Let's Talk Off The Podium

Ransom Wilson has long been recognized internationally as one of the greatest flutists of his generation. Flutist/conductor Ransom Wilson has performed in concert with major orchestras the world over. As a flutist, he has recently launched an ongoing series of solo recordings on the Nimbus label in Europe. As a conductor, he is starting his third season as Music Director of the Redlands Symphony in Southern California, and he continues his positions with the Lar Lubovitch Dance Company and Le Train Bleu ensemble. He has led opera performances at the New York City Opera, and was for ten years an assistant conductor at the Metropolitan Opera. He has been a guest conductor of the London, Houston, KBS, Kraków, Denver, New Jersey, Hartford, and Berkeley symphonies; the Orchestra of St. Luke’s; the Philadelphia Chamber Orchestra; the Hallé Orchestra; and the chamber orchestras of St. Paul and Los Angeles. He has also appeared with the Glimmerglass Opera, Minnesota Opera, and the Opera of La Quinzena Musical in Spain. As an educator, he regularly leads master classes at the Paris Conservatory, Juilliard School, Moscow Conservatory, Cambridge University, and others. A graduate of The Juilliard School, he was an Atlantique Foundation scholar in Paris, where he studied privately with Jean-Pierre Rampal. His recording career, which includes three Grammy Award nominations, began in 1973 with Jean-Pierre Rampal and I Solisti Veneti. Since then he has recorded over 35 albums as flutist and/or conductor. Mr. Wilson is Professor of Flute at the Yale University School of Music, and has performed with The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center since 1991.

In this episode we talk about his relationships with Jean-Pierre Rampal, Leonard Bernstein and Julius Baker. He talks about various collaborations, teaching, hobbies, solo career, touring and much more!

For more information about Ransom Wilson please visit: https://www.ransomwilson.com

© Let's Talk Off The Podium, 2020

Ep. 104: Kirsten Agresta Copely, harpist.

Let's Talk Off The Podium with Tigran Arakelyan.

KIRSTEN AGRESTA COPELY is a harpist, composer, and arranger. Known for her unusual command of genres like hip-hop in addition to classical music, her prolific career has taken her throughout the United States, Europe, South America, Israel, Japan, and the South Pacific; she has performed for heads of state, in blockbuster movie soundtracks, alongside Billboard 100 artists, on late night television, and with the most recognized symphony orchestras in the world. Composition marks Copely’s latest addition to her career: she recently released her first album as composer, Around the Sun, in January 2020. The album, a collection of New Age works, is a collaboration with her husband Marc Copely, credited as producer, engineer, and mixer. Recently, One World Music UK praised her first single as “a rich weave of melodic brilliance...a single you could leave on repeat for hours.”

In this episode we talk about Kirsten's collaborations with artists such as Jay-Z, Kanye West, Beyoncé, and her work in studios with artists from different genres. She also shares stories about competitions, collaborating with her husband, hobbies, and much more.

For more information about Kirsten Agresta Copely please visit: https://www.musiccityharp.com/

© Let's Talk Off The Podium, 2020

Ep. 103: Angel Velez, conductor.

Let's Talk Off The Podium with Tigran Arakelyan.

Angel Velez enjoys a career balanced between the studios of Los Angeles, guest conducting and teaching. Velez has extensive experience as an orchestral conductor working with orchestras such as the Augsburger Philharmoniker (Germany), Berlin Sinfonietta (Germany), Budapest Symphony (Hungary), Cape Cod Symphony (USA), Deutsche Staatsphilharmonie Rhineland-Pfalz (Germany), Boca del Rio Philharmonic (Mexico), Illinois Valley Symphony (USA), Indianapolis Symphony (USA), Moravian Philharmonic (Czech Republic), Puerto Rico Symphony (USA), Rousse Philharmonic (Bulgaria), Los Angeles studio ensembles and many others.

Velez serves as conductor of the Santa Monica Chamber Orchestra, artistic director and conductor for Silent Films LIVE, a live-to-film concert series benefiting Education Through Music - Los Angeles, as well as conductor for the recent Silent Films LIVE album with the Varèse Sarabande Chamber Orchestra at Capitol Studios. He served as conductor for the L.A.-based ensemble, Helix Collective in addition to serving as conductor for the Los Angeles Live Score Film Festival, American Society of Cinematographers Awards at the Dolby Theatre, Indianapolis Motor Speedway Centennial Gala and many others. He has recorded for the Südwestrundfunk (SWR) in Germany and Varèse Sarabande Records labels. He continues to work professionally in the entertainment industry where he has worked on projects such as Family Guy, Green Book, James Bond: Goldeneye for Wii, Jane the Virgin, Madison, My Week with Marilyn, Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Star Wars Rebels, The Mandalorian, Tatort and others as well as recently conducting the world-premiere concert performance of the Marvel franchise hit movie, Captain Marvel.

