Speaking Soundly

Saxophone virtuoso Jess Gillam has had a meteoric rise to fame and is leaving an indelible mark on the music world. The first-ever saxophonist signed to the prestigious Decca Classics label, both of Jess's albums have shot to No.1 in the Official UK Classical Charts. The host of the podcast  This Classical Life  for BBC Radio 3 tells David about her early beginnings with a local com...

Three-time Grammy Award-winning pianist and conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin is the Music and Artistic Director of the Philadelphia Orchestra, Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of the Orchestre Métropolitain, and Music Director (aka David's boss) at The Metropolitan Opera where he's just the third person to hold this position in the company's long 140-year history. In the episode—recorded ba...

We're revisiting our interview with MacArthur Genius Grant Fellow and American classical cellist Alisa Weilerstein. The internationally celebrated artist discusses her first instruments (made by her grandmother!), her solo debut at age thirteen with the Cleveland Orchestra, and why she chose not to go directly to conservatory after high school. Alisa reminisces about performing at the White House...

Grammy Award-winning Italian conductor and Music Director of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra Fabio Luisi is also the Principal Conductor of the Danish National Symphony Orchestra, Principal Conductor of the NHK Symphony Orchestra in Tokyo, and a perfumer. Fabio discusses the challenges and joys of conducting with unbridled enthusiasm, compares great conducting to great cooking, and reflects on his e...

Grammy nominated Japanese-American renowned violinist Midori is a visionary artist, activist and educator who made her debut with the New York Philharmonic at age 11. She reflects on her decision to "pursue a career in music as a performer" in her 20's, what she learned from mentors famed violinist Isaac Stern and legendary conductor and composer Leonard Bernstein, and why she loves to practice af...

Philadelphia Orchestra Principal Bass Joseph Conyers discusses his recent promotion and the unusual circumstances of his audition (it's not everyday one competes with their own students!), reminisces about his early introduction to classical music through his mother, and reflects on the music of his childhood Black Baptist Church and its emphasis on joyful noise, not perfection. At the end of the...

We're back with a full season of inspiring conversations featuring Grammy nominated singer-songwriter and pianist Regina Spektor, Grammy nominated violinist Midori, the three-time Grammy Award-winning conductor and pianist Yannick Nézet-Séguin, and many more! Follow Speaking Soundly on Instagram . Follow David on Instagram . You can find out more about Artful Narratives Media on Instagram or the w...

MacArthur Genius Grant Fellow and American classical cellist Alisa Weilerstein is a musical prodigy. The internationally celebrated artist discusses her first instruments (made by her grandmother!), her solo debut at age thirteen with the Cleveland Orchestra, and why she chose not to go directly to conservatory after high school. Alisa reminisces about performing at the White House and chuckles ab...

MacArthur "Genius" Grant recipient, Avery Fisher Prize winner, and acclaimed pianist Jeremy Denk is also a New York Times bestselling author. He sits down with David to discuss his memoir  Every Good Boy Does Fine , which was published to universal acclaim and how he managed to write the book with demanding concert and practice schedules. Jeremy recalls how his dad rescued a graffiti-covered...

Grammy nominated Venezuelan pianist Gabriela Montero is celebrated for her exceptional musicality and her ability to improvise complex pieces on themes suggested by her audiences at live performances. The best-selling recording artist, Latin Grammy Award winner, and human rights activist discusses recording at Abbey Road Studios, seeing her album poster-size Tower Records near Lincoln Center, and...

We're back with three more inspiring conversations featuring pianist Gabriela Montero, pianist Jeremy Denk, and cellist Alisa Weilerstein. Thanks to our good friends at Ravinia for helping to make these interviews possible. To see these guests perform live this summer, check out Ravinia's calendar . Follow Speaking Soundly on Instagram . Follow David on Instagram . You can find out more about Artf...

Preeminent Principal Tuba for the Santa Fe Symphony and New Mexico Philharmonic Dr. Richard Antoine White's personal journey to the stage is astonishing. He shares how he overcame the circumstances of his early childhood plagued by poverty and homelessness to become the first Black American to earn a doctorate of music in tuba. Richard recounts how he ultimately won a spot at the competitive Balti...

