CT Arts Talk

William Boughton
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Performing Arts

CT Arts Talk is a new podcast that will highlight the fine art scene happening throughout Connecticut.

Episodes

  1. Oct 25

    CT Arts Talk — Episode 5: Pilobolus

    William Boughton and Tom Duffy travel to Washington, Connecticut, to sit down with Renée Jaworski and Matt Kent, artistic directors of Pilobolus. They talk about how the company builds new work without a single choreographer, how its pieces are passed from dancer to dancer, why Pilobolus chose to be a nonprofit, and what arts funding might look like as the old models change. The episode opens with the hosts’ thoughts on two recent concerts: Dani Howard’s trombone concerto with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra, and the Yale Symphony Orchestra’s performance of Hindemith’s Symphonic Metamorphosis. It closes with statewide arts listings and a little-known piece of Connecticut history. Chapters 00:00 Welcome from Washington, CT 00:40 Concert notes: Hartford Symphony Orchestra and Dani Howard’s trombone concerto 03:19 Are orchestras dumbing down the concert experience? 04:36 Yale Symphony Orchestra: Hindemith’s Symphonic Metamorphosis 05:42 Hindemith’s letter to Keith Wilson about the wind band transcription 07:39 Woolsey Hall’s new windows and how they changed the balance 08:37 Hindemith, Massine, and the dance missing from the piece 10:11 Sponsor: Bagley Strategic Advisors 10:47 Meet Renée Jaworski and Matt Kent of Pilobolus 13:40 What drew them to dance 17:35 Men in dance, and how dancers’ backgrounds are changing 21:23 Bringing movement to every child in local schools 24:47 How Pilobolus creates a new work 27:41 Working with composers, lighting designers, and technology 30:00 How much say the dancers have 32:24 Replacing a dancer, and the “mind-to-mind” tradition 39:11 Tom’s 1996 commission: John Harbison’s Olympic Dances 41:46 Around 200 pieces in the repertory, Walklyndon, and taking the dates off the program 44:28 Innovation, resources, and why Pilobolus is a nonprofit 46:48 NEA cuts and the need for new funding models 48:26 Outside the box: Radiolab at Little Island and the bison puppets 49:26 Failure as part of success 50:39 Turning phones off: the audience as the seventh performer 52:28 Sponsor: Bagley Strategic Advisors 53:06 Statewide Arts News, October 26 – November 9 57:00 Little-known Connecticut fact: Martin Luther King Jr. in Simsbury 58:37 Next time: Chris Brubeck at the Wilton Library Statewide Arts News Oct 30: Yale Opera scenes from Lucia di Lammermoor, Pagliacci, Eugene Onegin, and The Ghosts of Versailles, New HavenNov 1: Manchester Symphony Orchestra & Chorale, semi-staged Cavalleria rusticanaBach’s St. Matthew Passion, Woolsey Hall, 7 p.m., conducted by Greta Peterson, with a 5 p.m. pre-concert talkNov 4 & 18: Yale School of Music lunchtime recitals, Sprague Hall, 12:30 p.m.Nov 7: Tenebrae 25th anniversary, Woolsey Hall, 7:30 p.m. (free)Through Nov 1: Dracula at Hartford StageThrough Nov 8: Little Bear Ridge Road at TheaterWorks HartfordNov 14 – Dec 5: Watch Me Walk at Yale Rep, directed by Eric TingNov 7: ABT Studio Company, Shubert Theatre, 7 p.m.CT Arts Talk is sponsored by Bagley Strategic Advisors, LLC. Full statewide listings: ctartstalk.com

