One Symphony with Devin Patrick Hughes

Host and conductor Devin Patrick Hughes welcomes pianist David Korevaar to One Symphony for a rich conversation on Beethoven’s piano sonatas and Korevaar’s newly released complete recording of the cycle on Prospero Classical. Together they explore why Beethoven still feels so relevant today, how the sonatas trace his artistic evolution, and why they can feel like the closest thing we have to a mus...

In this episode of One Symphony, conductor Devin Patrick Hughes sits down with acclaimed film and television composer Lesley Barber for a wide-ranging, behind-the-scenes conversation about writing music that reveals what characters can’t say out loud. Lesley shares how improvising and composing before formal training shaped her voice, how pop, R&B, and composers like Schubert, Bach, and Chopin...

In this episode of One Symphony, conductor Devin Patrick Hughes sits down with pianist/composer Joachim Horsley to explore Afro-Cuban rhythm, genre “walls,” and what orchestras can learn from dance-driven music. Horsley shares how he got “fired” from classical piano lessons, why rhythm is the “warrior that carries the message,” and how Afro Bachreimagines Bach through Caribbean and Latin framework...

Conductor Devin Patrick Hughes sits down with author and USC musicology instructor Tim Greiving to dive into John Williams: A Composer’s Life (OUP)—the first full-scale biography of the world’s most beloved film composer. Greiving traces a lifelong fandom that began with a Jurassic Park cassette, then details the five-year journey of the book: 5:30 a.m. writing rituals, a year of archival research...

In the second half of a special two part conversation, conductor Devin Patrick Hughes speaks with broadcaster and author John Suchet in Part 2 of a special two-part One Symphony series on Beethoven, based on Suchet’s new book In Search of Beethoven: A Personal Journey. This episode explores Beethoven’s life in Vienna — his patrons, performance venues, and independence as a composer. We also dive i...

In this first half of a special two-part conversation, Devin Patrick Hughes speaks with broadcaster and author John Suchet about Beethoven’s beginnings in Bonn, his precocious childhood on the Rhine, his mentors and patrons, and the myths surrounding his father and early works. Together, they explore Beethoven’s revolutionary ideas, his first “unplayable” compositions, and the legendary (and myste...

On this episode of One Symphony with Devin Patrick Hughes, composer Nan Avant takes us on a journey through her orchestral world — where nature, heritage, and imagination meet in music. Known for works inspired by the sea, the winds of Lahaina, and the birth of distant nebulas, Nan Avant blends classical tradition, cinematic color, and unexpected sounds — from steel road plates to wind machines —...

On this episode of One Symphony, Devin Patrick Hughes sat down with Peter Drew, a symphonist and jazz composer, to discuss his diverse life journey and his debut symphony, Reminiscence. Drew, born in Europe and later a refugee in the United States, recounted his early musical awakenings. He was first intrigued by the sound of the harmonica his stepbrother gave him. However, his musical trajectory...

In this episode of One Symphony, Devin Patrick Hughes interviews Lucas Richman, a Grammy winning composer and conductor, exploring his career and insightful perspectives on music and its role in society.  Richman recounts his early exposure to music through composer biographies, sharing an anecdote about writing to Aaron Copland and receiving an encouraging postcard in return, which served as an e...

In this interview with Tom Morris, a veteran of orchestra management whose career included leadership roles with the Boston Symphony and the Cleveland Orchestra, conductor Devin Patrick Hughes provides a comprehensive look at the inner workings of orchestral institutions, the evolution of their management, and the crucial role of music in their success. Morris's journey from a percussionist to a t...

George S. Clinton is an award winning composer who has scored over 100 films, most notably “Austin Powers” !The Santa Clause”; “Mortal Kombat”; and the Emmy Award winning “Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee.” He began his professional music career as a singer/songwriter in Nashville writing for Tree Music and doing session work. Upon moving to LA, he became a staff songwriter for Warner Brothers Music,...

In this episode of One Symphony, host Devin Partick Hughes joins podcast, composer, conductor, and singer Damien Geter who shares his unique perspective on the world of opera and his approach to music. Geter's insights, drawn from his experiences as a performer, composer, and educator, offer a compelling look into the challenges and opportunities facing classical music today. Geter’s current proje...

