Martha Anne Toll is a novelist and literary and cultural critic, also a violist whose classical music training informs her artistic practice. She recently published her second novel, Duet for One, a beautiful love story based on the lives of musicians.his book is also about the death of a mother, and releasing this conversation on Mother's Day (in our countries) has a particular resonance for those of us whose mothers have died, and Martha and I talked about processing our own grief. We focused on both this book and her novel Three Muses, which I also recommend. You’ll hear about her high and low points as a violist, different ways she has helped with programs related to social justice, and her involvement in the literary world including supporting less-represented authors. We also talked about the classical music world and living true to your values. Martha Toll comes to writing professionally after a career dedicated to social justice, and she shared some great perspectives on both pursuits.

I've linked Martha's list of book and author suggestions in the complete show notes on my website, where you'll also find other episodes linked that you'll like, the transcript and the video!

Martha Anne Toll website

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(00:00) Intro

(02:34) viola teachers Max Aronoff, Raphael Hillyer

(07:46)novel Duet for One

(09:24) Martha’s parents, book critic, getting published

(11:59) Duet for One

(15:30) excerpt from Duet for One

(18:59) music in the book, continuing to play viola

(24:58) Three Muses, grooming and exploitation

(28:23)Dr. Henri Parens Holocaust survivor, cousin Ellen

(31:17) Three Muses with excerpt

(34:08) other episodes, ways to support this podcast

(34:49 dealing with rejection and grief

(40:05) law school, work in social justice

(46:09) suggested authors (books listed in show notes)

(51:34) characters to meet from her books, joyful family Thanksgiving traditions

(57:37) Martha’s Substack newsletter

(01:00:53) artists’ residencies

Alisa Rose is a multi-style violinist and fiddler, composer and educator, and in this episode we’re shining a light on her wonderful new album with mandolinist Tristan Scroggins, Speranza. You’ll hear about how she found her way to such an interesting and diverse career from learning Old-Time music from retired farmers in Wisconsin as a child to classical training with the legendary Camilla Wicks at the San Francisco Conservatory, where she’s come full circle as a teacher. Alisa shared wonderful insights into teaching music, including body awareness and using creativity prompts in her improvisation classes. She shared powerful experiences from her tour in Eastern Europe as an Ambassador of the State Department, and advice about the benefits of organizing house concerts. Like all my episodes, you can watch this on my YouTube channel or listen to the podcast on many podcast platforms, and I’ve also linked the transcript to my website . Speranza album

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Alisa Rose Website

Percussion Caprice video

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Other episodes you'll like: Brittany Haas

Sara Caswell

Joe K. Walsh Guy Donis Gina Burgess Tracy Silverman

Timestamps

(00:00) Intro

(02:02) duo with mandolinist Tristran Scroggins

(06:29) baritone violin, composing Reaper

(09:41) clip from Reaper

(10:50) writing Space Samba, with clip

(13:22) childhood Suzuki and Old Time

(17:33) Camilla Wicks

(20:19)Fiddle and Pizzicato Caprices

(22:02) live performance of Alisa’s Percussion Caprice

(25:49) other episodes you’ll like and how to support this series

(26:44) reducing tension, teaching improv

(32:37) writing Klezmer-style Lasso the Squirrel with clip

(34:27) different styles, Bettina Mussumeli

(35:37) Real Vocal string quartet, Eastern European tour

(43:09) Grammy nomination, other collaborations

(44:47) balancing parenting and performing, house concert opportunities

(46:40) clip of Pandemic Buddy

(47:41)set lists, parenthood, composing her violin concerto

Christoph Zirngibl is an award-winning German film composer who has composed music for over 120 films as well as many TV series including the Apple TV+ series Where’s Wanda. It often strikes me that even with something as specific as some of Christoph’s advice about work flow for fellow film composers, that it can apply more broadly to all of us, whatever our pursuits.. You’ll be hearing a few clips from some of his projects in different musical styles, as well as his reflecctions on his formative student years, the strengths of the apprentice system and his interest in many aspects of filmmaking. I have previously featured a few film composers on this series, and some of these episodes are linked directly in the show notes for you. It’s such an interesting career path, and I find that each of these composers have unique musical backgrounds.

