Cellist and composer Dorothy Lawson is one of the founding members and Artistic Directors for ETHEL, ‪ a string quartet celebrating 25 years of setting the standard for contemporary concert music. In this episode, you’ll hear about many fascinating and meaningful collaborations with musicians including Alllison Loggins-Hull, Robert Mirabal, and Layale Chaker. It was really inspiring to hear how they got started with adapting the concert experience into something less-predictable, and ways to connect with new audiences. Dorothy also shared her insights into playing and teaching the cello and staying healthy. We also talked about many of the long-term relationships with the Metropolitain Museum, Denison College and the Grand Canyon Music Festival’s Native American Composer Apprentice Projecct. You’ll be hearing excerpts from 3 of ETHEL’s recent albums, including wonderful music by Leilehua Lanzilotti, Sam Wu and Migiwa “Miggy” Miyajima, and everything is linked to ETHEL’s website: https://ethelcentral.org/

Transcript and YouTube video of this episode:
https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/dorothy-lawson-ethel

This is my final podcast for this year, Episode 51 of Season 4, and Season 5 starts in a couple of weeks in January. Please check the links for different ways to support and follow this independent podcast. I really do need the help of my listeners; I do all the many jobs of research, production and publicity.

Timestamps: 

(00:00) Intro

(02:19) ETHEL string quartet, Persist project Allison Loggins-Hull

(07:29)how and why ETHEL got started, Mary Rowell, Todd Rundgren, Joe Jackson

(13:32) Persist album, Sam Wu composer

(14:56) excerpt from Terraria by Sam Wu on the Persist album

(16:54) composer Leilehua Lanzilotti, Hawaii history and culture

(19:14) excerpt from We began this quilt there by Leilehua Lanzilotti from album Persist

(20:33) composer Migiwa Miyajima

(23:18) clip from Reconciliation Suite by Migiwa “Miggy” Miyajima from album Persist

(24:11) Allison Loggins-Hull, about Persist

(26:41) excerpt from Perisist by Allison Loggins-Hull

(28:50) multi-media shows, Docuamerica

(33:02) collaboration with Ringling museum for Circus: Wandering City show

(37:21) other episodes that will interest you and different ways to support this series

(38:06) the name ETHEL, members

(46:09) Robert Mirabal, Grand Canyon Music Festival

(56:41) excerpt from trailer for the Red Willow project with Robert Mirabal

(58:46) Layale Chaker violinist composer, new album Vigil

(01:01:58) excerpt from Vigil with Layale Chaker

(01:05:07)Dorothy’s approach to teaching cello, avoiding injury, strategies for staying healthy

(01:10:45) Metropolitan Museum collaboration

(01:17:47)Denison University residency, city universities in New York Macaulay Honors

Katherine Needleman is a wonderful oboe player, who has been the principal oboist of the Baltimore Symphony since 2003. She’s also active as a solist and chamber musician, and is on faculty at the Curtis Institute of Music. She is a champion of music of our time and you’ll find her recordings and many projects on her website. To many listeners in the Classical Music world, she’s probably better known for her Substack articles and posts on social media that address misogyny, sexual misconduct and assault, and the lack of diversity and equity in the Classical music world. In this conversation you’ll hear about some of her activism and advocacy work , and different aspects of Katherine’s life as a musician, including her work as a composer and educator, and mentors including Jennifer Higdon. Please note the timestamps to navigate the episode. I regret that I didn’t get into improvisation with her, because she’s also an excellent improvisor and has put out an album of improvised chamber music “The Marmalade Balloon”. Perhaps we can get into this next time she comes on the podcast!

Shakura S'Aida, acclaimed Americana roots soul singer and songwriter has thrilled global audiences in 31 countries over many years.

You may be also interested in my episodes with Kellylee Evans, Vahn Black, Colleen Allen, Jah’Mila, Kat Raio Rende, Cliff Beach and Edison Herbert, among so many. (linked above to my website or look in your podcast player).

