The Academy Podcast: Recent Episodes
The Academy Podcast
Join the Academy of St Martin in the Fields' Music Director Joshua Bell and guest first violinist Nick Kendall (Time for Three) on tour with ASMF in South America September 2022 as they discuss Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto, player-led direction, the Acadmey of St Martin in the Fields and the joy of being back touring.
Joshua Bell appears courtesy of Sony Classical, a label of Sony Music Entertainment.
Musical extracts heard in this episode are from Joshua’s recording of the concerto with Michael Tilson Thomas and the Berlin Philharmonic in 2005, reproduced here with the kind permission of Sony available here: https://JoshuaBell.lnk.to/athomewithmusic and www.amazon.com/Tchaikovsky-Violi…rto/dp/B000AY9OHQ.
Find out more about ASMF at https://www.asmf.org/
In the latest episode of the Academy podcast, we look back at the Academy's 12-hour performance of Gavin Bryars' iconic work 'Jesus' Blood Never Failed Me Yet'.
The performance involved professional musicians and people with experience of homelessness performing together throughout the night at Tate Modern and attracted an audience of over 1000 people.
More info at www.asmf.org/whats-on/never-failed-me-yet/
Produced by Ben Eshmade.
Photo credit: Alan Kerr.
Producer Ben Eshmade talks to Joshua Bell from his home in New York during lockdown and we go back to a rehearsal in London in early 2020, before the world shutdown and orchestral concerts and touring came to an abrupt halt. Joshua Bell discusses performing and directing the Paganini 1st Violin Concerto and directing the Academy in Brahms Symphony 4.
We sit down with composer and conductor Eleanor Alberga to discuss her piece 'Nightscape', which has been recorded as part of The Beacon Project, shining a light on three female contemporary composers. We also hear from Academy players Jo Hensel (French Horn), Steve Sterling (French Horn) and Rachel Ingleton (Oboe).
You can watch 'Nightscape' on the Academy's YouTube channel here https://youtu.be/mCgATMt53tk and learn more about The Beacon Project here The Beacon Project - Academy of St Martin in the Fields (asmf.org)
Podcast created by Lisa Thomson
We sit down with composer Sally Beamish to discuss her piece 'Partita', which has been recorded as part of The Beacon Project, shining a light on three female contemporary composers. We hear musical examples played by Tomo Keller (violin) and Robert Smissen (viola) and interviews with Martin Burgess, Harvey de Souza and Fiona Bonds.
You can listen to 'Partita' on Spotify, or watch on the Academy's YouTube channel here Sally Beamish: Partita | Academy of St Martin in the Fields | The Beacon Project - YouTube and learn more about The Beacon Project here The Beacon Project - Academy of St Martin in the Fields (asmf.org)
Podcast created by Lisa Thomson
Photo by Ashley Coombes
In this episode of the Academy Podcast, we get a glimpse into the mind of the sensational clarinettist Martin Fröst. We discuss Copland's Clarinet Concerto and go on the hunt for the soul of the clarinet.
This podcast was recording ahead of the Academy's January 2017 European Tour.
Musical extracts heard in this episode are from martin's 'Dances to a Black Pipe' album, reproduced here with the kind permission of BIS, and available to purchase here: Martin Fröst: Dances to a Black Pipe - BIS: BISSACD1863 - SACD or download | Presto Music
Photo: Mats Backer
The incomparable pianist Murray Perahia delves into the details of Beethoven’s Piano Concertos in a two part special. These episodes were originally produced to accompany the 'Perahia Plays Beethoven' series at London's Barbican over the 2016/17 classical season.
In Part 1, Murray focuses on Beethoven’s Piano Concertos Nos. 1-3.
Musical extracts heard in this episode are from Murray and the Academy’s live recording of the Beethoven Piano Concertos under the baton of Sir Neville Marriner in 1988, reproduced here with the kind permission of Sony (available here: www.amazon.co.uk/d/B001IMFHUM).
In part two of this 2-part series, the incomparable pianist Murray Perahia delves into the details of Beethoven’s Piano Concertos Nos. 4 & 5.
These episodes were originally produced to accompany the 'Perahia Plays Beethoven' series at London's Barbican over the 2016/17 classical season.
