Breandáin O'Shea

Three young Australian violinists. One city that changed everything. In this special episode of Tall Poppies, host Brendan O'Shea sits down with Leanne McGowan, Josephine Chung and Harry Ward — three remarkable musicians who left Australia and found a new creative home in Berlin. From Curtis Institute to the Karajan Academy, from the Mahler Chamber Orchestra to a seat in the Berlin Philharmonic it...

A special episode is dropping on June 21st. - Far from Home, Close to Music - featuring Josephine Chung, Harry Ward and Leanne McGowan - three exceptional young Australian violinists, all living here in Berlin.

Forty years of the Teddy Award – four decades of queer cinema, courage, celebration, and change. In this feature, we look back at how a small sidebar prize at the Berlin International Film Festival grew into one of the world’s most important honours for LGBTQ+ filmmaking. With reflections on its origins, its cultural impact, and some of the films and voices that shaped it, Teddy Award at 40 is bot...

Stolen children. Silenced stories. Unforgettable music. Daughters of Donbas: Songs of Stolen Children blends Ukrainian folk, chamber music and poetry to bear witness to children abducted from occupied territories. As Breandáin O’Shea reports, this is music as testimony — demanding the world listen, remember, and act.

Hidden for centuries, the music of women composers from the Renaissance has largely remained unheard. Musica Secreta is an ensemble committed to uncovering and performing these forgotten works, blending rigorous historical research with a uniquely expressive, all-female sound. And as Breandáin O’Shea discovered, their work reconnects audiences with a vibrant, secretive musical world that has been...

Few composers have shaped the soundscape of our time quite like Arvo Pärt. Often described as the sound of silence, his music emerged from censorship, inner exile, and spiritual resistance under Soviet rule. Now 90, and the most widely performed living composer, Pärt’s works speak with renewed urgency as Europe once again faces war on its borders. In this feature, Paavo Järvi—who quite literally g...

Matthew McDonald: Between the Bass and the Page Matthew McDonald is widely recognised as one of the world’s leading double bass players — a musician whose warm tone, agility and expressive clarity have shaped the sound of the Berliner Philharmoniker since he became Principal Double Bass in 2009. But behind the orchestral spotlight, another creative voice has quietly been gathering strength: his po...

The Birgit Nilsson Prize 2025: A Celebration of Many Voices In 2025, the world’s largest award in classical music — the Birgit Nilsson Prize — made history. For the first time, it honoured not an individual artist or orchestra, but a festival: the Festival d’Aix-en-Provence, one of today’s most vibrant homes for contemporary opera. Aix has become a place where composers, writers, performers and au...

Berlin’s vibrant arts scene is under pressure. With major funding cuts looming, even iconic institutions like the Komische Oper, Schaubühne, and the Berlin Philharmonic face an uncertain future. In this episode, Breandáin O’Shea visits the Komische Oper to explore what’s at stake—and why preserving Berlin’s creative heart matters now more than ever.

Discover the fascinating transformation of Meiningen, a small German city with a rich artistic heritage. From 1874 to 1890, Duke George II von Sachsen Meiningen turned the city into a cultural hub, founding the Meiningen Court Theatre and attracting renowned artists. Today, this city of 25,000 residents still thrives as a creative beacon—but it also faces a growing political shift, with weekly pro...

In 1819, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe published The West–Eastern Divan, his final major poetry cycle, inspired by his correspondence with actress Marianne von Willemer and Joseph von Hammer’s translations of the Persian poet Hafez. This anthology symbolises cultural exchange between the Orient and Occident, blending Latin and Persian traditions, and Christian and Muslim cultures. Across twelve books...

On a rainy night in 1975, Keith Jarrett sat down at a battered piano in Cologne and delivered The Köln Concert—an improvised performance that would become the best-selling solo piano recording in history. But behind the music lies a story of frustration, fatigue, and unexpected brilliance. As the 50th anniversary approaches, London pianist Dorian Ford pays tribute to this iconic moment, bringing t...

Meet another phenomenal Australian musician Join Breandáin O'Shea as he explores the extraordinary career of Hector McDonald, one of the most celebrated French horn players of our time. From his early days in Australia to his prestigious role with the Vienna Symphony Orchestra, Hector's journey is one of talent, dedication, and global acclaim. In this interview, Hector shares stories from his illu...

