The Inline G Flute Podcast

This week’s Inline G couldn’t have had a more serendipitous timing, as I sat down with the brand new (as in, 2 days brand new!) permanent Principal Flute of the WDR Funkhausorchester; Marianna Busslechner.  Formerly at the Staatskapelle Dresden orchestral academy, Marianna chats about her experiences going directly from playing under Christian Thielemann to improvising jazz solos at the WDR.&...

Inline G return’s to it’s roots this week; hungover with a world-class flutist, sipping on a Spezi and chatting about all the big issues of the flute world. One of my personal best mates, French superstar orchestral musician and soloist Alice Brie was in town, and after a long night of Guinness until 4am, we emerged at 11am for a podcast. Alice chats about everything from her experiences as a chil...

After I waxed lyrical on Episode 28 of this podcast about Julien Beaudiment’s latest album, “California Dreamin’”, it was an inevitability that I would coax him on here. He found himself in Sunny Köln whilst on tour with The London Symphony Orchestra recently, and thus here we are. Julien and I chatted about his time in orchestras in The UK, France and The US, as well as his nervousness before con...

On the 12th April of this year, Vulture magazine published an article entitled “A Hidden Sexual Assault Scandal at the New York Philharmonic.” It details an alleged sexual misconduct case from 2010, and the various related ongoings since then. I am delighted to welcome the author of this landmark piece, Sammy Sussman, on to Inline G to talk about it, the various reactions and the potential implica...

Coming to you fresh from the Emerald Isle herself, this week’s episode features the the Principal Flute of The National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland (and proud fellow owner of an Irish accent); Catriona Ryan. After a few Instagram DMs, Catriona managed to squeeze me into her exceptionally busy schedule after a rehearsal to sit down together in the National Concerto Hall in Dublin and chat all thi...

This week I'm answering questions from you, dear listeners. From how to busk, non-institutional performance opportuniies, sexiest flute performances and my favourite American Flutists; I answered ALL of them. I forgot to plug the Patreon this week but here; if you enjoyed this episode, consider subscribing to the podcast and leaving a thumbs up or five star review. It helps a huge amount keeping t...

It’s the piece every flutist dreads; and I’m here to change the narrative. So grab your copy of Ibert’s Flute Concerto, pour yourself something tropical and join me as we analyse everything that makes this concerto a damn good time.  From Ibert’s potential links to Elvis and 101 Dalmatians, to n analysis of the structure and practice tips; this episode will cover everything you might nee...

Coming straight from the Tonhalle Zürich, this week’s guest is Italian superstar, former Nielsen Competition winner and Karajan Academy graduate; Alberto Navarra. Alberto very kindly took some time out of his busy schedule to sit and chat all about this debut album on Orchid Classics, featuring three monster flute concertos; The Mozart Flute and Harp, Reinecke and Nielsen, all with the Odense Symp...

Straight from Zürich, this week's episode features French Mezzo-Soprano (and my best mate) Jade Ghersi; along with her wee hairless cat Thérèse. We chat about the difference between dog and cat people, and have a quiz guessing which composers were which (join in and send me your score!) We then move onto the flute and our link to animals; birds. If you'd like to support the podcast, you can sign u...

I know I say this every week, but this episode was legitimately one of my favourite Inline G episodes. My guest is American flutist, professor, academic AND friend of the podcast; Dr Brianne Little. Brianne came on at my request to chat about one thing; her Doctoral Thesis on the flute concerto “To Notice Such Things” by Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and founding member of Deep Purple; Jon Lord. The...

Sandwiched in between all the flute superstar guests here on Inline G is the Irishman’s Christmas; St Patrick’s Day. So this week, we take a break from the flute intellectualism (and the flute in general) as I sat down with Niall from Sligo to curate a true Irish Person’s St Paddy’s Day playlist. From The Dubliners and Pogues to Westlife and Boyzone, we go through everything that gets Irish people...

Ok, I know, this episode is longer than usual. BUT, I simply couldn’t cut anything out, this conversation was flute gold from start to finish. So please use the chapters if you want to split it up, and DO NOT MISS Alexis’ History of Flutes; yous are being spoiled.  I often speak of my Holy Trinity of period flute players, and Alexis Kossenko is a cornerstone of them. Therefore I’m beyond buzz...

