A Stick With A Point

BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra Director, Dominic Parker is my inspiring guest on this episode. Not only does he rise to the challenges of running one of the finest orchestras in the UK on a daily basis, he also is full of vision, progressive solutions and practical approaches. His is a no-nonsense approach based on real world values. Terrific listening! 

Nancy Laturno, Mainly Mozart and a whole lot more than just a summer music festival in California!

If you don't know the wonderful cellist Robert deMaine already, now's your chance. As Principal Cellist of the LA Philharmonic he not only holds one of the great orchestral posts in the business, he also gets to perform widely as a soloist and works regularly with the greatest musicians around. Not only will this be a fascinating listen for cellists, it will also keep those intrigued by the psychology of the musician enthralled!

In this episode I'm breaking my own house rules by inviting a performing musician as my guest. But what a musician! Stewart Goodyear is a phenomenal pianist and composer with an ever positive outlook. He tells us all about his early upbringing and its challenges and speaks with huge energy about the 'wildest music in the world - classical music!'

He also talks about his passion for Beethoven which he continues to explore through his extensive recordings and a personal phenomenon, the 'Sonatathon'!

Ulrich Gerhartz is Steinway's top man in London when it comes to getting the very best out of their legendary instruments. In our chat he describes just what it takes not only to get the pianos in 'tip-top' condition, but also manage the expectations and demands of some of the world's finest virtuosi.

In this fabulously informative and lively interview, Jennifer Higdon, the world's 'busiest' composer, offers insights not only into her inspirations and motivations but also her working practice and outlook on the music business. The various detours around reviewers and critics make it even more engaging!

Henry Fogel has managed the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, National Symphony in DC and the American Symphony Orchestra League in a career that began in the 1960s. He's still a force of nature and as active as ever! Fervent in his beliefs and with all the statistics to back up his arguments, chatting with Henry is never dull!

The highly respected artist manager Eleanor Hope recounts her many years in the business and her time as the great Yehudi Menuhin's manager. Along the way our conversation dwells on the current state of the music business, its colourful past and optimism for the future. Nothing misses Eleanor's perceptive gaze!

John Gilhooly is the inspirational force behind one of the great recital venues in the world, Wigmore Hall in London. In this interview he not only speaks to the current challenges they are facing there, but also offers a fascinating insight to his personal philosophy of audience engagement. Head over to Apple podcasts, Spotify and Google to hear all about it!

Award winning composer Stacy Garrop is rapidly becoming loved and admired for her energetic and engaging musical language. In this interview she traces her path to finding her musical independence.