Musical extracts heard in this episode are from Murray and the Academy’s live recording of the Beethoven Piano Concertos under the baton of Sir Neville Marriner in 1988, reproduced here with the kind permission of Sony (available here: www.amazon.co.uk/d/B001IMFHUM).
In a fascinating episode of the Academy Podcast, producer Ben Eshmade meets Jeremy Denk, one of America's foremost pianists.
A must-listen for piano players and fans alike, Jeremy offers an insight into his life as a busy concert pianist, delves into the repertoire of Mozart, and reflects on the art of music-making. The winner of a MacArthur "Genius" Fellowship also talks about his love of writing and about studying at Indiana University – a link he shares with Academy Music Director Joshua Bell, who also appears in this episode.
This conversation was recorded ahead of our 12-date tour of the USA with Jeremy in Feb/March 2019. Find out more and book tickets at www.asmf.org/jeremy-denk-usa
Image © Michael Wilson
Podcast produced by Ben Eshmade
Hear from two of the world's most in-demand musicians in this episode of the Academy Podcast. Composer and double bassist Edgar Meyer and Joshua Bell talk about the Overture for Violin and Orchestra, which was specially written for the Academy of St Martin in the Fields and Music Director Joshua Bell.
The UK premiere was given at London's Cadogan Hall in January 2018.
Podcast Producer: Ben Eshmade
Music clips from the world premiere of Edgar Meyer's 'Overture for Violin and Orchestra' recorded at the Bravo Vail Music Festival in 2017
Image: Edgar Meyer and Joshua Bell at Bravo! Vail © Zach Mahone
In this episode of the Academy Podcast, Ben Eshmade talks to members of the Academy Chamber Ensemble in the group's 50th anniversary year. Get a behind-the-scenes insight into life with this world-renowned ensemble, as musicians Tomo Keller, Stephen Stirling, Stephen Orton and Lynda Houghton discuss the group's rehearsal techniques, favourite repertoire and most memorable on-tour moments.
Music clips in this episode:
Mendelssohn / Gershwin
Recorded at Performance Santa Fe by Bill Heltman in 2015
Schumann
Recorded at the Bravo Vail Music Festival in 2017
Image Benjamin Ealovega
In the second episode of the Academy podcast, Music Director Joshua Bell is joined by his old friend and chamber music collaborator, Steven Isserlis, to discuss Brahms' brilliant Double Concerto. This conversation was recorded ahead of their joint UK and European tour with the Academy in January 2016.
Musical extracts heard in this episode are from Julia Fischer and Daniel Müller-Schott's recording of Brahms' Double Concerto with Yakov Kreizberg and the Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra Amsterdam, reproduced here with kind permission of PENTATONE (available here: www.pentatonemusic.com/brahms-violin…ueller-schott)
Academy Music Director Joshua Bell lifts the lid on the secrets of Tchaikovsky’s hugely popular Violin Concerto. Bell and the Academy gave a groundbreaking, unconducted performance of the concerto in London in 2015, a feat which was repeated on his tour of the United States with the orchestra in March 2016.
Musical extracts heard in this episode are from Joshua’s recording of the concerto with Michael Tilson Thomas and the Berlin Philharmonic in 2005, reproduced here with the kind permission of Sony (available here: www.amazon.com/Tchaikovsky-Violi…rto/dp/B000AY9OHQ). Joshua Bell appears courtesy of Sony Classical.
This episode of the Academy Podcast looks back at one of the defining moments in the orchestra’s history: recording the soundtrack for the multi Oscar-winning film Amadeus. Sir Neville Marriner and British actor Simon Callow, reflect on their memories of the events and characters working on the Oscar-winning film, and conductor Ludwig Wicki, explains the challenges and potential pitfalls of performing a film score live.
This podcast was recorded ahead of the orchestra's 2015 'Amadeus Live' concert at the Royal Albert Hall. The Academy returned to repeat this performance in November 2018.
Musical extracts heard in this episode are from the Academy’s recordings in the Philips Complete Mozart Edition (available at: www.amazon.co.uk/Complete-Mozart-…ts/dp/B000050GG5), reproduced here with the kind permission of Universal.
