14 episodes

A deep-dive into the intricate world of classical music and all that comes with working in it. Host Ella Lee chats to a bunch of brilliant guests from across the profession, discussing their best career high, their worst career low, and other things that show you a different side to the one you might see on their website.
Instagram: @theclassicalcircuit

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Classical Circuit Ella Lee

    • Music

A deep-dive into the intricate world of classical music and all that comes with working in it. Host Ella Lee chats to a bunch of brilliant guests from across the profession, discussing their best career high, their worst career low, and other things that show you a different side to the one you might see on their website.
Instagram: @theclassicalcircuit

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    13. Alexandra Knight: the role of an artist manager, psychological models seen in high-level performers, and sexism in the workplace

    13. Alexandra Knight: the role of an artist manager, psychological models seen in high-level performers, and sexism in the workplace

    Alexandra Knight is the founder and CEO of classical music agency Knight Classical. After reading Music and then Law at Oxford University, Alexandra joined the artist management world, working first at Harrison Parrott, then at International Classical Artists - where she later became a Director at the age of 28 - before launching Knight Classical in January 2020. In her career so far, Alexandra has worked for renowned artists such as Janine Jansen, Neeme Järvi and Sir James Galway; built swiftly rising careers for artists including Alena Baeva and Joseph Bastian; and signed young prize-winning talents such as Anna Tsybuleva, amongst others.
    In this episode, Alexandra talks about the role of an artist manager, and how the manager-artist partnership is much like a marriage; she reflects on the moment she realised she'd taken her first client from day one through to their debut with the New York Philharmonic; and she shares some thoughts on the psychological models that can often be found in high-level performers. She also talks very openly about dealing with imposter syndrome, and her experiences of sexism in the workplace.
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    Knight Classical's links:
    Website
    Instagram
    X (formerly Twitter)
    Facebook
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    Follow The Classical Circuit on Instagram
    Did you enjoy this episode? If so, ratings and follows help a lot with visibility, if you have a spare moment... *bats eyelashes*
    No offence taken if not.
    --------------------
    This podcast is also available to listen to via The Violin Channel
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    Music: François Couperin - Le Tic-Toc-Choc ou Les Maillotins
    Performed by Daniel Lebhardt
    --------------------
    The Classical Circuit is made by Ella Lee (producer by trade, pianist at heart).

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    • 49 min
    12. Paul Wee: balancing life as a barrister and pianist, preparing for a recital vs preparing for court, and the difficult decision to not pursue a music career

    12. Paul Wee: balancing life as a barrister and pianist, preparing for a recital vs preparing for court, and the difficult decision to not pursue a music career

    Paul Wee is an internationally-acclaimed pianist with a love for celebrating the hidden gems of the piano repertoire. His recordings for BIS have been met with great critical acclaim, including being shortlisted for multiple Gramophone Awards. Not your average pianist, Paul also happens to be a very successful barrister; he was called to the bar by Gray's Inn in 2010, and currently practises from Essex Court Chambers in London. Paul performs around his professional commitments as a barrister, both in London and internationally, and will be making his Wigmore Hall debut in June 2024.
    In this episode, Paul discusses fitting the piano around life as a barrister, and his reasons for recording the repertoire he has so far. He also talks about wondering whether the success of his earlier recordings were due to the 'novelty' factors, and shares just how difficult it was to adjust to the sudden change of path from music to law.
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    Pre-order Paul's new album, Henselt & Bronsart: Piano Concertos (out May 31st)
    Tickets for Paul's Wigmore Hall debut (June 15th)
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    Paul's links:
    Website
    Instagram
    X (formerly Twitter)
    Facebook
    -------------------
    Follow The Classical Circuit on Instagram
    Did you enjoy this episode? If so, ratings and follows help a lot with visibility, if you have a spare moment... *bats eyelashes*
    No offence taken if not.
    --------------------
    This podcast is also available to listen to via The Violin Channel
    --------------------
    Music: François Couperin - Le Tic-Toc-Choc ou Les Maillotins
    Performed by Daniel Lebhardt
    --------------------
    The Classical Circuit is made by Ella Lee (producer by trade, pianist at heart).

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    • 51 min
    11. Timothy Ridout: formative musical experiences, tools for handling an intense schedule, and his BBC Proms debut

    11. Timothy Ridout: formative musical experiences, tools for handling an intense schedule, and his BBC Proms debut

    Timothy Ridout is one of today’s most sought-after violists, being a former BBC New Generation Artist, a Borletti-Buitoni Fellowship recipient and winner of the Royal Philharmonic Society Young Artist Award. As well as having performed with many major orchestras and conductors worldwide, Tim is a celebrated chamber musician, bringing programmes regularly to the likes of Wigmore Hall and the Concertgebouw Amsterdam. He records regularly for Harmonia Mundi, and his recording of Elgar's Cello Concerto (as transcribed by Lionel Tertis) and the Bloch Suite for viola and orchestra - with Martyn Brabbins and the BBC Symphony Orchestra - won the Gramophone Concerto Award in 2023.
    In this episode, Tim speaks about his formative experiences with the viola and how he stays on top of his game amidst a hectic performing/travelling schedule. He also spoke about his long-standing relationship with Walton's Viola Concerto and the journey to his Proms debut in 2021, plus a little insight into his methods for blowing off steam in the face of frustration…
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    Tim's links:
    Website
    Facebook
    Instagram
    YouTube
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    Follow The Classical Circuit on Instagram
    Did you enjoy this episode? If so, ratings and follows help a lot with visibility, if you have a spare moment... *bats eyelashes*
    No offence taken if not.
    --------------------
    This podcast is also available to listen to via The Violin Channel
    --------------------
    Music: François Couperin - Le Tic-Toc-Choc ou Les Maillotins
    Performed by Daniel Lebhardt
    --------------------
    The Classical Circuit is made by Ella Lee (producer by trade, pianist at heart).

