Conversations with Musicians, with Leah Roseman

Leah Roseman
  • 5.0 (9)
  • Society & Culture

There’s a fascinating variety to a life in music; this series features wonderful musicians worldwide with in-depth conversations and great music. Many episodes feature guests playing music spontaneously as part of the episode or sharing performances and albums. The inspiration and connection found in a meaningful creative life, the challenges faced, and the stories from such a diversity of people will draw you into this weekly series, with many topics that will resonate with all listeners. Available also as video and transcript: https://www.leahroseman.com/about

  1. 4d ago

    Andrew Arceci: Early Music & Modern Folk

    Andrew Arceci is an Early Music Specialist who performs on the viol family and is also a founding member of Floyds Row ensemble. You’ll be hearing music excerpted from their new album The Carlisle Sessions and also from Andrew’s earlier album with soprano Elizabeth Hungerford Love and Lust of wonderful music from the 16th and 17th centuries. Andrew also speaks about the tragic loss of his father, a prominent paediatric oncologist and how Andrew established the remarkable Winchendon Music Festival in Massachusetts, which features series of free concerts of jazz, early music, classical, and world music with established artists. It was fascinating to learn about Andrew’s path from jazz and classical bass to art history and early music scholarship which he studied at the Peabody Conservatory, The Julliard School and the University of Oxford. Andrew got into some fascinating specifics about the intricacies of reading different forms of notation while playing in different temperaments on many different instruments. On a personal note, he shared the joys of his nomadic life with his wife the violinist Asako Takeuchi, and some of the experiences they have shared living in Italy and Japan with their children. For Andrew's projects, the music featured in this episode, other suggested episodes, YouTube video, transcript, podcast merch, newsletter and more: All the links (00:00) Intro (02:34) Italian heritage (03:23) Floyds Row “The Carlisle Sessions” with clips from tracks 1, 5, 2 (12:20) Andrew’s art history background, discovering early music and viol family (18:37) Floyds Row “The Carlisle Sessions” with clips from track 3, and 4, balancing family life, George Lernis percussion (23:25) background in jazz, improv elements in early music, lute tablature, continuo (27:25) Winchendon Music Festival, loss of his father (36:20) Love and Lust with Elizabeth Hungerford with clips of Tobacco, Death, Life (44:38) suggested episodes and ways to support this podcast (45:35) Hume, Mark Cudek, Love and Lust project with clip of Amarilli track 5 (48:21) viola da gamba and viol family with clip of She Loves it Well and Chi Passa Per ‘sta Strada (01:00:28) languages, Japan, Italy (01:05:11) composing and arranging, music direction, art, Floyd’s Row (01:14:35) balancing touring, projects and home life

    Andrew Arceci: Early Music & Modern Folk

  2. Oct 1

    The Art of the Unwritten: Creative Pedagogy and Improvisation with violinist Rupert Guenther

    Rupert Guenther is an Australian improvising violinist and pedagogue. Some of the music you’ll be hearing is excerpted from his 5 albums commissioned from the ABC. You’ll hear stories from his varied career, in both Australia and Vienna, and influences and mentors from Melvyn Cann, Terje Moe Hansen, Igor Ozim and Allan Zavod. He shares his approach to creating fully improvised music as a classically trained violinist and how he teaches his students to ground their playing with his reflective approach. You can also watch the video on my YouTube. Have a look at the show notes of this episode on my website, where you’ll find all the links, including different ways to support this podcast, and other episodes you’ll enjoy: All the links! photo: Anne Errey (00:00) Intro (01:43) Guildhall experience with clip of track 2 from New Letters to Esterhazy Sonata I (07:09) Terje Moe Hansen, Rupert’s first teachers (11:50) ABC commissions, remembering Melvyn Cann with clips track 3 and 1 from Sonata I The Moxbournienna Sonatas (19:03) playing with amplification with clip Sticks and Branches from Amplified Soundscapes for solo violin, benefits of improv (24:30) Igor Ozim, Brian Finlayson, Helfried Fister, Vienna (39:17) linked episodes and ways to support this independent podcast (40:30) Rolling Stones, Melbourne exposure to global music with clip of track 2 The Moxbournienna Sonata I (46:33) how busking helped connect with audiences with clip “Meeting Lao Tau from New Sacred Music vol. 2 (52:03) approach to teaching, getting over stage fright through improvisation, Conservatorium of Intuitive Music, with clip of track 4 New Letters to Esterhazy Sonata I (01:07:32) Allan Zavod (01:23:52) Cosmology projects, teaching improvisation (01:23:52) meditation and teaching