Yann Passabet-Labiste is a French violinist with a beautiful warm intensity to his playing, and in this episode we’re focussing on his album “Robert Schumann et son univers” with pianist Bertrand Giraud. Yann talks about some of his mentors in France and Switzerland, many interesting and inspiring musical highlights and his perspectives on how music has helped him through some difficult challenges.  

YouTube video of this episode, and Transcript linked here on my website:

https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/yann-passabet-labiste

Video of Sonata No. 1 “A mon fils Yann pour sa Maman” by Gérard Passabet-Labiste https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0DBUxSJjXeM

Yann Passabet-Labiste website: https://www.yann-passabet-labiste.com/

Schumann et son univers album (also on your favourite streaming service): https://www.fnac.com/a20143665/Robert-Schumann-Robert-Schumann-et-son-univers-CD-album

Brahms Scherzo video from Paris concert: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=stk09FVUh7w⁠

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. You can support this independent podcast through both the unique collection of merchandise: https://www.leahroseman.com/beautiful-shirts-and-more

Buy me a coffee? https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman

Sign up for my newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/ebed4a237788/podcast-newsletter

You may also be interested in my episodes with: Nimrod Borenstein, Omo Bello, Julia MacLaine, the Euclid Quartet, Jeeyoon Kim,  and many more going back to 2021. 

Timestamps: 

(00:00) Intro

(01:33) album Robert Schumann et son univers

(04:51) Clara Schumann 1st Romance

(04:49) Yann’s childhood, the death of his mother, father composer

(13:11) Sonata No. 1 “A mon fils Yann pour sa Maman” by Gérard Passabet-Labiste

(16:13) Yann’s parents, his start on violin

(22:21) teachers Lilian Rossi Monique Voisin-Vallet

(25:55) Brahms Scherzo from F.A.E. Sonata, live performance 

(31:25) studies in Geneva, member of the Tonhalle orchestra in Zurich

(39:40) Japan, Madagascar

(43:18) collaborating with his father composer Gérard Passabet-Labiste

(44:45)practicing violin technique, yoga

(46:55) other episodes you may enjoy, and different ways to support this series

(47:40) favourite musicians and musical memories

(53:54) living for the moment and need to play for people

(58:07) Second Romance Robert Schumann op. 94

(01:02:09) music education in France

(01:05:18) challenges with a solo career, memorable performance highlights

(01:20:43) favourite concertos

(01:27:51) concert memories Alfred Brendel Concertgebouw, Butterfly Lovers in China

(01:37:13) concert preparation

Ida Gillner is very special musician based in Sweden, and in this episode you’ll hear the powerful story of her personal journey, embracing different cultures, and also the comforting power of music.  Ida is a multi-instrumentalist and composer; her main instruments are soprano saxophone, piano and voice.  In the first part of this episode we focus on her project Shtolstse lider, her songs set to the poetry of some of Yiddish’s greatest women writers. You’ll hear about Ida’s childhood on the island of Asperö, forging her own path in different world music traditions, and  the Finnish tango group Anna Heikkinen and Längtans Kapell. 

We also talked about her solo album “Anna” dedicated to her sister, and how the process of writing and recording this healing music comforted her through the shock of her family’s loss. I have included detailed timestamps for all the topics covered and for the music, and you’ll find links to Ida and her musical projects below.

Like all my episodes, you can also watch this on YouTube; that's linked here with the transcript on my website: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/ida-gillner

The recommended episodes below are also linked directly on my website link to Ida's episode! You may also be interested in my episodes with:  Polina Shepherd, Marilyn Lerner,  Kavisha Mazzella, Ceara Conway, Kirsten Agresta Copely, Sophie Lukacs,  and Yale Strom, among so many.

Ida Gillner Website https://idagillner.se/

Klez Canada complete video Mayn Heym: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_moFp3o_ho

Sign up for my Podcast Newsletter!⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Very Cool Merch⁠⁠

Buy me a coffee? ⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman⁠⁠ Thanks!

