Shows
Phillip Gainsley's PodcastBehzod AbduriamovBehzod Abduraimov’s performances combine an immense depth of musicality with phenomenal technique and breath-taking delicacy. He performs with renowned orchestras worldwide including Philharmonia Orchestra, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, San Francisco Symphony, The Cleveland Orchestra, Orchestre de Paris, Concertgebouworkest, Czech Philharmonic, Vienna Symphony Orchestra, NHK Symphony and Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester Berlin (RSB). Regular festival appearances include Aspen, Verbier, Rheingau, La Roque Antheron, Lucerne and Ravello festivals. Behzod’s second recording for Alpha Classics, featuring works by Ravel, Prokofiev, and Uzbek composer Dilorom Saidaminova, was released on 12 January 2024. The album was Gramophone’ Editor’s Choice in January 20...2025-06-2258 minPhillip Gainsley's PodcastKen LudwigKen Ludwig’s first play, Lend Me a Tenor, was produced on Broadway (1986) and in London by Andrew Lloyd Webber. It won two Tony Awards and was called “one of the classic comedies of the 20th century” by The Washington Post. His Crazy For You was on Broadway for five years, on the West End for three, and won the Tony and Olivier Awards for Best Musical. It has been revived twice in the West End and is currently touring Japan. His shows have been produced in over 20 languages in more than 30 countries, and many have become s...2025-06-1357 minPhillip Gainsley's PodcastCharles Neidich In the words of The New Yorker, Charles Neidich “is an artist of uncommon merit -- a master of his instrument and, beyond that, an interpreter who keeps listeners hanging on each phrase.” Charles is the artistic director of the Wa Concert Series at the Tenri Cultural Institute in New York, which he founded with his wife, clarinetist Ayako Oshima, in September 2017. This concert series is inspired by the Japanese concept “wa”— meaning circle, but also harmony and completeness; each performance is thus paired with visual arts and offers a variety of culinary delicacies prepared by Ayako Oshima. In recen...2025-06-011h 12Phillip Gainsley's PodcastCarlos SimonHaving grown up in Atlanta, with a long lineage of preachers and connections to gospel music to inspire him, GRAMMY-nominated Carlos Simon’s music ranges from concert music for large and small ensembles, to film scores with influences of jazz, gospel, and neo-romanticism.Carlos is the current composer-in-residence for the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and he frequently composes for its National Symphony Orchestra and Washington National Opera.This past season featured the premiere of his Gospel Mass, with Gustavo Dudamel and the Los Angeles Philharmonic, a work reimagining the traditional mass wi...2025-05-241h 00Phillip Gainsley's PodcastKathleen Marshall and Steve RidleyKathleen MarshallKathleen began her Broadway career as an assistant to her brother Rob, the choreographer of Kiss of the Spider Woman, in 1993. The two also collaborated on She Loves Me, Damn Yankees , Victor/Victoria and Seussical. She was the artistic director for the Encores! series of staged musical revivals from 1996 through 2000. During that time, she choreographed The Boys from Syracuse, Li'l Abner and Call Me Madam and she directed and choreographed Babes in Arms and Wonderful Town.She also directed and choreographed the Broadway revival of Grease. I was f...2025-05-081h 01Phillip Gainsley's PodcastDaniela CandillariDaniela Candillari grew up in Serbia and Slovenia. She holds a Doctorate in Musicology from the Universität für Musik in Vienna, a Master of Music in Jazz Studies from the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, and a Master of Music and Bachelor’s degree in Piano Performance from the Universität für Musik in Graz. She is also a Fulbright Scholarship recipient.Daniela is in her fourth season as principal conductor at Opera Theatre of Saint Louis. In celebration of its 50th anniversary season, she is conducting the company’s 44th world pre...2025-04-2559 minPhillip Gainsley's PodcastAnthony Roth CostanzoCountertenor Anthony Roth Costanzo began performing professionally at the age of 11 and has since appeared in opera, concert, recital, film, and on Broadway. He has performed in the world’s great opera houses and symphony halls.In June 2024, he began his tenure as the general director and president of Opera Philadelphia.His most recent album, Anthony Roth Costanzo & Justin Vivian Bond: Only an Octave Apart was released in January 2022. His first solo album, ARC was released in September 2018 and nominated for the 2019 GRAMMY Award for Best Classical Solo Vocal Album. He also stars on the Me...2025-04-1347 minPhillip Gainsley's PodcastFreya Waley-CohenFreya’s music is characterized by contrasts between earthy rhythmic play and fragility, luminous spaces, and a sense of the otherworldly. She has been commissioned by numerous institutions and ensemblesHer current season includes Mother Tongue, a new four movement work for the London Philharmonic Orchestra and Ed Gardner; a new work for the Archipelago Collective’s 10th anniversary festival on San Juan Island WA; and a new work for classical orchestra for the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment in response to Fanny Mendelssohn’s Das Jahr. Also upcoming is the release on NMC of Waley-Cohen’s Debut...2025-04-051h 00Phillip Gainsley's PodcastPeter BoyerPeter Boyer is one of the most frequently performed American orchestral composers of his generation. His works have received over 800 public performances by more than 300 orchestras, and tens of thousands of broadcasts by classical radio stations around the world/Listen, as we discuss Peter’s major work Ellis Island: The Dream of America, for actors and orchestra. It has become one of the most-performed American orchestral works composed in the last 25 years, with over 300 performances by 125 orchestras since its 2002 premiere. Peter has received commissions from several of the most prestigious American institutions and ensembles, including th...2025-03-191h 15Phillip Gainsley's PodcastPeter BoyerPeter Boyer is one of the most frequently performed American orchestral composers of his generation. His works have received over 800 public performances by more than 300 orchestras, and tens of thousands of broadcasts by classical radio stations around the world.Listen, as we discuss Peter’s major work Ellis Island: The Dream of America, for actors and orchestra. It has become one of the most-performed American orchestral works composed in the last 25 