“To me a performance is not an exhibition — it's an offering.”

Living the Classical Life presents a long-awaited exclusive conversation with distinguished pianist and composer Marc-André Hamelin. The narrative centers around the preparation and mindset for a Carnegie Hall appearance, and how Hamelin has managed to find a zone of performance completely free of the nerves that often plague others. Unique anecdotes and insights into his inner world reveal many surprises from a prolific musical life. (Episode 84)

“You start something, and it gets a life of its own.”

In this fascinating conversation filmed in 2019, decorated clarinetist and composer Jörg Widmann shares heartfelt insights into his artistic world and his search for meaning. In discussing inspirations and his musical style, he links vulnerability, beauty, and truth. The conversation draws surprising life connections through the experience of art, literature, and the sustained state of discovery. (Episode 83)

“Something always leads to something; nothing always leads to nothing.”

As a professional horn player, Kate Sheeran has performed with a wide range of ensembles and recorded for a variety of labels, and for television and film. In 2018, she became Executive Director of the Kaufman Music Center, home to New York City's largest community arts school. In this conversation we discuss the fostering of dynamic thinkers and leaders in an academic setting, and address the question, "Are we in a music bubble?" (Episode 82)

“I don't want my audience to see me. I want them to see themselves.”

Praised internationally for her passionate and technically brilliant performances, South African soprano Golda Schultz has a “clear, pure tone and… a sparkling personality, with a ready sense of humor” (The New York Times). Equally at home in leading operatic roles and as featured soloist with the world’s foremost orchestras and conductors, Ms. Schultz is making waves as one of the most exciting new voices on the classical music scene today. She discusses, among other things, her namesake Golda Meir, honesty in social media, and how to process pain and joy in life. She concludes with a jaw-dropping incident that cured her crippling stage fright. (Episode 81)

“As a mother of three now, the stage is more relaxing than life.”

Living the Classical Life is excited to offer something completely different: our first non-classical guest. We filmed Tony Award-nominee Melissa Errico--a celebrated Broadway singer praised by The Wall Street Journal for her benchmark work in the music of Stephen Sondheim--in conversation with her father, Dr. Michael Errico, a surgeon and classically-trained pianist. Melissa performs the last song of the late French legend Michel Legrand, and Sondheim’s “Not While I’m Around” for our cameras, discusses the classical roots of her musical passions and the music she sings, her love of art, growing older within a demanding industry, being a mother and the balance of life. (Episode 80)

“I feel a lot less shy on stage.”

Young cellist Oliver Herbert talks about what it means to explore the pathways to becoming a soloist on world stages while remaining true to one's self. Oliver shares how overcoming shyness can open pathways to artistic freedom on stage, and discusses wellness, joy, practicing, and how to pace artistic growth with career growth. From San Francisco, Oliver Herbert has made recent debuts with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the San Francisco Symphony, and has collaborated with distinguished conductors including Michael Tilson Thomas. (Episode 79)

“The biggest part of the work is at home and alone.”

Conductor Gianandrea Noseda joins Living the Classical Life for a discussion that traces his early training as a pianist, the way he regards music from the conductor's point of view, and the search for meaning. He explains how a conductor influences the sound of the orchestra, develops a community audience by taking the music to them, and recounts the "shocking virtuosity" of Carlos Kleiber. This revealing conversation ultimately culminates in a search for honesty in life through music. (Episode 78)

“You do get better at even the things you're terrible at, if you practice.”

An increasingly formidable presence on the world's stages, soprano Lisette Oropesa was born in New Orleans to Cuban immigrant parents. At age 22 she sang her first major role at the Metropolitan Opera in New York, Susanna in Mozart's Marriage of Figaro, and she recently triumphed as the Met’s new Manon and Violetta. One of the most celebrated singers of her generation, she is a devoted runner who was featured in Runner's World Magazine, and with her personal story of fitness continues to inspire in all areas of life. She joins us for a discussion of how she mentally prepares a role for performance, how she regards audience perception in an age of Instagram glossiness, how to sort rejection and criticism, and how she ultimately seeks to communicate a sense of wonder in life. (Episode 77)

“Working with Bill Murray taught me that classical music doesn’t need an explanation.”

