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. 12h ago

    "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

  2. Jul 22

    Tamsin Waley-Cohen: Violinist, Artistic Director on Motherhood and Creativity

    I have been so inspired to discover the brilliant British-American violinist Tamsin Waley-Cohen’s wonderful discography and I so enjoyed this opportunity to talk to her about her creative life. She spoke to me about the debut of her sister’s violin concerto and you’ll hear about Freya Waley-Cohen’s earlier work Permutations. Tamsin has performed and recorded extensively with the great pianist and composer Huw Watkins and you’ll also be hearing short excerpts from their album “Reflection” including two works written for Tamsin: Huw’s Violin Sonata and the late Oliver Knussen’s Reflection. She opened up about postpartum anxiety, depression,and also the creativity parenting requires, and connected to that, her upcoming album with Cordelia Williams “Dreamscapes and Lullabies”. Tamsin is Artistic Director of the Two Moors Festival in the U.K. and she shared her thoughtful curation of their upcoming October programming. We also talked about the satisfaction and intensity of touring and her wholistic approach to playing the violin. Finally, Tamsin shared some powerful musical memories with some of her great mentors. Complete Show Notes with all the LINKS! You can also watch the video on my YouTube, I’ve also linked the transcript along with Tamsin's website, other suggested episodes, newsletter, podcast merch: LINKS (00:00) Intro (02:13) Freya Waley-Cohen composer and sister, Permutations and Unveil with clips, new concerto (17:05) album Reflection with Huw Watkins with many clips of music by Oliver Knussen, Watkins, Prokofiev, Stravinsky (32:27) C.P.E. Bach sonatas, playing on gut strings (37:04) other suggested episodes and ways to support this podcast (38:05) motherhood, anxiety and depression, matrescence with clip of 3rd mvt Prokofiev F minor Sonata (50:28) new project “Dreamscapes and Lullabies” with Cordelia Williams (56:37) balancing her performance career, (59:28) Two Moors Festival 2026 programs (01:05:53) ECHO award, approach to music making with clip of Stravinsky 5th mvt Duo Concertante (01:13:41) practicing violin, Prussia Cove, András Keller. Ruggiero Ricci, Stephen Kovacevich (01:18:16) Tüür’s Memoirs with Colin Currie

    Tamsin Waley-Cohen: Violinist, Artistic Director on Motherhood and Creativity

  3. Jul 13

    Mary Beth Orr: The Singing Horn, Appalachia and Resilience

    Mary Beth Orr is a wonderful award-winning horn player and folk vocal artist. Throughout this moving episode you’ll be hearing short excerpts from her album “The Singing Horn” which celebrates traditional Appalachian songs with Mahler and contemporary works composed for Mary Beth through Vox Novus’ Fifteen Minutes of Fame Project. Mary Beth is currently 3rd Horn of the Grand Rapids Symphony, and she shares the best advice I’ve heard about succeeding at orchestral auditions. Mary Beth also experienced a serious accident that threatened her life and then her ability to play the horn and she shares many other difficult personal challenges. I was so moved to hear her story and wisdom and I encourage you to come back and listen to the end. 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 (suggested episodes, podcast merch, newsletter, and of course Mary Beth and her album). SHOW NOTES: IMPORTANT LINKS! (00:00) Intro (01:43) The Singing Horn, with clips of tracks 1,2,6,3 (12:37) 15 Minutes of Fame project Robert Voicsey with clips of tracks 15, 13 (16:26) Mahler, The Singing Horn album inspirations, clips track 4 (22:45) becoming a mother, creative process, clip of her song Good and True track 25 (28:51) live experience, connecting with audiences, arrangements and collaborators with clips track 7, 24, 26 (40:41) other suggested episodes (41:50) Appalachian singing style, why the horn is hard (50:13) female brass mentors (53:11) the accident and recovery with clip track 12 (01:07:24) grief and living life with joy with clip of track 18 (01:14:06) Mary Beth’s sister Ann Marie Orr, disability awareness (01:19:31) audition and career advice

    Mary Beth Orr: The Singing Horn, Appalachia and Resilience

  4. Jul 6

    Recording Global Music with Producer Ian Brennan Part 3: Azerbaijan, Malawi, Parchman Prison

