Episódios

  • To close out the year, we're revisiting our interview with MacArthur Genius Grant Fellow and American classical cellist Alisa Weilerstein. The internationally celebrated artist discusses her first instruments (made by her grandmother!), her solo debut at age thirteen with the Cleveland Orchestra, and why she chose not to go directly to conservatory after high school. Alisa reminisces about performing at the White House and chuckles about receiving an apology from President Obama, as well as discusses her groundbreaking new solo concert series Fragments.


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    Photograph of Alisa by Evelyn Freja.


    The Speaking Soundly theme song is composed by Joseph Saba/Stewart Winter and used by permission of Videohelper.


    Speaking Soundly was co-created by David Krauss and Jessica Handelman. 


    This interview has been edited and condensed to fit the time format.


    Episode copyright © 2024 Artful Narratives Media.


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

  • Grammy Award-winning violinist and conductor extraordinaire Maxim Vengerov is acclaimed for his concerts, recordings, and humanitarian work. The Siberian-born star discusses his discipline as a young musician, why he wanted to be a conductor by age 3, and how he knew at age 5 he had a natural gift for the violin. He reminisces about learning to play while wearing warm gloves, how music became his ticket to the world, and sets the record straight about why he punched his beloved teacher. To close out the conversation Maxim talks about a memorable experience as UNICEF's Goodwill Ambassador, David shares his excitement about performing with Maxim and The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra next month at Carnegie Hall, and our guest recalls "freaking out" on Carnegie's stage many years ago. 


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    Photograph of Maxim Vengerov by Davide Cerati.


    The Speaking Soundly theme song is composed by Joseph Saba/Stewart Winter and used by permission of Videohelper.


    Speaking Soundly was co-created by David Krauss and Jessica Handelman. 


    This interview has been edited and condensed to fit the time format.


    Episode copyright © 2024 Artful Narratives Media.


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

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  • Two-time Grammy Award-winning soprano Angel Blue is a musical powerhouse. She and David discuss performing at The Metropolitan Opera together, the importance of the Prompter, how Angel draws on her own life experiences when singing, and why she says she is the "the annoying one in the rehearsal room." Reflecting on her childhood, Angel shares what opera she fell in love with at age four, the many voices in which she found inspiration (her father, Leontyne Price, Kathleen Battle), the first time she realized she could affect someone with her voice (in fourth grade!), and the parallels between her beauty pageant days and singing. To close it out, Angel shares her pre-performance ritual and David shares his excitement about performing with Angel and the Met Opera Orchestra later this season at Carnegie Hall. 


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    Photograph of Angel Blue by Dario Acosta.


    The Speaking Soundly theme song is composed by Joseph Saba/Stewart Winter and used by permission of Videohelper.


    Speaking Soundly was co-created by David Krauss and Jessica Handelman. 


    This interview has been edited and condensed to fit the time format.


    Episode copyright © 2024 Artful Narratives Media.


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

  • Chief Conductor and Music Director of the Czech Philharmonic Semyon Bychkov is an artist whose commitment, passion, and obsession with making music is contagious. To kick off the conversation Semyon and David discuss the unique relationship between a conductor and a musician based on their own experiences performing together at the Metropolitan Opera. The Maestro recalls his earliest musical experiences at age 5 (he had perfect pitch!), the moment when he realized he was born to conduct, and the parallels between his life as an artist and an athlete. Semyon shares why winning the Rachmaninoff Conducting Competition led to his escape from the former Soviet Union and ultimate emigration to the United States in 1975 and how he came to inherit Rachmaninoff's briefcase and some of his scores. To close out the conversation Semyon shares what he loves most about Carnegie Hall and how he perceives the power of music.


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    Photograph of Semyon Bychkov by Marco Borggreve.


    The Speaking Soundly theme song is composed by Joseph Saba/Stewart Winter and used by permission of Videohelper.


    Speaking Soundly was co-created by David Krauss and Jessica Handelman. 


    This interview has been edited and condensed to fit the time format.


    Episode copyright © 2024 Artful Narratives Media.


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

  • American tenor Michael Fabiano brings an intense passion to every performance. The recipient of the Beverly Sills Artist Award and the Richard Tucker Award joins David to discuss the obligation of every singer, challenges modern day performers face, the importance of being prepared, and how his analytic mind was made for a life in music. Michael divulges why his journey into opera is unique, how he credits his success to his business acumen, his biggest career mistake, and how he got over his inner demons. To close it out David and Michael reflect on a 2015 performance at The Metropolitan Opera where Michael took to the stage with only a few hours of notice and without time to rehearse! Be sure to listen for what slogan David thinks Michael should have printed on a t-shirt.


