(in)sight-reading enlightenment/early music podcast

🎧 Season finale | (In)Sight-Reading Enlightenment What does it mean to perform Baroque music  today ? In the final episode of Season 6, I speak with Belgian tenor  Reinoud Van Mechelen , founder and artistic director of  a nocte temporis , about navigating the early music world between iconic masterpieces and forgotten jewels. We talk about festivals, opera characters, curating programs from morn...

In this final episode of our zamus mini-series, we meet two of the driving forces behind the “Creating New Spaces” symposium: Charlotte Nachtsheim , organiser of the event, and Mélanie Froehly artistic director of zamus. Together with the artistic director of the festival Midori Seiler they have shaped the structure of the symposium and brought this idea come true. We speak with Charlotte about th...

In this second episode of our zamus mini-series, we take a deep dive into the work of Critical Classics —an initiative that rethinks how we perform historical operas and oratorios by addressing racism, exoticism, and other forms of discrimination embedded in the original texts. We’re joined by Leyla Ercan , co-initiator of the project, and Änne-Marthe Kühn , dramaturge and researcher, who reflect...

In this opening episode of our special series with zamus for the “Creating New Spaces” Decolonisation Symposium, we explore the colonial shadows cast over the world of early music. Historian and activist Dr. Rahab Njeri speaks about decolonial aesthetics and the need to reclaim artistic spaces through marginalized and indigenous forms of knowledge. https://frauengeschichtsverein.de/2023/08/22/dr-d...

In this second part of my conversation with the internationally acclaimed flutist, researcher, and author  Rachel Brown , we continue our journey into the world of 18th-century flute culture. We speak about the flute makers who shaped the sound of our time, the virtuoso players of the 18th century and their repertoire, and the surprising way dissonance can be described in terms of taste experience...

In this episode of  (In)Sight-Reading Enlightenment , I sit down with the brilliant flutist and researcher  Rachel Brown ( Rachel’s website ). We explore the world of original  Quantz flutes  and discover their surprising personalities — not unlike the  Three Tenors , each with their own temperament and flair. Our conversation also touches on the colours and expressive power of tonalities such as ...

In this episode, I speak with  Margalith Eugster  and  Elisa Rumici  about the first edition of the  Feminale Festival Basel , held in April 2025. We talk about how this student-led festival at the Hochschule für Musik FHNW brought attention to female composers, institutional structures, and the necessity of sharing both responsibility and space in the musical landscape. From blind concerts to pan...

Hello dear friends, What does it mean to be a “superwoman” in music—then and now? In this episode, we travel from the finely tuned mechanics of 19th-century fortepianos to the bold visions of contemporary curators as we explore  Superwomen —a newly launched festival in Basel by pianist and researcher  Laura Granero  and piano restorer  Sebastian Bausch , the duo behind  Klavieratelier Mignon 1904...

Join us for an enlightening conversation with  Dr. Natasha Loges , Professor of Musicology at the Hochschule für Musik Freiburg ( mh-freiburg.de ). Dr. Loges is renowned for her research on 19th-century music, concert culture, and gender studies ( oxfordsong.org ). In this episode, she delves into her forthcoming biography of  Pauline Viardot , the influential 19th-century mezzo-soprano, comp...

In this episode, we dive into the world of early music with  Marc Lewon , a distinguished German lutenist, musicologist, and professor at the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis. Marc shares insights into his journey through medieval and Renaissance music, his passion for historical instruments, and his role in reviving ancient musical traditions. We also explore  ReRenaissance , Basel's forum for early m...

📍 This episode of  (In)Sight-Reading Enlightenment  takes you straight to the heart of the  London International Festival of Early Music (LIFEM) , which took place in November 2024. We explore the festival’s atmosphere, its exciting  Chamber Music Competition , and the inspiring work behind the scenes. Join host  Darina Ablogina  as she speaks with: 🎤  Chris Butler , the longtime organiser of LI...

In this special episode, we welcome the world-renowned harpsichordist  Pierre Hantaï  for an insightful conversation about his musical journey, his deep connection with Bach, and the art of interpretation. Hantaï shares his thoughts on early music, historically informed performance, and his personal inspirations that shaped his career. The excerpt played by Pierre in the middle of the episode: fro...