Violinist Julia Fischer and composer Andrey Rubtsov joined us for the third episode of the Academy podcast ahead of the world premiere of Andrey’s Violin Concerto, which Julia and the Academy gave during their tour of Germany in January 2016.
Musical extracts heard in this episode are from Julia Fischer’s Bach Concertos recording with the Academy, reproduced here with the kind permission of Decca (available here: www.deccaclassics.com/gb/cat/4781081) and Andrey Rubtsov’s Roses of Heliogabalus, performed by Alexei Utkin, Pavel Novikov and the State Chamber Orchestra of Russia and reproduced here with kind permission from the composer.
Julia Fischer Photo Credit: Decca Felix Broede
In the first ever episode of the Academy Podcast, conductor Sir Neville Marriner and cellist Harriet Krijgh discuss the music of the great British composer, Edward Elgar, and in particular his timeless cello concerto. This conversation was recorded ahead of their October 2015 tour to Dusseldorf, Frankfurt and Cologne.
Musical extracts heard in this episode:
- Elgar’s Symphony No. 1 and “In the South” Overture, recorded by the Academy and Sir Neville Marriner and reproduced here by kind permission of Collins Classics / Phoenix Music International (available here: itunes.apple.com/gb/album/elgar-s…cert/id470089324)
- Elgar’s Cello Concerto, recorded live on March 19th 2014 at Philharmonie Berlin by Harriet Krijgh and Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, conducted by Santtu Matias Rouvali, reproduced here by kind permission of Deutschlandradio Kultur and Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin.
In this episode of the Academy podcast, we look back at our through-the-night performance of Gavin Bryars’ iconic work Jesus Blood Never Failed Me Yet – a piece centred upon...
The post Episode 14: Never Failed Me Yet appeared first on Academy of St Martin in the Fields.
In the latest episode of the Academy podcast, we eavesdrop on a conversation between harpsichord heroes Mahan Esfahani and John Constable. Mahan, who was inspired to take up the instrument...
The post Episode 13: The Harpsichord with Mahan Esfahani and John Constable appeared first on Academy of St Martin in the Fields.
In a fascinating episode of the ASMF podcast series, Ben Eshmade meets Jeremy Denk, one of America’s foremost pianists, ahead of our tour of the USA together in February /...
The post Episode 12: In Conversation with Jeremy Denk appeared first on Academy of St Martin in the Fields.
In this very special edition of the Academy of St Martin in the Fields Podcast, we eavesdrop on a conversation between Lady Marriner and Sir David Attenborough speaking about the history,...
The post Episode 11: Lady Marriner in conversation with Sir David Attenborough appeared first on Academy of St Martin in the Fields.
Hear from two of the world’s most in-demand musicians in this podcast about the new Overture for Violin and Orchestra, which has been specially written for the Academy of St...
The post Edgar Meyer and Joshua Bell appeared first on Academy of St Martin in the Fields.
In this episode of the Academy of St Martin in the Fields podcast series, Ben Eshmade talks to members of the Academy Chamber Ensemble in the group’s 50th anniversary year....
The post Academy Chamber Ensemble appeared first on Academy of St Martin in the Fields.
The incomparable pianist Murray Perahia delves into the details of Beethoven’s Piano Concertos in an Academy Podcast two part special running alongside the Perahia Plays Beethoven series at the Barbican...
The post Perahia Talks Beethoven – Part 2 appeared first on Academy of St Martin in the Fields.
The incomparable pianist Murray Perahia delves into the details of Beethoven’s Piano Concertos in an Academy Podcast two part special running alongside the Perahia Plays Beethoven series at the Barbican...
The post Perahia Talks Beethoven – Part 1 appeared first on Academy of St Martin in the Fields.
Join us on the Academy Podcast for a glimpse into the mind of the sensational clarinettist Martin Fröst, as we discuss Copland’s Clarinet Concerto and go on the hunt for...
The post In conversation with Martin Fröst appeared first on Academy of St Martin in the Fields.
The ASMF Podcast takes the opportunity to look back at one of the defining moments in the orchestra’s history: recording the soundtrack for the multiple Oscar-winning film Amadeus. We speak...
The post Amadeus appeared first on Academy of St Martin in the Fields.