Six-time Grammy Award winner and Oscar nominee Terence Blanchard is a famed trumpeter, band leader, and composer. Recently, he also became the first Black composer commissioned by the Metropolitan Opera since it opened in 1883. Terrence discusses his debut at the Met and the enormity of the experience, along with his start at age 19 with The Jazz Messengers, and the greatest lesson he learned...

American Violinist David Chan is the esteemed Concertmaster of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, an honored position he's held for more than two decades. He's also made a name for himself as a respected concert ensemble Conductor and Music Director. The Davids reminisce about Chan's Carnegie Hall solo debut and discuss the roles of the Concertmaster and Conductor. David Chan reflects on his f...

Grammy nominated artist Missy Mazzoli has established herself as one of the top composers of her generation. In 2018 she made history when she became one of the two first women to be commissioned by the Metropolitan Opera. Missy lets David in on her tips for overcoming writer's block, shares the early hurdles she faced as a young artist, and compares the rush of performing versus the feelings...

Internationally recognized trumpet player Tine Thing Helseth is the first ever classical artist to win Newcomer of the Year at the Norwegian Grammy Awards—the Spellemannprisen. Tine talks about her ever changing nerves, how she finds her greatest confidence, and the perspective she gained after facing a serious depression in 2017. She also gives behind the scenes details about perfo...

Two-time Grammy Award winner James Ehnes is one of the most sought-after violin soloists on the international stage. James and David discuss a shared performance at Carnegie Hall and an unexpected mishap during the concert, the special sensation that James feeds off of when he connects with an audience, and the limitless possibilities of great art. James also reflects on the recordings h...

Acclaimed composer, multi-instrumentalist, and Silk Road Ensemble member Kaoru Watanabe began playing Western Classical music at a very young age. After graduating from conservatory as a jazz flutist and saxophonist, he spent a decade overseas performing with and ultimately leading the world-renowned Taiko drum performance group Kodo. Kaoru reflects upon his ten years in Japan...

Pop artist Rufus Wainwright is one of the most gifted singer-songwriters of his generation. He's recorded ten studio albums and composed numerous film soundtracks, as well as two operas. Born into musical royalty, Rufus reflects on his earliest memories alongside his famed Canadian folk singer-songwriter mother Kate McGarrigle, discusses how music brought him closer t...

The only conductor to receive a MacArthur "Genius Grant" Fellowship, trailblazer Marin Alsop is the first woman to lead a major orchestra in the United States, in South America, in Austria, and in Britain. In addition to her accomplishments, she is vigilant about keeping the doors open for other women. Marin and David discuss the importance of partnership between musicians and a conductor, challen...

Grammy Award-winning American countertenor, actor, and producer Anthony Roth Costanzo has enthralled audiences with his artistry in the greatest opera houses worldwide. He talks about his distinct, commanding, and dramatic voice, performing naked at the Metropolitan Opera, and the importance of engaging new audiences. Anthony recalls his theatrical childhood, how he was "bit by the...

Two-time Grammy Award winner, MacArthur “Genius Grant” recipient, and folk artist Rhiannon Giddens is a musical polymath. Defying the odds, she enrolled at Oberlin College to study opera without being able to read music, nor having seen a live performance. Rhiannon credits her formal training at conservatory and an apprenticeship with Black string musician Joe Thompson for her success, and sees mu...

International superstar and Grammy Award nominated French-Lebanese trumpeter, composer, producer, and arranger Ibrahim Maalouf's music traverses genres and pushes creative boundaries. He reminisces about his earliest lessons with his prominent father, the trumpeter Nassim Maalouf, unpacks their complicated relationship, and shares the dramatic moment his life as a classical mus...

We're back with more inspiring conversations featuring singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright, folk artist Rhiannon Giddens, trumpeter Ibrahim Maalouf, conductor Marin Alsop, violinist James Ehnes, and many more! Follow Speaking Soundly on Instagram . Follow David on Instagram . You can find out more about Artful Narratives Media on Instagram or the web . The Speaking Soundly theme song is composed by...

In this bonus episode, David reflects back on guests from the first season of Speaking Soundly who spoke about their growth as musicians. Hear from Ray Chen, Joyce DiDonato, Christian McBride, and Dr. Denson Paul Pollard. Follow Speaking Soundly on Instagram , Facebook , Twitter , and TikTok . Follow David on Instagram . You can find out more about Artful Narratives Media on Instagram , Facebook ,...