In this episode we talk about LA Film Conducting Intensive which Angel co-founded, music in film, and choices for family and career. We also talk about his mentors, hobbies and much more!

For more information about Angel Velez and the LAFCI please visit: https://www.lafci.org/angel-velez

© Let's Talk Off The Podium, 2020

Ep. 102: Ludovic Morlot, conductor.

Let's Talk Off The Podium with Tigran Arakelyan.

Following eight years as Music Director, Ludovic Morlot is now Conductor Emeritus of the Seattle Symphony. His tenure in Seattle formed a hugely significant period in the musical journey of the orchestra. Ludovic’s innovative programming encompassed not only his choice of repertoire, but theatrical productions and performances outside the traditional concert hall space. There were numerous collaborations with musicians from different genres, commissions and world premieres. Some of these projects, including John Luther Adams’ Become Ocean, Aaron Jay Kernis’ Violin Concerto performed by James Ehnes and an exploration of Dutilleux’s music, have earned the orchestra five Grammy Awards, as well as the distinction of being named Gramophone’s 2018 Orchestra of the Year. Under Ludovic’s baton, 19 recordings have been released under the Seattle Symphony Media label which was launched in 2014.

In this podcast we talk about Ludovic's departure from the Seattle Symphony, the groundbreaking initiatives he was able to create during his time with the SSO and his passion for tennis. We also talk about life changing moments, interest in orchestrating, composing, writing and much more.

For more information about Ludovic Morlot please visit: https://ludovicmorlot.com/

© Let's Talk Off The Podium, 2020

Ep. 101: Miguel Harth-Bedoya, conductor.

Let's Talk Off The Podium with Tigran Arakelyan.

Celebrating more than 30 years of professional conducting, Miguel Harth-Bedoya is a master of color, drawing idiomatic interpretations from a wide range of repertoire in concerts across the globe. He has amassed considerable experience at the helm of orchestras, including seven seasons as Chief Conductor of the Norwegian Radio Orchestra and twenty seasons as Music Director of the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra. Previously he has held Music Director positions with the Auckland Philharmonia and Eugene Symphony.

Beginning in August 2020, Harth-Bedoya will be the new Director of Orchestral Studies at the University of Nebraska, Omaha, and will work to create a brand new Bachelor of Music in orchestral conducting. He has also created The Conducting Institute, with a summer orchestral conducting program as well as a variety of online courses.

In this podcast we talk about his time studying with Otto-Werner Mueller, new position at UNO, premieres, passion for teaching, and hobbies. He also discusses the importance of an undergraduate degree in conducting, a project he is eager to conduct and his first experience on the podium. Lastly, he talks about starting Cowboy Compost, a business geared to achieve food waste reduction.

For more information about Miguel Harth-Bedoya please visit: https://www.miguelharth-bedoya.com/

© Let's Talk Off The Podium, 2020

Ep. 100: Robert Dick, revolutionary composer and flutist.

Let's Talk Off The Podium with Tigran Arakelyan.

World renowned as the leader in contemporary music for flute, Robert Dick embodies the ideal of the Renaissance artist. With equally deep roots in classical music old and new and in free improvisation and new jazz, he has established himself as an artist who has not only mastered, but redefined the instrument. In 2014, the National Flute Association honored Robert Dick with its Lifetime Achievement Award.

In this podcast we spoke about how he overcame Covid-19, his revolutionary Glissando headjoint, and the music on his playlist. He also talked about a new book that he is working on and the three books that he has already published, among many other topics and stories.

For more information about Robert Dick please visit: http://robertdick.net/

© Let's Talk Off The Podium, 2020

Ep. 99: Wadada Leo Smith.

Let's Talk Off The Podium with Tigran Arakelyan.

Wadada Leo Smith, trumpeter, multi-instrumentalist, composer, and improviser is one of the most acclaimed creative artists of his times, both for his music and his writings. For the last five decades, Mr. Smith has been a member of the historical and legendary AACM collective. He distinctly defines his music as “Creative Music.” Mr. Smith’s diverse discography reveals a recorded history centered around important issues that have impacted his world.