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    Photograph of Michael Fabiano by Diego Bendezu.


    The Speaking Soundly theme song is composed by Joseph Saba/Stewart Winter and used by permission of Videohelper.


    Speaking Soundly was co-created by David Krauss and Jessica Handelman. 


    This interview has been edited and condensed to fit the time format.


    Episode copyright © 2024 Artful Narratives Media.


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

  • Critically acclaimed American pianist and composer Aaron Diehl deftly traverses the jazz and classical worlds. The GRAMMY nominated artist discusses the music of his childhood (Stevie Wonder, Quincy Jones, Milt Jackson, Miles Davis, and Johann Sebastian Bach), early performances on stage at his family's church, and how he learned to play "Deck the Halls" on the piano at age 5. He tells David why loosening up in his music playing is vital yet still scary and how a summer at Interlochen was a turning point in his musicianship. Aaron recounts how after winning the Jazz at Lincoln Center's Essentially Ellington competition he nearly turned down a European Tour at age 17 with Wynton Marsalis (thank goodness he didn't!!), what he learned through that experience, and why enrolling at The Juilliard School was a gift after this education on the road. To close it out Aaron describes how his life as a pilot mimics his performances on stage.


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    Photograph of Aaron Diehl by Evelyn Freja.


    The Speaking Soundly theme song is composed by Joseph Saba/Stewart Winter and used by permission of Videohelper.


    Speaking Soundly was co-created by David Krauss and Jessica Handelman. 


    This interview has been edited and condensed to fit the time format.


    Episode copyright © 2024 Artful Narratives Media.


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

  • American soprano Lisette Oropesa is one of today's most in-demand opera singers. After performing with the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra this past summer in Asia, Lisette sits down with David for our season premiere. To kick the conversation off she discusses what goes through her mind as she sings, how she avoids being a tortured musician, and David's faux pas in Tokyo. Reminiscing about her childhood as a flutist and band nerd, Lisette shares why she shifted to become an opera singer and how generous LSU Opera supporters helped prepare her for auditions at the Met early in her career. Lisette candidly talks about her weight loss and running journeys and how they made her a stronger performer. To close it out Lisette excitedly discusses her upcoming recital debut at Carnegie Hall later this month. 


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    Photograph of Lisette Oropesa by Steven Harris.


    The Speaking Soundly theme song is composed by Joseph Saba/Stewart Winter and used by permission of Videohelper.


    Speaking Soundly was co-created by David Krauss and Jessica Handelman. 


    This interview has been edited and condensed to fit the time format.


    Episode copyright © 2024 Artful Narratives Media.


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

  • American conductor and cellist Jonathon Heyward is the Music Director of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and the Festival Orchestra of Lincoln Center. It's remarkable that he's achieved such prominent positions at just 31-years-old. On this Season 5 finale of Speaking Soundly, Jonathon sits down with David to reflect on his meteoric rise, the serendipitous moments in his childhood that led to his flourishing career, his evolution as a musician, and how he earned the nickname "Converse Conductor.”


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    To learn more about the orchestras Jonathon directs visit the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and the Festival Orchestra of Lincoln Center.

     

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    Photograph of Jonathon Heyward by Laura Thiesbrummel.


    The Speaking Soundly theme song is composed by Joseph Saba/Stewart Winter and used by permission of Videohelper.


    Speaking Soundly was co-created by David Krauss and Jessica Handelman. 


    This interview has been edited and condensed to fit the time format.


    Episode copyright © 2024 Artful Narratives Media.


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

  • American mezzo-soprano and three-time Grammy Award winner Joyce DiDonato is "perhaps the most potent female singer of her generation" (The New Yorker), but her path to stardom was anything but easy and linear. In this special episode of Speaking Soundly, recorded live at Lincoln Center, Joyce discusses the challenges in her early career and how she moved through them with grit, how her father gave her permission to pursue a life on the stage, and why her heart still belongs in a choir. David and Joyce reflect on meaningful performances in their lives and the power of music to connect us to moments and heal.


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    Photograph of Joyce DiDonato by Sachyn Mital, © Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts.


    The Speaking Soundly theme song is composed by Joseph Saba/Stewart Winter and used by permission of Videohelper.