Like all my episodes, you can also listen to the podcast on many platforms, and I’ve also linked the transcript to my website

Christoph Zirngibl Website

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Adam Blau

Anze Rozman and Kara Talve

Kat Raio Rende

Pat Irwin

EmmoLei Sankofa Colin Aguiar

J. Walter Hawkes

Sandro Morales-Santoro

Timestamps:

(00:00) Intro

(02:19) John Williams inspiration

(05:41) childhood Germany

(11:13) Flight of Bryan

(13:47) clip of Flight of Bryan

(14:47) Where’s Wanda, composing process

(22:35) clip of Where’s Wanda score Ralf Wengenmayr

(23:18) apprenticeship

(29:39) life balance and productivity for film composers

(32:02) other episodes you’ll like and how to support this series

(32:57) workflow organization

(37:12) the Unexpected Journey, love of orchestras

(42:04) life balance

(46:09) Hero of Centopia

(48:47) clip from Hero of Centopia

(49:50) filmmaking, reading

(55:35) Finis Terrae, Konstantin Ferstl

(58:18) excerpt from Finis Terrae score

(59:28) writing for voice, Finis Terrae, stollen

Photo: Steffen Rauschert

Lawrence English is a brilliant artist, composer and curator based in Australia. In this wide-ranging interview, Lawrence spoke to me about many topics, touching architecture, philosophy, field recordings, running a record label, and emerging biotech. One of his many projects is the record label Room40, which is celebrating 25 years, and punctuating this podcast are some clips from some of Lawrence’s albums, including Even the Horizon Knows it’s Bounds, Shell Type, and Observation of Breath. You’ll fine several links in the show notes so you can explore each project more fully.

Like all my episodes, you can watch this on my YouTube channel or listen to the podcast on all the podcast platforms, and I’ve also linked the transcript to my website where you'll also find all the separate links for the albums featured in this episode.

Lawrence English website

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Other episodes which I think may interest you: with Jesse Stewart

Ceara Conway

Linsey Pollak Verna Gillis

Stephen Nachmanovitch

(00:00) Intro

(01:42) commission for Naalu Badu Art Gallery of New South Wales

(15:39) excerpt from Even the Horizon Knows Its Bounds

(20:00) architecture and design of cities, Metabolism, Japan

(28:24) Young Person’s Guide to Hustling in Music and the Arts

(34:03) sound art

(38:13) Room40 label, Akio Suzuki

(45:43) the importance of curiosity

(47:30) other episodes and ways to support this series

(48:20) about Field recordings, with clips, relational listening

(57:40) biotech cerebral organoids

(01:07:03) clip from Shell Thype

(01:08:35) Lawrence’s different musical phases and collaborations

(01:16:31) recording the organ Queensland

(01:21:28) And a Twist from Observation of Breath

(01:24:10) ambient music, harmony and pulse, Merzbow

(01:27:19) childhood musical memories

photo T. Pakioufakis

How did Noam Lemish’s experience living in Bhutan influence his outlook? A lot of Noam’s creative life is inspired by bridging cultures and being open to possibility, and you’ll be hearing some music from some of his many projects as well as hear his reflections on teaching and learning. It was fascinating to learn about his mentors including George Marsh and W.A. Mathieu, and how he started collaborating with so many incredible artists including the oud player and guitarist Amos Hoffman. I really wanted to shine a light as well on his fantastic Juno-nominated album Twelve, which is comprised of six original compositions for chamber jazz orchestra, and all the music you’ll be hearing is linked in the show notes. Dr. Lemish is a Professor at York University in Toronto, Canada and you can learn more about him on his website.

Like all my episodes, you can watch this on my YouTube channel or listen to the podcast on all the podcast platforms, and I’ve also linked the transcript to my website

Noam Lemish Website

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Other episodes you’ll like: Tal Yahalom, Rachel Eckroth and John Hadfield, Peter Hum and Steve Boudreau, and Ariel Bart

