In Conversation

2MBS Fine Music Sydney
  • 5.0 (21)
  • Music Interviews
  • Updated Fortnightly

In Conversation is brought to you by 2MBS Fine Music Sydney. In each episode, Simon Moore speaks to a figure in our artistic landscape, delving into all the detailed and interesting facets of their life, from the trivial to the profound. Our guest also introduces some musical extracts that are meaningful to them.

  1. 5 days ago

    Alexander Briger AO: Bringing it home

    Conductor Alexander Briger has built an extraordinary international career, working with orchestras and opera companies across Europe and Australia, while also creating one of this country’s most ambitious musical projects: the Australian World Orchestra. As the AWO celebrates 15 years, Alexander reflects on how an idea originally intended as a one-off became an ongoing orchestra bringing together leading Australian musicians from around the world, and discusses the upcoming concerts in Melbourne and Sydney . Alex also looks back on the beginnings of his own remarkable career, from hearing his uncle Sir Charles Mackerras conduct Mahler when he was 12 and immediately deciding to become a conductor, to leaving Australia for Europe in search of opportunities he simply couldn’t find at home. He recalls learning from Mackerras, Pierre Boulez and other great conductors, and the complex reality of carving out his own identity independent of his famous uncle. There are also some telling stories of the less glamorous side of an international conducting career, from having to learn major works at a day’s notice, to racing between countries and opera houses until the relentless pace eventually took its toll. He also reflects on what decades on the podium have taught him, including the importance of personality and instinct to great conducting. Alexander Briger conducts the Australian World Orchestra for Shostakovich’s 10th Symphony, Stravinsky’s Petrushka and a world premiere by Jonathan Mills, at Hamer Hall in Melbourne on Wednesday, 19 August and in the Concert Hall of the Sydney Opera House on Thursday 20 August.

    Alexander Briger AO: Bringing it home

  2. 5 Aug

    Håkan Hardenberger: One lifetime is not enough

    Swedish trumpeter Håkan Hardenberger has spent more than four decades redefining what is possible on his instrument, inspiring composers to create a remarkable new body of repertoire along the way. In Sydney to conduct and perform with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Håkan discusses HK Gruber’s Aerial Trumpet Concerto, one of many works written especially for him, and the extraordinary techniques and sounds Gruber drew from both player and instrument. He reflects on his collaborations with composers including Mark-Anthony Turnage and Brett Dean, his determination to give the trumpet the kind of substantial repertoire enjoyed by other instruments, and why the spontaneity and risk-taking of jazz remain an important influence on his approach to classical music. Håkan also looks back on the unlikely Christmas present that changed his life at the age of eight, leaving Sweden for Paris at just sixteen, and the very different teachers who shaped him as a musician. He recalls the competitions and recordings that helped establish his international career, explains why a lifetime is still not enough to master the trumpet, and reveals why conducting remains for him a “luxury hobby”.  Håkan Hardenberger conducts members of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra for Modern Masterpieces for Brass from 6-8 August, and then performs with the SSO for HK Gruber’s Aerial Trumpet Concerto from 12-15 August.

    Håkan Hardenberger: One lifetime is not enough

  3. 29 July

    Arve Henriksen: Collecting sounds

    Norwegian trumpeter Arve Henriksen has forged one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary music, blurring the boundaries between jazz, folk, ambient soundscapes and improvisation. Joining the Australian Chamber Orchestra for its From Winter's Stillness tour, Arve discusses the inspirations behind this unique collaboration, his long-standing musical partnership with Trio Mediæval, and how the landscapes, history and traditions of Scandinavia continue to shape his music. In this conversation, Arve also reflects on a lifetime spent collecting sounds rather than styles, explaining why he believes improvisation is something we're all born with. He shares stories of growing up in a family marching band on Norway's rugged west coast, discovering jazz through Jan Garbarek, and why nature remains his greatest creative influence. We get a glimpse of his collaborative approach to music-making, where composition emerges organically from listening, trust and the courage to leave space between the notes. Arve Henriksen and Trio Mediæval join the Australian Chamber Orchestra for From Winter’s Stillness around Australia until August 9.

    Arve Henriksen: Collecting sounds

  4. 22 July

    Gemma Nha: More than a glow up

    Australian soprano Gemma Nha has taken an extraordinary path from singing Katy Perry songs on The Voice Kids to performing on some of the world's leading opera stages. After studying at the Sydney Conservatorium, the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna and The Juilliard School, and following engagements with the Lyric Opera of Chicago and Vienna's Volksoper, she returns home to make her role, company and house debut as Gilda in Opera Australia's Rigoletto. In this conversation, Gemma reflects on the journey that led her to opera, despite initially resisting the art form, and how a childhood trip to see Wicked on Broadway inspired her to pursue a life on stage. She speaks about balancing careers in opera and musical theatre, the challenges of developing a young voice, and why learning languages is an essential key to fully understanding the works. Gemma also speaks about life in Vienna, Chicago and New York, the artists who have shaped her, and the importance of trusting your own artistic journey rather than comparing yourself with others. It's a thoughtful chat with one of Australia's most exciting young sopranos towards the start of her career. Gemma Nha appears as Gilda in Rigoletto with Opera Australia until August 21.

