Gaudeamus | Podcast Curious Ears: Recent Episodes
Gaudeamus | Podcast Curious Ears
The way we listen to music is highly determined by our predominant musical exposure during our youth. Tuning system, rhythm, form, timbre, ornaments, are all unconsciously assimilated, shaping how we will pay attention when listening.
The adult ear misses many of the subtleties of radically new musical input. Whether that is flamenco, opera, Carnatic music, Javanese gamelan, spectralism: the first times we really listen, our attention is reluctant to engage.
For curious ears this is an attractive challenge. Their intuition tells them: there must be something precious behind that first layer of sound I can barely follow. What’s more: listening skills are contagious! That day you witnessed your friend crying with an opera aria; or attended a wedding where everybody clapped and danced flamenco; or joined an Arabic concert where most of the public would sigh in a thrill at certain turns of the voice.
The podcast series Curious Ears, initiated by Dutch international festival Gaudeamus Muziekweek, explores how experienced listeners can convey their sensorial background, passion and joy to a new listener. Let’s get technical, but personal; cognitive, yet intuitive. A friend is sharing their musical intimacy with us. Enjoy.
In this episode of Curious Ears, Irish harpist, composer and improviser Rosie Murphy takes the listener on a journey through the harp's history. Rosie's career and artistic vision, being deeply rooted in the origins and significance of the harp across the globe, seeks to honour the cultures, harpists and music makers who have come before her, dating from as far back as 5,000 years ago to the present day. Rosie explores this from researching the political history of the harp in Ireland, playing music inspired by Irish folk music and Irish traditions of bardic accompaniment to exploring the harp's origins in Southwest Asia; examining sources in Chester Beatty Library, premiering an extended Maqam composition by composer Saad Haddad, and seeking to understand the Maqam with Sami Abu Shumays.The podcast features guest appearances by Saad Haddad and Sami Abu Shumays. Playlist of music featured :It rained when people prayed (live performance), Riwa Saab and Rosie Murphypaidir chiúin a rá for harp and electronics (2024) by Rosie MurphyFighe/The Wee Weaver (2026) a live improvisation by Rosie MurphyTasalsul II (2024) by Saad Haddad Takemitsu's Dream Harp Arrangement by Greg Caffreyhttps://www.instagram.com/kelsorosie/ https://www.youtube.com/@therosiemurphyhttps://saadnhaddad.com/ https://maqamlessons.com/ http://www.samiabushumays.com/ https://www.gregcaffrey.com/Watch an interview about this podcast episode with Rosie and Gaudeamus programmer Jonás Bisquert here: https://youtu.be/62V0fmN3o9M
words of: Mohamed Said Zhar, Mohamed Zhar, Jaouad Doukaliwww.amme.ma www.tekchbilaproject.com
In this episode, pianist and mathematician Dr Laura Farré Rozada shares her experience within the field of music and mathematics, and introduces us to the main connections between these two worlds. The music examples featured include her own performances of piano works (both solo and with orchestra) written by Ofer Ben-Amots, Thierry Escaich, Unsuk Chin, Anna Thorvaldsdóttir, Philippe Manoury, Angela Elizabeth Slater and Pierre Jodlowski. Watch an introduction interview about the podcast here: https://youtu.be/r6t-2F8ccdsPhoto by David Ruano
Hardi Kurda is a composer, improviser, sound artist from Kurdistan who researches the concept of 'urgent listening': becoming aware of sounds that are always present but mostly ignored, even to the point of trying to listen to smells or silence. In this podcast, he invites the audience to practice this kind of listening, with an extended composition specially made for this podcast, using his extensive catalogue of field recordings. Kurda is also jury member for the Gaudeamus Award 2026.Watch an interview with Kardi Kurda by Jonás Bisquert about his podcast: https://youtu.be/cdNWMXgIBGU
Composer Igor C Silva, born in Porto and currently living in Amsterdam, made a new addition to our podcast series Curious Ears, in which he zooms in on collaboration as a trigger for new ideas and as an important part of his practice as a composer.
Brazilian composer, musician, designer, and artist Rafaele Andrade presents a collection and reflection of Brazilian music, its technologies and its socio-ambiental impact. In 3 acts she reflects on this topic in regards to the field of new music instruments, feminism and indigenous cultures.