(00:00) Intro

(02:30) album Twelve

(06:38) clip from Song for Lia

(08:01) Bhutan

(20:08) album Twelve

(23:58) clip from Rebirth, recording process

(27:05) W.A. Mathieu

(35:07) Transcultural Jazz

(37:56) Amos Hoffman, album Pardes

(40:53) Ishal Elohay

(43:37) Noam’s music education in Israel

(46:27) other episodes, ways to support this project

(47:19) York University, Jewish Music series

(41:34 )Soveit Jewry, Anna Shternshis

(56:07) clip from Between Utopia and Destruction

(58:04) access to emotions through music, improvisation

(01:01:59) Erlebnis 16

(01:04:55) George Marsh

(01:11:16) about Beethoven 7th Visit to Romania with clip, Lemish Klezmer history

photo: Dahlia Katz

Juliana Soltis is an innovative cellist who has done extensive research to connect listeners with some forgotten stories of classical music. In this episode we talked about her recent album American Woman which features cello and piano music of women composers; you’ll hear Juliana’s insights into the lives of Mary Howe, Amy Beach, Margaret Bonds, Helen Crane, Dorothy Rudd Moore and Florence Price and hear excerpts from this album which Juliana recorded with the wonderful pianist Ruoting Li. Many listeners will be familiar with Juliana’s playing as a Baroque cellist, and it was fascinating to hear about how the French relinquished their beloved viol relunctuantly to the Italian cello. I really love Juliana’s recording of the complete Suites for solo cello of J.S. Bach and you’ll hear some music from her album Going off Script: the Ornamented Suites for cello.

Juliana shared great advice about performing from an athlete’s perspective and also the joy of connecting with audiences. This interview begins with one of her beautiful greyhounds, and for those of you watching this on YouTube, hopefully you’ll enjoy this comforting canine presence throughout this inspirational conversation. Like all my episodes , you can watch the video or listen to the podcast on all the podcast platforms, and I’ve also linked the transcript to my website, everything linked here: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/juliana-soltis

Other episodes: Samantha Ege, Julia MacLaine, Dorothy Lawson of ETHEL, Edwin Barker, Euclid Quartet

Juliana Soltis Website

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photo: Teresa Tam

(00:00) Intro

(02:37)the greyhounds, American Woman album

(05:16) archives New York Public Library, Helen Crane

(10:42) clip of Ballade Fantasque by Howe

(12:20) Mary Howe

(16:51) racist divide between Black and white composers

(20:47) clip of Troubled Water by Margaret Bonds

(22:12) baroque cello

(33:57) Courante J.S. Bach Solo Suite in G major

(37:14) creating Going off Script: the Ornamented Suites for cello

(37:43) other episodes

(38:36) the art of ornamentation, recording the Bach album

(43:45) lessons with Catharina Meints Caldwell

(48:33) connecting with audiences, using social media

(56:37) clip of Dirge and Deliverance by Dorothy Rudd Moore

(58:00) Kermit Moore, Florence Price, Margaret Bonds, Amy Beach

(01:04:23) Berceuse by Beach

(01:10:25) 3rd Idyll op. 51 by Helen Crane

(01:19:01) how athletic training helps with performance nerves

Katherine Dowling is a brilliant Canadian pianist and in this conversation we talked about her album of solo music by Alice Ping Yee Ho, mentors including Gil Kalish and Henk Guittart, and how and why she’s developed her exceptional musical memory. Katherine shared fantastic insights into teaching and learning, the importance of inclusivity and access to arts education, and how she uses the Pomodoro technique in the practice room. She explained how sound production on the piano is about the speed of attack and we discussed different skill sets and career paths for pianists. Dr. Dowling shared many inspiring musical memories, and how she developed her ambitious Elegy project to follow her personal path through grief. You’ll be hearing some clips from the album Awake and Dreaming, which you’ll find linked below, and you can use the timestamps to navigate the eipsode. Like all my episodes, you can watch this on my YouTube channel or listen to the podcast on all the podcast platforms, and I’ve also linked the transcript to my website Katherine Dowling websiteWhere to listen to Awake and Dreaming I wanted to let you know about some other episodes I’ve linked directly to this one, which I think may interest you, with: pianist and musicologist Samantha Ege composer Frank Horvat organist Gail Archer Cheng2 Duo with Bryan and Silvie Cheng pianist Jeeyoon Kim Original Merch for saleCan you buy this independent podcaster a coffee? ⁠Complete Catalog of EpisodesNewsletter sign-upLinktree for social media ⁠photo: Jiyang ChenTimestamps:(00:00) Intro(01:54) Eckhardt-Gramatté competition, composer Alice Ping Lee Ho, regional music festivals(7:18) album Awake and Dreaming, solo piano music by Alice Ping Lee Ho(11:34) Elegy project, coping with grief(16:09) excerpt from There is No Night Without a Dawning from Awake and Dreaming(18:59) Memorization, Suzuki method(25:15) limitations of learning on electronic keyboards(27:08) mentor Henk Guittart, Schoenberg(29:48) appreciation for modern music in the Netherlands, Ellen Corver(32:31)connection to visual art with Alice Ho’s compositions (34:20) excerpt of Shade(35:51)experience of funnel couds on the Prairies(37:34) Cyclone by Alice Ping Lee Ho(41:12) valuable teaching experiences in Regina(42:37) other episodes you’ll like and ways to support this series(43:32) positive teaching experiences(46:48) new parent(48:18) Gilbert Kalish(53:49) Tanglewood experience, different skills and careers for pianists(56:45) sound production for pianists(01:04:31) inspiring concerts for different audiences(01:07:48) practice strategies, The Artist’s Way, Pomodoro technique(01:12:05) mentoring the next generations