In this episode of One Symphony with conductor Devin Patrick Hughes, Devin has an inspiring conversation with bass virtuoso and composer Kebra Seyoun Charles. From their early exposure to African drumming and gospel music to becoming a celebrated classical musician, Charles shares their unique journey and vision for the future of classical music through their "Counter Classical" style. Charles's w...

In this episode of One Symphony, host Devin Patrick Hughes interviews Dr. Samantha Ege, pianist and musicologist, about the life and works of Florence Price. Dr. Ege discusses Price's musical style, her significance in American classical music, and the recent rediscovery of her compositions. The conversation covers Price's role in the Chicago music scene, her blending of classical and African Amer...

Tobias Picker, deemed “our finest composer for the lyric stage” by The Wall Street Journal, joins Devin Patrick Hughes on One Symphony. Tobias is a prolific composer in all genres. He has composed six operas, commissioned by Dallas Opera, LA Opera, Metropolitan Opera, San Francisco Opera, Santa Fe Opera, and Opera Theatre St. Louis. Tobias Picker has composed numerous symphonic works including thr...

American pianist Clayton Stephenson joins conductor Devin Patrick Hughes for an engaging and informative interview on One Symphony. Clayton’s love for music is immediately apparent in his joyous charisma onstage, expressive power, and natural ease at the instrument. Hailed for “extraordinary narrative and poetc gifts” and interpretations that are “fresh, incisive and characterfully alive” by Gramo...

In this episode of One Symphony, conductor Devin Patrick Hughes interviews acclaimed pianist and composer Marina Arsenijevic to discuss her journey that led to her latest album, Chopin Obsessions. Arsenijevic shared insights into her upbringing in former Yugoslavia, the influences that shaped her musical style, and her unwavering commitment to promoting unity through diversity. Marina Arsenijevic...

In this episode of One Symphony, conductor Devin Patrick Hughes interviews internationally renowned pianist Quynh Nguyen (pronounced Quin Nwen), exploring her remarkable journey in music. Born in post-war Vietnam, Nguyen's path has been shaped by her family legacy, global influences, and dedication to her craft. From her early beginnings at the Hanoi Conservatory to her studies in Moscow, Paris, a...

In this episode of One Symphony, conductor Devin Patrick Hughes sits down with renowned composer Pierre Jalbert to explore Jalbert’s musical journey, creative process, and the spiritual influences that shape his work. Jalbert shares intimate stories about his childhood in Vermont, his collaborations with world-class musicians, and the importance of resonance and reverberation in his compositions....

In this episode of One Symphony, Juhi Bansal discusses her diverse cultural influences, from Hindustani classical to Western styles, and how she weaves them together to create powerful narratives through sound. Bansal delves into the inspiration behind several of her striking works, including "Songs From the Deep," "Waves of Change," and "Aurora," which explore themes of women's resilience, enviro...

In this episode of One Symphony, host Devin Patrick Hughes sits down with Ralph Patrick, a former pastor and Alzheimer's Association collaborator, to explore the profound impact of music on individuals living with dementia. Patrick shares his personal experiences and insights, discussing how live musical performances can engage, stimulate, and connect with those affected by this challenging diseas...

In this episode of One Symphony, host Devin Patrick Hughes welcomes rising star composer, performer, and educator Brittany Green to discuss her boundary-pushing work and perspective on the future of classical music in the 21st century. Green, who started out in music education before pivoting to composition in her 20s, brings a multifaceted approach to her practice. Through projects like the Young...

Composer Dan Visconti joins host Devin Patrick Hughes on One Symphony to discuss his innovative approaches to engaging new audiences with classical music. In this in-depth interview, Visconti shares valuable lessons from his wide-ranging collaborations, including projects with incarcerated youth, refugees, and interactive opera productions. He delves into his concept of "civic practice," which inv...

On this episode of One Symphony, conductor Devin Patrick Hughes interviews Henry Fogel, a prominent figure in the orchestral music field. Fogel discusses his early life in music, his exciting journey in radio, and his passion for making symphonic music more accessible. They also delve into Fogel's contribution to orchestras as a director and a manager. From his beginnings in a home where Broadway...

In an in-depth interview, Devin Patrick Hughes speaks with former ITN journalist, ClassicFM host, and biographer John Suchet discusses his transition from journalism to classical music as a career because of his connection to Tchaikovsky's music. He shares his initial love for Tchaikovsky's melodies, developing an understanding of music through learning jazz trombone, and his eventual passion for...