Timestamps: 

(00:00) Intro

(02:11)Gothenburg, Sweden, 

(3:09) Sholtse lider project songs Yiddish poetry women writers

(12:06) excerpt from Mayn Heym by Anna Margolin

(16:03)Anna Margolin’s life

(23:50) Shtoltse Lider with Livet Nord and before with Louise Vase

(25:55)Celia Dropkin

(29:17)  Ickh hob dikh nokh nit gezen from the Shtoltse Lider album with vocalist Louise Vase, poem by Celia Dropkin

(31:37) Rachel Korn, Holocaust survivors in Sweden, Yiddish

(35:08) how Ida got interested in Klezmer and Yiddish

(38:21) Ida’s childhood, the Södra Archipelago,  Asperö island Sweden

(42:15) music education and family encouragement

(48:01) Finnish war children in Sweden, Anna Heikkinen and Längtans Kapell quartet

(51:38) Apeltango with Anna Heikkinen and Längtans Kapell quartet, from the album Omenatango

(55:11) other episodes of interest, ways to support this series

(56:11) Jewish Culture Festival in Krakow, learning Yiddish

(01:06:32) Anna, grieving her sister

(01:12:05) “Sommersång it stilla tid och barfotadans på klippor” from Anna

(01:15:21) healing process of creating the album

(01:19:30) Flyga from Anna

(01:23:34) balancing a career in music with family life, working with El Sistema

(01:27:29) upcoming projects, new piano album, collaborations

photo: Ellika Henrikson

DeWitt Fleming Jr. is a multi-talented and brilliant performer, renowned for his tap dancing, choreography and acting, and is also a singer and drummer. As he said to me in this interview “when I’m tap dancing I’m drumming”. You’ll hear about his experience growing up in the Projects, the importance of attending an Arts high school, the usefulness of theatre training for musicians, and insights into memorization, mindset and performing. He shared his experiences working with Wynton Marsalis, meeting his wife the actor and singer Jennie Harney-Fleming, with whom he’s presently performing A Wonderful World: The Louis Armstrong Musical,  his experiences with Cirque du Soleil and touring internationally with Riverdance, and most recently playing both drums and performing tap with the Hot Sardines in Tokyo. 

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, everything linked here : https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/dewitt-fleming-jr

DeWitt Fleming Jr. Website: https://www.dewittflemingjr.com/bio

Sign up for my Podcast Newsletter!⁠ ⁠Very Cool Merch⁠

Buy me a coffee? ⁠https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman⁠ Thanks!

You may be also interested in my episodes with ⁠J. Walter Hawkes,⁠ ⁠Vahn Black⁠,⁠ Mike Essoudry⁠, ⁠Destiny Muhammad⁠, ⁠EmmoLei Sankofa⁠, ⁠Kellylee Evans⁠ and so many ⁠others. ⁠ 

“Doxy” highlighting DeWitt’s tap dancing with saxophonist Erica von Kleist; Sax & Taps’ this video which was recorded live at The Red Room in 2017: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6-xm8DZY6c

Sax & Taps’ album Intersplosion!

https://saxandtaps.bandcamp.com/album/intersplosion-live-at-dizzys-club

clips of DeWitt dancing with  Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGl6svIDzNc

 Timestamps: 

(00:00) Intro

(02:48) history of tap, African roots 

(09:26) DeWitt’s youth Projects of Washington DC, Hoofin’ out of the Hood show

(17:54) meeting his wife Jennie Harney-Fleming, parenting

(22:16) A Wonderful World: The Louis Armstrong Musical

(23:30) choreography, Broadway 

(26:56) benefits of drama training

(29:31) clip from Doxy, Sax & Taps with Erica von Kleist

(32:28) other episodes you may like, and different ways to support this series!