Philip Langridge (1939-2010) was a highly esteemed English tenor known for his exceptional vocal artistry and versatility across a wide range of repertoire. Renowned for his clarity of tone, expressive delivery, and dramatic intensity, Langridge excelled in both opera and concert performances. He collaborated with many leading conductors and opera houses worldwide, earning acclaim for his interpre...

Karlheinz Stockhausen (1928-2007) was a pioneering German composer widely regarded as one of the most important figures in 20th-century avant-garde music. He is known for his innovative compositions that often pushed the boundaries of traditional musical forms and techniques. Stockhausen's works spanned various genres, including electronic music, aleatory (chance) composition, and serialism. His g...

Herbert Blomstedt is a distinguished Swedish conductor renowned for his interpretations of the classical and romantic repertoire. Born in 1927 in the United States to Swedish parents, Blomstedt began conducting at a young age and rose to prominence in the mid-20th century. He has held numerous prestigious positions with orchestras around the world, including the Dresden Staatskapelle, the San Fran...

Jasmila Žbanić is a Bosnian filmmaker known for her compelling and socially conscious work. Born in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, she gained international recognition with her debut feature film "Grbavica" in 2006, which won the Golden Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival. Her filmmaking often explores the lingering effects of the Bosnian War and its impact on individuals and society...

Alain de Botton is a Swiss-British philosopher, author, and television presenter known for his accessible approach to philosophy and exploration of everyday life. Born in Zurich in 1969, he studied at Cambridge University and later completed a master's degree in philosophy at King's College London. De Botton has written numerous best-selling books, including "The Consolations of Philosophy" and "H...

Sir Andrew Davis, the esteemed conductor, left an indelible mark on the classical music world with his profound interpretations and exceptional leadership. Throughout his illustrious career, Sir Andrew held esteemed positions with renowned orchestras, including the BBC Symphony Orchestra, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and the Lyric Opera of Chicago. Revered for his dynamic conducting style and deep...

Meow Meow, born Melissa Madden Gray, is an Australian cabaret performer known for her unique blend of music, comedy, and theatricality. With a distinctive style that combines elements of burlesque, vaudeville, and cabaret, Meow Meow has gained international acclaim for her electrifying performances. Renowned for her powerful voice and charismatic stage presence, she has graced stages around the wo...

Jan A. P. Kaczmarek is a Polish composer known for his remarkable contributions to film scores. Born on April 29, 1953, in Konin, Poland, Kaczmarek began his musical career in his native country before gaining international acclaim for his work in film. He has composed scores for numerous acclaimed movies, including "Finding Neverland" (2004), for which he won the Academy Award for Best Original S...

Jan Chapman is an Australian film producer known for her contributions to the film industry. Born in Newcastle, New South Wales, she has produced numerous acclaimed films, including "The Piano" (1993), "Lantana" (2001), and "Bright Star" (2009). Chapman's collaborations with directors such as Jane Campion and Ray Lawrence have earned her widespread recognition and critical acclaim. She has receive...

Ingeborg Drews, born in Cologne in 1938 and died in 2019 in the same city, was a notable German artist. She cultivated a diverse artistic oeuvre throughout her life, encompassing satire, poetry, and photography. Drews received recognition for her satirical works, notably earning the 'Prix Special' in 2015 at the Salon d’Humour in St. Just-le-Martel near Limoges, where she participated for over two...

Ida Haendel was a Polish-born violinist renowned for her virtuosity, passionate performances, and profound musicality. Born on December 15, 1928, in Chelm, Poland, Haendel began playing the violin at a young age and quickly gained recognition as a prodigious talent. She studied under esteemed teachers such as Carl Flesch and George Enescu. Haendel's career spanned several decades, during which she...

Ian Munro is an Australian pianist and composer recognized for his exceptional musicianship and versatility. Born in 1963, Munro has established himself as one of Australia's leading pianists, performing extensively both nationally and internationally. He is known for his expressive interpretations across a wide range of repertoire, from classical to contemporary works. Munro has collaborated with...