Sunday Baroque Conversations

Oleg Timofeyev plays guitar and lute, and is a musicologist. The Moscow-born musician has a particular interest in reviving the Russian 7-string guitar and its repertory. He lives in Iowa now, where he teaches, and recently released a download-only album, MUSIC BY 18TH CENTURY WOMEN COMPOSERS. He spoke with Suzanne about his career, the Russian guitar, and his new recording and the collaborators who worked on it with him.

Kayoko Dan stands confident and poised in front of the orchestras she conducts, drawing on her extensive training as a conductor and educator, and her innate passion for music. So it's a bit disarming that she describes herself as "shy" and "introverted." She says she simply knows when and how to assert herself to get what she wants. That started as far back as when she was 3 years old, and convinced her non-musician parents to sign her up for music classes just like the 5 year old neighbor girl. Kayoko Dan is the 8th Music Director of the Chattanooga Symphony, and she spoke about her career with Suzanne.

Pianist Kyle P. Walker is a busy musician with a wide range of interests and activities: soloist, chamber musician, teacher, and social justice advocate. He says he, "believes music can speak to social issues better than verbal language can." Kyle P. Walker spoke with Suzanne about his career and collaborations, including The Dream Unfinished, an activist orchestra and collective which supports NYC-based civil rights and community organizations, and his solo performance project, Bach to BlackNotes, which features works of J.S. Bach juxtaposed with the music of neglected composers of color.

Have you ever seen a carillon? Better yet, have you ever heard one played? There are more than 150 carillons across the United States, and one of them may well be in your community. David Maker is a retired University of Connecticut music professor who became smitten with carillons many years ago when he learned there was one on the UConn campus. He has become an expert about carillons, and has played many of them all over the world. Suzanne (a UConn music department grad) interviewed her former Orchestration Professor about his passion for carillons.

Brought up in Israel, the eldest child of two University Professors, David Greilsammer is a curious man. He is curious about music, of course. But he is also curious about the world in general: the environment, social issues, and other important issues of our time. He spoke with Suzanne and shared a glimpse into his passionate curiosity, and his broad and inclusive approach to music and the creative impulse.

California native Lara Downes was already studying piano at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music as a 5 year old! She grew up to be a virtuoso player with passionate curiosity and a voracious appetite for interesting music and musicians, captivating projects, and meaningful collaborations, and she refuses to be constrained to a singular definition of what a classical musician can and should be. Lara Downes chatted with Suzanne about her brilliant career, including her new video interview series AMPLIFY.

A fine musical instrument is a vital tool for a professional musician. String players often use instruments that are centuries-old, with characteristics particular to the luthier who crafted them. Ilya Finkelshteyn has had the great fortune to play many extraordinary cellos, including the 17th century Montagnana instrument he uses as principal cellist of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. Suzanne spoke with Ilya about some of the fine cellos he has played, and what makes each of them so special.

As a child, Brandon Patrick George was instantly drawn to the flute. It looked beautiful, and shiny, and he just knew in his heart that he was meant to play it. When he finally had the chance to pick an instrument to learn, there was no question he would choose the flute, and it has proven to be his perfect partner. The talented young musician is full of enthusiasm for everything from baroque music to cutting edge contemporary music, and he spoke with Suzanne about his debut recording and his growing career.

Countertenor Reggie Mobley is a man of many talents. He once considered becoming a visual artist, then he tapped into his extraordinary musical ability. He has sung all over the world, and has a broad range of musical interests, as well as a passion for social justice. Suzanne spoke with him about his career and favorite baroque music and composers (Bach and Handel) and some of the projects he is working on lately.

Countertenor Aryeh Nussbaum Cohen sings the role of David in Philharmonia Baroque's 2020 recording of George Frideric Handel's oratorio SAUL. Still in his 20s, the young American musician is a rising star with numerous awards and ambitious projects already under his belt. He chatted with Suzanne about his path to becoming a professional musician.