(33:15) drummer, Blue Note Tokyo with The Hot Sardines

(36:47) Cirque du Soleil experience, Broadway Underground

(43:06) meeting and working with Wynton Marsalis

(50:24) tap dancing, mentoring and teaching youth, the importance of theater

(56:10) connections with music, acting, dancing

(59:38) touring internationally with Riverdance

(01:02:35) Alicia Keys

(01:04:57) balance between playing drums and dancing, being in the moment, tap is music

I was honored to be able to record this wide-ranging interview with violinist Yale Strom, who is the leading ethnographer-artist of Klezmer music and history, and also has done many years of research among the Roma communities. He speaks to us about some of his many inspiring experiences during over 75 research expeditions to Central and Eastern Europe and the Balkans. To prepare for this episode, I read several of his books, including his 400 page The Book of Klezmer: The History, The Music, The Folklore, some of which we touched on during this conversation, and he also spoke about two of his upcoming books and other projects. Yale is an energetic and prolific creator; he’s also a filmmaker, photographer, educator, playwright and composer, and we spoke about many of his projects during this wide-ranging interview.  Timestamps below.

https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/yale-strom

Video Transcript

Yale Strom Website

To support this series, please either buy me a coffee

or shop at my merchandise store

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You may be also interested in these episodes:  Alicia Svigals (both episodes linked) Polina Shepherd, Josh “Socalled” Dolgin, and Marilyn Lerner.  

Timestamps: 

(00:00) Intro

(02:29) Yale’s career as ethnographer-artist

(04:03) Stoliner shul concert in Detroit Victory Fellowship Baptist Church

(10:44)  Oberek Palota, Klezmer music from Slovakia, from the album “Borsht with Bread, Brothers” with Yale Strom and Hot Pstromi

(14:34) ethnographic research, Wandering Feast book, Yiddish, meeting Holocaust survivors

(24:43)The Witches of Lublin

(27:26) Dire Gelt from The Devil’s Brides with Yale Strom and Hot Pstromi, vocals with Elizabeth Schwartz

(31:10) Yale Strom’s films The Last Klezmer, A Great Day in Eldridge Street, the Man from Munkasc, An American Socialist, the Life and Times of Eugene Victor Debs

(35:09)Leopold Kozlowski, The Last Klezmer, Naftuli Brandwein

(39:33) Rom musicians, book Uncertain Roads, Searching for the Gypsies, connections with the Jews

(49:46) Klezmer loshn secret language and culture

(58:46) the lost Stoliner Weinstein manuscript, upcoming book 

(01:07:02) other episodes with Klezmer musicians and ways to support this series

(01:07:42) Yale’s compositions and commissions

(01:17:28) Dave Tarras

(01:22:19) Influences of Klezmer and Romani on Russian school of violin playing, Oistrach, Auer

(01:29:25) Shimmering Lights album, Sara Caswell, influences of prayers on Klezmer

(01:33:53) excerpt from Bashir Mizmor, Shimmering Lights album Yale Strom’s Broken Consort, with Sara Caswell improv 

(01:35:56) The Expulsion of the Jews, Sephardic communities research

(01:43:33) Schlomo books, new musical about the Chagalls, Sweet Fragrance of Life

Nimrod Borenstein is a brilliant composer, who was a child prodigy as both a composer and performer. His often complex music is beloved by performers and audiences alike, and has been widely recorded and performed internationally. He is also a renowned conductor, and he spoke to me about his difficult decision to cut short his career as a violin soloist in order to find alternate career options as he developed his career as a composer. Vladimir Ashkenazy has been an active champion of Nimrod’s music, and you’ll hear the charming story of their first meeting.  Ashkenazy first conducted Borenstein’s orchestral work The Big Bang and Creation of the Universe op. 52 to great acclaim, and the Chandos label released a very successful album devoted to Borenstein’s music conducted by Ashkenazy featuring his Violin Concerto and orchestral works.  

Nimrod shares his insights about interpreting music for performers and conductors, the development of his compositional style and his views on creativity in general. Nimrod has an infectious energy in his enthusiasm for the pursuit of beauty.  Nimrod has exceptional parents, and you’ll hear how they met, and we start with Nimrod’s close relationship to his father the renowned painter Alec Borenstein. 

