Braving the Stave

JJ speaks with cellist James Morley about his life as an artist and the thought-provoking repertoire for solo cello he's bringing to Eglws Dewi Sant. There are pieces that require improvisation, electronics, even places where the artist is being 'played by the cello', creating unique, fascinating colours and timbres. This will be a recital like no other. Artists featured in the musi...

JJ and Haz get all the stereotypes around opera off their chest before enjoying what the genre has to offer. Includes a tribute to Dame Felicity Lott, a treasure swap of Mozart arias and potted origins story. Mae JJ a Haz yn trafod yr holl stereoteipiau am opera cyn mwynhau'r hyn sydd gan y genre i'w gynnig. Yn cynnwys teyrnged i'r Fonesig Felicity Lott, cyfnewid trysor o ariâu Moza...

JJ and Haz recognise the often unsung heroes that are the arrangers, orchestrators and transcribers of the musical world, drawing on their favourite re-imaginations of solo and orchestral pieces. We'd love you to send your own favourite examples on a2@artsactive.org.uk .  Mae JJ a Haz yn cydnabod yr arwyr sy'n aml yn ddi-glod sef trefnwyr a thrawsgrifwyr y byd cerddorol, gan ddefnyddio e...

Braving the Solo Guitar JJ and Haz end up speaking Spanish with a Welsh accent as they take in the history and fascinating facts of the classical guitar, from the strings used through to the stereotype hairstyles. Herio’r Gitar Unawd Mae JJ a Haz yn gorffen siarad Sbaeneg gydag acen Gymreig wrth iddynt ddod i ddeall hanes a ffeithiau hynod ddiddorol y gitar glasurol, o’r tannau a ddefnyddir i’r st...

After busting the February blues with some jolly tunes, JJ tries to convince Haz that Bach's Goldberg Variations are, indeed, brilliant. Also: Haz's Mari Lywd experience, what 'Rachpag' means, and top tips for chamber musicians that involve good cake. Ar ôl ymladd y tristwch Chwefror gyda rhai caneuon llawen, mae JJ yn ceisio perswadio Haz bod Amrywiadau Goldberg gan Bach, mewn...

JJ and Haz set out their musical resolutions for the new year before enjoying the world of solo Bach violin ahead of Irène Duval's concert. And Haz falls in love, temporarily.  Mae JJ a Haz yn creu eu haddunedau cerddorol ar gyfer y flwyddyn newydd, cyn mwynhau byd ffidil unigol Bach cyn cyngerdd Irène Duval. Ac mae Haz yn syrthio mewn cariad, dros dro.  Listen to the Braving the Stave playli...

JJ and special guest, composer Richard Barnard, explore the character and impressive range of the trumpet, from blood-curdling battle calls to breathy jazz ballads. Then Richard reveals the inner workings of his piece for Matilda Lloyd, trumpeter extraordinaire.  Listen to the Braving the Stave playlist here Grandewch ar y rhestr chwarae Braving the Stave yma Support the show www.artsactive.org.uk...

Haz’s healthy obsession with Horror prompts discussions on Welsh Halloween traditions, from apple-bobbing to tail-less black pigs, a swap of scary musical scores and diverse examples of ‘night music’. For some good cheer, there are also favourite moments from ‘West Side Story’ - all inspired by the Lumas Winds’ programme. Mae obsesiwn iach Haz ag arswyd yn ysgogi trafodaethau ar draddodiadau Calan...

To see in this new series, JJ and Haz say farewell to summer with the music of half-light, slumber and nocturnes. Along the way you'll find out why we should feel sorry for Janacek's postman, who the mysterious Silke Schäfer is, and why Swiss tea bags have a superior design. Listen to the Braving the Stave playlist here Grandewch ar y rhestr chwarae Braving the Stave yma Support the show...

After getting some stereotypes out of the way - viola jokes, composers who played viola, best viola shreds - Haz and JJ explore the wonders of the instrument, from how it got its name, via lesser known orchestral moments, through to solo works that put it on the map. Along the way: Lionel Tertis' big-hipped viola, and the connection between violists and basketball players. The perfect end to...

JJ interviews Christiana Mavron ahead of the Mavron Quartet's performance in the Arts Active Lunchtime Concert Series, on 3rd June 2025. Cardiff Classical Lunchtime Recitals: The Mavron Quartet - Arts Active Tickets Support the show www.artsactive.org.uk Email a2@artsactive.org.uk X @artsactive Instagram artsactivecardiff Facebook artsactive #classicalmusic #artsactive #drjonathanjames #bravi...

Jon and Haz find out why it's best not to say 'neoclassicism' in a hurry before plunging into beautiful reinventions of the past. Along the way, Haz makes the connection between Stravinsky and sweating and Jon discovers Couperin's 'Tic-Toc Choc'. Support the show www.artsactive.org.uk Email a2@artsactive.org.uk X @artsactive Instagram artsactivecardiff Facebook artsac...