    This is my third conversation with Ian Brennan in this mini ongoing series with him, within my podcast. If you missed Parts 1 and 2 they are linked in the show notes for you. Today you’ll hear about how he recorded some of the oldest voices in the world in Azerbaijan, and some of the bonus tracks including the Kronos quartet and The Good Ones. Ian shared how he met the Malawi Mouse Boys and then brought them to international attention, and what that has meant for them. We talked about the Chicago Gunfire Survivors project, Ian’s book Peace by Peace, 99 Steps Toward Violence Prevention and De-escalation, and the powerful Parchman Prison albums. At the end I asked him about his Grammy-nominated album with Ramblin’ Jack Elliot “I Stand Alone”. In the show notes you’ll find photos from the album covers by Ian’s wife the Italian-Rwandan filmmaker and photographer Marilena Umuhoza Delli. You'll find the track information for the excerpts in the timestamps and everything is linked in the show notes on my website. You can also watch the video on my YouTube or listen to the podcast on your preferred platform and I've also linked the transcript. Have a look at the show notes where you'll find all the links, including different ways to support this podcast . Please note that I’ve linked suggested episodes you’ll find interesting along with other episodes with Ian, each focusing on different albums he’s recorded. Complete show notes (00:00) Intro (02:40) Azerbaijan “The Oldest Voice in the World” album with clips tracks 1, 5, album linked in show notes (13:13) Ageism, Azerbaijan, clips of tracks 23 Kronos and 26 The Good Ones (17:58) the Malawi Mouse Boys with clips, In Memory of a Hungry Child and tracks 2, 5 “Score for a film about Malawi without music from Malawi”, NPR Tiny Desk (26:30) Malawi Mouse Boys touring, WOMAD, daily struggles (34:50) Other suggested episodes (35:51) Malawi Mouse Boys homemade instruments, Track 14, album linked in show notes (46:17) Chicago Gunfire Survivors clips track 3, 2, 6 (55:23) book Peace by Peace, non-violent crisis intervention, great advice for all of us (01:08:12) Parchman Prison Project with clips from 2 albums linked in show notes Break Every Chain, MC Hammer, Parchman Prison Blues (01:17:20) Ramblin’ Jack Elliott “I Stand Alone”, Grammy nomination

    Recording Global Music with Producer Ian Brennan Part 3: Azerbaijan, Malawi, Parchman Prison

  5. Jun 29

    Ruby Colley: the Story of "Hello, Halo", Celebrating Artistic Expression and Neurodiversity

    I’m so happy to bring you this episode with the British Ivor-nominated composer, violinist and sound artist Ruby Colley. She grew up with her artist parents and her brother Paul who is neuro-divergent and non-speaking. This conversation shines a light on her beautiful album Hello Halo with the brilliant Exaudi vocal ensemble. She composed this alongside her brother, transcribing Paul’s sounds and using recordings of his voice to make a vocal map of his life & relationships. You’ll be hearing music from this work as well as her project Overheard. Ruby spoke to me about the influence of Breton folk music and J.S. Bach and how she uses field recordings. You’ll also hear about how she has collaborated in some of her audiovisual projects with her mother the artist Kate Adams who founded Project Art Works, a visual arts organization that collaborates with neurodiverse individuals and those with cognitive impairment and high support needs. We talked about navigating music education, stepping away from competitive environments, the joy of improvisation and Ruby’s upcoming project inspired by the beauty of swifts. You’ll find the track information for the musical excerpts in the timestamps and everything is linked in the complete show notes on my website. You can watch the video on my YouTube or listen to the podcast on your preferred platform, and I’ve also linked the transcript. It’s 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 different ways to support this podcast, and other episodes you’ll enjoy, with Karen Power, Gaelynn Lea, Ian Brennan, Mack Hagood, Mark Growden and Teagan Faran, among so many since 2021. (00:00) Intro (02:28) Hello, Halo, Paul’s communication with clips of track 1, 4 (09:37) Kate Adams Cosmology of Care with clip of track 6, what we all need (13:37) notation, clip of track 3, field recordings, Ivor Novello nomination, film (17:13) Project Art Works, makaton sign language, connecting with other families (22:46) Overheard, Edgeland, audio-visual work, how birds change their song, with clips of track 7, 8, 2 from Overheard (31:20) other episodes you’ll enjoy and ways to support this podcast (32:13) field recordings, creating Overheard, clip of track 5 Bell of the Waves from Overheard, improvisation, Bach, Breton folk music (37:56) music education, Dartington College, neurodivergent (42:51) becoming a parent, interdisciplinary approach to the arts (46:52) new project with swifts, teaching

    Ruby Colley: the Story of "Hello, Halo", Celebrating Artistic Expression and Neurodiversity