years, with over 300 performances by 125 orchestras since its 2002 premiere. Peter has received commissions from several of the most prestigious American institutions and ensembles, in...2025-03-151h 15Phillip Gainsley's PodcastBrent AssinkBrent Assink served as executive director of the San Francisco Symphony for 18 years, a term during which the symphony significantly grew its artistic profile and community engagement. His creative partnership with then-Music Director Michael Tilson Thomas produced celebrated projects such as the American Mavericks festivals, the Keeping Score multi-media series and SFS Media, the first orchestra-run record label in the U.S.Brent joined the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra’s artistic operations department in 1981. Six years later, he became the SPCO manager, and in 1995, its president. He is currently the interim president of the Minnesota Orch...2025-03-021h 04Phillip Gainsley's PodcastThe King's SingersThe King's Singers have represented the gold standard in a cappella singing on the world's greatest stages for over fifty years. They are renowned for their unrivalled technique, versatility and skill in performance, and for their consummate musicianship, drawing both on the group's rich heritage and its pioneering spirit to create an extraordinary wealth of original works and unique collaborations.2025-02-181h 01Phillip Gainsley's PodcastKathleen van BergenKathleen van Bergen is in her 14th season as CEO and president of Artis—Naples. In that time, she has been recognized throughout Southwest Florida and the greater arts community as an example of leadership geared toward prudent growth and relationship building. Named one of Musical America’s “Top 30 Professionals of the Year” in 2019, she is described as “a woman with a mission, a vision and a board to support both.” In 2022, she was named among Gulfshore Life magazine’s “Forces of Philanthropy,” a select few leaders of Southwest Florida who “propel the philanthropic community into the future throug...2025-02-041h 04Phillip Gainsley's PodcastGianandrea NosedaMusic director of the National Symphony Orchestra, Gianandrea Noseda is also one of the world’s most sought-after conductors, recognized equally for his artistry in the concert hall and the opera house.Gianandrea’s award-winning recordings are distributed by LSO Live, for whom he also records as principal guest conductor of the London Symphony Orchestra. His discography spans over 80 recordings.He became general music director of the Zurich Opera House in September 2021 and he reached an important milestone in May 2024, conducting two highly praised complete Ring Cycles.In the summer of 2024, he led an int...2025-01-261h 15Phillip Gainsley's PodcastThomas W. MorrisOver the course of 34 years, Thomas W. Morris worked at the top levels of the symphony orchestra world, running two of the biggest and most famous, the Boston Symphony and The Cleveland Orchestra.Throughout, though, he developed a sense of institutional malaise, on how classical music is presented these days.He capped his career becoming artistic director of California's Ojai Music Festival. There, Thomas reimagined music experiences by challenging all aspects of making music and producing concerts.Thomas’s book, Always The Music is the story of his growth through the highest levels of...2025-01-141h 21Phillip Gainsley's PodcastDanieli Rustioni, principal guest conductor designate, Metropolitan OperaDaniele Rustioni is a major presence at leading opera houses and symphony halls. In 2022, the International Opera Awards named him “Best Conductor.” His opera repertoire numbers over 70 works spanning over centuries and ranging from Italian to French, German to Russian, and more. This coming season he concludes his eight-year tenure as music director of Opéra National de Lyon. He was principal guest conductor of the Bavarian State Opera until October 2023.Daniele has led performances at the nearly all of the most important international opera houses and festivals, including Aix-en-Provence Festival, BBC Proms, Berlin State Opera...2024-12-281h 12Phillip Gainsley's PodcastJan VoglerJan Vogler’s distinguished career has brought him together with renowned conductors and internationally acclaimed orchestras around the world.In addition to his classical concert activities as a soloist, Jan is constantly looking for new ways to combine music with other arts. In February 2024, he gave a highly acclaimed concert with inaugural-poet Amanda Gorman, performing her contemporary poems with cello suites by J. S. Bach in the Isaac Stern Auditorium in Carnegie Hall. They appeared on the ‘Late Night Show with Stephen Colbert’ in March 2024. He has also collaborated with actor Bill Murray for their joint mu...2024-12-151h 12Phillip Gainsley's PodcastSharon IsbinSharon Isbin was named Musical America Worldwide’s 2020 Instrumentalist of the Year, the first guitarist ever to receive the honor in its 59-year award history. She was inducted into the 2023 Guitar Foundation of America Hall of Fame and received its Artistic Achievement Award. She is “the pre-eminent guitarist of our time”, the winner of Guitar Player magazine’s Best Classical Guitarist award, and numerous other awards. Sharon has appeared as soloist with over 200 orchestras and has given sold-out performances in many of the world’s finest halls across 40 countries, including New York’s Carnegie and Geffen Halls...2024-11-241h 10Phillip Gainsley's PodcastJonathan Biss “If I ever stop finding music challenging and life-altering, I’ll quit and become an accountant.” Not to worry. Pianist Jonathan Biss, a world-renowned educator and critically-acclaimed author, cannot stop finding music challenging and life-altering. Listening to him speak about Beethoven — or even Verdi, one gleans an obsession with greatness. At the age of 17, Jonathan attended the Curtis Institute of Music, where he studied with Leon Fleisher, which proved a phenomenal learning experience. While his life in music provides him with tremendous satisfaction, playing music remains ever a struggle. He regards it as a pleasure and privilege...2024-11-051h 04Phillip Gainsley's PodcastAndreas Landin Andreas Landin, Swedish baritone has worked, since his graduation from the Opera Academy at the Royal Opera in Copenhagen, as an opera singer in Scandinavia and in other theaters in Europe. He has specialized in contemporary opera repertoire and has had more than 20 contemporary opera roles written for him, mostly by scandinavian composers and performed in the opera houses in Copenhagen, Malmö Opera