Emily Pailthorpe is an internationally renowned oboist who also practises as a psychotherapist, seeing clients for the NHS and at The Door clinic in Chiswick, as well as online in private practice. I spoke to Emily in June when we talked about her versatile work in oboe playing and psychotherapy, and how both areas relate to each other. This led us to talk about a range of topics such as the healing power of music, mental health and wellbeing, breathwork, and two pieces that Emily has recorded for her YouTube channel: Britten's Six Metamorphoses after Ovid and an instrumental reinterpretation of Vaughan Williams's great art song, Silent Noon. These two works speak to the psyche and the great emotive sway music has on both player and listener. www.emilypailthorpe.comwww.emilypailthorpetherapy.comwww.conchord.co.uk Trailer for Six Metamorphoses after Ovid film. The full film will be premiered on Emily's YouTube channel on 10 January 2024, followed by a Q&A. Subscribe to Emily's YouTube channel for the release: https://www.youtube.com/@EmilyPailthorpe. Emily performs Silent Noon (for oboe and piano) by Vaughan Williams, accompanied by Julian Milford. Enjoy a sample of this performance towards the beginning and end of the podcast! Emily talks about Silent Noon. Interview with Emily recorded 26 June 2023 at Richmond Library Annexe, London. Updated and published 24 November 2023. Thank you to Alitu for the amazing audio editing software to help with the podcast; it's so simple and easy to use for anyone looking to make a podcast and wanting to make editing stress free! https://alitu.com. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/talking-classical-podcast/message

Hattie Butterworth and Rebecca Toal are professionally trained classical musicians, Initially training as a cellist, Hattie is currently the editor of the Opera Now magazine and Rebecca is a freelance trumpeter who is training to be a counsellor. They also host a successful podcast called Things Musicians Don't Talk About, which is aimed at destigmatizing difficult conversations about aspects of being a classical musician and working in the music industry. I met Hattie and Rebecca to talk about their podcast, as well as their experiences of training at music college, developing transferable skills and other work assets alongside one's work as a classical musician and the future of the classical music industry. Interview with Hattie and Rebecca recorded 20 April at the Royal Opera House and remotely 26 May 2023. Published 4 June 2023. Main editing from Your Podcast Editor. Intro and outro music by Helena and Annabelle Lee. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/talking-classical-podcast/message

Brandon Lawrence is a Principal Dancer of the Birmingham Royal Ballet company but will be leaving at the end of the 22/23 season to join Ballett Zürich, the ballet company of Opernhaus Zürich. In this wide-ranging discussion, Brandon and I discuss his love of classical music, specific aspects surrounding the relationship between music and dance, working with orchestras and conductors, favourite ballet scores, and dancing narrative and non-narrative ballets, among other things. Brandon's real passion and extensive knowledge not only of the ballet canon but the classical music repertoire comes through immensely, and I'm sure you'll learn a lot from this discussion. I had a wonderful time visiting the Birmingham Royal Ballet headquarters and thank you to Brandon and the staff for making me feel so welcome! Interview with Brandon recorded 13 April 2023; podcast published 21 April 2023. Brandon's bio - https://www.brandonlawrence.co.uk/brandonlawrence. Interview with conductor Jonathan Lo on Brandon's Open Barre podcast - https://open.spotify.com/episode/5gvujQG4LkE8JkWyyawKzF?si=NLcdJCJNQCy7X_b251Q5IQ. Main editing by Your Podcast Editor. Intro and outro music by Helena and Annabelle Lee. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/talking-classical-podcast/message

Anthony Roth Costanzo is one of the world's most in demand countertenors who has recently completed a run of Philip Glass' opera Akhnaten at English National Opera, performing the title role of the legendary Egyptian king. In this short interview (Anthony was very kindly taking some time out from his off day to speak to me), we talked about some of the challenges of performing the very demanding role of Akhnaten, working directly with Philip Glass, the development of the countertenor voice, presenting classical music to new audiences, and bringing joy to audiences on stage. Anthony's bio: https://anthonyrothcostanzo.com/About. The i's review of Akhnaten: https://inews.co.uk/culture/akhnaten-london-coliseum-review-astonishing-staging-philip-glass-proves-why-we-need-the-eno-2216322. Anthony's Humans of Classical Music video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXab0t6dnSE. Anthony's performance of Gershwin's classic "I Got Rhythm": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YAnyv4LV8ko. Interview with Anthony recorded 20 March 2023; podcast published 8 April 2023. Main editing by German at Your Podcast Editor. Intro and outro music by Helena and Annabelle Lee. Anchor is now part of Spotify for Podcasters. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/talking-classical-podcast/message