    The Art of the Unwritten: Creative Pedagogy and Improvisation with violinist Rupert Guenther

  3. Sep 23

    Ashley Kahn on “Days of Miracle and Wonder: Paul Simon and the Trials and Triumphs of Graceland”

    Ashley Kahn is a Grammy-winning music historian, author, professor and producer. He joins me to discuss his wonderful new book, Days of Miracle and Wonder: Paul Simon and the Trials and Triumphs of Graceland. You’ll hear about Joseph Shabalala and Ladysmith Black Mambazo, with whom Ashley toured, and many of the musicians who helped define the Graceland sound, including Bakithi Kumalo, Ray Phiri, producer Ray Halee and insights into Paul Simon’s songwriting process. You’ll hear Ashley read several excerpts from the book and reflect on how Graceland the album and later as a touring project affected the musicians living under Apartheid, and also those in exile like Hugh Masekela. He also speaks about several of his other projects including his books about the music of Thelonious Monk and John Coltrane and as co-writer of Carlos Santana’s award-winning autobiography “The Universal Tone: Bringing My Story to Light “. A recipient of many awards and honours, Ashley has a broad and fascinating career in the music industry and is a professor at the Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music at NYU TISCH. In the show notes, there’s a gallery of photos, so you may want to check those out. All the links in the show notes! You can also watch the video on my YouTube, the show notes also linked several suggested episodes. (00:00) Intro (03:17) Paul Simon, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Joseph Shabalala (11:37) Ashley reading from “Days of Miracle and Wonder” about Paul Simon’s songwriting process (13:56) Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Isicathamiya, Apartheid (20:01) defining sounds of Graceland, Bakithi Kumalo fretless bass, Isaac Mtshali, Vusi Khumalo, Ray Phiri (24:34) Ashley reading from “Days of Miracle and Wonder” about what makes an album a classic (26:42) Paul Simon’s lyrics (33:14) Ashley reading from “Days of Miracle and Wonder” about Paul Simon (34:00) Verna Gillis (37:11) Lorne Michaels, Ladysmith Black Mambazo on Saturday Night Live, Ray Halee (47:54) suggested episodes and ways to support and follow this podcast (49:11) cultural boycott, anti-Apartheid movement and Graceland (58:40) Ashley’s career as a music historian and author, Miles Davis, John Coltrane (01:05:50) Carlos Santana with Ashley reading from “The Universal Tone” (01:14:13) professor at NYU, advice for his students and young musicians

    Ashley Kahn on “Days of Miracle and Wonder: Paul Simon and the Trials and Triumphs of Graceland”

