Talking Classical Podcast

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This week is Mental Health Awareness Week. It's a week hosted every year by the Mental Health Foundation that aims to get people across the country talking and thinking about mental health. At a time when people around the world are staying at home, and when many freelance musicians' and creatives' work has been cancelled for the next few months, looking after our mental health and wellbeing has been more important than ever. A recent study from the charity YoungMinds also indicated that more than 80% of young people felt that their mental health conditions had worsened during the coronavirus pandemic - a finding that has made it even more important for young musicians (especially who are studying at or about to leave their universities or music colleges) to protect their wellbeing during these times. On the Talking Classical Podcast, I have been doing some things to raise awareness of mental health. Last year, I recorded an interview with Lucy Thraves, Editor of Classical Music Magazine, in which we discussed the magazine's year-long campaign Harmony In Mind, raising awareness of mental health within the classical music sector. On future episodes, I would also like to be able to talk about other people’s experiences of mental health within the classical business so if you’re interested to be involved, please do not hesitate to get in contact. Learn more about this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week: https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/campaigns/mental-health-awareness-week. Further resources: https://talkingclassicalpodcast.wordpress.com/2020/05/23/talking-classical-supports-mental-health-awareness-week-2020. https://harmonyinmind.co.uk. https://helpmusicians.org.uk/health-welfare/mental-health. If you are affected by any of the issues in this podcast, please consult the following services: Mind Infoline open 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday (except for bank holidays). 0300 123 3393 [email protected] Text: 86463 Samaritans Open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Call 116 123 anytime for free. Papyrus UK (Suicide Prevention Charity) Opening hours: 9am–10pm weekdays, 2pm–10pm weekends, 2pm–10pm bank holidays. Hopeline UK: 0800 068 4141 [email protected] Text: 07860039967 CALM Open 5pm–midnight, 365 days a year Nationwide helpline: 0800 58 58 58 Webchat: www.thecalmzone.net/help/webchat Help Musicians and Music Minds Matter, a 24/7 support service https://www.helpmusicians.org.uk https://www.musicmindsmatter.org.uk 0808 802 8008 [email protected]

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It was wonderful to talk to actor, singer and star of stage and screen Julian Ovenden. Julian has an extensive musical background so we talked about how his training informed him as an actor and singer. We also discussed approaches to music, singing, acting and performance – hearing Julian’s perspectives on being truthful and individual as an artist across different genres and repertoires was particularly interesting. This is because one of the things that I endeavoured to do with this podcast was to talk to people whose profession is not solely classical music but who work in other areas and art forms. In turn, this can only inform our practices, styles and tastes. Indeed, talking about some of the great singers of our time (not only classical music) was a reminder that artistry and integrity is something to be truly valued. Many thanks to Julian for taking the time to talk to me especially for this podcast! Podcast published 20th May 2020; interview recorded 13th May 2020.

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In this podcast, I'm showcasing the beautiful restorative work of Brana Records and the atmospheric debut album of Mike Ladouceur, Between Worlds. Brana Records is a label that is focused on restoring the wonderful rare recordings by the Polish/Brazilian pianist, Felicja Blumental. As well as recording the great masterpieces such as the piano concertos of Grieg and Rachmaninoff, Ms Blumental championed neglected early 19th century piano composers such as Clementi, Kuhlau, Czerny, and solo piano music by Spanish and Portuguese Baroque composers. She enjoyed a relationship with leading composers such as Penderecki and Villa-Lobos - he dedicated his Fifth Piano Concerto to Ms. Blumental, which she performed under the composer with leading orchestras of Europe and recorded for EMI in Paris with the Orchestre National. Her appearances in South and North America brought her further stardom. Many of these recordings are now released on Brana Records and all CD covers feature the fine art prints of Felicja Blumental's husband, Markus Mizne. It was a delight to receive a copy of one of these CDs; Ms Blumental's beautiful artistry and shimmering pianism shines through her recordings. branarecords.com. 