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    • 33 min
    10. Julian Lloyd Webber: music education in schools, working with Yehudi Menuhin, and the injury that ended his cello career

    10. Julian Lloyd Webber: music education in schools, working with Yehudi Menuhin, and the injury that ended his cello career

    Julian Lloyd Webber's musical life is remarkably varied. As a solo cellist, he has performed with many of the world’s finest orchestras and conductors, as well as every leading symphony and chamber orchestra in the UK. His discography includes his BRIT Award-winning Elgar Cello Concerto, conducted by Yehudi Menuhin, and ‘Variations’, a collaboration between him and his brother Andrew, which has sold over a million copies. Julian has premiered more than fifty works over his career and inspired composers such as Malcolm Arnold, Joaquín Rodrigo, and Eric Whitacre to write new music for the cello. He was also the London Underground’s first official busker, and he was also the only classical musician to perform at the Closing Ceremony of the 2012 Olympics.
    Julian is a leading advocate for accessible music education, and has been throughout his whole career. Founded by Julian in 2007, the In Harmony programme has introduced the power of music to more than sixty thousand school children from the least privileged parts of England. He was also Principal of the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire for five years, a place at which he still holds the position of Emeritus Professor.
     
    In this episode, we dig into the topic of music education, along with various issues the industry is facing at the moment. Julian also talks about working with Yehudi Menuhin, and the injury that forced him to retire from his cello career.
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    Julian's links:
    Website
    Facebook
    Twitter
    -------------------
    Follow The Classical Circuit on Instagram
    Did you enjoy this episode? If so, ratings and follows help a lot with visibility, if you have a spare moment... *bats eyelashes*
    No offence taken if not.
    --------------------
    This podcast is also available to listen to via The Violin Channel
    --------------------
    Music: François Couperin - Le Tic-Toc-Choc ou Les Maillotins
    Performed by Daniel Lebhardt
    --------------------
    The Classical Circuit is made by Ella Lee (producer by trade, pianist at heart).

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    • 35 min
    9. Yasaman Mashhouri: choosing music over medicine, presenting music in modern settings, and the problem with competition age limits

    9. Yasaman Mashhouri: choosing music over medicine, presenting music in modern settings, and the problem with competition age limits

    Recorder player and baroque violinist Yasaman Mashhouri was born in Tehran, Iran. Her musical education began at the age of ten with the Orff method, then subsequently taking her first violin lessons and teaching herself the recorder. After graduating with a biology degree from Tehran University, she decided to follow her heart and pursue her musical studies, moving first to Vienna to study recorder performance, and later to Germany. Yasaman is currently based in Switzerland, where she teaches in Schwyz and Ingenbohl.
    In this episode, Yasaman spoke about the difficult decision to leave home and the non-musical path that was planned for her; her love of presenting music in new and modern ways; the importance of personal connection; and the upper age limit of many competitions overlooking those that began their musical careers later than most.
    This episode was recorded in October 2023.
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    Yasaman's links:
    YouTube
    Instagram
    -------------------
    Follow The Classical Circuit on Instagram
    Did you enjoy this episode? If so, ratings and follows help a lot with visibility, if you have a spare moment... *bats eyelashes*
    No offence taken if not.
    --------------------
    This podcast is also available to listen to via The Violin Channel
    --------------------
    Music: François Couperin - Le Tic-Toc-Choc ou Les Maillotins
    Performed by Daniel Lebhardt
    --------------------
    The Classical Circuit is made by Ella Lee (producer by trade, pianist at heart).

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    • 27 min
    8. Matthew Johnson: the parallels between music and photography, working with dyslexia, and accepting he wasn't going to be a professional cellist

    8. Matthew Johnson: the parallels between music and photography, working with dyslexia, and accepting he wasn't going to be a professional cellist

    Matthew Johnson is a London-based photographer, best known for his work in classical music and portraiture. Having originally trained as a cellist, his approach to his work is shaped by the knowledge and perspective gained from his musical experiences. His impressive client list includes Platoon, the London Symphony Orchestra, the Estonian Embassy, and Britten-Pears Arts – as well as huge numbers of musicians, ensembles, festivals and concert series. Outside the world of music, his vast portraiture portfolio is underpinned by themes of community and well-being, and his work has taken him all over Europe and the UK.
    In this episode, Matthew talks about how his musical background helps him to photograph live music in a very human way, the parallels between being a musician and being a photographer, working with dyslexia, and how he bounced back after being told he would never be a professional cellist.
    This episode was recorded in August 2023.
    -------------------
    Matthew's website
    Instagram
    -------------------
    Follow The Classical Circuit on Instagram
    Did you enjoy this episode? If so, ratings and follows help a lot with visibility, if you have a spare moment... *bats eyelashes*
    No offence taken if not.
    --------------------
    This podcast is also available to listen to via The Violin Channel
    --------------------
    Music: François Couperin - Le Tic-Toc-Choc ou Les Maillotins
    Performed by Daniel Lebhardt
    --------------------
    The Classical Circuit is made by Ella Lee (producer by trade, pianist at heart).

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    • 32 min

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