and Gothenburg Opera among others. He has also appeared in modern classic parts such as the count in Luce mie Traditrici by Sciarrino, The Emperor in Der Kaiser von Atlantis and the baritone in Th...2024-10-2749 minPhillip Gainsley's PodcastPhilip Brunelle, artistic director of VocalEssence, leads KristinaThe musical Kristina is based on a series of four novels by Swedish author Vilhelm Moberg detailing a family's poverty-driven migration from Sweden to America in the mid-19th century. On October 12, 1996, a concert version with the original cast was presented, in Swedish, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, as an opening event of the Plymouth Music Series (now Vocal Essence) 1996–1997 season in Orchestra Hall, and the next day in Chisago Lakes High School in Lindstrom, Minnesota – the area where much of the events in Moberg's books took place and where the statue of the books' two main characters stands on the main s...2024-10-1337 minPhillip Gainsley's PodcastJeremy DenkJeremy Denk is one of America’s foremost pianists. He is also the recipient of both the MacArthur “Genius” Fellowship and the Avery Fisher Prize, and he is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.Jeremy is known for his interpretations of the music of American composer Charles Ives.He is also known for his original and insightful writing on music. His New York Times best-selling memoir, Every Good Boy Does Fine was published to universal acclaim by Random House in 2022. His latest album of Mozar...2024-10-011h 00Phillip Gainsley's PodcastSarah HicksSarah Hicks is the in-demand conductor across an array of genres, and as an educator, arranger, producer, writer and speaker committed to creating connections through music.Sarah has worked extensively with all the major orchestras in the US and abroad. She is a specialist in film music and the film in concert genre. Sarah has acted as advisor on numerous projects for Disney Music Group and is a consultant and frequent collaborator at Disney Concerts. Since 2020, she has been the primary host and writer of “This is Minnesota Orchestra”, broadcast on Twin Cities PBS an...2024-09-1656 minPhillip Gainsley's PodcastWinchendon Music Festival, Andrew Arceci founder and music directorThe Winchendon Music Festival is a non-profit concert series held in Winchendon, Massachusetts. The Festival showcases performances by international artists from a variety of genres including classical, folk, jazz, historical performance, and world music. Concerts are free to the public, thanks to support from several local cultural councils, the Massachusetts Cultural Council, the Robinson Broadhurst Foundation, the Winchendon History & Cultural Center, and the First Congregational Church of Winchendon. The Winchendon Music Festival presents solo, small ensemble, and chamber orchestral programs. The festival was founded in 2016 by multi-instrumentalist, scholar, and composer Andrew Arceci who w...2024-09-0257 minPhillip Gainsley's PodcastMatthew BarleyCello playing is at the center of Matthew Barley’s career, while his musical world has virtually no geographical, social or stylistic boundaries. His passions include improvisation, education, multi-genre music-making, electronics, and pioneering community programs.Matthew is a world-renowned cellist who has performed in over 50 countries.Matthew’s new music group, Between The Notes undertook over 60 creative community projects with young people and orchestra players around the world.Matthew has given premieres by Pascal Dusapin, Dai Fujikura, Detlev Glanert, Thomas Larcher, James MacMillan, Roxana Panufnik, and recently a concerto by Mish...2024-08-2759 minPhillip Gainsley's PodcastChad GoodmanThe 2023/24 season marked Chad Goodman’s inaugural year as music director of the Elgin Symphony Orchestra—only the fifth leader in the orchestra’s prestigious seven-decade history. Chad also serves as artistic director of IlluminArts, Miami’s art song and chamber music concert series. He curates site-specific classical music programs in collaboration with the leading museums, art galleries, and historic venues of Miami. From 2019 to 2023, he was the Conducting Fellow of the New World Symphony, where he was the assistant conductor to Michael Tilson Thomas. In addition to leading the orchestra in more than fifty performan...2024-08-111h 14Phillip Gainsley's PodcastPeter RothsteinPeter works extensively as a director of theater, musical theater, opera and new work development. He is the producing artistic director at Asolo Repertory Theatre in Sarasota, Florida. We recorded this conversation in January 2023, as he assumed that position.Peter and I spoke on Episode 27 when he was artistic director of Theater Latté Da, a Twin Cities-based company. Since the Theater Latté Da’s inception in 1992, Peter directed 92 main-stage productions, including 14 world premieres and 14 area premieres. In 2012, the company launched NEXT, a major new works initiative for the development of new music-theater. Peter was also promin...2024-07-261h 25Phillip Gainsley's PodcastTeddy AbramsTeddy Abrams, Musical America’s 2022 Conductor of the Year, starts his tenth season as music director of the Louisville Orchestra in the fall of 2024. Teddy has been the galvanizing force behind the orchestra’s extraordinary artistic renewal and commitment to innovative community engagement since his appointment in September 2014. Teddy is also a prolific and award-winning composer. We’ll hear an excerpt from his piano concerto written for his regular collaborator Yuja Wang, with whom he and the Louisville Orchestra made their Deutsche Grammophon debuts on the virtuoso pianist’s March 2023 release, The American Project. He is now at...2024-07-131h 05Phillip Gainsley's PodcastMonet SabelMonet Sabel was born and reared in Redondo Beach, California. She grew up heavily participating in her local community theater, The Norris Theatre, to which she attributes all of her success. Monet moved to New York to attend NYU Tisch School of the Arts, where she earned her BFA in Drama from the New Studio on Broadway. After college, Monet was cast in the Off-Broadway Barrow St. revival of Sweeney Todd, as the standby for Johanna, the Beggar Woman, and, notably, the male role, Adolfo Pirelli. She then joined the National Tour of...2024-06-2951 minPhillip Gainsley's PodcastBen WestBen West is a musical theatre artist and historian. His book, The American Musical, chronicles a detailed and comprehensive history of the art form’s artistic evolution. Ben also created 20 “Timeline Wall” exhibits for the Museum of