In this podcast we talk about improvisation, creative music, and the African-American Improvisation program at Cal Arts. Mr. Smith talks about his collaborations with Vijay Iyer and Anthony Braxton, his Ankhrasmation language scores, and much more.

For more information about Wadada Leo Smith please visit: https://wadadaleosmith.com/ 

© Let's Talk Off The Podium, 2020

Ep. 98: Diane Schuur, Grammy winning jazz vocalist

Let's Talk Off The Podium with Tigran Arakelyan

Schuur’s much-laureled career includes two Grammy Awards---each for Best Jazz Vocal Performance---on Timeless (1986) and Diane Schuur and The Count Basie Orchestra (1987). Both were released by GRP Records, the label that had launched her recording career. Schuur scored three additional Grammy nominations for subsequent albums Pure Schuur and Love Songs, as well as for the individual track “The Christmas Song.” Schuur’s music has explored almost every locale on the American musical landscape, and her attendant studio collaborations---showcasing her pitch-perfect execution and three-and-a-half-octave vocal range---are a who’s who of American originators in a plethora of styles. They include the albums Heart To Heart with B.B. King and Swingin’ for Schuur” with Maynard Ferguson, alongside assorted tracks with Stan Getz, Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder, Herbie Hancock, Alison Krauss, Vince Gill, Mark Knopfler and Jose Feliciano, among countless others. Distinguished producers who have joined forces with Schuur include Phil Ramone (Friends For Schuur), André Fisher (Pure Schuur, In Tribute), Barry Manilow (Midnight), Steve Buckingham (The Gathering), Dave Grusin (Schuur Thing, Deedles, Timeless) Al Schmitt (Blues for Schuur, Love Walked In) and Oscar Castro-Neves (Schuur Fire).

In this podcast we talk about her many collaborations with Stan Getz, Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder and a long list of others. Ms. Schuur also talks about her new album, childhood in Washington, Sesame Street appearance, and much more.

For more information about Diane Schuur please visit: http://www.dianeschuur.com/index.php

© Let's Talk Off The Podium, 2020

Ep. 97: Martin Kuuskmann, Estonian-born bassoon virtuoso

Let's Talk Off The Podium with Tigran Arakelyan

Grammy nominated Estonian-born bassoon virtuoso, Martin Kuuskmann’s charismatic and commanding performances throughout the world have earned him repute as one of the leading solo instrumentalists of his generation. Kuuskmann has appeared with conductors Neeme, Paavo and Kristjan Järvi, Robert Spano, Tõnu Kaljuste, Risto Joost, Nikolay Aleksejev, Anu Tali, Mihhail Gerts, Kirk Trevor, Leonid Grin, and with orchestras such as Estonian National Symphony Orchestra, Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, MDR Leipzig Radio Symphony Orchestra, National Orchestra of Chile, Tallinn Chamber Orchestra, Orchestra of St. Lukes, Estonian Festival Orchestra, Porto Alegre Symphony Orchestra, Macao Orchestra, Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra, Symphony Orchestra of the Norrlandsoperan, and many others.

Constantly pushing the boundaries for new artistic and technical possibilities, Kuuskmann has premiered 11 bassoon concertos, all written and dedicated to him by some of the foremost composers of our time, including Erkki-Sven Tüür, Christopher Theofanidis, Eino Tamberg, Tõnu Kõrvits, Ülo Krigul, Gene Pritsker, David Chesky, Gregor Huebner and Charles Coleman.

In this podcast we talk about Martin's start in music and specifically bassoon, collaborating with artists with various genres, repertoire and inspirational figures. We also talk about teaching and performing during Covid-19, concertos and life changing moments.

For more information about Martin Kuuskmann please visit: http://kuuskmann.com/

© Let's Talk Off The Podium, 2020

Ep. 96: Øystein Baadsvik, international soloist and chamber musician.

Let's Talk Off The Podium with Tigran Arakelyan

Øystein Baadsvik is voted one of the top ten brass players in history by the listeners on Classic FM. He did the first TED talk on the topic tuba and is one of the most popular classical musicians on YouTube with more than six million views. His multi-faceted musical career as a soloist and recording artist has taken him all over the world. He regularly gives master classes and clinics at major universities worldwide.

In this podcast we talk about his approach to tuba techniques, composition, and hobbies. Mr. Baadsvik also talks about the ways he practiced in different times of his life and how he built a unique career as an international soloist, chamber musician and teacher.

For more information about Øystein Baadsvik please visit: https://www.baadsvik.com/

© Let's Talk Off The Podium, 2020