    Speaking Soundly was co-created by David Krauss and Jessica Handelman. 


    This interview has been edited and condensed to fit the time format.


    Episode copyright © 2024 Artful Narratives Media.


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

  • Grammy nominated American tenor Lawrence Brownlee has been hailed as “an international star in the bel canto operatic repertory” (The New York Times) and as a voice for activism and diversity in the classical music industry. The pickleball fanatic discusses his Metropolitan Opera auditions, why the high C's aren't the only notes that matter, and what it was like to be cast as Tamino in The Magic Flute before he had ever seen an opera. Reflecting on his childhood rooted in gospel music, Lawrence shares how "music was inside of him" from the age of nine, what he felt at age twelve from the reaction to his first solo, and how he was inspired by The Three Tenors, specifically Pavarotti. Recounting the time an agent told him he'd never succeed because of his height and race, Lawrence talks about where he finds his confidence and what it's like to get a standing ovation mid-performance.



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    Photograph of Lawrence Brownlee by Zakiyah Caldwell Burroughs


    The Speaking Soundly theme song is composed by Joseph Saba/Stewart Winter and used by permission of Videohelper.


    Speaking Soundly was co-created by David Krauss and Jessica Handelman. 


    This interview has been edited and condensed to fit the time format.


    Episode copyright © 2024 Artful Narratives Media.


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

  • Kenji López-Alt is a #1 New York Times bestselling author, renowned chef, culinary scientist, podcast host, YouTube sensation, and violinist. Despite his transformative impact on the culinary world and how most people cook at home, he sits down with David to discuss his true passion, making music. Kenji reflects on his early beginnings on the violin at age 4 at New York City's School for Strings, why he thinks the Suzuki method is "pretty special," and how he evaded practice at home, thus David crowning him the "Ferris Bueller of the violin." They go on to discuss Kenji's summers at Greenwood Music Camp where he fell in love with music and pulled off mischievous tricks, why he ultimately chose the path of an engineering degree from MIT instead of studying at a conservatory, and his excitement for an event he's co-hosting with James Ehnes for the Seattle Chamber Music Society this July. In the second half of the interview Kenji talks about his daughter's first performance that made him "ugly cry," as well as his first restaurant job, when he hit rock bottom of his cooking career, and how he changed course. To close it out Kenji contemplates the rewards of practice (cooking and music), his hopes for his children’s musical education, and why Beethoven's Opus 130 still makes his back tingle.


    Check out Kenji López-Alt on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, or the web. Shop Kenji's books here and listen to his new podcast The Recipe with Kenji and Deb.


    To learn more about and buy tickets to Kenji's Tasting Notes event with James Ehnes benefitting the Seattle Chamber Music Society click here.

     

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    Photograph of Kenji López-Alt courtesy of the guest.


    The Speaking Soundly theme song is composed by Joseph Saba/Stewart Winter and used by permission of Videohelper.


    Speaking Soundly was co-created by David Krauss and Jessica Handelman. 


    This interview has been edited and condensed to fit the time format.


    Episode copyright © 2024 Artful Narratives Media.


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

  • American conductor Gerard Schwarz has led some of the world's finest orchestras for the past half-century. With 9 Emmy Awards, 14 Grammy nominations, and a catalogue of over 350 recordings, it's remarkable to consider that Gerard's illustrious journey began with a pivotal decision—leaving behind his first career as a trumpet soloist. Gerard reflects on this decision and early influences of his musical career including Szell and Bernstein, summers at Interlochen Center for the Arts, and a performance of Aida he saw at age 7. He discusses walking away from the trumpet to pursue a second career as a conductor, why he calls himself a musical traditionalist, and how the audience experience has changed over the years.


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    Photograph of Gerard Schwarz by Ben VanHouten.


    The Speaking Soundly theme song is composed by Joseph Saba/Stewart Winter and used by permission of Videohelper.


    Speaking Soundly was co-created by David Krauss and Jessica Handelman. 


    This interview has been edited and condensed to fit the time format.


    Episode copyright © 2024 Artful Narratives Media.