    CT Arts Talk — Episode 5: Pilobolus

  2. Oct 11

    CT Arts Talk: Ep 4 - From Leipzig to Hartford

    In this special episode, hosts Tom Duffy and William Boughton devote the show to two major upcoming events. First, they catch up remotely with conductor Yaniv Dinur, one of four finalists for the Hartford Symphony Orchestra's next music director, who shares his path from piano student in Jerusalem to assistant conductor in Milwaukee and current posts in New Bedford and Tallahassee. The second half is devoted to Bach's monumental St. Matthew Passion, receiving a rare live performance at Yale's Woolsey Hall on November 1st, with Yale musicologist and Bach authority Marcus Rathey unpacking the work's theology, structure, and groundbreaking double-choir architecture. Rathey walks through the piece's hidden love-song imagery, its use of oboe d'amore and viola da gamba for emotional color, and the dramatic moment Bach removes Jesus's instrumental "halo." The episode closes with statewide arts news for October 12–25, spanning orchestral concerts, a Halloween-themed program, and theater openings across Connecticut. https://bagleystrategic.com/https://www.ctartstalk.com/directlinemediaproductions.com/professional-podcast-production 00:00 — Intro: a special two-topic episode 00:26 — Introducing conductor Yaniv Dinur, Hartford Symphony music director finalist 00:50 — Sponsor: Bagley Strategic Advisors, LLC 02:11 — Interview begins (via Zoom, while Dinur was on tour) 02:39 — Dinur's early life: born in Jerusalem, piano at age six, conducting lessons at 16 05:55 — His role model: Daniel Barenboim, and a transformative month observing him at La Scala 08:12 — Does being a pianist help a conductor? Score study and training in Jerusalem 10:49 — What draws him to the Hartford Symphony 13:26 — A pivotal lesson with teacher Ken Kiesler: "let them play without you" 15:21 — How he approaches a first rehearsal 17:02 — Preparing orchestral parts in advance 17:58 — How this week's program (Tchaikovsky's Fourth + Gabriela Ortiz) was chosen 20:42 — The advantages of regional orchestras — risk-taking and community connection 23:38 — Feeling part of the New Bedford community 24:26 — Ideas for audience engagement: the "Symphony on Tap" concept 26:06 — Thanking Yaniv; reflections on the interview and a plug for hartfordsymphony.org 27:19 — Transition to the second topic: Bach's St. Matthew Passion 28:01 — Introducing Yale musicologist Marcus Rathey 29:02 — Why this performance marks the piece's 300th anniversary 30:54 — Bach's collaboration with poet Picander 34:06 — How Leipzig's church architecture shaped the piece's double-choir structure 36:03 — The work's recurring pattern of narration, aria, and chorus 37:09 — Uncovering the Passion's hidden theme as a love story 40:17 — The theology of divine love in Baroque devotion 42:27 — Why Bach chose oboe da caccia and oboe d'amore 44:18 — The arias linked to Mary Magdalene 46:33 — The "string halo" around Jesus — and the moment Bach removes it 48:23 — The Passion's two-part structure, built around a live sermon 49:40 — Why Jesus is sung by a bass voice 51:23 — Did the congregation sing along? 53:34 — Experiencing the piece after 40 days of Lenten "musical fasting" 55:59 — The rare sound of the viola da gamba 57:44 — The Passion's three structural "pillars" and final chorus 59:56 — Thanking Marcus Rathey; final reminder about the November 1st performance 1:00:50 — Sponsor: Bagley Strategic Advisors, LLC 1:01:23 — Statewide arts news, October 12–25 1:01:49 — Yale School of Music lunchtime concert series 1:02:11 — James O'Donnell's annual organ recital at Woolsey Hall 1:02:36 — Yale Philharmonia performs Bartók and more 1:03:21 — Eastern CT Symphony's Halloween program, "Shadows and Spirits" 1:04:41 — Hartford Symphony Orchestra concerts, October 23–25 1:05:34 — Norwalk Symphony's Tchaikovsky Festival 1:05:59 — Orchestra Lumos performs in Stamford 1:06:26 — Farmington Valley Symphony's French program 1:07:00 — New Haven Symphony performs Verdi's Requiem 1:07:40 — Goodspeed Opera House's 50th-anniversary production of Annie 1:08:04 — Westport Country Playhouse presents Pride and Prejudice Part Two 1:08:29 — Closing: website and Facebook page 1:09:01 — Preview of the next episode from Pilobolus in Washington Depot