Broadway, that trace the history of the Broadway stage from 1732 to 2021, and spotlight more than 500 productions and 100 artists.He has worked in various capacities on Broadway, Off-Broadway, and regionally, and created and directed Unsung Carolyn Leigh for Lincoln Center’s American Songbook series. Ben has spoken at several institutions including Yale University, University of Michigan, the Dramatists...2024-06-171h 36Phillip Gainsley's PodcastSimon WoodsSimon Woods brings more than 30 years of experience working with orchestras to his leadership role as president and CEO of the League of American Orchestras.Simon is known throughout the world of classical music as a highly trusted mentor and advisor to orchestra management professionals.His leadership includes regular columns in professional periodicals about the future of orchestras, as well as lectures and speaking engagements at conferences and orchestra boardrooms around the country. I was fortunate enough recently to host a panel discussion with him on the subject of the presentation o...2024-06-081h 04Phillip Gainsley's PodcastMarc A. ScorcaMarc A. Scorca joined OPERA America as president and CEO in 1990. Under his leadership, OPERA America has become one of the most respected arts service organizations in North America. Its membership has grown from 120 opera companies to nearly 4,000 organizations and individuals, and its reach extends to 80,000 annual visitors at the National Opera Center and over 83,000 subscribers across digital channels worldwide.Marc has administered over $20 million in grants and prizes to opera companies and artists for audience building, business innovation, civic practice, co-productions, and the development of new work. Due in large part to his contributions...2024-05-2357 minPhillip Gainsley's PodcastPhilippe QuintPhilippe Quint, violinist, was born in Leningrad (St. Petersburg today) and trained in the United States at the The Juilliard School, earning both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree. He made his solo debut at age nine while studying at Moscow’s Special Music school for the Gifted. He earned top prizes in music competitions around the world, and his recording of Korngold’s Violin Concerto ranked in the top 20 on Billboard’s Classical Chart in its first week of sales. He benefited from coaching sessions over time by the famed violin teacher, Dorothy Delay and Itzhak Perlman. His recording...2024-05-121h 09Phillip Gainsley's PodcastAnn Morrison Ann Morrison was Mary Flynn in the original 1981 production of Stephen Sondheim and George Furth’s Merrily We Roll Along, directed by Harold Prince, for which she won the 1982 Theatre World Award. More than 40 years later she remains remembered for that role, but she has done so much more since then, including her one-person show she is currently revising, to take on the road.2024-04-211h 08Phillip Gainsley's PodcastStephen Jon HamiltonStephen Hamilton, the “concert touring organist,” has been prominent on the American organ scene for over 40 years. The New York Times wrote of Hamilton’s performance of the Bach Passacaglia and Fugue in C Minor: “Hamilton, as organist at the Church of the Holy Trinity (Episcopal) obviously knew the instrument’s sonorous capabilities and brought them powerfully to bear in a rousing account.” Throughout his distinguished career, such consistent critical reviews have earned Hamilton acclaim as a thoroughly engaging and popular personality and has firmly established his reputation as a leading and much sought-after virtuoso. An avid educator, Stephen was Professor...2024-04-091h 17Phillip Gainsley's PodcastMichael FineGRAMMY® Award winning Classical Producer of the Year, Michael Fine is one of the top classical recording producers in the world. But he also has been active in artistic planning for major orchestras world-wide. He formerly was vice president of artists and repertoire at Deutsche Grammophon, the first American to hold the post of artistic director of the 100 year-old label. Michael remains active as clarinetist with engagements at Festival Mozaic in California and the Tongyeong Music Festival in South Korea. And, he is an active composer, with his...2024-03-261h 25Phillip Gainsley's PodcastGary HalvorsonThe Met: Live in HD is a series of live opera performances transmitted to selected venues, primarily movie theaters around the world, in high-definition video, via satellite from the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. The first transmission was the Julie Taymor production of a condensed English-language version of Mozart’s The Magic Flute, on December 30, 2006.Veteran TV director Gary Halvorson, an accomplished classical pianist, has been the primary director of these telecasts from the beginning. Gary had directed episodes of popular TV series Friends, Everyone Loves Raymond, The Drew Carey Show, and Two and a H...2024-03-161h 06Phillip Gainsley's PodcastMichael Stephen Brown Michael Stephen Brown has been hailed by The New York Times as “one of the leading figures in the current renaissance of performer-composers.” His artistry is shaped by his creative voice as a pianist and composer, praised for his “fearless performances” (The New York Times) and “exceptionally beautiful” compositions (The Washington Post). He was the winner of the 2018 Emerging Artist Award from Lincoln Center and a 2015 Avery Fisher Career Grant. He regularly performs recitals with his longtime duo partner, cellist Nicholas Canellakis. As a composer, he recently toured his own Concerto for Piano and Strings around the U...2024-03-041h 12Phillip Gainsley's PodcastRobert NeuRobert Neu is known for his highly theatrical and musically sensitive work He has directed over 100 productions of operas, musicals and plays throughout the country. Bob’s productions include everything from The Music Man to St. John Passion, plus Bernstein’s Mass, Peer Gynt (for which he also did the adaptation), La Traviata, The Magic Flute and Carousel, Hansel and Gretel, Don Giovanni and La Bohème, Bob Neu teaches masterclasses in audition techniques for the University of Minnesota’s opera department. He is a former resident director at Lyric Arts Theater, and former artistic director...2024-02-1854 minPhillip Gainsley's PodcastRichard Kogan, M.D.Richard Kogan has a distinguished career as a psychiatrist and a concert pianist. Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Weill Cornell Medical College and Artistic Director of the Weill Cornell Music and Medicine Program, he has been praised for his “exquisite playing” by The New York Times, and the Boston Globe wrote, “Kogan has somehow managed to excel at the world’s two most demanding professions.”Dr. Kogan has gained renown for his lecture/concerts that explore the role of music in healing and the influence of psychological forces and psychiatric illness on the creative output of the great compo...2024-02-021h 16Phillip Gainsley's PodcastJustin LuceroJustin Lucero is artistic director of Theater Latté Da, in Minneapolis. In addition to nearly a dozen works directed for El Paso Opera, Justin enjoys a robust freelance directing career for professional and academic stages, including past work with Abingdon Theatre Company, Pittsburgh Festival Opera, City Theatre (Pittsburgh), Creede Repertory Theatre, University of Texas El Paso, UTEP Dinner Theatre, the University of Houston, and Scaffolding Theatre, of which he was also Co-Founding Artistic Director. As an assistant and associate director, he has worked with such major institutions as Oregon Shakespeare Festival, South Coast Rep, and Aso...2024-01-2058 minPhillip Gainsley's PodcastJohn Demain Conductor John DeMain is noted for his dynamic performances on concert and opera stages throughout the world. In January 2023, he received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Opera Association, the association’s highest award. During his three decades as the Madison Symphony Orchestra music director, John has consistently raised the quality of the orchestra by introducing blind auditions and continuously expanding the repertoire to encompass ever more challenging and virtuosic works. His active conducting schedule has taken him to the stages of the National Symphony, St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, the symphonies of Se...2024-01-071h 13Phillip Gainsley's PodcastAndrew Arceci Andrew Arceci has developed a varied career as performer, composer/arranger, and scholar. He performs regularly on the viola da gamba (viol), violone, and double bass throughout North America, Europe, and Asia. As viol soloist with orchestra, Andrew has performed historical and/or contemporary works with Oxford Baroque (UK), and numerous ensembles throughout the United States. Recent recording projects include the upcoming Love & Lust with Elizabeth Hungerford, soundtrack work for the BBC-One drama series Silent Witness, Españoletas (2014) with Harmonious Blacksmith, Musique sacrée (2013) with Oxford Baroque, Time (2012) for unaccompanied viola da gamba, and Th...2023-12-271h 03Phillip Gainsley's PodcastThomas SøndergärdWhat a pleasure it was talking to Danish conductor ThomasSondegard as he began his journey as music director of theMinnesota Orchestra. Bringing broad experience in bothorchestral and opera repertoires, he has been music director ofthe Royal Scottish National Orchestra since 2018. Between 2012and 2018, he served as principal conductor of the BBC NationalOrchestra of Wales, and he has appeared with all the majororchestras in Europe. He is also a familiar figure in Scandinavia,working with such orchestras as Oslo Philharmonic, DanishNational Symphony, Royal Danish Orchestra...2023-12-131h 00Phillip Gainsley's PodcastD. T. MaxD. T. Max first contributed to the New Yorker in 1997 and has been a staff writer since 2010. He is the author of “The Family That Couldn’t Sleep: A Medical Mystery,” a cultural and scientific study of fatal familial insomnia disease; “Every Love Story Is a Ghost Story: A Life of David Foster Wallace,” and the topic of our conversation, “Finale: Late Conversations with Stephen Sondheim.” He has been the books editor of the New York Observer, a writer for the Times Magazine, and a pseudonymous food reviewer for Paper. He contributed the afterword to the New York Review Books Classics...2023-11-2656 minPhillip Gainsley's PodcastDessaSinger, rapper, and writer, Dessa has made a career of bucking genres and defying expectations—her résumé as a musician includes performances at Lollapalooza and Glastonbury, co-compositions for 100-voice choir, performances with the Minnesota Orchestra, and top-200 entries on the Billboard charts. Dessa has delivered keynote speeches and presentations on art, science, and entrepreneurship; guest lectures at universities and colleges across the US; and a TED Talk about her science experiment on how to fall out of love. The Los Angeles Times says she “sounds like no one else.” NPR’s All Songs Considered calls her “a national treasure.” On...2023-11-1530 minPhillip Gainsley's PodcastLee MillsLee Mills is internationally recognized as a passionate, multifaceted and energetic conductor. In naming Mills as the ‘New Artist of the Month’ for March 2022, Musical America praised his ‘omnivorous musical temperament eager to try out highly contrasting musical styles and approaches.’As you’ll hear, Lee left his mark wit the Seattle Symphony during the COVID pandemic, stepping in at crucial times. The League of American Orchestras selected Lee Mills for the 2018 Bruno Walter National Conductors Preview where he conducted the Nashville Symphony Orchestra. In 2017 he was selected as a semi-finalist in both the Sir Georg Solt...2023-11-011h 16Phillip Gainsley's PodcastBeo String Quartet Since 2015, the Beo String Quartet has created a niche for itself as a daring, genre-defying ensemble. Trained in the classical tradition, violinists Jason Neukom and Andrew Giordano, violist Sean Neukom, and cellist Ryan Ash also know their way around contemporary expression, including the use of electronics, live sound processing, and spatial audio manipulation. Their performances of Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Mendelssohn, or Shostakovich have been compared to those of the best among 21st century international string quartets. With 65 world premieres to its credit and 145 concert works played throughout the United States, South America, and Europe, the Beo String Q...2023-10-211h 16Phillip Gainsley's PodcastEsther YooWith “a prodigious clarity of diction” (Scherzo) and “a moving tendresse” (BBC Music Magazine), Esther Yoo has been described as “the model of a violin soloist in the modern age.” (The Strad). In 2010, she became the youngest prizewinner of the International Jean Sibelius Violin Competition, and of the Queen Elisabeth Competition two years later. She talks about both. In 2014, she became a BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artist and in 2018 she was selected as one of Classic FM’s Top 30 Artists under 30. In 2020, she was named one of WQXR’s ‘20 For 20’ artists to watch. We talk about the value of competitions, the phy...2023-10-081h 14Phillip Gainsley's PodcastSonja