JJ and Haz extol the virtues and versatility of the clarinet, from its humble folk beginnings through to its many shapes and sizes of today. Includes the instrument's nicknames, its use in classical and jazz and its resemblance to milk chocolate. Support the show www.artsactive.org.uk Email a2@artsactive.org.uk X @artsactive Instagram artsactivecardiff Facebook artsactive #classicalmusic #art...

The duo performing in an upcoming Cardiff Lunchtime series at Eglwys Dewi Sant talk with Jon about how they met, the background to their instruments and the thinking behind their innovative and beautifully considered programme. Support the show www.artsactive.org.uk Email a2@artsactive.org.uk X @artsactive Instagram artsactivecardiff Facebook artsactive #classicalmusic #artsactive #drjonathanjames...

With the unusual pairing of a recorder and accordion coming up in a concert, Jon and Haz do a quick survey of other rarer concert instruments. In this 'musical zoo' are instruments that are both haunting and hooting, folk and electronic, and one that reminds Haz of a 'depressed Cor Anglais.'  Support the show www.artsactive.org.uk Email a2@artsactive.org.uk X @artsactive Instag...

Jon and Haz dip their toes into the ocean that is Roots Music, discussing its stereotypes and stigmas, its multiple instruments and crazy time signatures, and why pan pipes make for great massage music. Along the way, Jon talks about his own journey with the Dovetail Orchestra for asylum-seeking musicians, which has bases in both Bristol and Cardiff (at Eglwys Dewi Sant).  Support the show www.art...

JJ and Haz see in the new year with a celebration of the string quartet, testing the claim that it is a 'four-way marriage without the sex'. Haz divulges her pet peeves as a chamber musician, as well as what a 'shig' is and why, amazingly, 'Bridgerton' is keeping the quartet genre alive and kicking. Contact email: A2@artsactive.org.uk Support the show www.artsactive.o...

Christmas Cracker 2024 JJ and Haz bring on the 'hygge' with a homage to the wind quintet, bagatelles and boyfriends (Haz's), carols to cherish and avoid, 'disruptive' descants and a whole new genre of 'earnest kitsch'. Nadolig llawen, pawb! Got any comments for JJ and Haz? Email them to A2@artsactive.org.uk Oes gennych chi unrhyw sylwadau i JJ a Haz? Anfonwch ebo...

When Jon likens harp music to twinkly bedtime stories, Haz champions the instrument, taking it beyond the usual clichés. Together they consider its Celtic history, how much patience you need to tune it, the most-loved harp effects, and why harpists are the best people to ask to unscrew a jar. Support the show www.artsactive.org.uk Email a2@artsactive.org.uk X @artsactive Instagram artsactivecardif...

JJ and Haz try to convert each other to the sound of the sax, celebrating its parps, growls and bends. Along the way: why Debussy called the sound 'aquatic', why it reminds JJ of custard, and what it means to be 'Careless Whispered' while at music college.  Support the show www.artsactive.org.uk Email a2@artsactive.org.uk X @artsactive Instagram artsactivecardiff Facebook artsa...

In the new season of Braving the Stave, JJ and Haz give their light-hearted but sharp-eared take on the lunchtime recitals happening every month in Eglwys Dewi Sant. This opening episode ponders whether Patrick Rimes, local folk legend, could play a blancmange, what it would be like to work for an insomniac Count, and the deeper meaning of 'Say a little prayer.' Support the show www.arts...

JJ and Haz suggest three categories of summer music to enjoy,  'bubble, deckchair and fiesta', before selecting 6 summer bangers to see the sun in. Includes hip jiggling, graffiti and casting issues in Carmen.  Support the show www.artsactive.org.uk Email a2@artsactive.org.uk X @artsactive Instagram artsactivecardiff Facebook artsactive #classicalmusic #artsactive #drjonathanjames #bravi...

In this final part to their survey of different musical elements, Jon and Haz imagine cartwheels in Bach, the weight of silence, whether John Dowland had any party hits, how Mariah Carey would sing Twinkle Twinkle and, rather disturbingly, what Jon would look like in a bikini Support the show www.artsactive.org.uk Email a2@artsactive.org.uk X @artsactive Instagram artsactivecardiff Facebook artsac...

Braving Harmony What has harmony got to do with colouring-in books, killing kittens and how to yearn for something unattainable? How can Rachmaninoff change the weather with a chord? JJ and Haz discuss their favourite harmonists, from early rule-breakers to Radiohead and folk artists.  Support the show www.artsactive.org.uk Email a2@artsactive.org.uk X @artsactive Instagram artsactivecardiff Faceb...

The Magic of Melody What gives a memorable melody its magic? JJ and Haz discuss the remedy, first, for 'earworms' and brave the world's ugliest melody before plundering the troves of music theatre, bebop and classical music for the most emotionally satisfying tunes. Support the show www.artsactive.org.uk Email a2@artsactive.org.uk X @artsactive Instagram artsactivecardiff Facebook a...