Episodes

  • What do musical terms really mean?

    What do musical terms really mean?
    Mar 21 2024
    Classical music is packed with weird and wonderful musical terminology. Steve Wright speaks to author and critic Jessica Duchen about the meaning and stories behind some of music’s most common terms. This episode is sponsored by Bang & Olufsen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    31 mins
  • How do you play the French horn?

    How do you play the French horn?
    Mar 14 2024
    The uplifting sound of the horn, particularly in an orchestral setting, is familiar to audiences worldwide – but how do you play this wonderful instrument? Charlotte Smith interviews former London Symphony, London Philharmonic and current Royal Opera House principal horn David Pyatt, who takes her through her first horn lesson. This episode is sponsored by Bang & Olufsen. Musical excerpts: Brahms Symphony No. 1 London Symphony Orchestra/Jonathan Pasternack Naxos 8.572448 (2011) https://www.naxos.com/CatalogueDetail/?id=8.572448 Franz Strauss Nocturno for Horn and Piano, Op 7 from David Pyatt Recital David Pyatt (horn); Martin Jones (piano) Erato 9029534229 (1998) https://www.warnerclassics.com/release/recital-horn-works Interview recorded at the Royal Academy of Music, London: https://www.ram.ac.uk Student horn loaned with kind permission by Paxman Musical Instruments, London: https://www.paxman.co.uk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    40 mins
  • How do you write a film soundtrack?

    How do you write a film soundtrack?
    Mar 7 2024
    Classical film scores have given us some of the most recognisable music ever written – and film screenings with a live orchestral soundtrack in the concert hall are increasingly popular. But where do you start when writing a soundtrack and how do you capture that magic? Michael Beek speaks to British film composer Anne Dudley. This episode is sponsored by Bang & Olufsen. Musical Excerpt: Anne Dudley ‘Main Title’ from Elle (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) The Chamber Orchestra of London/Anne Dudley Sony Classical 88985361012 (2017) https://www.amazon.co.uk/Elle-Original-Motion-Picture-Soundtrack/dp/B01KJ331FS Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    31 mins
  • How do you look after your voice?

    How do you look after your voice?
    Feb 29 2024
    Smoking and alcohol are definite no-nos, but what else can you do to ensure your singing voice is in top condition? Jeremy Pound speaks to Olivia Sparkhall, author of A Young Person’s Guide to Vocal Health, to find out. This episode is sponsored by Bang & Olufsen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    51 mins
  • Why do we love The Lark Ascending?

    Why do we love The Lark Ascending?
    Feb 22 2024
    Vaughan Williams’s The Lark Ascending consistently tops polls as Britain’s favourite classical work, but what is the source of its enduring popularity? Steve Wright interviews writer and broadcaster Andrew Green about his Lark Ascending/Skylark recordings project for the Ralph Vaughan Williams Society, in collaboration with the Wildlife Sound Recording Society and British Library’s Wildlife and Environmental Sounds Collection.   This episode is sponsored by Bang & Olufsen.   Musical Excerpt: Vaughan Williams The Lark Ascending Tamsin Waley-Cohen (violin); Orchestra of the Swan/David Curtis Signum Classics SIGCD399 (2014) https://www.amazon.co.uk/Vaughan-Williams-Ascending-Concerto-Serenade-Introduction/dp/B00N7CM1U0 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    42 mins
  • How do musicians cope with pressure?

    How do musicians cope with pressure?
    Feb 15 2024
    The life of a performing musician isn’t easy. There are multiple mental health challenges, including performance nerves, and a sometimes-overwhelming sense of competition and judgement. Charlotte Smith interviews cellist and former BBC Young Musician winner Laura van der Heijden about how she copes with these pressures.   This episode is sponsored by Bang & Olufsen.   Musical excerpt: Lili Boulanger Reflets from album Path to the Moon Laura van der Heijden (cello); Jâms Coleman (piano) Chandos CHAN20274 (2024) https://www.amazon.co.uk/Path-Moon-Laura-Heijden-Coleman/dp/B0CQ6YZXRM/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    34 mins
  • Where do you start with opera?

    Where do you start with opera?
    Feb 8 2024
    Opera is a bit like Marmite… you either love it or hate it. But can an opera cynic learn to love this intense art form? Michael Beek chats to star soprano and opera advocate Danielle de Niese.   This episode is sponsored by Bang & Olufsen.   Musical excerpt: Mozart ‘L’amerò, sarò costane’ from Il re Pastore Danielle de Niese (soprano); Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment/Charles Mackerras Decca 478 1511 (2009) https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mozart-Arias-Danielle-Niese/dp/B0027T5L4C Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    40 mins
  • What’s the point of a conductor?

    What’s the point of a conductor?
    Feb 1 2024
    To the uninitiated, the conductor can seem superfluous – simply waving their arms in the air while the orchestra does the hard work. But the art of conducting is fundamental to a great orchestra’s sound and identity. Jeremy Pound speaks to BBC Symphony Orchestra principal conductor Sakari Oramo about this mysterious vocation. This episode is sponsored by Bang & Olufsen.   Musical Excerpt Dora Pejacevic Symphony, Op. 41 – IV. Allegro Appassionato (opening) BBC Symphony Orchestra/Sakari Oramo Chandos CHAN 5299 https://www.chandos.net/products/catalogue/CHAN%205299 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    48 mins