Frisell Now-retired opera stage director Sonja Frisell capped her astounding career in 2017, when at age 80 in Muscat, Oman, with the touring Rossini Opera Festival of Pesaro, she restaged Jean Pierre-Ponnelle’s 1987 production of a little known one-act opera, L’Occasione fa il Ladro (“Opportunity makes the thief”). She had been a protégé of Ponnelle, so who better?But it was in 1989 when the Metropolitan Opera debuted her production of Verdi’s Aida with its hieroglyphics and torchlight temples designed by Gianni Quar-an-ta, that she left her mark. It was a production that lasted 34 years, having been retired in the 2023 sea...2023-09-271h 19Phillip Gainsley's PodcastPaul JacobsPaul Jacobs is chair of the organ department at Juilliard School. An extraordinarily expressive performer and an intensely intelligent musician, Grammy Award-winning organist, he is helping the “King of Instruments” retake its rightful place in classical music. Charming to speak with and passionate about the instrument, this hour with Paul is sheer delight. 2023-09-141h 07Phillip Gainsley's PodcastFrederica Von StadeDescribed by The New York Times as “one of America’s finest artists and singers,” Frederica von Stade continues to be extolled as one of the music world’s most beloved figures. She has enriched the world of classical music for three decades. Her career has taken her to the stages of the world’s great opera houses and concert halls. She began at the top, when she received a contract from Rudolf Bing during the Metropolitan Opera auditions, and since her debut in 1970 she has sung nearly all of her great roles with the Met. We talked about her signatur...2023-09-041h 26Phillip Gainsley's PodcastIra SiffIra Siff is a native New Yorker, who grew up on the standing room line of the old Metropolitan Opera, worshiping the famous singers of the 60s. A graduate of the Cooper Union, with a degree in Fine Arts, Ira studied voice, and made his debut as a tenor in 1970. For the next decade, he performed roles in opera, operetta and musicals in New York, at The New York Shakespeare Festival, Circle in the Square, Playwrights Horizons, and other venues. Turning to cabaret, Ira created an act using vocal parody of opera, jazz, and other styles of music, gaining c...2023-08-241h 13Phillip Gainsley's PodcastAnna ClyneAnna Clyne was described as “fearless” by NPR. After sampling her works you'll know why. She is one of the most in-demand composers today, working with orchestras, choreographers, filmmakers, and visual artists around the world. Anna was named the 8th most performed contemporary composer in the world and the most performed living female British composer, in 2022.2023-08-141h 16Phillip Gainsley's PodcastMattias SchulstadMattias Schulstad is a Swedish classical guitarist, whose playing is described by Gramophone magazine as “refined, intelligent and highly musical.” He has made recordings, performed as soloist with orchestra, and developed the guitar’s repertoire.Mattias’s recent single, Johann Sebastian Bach's prelude BWV 999 features, according to Pulitzer-winner Tim Page, “immaculate and sensitive playing that takes a listener to the heart of Bach's music.”His full-length recording debut Invocación introduced the notion in recent history that Frédéric Chopin influenced the guitar as we know it today. The recording explores Chopin's influence on the modern class...2023-08-0349 minPhillip Gainsley's PodcastThomas GuggeisWith his last-minute stand-in in the acclaimed new production of Salome at the Berlin State Opera, Thomas Guggeis caused a sensation internationally. As Staatskapellmeister of the Staatsoper Berlin since 2020/21 has conducted, or is due to conduct, Falstaff, Lohengrin, Samson et Dalila, Hansel and Gretel, Don Giovanni, Jenufa, The Merry Wives of Windsor and Elektra. His debut at the Vienna State Opera were Salome and Die tote Stadt. He will soon give symphony concerts around the world, including with members of the Berliner Philharmoniker.From 2018-2020, as Kapellmeister at the Stuttgart State Opera, he had alr...2023-07-2456 minPhillip Gainsley's PodcastDavid DarrowBased in Brooklyn, New York and Minneapolis, Minnesota, David has performed off-broadway and around the country at American Conservatory Theatre, The Guthrie, Baltimore Center Stage, Asolo Repertory Theatre, Florida Repertory Theatre, Theatre Latte Da, and many others. He is the author of several musicals including The Passage, which has been developed at the NAMT Festival, Village Theatre, and beyond. He is also studying at New York University Tisch School of the Arts.2023-07-171h 01Phillip Gainsley's PodcastRichard RussellRichard Russell is general director of Sarasota Opera. He performed with the company for four seasons beginning in 1989 as an apprentice artist, studio artist, and principal. During his tenure as general director, Sarasota Opera increased individual giving by over 50%, more than doubled its endowment, and completed its world-renowned Verdi Cycle. Richard managed the construction and fundraising for the new Steinwachs Artist Residences for Sarasota Opera, which encompasses 30 units housing up to 70 artists.2023-07-021h 14Phillip Gainsley's PodcastDavid Goldbloom, OC, MD, FRCPCDavid is a Canadian psychiatrist, professor of psychiatry at the University of Toronto, author, lecturer and mental health advocate. He most recently served from 2003-2022 as the Senior Medical Advisor of the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) and a psychiatric consultant. Beyond his mental health work, he is a member of the board of the Royal Conservatory of Music. He has also chaired the board of governors of the Stratford Shakespeare Festival of Canada as well as chairing the board of directors of the Off Centre Music Salon, a professional chamber music ensemble. David served on the b...2023-06-181h 16Phillip Gainsley's PodcastSarasota, Florida arts criticsBeautiful Sarasota, Florida offers more than sun and beaches. It’s the home of opera, orchestra and ballet organizations, and fine arts museums and galleries. Listen, as the area’s arts critics discuss their roles in the arts and the future of criticism generally. Carrie Seidman, Jay Handelman and Marty Fugate are our panelists.Courtesy of The Education Center at Temple Beth Israel, Longboat Key, Florida2023-06-031h 02Phillip Gainsley's PodcastJ. Warren MitchellHe's been called "The New Pavarotti." You must hear this to believe it. Most recently, Jay made his Southwestern Oklahoma recital debut in Altus, OK and was featured in recital to honor opera diva and Oklahoma native, Leona