Harmonious World

If you're reading this while listening to the opening, I hope you are enjoying the wonderful music of violinist Pei-Wen Liao and pianist William Goldstein . This conversation really is about them sharing what they're best at - the concept at the heart of Harmonious World. Pei-Wen and Bill's album is Brushstrokes: The intersection of Art and Music. In essence, this is composition in...

There's another UK artist in this episode of Harmonious World, as I speak to dynamic and creative pianist Gareth Williams . Gareth's latest album is Short Stories   and it features some more legendary musicians on a thought-provoking collection of original and jazz standards. Our conversation took place in the heat of July and the rain is pouring as I'm editing this, but the music s...

This episode of Harmonious World sees me in conversation with singer songwriter and producer Gavin Holligan . Gavin's album I Need A Song is out now and only available direct from the artist. In our conversation (along with contributions from a playful cat) we discuss his background, his joy of writing with a purpose and experimentation as an independent artist. Thanks to Gavin for allowing m...

From the modern classical solo piano compositions of the last episode, I am joined for this episode of Harmonious World by Extended Trio . Their style of jazz draws upon their varied musical influences and this album is very much the fruit of the Covid-19 pandemic. My discussions with Oscar Rossignoli, Matt Booth and Brad Webb cover their third album - Without Notice - together with their backgrou...

This episode was a total delight - not only did I get to interview the pianist Nicolas Horvath , who is a Steinway Artist and a fascinating musician, but we were also discussing the compositions of William Susman . Bill and I chatted for episodes 16 and 31 of Harmonious World and he was generous enough to introduce me to Nicolas (virtually, at least). These compositions on Quiet Rhythms Book 1 are...

Harmonica player Mathias Heise has brought his Quadrillion project back with an amazing album that is just so full of joy. It was great to talk to him about the album, lockdown and the delight in getting back to playing in front of a real audience. Quadrillion is Danish jazz fusion at its finest, with fascinating harmonies that cheat the ear, alongside complex melodies and hard-hitting grooves. Th...

When I organised my interview with cellist Matt Haimovitz, Primavera II the rabbits had just been released. Now there's also Primavera III the vessels to add to the original Primavera I  the wind. This is all just part of the massive Primavera Project , which will eventually include 81 world premieres for solo cello. Our conversation covers the inspiration behind the compositions, the recordi...

Acclaimed British jazz pianist Kit Downes joins me for the latest episode of Harmonious World. He's representing fellow trio members Petter Eldh and James Maddren to discuss their latest album, Vermillion . Thanks to Kit for a fascinating conversation and for allowing me to use clips from Vermillion alongside our conversation. Follow me on instagram.com/hilaryrwriter Follow me on facebook.com...

This is the second episode with guest Aleksi Glick , who I first spoke to in December 2020. He joins me this time on Harmonious World to discuss his solo album - Guitar and Me - which is out now. Thanks to Aleksi for a fascinating conversation and for allowing me to use clips from Guitar and Me alongside our conversation. Follow me on instagram.com/hilaryrwriter Follow me on facebook.com/HilaryRob...

Grammy-winner Danae Xanthe Vlasse joined me on Harmonious World to discuss Mythologies, which honours her own heritage with a collection of works inspired by Ancient Greek myths. Thanks to Danae for a fascinating conversation and for allowing me to use clips from Mythologies alongside our conversation. Follow me on instagram.com/hilaryrwriter Follow me on facebook.com/HilaryRobertsonFreelanceWrite...

After two years, it was great to interview cellist Inbal Segev about the third volume of her 20 for 2020 project that delightfully expands the repertoire with a set of brand new compositions. In our conversation, we discuss 20 for 2020 Volume 3 and the new work that Inbal is doing, including a planned trip to London in October. Thanks to Inbal for allowing me to use clips from 20 for 2020 Volume 3...

Singer Emma Smith has a lot to say - both musically and in the fascinating interview you can hear here. Meshuga Baby is an extraordinary album, featuring several beautifully arranged standards and four tracks penned by Smith and pianist Jamie Safir. This conversation was a total delight and a great way to launch season 9 of Harmonious World. Thanks to Emma for allowing me to use clips from  Meshug...