I'm delighted to be welcoming on this podcast Guy Johnston. Guy is one of Britain's leading cellists who was the winner of the BBC's Young Musician of the Year back in 2000 which set him on a glittering international career as a soloist, chamber musician, orchestral player and teacher. This podcast was recorded after Guy had given two performances of Elgar's Cello Concerto at very short notice with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, having come for a short trip from the States to England. And we managed to cover a number of different topics over the short time we had including: performing last-minute concerts, being a musical parent, growing up in a musical household, training in the States, Guy's new YouTube series Creative Cello Chats, playing on a Stradivarius and interpreting Bach, which Guy has been a real exponent of. Interview recorded 27 January 2023; podcast published 18 February 2023. Edited Joe Eftihiou at Clarion; additional edits Annabelle Lee. Intro and outro music by Helena and Annabelle Lee. Guy's bio: https://guy-johnston.com/biography Creative Cello Chats: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ziGbwPHIR4 / https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8KqYRfsnIA Live stream of Guy's performance of the Elgar Cello Concerto with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra conducted by Mark Wigglesworth (available till 24 February): https://bsolive.com/book-online/106202 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/talking-classical-podcast/message

I'm pleased to present this discussion with Emily Beynon, one of the Principal Flautists with the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra in Amsterdam. I had the pleasure of seeing the orchestra at one of their concerts during their London residency at the Barbican Centre. Thank you to the Barbican Centre's Press Team for arranging that amazing experience! In this podcast, Emily and I discuss her musical journey, training in both London and Paris, playing with the Concertgebouw Orchestra (including in the hall itself), some of the flutes she plays and advice for practising. Interview recorded 7 December 2022; published 16 January 2023. Emily's bio: https://emilybeynon.com/biography Emily's Lockdown Insanity Project (all videos available to watch on her YouTube channel): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Y2Rd7O8Xzs Emily's masterclass at London's Royal Academy of Music takes place on 14 March 2023 - booking essential: https://tickets.ram.ac.uk/sales/categories/masterclasses/masterclass-emily-beynon Edited Joe Eftihiou; additional edits Annabelle Lee. Intro and outro music by Helena and Annabelle Lee. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/talking-classical-podcast/message

I'm pleased to share this conversation with Claire Wickes, Principal Flautist of the Orchestra of English National Opera. Alongside her work as a flute player, she has recently developed a career as a media composer. I met Claire in October at the Royal Opera House a few hours before she had a performance at the London Coliseum that same evening. We talked about her musical journey, studying music at university and college, learning from different teachers, experiences of playing in the orchestra with ENO (including on the stage of the Coliseum!) and her composing activities. This podcast was recorded before the formal announcement at the start of November regarding ENO's funding cuts from the Arts Council and their possible relocation to Manchester. Claire's bio: ⁠https://www.clairewickes.com/bio⁠. Claire on Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/clairewritesmusic⁠. Batman: Broken Promise: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4c_ORJHJXgI⁠. Interview recorded 19 October 2022; podcast published 14 January 2023. Edited Joe Eftihiou; additional edits Annabelle Lee. Intro and outro music by Helena and Annabelle Lee. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/talking-classical-podcast/message

Davina Clarke is a violinist based in London who specialises in historically informed performance and Baroque music. She also hosts her own podcast called The Classical Corner where she has had the opportunity to speak to a number of distinguished artists about what makes them the top of their field. I was pleased to speak to Davina during a Saturday morning in October over Zoom where we talked about the world of historical performance practice today and some of her exciting musical projects including her latest album of Handel and a video series with the Connaught Hotel entitled Musical Mixology which aims to explain different aspects of classical music to a cocktail drinking audience. She also has an album out now including Handel's Nine German Arias and two violin sonatas by the composer. Thanks to Davina for taking the time to speak to me. Davina's album Sweet Stillness is available to stream, download or purchase wherever you like to get your music!  Davina's album Sweet Stillness: https://orcd.co/kv0avry  Musical Mixology: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15MiR-5Ud6w (all episodes available to watch on Davina's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@davinaclarke6578) The Classical Corner podcast: https://lnkfi.re/classicalcorner  Davina's bio: http://www.davinaclarke.com/about-davina End music: George Frideric Handel. Meine Seele hört im Sehen, HWV207 from Nine German Arias [performed by Mary Bevan, Davina Clarke and the Davina Clarke Ensemble]. On Sweet Stillness. Voces8 Records. (Original work composed 1724-1726). Interview recorded 22 October 20222; podcast published 14 December 2022. Intro and outro music by Helena and Annabelle Lee. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/talking-classical-podcast/message

