A Stick With A Point

The Italian Maestro!

The wonderful Italian conductor, Carlo Rizzi shares memories, ideas and experiences about music making in general and, about conducting in some of the world's great opera houses in particular!

Mark Hanson, via Houston and San Francisco, President and CEO of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra

Following stints in a similar role at the Houston and San Francisco Symphony orchestras, Mark Hanson is the recently appointed President and CEO of the Baltimore Symphony.

In this podcast he articulates a passionately held vision for the future not only of the BSO, but orchestras throughout the US.

JoAnn Falletta

JoAnn is one of the most beloved and enterprising of all conductors working today. She's enjoyed spectacular success during her tenures as music director at a number of orchestras, and is just a delight to be around!

A Life at the Helm!

Paul Meecham, one of the industry's most distinguished leaders reflects on a lifetime managing orchestras in both the USA and UK.

Jeremy Rothman and Philadelphia’s new ’Golden Age’.

Jeremy Rothman, Chief Programming Officer for The Philadelphia Orchestra and The Kimmel Center, guides us through his role in the orchestra's new "Golden Age'.

Conductor Spotlight - James Judd

Let’s hear it from conductors! 

In an occasional departure from the usual A Stick with a Point format I’ve been interviewing a few of my conductor friends and getting their thoughts on the state of the business and what the future might hold, as well as a few more practical matters; “What is the role of an orchestra in a community? How do orchestras in different parts of the world survive and get their funding? Will there be an audience for symphonic music in the future and how do we nurture it? Is the notion of ‘relevance’ a transitory red herring?

My first guest is the wonderful James Judd whose views are not only well considered but inspiring and, well full of that much-overlooked attribute, “common sense”. 

I thoroughly enjoyed it and I hope you do too!

Strads, Guarneris and the world of great violins!

All you ever wanted to know about how the greatest violins move around the music world and why. Bruno Price from Rare Violins of New York gives us the lowdown on this mysterious area of the classical music business.

Jeffrey Sharkey - Principal of The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland

An inspiring interview with a musician who is truly leading the way into the future for young artists and re-imagining the landscape for performers.

Kathy Schuman and the Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts!

Kathy Schuman, Vice President & Artistic Director of the Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts in New York shares some of the delights, challenges and stresses that go hand in hand with running one of the US's most respected and admired performing Arts Centers.

Violins of Hope co-founder Avshi Weinstein

Avshi Weinstein, co-founder of the amazing Violins of Hope project - rescued and restored string instruments from the Holocaust - tours the world with his story telling collection. Grim as the reality of that period was, the humbling humility with which these tales are recounted is truly uplifting.