In a change of focus, the latest episode of Harmonious World is not about a new musical release, but rather a book on the topic of the music business. It's a second conversation with trombonist and Outside In Music founder and CEO Nick Finzer . Create, Connect, Repeat is a fascinating book that provides a career strategy of building a live in a creative industry - any creative industry. In ou...

This episode of Harmonious World features a conversation with banjo virtuoso John Bullard , in which we discuss his 24 Preludes for Solo Banjo by Adam Larrabee . The Preludes were commissioned by John and each one has a very different character. In our conversation, we discuss the order, which runs musically through Volume 1 and we have to wait for it to come full circle at the end of Volume 2, wh...

While walking the streets of Paris at the end of May and beginning of June, I recorded a couple of brief excerpts. Nothing to do with music, but a little bonus. I may do more of these, but I won't be posting them on social media - well done if you found it and I hope you enjoy listening to these few minutes. Get in touch to let me know what you think! Thank you for listening to Harmonious Wor...

I was joined by Italian guitarist and composer Simone Gubbiotti for the latest episode of Harmonious World. Underdogs is both the name of the new album and the trio that includes bassist Davide Liberti and drummer Paolo Franciscone. The album includes soulful and frenetic jazz - something for everyone. Thanks to Simone for allowing me to use clips from Underdogs alongside our conversation. Follow...

British pianist, songwriter and arranger Alex Webb joined me in this latest episode of Harmonious World after I had heard the launch of the rather marvellous British Standard Time. There's lots to love about this album, not least the collection of fine UK musicians playing Alex's arrangements of some fine tunes by a wide variety of British songwriters. Thanks to Alex for allowing me to u...

Classical guitar has always felt a little strange to me, but I've now been introduced to the work of Jasmin Lacasse Roy and the chance to chat with him has completely changed my view. Jasmin's latest album - Meteores - pays homage to Montreal's Mile End district and each of the ten tracks tells a different story and adds a little more perspective and colour. Thanks to Jasmin for all...

The latest episode of Harmonious World features Simeon Davis . Simeon has a new album coming out soon, but for now, you can listen to the first single - Eden - as a teaser. We discussed the album and Simeon's path from growing up in South Africa to returning to his original homeland of America to study and work in music. Thanks to Simon for allowing me to use clips from Eden alongside our con...

I was joined for the latest episode by cellist Jennifer Kloetzel . Jennifer's latest album - Beethoven : The Conquering Hero  - is already one of my favourites of 2022. A stunning collecting of the great composers 'complete' works for cello, this three-album set includes five sonatas for Cello and Piano, three sets of variations and the Horn sonata for which the composer wrote a cel...

Composer Sean Friar and Michael Mizrahi from NOW Ensemble joined me to talk about their new collaboration on Before and After. This latest album is about enormous ideas and our own small place in the larger rhythm of the world, yet it is musically intimate. NOW Ensemble features flute, clarinet, double bass, piano and electric guitar and our conversation includes interesting debate about the genre...

Singer songwriter Sheila Simmenes joins me for this latest episode of Harmonious World, sharing her experience of writing an album, recording in Brazil and Norway, and then finding the right producer to polish it ready for release. Love Was Easy blends a multitude of musical sounds from Sheila, who is well-known as a songwriter for international artists. Thanks to Sheila for allowing me to use cli...

I was pleased to be joined by conductor Gisele Ben-Dor for a chat about her latest album Cien Anos , which features the music of Piazzolla and Bandoneon player, arranger and composer Juanjo Mosalini . Cien Anos  is a wonderful album and it was fascinating talking to Gisele about the lack of exposure for Latin American music and how this album was recorded. Thanks to Gisele for allowing me to use c...

After an unintentional hiatus, Harmonious World is back with saxist Viktor Haraszti . Viktor has just released his first album - Equanimity - and it's well worth a listen. I hope you enjoy our conversation as well. Thanks to Viktor for allowing me to use clips from the album alongside our conversation. Follow me on instagram.com/hilaryrwriter Follow me on facebook.com/HilaryRobertsonFreelance...

It is with great pleasure that I present this, the 100th episode of Harmonious World. I joined composer, conductor and educator Malcolm Singer in his studio to interview him in real life. I'm so grateful to Malcolm for giving me that opportunity and to our mutual friend Michael Shapiro for effecting the introduction. Malcolm and I sat in his studio chatting and listening to some of his music...