Last week, I was so pleased to meet Ralph Allwood for a podcast interview. Having played under him in a concert with the Old Royal Naval College Trinity Laban Chapel Choir a few years ago, and having interviewed for this podcast several distinguished alumni he has taught, it was wonderful to talk to him about his extensive and pioneering work in choral directing, singing and teaching music. We also talked about his involvement setting up the Rodolfus Choral Courses (formerly the Uppingham and Eton Choral Courses) and more recently the Pimlico Musical Foundation. You're going to find this such an inspiring and motivating listen! Pimlico Musical Foundation concert "Earth, Sun and the Stars" - 30 November 2022: https://pimlicomusicalfoundation.org.uk/whats-on-list/earth-sun-and-the-stars. Old Royal Naval College Trinity Laban Chapel Choir Carol Services - 11 and 12 December 2022: https://ornc.org/whats-on/chapel-carol-services. Applications for the 2023 Rodolfus Choral Courses are now open! https://talkingclassicalpodcast.files.wordpress.com/2022/11/rf_choral_courses_2023_poster_a4.pdf. 2023 Adult Choral Course: https://talkingclassicalpodcast.files.wordpress.com/2022/11/rf_adult_choral_course_2023_poster_a4.pdf. Ralph's bio: https://ralphallwood.com. Podcast interview recorded 25 November 2022 at Ralph's flat in London (thank you Ralph and Alastair Davey for making me feel welcome!); podcast published 28 November 2022. Intro and outro music by Helena and Annabelle Lee. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/talking-classical-podcast/message

I'm pleased to share this podcast with Daniel Pailthorpe, Co-Principal Flautist with the BBC Symphony Orchestra. We had a fascinating discussion about his musical journey growing up, parallels between flute playing and singing, solo performances, what it's like playing for one of the top symphony orchestras in the country, performing at the BBC Proms and Royal Albert Hall (including a memorable concert involving the then five members of Monty Python!), tone production and vibrato.  Podcast interview recorded 26 September 2022 at Daniel's home in Richmond, London; Daniel's additional commentary about tone production and throat tuning recorded 12 November 2022; podcast released 16 November 2022.  Due to some digital noise when I started recording, here's also what he said when I asked him about his musical journey growing up: "I actually don't come from a particularly musical family. My father loved music but was not a trained musician at all. Bach was his passion and he transferred that to me. It was just a very pure love of music without having an instrument but they very much encouraged me in my music, took me to concerts. It so happened that both of my godparents who they chose when I was born were both very keen musicians and so they helped to introduce me to the world of music." Crumb - Voice of the Whale: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bd76Q-yA5M4.  Daniel's arrangement of Prokofiev's Scenes from Romeo and Juliet - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wmca0PTyy-c.  Daniel's arrangement of Scenes from Romeo and Juliet for oboe - https://youtu.be/lB07FNY84DQ. Daniel talks about "Romeo and Juliet" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IkJ_nlx0Drk. Podcast edited by Joe Eftihiou, additional edits from Daniel Pailthorpe and Annabelle Lee.  End music: Margaret Hubicki (2005). From the Isles of the Sea [performed by Daniel Pailthorpe and James Kirby]. On Dedication in Time: Chamber Music by Margaret Hubicki. Chandos. (Premiere recording).  Podcast intro and outro music by Helena and Annabelle Lee.  One of the few orchestral principals of international standing who plays on a modern wood flute, Daniel Pailthorpe has gained a world-wide following for the uniqueness and breadth of his sound as well as the warmth of his musicianship. As co-principal flautist of the BBC Symphony Orchestra, Daniel is regularly heard on BBC Radio 3 and at the Proms. He features prominently on the BBCTV 'Symphony' series and is a familiar face on the Last Night of the Proms. Together with his wife Emily Pailthorpe and the pianist Julian Milford, he founded the London Conchord Ensemble. The group has rapidly gained an international reputation, performing in some of the world's most prestigious concert series. His recordings, ranging from Poulenc to Bach and George Crumb, have enjoyed many accolades, among them Sunday Telegraph's CD of the week and Classic FM’s CD of the month. Singing featured prominently in Daniel's musical training: he began as a choirboy aged six, was a finalist in the UK Chorister of the Year competition, and went on to become a Choral scholar at Clare College, Cambridge. After a year of postgraduate study at the Royal Academy of Music, Daniel was the recipient of the Leonard Bernstein Fellowship at the Tanglewood Music Centre, USA. His flute studies took him to Paris and America and his teachers include William Bennett, Derek Honner, Gaston Crunelle, Thomas Nyfenger and Geoffrey Gilbert. He has gone on to be much in demand as a guest principal with many orchestras, including the London Symphony Orchestra and the Chamber Orchestra of Europe. He is one of London’s most sought-after session musicians, featuring on the soundtracks for many films. As a teacher Daniel has been a coach for the National Youth Orchestra and is a Professor of flute at the Royal College of Music. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/talking-classical-podcast/message