The Noble Piece Prize: Recent Episodes
Ben Maloney
Join Daniel Hogan and Ben Maloney as they go head-to-head in the ultimate musical battle. Covering a different 'mood' in each episode, they interview a variety of interesting friends and colleagues to discover more about their favourite music, as well as giving us a glimpse of their own tastes. The guests will then decide once and for all, which of the two hosts is victorious.
We are back! And what better way to revive the series than with our dear friend Jess Tomey (now living it up in New Zealand!), who gives us her heartfelt thoughts on nostalgia, as we share some beautiful music that brings back our most treasured musical memories.
Join Dan, Ben, and mezzo-soprano Jess Conway in all manner of tricks, pranks, and general naughtiness. From opera to bluegrass, we share some of our favourite examples of mischief in music, as well as talking about some crazy and silly experiences in our own lives.
Join us and RNCM cellist Kara Taylor, as we share with each other some of the most dreadful, cringey and cheesy pieces of music that we have had the misfortune of discovering. From André Rieu to Andrew Lloyd Webber, we strive to find the epitome of tastelessness (and are ashamed to say that we quite enjoyed it).
UoM medicine student and keen singer Ciaran Wilson joins us to share some of his experiences working at Walt Disney World in Florida (including what goes on behind the scenes). We shed a tear as we decipher what it is that gives Disney/Pixar music that special nostalgic sparkle, as well as talking everything from a cappella to alligators.
In this episode, we are joined by RNCM pianist Luke Jones, in a discussion about music that can express a feeling of triumph. This can manifest in many different ways from militant nationalism and the victory of nations in battle, to childlike innocence and the victorious wisdom that one feels as they grow older. Either way, triumph usually spells ending or closure, and we hope our choices of music get that message across.
After a brief hiatus, we're back with an extra-long instalment for you all. In this moving episode, we are joined by Sri Lankan pianist and conductor Louis Perera, to talk about music that is inspired by grief, as well as music that helped us whilst we were grieving in our own lives.
Tissues at the ready this week, as we talk with RCM mezzo-soprano Angelina Dorlin-Barlow about music that we associate with our personal experiences of heartbreak, as well music accompanying heartbreak scenes in opera and theatre.
This week, we are joined by pianist and student at the University of Birmingham - Molly Schoenfeld. We begin with 'Room 101' in which we discuss some of the things we find most irritating about the world of classical music. Following this, we share some music that puts us in a trance!
To put Ben in his place after his harsh criticism of the flute, we appointed RCM flautist Anna Rogers to put forward a strong defence for her instrument. In this episode we discuss some of our favourite flute performances from across various genres, and discuss the most inconic flute excerpts in the repertoire.
We're back! And for the first instalment of the second series, we're joined by pianist/keyboardist/arranger Ethan Gillespie, who is currently studying at the RNCM. We talk about music that makes us feel calm and relaxed... so get your hot chocolate at the ready and settle down for a smooth episode.
The end is in sight! To round off the first ever series of the Noble Piece Prize, and decide the winner one and for all, two extraordinary guests rejoin us for an ABBA extravaganza celebrating Dan's birthday. Be prepared for a rollercoaster of emotions, and a good helping of trivia.
Joined this week by marvellous singer Ella Rainbird-Earley, we discuss music that makes us think of the night, and the mysterious things that it holds.
Cellist Lucy McLuckie joins us for an exciting episode, jam-packed with our favourite musical theatre tunes. We also discuss our time in York, as well as what constitutes an acceptable crisp flavour.
This week we are honoured to be joined by fantastic conductor and dear friend Alex Mackinder, to talk about a feeling that we all miss very much - euphoria! Covering nearly 120 years of music, we look at how different composers have represented joy on a higher emotional and spiritual plane. Prepare for some profound conductor talk that Ben clearly doesn't quite understand.
Alongside pianist/harpsichordist, researcher and chamber-music coach Harvey Davies, we discuss music that we associate with being 'locked-down'. Prepare for a very eclectic episode, and one that is especially relevant to us all.
This week we are honoured to be joined by pianist, accompanist, and lecturer at the University of York, Mark Hutchinson. We talk about examples of jealousy and betrayal in music, and how composers from various periods have responded to these feelings in their music.
This week we are joined by the fantastic composer and pianist Tom Carr, who recently graduated with a music degree from Oxford University. Focusing on music that we relate to the feeling of anxiety, this episode promises to be an intense one!
This week we are joined by RNCM cellist and member of the Larisa Trio - Rosie Spinks, to talk about music that makes us feel on top of the world! We thought everyone could do with some positive vibes at the moment, and this episode promises to be a fun one!
For our third episode, we are joined by RNCM violinist Robert Bates to discuss music that we think is pompous. We stress again that this is no reflection on Robert's own character ;-)
In the second episode of the Noble Piece Prize, Ben and Dan are joined by pianist, composer, conductor, and deputy head of keyboard studies at the RNCM, Adam Swayne. This week, we talk about music that we find surprising!
Welcome to the first episode of our brand new podcast - The Noble Piece Prize! This week we are joined by conductor/pianist/arranger Drew Casey, to discuss musical works that didn't quite make the cut. Even the greatest composers had bad days, and these pieces are our top picks.