Last week, I spoke to Mike Ladouceur, known for working on blockbusters like Ad Astra and Mission Impossible – Fallout, as well as the BBC hit TV series His Dark Materials. Mike's debut album, Between Worlds, is out now. It features 42 of London's top musicians - the music was recorded at Angel Studios and is published by Warp Publishing. Between Worlds was designed as a multi-artform, immersive experience. The album is accompanied by bespoke videos, presenting space scenes from NASA's satellite photography with stunning landscapes taken on earth from drone footage filmed by Phillip Whiteman. Nick Denman's album artwork uses the Automatic Drawing process, and is a series of paintings with acrylic and charcoal on canvas. In this interview, we talked about some of the ways online teaching can benefit music students during this current crisis. We also discussed the importance of narrative and individuality within a composer’s voice, and this is something that is very much at the heart of Between Worlds. We talked about the creative process behind the album and the collaboration between other narrative media. Many thanks to Jonathon Tester for putting me in touch with Mike about his wonderful projects, and to Mike for taking the time to talk to me! Interview recorded 1st May 2020; published 9th May 2020. mikeladouceur.com

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In this episode, we'll be "zooming in" with Thomas Hampson, one of the finest baritones of our time. We talked about a variety of topics including the impact of Zoom and other digital platforms on the classical music industry in these current times. Thomas is a real advocate of digital technology within his many varied projects from live-streaming masterclasses around the world to the Hampsong Foundation, an online treasure trove focused on the art of song. With his wealth of knowledge and experience on song, Thomas is currently presenting a series with a unique classical music streaming platform IDAGIO. We briefly discussed some of the topics he'll be exploring in this series over the next few weeks such as comparing classical song to pop songs, the relationship between music and poetry, and performance practice. Thomas also sheds new light on the construct of memorising songs in recital, that this shouldn't be necessary in order to stay true to the composer and keep searching new ideas for the work. Additionally, we discussed issues of and performers' reception to music criticism. Thomas also shared some wonderful insights into his long and illustrious career, working with some of the greatest musicians of our time, from Nikolaus Harnoncourt to Daniel Barenboim to Leonard Bernstein. Many thanks to Jenna at Lenny's Studio for helping to organise this interview over the last few months, and Thomas for taking the time out of his very busy schedule to talk to me! Interview recorded 14th April 2020; published 19th April 2020. Thomas Hampson, America's foremost baritone, has received international honors and awards for his captivating artistry and cultural leadership. Lauded as a Metropolitan Opera Guild "Met Mastersinger" and inducted into both the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and Gramophone's "Hall of Fame," Hampson is one of the most respected and innovative musicians of our time. With an operatic repertoire of over 80 roles sung in all the major theaters of the world, his discography comprises more than 170 albums, which include multiple nominations and winners of the Grammy Award, Edison Award, and the Grand Prix du Disque. He was appointed the New York Philharmonic’s first-ever Artist-in-Residence, and was honored with a Living Legend Award by the Library of Congress, where he has served as Special Advisor to the Study and Performance of Music in America.

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In this episode, I'll be talking to concert pianist and host of the award-winning series Living the Classical Life Zsolt Bognár. I'll also be showcasing Creative Skills, a fantastic new platform made for freelance creatives in light of the coronavirus pandemic. Creative Skills As I'm sure you're all aware, this is a difficult time for freelance musicians and creatives so the London-based start-up Tutti has developed a new online platform Creative Skills. Freelancers can use this website to offer lessons, collaborations, and their services. It’s free to sign up and there is zero commission fee for each booking. If you’re a creative looking to advertise your skills, why not sign up to Creative Skills today? https://creative-skills.sharetribe.com/ Zsolt Bognár Zsolt is an acclaimed concert pianist and host of the award-winning series Living the Classical Life, in which he talks to some of the world’s leading artists and practitioners within the classical music industry. In this discussion, we talk about Zsolt’s experiences of filming this series, the research and organisation that goes into making the videos, and ways in which he talks to his esteemed guests in order to make them feel comfortable to open up about their experiences. Find out more about Zsolt's work at zsolt-bognar.com. Watch Living the Classical Life on livingtheclassicallife.com and YouTube. Podcast published 12th April 2020; interview with Zsolt recorded on 3rd April 2020. 