Kala Ramnath is a world-renowned Indian violinist who performs in both the Hindustani classical tradition, and in collaborations that incorporate many styles with Ray Manzarek of The Doors, Bela Fleck and Edgar Meyer, Hilary Hahn, Kronos Quartet with Reena Esmail and veena player Jayanthi Kumaresh, and  leading orchestras such as my own National Arts Centre, to name but a few. You’ll hear about her childhood, and how she became a disciple of the legendary vocalist Pandit Jasraj, leading her to revolutionize her approach to Hindustani violin technique. As a teacher she has put together an incredible resource with an extensive video library that she’s created of Indian music, Indianclassicalmusic.com  

When I recorded this interview with Kala, she had just the day before returned from the celebration of life for the legendary tabla master Zakir Hussain, who died this past December, and was one of the most important musicians in both Indian music and in bringing a global audience to Indian music. He had moved to San Francisco in the 1960s and was involved in too many projects to begin to list; in 2024 he was the first musician from India to receive 3 Grammys at one ceremony, including his collaboration with Bela Fleck and Edgar Meyer. Zakir Hussain was an incredibly important mentor of Kala, and you’ll hear in her words about what his guidance and collaborations meant to her. 

Kala talked to me about some of her many cross-genre collaborations, including her fantastic albums with tabla master Bikram Ghosh  and her inventive trio with George Brooks and Gwyneth Wentink and you'll hear some of that music as well (albums linked below).

 Like all my episodes, you can watch this on my YouTube channel or listen to the podcast on all the podcast platforms, and I’ve also linked the transcript : YouTube and Transcript

Kala Ramnath Website Indianclassicalmusic.com

Raag Ahir Bhairav  Paperboats album Elements trio album

Other episodes I’ve linked directly to this one, which I think may interest you: Karnatic violinist Suhadra Vijaykumar

Sitar and tabla player Mohamed Assani

Bansuri player Milind Date

Sarod player Avi Kishna

It’s a joy to bring these inspiring episodes to you every week, and I do all the many jobs of research, production and publicity.  Please buy me a coffee? Or check out my merch store Sign up for my newsletter and get exclusive sneak peeks!

Timestamps:

(00:00) Intro

(02:41)Zakir Hussain, Triveni with Jayanthi Kumaresh

(10:53) Kala’s childhood

(15:17) Indianclassicalmusic.com resource

(17:56) Kala Ramnath Collective world music 

(19:13) albums with Bikram Ghosh

(20:28) A Better Place from Paperboats with Bikram Ghosh

 (26:30) Pandit Jasraj, changing her approach

Tasha Warren  is an acclaimed clarinetist who has premiered over one hundred solo clarinet and chamber works. In this podcast you’ll hear excerpts from her album “Ourself Behind Ourself, Concealed” a fantastic collaboration with cellist Dave Eggar of newly commissioned and premiered Bass Clarinet and Cello works, which earned two Grammy nominations. If you listened to my episode with Meg Okura last year, you heard a bit about this project, and Meg’s episode is linked in the show notes if you missed it. Dr. Warren is Assistant Professor of Chamber Music at Michigan State University and the principal clarinet faculty of Mostly Modern Festival and you’ll hear her valuable and candid perspectives on a life as an educator, concert presenter and also the challenges of balancing such a full professional life with that of being a mom. You’ll also hear about her unique musical trip to India sponsored by Pitch Pipe organized by Jennifer Heemstra, among several inspiring projects in this wide-ranging episode. In this episode you’ll be hearing music by Nathalie Joachim, Paquito D’rivera, Martha Redbone Pascal Le Boeuf and Cornelius Boots.  One of the wonderful surprises for me as a podcaster has been getting to know composers new to me and I encourage you to listen to Tasha and Dave’s recording which is linked for you below. 