You’ll be hearing excerpts from a couple of recordings, with thanks to both SOMM recordings and Naxos; links to Nimrod Borenstein's compositions and recordings below

This episode is also a captioned video on YouTube, and you can read the transcript at this link as well: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/nimrod-borenstein

Nimrod Borenstein website, for his discography, compositions and current projects: https://www.nimrod-borenstein.com/recordings

To support this series, please either buy me a coffee

or shop at my merchandise store

Newsletter sign-up

Catalog of Episodes

Timestamps:

(00:00) Intro

(03:27) father Alec Borenstein, sharing ideas about great art and creativity

(10:44) Un moment de sérénité Shirim, op. 94, no. 5  performed by pianist Clélia Iruzun with thanks to SOMM recordings

(13:24) the importance of contrast

(15:06) importance of dynamics, notation, interpretation

(18:04) evolution of Nimrod’s compositions,  decision to give up career as a violin soloist 

(22:37)Concertos

(24:51) piano Etudes

(30:11) Tango Etude. op. 66 No. 3 on the Naxos label with pianist Tra Nguyen

(32:32) piano Etudes, first symphony

(35:24) Chopin performed very little, Nimrod’s decision to prioritize composition

(36:41)decision to conduct

(43:47) excerpt from the 3rd movement of the Borenstein Concerto for Piano and Orchestra op. 91, performed by Clélia Iruzun and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Nimrod Borenstein conductor

(47:11) conducting, composition and interpretation

(55:35)past episodes you may enjoy, different ways to support this series

(56:20) English Chamber Orchestra 2025 collaboration Shakespeare Songs

(57:16)how Vladimir Ashkenazy became a champion of Nimrod’s compositions

(01:06:38) evolution of Nimrod’s compositional style, use of polyrhythms, finding his voice

(01:24:09) excerpt from the 2nd movement of the Borenstein Concerto for Piano and Orchestra, op. 91, performed by Clélia Iruzun and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, with Nimrod conducting.

(01:27:31) Nimrod’s childhood in France, then move to the UK, musical influences, rating composers

(01:37:32) Nimrod’s family 

(01:42:55) piano pedagogy books and approach to teaching

(01:48:42) great art separate from the creator

photo: Sonia Fitoussi 

Mark Growden is a brilliant, curious, and expressive American multi-faceted musician.  He’s a multi-instrumentalist, composer, singer, music educator, conductor, and visual artist. In this episode we focus on his large and varied instrument collection and he demonstrates several unusual instruments, including different jaw harps, biclycle handebars, and overtone flutes. He shares his unique journey, and how he developed new skills in response to different challenges and opportunities. I was fascinated to hear about his inspiring recent trip to Kyrgyzstan, about many of his mentors and collaborators, and his expressive approach to musicianship training.   Mark has devoted his life to making music for other people and to helping other people make music for themselves, and he is an advocate for openess about respect and understanding for people with neurodivergence and mood disorders. Mark  is the founder and Artistic Director of The Calling All Choir, The Chromatic Community Music Center, SF SingFest, and The SF Jaw Harp Choir. He has released several critically acclaimed albums and has toured the US extensively. He has composed original musical scores for dozens of dance and theater companies and scored several films. We are featuring music from 3 of his albums during this episode and you’ll find his discography linked below. 

This episode on YouTube, and the transcript:

https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/mark-growden

Mark Growden website: https://markgrowden.org

To support this series, please either buy me a coffee here: https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman

or shop at my merchandise store: https://www.leahroseman.com/beautiful-shirts-and-more

Newsletter sign-up: https://mailchi.mp/ebed4a237788/podcast-newsletter

Catalog of Episodes: https://www.leahroseman.com/about

You may be also interested in my episodes with other wide-ranging musicians involved in community music, instrument-making and exploring, such as with Linsey Pollak, Kavisha Mazzella, Philip Griffin, Polina Shepherd, Jesse Stewart, Sarah Jeffery, and Gary Muszynski.