    CT Arts Talk: Ep 4 - From Leipzig to Hartford

  3. Sep 27

    CT Arts Talk: Ep 3 - American Patchwork: Florence Griswold's 250th Tribute

    In this episode William Boughton and Tom Duffy broadcast from the Florence Griswold Museum in Old Lyme, birthplace of American Impressionism. They open with a listener favorite: candid advice for young musicians weighing a professional path, covering the benefits of learning an instrument and the cognitive, social, and emotional case for starting kids young. The heart of the episode is a conversation with Executive Director Peter Steer and Senior Curator Jenny Parsons about Patchwork, a juried exhibition of 86 Connecticut artists created for America's 250th anniversary, touching on how the show was curated, why wall labels were left off, and the museum's upcoming expansion. The episode closes with statewide arts news for September 28–October 11, a "What the Critics Say" segment of infamous musical reviews, and a Connecticut history note on Alice Cogswell and the founding of the American School for the Deaf. New episode topics and events are previewed for October 11th's discussion of Bach's St. Matthew Passion. Dani Howard and Peter Moore in conversation www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSM9sg3pLSE https://bagleystrategic.com/https://www.ctartstalk.com/directlinemediaproductions.com/professional-podcast-production 00:00 — Intro from the Florence Griswold Museum, Old Lyme00:26 — Preview: the Patchwork exhibition with Peter Steer and Jenny Parsons00:30 — Listener topic: should I pursue music professionally?01:17 — The benefits of learning an instrument, starting with fourth-grade instrument selection01:35 — Boughton and Duffy share their own musical origin stories04:06 — Why kids should play music: it's fun, and good for the brain and social life05:58 — Music as self-expression06:42 — The social dimension of making music together07:42 — How music builds confidence and performance resilience09:21 — Music as the only art engaging hearing, sight, and touch at once09:52 — Closing thought: music as a bridge between the senses11:08 — Sponsor: Bagley Strategic Advisors, LLC11:39 — History of the Griswold family and the Lyme Art Colony12:54 — Welcoming Peter Steer and Jenny Parsons13:13 — Jenny Parsons' path to the museum13:34 — Peter Steer's path from Yale to museum director14:19 — What a senior curator does14:58 — Broadening the collection to include artists of color16:48 — Introducing Patchwork: 86 CT artists, four America 250 themes17:17 — How the jury and submission process worked19:37 — Nearly 300 submissions received21:03 — What made a piece selected or not23:46 — The choice to skip wall labels — and the companion book27:14 — Will Patchwork become a recurring show?27:52 — What happens to the art afterward — artists keep it28:07 — Sustaining interest over a multi-month run30:27 — Built-in word-of-mouth from 86 artists; Meet the Artist Day31:00 — The show spans summer into fall through November31:39 — On museum benches, pacing, and "museum fatigue"35:49 — Tips for introducing kids to art36:24 — The "Can You Find Me" gallery game37:06 — How the museum trains its docents41:07 — Upcoming expansion: new galleries and archive space starting in November42:44 — Thanking Peter and Jenny42:51 — Sponsor: Bagley Strategic Advisors, LLC43:20 — Statewide arts news, Sept 28–Oct 1143:27 — Horowitz Piano Series continues43:44 — Scott Hartman trombone recital; Acropolis Wind Quintet44:01 — Weekend of orchestral concerts statewide (Oct 2–4)44:18 — Bridgeport Symphony: Still's Afro-American Symphony45:14 — Hartford Symphony: Brian Deal premieres a new trombone concerto46:11 — Yale Symphony Orchestra premieres "The Sky Between," plus Hindemith46:34 — Greenwich Symphony: "An American Port of Call"47:09 — Theater: Dracula opens at Hartford Stage47:23 — TheatreWorks: Little Bear Ridge Road48:06 — The Great Gatsby musical at The Bushnell48:46 — "What the Critics Say": favorite scathing reviews from music history50:12 — Connecticut history: Alice Cogswell and the American School for the Deaf51:30 — Closing and preview of October 11th's episode on Bach's St. Matthew Passion Sponsored by Bagley Strategic Advisors, LLCctartstalk.com