Emine Bostancı (Turkey/ Netherlands) is on a mission: performing on Istanbul kemenche and Cretan lyra, she aims to push the boundaries and bridge the gap between traditional Ottoman-Turkish and contemporary classical music.In this episode, she introduces her instruments, summarises their historical and traditional context, and speaks about her doctoral research and artistic practices and projects. Her guest, composer Ardashes Agoshian, highlights the intrigue and opportunities for composers in writing new music for traditional instruments.
Julian Tjon Sack Kie is a composer, DJ and electronic music producer, operating under his own name and his alias Julian Alexander. In his podcast for Gaudeamus, he takes us through the history, local variations and the future of the music of the West African Mandinka people, all revolving around an instrument called the Kora.The featured music in this podcast in order of appearance:Amadu Bansang Jobarteh - Kelefa SaaneField recordingKélétigui Diabaté - DjandjoJali Nyama Suso - Kuruntu Kelefa et KelefabaaSidiki Diabaté & Batrou Sékou Kouyaté - SunjataLamin Konté - Mama TambaKemba Sussoko - KourambesaiMamadou Diabaté -Yaka YakaBallaké Sissoko - BerekoyJalikunda Cissokho - KonkobaDjeli Moussa Diawara - YékèlèFoday Musa Suso - TesitioHerbie Hancock & Foday Musa Suso - MoonlightKiya Tabassian, Ablaye Cissoko, Patrick Graham - Réveries3MA - AnfazBalimaya Project - BalimayaSona Jobarteh - Jarabi
Kim Spierenburg is a violinist and composer who works with live electronics and animation. In her podcast that she made for Gaudeamus, she talks about how her disability inspired her to fuse electronics and acoustics and in that way forge her own artistic path.
Dirge Secil Kuran is a Turkish percussionist/composer/singer/performer with a broad experience in classical, contemporary music and music theatre. In her podcast 'Listen Through My Ears As A Performer' she gives an insight on how she listens to music as a performer. A look at how music sounds for a musician on a stage - which is different in many more ways than you'd expect.
LA-based soprano and sound artist Micaela Tobin composes and performs experimental operas and electronic noise music. In her podcast The Curious Voice, she dives deep into the possibilities and aspects of the precious instrument that we all carry within us: our voice. She recounts the journey of how she discovered and fell in love with the sound of her own voice, and how you can too. Including a screaming exercise - do try this at home!
Aliona Yurtsevich is an artist, composer and director born in Belarus. For our podcast series Curious Ears, she went back to her roots to paint a musical portrait of the contemporary music scene of Belarus. Listen to the introduction here: https://soundcloud.com/user-641373079/belarusian-suit-sounding-souls-of-belarus-pt-1
BELARUSIAN SUIT: “Sounding Souls of Belarus” (2021) (sound collage-composition by: Aliona Yurtsevich)
PODCAST - list of MUSIC used in podcast:
[00:00:00]: GUDA: folk song “Yurya” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vdep1WU7LM0&t=68s
[00:01:30]: Yegor Zabelov: NITI VI (CD ’NITI’, 2021) https://soundcloud.com/yegor-zabelov-1/sets/yegor-zabelov-niti
[00:08:00]: RE1IKT: “Rana na Ivana” (CD “Braslavy”, 2019) - excerpt https://relikt-belarus.bandcamp.com/track/--22
[00:11:00]: MAS (2020): Gene-1 / electronic improvisation trio (M.Mokrinskaya, A.Yurtsevich, S.Mokrinsky) https://masmusic6.bandcamp.com/releases
[00:14:30]: Yegor Zabelov: “Afterwards” (CD ’NITI’, 2021) https://soundcloud.com/yegor-zabelov-1/sets/yegor-zabelov-niti