  4. Sep 14

    JoVia Armstrong: Shaping the Future of Sound through Innovation and Education

    JoVia Armstrong is a an award-winning percussionist, composer and educator whose work blends rhythm, technology, and experimental composition. This year she was voted as one of the best percussionists in the world by DownBeat Magazine’s 74th Annual Critics Poll. She leads the electroacoustic ensemble Eunoia Society which explores sound as a healing tool and you’ll be hearing music from their first two albums, The Antidote Suite and Inception, which are linked in the show notes for you. In fact, I found out about JoVia when I interviewed Leslie De Shazor a couple of years ago for this podcast, and my episode with her is linked for you along with a few other suggested episodes. Today you’ll learn about JoVia’s collaborators and mentors including Nicole Mitchell and Francisco Mora Catlett as well as her development as a musician with the encouragement of her family. JoVia spoke with me about the importance of mentoring youth, self-reflection and self-care. She is currently Assistant Professor of music at the University of Virginia, where she teaches in the Composition and Computer Technology Program while researching the intersection of Black contemplative music, technology and urban space. You can also watch this video on my YouTube, and I’ve also linked the transcript. It'ss a joy to bring these inspiring episodes to you, and I do all the many jobs of research, production and publicity. Have a look at the show notes of this episode on my website, where you’ll find all the links, including JoVia Armstrong, the albums featured in this episode, how you can support this podcast, podcast merch and other episodes you’ll enjoy: All the links! (00:00) Intro (03:10) keyboards, Leslie DeShazor, her teaching at the University of Virginia, managers (14:09) Eunoia Society, elements of contemplative music with clip of Meditations on Oya from The Antidote Suite (18:38) Nicole Mitchell, Black Earth SWAY (24:00) The Antidote Suite, Bridget Cooks, with clip of Breathe (29:44) grad school in California, sisters, remembering Joyce (37:30) cajon, Francisco Mora Catlett, suggested episodes and ways to support this independent podcast (37:41) Elizabeth Catlett, Francisco Mora Catlett, cajon, Musique Noire (45:20) The Antidote Suite, about Shades and Shapes with clip of the music, Herbie Hancock influence (50:49) working with women, self-reflection, reverb and caves, self-care (01:05:08) Inception album, Eunoia Society, problem with audiences in classical music concerts, clips of track 1 and 2 (01:13:16) supportive parents, mentoring youth

    JoVia Armstrong: Shaping the Future of Sound through Innovation and Education

  5. Sep 4

    Sound and Motion: Cellist Coleman Itzkoff

    Cellist Coleman Itzkoff joins Leah Roseman to discuss his multi-disciplinary career spanning baroque music, contemporary ballet, and theatre. Discover the surprising links between his youth as a competitive skateboarder and his physical artistry on stage. He shares insights into co-founding AMOC, accessing peak creativity, and how family and mentors shaped his unique path. You can also watch the video on my YouTube - Have a look at the show notes of this episode on my website, where you’ll find all the links. CLICK for ALL the LINKS! photo: Titilayo Ayangade (00:00) Intro (02:12) musical family, aunt Kris Yenney, PACO (07:46) AMOC Matthew Aucoin, with clip of “Dual” from live performance with Lizzie Burns (13:56) first dance experience with Or Schraiber, AMOC (19:38) Procession, dancing, Bobbi Jene Smith and Or Schraiber, Lost Mountain, NACO (33:44) Dall’Abaco caprices, baroque cello with clips of No. 6 and 1 (39:24) other linked episodes and ways to support this independent podcast (40:27) experimentation with endpins and standing, skateboarding (48:22) Coleman’s youth with musician parents, Greenwood Music Camp, skateboarding skills and music (55:54) accessing more creativity and ease, earplugs, polyvagal theory, meditation (01:04:48) Ruckus early music, 12th Night (01:07:53) variety in his career, Cerrone concerto, Anthony Marwood (01:10:06) Sonic Alchemy album, Peteris Vasks, Mina Gajič (01:12:42) Broken Theater, Or Schraiber (01:15:21) teachers Eric Kim, Desmond Hoebig, Ralph Kirschbaum, Timothy Eddy