Like all my episodes, you can also watch this on my YouTube channel or listen to the podcast on all the podcast platforms, and I’ve also linked the transcript to my website

Tasha Warren Website

Ourself Behind Ourself Concealed album

It’s a joy to be able to bring these meaningful conversations to you, but this project costs me quite a bit of money and lots of time; please support this series through either my merchandise store or buy me a coffee on my Ko-fi page

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Some other  episodes I’ve linked directly to this one, which I think may interest you, with:

 Meg Okura

 Katherine Needleman 

  Anthony Brandt 

 Naomi Moon Siegel  

  Sarah Jeffery of Team Recorder 

Timestamps: 

(00:00) Intro

(02:14) champion of new music, “Ourself Behind Ourself, Concealed” album with Dave Eggar

(09:05) Pascal Le Boeuf

(13:19) clip from Snapshots by Pascal Le Boeuf

(15:00) process of choosing composers for this project, expanding styles

(17:37) trip to India, Jennifer Heemstra

(25:07) experiences presenting concerts in different contexts and communities

(30:53) value of journaling, importance of self-awareness and practicing efficiently

(36:25) Martha Redbone, about Black Mountain Calling Cherokee stomp dance

(40:07) clip from Martha Redbone’s Black Mountain Calling

(41:19) Paquito D’Rivera, about African Tales

(43:26) clip of African Tales by Paquito D’Rivera

(44:37) embracing the risk of improv

(46:06) other episodes you’ll like and different ways to support this series

(46:55)study abroad program in Israel, Klezmer improv 

(49:29) husband clarinetist Guy Yehuda, balancing family li

Tal Yahalom is an award-winning jazz guitarist and composer and you’ll be getting a preview of his compelling quintet album Mirror Image  with  refreshingly unique instrumentation: violin, cello, percussion, sax and flute and both nylon-string and electric guitar. You’ll be hearing excerpts from the album and hear about Tal’s creative process and collaborators including percussioninst Rogerio Boccato and David Leon on sax and flute. Tal told me about some great advice he got from Pat Metheny, whom he met  when Tal won the Detroit Jazz Festival National Guitar Competition, and the invaluable guidance of key mentors throughout his education and career. Tal recently came back from musically immersive travels in Brazil and Argentina, and it was inspiring to hear about his experiences their as well as hear about several of his collaborators,  including his band KADAWA, and we’re featuring a track from their new album as well. Towards the end of this interview, Tal shared some personal reflections on his new duo with vocalist Danielle Wertz, and some very wise insights into student-centered learning, which I think apply quite broadly, not just to music.  Like all my episodes, you can watch this on my YouTube channel or listen to the podcast on all the podcast platforms, and I’ve also linked the transcript to my website https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/tal-yahalom

Tal Yahalom Website Mirror Image Album (pre-order link; releasing March 21, 2025)

KADAWA band

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Other episodes you'll like:

Marc van Vugt Ariel Bart Gilad Weiss Edison Herbert

Roddy Ellias Daniel Ramjattan

Timestamps:

(00:00) Intro

(02:49) album Mirror Image

(07:00) clip of KIM from Mirror Image

(07:29) about Prelude, use of strings

(09:30) clip of Prelude from Mirror Image

(11:13) album set list, listening parties

(14:01)Argentian grandfather, trip to Brazil and Argentina, Vardan Ovsepian

(17:26) Rogerio Boccato, Brazil trip, Gian Correa

(22:43) clip from Chorinho for Tati from Mirror Image

(23:28) Brazil trip

(25:43) creative process, about Hymn for Tomorrow

(28:56) excerpt from Hymn for Tomorrow

(30:22) album art Linnea Lieth, Tal’s creative process

(35:09) other episodes linked to this one and different ways to support this series

(36:04) Tal’s creative process

(40:26) percussionist Rogerio Boccato

(43:50) clip of Dusk on Landwehr Canal

(45:10) David Leon sax and flute player 

(47:39) story of Sophianic Mess

(51:04) clip of Sophianic Mess

(51:47) band KADAWA Almog Sharvit, Ben Silashi

(55:58) KADAWA Salhov Syndrome from Post Graduation Fees

(01:02:11) Tal’s experience of student-led education, guitar teacher Shai Chen

(01:05:36) the