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

  • Nathalie Joachim is a Grammy-nominated flutist, vocalist, and composer whose creativity spans pop and electronic to classical music and beyond. Co-Founder of the critically acclaimed duo Flutronix, the Haitian-American musician discusses her debut solo album Fanm d'Ayiti (Women in Haiti) and how a girl's choir from her community's small church spurred her creativity. Nathalie tells David why she has become an early morning composer, how she was introduced to the flute in 4th grade and her rapid progression on the instrument that helped land her on the stage of Avery Fisher Hall (the current David Geffen Hall) at age 11, and when music became her first true love. As native New Yorkers, Nathalie and David share and compare their experiences shopping at Tower Records, attending Juilliard's Pre-College program, and what led David's mom to steal a piece of the iconic school's music stands as a keepsake. To close it out Nathalie shares why she is grateful to Beyoncé and reiterates her unbelievable connection to music. 


    Check out Nathalie Joachim on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, or the web and don't miss her duo Flutronix.


    You can listen to Nathalie's newest album, Ki moun ou ye, from New Amsterdam / Nonesuch Records, here. 


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    Photograph of Nathalie Joachim by Erin Patrice O’Brien.


    The Speaking Soundly theme song is composed by Joseph Saba/Stewart Winter and used by permission of Videohelper.


    Speaking Soundly was co-created by David Krauss and Jessica Handelman. 


    This interview has been edited and condensed to fit the time format.


    Episode copyright © 2024 Artful Narratives Media.


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

  • American composer, singer, songwriter, and sonic storyteller Gabriel Kahane uses pop, folk, and classical music to craft captivating works that illustrate the human experience. Gabriel discusses the importance of using music to create community, his song Sit Shiva, what type of opera he imagines he'd write if given the opportunity, and how he responds to humor that is ultimately empathetic. Reflecting on the influences of his psychologist mother, concert pianist father, and his musical childhood filled with violin, piano, guitar, and singing, Gabriel talks about his start at New England Conservatory as a jazz pianist, how his interest shifted to theater at Brown, and his ultimate arrival in New York with his cellist friend Alisa Weilerstein where he began to write songs.


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    Photograph of Gabriel Kahane by Jason Quigley.


    The Speaking Soundly theme song is composed by Joseph Saba/Stewart Winter and used by permission of Videohelper.


    Speaking Soundly was co-created by David Krauss and Jessica Handelman. 


    This interview has been edited and condensed to fit the time format.


    Episode copyright © 2024 Artful Narratives Media.


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

  • The first mandolin soloist to be nominated for a classical Grammy, Avi Avital's remarkable virtuosity from Baroque masterpieces to contemporary compositions has reignited fascination with the mandolin as an instrument worthy of center stage. Avi discusses the intuitive nature of a plucked instrument and how it still excites him to this day, why he finds boredom a blessing, and how his poor pick grip is recognizable by a select group of mandolinists. Reflecting on his childhood performances with his local youth orchestra, Avi shares how the social aspect kept him playing despite his hatred for the tedious and solitary nature of practice, something he still feels to this day despite his talent and success. Avi considers two turning points in his musical development, the first while in high school when he fell in love with the rock music of Nirvana and Pearl Jam and learned how to play drums, keyboard, and guitar, and the second while attending a performance of Il Giardino Armonico at a Jerusalem theater while studying at The Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance. To close it out David admits that if he hears the mandolin in Mozart's Don Giovanni, he's in trouble!


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    Photograph of Avi Avital by Christoph Köstlin.


    The Speaking Soundly theme song is composed by Joseph Saba/Stewart Winter and used by permission of Videohelper.


    Speaking Soundly was co-created by David Krauss and Jessica Handelman. 


    This interview has been edited and condensed to fit the time format.


    Episode copyright © 2024 Artful Narratives Media.


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

  • Louis Cato is a Grammy nominated multi-instrumentalist, producer, songwriter, and the band leader of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. The "musical genius" discusses starting the drums before he could walk, his childhood in a tight-knit church community where he wasn't exposed to pop, rock, or jazz music, and how he mastered (or not) the trombone by age fifteen. Louis tells David why he is a "jack of all trades, master of none" in the music world and what he learned from Jon Batiste, Questlove, Doc Severinsen, and Paul Shaffer about being a great band leader.


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    Photograph of Louis Cato by Shervin Lainez.


    The Speaking Soundly theme song is composed by Joseph Saba/Stewart Winter and used by permission of Videohelper.


    Speaking Soundly was co-created by David Krauss and Jessica Handelman. 


    This interview has been edited and condensed to fit the time format.


    Episode copyright © 2024 Artful Narratives Media.