    Sound and Motion: Cellist Coleman Itzkoff

  6. Aug 21

    Jesse Jones: Luthier, Composer, and EZRA Bluegrass Fusion

    Internationally renowned composer and Oberlin professor Jesse Jones joins host Leah Roseman. Jesse has been awarded the Guggenheim and Rome Prizes, he also thrives in bluegrass-fusion with the group EZRA, and we're featuring music excerpted from several albums. We explore Jacob Jolliff’s album of Jesse's music—including his recent mandolin concerto—and also feature clips from Xak Bjerken’s performance of Variations on Oklahoma Rooster. Jesse discusses building instruments, his personal approach to microtonality, and how a sudden accident completely transformed his musical path. You can watch the video on my YouTube or listen to the podcast, and I’ve also linked the transcript. Have a look at the show notes of this episode on my website, where you’ll find all the links. There you can sign up for my newsletter to get access to exclusive information about upcoming guests, consider buying me a coffee on my Ko-fi page, or buying some unique podcast merch. I've linked several suggested episodes for you with Banjo player Adam Hurt, mandolinist Joe K. Walsh, instrument innovator, and improvisor, creator of the Bazantar, the late Mark Deutsch, Irish composer Karen Power, who uses nature recordings from some of the most remote places on earth, Jesse Stewart the Canadian composer, percussionist, visual artist, researcher and educator, and composer and pianist Michael Stephen Brown, among so many episodes since 2021. You can also review this podcast, share it with your friends, and follow on your podcast app, YouTube, and social media. Click here (00:00) Intro (01:55) connecting to his roots, Ezra Froggy’s Demise, Craig Butterfield clip of McLaughlin (06:41) Ezra, discovering Bluegrass, learning different instruements, Jacob Joliff, Max Allard, clip of Sobreandando from Froggy’s Demise (15:12) Jacob Jolliff, mandolin with clips of Jolliff Plays Jones, Prelude, Tune Book Finale (18:26) development of Jesse’s compositional style, clip of Tamborine from Tune Book (24:08) Lutherie (31:49) love of banjo, clip of Golden Hill (34:47) Xak Bjerken with clip track 6 Whippersnap (39:09) Commissions, Xak Bjerken Variations on Oklahoma Rooster with clips of Procession and Riffing with Xak Bjerken, video linked in show notes (44:42) Whippersnap with clip of My Point eXAKtly from Whippersnap by EZRA (45:45) linked episodes and ways to support this independent podcast (46:45) Whippersnap, clip of Milk on Tap, Max Allard (48:56) need for contrast, Gossamer with a clip, why the band hasn’t performed much (53:41) Professor at Oberlin, fascination with microtonality, Mark Deutsch Bazantar (59:55) musical memories, Jesse’s youth and family, String Helix (01:09:04) vocal music, Sharon Harms, first symphony (01:12:08) Rome Prize experience

    Jesse Jones: Luthier, Composer, and EZRA Bluegrass Fusion

  7. Aug 9

    Donna Weng Friedman: Interdisciplinary Artistry and Music Education with the Award-Winning Pianist and Film maker