  6. Jun 20

    Gilded Age Women Composers: Duo FAE Charlene Kluegel Katherine Petersen

    This episode is with Duo FAE violinist Charlene Kluegel and pianist Katherine Petersen. The first part of this conversation focuses on their album Dissidents of the Gilded Age. You’ll be hearing excerpts from this beautiful program and learning about the composers Dame Ethel Smyth, Cécile Chaminade and Amy Beach. Charlene and Katherine are long-time collaborators and close friends and we got into conversations around education, what a path to a career in classical music can look like, and how they have dealt with challenges including becoming mothers. Wth hundreds of kilometres separating us, I really felt like I was enjoying a thoughtful coffee date with brilliant new friends, and I hope you feel that as well. Show notes bring you to: their websites, suggested episodes, video version, transcript, podcast merch, podcast newsletter and how you can buy me a coffee to support this independent project! Show notes with all the links (00:00) Intro (02:17) Dissidents of the Gilded Age album Amy Beach, Cécile Chaminade (06:58) Dame Ethel Smyth, Sufragette movement, clip of her anthem March of the Women complete video linked in show notes (09:08) Dame Ethel Smyth with clip Track 6 Smyth A minor sonata, op. 7, III Romanze (12:40) Cécile Chaminade with clip Track 1 Chaminade Trois Morceaux, op. 31, no. 1 and Track 3 no. 3 Bohémienne, finally clip of track 2 Romanza) (19:23) Amy Beach, linked episodes with Samantha Ege and Juliana Soltis, with clip of Track 11 Beach Sonata in A minor, op. 34, IV Allegro con fuoco (25:47) friendship started at the Aspen festival 2008 (27:36) touring the program in Europe, clip of Track 9 Beach Sonata in A minor, op. 34 II Scherzo (29:28) FAE, bonding over Brahms and starting the duo, Boman Desai’s book (32:43) Charlene’s university years, baroque violin minor (34:51) other linked episodes and ways to support this podcast (35:54) Charlene’s pedagogical handbook on style considerations in orchestral excerpts (38:52) Charlene’s decision to pursue music, broader education at Cornell (40:42) Katherine’s educational path and discovering chamber music with clip Track 10 Beach Sonata in A Minor, op. 34 III Largo con dolore (45:04) collaborative pianist career, Sarah Lehman mentor (50:03) classical music career danger of burnout (52:45) next projects and past experiences (59:32) European educational differences (1:02:00) becoming parents and taking care of ourselves (01:05:44) music educators Photo: Brittany Purlee

    Gilded Age Women Composers: Duo FAE Charlene Kluegel Katherine Petersen

  7. Jun 10

    Folk Creativity in the 21st Century: Embracing a Playful Life with Jayne Dent (Me Lost Me)

    Jayne Dent is a British interdisciplinary artist, singer and composer and I was absolutely delighted to explore ideas around a creative and playful life with her. You’ll be hearing clips of music from Me Lost Me, with inspirations from folk culture old and new. She opened my mind to what folk creativity and community can mean in the 21st century. You'll also hear about community music making, collaborations with dancers, experimentation with e-textiles, and the challenges and joys of her career path. I was really struck by her creative and curious spirit and you’ll be hearing about some of her chance-based writing tips and her varied interests from creating costumes to medieval sword fighting. Show Notes: Jayne Dent, Me Lost Me, Suggested episodes, Podcast Merch, Newsletter, Buy me a coffee, Video version, Full transcript photo: Amelia Read (00:00) Intro (02:36) Me Lost Me RPG, clip of Marie it is While Summer I Last (09:46) Me Lost Me, RPG video game inspirations, clip of track 2 (11:32) residencies in Aarhus, writing the Oldest Trees Hold the Earth with Ditte Elly, with clip track 8 (14:20) community music making, song writing and improvisation (17:22) future folk, what folk can mean (19:03) Me Lost Me, PHD research, folk use of tech, e-textiles (25:44) costumes, childhood inspired by parents and folk community (31:29) other episodes you’ll like, podcast merch and more (32:24) chance-based writing, CAMP France with clip of track 10 This Material Moment (35:25) challenges of freelancing, mesostic writing with clip of track 12 This Material Moment (39:38) touring, collaborators with clip of track 4 This Material Moment (45:57) more about creative process with clip Ancient Summer track 7 (48:39) making, coding, improvising, Abundance with dancers (54:01) Worm Saliva experimental improvised music with clip of Brass Neck Melt (57:56) where the name Me Lost Me came from, folk use of technologies, Guidonian hand, sword fighting

    Folk Creativity in the 21st Century: Embracing a Playful Life with Jayne Dent (Me Lost Me)

  8. May 31

    PJ Adzima: From The Book of Mormon to Stage Time CEO

    I was fascinated to meet PJ Adzima, and learn about his path from his childhood on a farm to his career as a Broadway performer in the Book of Mormon. A chance encounter with a legendary composer changed his life forever and now as the CEO of the production company Stage Time, he’s paying that forward by discovering and curating talent across genres through many projects. He talked about how embracing vulnerability and studying drag has been transformative and helped him take up space, challenge norms, and create with purpose. A joyful and deep appreciation for the performing arts certainly has driven his excellence and helped him transform his side project into his full-time business, and I’m sure you’ll find PJ’s energy infectious. Like all my episodes, you can also watch this on my YouTube channel or listen to the podcast on many podcast platforms, and I’ve also linked the transcript. It's a joy to bring these inspiring episodes to you every week, and I do all the many jobs of research, production and publicity. Have a look at the show notes of this episode, where you’ll find all the links, including different ways to support this podcast, and other suggested episodes: Show Notes (00:00) Intro (01:55) Book of Mormon (06:37) Stage Time (11:23) power of drag (16:59) Masquerade nighclub curation Phantom of the Opera (21:00) The Stuppets (25:20) history of Vaudeville, dealing with racism, minstrelsy and history of Broadway (29:43) acting career (30:10) linked episodes and how to support this series (31:11) from childhood on a farm to Broadway, his big break (39:44) comedy, Louis C.K. story (43:10) curating new shows, Slam Frank (51:42) challenges and joys entrepreneurship Photo: Shawn Salley

    PJ Adzima: From The Book of Mormon to Stage Time CEO
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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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