Chamber of Musical Curiosities

In this episode, Paul Kildea speaks with Australian actor, writer and singer Simon Gleeson. Simon talks about his childhood and how his earliest performances were together on stage with his father in amateur theatre. He also describes meeting Paul Kildea when he was 15 years old and how Paul inspired him to seriously try and make a career in the arts.

For this edition of the podcast, Paul Kildea sits down with pianist, composer and jazz enthusiast Paul Grabowsky. The pair begin by talking about Paul Grabowsky's heritage and the fascinating history of his father, which includes forming a swing band in Townsville during World War II.

Welcome to Season 2 of the podcast. In this episode, Paul Kildea speaks with oboist Celia Craig. They discuss Celia's musical background, the intricacies of playing the oboe, orchestral life, as well as her experiences as someone with chromesthesia.

Welcome to Season 2 of the podcast. In this episode, Paul Kildea speaks with artist, singer, comedian, actor and author, Paul McDermott.

In this instalment of the podcast, Paul Kildea speaks with author, screenwriter and art critic, Jennifer Higgie.

In this instalment of the podcast, Paul Kildea has a chat with Artistic Director of Elision Ensemble, Daryl Buckley.

In this instalment of the podcast, Paul Kildea has a reflective conversation with Kim Williams on his time as a composer, studying abroad in Italy with Luciano Berio and Richard Gill's advocacy for music education in Australia.

In this instalment of the podcast, Paul Kildea has a lively conversation with percussionist and curator Claire Edwardes. The dialogue starts with Claire Edwardes' kaleidoscopic background and how calling Claire just a 'percussionist' does her no justice. She talks about her love of music from a very young age and how her love of playing music with other people has led her down the path of music curation.

In episode 8 of the podcast, Paul Kildea sits down with the native French, French Horn player Nicolas Fleury. During the episode, Paul and Nicolas discuss some of the most iconic works written for the horn.

Nicolas describes some of the unique features of the horn, how the instrument works and explores the most interesting facts about a few of his favourite pieces, such as Mozart's Horn Concerto and the Serenade for Tenor, Horn and Strings written by Benjamin Britten.

They touch on Nicolas' passion for the horn and explore his journey from a young music student to an internationally renowned artist. Nicolas also touches on collaboration and touring with Emily Sun and Amir Farid, missing London and the similarities between the French and Australian lifestyles.

In episode seven, Artistic Director Paul Kildea chats with violinist, composer, and Musica Viva FutureMaker Harry Ward. Their wide-ranging conversation begins with a discussion of Harry's exciting new arrangement of Mahler's Piano Quartet, which will be debuted by pianist Konstantin Shamray, the ANAM Orchestra, and concertmaster Sophie Rowell.

Harry also reflects on his disrupted 2020, which was to see him study at Berlin's prestigious Karajan Academy. Though disappointed, the disruption means he's able to join Musica Viva on tour and perform his own arrangement. Looking forward to a time when he's able to take up his placement in Berlin, Harry tells Paul about the city's rich musical traditions and culture, which he hopes to bring back to Australia and apply to his own practice.