Mitchell. In addition, Jay recorded and released a new digital album, The Recital Album, featuring recital repertoire and opera arias. Also, he completed work on a special video recording project featuring newly composed art songs from acclaimed composer, Rosephanye Powell.2023-05-191h 08Phillip Gainsley's PodcastAlexander ShelleyAlexander is currently music director of the National Arts Centre Orchestra in Ottawa, and principal associate conductor of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. He was recently appointed and artistic and music director-designate of Artis-Naples and the Naples (FL) Philharmonic. He is a thrilling guest with much to offer on many topics.2023-05-011h 09Phillip Gainsley's PodcastLaurie Winer, author of "Oscar Hammerstein and the Invention of The Musical"t was a thrill to chat with Laurie, whose impeccable research, combined with her writing and editing skills, resulted in a fascinating biography of Oscar Hammerstein II, starting with his grandfather’s day in vaudeville, and continuing up to his paternal relationship with the late Stephen Sondheim. Her insights and analysis are helpful in understanding this great man of the musical theater. And we learn about Oscar’s activities outside the theater world and his efforts to make the world a better place, and why that’s not as naive as it sounds. The book is published by Yale Universit...2023-04-091h 47Phillip Gainsley's PodcastMichael BrindisiMichael Brindisi returns to our podcast to discuss Chanhassen Dinner Theaters’current production of The Prom and its next production, Jersey Boys. Michael and his ownership team have placed inclusion, diversity and equity in the forefront of its production policy and audiences have responded enthusiastically. It is always a pleasure to speak with Michael!2023-03-3057 minPhillip Gainsley's PodcastJanet HorvathJanet is a retired associate principal cellist with the Minnesota Orchestra, and a world-wide recitalist. Her recently-relerased book, The Cello Still Sings tells of being a daughter of Holocaust survivors who kept the horror to themselves for most the their children’s lives. It was only in her father’s last year did Janet learn the details of what her parents endured.Listen to her narrative, and stay with us as we play a recording of Janet’s Kol Nidre, played in Landsberg, Germany, 70 years to the day where her father performed it in a displa...2023-03-211h 28Phillip Gainsley's PodcastMichael ChanceMost of Michael’s time is devoted to The Grange Festival, created in 2015. The first performances at The Grange were in 2017. To date, the festival has staged 15 operas and numerous other events, including masterclasses, recitals and two international singing competitions.It’s idyllic!2023-03-111h 00Phillip Gainsley's PodcastJennifer HomansOver ten years in the making, Jennifer Homans's treatise on choreographer George Balanchine introduces us to this complicated artist in a light not heretofore shown. With Lincoln Kerstein, Balanchine created the School of American Ballet, and then the New York City Ballet.One cannot study Balanchine without studying Russian history, at least immediately preceding the Revolution up to the early 80s. In her Mr. B: George Balanchine's 20th Century, Jennifer touches all bases. Jennifer probably could not have written such thorough biography had she not been a prof...2023-02-261h 21Phillip Gainsley's PodcastRichard WillRichard Will’s treatise, “Don Giovanni Captured”, subtitled “Performance, Media, Myth” (The University of Chicago Press) reviews the history of recording Mozart’s Don Giovanni - wax cylinders, 78 RPMs, 33⅓ RPMs (long-playing records), CDs, VHSs, DVDs, and streaming. He supplies us with examples of his analyses with plenty of recorded excerpts in the book’s companion website. Listen, as he compares Giovanni’s “Serenade” (to Elvira’s maid) of Victor Maurel (1904) with Ezio Pinza (1930), and then Joseph Krips’s 1955 London mono (later stereo) recording with Cesare Siepi as Giovanni, with Bernard Haitink’s 1990 EMI Classics recording, with Thomas Allen playing the libertine, in...2023-02-141h 23Phillip Gainsley's PodcastJess GillamJess is a London-based saxphonist, presenter and broadcaster. What she has done with the sax is revolutionary. Her enthusiam is contagious. 2023-01-2853 minPhillip Gainsley's PodcastAnne Midgette, critic and writer on the arts and other important topics of our time.Anne Midgette, critic and writer on the arts and other important topics. She wrote criticism for The New York Times and The Washington Post2023-01-141h 22Phillip Gainsley's PodcastMichael FabianoMichael Fabiano is more than a world-class opera performer. In 2016 he co-founded ArtSmart. The first program of its kind, ArtSmart is bringing professionally-taught voice lessons to 12 students every week, free of charge. Michael devotes his personal time and attention to this program, now available in nine states.2022-12-1804 minPhillip Gainsley's PodcastI am proud to feature low-voice ensemble Cantus, widely known for its trademark warmth and blend, innovative programming and riveting performances of music ranging from the Renaissance to the 21st century.2022-12-101h 05Phillip Gainsley's PodcastGiancarlo Guerrero is a six-time GRAMMY® Award-winning conductor and Music Director of the Nashville Symphony and NFM Wrocław Philharmonic. Enjoy our conversation about his personal history and his outstanding career.2022-11-191h 12Phillip Gainsley's PodcastMusician/Pianist Anita Ruth has been active in the Twin Cities theater and music circles for over 50 years. After serving as music director for over 80 shows at the Chanhassen Dinner Theaters, she has led a varied and exciting life as a freelance mus2022-11-051h 03Phillip Gainsley's PodcastWhat a thill it was to meet with Ann Morrison and Jim Walton, the Mary and Frank of the original Broadway cast of Merrily We Roll Along! We were joined by Grammy-winner Thomas Z. Shepard who produced the show’s original Broadway cast recording, Alexander2022-10-091h 10Phillip Gainsley's PodcastJon Kimura Parker, pianist whose charm equals his musicianship, which says a lot! He's performed with orchestras around the world, all to rave reviews. He is also a creative partner with the Minnesota Orchestra.2022-09-201h 16Phillip Gainsley's PodcastAndrew Keener and Rob Suff are two of the most discerning classical music recording producers. We talk about the status of the industry today and the challenges of producing high-quality recordings.2022-09-101h 14Phillip Gainsley's PodcastJack Everly has a rich music history. Currently the "pops" conductor