Timestamps: 

(00:00) Intro

(03:16) Kyrgyzstan, Irina Bogatyryova, jaw harp music, Kutman Sultanbekov

(08:25) overtone flutes, bicycle handlebars, selijefloyte

(14:06) jaw harp history and demo

(17:32) jaw harp technique 

(21:21)clip from bicycle handlebars improvisation on Mark’s  album Saint Judas

(22:02) in-blown flutes, interdental embouchure, Central Asian flutes

(28:23) Mark’s childhood, music education, bands 

(31:24)Orff Schulwerk,  Blues

(35:05) New Orleans, writing for choirs, leading Community Sings

(42:36) Mark’s early music education

(46:53) Driving into the Sunrise, from In Velvet with the New Orleans Heavies and Mark Growden

(50:20) other episodes you may like and different ways to support this series

(51:07) Juggling, busking, bands, digeridoo, studying art, jazz

(53:04) Kodaly method

(55:11) Mark’s approach to teaching musicianship, hearing intervals according to function

(59:11) how Mark got into singing and choral direction, claw hammer banjo, album Lose me in the sand

(01:04:26) Shady Grove from Lose me in the sand

(01:08:53) move to Portland, show for the Getty museum Edyth Eyde

(01:16:15) Aron Szilagyi jaw harp festival World Vibes Hungary

(01:17:53) bass jaw harp demo

(01:19:06) Lithuanian psaltery tuned in whole tones, Veljo Tormis Tabu, kankles psaltery

(01:22:07) video music art new projects

(01:25:47) mentors Vance George, Alice Parker, Michael Kaulkin

(01:31:50) living and creating with bipolar type 2 and ADHD

Omo Bello is an acclaimed French-Nigerian operatic soprano , and in this episode we are focussing on her newly-released album “African Art Song” on Somm recordings with pianist Rebeca Omordia. Many of you heard my episode this past summer with pianist and curator of the African Concert Series, Rebeca Omordia, and I’ll be linking that episode below for you.  

Omo talked to me about overcoming shyness and stage fright,  her childhood and university years in Lagos, Nigeria, and some of her mentors including Grace Bumbry and Thomas Quasthoff.  I was fascinated to gain insights from her life as an opera singer, and to learn about many of the composers from Africa and the African diaspora featured on this wonderful album, including Ayo Bankole, Fred Onovwerosuoke,  Ishaya Yaron, Chirstian Onyeji and Shirley Thompson . 

 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/omo-bello

Episode with Rebeca Omordia: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/rebeca-omordia-african-pianism

African Art Song album: https://somm-recordings.com/recording/african-art-song/

Omo Bello website: http://www.omobello.com/about.html

Omo Bello instagram: https://www.instagram.com/omo_bello

Merch store to support this series: https://www.leahroseman.com/beautiful-shirts-and-more

Buy me a coffee? https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman

Newsletter sign-up: https://mailchi.mp/ebed4a237788/podcast-newsletter

Catalog of Episodes: https://www.leahroseman.com/about

Linktree Social Media: https://linktr.ee/leahroseman

photo: Vincent Pontet

Timestamps:

(00:00) Intro

(02:53) African Art Song album with Rebeca Omordia

(09:12) Ayo Bankole

(10:40) Ayo Banko’s Adura fun Alafia Prayer for Peace

(14:22) Ayo Bankole

(17:00) Omo’s childhood and university years in Lagos

(32:22) Fred Onovwerosuoke, cultural context to interpret this music

(39:13)  excerpt of “Ngulu” by Fred Onovwerosuoke 

(40:11) the voice as instrument

(44:49) other episodes you may like, and different ways to support this series

(45:33) Grace Bumbry

(53:44) Shirley Thompson

(58:15) excerpt from  Shirley Thompson’s "Psalm to Windrush”

(59:44) Omo Bello Music Foundation in Nigeria

(01:07:47) Ishaya Yarison

(01:10:26) excerpt from Ishaya Yarison’s Ku zo, mu raira waƙa 

(01:11:54) Christian Onyegi, African Art Song album themes

(01:15:34) Giri Giri by Christian Onyegi

(01:17:31) percussionist Richard Olatunde Baker on the album, transmitting oral tradition of the music

(01:20:46) challenges in music education in France

(01:28:17) Thomas Quastoff, Des Knaben Wunderhorn album

(01:34:21) challenges and joys of an opera singer