[00:18:00]: Konstantsin Yaskou: “Ludus Mobilis_1” (by Society for the Development of New Music) - excerpt https://sdnm.bandcamp.com/album/ludus-mobilis
[00:21:30]: A.A.: “Butoh” - excerpt https://soundcloud.com/apollinaria_a/butoh
[00:24:30]: Aliona Yurtsevich: “SKETCH-1” (2020) (New Ensemble | BY: T. Marchenko, A.Shereshovets, V. Huts)
[00:27:40]: WHITE ELEPHANT (0804) (2020): (A. Shereshovets, M. Mamkin) https://ahalaimahalai.bandcamp.com/album/white-elephant
[00:31:20]: Sergej Pukst: “Internat School” (album “Dudki”) https://soundcloud.com/user4444515/sets/vviuswy8bxv6
[00:32:40]: Viktar Siamashka & Co.: “Jabatorya” (CD “Abloha”, 2020) - excerpt https://viktar-siamashka-and-company.bandcamp.com/track/jabatoryja-marla-heterofobia-cvyrkuny-dula-supakoj
[00:35:30]: A.A.: “Metal Flower (feat.mench rigo)” https://soundcloud.com/antina-crevasse/metal-flowerfeatmench-rigo
[00:39:20]: Siamashka & Narushevich: “Doma-2” (CD “Pra Svajo”, 2018) https://viktar-siamashka-and-company.bandcamp.com/track/doma-2
[00:42:40]: Harmash, Krugly, Minkov (live improvisation at gallery “Y”) http://foundamental.net/en/label/harmash-krugly-minkov/live-improvisation-at-y-gallery/
[00:49:40]: Vitali Harmash: “Tetrapolar” (I/dex, 2003) http://foundamental.net/en/label/idex/tetrapolar/
[00:58:45]: Viktar Siamashka: “Uzupio Piano”
[01:01:00]: Sergei Pukst: “Eho Govorit” (“Eco talking”) https://soundcloud.com/user4444515/sets/vviuswy8bxv6
[01:02:00]: MIO (Minsk Improvising Orchestra): Part-3 https://soundcloud.com/minskimprovisersorchestra
[01:05:30]: Olga Podjaiskaya: “Secretaries” (2012) https://www.jamendo.com/track/893130/olga-podhajska-secretaries
[01:08:30]: WHITE ELEPHANT (2504): (A. Shereshovets, M. Mamkin) https://ahalaimahalai.bandcamp.com/album/white-elephant
[01:11:30]: Sergei Pukst: “Rubber Bread” (“Gender Balance”) https://soundcloud.com/34magnet/sets/yivuubyuwifj
[01:12:30]: Ales Tsurko: “Transliaciya” (“Transliaciya”, 2016) https://preservedsound.bandcamp.com/track/transliaciya
[01:15:30]: MAS (2020): Gene-4 / electronic improvisation trio (M.Mokrinskaya, A.Yurtsevich, S.Mokrinsky) https://masmusic6.bandcamp.com/releases
https://soundcloud.com/minskimprovisersorchestra
[01:23:20]: Sergei Pukst: “Ukrasheno Belym” (Decorated with White) https://soundcloud.com/sergeypukst/zgpd6zrktvpp
[01:24:30]: Ales Tsurko: The HATE (2020) http://preservedsound.com/ales-tsurko-the-hate.html
[01:26:30]: Yegor Zabelov: NITI_1 (CD NITI, 2020) https://soundcloud.com/yegor-zabelov-1/sets/yegor-zabelov-niti
—————————————————————————————— @This podcast is brought to you by Aliona Yurtsevich and Gaudeamus / 2021, NL www.alionayurtsevich.com https://soundcloud.com/user-251454417
Aliona Yurtsevich is an artist, composer and director born in Belarus. For our podcast series Curious Ears, she went back to her roots to paint a musical portrait of the contemporary music scene of Belarus. Listen to pt. 2: https://soundcloud.com/user-641373079/belarusian-suit-sounding-souls-of-belarus-pt-2
BELARUSIAN SUIT: “I listen, therefore I am...” (2021) narrated collage-composition, voice, text: Aliona Yurtsevich [music]: Ales Tsurko, Transliaciya No.2 (Transliaciya, 2016) https://preservedsound.bandcamp.com/track/no-2
General list of Belarusian composers and musicians:
Yegor Zabelov: NITI 2020 https://soundcloud.com/yegor-zabelov-1/sets/yegor-zabelov-niti https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hEeINKUhak https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFio1vLn7c8 Ales Tsurko: http://preservedsound.com/ales-tsurko-the-hate.html https://preservedsound.bandcamp.com/album/transliaciya https://soundcloud.com/ales_tsurko Viktar Siamashka & Co.: https://viktar-siamashka-and-company.bandcamp.com/album/ab-oha https://bandcamp.com/search?q=siamashka%2B%26%2Bnarushevich Knyaz Mishkin: https://hazenetlabel.bandcamp.com/album/my-small-yellow-house https://34mag.net/piarshak/news/umer-leonid-narushevich https://soundcloud.com/leonid-narushevich/impro-orq-igra-rakov-angar-0708-2016 | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PduKPYNE8hs&t=122s Viktar Siamashka, Lavon Naushevich: https://viktar-siamashka-and-company.bandcamp.com/album/pra-svajo MIO (Minsk Improvising Orchestra): https://soundcloud.com/minskimprovisersorchestra Masque Noir: https://masquenoir.bandcamp.com/releases MAS: electronic improvisation trio https://masmusic6.bandcamp.com/releases Society for Development of New Music (MINSK): https://sdnm.bandcamp.com/album/belarus-modern-orchestra-live Konstantsin Yaskou: https://sdnm.bandcamp.com/album/ludus-mobilis Vyacheslav Kuznetsov “Piano-Pianissimo”: https://www.jamendo.com/track/893136/vyacheslav-kuznetsov-piano-pianissimo Olga Podhajska “Secretaties”: https://www.jamendo.com/track/893130/olga-podhajska-secretaries Alexander Litvinovsky: https://www.jamendo.com/track/893137/alexander-litvinovsky-consort-lessons-passamezzo | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHmqZ5wo5pE Geysers On Enceladus (Olga Shaidullina, Drugoj Orkestr): https://www.jamendo.com/track/1081789/geysers-on-enceladus-olga-shaidullina-drugoi-orkestr Vitali Harmash: discography http://foundamental.net/en/label/idex/ White Elephant: https://ahalaimahalai.bandcamp.com/album/white-elephant Andrei Antara: (ambient, electronics, flutes) https://soundcloud.com/blowing_echo TAM: https://soundcloud.com/vam_tuda Baisan & Yasinski: https://baisan8yasinski.bandcamp.com/album/baranavi-y-centra-nyja Kolorit Kulmana: https://koloritkulmana.bandcamp.com/ JJ.OK (electronic ambient, processed guitar) https://jjok.bandcamp.com/album/states-and-emotions Golova & Roomdark : Show https://hazenetlabel.bandcamp.com/album/golova-roomdark-snow A. A.: https://soundcloud.com/apollinaria_a/butoh https://soundcloud.com/antina-crevasse/metal-flowerfeatmench-rigo https://youtube.com/channel/UCU0d-f47UNepAzK6TWq3Spw Aleksey Vorsoba: PORT MONE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qo8tPg5FqA8 http://portmonetrio.com/page2035935.html Sergey Pukst: https://pukst.bandcamp.com/ https://soundcloud.com/user4444515/sets/vviuswy8bxv6 https://soundcloud.com/mapletree/track https://34audio.bandcamp.com/album/--15 Music for Film (M. Deren & A. Hamid): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Imtc70fi10Q&t=284s TROIZA: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PF7uPV-vIB0 | https://www.last.fm/music/%D0%A2%D1%80%D0%BE%D1%96%D1%86%D0%B0 SHUMA: http://www.shuma.by/en/shuma-global-meditation https://soundcloud.com/shuma-by Re1ikt: https://soundcloud.com/relikt_belarus | https://relikt-belarus.bandcamp.com/ | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fE4mClnh_wM | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYbt2_4o9tE NIZKIZ: https://soundcloud.com/nizkiz
RECORD LABELS: http://foundamental.net | https://hazenetlabel.bandcamp.com | https://34mag.net/piarshak
Nizar Rohana is a Palestinian ud player and composer based in The Netherlands, distinguished for combining virtuosity within fresh contemporary compositions while maintaining the ud’s authentic language. In his podcast for Gaudeamus, he unravels the relationship between improvisation and composition in taqsim (Arabic improvised music), focusing on temporal aspects of taqsim and on the historical inventions by ud pioneers like Munir Bashir.