I continue to collect my personal favourite flutists on Inline G this week, with folk music expert, author, recording artist, multi-instrumentalist and all-round icon; Philippe Barnes. Philippe's brand new record, The Clearwater Sessions, with Tom Phelan on piano comes out fittingly on St Patrick's Day (17th March 2024), so we sat down and had a chat about it, and the 18 year journey from the cult...

Toxic Masculinity has became a buzzword in modern society (and with good reason) so today, I’m here to firstly analyse the term itself, before looking at the relationship it has with abusive behaviour. I then go into some examples from both the Classical Music and Flute Worlds, before ending with some possible antidotes to the toxicity.  Warning: This isn’t the usual happy-go-lucky Inline G e...

Inline G ticks another country off the list, as I headed to Luxembourg to catch up with Polish flute superstar, former Karajan Academy Member, Orchestral Flutist, International Soloist and Recording Artist (and one of my personal favourite flutists); Zofia Neugebauer.  We chatted about everything from her upcoming Mozart CD and the influence of period performance on it, to her teaching philos...

This episode feels like the good old days of Inline G when I drank too much and said even more. Due to a last minute cancellation, I run you through the history of my adopted cities tradition of the World's Biggest Party, and drink way too much during it. By the time I get round to the musical history, I'm on the moon, baby x If you'd like to support the podcast, you can sign up for just 5 quid a...

With the whole raft of new listeners rocking up to the podcast, I've taken the novel decision to ask myself all the questions I normally I ask myself. This week is wedged in between some monster episodes, so it's a little calm from the storm to come and know your Inline G host that little bit better. It's also a chance to formally announce my brand new Patreon! If you'd like to support the podcast...

The second episode from world flute capital Paris features another (very) special guest; this week I'm joined by Principal Flute of the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France, Sony Classical Recording Artist, award-winning Chamber Musician, former ARD Competition winner, CRR de Paris Professor and my former teacher; Magali Mosnier. I sat down with Magali to chat everything from playing under the...

Coming at you from the world capital of the flute, Paris, my guest this week is soloist, chamber musician and personal mate; Thomaz Tavares. I sat down with Thomaz in the Galway Irish Pub at Saint Michel to talk about everything from our shared studies at The École Normale de Musique de Paris, to his new solo ventures, Ensemble IMAGO, world premieres and musician drinking games. If you'd like to s...

Undoubtedly the best flute album of 2023, Julien Beaudiment's "California Dreamin" has became one of my all time favourites. I've had it on repeat for weeks, and I just had to share my enthusiasm with the world. So sit back with me as I take you through each track, and why this is the new blueprint for great flute albums (excluding 2 minor points.) If you enjoyed this week's episode, subscribing t...

The Great school of French flute playing started way back in the 1800s, and continues to be the gold standard to this day. However, why did it start in Paris? Who are the big players? What make's it so unique? This week's episode is the definitive guide, covering everything from it's political origins through to the modern day conservatoire system. Along the way, I'll also explain all those French...

Ask and ye shall receive; this week whilst I'm home for Christmas, my Grandfather (and Flute Band legend) Brian Houston has found time in his schedule to make an appearance on the podcast (and even offered up his kitchen for the occasion.) We chat about his decorated career as conductor and player of some of the finest flute bands in Northern Ireland, over a glittering 67 year career. From competi...

Do you know absolutely nothing about Classical Music, but want to impress the girl/boy/person of your desires by showing off just how cultured and educated you are? Well you've came to the right place. In just one 50 minute-ish episode, I'll teach you everything you need to know about the history of Western Classical Music from 1600 to present day. From all the fancy foreign words, to the 4 big er...

Since day one of Inline G, Gill Derer has been on the hit list for guests; and 2 weeks before Christmas, evidently Santa has worked his magic. The Queen of Flute Instagram, calling in all the way from Canada, chats everything from content creation, orchestral auditions and imposter syndrome, to performance anxiety and hypnosis (really.) Stick around 'til the end to find out who Gill would put alon...

Unless someone drops a banger of a record in the next 3 weeks; this is your definitive list of the top 5 best flute recordings released in 2023. They're not ranked, except number one, which was a stunner of a release. I also chat a bit about Jimmy Galway's birthday, online "music career coaches" and other ramblings. Chapters: 0:00 - Intro 2:56 - Part time jobs to support your dreams 5:58 - Online...