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An interview with rising young countertenor Patrick Terry, who will be performing in Handel’s oratorio Susanna at the Royal Opera House in early March. Many thanks to Patrick for taking time out of a full day of rehearsals to talk, and the Press & Communications Team at the Royal Opera House for initiating and organising this interview! Published 3rd March 2020; interview recorded 8th February 2020. Winner of the Loveday Song Prize at the 2017 Kathleen Ferrier Awards, Second Prize at the 2019 Handel Singing Competition and a Samling Artist, Patrick Terry was born and raised in Janesville, Wisconsin. He earned his Bachelor’s of Music from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, where he studied with Adriana Zabala, and graduated from London’s Royal Academy of Music, where he studied with Caitlin Hulcup and Michael Chance on the Opera Course with generous support from the Josephine Baker Trust and the John J Adams Scholarship, in Summer 2018. Selected for the 2018 Leeds Lieder Young Artists Festival, further competition success has included Second Prize at the 2019 Handel Singing Competition, Second Prize at the 2015 Joan Chissell Schumann Lieder Competition, winning the 2014 Maureen Lehane Vocal Award and winning the 2017 Richard Lewis / Jean Shanks Award. For Royal Academy Opera, he sang The Refugee Flight and Ruggiero Alcina. Operatic engagements have included The Boy / Angel 1 Written On Skin with the Melos Sinfonia, Oberon A Midsummer Night’s Dream for Chicago Summer Opera, Rosencrantz in Brett Dean’s Hamlet for Glyndebourne On Tour and the title role in Teseo with La Nuova Musica at the 2018 London Handel Festival. Concert highlights have included a Wigmore Hall appearance with Imogen Cooper, whilst his broadcasts include In Tune for BBC Radio 3. Patrick Terry is a member of the Jette Parker Young Artists Programme at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. During 2018 / 2019, he travelled to Japan to appear in Le Promesse (Gala Concert by Young Opera Singers Tomorrow of the World) at the New National Theatre, Tokyo, and sang Arsace Berenice and Artemis in Hans Werner Henze’s Phaedra at the Linbury Theatre. He also returned to the Wigmore Hall for Heroes and Villains, appeared in Beyond Jerusalem: The Life and Times of Sir Charles Hubert Parry at the London Song Festival, sang J. S. Bach Magnificat and Handel The Choice of Hercules with the London Handel Orchestra and Ruggiero Alcina with La Nuova Music and made his debut with Glyndebourne Festival Opera as Eustazio Rinaldo. His engagements this season include debuts with Music Theatre Wales as Serafino The Intelligence Park, at The Grange Festival as Oberon A Midsummer Night’s Dream, with Cologne Opera as Rosencrantz Hamlet, with the Early Opera Company as Arsamenes Serse and a return to the Royal Opera as Joacim Susanna Engagements during 2020 / 2021 include debuts with Opera North as Ruggiero Alcina, with Classical Opera as Farnace Mitridate, Rè di Ponto and with Irish National Opera as Andronicus in Vivaldi’s Bajazet. He will also take part in the world première of an Evolution Cantata by Brett Dean with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, which he will also sing with the Orchestre national de Lyon. 

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This podcast features an interview with tenor James Gilchrist, in which we discuss a variety of topics relating to being a singer: - psychology of performance, particularly, in somewhere like the Wigmore Hall where he was singing that evening. - the way audiences might perceive song recitals, and what performers can do to engage them regarding such perceptions. - the balance between what artists do on stage to communicate with their audience, e.g., how much is moving around or maintaining eye contact? - interpretation of narrative in lieder repertoire. - the challenges and privileges of being a medical doctor (which James initially started as), and making the transition to becoming a full-time professional performer. - comparing the experience of music college versus university. Many thanks to James for coming especially to London in the morning to record, as well as Tamsin Raitt and the staff at Wigmore Hall for arrangements for the interview! Podcast published on 13th February 2020; recorded on 8th February 2020 in the Gerald Moore Room, Wigmore Hall, London. James Gilchrist began his working life as a doctor, turning to a full-time career in music in 1996. His musical interest was fired at a young age, singing first as a chorister in the choir of New College, Oxford, and later as a choral scholar at King’s College, Cambridge. James’ extensive concert repertoire has seen him perform in major concert halls throughout the world. Bach’s Christmas Oratorio and the St John and Matthew Passions feature prominently in his schedule, and he is celebrated as perhaps the finest Evangelist of his generation. Recent engagements include Elijah in Goteborgs Symfoniker and Masaaki Suzuki, Handel’s Messiah with the Handel & Haydn Society in Boston, with Bernard Labadie, and Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis with Singapore Symphony Orchestra. In the 2019-20 season appearances include the role of Rev. Horace Adams Peter Grimes with Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Edward Gardner in London and Norway, St Matthew Passion with City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra conducted by Richard Egarr, and a tour of Europe with Bach Collegium Japan and Masaaki Suzuki. 