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

  • Grammy nominated Welsh cellist and conductor Paul Watkins has enjoyed an illustrious musical career. Whether performing as a chamber musician or music director, his talent for collaboration is unparalleled. Paul reflects on his early beginnings, why he saw professional classical musicians as untouchable in his youth, and how this perspective changed while he attended the Yehudi Menuhin school as a teenager. David asks what it was like to lead the cello section of the BBC Symphony Orchestra at age 20 without any professional experience (terrifying!) and how Paul found the courage to ultimately forge a path as a soloist and chamber musician. Paul discusses how he nearly turned down an audition for the famed Emerson String Quartet, which he ultimately joined thanks to his encouraging wife and a bottle of champagne! To close it out, Paul leaves listeners with invaluable advice.


    Check out Paul Watkins on Spotify, Apple Music, or the web.


    You can listen to and learn more about the Emerson String Quartet on YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Apple Music, Spotify, and the web.


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    Photograph of Paul Watkins by Jurgen Frank.


    The Speaking Soundly theme song is composed by Joseph Saba/Stewart Winter and used by permission of Videohelper.


    Speaking Soundly was co-created by David Krauss and Jessica Handelman. 


    This interview has been edited and condensed to fit the time format.


    Episode copyright © 2024 Artful Narratives Media.


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

  • Preeminent banjo player Béla Fleck is renowned for his unparalleled skills, adventurous spirit, and musical innovation. He's won eighteen GRAMMY Awards in nine different fields from bluegrass to classical and according to him, he's defied the odds. A kid from Manhattan who became obsessed with bluegrass music, Béla reflects on the first time he heard the Earl Scruggs' theme song for "The Beverly Hillbillies," how he got his namesake from three classical heavy hitters, and why it took nine years to return to the banjo after he fell in love with it at the age of six. Béla discusses his quick progression on the instrument, how he skipped college to his parents' surprise, and when he realized he had to find his own distinct sound. David inquires how Béla came to musically interact with classical greats like Joshua Bell and Edgar Meyer, as well as jazz legend Chick Corea, while simultaneously shedding his imposter syndrome, and to close it out Béla tells David about the feeling of making time stand still during a performance. 


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    Photograph of Béla Fleck by Jesse Borrell.


    The Speaking Soundly theme song is composed by Joseph Saba/Stewart Winter and used by permission of Videohelper.


    Speaking Soundly was co-created by David Krauss and Jessica Handelman. 


    This interview has been edited and condensed to fit the time format.


    Episode copyright © 2024 Artful Narratives Media.


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

  • We're concluding our celebration of Women's History Month with Grammy Award-winning American mezzo-soprano J’Nai Bridges who has been lighting up opera houses with her voice. J'Nai discusses her debut at The Metropolitan Opera and her performance at Jessye Norman's memorial service, why crying and singing don't mix well, and how she channels her emotions to propel her artistry. Reflecting on her athletic background, J'Nai shares how this prepared her for a life on the stage, why she believes a good coach (vocal or athletic) is vital, and how a traumatic basketball experience in high school shaped her future as a professional singer. To close it out David and J'Nai talk shooting hoops with Wynton Marsalis and the biggest gift of her musical career. 


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    Photograph of J'Nai Bridges by Dario Acosta.


    The Speaking Soundly theme song is composed by Joseph Saba/Stewart Winter and used by permission of Videohelper.


    Speaking Soundly was co-created by David Krauss and Jessica Handelman. 


    This interview has been edited and condensed to fit the time format.


    Episode copyright © 2024 Artful Narratives Media.


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

  • We're continuing our celebration of Women's History Month with British organist, conductor, broadcaster, and social media sensation Anna Lapwood who is a long-time champion of the organ. She discusses the early challenges of playing the instrument with her feet, what it feels like to "pull out all the stops," and the 20 instruments she could perform by the age of 10. Anna tells David about her biggest musical challenge ever, when she truly fell in love with the organ, why she is proud to #playlikeagirl, what it's like to popularize the instrument with her viral videos on TikTok, and how she came to perform with the electronic musician and producer Bonobo at Royal Albert Hall.


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    Photograph of Anna Lapwood by Nick Rutter.


    The Speaking Soundly theme song is composed by Joseph Saba/Stewart Winter and used by permission of Videohelper.


    Speaking Soundly was co-created by David Krauss and Jessica Handelman. 


    This interview has been edited and condensed to fit the time format.


    Episode copyright © 2024 Artful Narratives Media.


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