    The award-winning pianist Donna Weng Friedman enjoys a distinguished career as a soloist, chamber musician, educator, curator, producer, and filmmaker. She spoke to me about many of her inspiring projects, including the Joy Luck Trio, Microvids with composer Stefania de Kenessey and collaborators including violinist Curtis Stewart. You’ll hear how she got into film making and her award-winning personal film Never Fade Away about her parents, featuring Chun Wai Chan, the New York City Ballet's first Chinese principal dancer. Donna shared great advice for fellow music educators and students, how she came to be mentored by Radu Lupu, and perspectives on her career choices as a parent and many initiatives to amplify women composers and conductors. You can also watch the video on my YouTube: show notes bring you to Donna Weng Friedman's music and projects, suggested episodes, newsletter sign-up to get access to exclusive information,podcast merchandise, transcript, suggested episodes and how you can buy me a coffee to help keep this podcast going! All Links Here (00:00) Intro (02:42) Microvids, Stefania de Kenessey with clips of number 7 En Llamas Lola Lopez Guardone and clip of 9 Running on Empty Krystal Joy Brown (09:35) Curtis Stewart improvisations, with clip of number 8 The Grand Opening (14:19) Stefania de Kenessey, Anne Lundy, Virago Symphonic Orchestra, Pascale VAn Os, Brava Maestra, clip of number 11 Pura Alegria (21:39) Joy Luck Trio, Karen Han erhu, Gao Hong pipa with clip of Pastorale (33:21) racist encounter, Asian identity, Harmony and Heritage (38:26) linked episodes, podcast merch, newsletter (39:26) Never Fade Away and making the film, Chun Wai Chan (50:56) exploring different forms of artistic expression, with clip of Clouds with Curtis Stewart from Microvids, Migrant museum Fenix (58:42) teaching music, stage fright (01:08:34) Heritage and Harmony Silver Linings album, Chinary Ing with clip of Space Between the Fish and the Moon (01:10:08) Indira Mohajan with clip of Night by Florence Price, Her Music Her Story women composers (01:12:42) composer Kim Sherman Quiet Poems album with clip of Water Circles, need for new music for young students (01:17:18) teachers, Nadia Boulanger, Radu Lupu (01:23:14) balancing career with parenting, duo with Carter Brey, classical music apps The Music Bee Club

    Donna Weng Friedman: Interdisciplinary Artistry and Music Education with the Award-Winning Pianist and Film maker

  8. Jul 31

    "Brahms Comes to Dinner": Interview with Author Boman Desai

    I was honoured to record this interview with Boman Desai, whose wonderful recent novel “Brahms Comes to Dinner” I highly recommend. You’ll hear how this work came out of Boman’s larger novel “Trio” and he shared stories about several of his other acclaimed novels including “The Memory of Elephants”, “Portrait of a Woman Madly in Love” and his book about the Lennon-McCartney Beatles songs “Dancing About Architecture”. Some of Boman’s writing comes from his Parsi family history and the life of his grandmother, and you’ll hear about several life-changing moments including with the legendary editor and writer Diana Athill. You can also watch the video on my YouTube and I’ve also linked the transcript. Have a look at the show notes of this episode on my website, where you’ll find all the links I've also linked suggested episodes with Martha Anne Toll, Heather Taves, Michael Stephen Brown, Thomas Cabaniss, Yale Strom, Gabriel Kahane, Scott Nygaard among so many episodes since 2021. Sign up for my newsletter, where you’ll get exclusive information about upcoming guests, consider buying me a coffee on my Ko-fi page, or buying some unique podcast merch. All the links! (00:00) Intro (02:08) Brahms, Clara and Robert Schumann (18:28) excerpt from “Brahms Comes to Dinner”, research letters, diaries (31:21) excerpt from “Trio” Robert and Clara Schumann (35:26) Boman’s musical memories from childhood in India, Tovey writing about music (42:27) Parsi community, Diana Athill (45:24) other linked episodes and supporting this podcast (46:14) editor Diana Athill, “The Memory of Elephants”, Zoroastrian Parsi family, grandmother’s life (57:16) “The Elephant Graveyard”, the life of an author (01:06:30) “A Googly in the Compound” (01:11:56) editing and publishing his books (01:14:12) “Portrait of a Woman Madly in Love” (01:19:59) “A Googly in the Compound” (01:23:43) Diana Athill, life of a writer (01:29:28) Beatles book “Dancing About Architecture”, song analysis, writing about music (01:35:43) move back to India

    "Brahms Comes to Dinner": Interview with Author Boman Desai
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There’s a fascinating variety to a life in music; this series features wonderful musicians worldwide with in-depth conversations and great music. Many episodes feature guests playing music spontaneously as part of the episode or sharing performances and albums. The inspiration and connection found in a meaningful creative life, the challenges faced, and the stories from such a diversity of people will draw you into this weekly series, with many topics that will resonate with all listeners. Available also as video and transcript: https://www.leahroseman.com/about

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