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In this podcast, we'll be hearing from ex-ballet dancer, choreographer and composer Kasper Cornish, who enjoyed success as a professional dancer for many years. We'll hear about some of his career highlights and his passion for ballet and music (he considered being a professional musician before making the decision to become a dancer). But we'll be mainly focusing on Kasper's work in music composition, which he has concentrated more on since retiring from professional performing. Kasper talks lucidly about his creative and research methods when writing for dance as opposed to abstract music. And he explains some of the challenges when working with musicians in a class setting, as well as the invaluable opportunity a dance class presents for a composer to trial new material. Many thanks to Kasper for kindly taking the time out of his day to talk to me before teaching at The Place! Published on 7th February 2020; recorded at Sadler's Wells on 15th January 2020. 

Kasper Cornish began his dance training at the age of 10 with Sara Phillips in 1984 and graduated from Central School of Ballet in 1993 after which he joined Ballet Wales, touring the UK in productions of The Swan and Cinderella. Performing work ranged from Ballet Dancer to Wrestler for the BAFTA award-winning Channel 4 series Faking It to creating the title role in The Snowman (Birmingham Repertory Theatre, West End and BBC film of the stage show). Other credits include The Phantom of The Opera feature film and dancing the role of "Slavemaster" for the national tour of the stage show. He played the Prince of Transylvania in the National Theatre production of My Fair Lady at Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, was a founding member of Just Desert Dance Co. and as a freelance principal artist danced popular ballet pas de deux as far afield as Japan. He was principal ballet dancer at Glyndebourne in 1996 as well as understudy to Zoltan Solymosi and toured France and Switzerland in Maurice Bejart's Bolero with Sylvie Guillem. He has taught Classical Ballet and Pas de Deux since 1997 for performing arts colleges, international summer schools, dance companies and open classes. Choreographic work includes The Classical Brits, Comedy Shuffle (BBC3), "Canvas Bag" for Tim Minchin, The Terence Higgins Trust, Nickleodeon TV, movement for actors in feature films and "Degas – A Passion for Perfection" (Exhibition on Screen). Kasper's music compositions include six ballet class albums, music for dance, a brass quintet, clarinet sonata, Oratorio for Baritone - choir & string orchestra, Christmas carols, string quartet, song cycles and works for solo piano. www.kaspercornish.bandcamp.com

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I am pleased to present this interview with Baroque cellist and social media influencer Emily Davidson (also known as @emilyplayscello). We talked about Emily's musical journey from starting the cello as a teenager to becoming a successful freelance musician. We also discussed her passion for historical performance, which she specialises in but her career is now taking a slightly different direction with a move into pop music songwriting and production. Additionally, Emily maintains a thriving YouTube channel, in which she shares her knowledge of historically-informed performance for both performers but anyone who simply wants to listen to this beautiful music. Her channel also offers advice and her experiences of having a musical career, including tips on social media, which she gives consulting sessions in. Emily is a wonderful example of someone who shows that it's never too late to pursue your musical ambitions and it's possible to have a rewarding, fulfilling and creative career as a musician. Many thanks to Emily for taking the time out of her busy schedule to talk to me! Interview recorded on 30th July 2019 via Google Hangouts; published on 9th November 2019.  Emily Davidson, baroque cellist, is a fresh voice in the new generation of historical performance. Originally from New York, Emily spent the first 7 years of her career freelancing in Boston, MA. She currently lives in Los Angeles, CA. She has released two solo albums, Bass Sounds and Bass Sounds: Evolved, and a duet album, Old Friends: Baroque Music for Violin and Cello. She founded and directed Emergence Quartet, period instrument string quartet. She brings her historical approach to new platforms, drawing a passionate following on YouTube and Instagram for classical music. She has been interviewed in The Huffington Post, The Boston Globe, Strings Magazine, on NPR, and has been featured on Classic FM. She helps classical musicians form a 21st century approach through her social media coaching. Learn more at emilyplayscello.com. 

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I met Claudia at her beautiful renovated Victorian house where we talked about her early years in Devon and training, particularly in America, winning the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions. We discussed the opportunities being a contralto presents such as repertoire, and her role as the Omniscient Mussel in Strauss's Die Ägyptische Helena at La Scala next month. We also talked about performing on big and small stages, leading Claudia to recall her experiences of contemporary opera. Interview published on 25th October 2019; recorded on 5th October 2019. claudiahuckle.com.