    Gemma Nha: More than a glow up

  5. 15 July

    Tahu Matheson: The real power of opera

    Conductor, pianist and Opera Australia Head of Music Tahu Matheson joins In Conversation ahead of the Sydney season of The Drover's Wife, the acclaimed new Australian opera by George Palmer and Leah Purcell. Tahu explains why he believes the story is perfectly suited to opera, reflecting on the emotional power of the singing voice, the accessibility of Palmer's score, and his experience of helping shape a brand-new work from early workshops through to the world premiere. The conversation also explores Tahu's musical upbringing, following his conductor father around Europe before settling in Australia, his early ambitions to become a concert pianist, and the unexpected moment that changed the course of his career: discovering Wagner's Tristan und Isolde. He shares his lifelong fascination with opera, the transition from pianist to répétiteur and conductor, and offers a fascinating glimpse into the often unseen work of Opera Australia's music staff, from coaching singers and preparing scores to balancing orchestral and vocal forces in performance. Tahu also discusses the challenges of presenting contemporary opera alongside the great classics, why he believes audiences are rediscovering the thrill of live performance, and the enduring power of opera to move, challenge and inspire.  Tahu Matheson conducts The Drover’s Wife for Opera Australia, August 7-15.

    Tahu Matheson: The real power of opera

  6. 8 July

    Benjamin Beilman: Songs without words

    Internationally acclaimed American violinist Benjamin Beilman joins In Conversation while in Sydney to perform Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. Renowned for the intensity and poetry of his playing, Ben reflects on his remarkable musical journey, from singing as a choirboy in Atlanta and beginning violin lessons through the Suzuki method, to studying at the Curtis Institute of Music with some of the world's most promising young musicians. He speaks warmly about the mentors who shaped his career, including Christian Tetzlaff, whose guidance extended far beyond the concert platform to the realities of life as an international soloist. Ben also reflects on the value of chamber music, the lessons he now passes on as one of Curtis's youngest faculty members, and how the musicians you meet as a student become lifelong musical companions. Along the way, Ben gives us a glimpse into life as an international soloist, his love of chamber music, the remarkable historic violin he now performs on, and how becoming a father has given him a new perspective on both music and life. Benjamin Beilman performs with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra 9-11 July.

    Benjamin Beilman: Songs without words

  7. 1 July

    Emma Pearson: Passion is the smell of an oily rag

    Australian soprano Emma Pearson has built an extraordinary international career, performing with leading opera companies across Europe, Australia and New Zealand. After spending nine years as a principal artist with the Hessisches Staatstheater Wiesbaden in Germany – where she was later honoured with the prestigious title of Kammersängerin – Emma has returned to this side of the world while continuing to embrace new roles, including Hanna Glawari in The Merry Widow for Opera Australia. Emma reflects on the remarkable journey that led to her becoming one of Australia's most respected lyric sopranos. She discusses the formative influence of her teachers, the opportunities that took her to Germany, and the demanding but rewarding life of a repertoire singer, performing, rehearsing and learning multiple operas simultaneously. Emma also shares insights into the artistry of operetta, the challenges of mastering languages and new repertoire, and the lessons she now passes on to the next generation of singers through her teaching. Along the way, she speaks candidly about balancing an international career with family life, and why kindness and professionalism matter just as much as vocal talent. Refreshingly down-to-earth, Emma offers a fascinating glimpse into the realities of life on, and beyond, the operatic stage. Emma Pearson appears as Hanna Glawari in The Merry Widow for Opera Australia in the Joan Sutherland Theatre of the Sydney Opera House until August 18 for certain performances. Check the website for details.

    Emma Pearson: Passion is the smell of an oily rag

  8. 24 June

    Renato Dolcini: The musician's voice

    Italian bass-baritone Renato Dolcini has become one of the most distinctive voices on the international Baroque scene, having performed with some of the world’s best, including William Christie, Sir John Eliot Gardiner, Giovanni Antonini and Cecilia Bartoli. In this conversation, Renato reflects on his long-standing relationship with the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra and Artistic Director Paul Dyer, and discusses Italian Serenatas, a program that takes audiences on a musical journey through the cities, styles and traditions that shaped Italian music.  Renato traces his own musical journey back to an early encounter with Mozart’s Don Giovanni, which ultimately led him towards a career in music. Along the way, he discusses the profound influence of Cecilia Bartoli, whose recordings and performances opened his ears to a more theatrical, text-driven approach to singing and ultimately helped guide him towards the world of historically informed performance.  We also hear about the life-changing experience of winning William Christie’s prestigious Le Jardin des Voix competition, the unique demands of Baroque singing, and why he sees himself first and foremost as a musician rather than simply a vocalist. Renato offers fascinating insights into ornamentation and the close collaboration between singer and orchestra in Baroque performance, before revealing some unexpected passions away from the stage including a love of French pastry-making. This conversation provides a compelling glimpse into the artistry behind one of today’s most exciting Baroque voices.  Renato Dolcini performs with the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra until July 2.

    Renato Dolcini: The musician's voice
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out of 5
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About

In Conversation is brought to you by 2MBS Fine Music Sydney. In each episode, Simon Moore speaks to a figure in our artistic landscape, delving into all the detailed and interesting facets of their life, from the trivial to the profound. Our guest also introduces some musical extracts that are meaningful to them.

Information

  • Creator
    2MBS Fine Music Sydney
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    258
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2MBS Fine Music Sydney
  • Show Website
    In Conversation

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