In this special episode we explore the vibrant world of the Valletta Baroque Festival with its artistic director, Kenneth Zammit Tabona. Join us as we dive into the festival's journey from its inception to its current stature as a beacon of early music. Kenneth shares personal stories of his connection to early music, the magic of unforgettable performances, and the intricate art of crafting a...

In this episode, I have a fascinating conversation with the outstanding and brilliant Lila Hajosi , the director of the vocal ensemble Irini, based in France. In this episode, Lila shares her passion for the lower and middle vocal ranges, her view of the diversity situation in the field of early music, and how the organisation she founded to support female leaders in the structure of France's musi...

In this episode, I approached Giovanni Antonini, the renowned conductor and founder of Il Giardino Armonico, right after their spectacular performance of Haydn symphonies in Basel.  https://www.ilgiardinoarmonico.com/giovanni-antonini/ I had the pleasure of exploring his extensive journey through Baroque and Classical music, from his innovative interpretations as a young musician, to his experienc...

In this episode, I have the pleasure of interviewing Lucie Horsch, the renowned recorder virtuoso. https://luciehorsch.com/ We dive deep into her life, musical journey, and what it’s like to be one of the most innovative young artists the world. Additionally, I sit down with Olga Pashchenko and Albert Edelman, the artistic director of the B’Rock orchestra to discuss their memorable experiences at...

My guests today, who answer the same question about their motivation to go on stage, are: Raphael Pichon, the conductor of the Pygmalion choir and orchestra, the brilliant keyboardist Olga Pashchenko and Reginald Mobley, a countertenor with a magically sweet voice. Please contact me if you are interested in this topic and would like to share your insights on the motivation to perform. Discover mor...

In this special episode dedicated to the Stockholm Early Music Festival, I am delighted to speak with Artistic Director Peter Pontvik. In this conversation, we looked at topics such as: Background and origins of the festival, Peter Pontvik's personal journey as an artist and director of the ensemble Villancico, festival highlights, programming and selection process, educational initiatives, innova...

Today we have a fascinating conversation with an outstanding performer on the keyboard instrument Jermaine Sprosse. We will reflect on why we record CDs nowadays and what the appeal of creating one is, why it is necessary to discover new repertoire and how creativity influences us artists and our motivation. Find Jermain's CD here: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5Bevapr37OHmJg8Kir6YVU Visit h...

Hello dear friends, this special Early Music Day podcast episode is dedicated to looking at some obscure and still unknown corners when we think of the terms "diversity" and "awareness" in the music business across the spectrum. We will talk to a great specialist, director of operations at Black Lives in Music, outlines how this organisation advocates for diversity in the classical music industry...

Hello dear friends! My guest today is an inspiring pianist with a truly humanistic approach to early music, Laura Granero. http://lauragranero.com Laura is the founder of the "Fanny Davies Ensemble", which is based on a collaborative and innovative approach. Laura is currently opening a brand new concert space in Basel that welcomes musicians with new concert formats. https://www.eventbr...

Hello dear friends and music lovers! Today we're taking a look at the new book recently published by Bärenreiter Verlag "Alte Musik heute Geschichte und Perspektiven Historischer Aufführungspraxis." "Early Music Today History and Perspectives of Historical Performance Practice." https://www.baerenreiter.com/en/shop/product/details/BVK2520/ I was lucky enough to meet the edi...

Hello dear friends! Welcome to Malta! Today we will be attending 3 concerts of the Valetta Baroque Music Festival. Check out the program of the festival: https://www.festivals.mt/vbf My podcast for REMA: https://www.rema-eemn.net/podcasts/ Visit our Instagram channel to see my Vlog from Malta: https://www.instagram.com/insight_reading_enlightenment/ Discover more https://insightreadingenlightenmen...

My guest is the leader of the outstanding medieval ensemble "Solazzo" Anna Danilevskaya. http://www.sollazzoensemble.net We discussed issues related to professional burnout in the field of early music and how to deal with it. We also reflected on a mentally sustainable collegial environment, strategies for overcoming communication challenges with concert promoters, and how to deal with t...

In this episode, I visit Lucerne and have a glass of wine with the outstanding French pianist Lucas Debargue. ⁠https://www.lucasdebargue.com⁠ His career took off when he won a special prize at the Tchaykowsky Competition in 2015. Debargue was then invited to perform solo recitals, concerts and chamber music concerts in concert halls such as the Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatory, the Tchaikovsk...