personal journeys in music and education.

In Part 2 [Subscriber Content], Ryan opens up about the profound impact his teachers had on him, including Mark Gould and Vince Penzarella, and how their philosophies shape his teaching today. Tomislav shares his experiences with legendary figures like Maurice André and Pierre Thibault, highlighting the unique lessons learned from each. They also offer insights into their teaching approaches, emphasizing the importance of understanding individual student needs. For those interested in more personal anecdotes and valuable lessons from their mentors, this section is not to be missed. We wrap up by celebrating the exciting future of the trumpet community, with Ryan voicing the hope that, "Our love for the trumpet and music bonds us together."

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Jan Swafford is a distinguished American author and composer, known for his insightful biographies of great composers like Charles Ives, Ludwig van Beethoven, and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. With degrees from Harvard and Yale, he's made significant contributions to classical music literature. His works, including the Vintage Guide to Classical Music and "Language of the Spirit," reveal the rich narratives behind the music we love. His unique insights and deep understanding of these composers illuminate their artistic journeys in a way that resonates with both music lovers and scholars alike.

In our conversation, we explore the fascinating lives of Haydn and Mozart, delving into their prolific output and the support systems that fueled their creativity. Jan highlights how Haydn composed to commission, leading to his astonishing catalog of works, while debunking myths about Mozart's talent and lifestyle. “He worked himself to death because his body couldn’t handle it anymore,” Jan reflects on Mozart’s relentless pursuit of excellence.

[Subscriber Content] In the subscriber section, Jan shares his thoughts on Tchaikovsky and Brahms, revealing personal preferences and insights about their contrasting styles. He also reflects on the evolution of music through the lens of history, discussing how composers like Schoenberg and Stravinsky marked a shift in musical innovation. Jan emphasizes the importance of authenticity in composition, stating, "It has to come from your core; otherwise, it’s no good." Prepare for a warm exploration of music’s profound connections to the human experience, as Jan shares his unique perspective on these influential figures.

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Trumpeter Chris Gekker has done just about everything a brass player can do—and done it at the highest level. A longtime member of the American Brass Quintet (18 years) and now Professor of Trumpet at the University of Maryland, Chris has also taught at Juilliard, Manhattan School of Music, and Columbia University. His career spans recording Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 2 to sharing the stage with Sting, all grounded by a reflective artistic life shaped by literature and poetry.

In Part 1, we talk about the books that feed his imagination, his father and early upbringing, the interpretive world of the Hindemith Sonata, trumpet mentors from Gerard Schwarz to Thomas Stevens, and the winding arc of a career that prizes curiosity over categories.

[Subscriber Content] In Part 2, Chris reflects on the transition to full-time teaching at Maryland and takes us deep into his approach to trumpet playing and musicianship—drawing on insights from his writing, especially Trumpet Talk.

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In his second appearance on Anthony Plog on Music, celebrated biographer and composer Jan Swafford returns for an expansive two-part conversation that dives deep into the very soul of classical music. In his previous interview from 2021, Jan discussed his monumental biographies of Mozart, Beethoven, Brahms, and Ives. But his intellectual and creative output extends far beyond those volumes, and this new set of interviews explores more of his wide-ranging contributions to the world of music.

In Part 1, the focus turns to Jan’s book Language of the Spirit: An Introduction to Classical Music, a refreshingly vivid and often personal guide to the history of Western music. The discussion begins with a few select quotes that set the tone for Swafford’s engaging style—an approach that never shies away from humor, insight, or imagination. Along the way, Tony and Jan take an unexpected detour into a blog post imagining a conversation between Mozart and Picasso’s Guernica. As the conversation returns to the content of Language of the Spirit, the two explore key aspects of the Baroque period, including figured bass and the challenges of intonation. The episode concludes with a discussion of three of Jan’s own compositions—They That Mourn, Late August - First Snow, and River—offering a glimpse into his creative voice as a composer.

Part 2 picks up right where they left off, continuing the discussion of the Baroque with special attention to the genius of Bach and the dramatic flair of Händel. This naturally leads into a thoughtful debate on performance practice, particularly the tension between historically informed performances (HIP) and modern approaches. Jan brings his signature candor and wit to the conversation, questioning what authenticity really means and whether the HIP movement sometimes overreaches. The episode closes on a memorable note, as Jan describes the extraordinary experience of holding the original manuscripts of Mozart’s Marriage of Figaro and Brahms’s German Requiem in his hands. And in true Swafford fashion, he promises to return again—next time, to tackle the Classical era through to the present day.