    CT Arts Talk: Ep 3 - American Patchwork: Florence Griswold's 250th Tribute

  4. Sep 13

    CT Arts Talk: Ep 2 - New Season Kickoff from Yale School of Music

    Hosts William Boughton and Tom Duffy open the new season from the orchestra rehearsal room at Yale School of Music, sharing memories of the space and a look at the school's history, alumni, and mission. The episode features two guest conversations. Evan Yionoulis, the new Dean of the David Geffen School of Drama and artistic director of Yale Repertory Theater, discusses her path from student director to leading both institutions, and previews the Rep's upcoming season, including a new production of August Wilson's Ma Rainey's Black Bottom and the world premiere of Elektra in America. Renowned organist James O'Donnell, who directed music for the funerals of Queen Elizabeth II and the Queen Mother and the wedding of Prince William and Katherine, talks about his path from Scotland to Cambridge to Westminster Abbey, and what brought him to Yale's Institute of Sacred Music. The episode also includes a statewide arts calendar for September 14–29, a "Composer Speaks" segment with Katherine Balch on her piece Musica Pyralis, and a Connecticut history note on Hiram Bingham II's discovery of Machu Picchu. Sponsored by Bagley Strategic Advisors, LLC. Recorded at Yale School of Music. https://bagleystrategic.com/https://www.ctartstalk.com/directlinemediaproductions.com/professional-podcast-production 00:00 — Intro: William Boughton and Tom Duffy welcome viewers to the new season 00:21 — Summer catch-up and season anticipation 01:00 — Setting the scene: this week's episode comes from New Haven 02:05 — Recap of the season-opening episode at Hartford Stage, and introduction to this week's location 03:06 — Inside the Adams Center for Musical Arts and the Yale School of Music: history, acceptance rates, notable alumni, and past masterclass guests 04:39 — Sponsor message: Bagley Strategic Advisors, LLC 05:14 — Guest introductions: Evan Yionoulis (Dean, David Geffen School of Drama; Artistic Director, Yale Repertory Theater) and James O'Donnell (organist) 05:46 — Interview with Evan Yionoulis begins: her path from student director to Yale College to a career in theater 08:54 — What draws her to directing, and how she works with actors and designers 12:20 — On holding the dual role of dean and artistic director 16:02 — Previewing the Yale Rep's upcoming season, starting with Ma Rainey's Black Bottom and its connection to August Wilson's history at Yale 19:05 — Elektra in America, a new Yale Rep commission 20:53 — Rounding out the season: a new adaptation of Chekhov's The Seagull, Cascadia on the Hudson, and Watch Me Walk 21:44 — Thanking Evan and wrapping the interview 22:00 — Statewide arts news for September 14–29 22:17 — Emanuel Ax opens the Horowitz Piano Series 22:39 — Vista Quartet's multimedia performance on climate change 22:57 — Ellington Jazz Series featuring Jeff Fuller 23:19 — New Haven's orchestra season kicks off: New Haven Philharmonia and New Haven Symphony Orchestra 24:47 — Heads-up: Ma Rainey's Black Bottom at Yale Rep and Dracula at Hartford Stage 24:59 — Yale University Art Gallery's exhibition, Keeping Alive the Remembrance 25:50 — Launch of "The Composer Speaks" series, featuring Katherine Balch on her piece Musica Perales 28:32 — Introduction of guest James O'Donnell 29:32 — James O'Donnell's early life: Scotland, Essex, and discovering the organ 32:20 — His path through the Royal College of Music and Cambridge 35:19 — Life as organ scholar at Jesus College, Cambridge 39:47 — Career at Westminster Cathedral and the move to Westminster Abbey 43:06 — Reflecting on performing at royal occasions, including state funerals and royal weddings 47:36 — A typical day as Director of Music at Westminster Abbey 52:57 — What brought him to Yale's Institute of Sacred Music 57:41 — Preview of his October 18th organ recital 51:03 — Yale Consort and its weekly choral services at Christ Church New Haven 52:53 — Upcoming performance of the St. John Passion in Salt Lake City 56:00 — Excerpt from James O'Donnell's 2024 organ recital performing Vidas' Sixth Symphony 58:00 — Little-known Connecticut fact: Hiram Bingham II and the discovery of Machu Picchu 59:27 — Sponsor message: Bagley Strategic Advisors, LLC 59:33 — Closing and preview of the next episode from the Florence Griswold Museum

    CT Arts Talk: Ep 2 - New Season Kickoff from Yale School of Music

  5. Aug 30

    CT Arts Talk: Hartford Stage - Engage, Enlighten & Elevate

    This is Episode 1 of Connecticut Arts Talk, a new biweekly podcast hosted by William Boughton (conductor, former music director of the New Haven Symphony and Yale Symphony Orchestra) and Tom Duffy (longtime Director of Bands at Yale). Recorded live in the rehearsal room at Hartford Stage, the episode opens with the hosts' own backgrounds in music, then moves into a wide-ranging conversation with Hartford Stage managing director Cynthia — covering her path from actor to arts administrator, how the theater casts and builds productions, its nonprofit funding model, and the craft behind sets, lighting, costumes, and sound. The episode also includes an interview with Hartford Symphony Orchestra CEO Steve Collins about the orchestra's ongoing search for its next music director, a statewide arts events roundup, a lighthearted "bad reviews" segment, and a Connecticut history fact. hartfordstage.orgctartstalk.comdirectlinemediaproductions.com/professional-podcast-production

    CT Arts Talk: Hartford Stage - Engage, Enlighten & Elevate

  6. Jul 29

    Welcome to CT Arts Talk!

    Welcome to Connecticut Arts talk.  A podcast hosted by William Boughton and Tom Duffy.This fortnightly podcast will discuss music, drama, dance and fine art all taking place right here in Connecticut.  As well as all the up to date news of what's happening in the arts.Join William and Tom for lively conversations with Cynthia Rider, Augustin Hadelich, Chris Brubeck, James O'Donnell, Evan Yionoulis, and many more.Tune in to CT Arts Talk starting on Sunday, August the 30th at 6 p.m.  Available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple, Amazon, Instagram, TikTok and all the usual platforms. ctartstalk.com@ctartstalk@dlm_pro

    Welcome to CT Arts Talk!
  • 1 Trailer
    5 Episodes

Trailer

About

CT Arts Talk is a new podcast that will highlight the fine art scene happening throughout Connecticut.

Information

  • Creator
    William Boughton
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    6
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © DirectLine Media LLC

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