Full list of musical fragments played in the podcast:
- Riyad al-Sunbaṭi, taqsim hijaz
- Simon Shaheen, Taqasim on the Beat
- Nizar Rohana, taqsim nahawand
- Salih Abd al-Hai, mawwal: adhak men al-fum
- Muhammad al-Qasabji, taqsim nahawand
- Muhammad al-Qasabji, taqsim bayati
- Riyad al-Sunbati, taqsim nahawand
- Munir Bashir, taqasim nahawand kabir
- Nizar Rohana, Mufradat Nahawand
Production: Soundtreks / Michiel van de Weerthof Curator: Jonás Bisquert
www.gaudeamus.nl
Peni Candra Rini is a multitalented composer, poet and vocalist. Her career began as a pesinden, a female singer in the Javanese gamelan music tradition. In this podcast Peni takes us on a listening journey very much parallel to her artistic development: starting at traditional singing, later reaching the most radical avant-garde in the island of Java, Indonesia. Her music has travelled across five continents and keeps conquering curious listening ears.
List of tracks:
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Compilation of fragments from various maduswara journeys
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Maduswara in the Jineman version Composer, lyric, vocals, and concept : Peni Candra Rini Gamelan musicians : Pitutur Tustho Gumawang, Harun Isma'il, Rudi Yatmoko, Rudi Punto Prabowo, Panji Probo Asmoro, Nanang Bayu Aji, Pratama Jati Kusumo, Rohsit Sulistyo Record : Jagad Sentana Art Music Production with Boby Budi Santosa Location : Pendopo Yayasan Jagad Sentana Art Music Instrument Maker : Idud Sentana Art
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Maduswara in the gamelan composition version : Composer, lyric, vocals, voices and concept : Peni Candra Rini Gamelan musicians : Pitutur Tustho Gumawang, Harun Isma'il, Rudi Yatmoko, Rudi Punto Prabowo, Panji Probo Asmoro, Tri Joko, Tama Triyanto. Record : Jagad Sentana Art Music Production with Plenthe Location : Pendopo Yayasan Jagad Sentana Art Music Instrument Maker : Idud Sentana Art
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String Quartet Composer, lyric, vocals, voices and concept : Peni Candra Rini Transcript : Ucok Dungkon Hutabarat Musicians : Pendopo String Quartet Recorded at : Jagad Sentana Art Music Production with Plenthe Location : Pendopo Yayasan Jagad Sentana Art Music Instrument Maker : Idud Sentana Art
Podcast recorded atJagad Sentana Art Music Production with Plenthe Production: Soundtreks / Michiel van de Weerthof Curator: Jonás Bisquert
Dutch pioneering guitarist and composer Aart Strootman kicks off the newest series of Curious Ears in which he explores rhythmic patterns and groove-related games in music from around the world. He gives examples from a wide range of music: from the waterdrums by the Baka women to the likes of Philip Glass and Nik Bärtsch, and Magic Malik’s jazzy rhythms to heavy metal band Meshuggah. Listen to his foray into different kinds of grooves and the bodily movements that music can create.
The musical examples used in this podcast are: Baka women, water drums Philip Glass - music in similar motion Steve Reich - clapping music Nik Bärtsch - Modul 35 Magic Malik - Nigeria Meshuggah - I am Colossus Aart Strootman - W.A.L.L. (met 4) Dawn of Midi - Dysnomia
Production: Soundtreks / Michiel van de Weerthof Curator: Jonás Bisquert
Eliana Echeverry, Colombian composer and folk music arranger, tells us why the cumbia moves the souls and bodies of the whole American continent, and beyond. From the basics (rhythm, instrumentation) to modern elaborations, Eliana is committed to the evolution of cumbia, preserving the essence of its hybrid American, African and European origin.
Joël Bons, composer and charismatic artistic leader of Nieuw Ensemble, takes us through his own ears in a listening journey to China at the end of the 20th century. Musical creation is thriving, captivates his curiosity and will conquer many listeners soon after.
Nai Barghouti, performer and creator, shares her passion for musical ornaments from an Arabic perspective, in connection with contemporary practices. Illustrating with her own voice and lots of historical recordings, Nai makes sure to enrich our listening skills.