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Norwegian hornist Frøydis Wekre has had a remarkable and influential career as both performer and teacher. She joined the Oslo Philharmonic at the age of 20, at a time when there were only two women in the orchestra, and went on to establish herself as a highly respected chamber musician, soloist, and educator. For many years, she served as a professor at the Norwegian Academy of Music, and her reach has extended far beyond Norway through the countless masterclasses she’s given around the world. Widely regarded as one of the leading brass pedagogues of her generation, Frøydis has inspired students and professionals alike with her wisdom, insight, and artistry.

In Part 1 of our conversation, we begin by discussing a metaphor from her book Collected Writings, in which she compares two types of teachers to a family doctor and a specialist—one who works with a student long-term, and another who is brought in to address a specific need. It's a concept that resonates deeply in the teaching world, and Frøydis shares how it has shaped her own approach to working with students. We also talk about her experience playing natural horn and explore the different national and cultural styles of horn playing that she has encountered throughout her career. The first part concludes with reflections on her studies with several legendary figures in the brass world: Vitali Bujanovsky, Wilhelm Lanzky-Otto, and James Stamp.

[Subscriber Content] In Part 2, Froydis shares her perspective on international competitions, including thoughts on fairness and how such events might be improved. This leads into a broader conversation about women in music and how the landscape has changed—and in some ways, still needs to change—over the course of her career. We wrap up with a few light, miscellaneous questions, giving Frøydis the chance to reflect on her life and work with both humor and depth.

It was a privilege to speak with someone who has not only shaped the horn world but continues to influence generations of musicians through her teaching, writing, and example.

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For those looking for an example of a life lived with both artistic excellence and personal richness, oboist Christoph Hartmann is an inspiring model. A member of the Berlin Philharmonic since 1992, Christoph is not only a world-class orchestral musician but also a sought-after soloist and chamber player. He teaches at the Freiburg Musikhochschule, where he now lives, regularly commuting to Berlin for performances with the Philharmonic.

Outside of his musical career, Christoph is deeply involved in endurance sports—he has run around 40 marathons and is an avid cyclist. His passion for biking even led him to create his own line of bicycles, Pasulli bikes, as well as open a bike shop. With a schedule this full and diverse, Tony was eager to learn how Christoph balances it all—and that’s exactly what this wide-ranging conversation explores.

In Part 1, Christoph reflects on his time with the Berlin Philharmonic, sharing how the orchestra has evolved over the decades and offering insight into the leadership and influence of conductors Claudio Abbado, Simon Rattle, and Kirill Petrenko. He also talks about the experience of performing for the Philharmonic’s Digital Concert Hall and whether those streamed performances come with added pressure. The conversation turns to the ever-present topic of reeds and their impact on oboe playing, as well as how he manages his time between teaching in Freiburg and performing in Berlin. Christoph also shares how his interest in long-distance running and biking fits into his musical life, and we wrap up the first part with a look at the Mozart Oboe Concerto video he recorded for the YouTube Symphony.

[Subscriber Content] Part 2 begins with a thoughtful discussion about Christoph’s personal motto—“live your dreams”—and how he balances that ideal with the practical demands of his life. Given how many passions he juggles, Tony asks how he determines his priorities and maintains focus. Christoph also offers his perspective on the differences between German and American styles of oboe playing. The conversation then travels back to his early days on the instrument, culminating in the story of his audition for the Berlin Philharmonic. The episode concludes with his reflections on why the Mozart Oboe Concerto continues to be an ideal first-round audition piece for aspiring orchestral players.

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In the world of arts administration, few careers can rival the breadth and impact of Deborah Rutter’s. Her journey began with an early role working under the legendary Ernest Fleischmann at the Los Angeles Philharmonic and evolved into a series of leadership positions at some of the most prominent institutions in the United States. She has served as executive director of the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, the Seattle Symphony, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and, most recently, as president of the Kennedy Center. Her influence has reached far beyond the walls of any one organization, shaping the national conversation around the arts and the role of cultural institutions in American life.