for four symphony orchestras, he was music director for the American Ballet Theater, and conductor of some of this country's best known Broadway shows. He has also been the music direc2022-08-141h 07Phillip Gainsley's PodcastKevin Puts is a symphony, concerto and opera composer whose "Silent Night" permanently placed him among this country's most important opera composers. His "The Hours" opens at the Metropolitan Opera on November 22.2022-07-011h 06Phillip Gainsley's PodcastScott Yoo, music director, violinist, mentor and host of the PBS Great Performances series, "Now Hear This". Scott has conducted all of the major orchestras in the U.S., Europe and Asia. His recordings are at once numerous and discerning.2022-06-1759 minPhillip Gainsley's PodcastDr. Joseph Holt has an extraordinary background in music. He's an accomplished pianist and choral director, and he serves as host for Sarasota Institute of Lifetime Learning's "Music Mondays."2022-06-031h 09Phillip Gainsley's PodcastJonathan Solars: After leaving a professional career as a violinist, Jonathan worked with René A. Morel and later partnered with Florian Leonhard. His understanding of sound, gained through years of professional training and performance practice, combin2022-05-151h 14Phillip Gainsley's PodcastMeet Hershey Felder, who spoke with us from his home in Florence, Italy. And listen to a brief audio clip from his 2020 film, "Mozart and Figaro."Whether as Beethoven, Gershwin, Berlin, Tchaikovsky, or Bernstein, Hershey Felder introduces us to these men of music in a way never before presented. He becomes these composers. Here him in this episode become Lorenzo da Ponte, Mozart's librettist for The Marriage of Figaro, Don Giovanni and Cosi fan tutti.2022-05-011h 02
Phillip Gainsley's PodcastLaurence Maslon, author, teacher and broadcaster on the Broadway musical and its delivery from 12 square blocks in Manhattan to our living rooms2022-04-171h 17
Phillip Gainsley's PodcastTim Page, 1997 Pulitzer Prize winning critic for the Washington Post, is a Glenn Gould scholar having edited and compiled The Glenn Gould Reader. In 2018 he wrote his very personal memoire , "Parallel Play," Before the Post, he wrote for The New York Ti2022-04-061h 18
Phillip Gainsley's PodcastRobert Spano : After 20 seasons as music director of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, he now continues his association there as music director laureate. In 2022 he assumes a new position as music director of the Fort Worth Symphony while remaining music2022-03-2701 min
Phillip Gainsley's PodcastDuane SchulerDuane Schuler is a preeminent theater, opera and ballet lighting designer who has taken his art to a new level by working with architects and engineers in the lighting of new and restored structures. Duane comes from a long line of theatrical lighting designers going back over 50 years. Enjoy our enlightening conversation!2022-03-121h 16
Phillip Gainsley's PodcastMona GolabekMona Golabek's 2002 book, The Children of Willesden Lane, a True Story of Hope and Survival, chronicles her mother’s experience with the Kindertransport. Mona is a celebrated concert pianist for whom the expression "Hold on to your music" has a deeply personal meaning. Our conversation was truly moving.2022-03-011h 04Phillip Gainsley's PodcastCharles Lazarus, trumpet soloist, composer and bandleader. Charles has created and starred in four original orchestral shows featuring his jazz ensemble: “A Night in the Tropics,” “American Riffs,” “Fly Me to the Moon” and "Our Love is Here to Stay," a2022-02-201h 18
Phillip Gainsley's Podcast"Bud" Selig talks about his Milwaukee roots, his love of baseball, and the need for philanthropy to sustain the performing arts and the fine arts.2022-02-0834 min
Phillip Gainsley's PodcastLibby Larsen, Grammy award winning composer, whose works are performed by orchestras around the world.2022-01-291h 12
Phillip Gainsley's PodcastRobert Christianson: Composer, arranger, orchestrator. You'll recognize his work immediately2022-01-191h 14
Phillip Gainsley's PodcastFrancesca Zambello, director and administrator of opera, is beginning her final season at Glimmerglass, after breathing new life in it as a festival.2022-01-0636 min
Phillip Gainsley's PodcastIan Strasfogel was a member of the children's chorus at the Metropolitan Opera in its days on West 39th Street. He grew up a few blocks from Carnegie Hall. No wonder he enjoys a rich career in opera as a director and essayist. His father was a coach2021-12-221h 12
Phillip Gainsley's PodcastRobert Israel has designed sets and costumes for over sixty productions in opera houses worldwide. His work has been exhibited at numerous museums and galleries, including the Whitney Museum, the Museum of Modern Art, the Milwaukee Art Center, and Founda2021-12-1255 min
Phillip Gainsley's PodcastStephen Sondheim died on November 26, 2021. On November 14, 2002, he and I had a conversation at the Chicago Cultural Center, just before the Lyric Opera of Chicago's premiere of its production of "Sweeney Todd." It was an exciting and informative inteSome time in the spring of 1970, after seeing the Broadway musical, “Company,” I wrote its composer/lyricist, Stephen Sondheim, simply to tell him how highly I thought of his show.That began 51 years of correspondence between us.I might write a letter of a few paragraphs and he would respond with a sentence. But what a sentence. Each word had meaning. And there nearly always was a response.In 1971, I mentioned to him how unfortunate it was that the original cast recording of “Follies” didn’t contain all of the show’s...2021-12-031h 18
Phillip Gainsley's PodcastSonya Friedman is a pioneer in opera titling --- subtitles, surtitles and Emmy-nominated Met titles. Her career began as a translator of foreign films. She has produced award-winning television documentaries.2021-11-2556 min
Phillip Gainsley's PodcastUniversally acclaimed tenor Matthew Polenzani discusses his outstanding career at the Metropolitan Opera and elsewhere, his repertoire, his busy international travel and most important to him, his family.2021-11-161h 21
Phillip Gainsley's PodcastThe brilliant JoAnn Falletta talks about her career and her productive relationship with the esteemed Buffalo Philharmonic and the highly regarded Naxos Records2021-11-081h 11
Phillip Gainsley's PodcastProducer/director Michael Brindisi, actor/singer Michelle Barber, and their daughter, actor/singer/dancer Cat Brindisi talk about their lives in music theater and their devotion to Chanhassen Dinner Theaters just outside of Minneapolis.2021-11-011h 12