In Part 1 of our conversation, Deborah reflects on her lifelong connection to music, which began in the third grade when she picked up the violin. We follow her path through her youth, her studies at Stanford, and a formative year in Vienna. She shares insights from her early years at the Los Angeles Philharmonic and walks us through her progression into major leadership roles across the country. Along the way, we explore what it takes to guide large arts organizations—everything from working with music directors and guest artists to day-to-day responsibilities, strategic planning, and the ongoing challenges of funding and development.

[Subscriber Content] In Part 2, we turn our focus to Deborah’s time at the Kennedy Center. She discusses the complexities of overseeing high-profile initiatives like the Kennedy Center Honors, leading the institution through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic (during which she took a 95% pay cut), launching the REACH expansion program, and bringing hip-hop into the Center’s programming. We also touch on the events of February 2025, when she was dismissed from her role by President Donald Trump, and hear her candid reflections on the future of the Kennedy Center. We close with a powerful quote that captures the heart of her life's work: “Quite simply, the artist holds a mirror to who we are as a people and nation and compels us to be better.”

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“Seventeen was that age when we were realizing… we have to do something about this.” That poignant reflection echoes the emotional heart of SEVENTEEN, a powerful narrative work for orchestra created in response to the tragic 2018 high school shooting in Parkland, Florida—an event that claimed the lives of seventeen students. Composer Ron Ramin was moved to begin work on this piece soon after, eventually collaborating with librettist Portia Kamons, and later joined by Jamie Bernstein. Together, they crafted a deeply human and artistically compelling response to an American tragedy.

In this two-part conversation, I sit down with Portia and Ron to talk about the creation of SEVENTEEN and the many layers involved in bringing it to life.

In Part 1, we begin with an overview of the piece itself, followed by a deeper dive into each of its four movements. Portia shares how the libretto was built from the actual words of young people, giving voice to a generation affected by gun violence. We also discuss how Ron and Portia came together to write the piece, the collaborative process behind their work, and how their shared vision took shape. We wrap up the first half of our conversation with the story of how the premiere performance came about, thanks to the support of the Orlando Philharmonic and its music director, Eric Jacobsen.

[Subscriber Content] Part 2 opens with a look at the practical challenges behind producing a project of this magnitude, especially the complexities of securing funding. This leads to a conversation about future performance opportunities and what lies ahead for SEVENTEEN. From there, we step back to learn more about Portia and Ron’s individual careers, and I pose a classic creative question: do artists need to feel inspired to do meaningful work, or can the work happen without inspiration? Their answers are thoughtful and revealing. And finally, we close with a broader reflection as I ask both of them how hopeful they feel about the future.

This episode offers a moving and thoughtful exploration of how art can respond to tragedy—and how music can become a powerful form of activism, remembrance, and healing.

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In 2018, Austrian trumpeter Selina Ott made history by becoming the first woman to win first prize in the 70-year history of the prestigious ARD International Music Competition in Munich. That landmark achievement launched a remarkable career that has taken her to concert halls around the world, performing both as a soloist and with major orchestras. Her debut album, Trumpet Concertos, was honored with the Opus Klassik Award in 2021, and she has since released two more acclaimed solo recordings. Though still early in her musical journey, Selina has already established herself as one of the leading voices of her generation.

In this conversation, I had the great pleasure of speaking with Selina about some of the defining moments in her life and career so far. In part one, we begin with her recent experience performing Wynton Marsalis’s Trumpet Concerto with the ORF Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Marin Alsop. She shares what it was like to collaborate with Marsalis himself and how that experience left a lasting impact. We then reflect on her preparation for, and participation in, the ARD Munich competition—what it took to succeed, and how her life changed overnight following her win. From there, we rewind even further to talk about her early beginnings on the trumpet as a young girl, and the important influence of legendary trumpeter Håkan Hardenberger.

[Subscriber Content] In part two, we shift our focus to the balance between orchestral and solo playing, and what it really means to be a well-rounded soloist in today’s musical world. We also touch on Selina’s relationship with social media and why she chooses to keep a relatively low profile online. One of the more unique aspects of her life outside of music is her passion for horses—she owns several—and we explore how that love for animals complements her musical life. Selina also gives us insight into how she chooses her concert repertoire, both for solo recitals and orchestral performances. And finally, I ask her what advice she would give to a 10-year-old girl dreaming of becoming a musician one day.

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