This episode introduces you to Jan Vogler, distinguished cellist and Europe's most innovative Festspiel Intendant. Irrepressibly optimistic, Jan explains how his upbringing in communist Germany fostered a deep understanding of freedom and how legendary cellist Heinrich Schiff taught him to be freely himself. In Jan’s musical universe, Schumann on gut strings hobnobs with Sting, and his cello is seated next to Bill Murray, which leads to a very eccentric collaboration between two like-minded free spirits. (Episode 76)

“I did what I had to do: I challenged myself.”

In their conversation, longtime friends Zsolt Bognar and cellist and Senior Ted Fellow Joshua Roman revisit the heady mix of early bravado, vulnerability, and the path to consistency and success. In his disarmingly candid way, Joshua describes how his personal challenge to master the forty "Etudes" by David Popper accidentally turned into a social media phenomenon, culminating in “The 2019 Popper Challenge,” a safe space for a huge cello community to share their most vulnerable moments of practicing. (Episode 75)

“I spent my whole life trying to make the harp sound like a piano.”

Yolanda Kondonassis is the first classical harpist nominated in the category of Best Classical Instrumental Solo for a concerto with orchestra (in 2020, for Jennifer Higdon’s Harp Concerto). Her lively, inspiring conversation with Zsolt ranges from mastering a uniquely challenging instrument to strategizing success. The world-renowned artist explains how being a “pianist at heart” explains her instrument’s electrifying sound; she reveals her “obsession with timing,” and attributes her stellar career to a love for “18-step, labor-intensive processes,” turning daily practice into a high-stakes undertaking, and to using a yellow pad to avoid “false economy.” (Episode 74)

“Surround children with musical role models and they will become that role model.”

Musical America’s 2018 Educator of the Year and MacArthur “genius” Francisco J. Núñez jump-started his career with a piano from the Salvation Army. In this riveting conversation he talks about how he uses music-making, the “great equalizer,” to transform lives. Since 1988 The Young People’s Chorus of New York City has created not only a vibrant new choral sound, but also an avenue to success for thousands of children. (Episode 73)

“I feel everything in life is just an improvisation.”

Violinist Filip Pogády, one of LTCL’s very first guests (Episode 4), has become a “classical music social media influencer.“ He shares his love for music on a multitude of platforms, from subway stations to Instagram. For him, a few minutes of Bach for the accidental passenger is no less meaningful than playing a recital or posting his daily practice, be it perfecting etudes or Tchaikovsky’s violin concerto in minute-by-minute increments. (Episode 72)

“Someone was sitting in the first row holding a mobile phone up right into my face.”

Four-time Grammy® Award winner Anne-Sophie Mutter discusses a recent incident with an audience member, along with many other aspects of her fascinating life as one of the world's most talented and successful violinists.

“Mozart is hard.”

Winner of the 1996 Leeds Competition, pianist and teacher Ilya Itin is a respected presence throughout the musical world. He shares with us his recollections of a life on stage in one of the most involved and thoughtful conversations about stage psychology that our show has presented — how to find focus, combat distraction, and discover the nature of inspiration. In discussing a musician's role in the larger world, Ilya explains his take on social media presence and ends with a beautiful tribute to the great Russian teacher Lev Naumov.

“Sublimity can be terrifying.”

Paul Jacobs is known for his unusual “firsts”: He landed an official church appointment at the age of 15, won a Grammy for organ, and played the complete works of Bach in an 18-hour marathon concert. In this thoughtful and thought-provoking conversation, Paul Jacobs discusses a wide range of topics. Why do miracles happen only when you’re alone with yourself and the music? Why play organ music in today's existential vacuum? How do you find an individual voice on the most complex and variable of instruments? And what does it take to memorize an invisible matrix of pistons, stop pulling etc. and all the notes of six-part counterpoint Bach? (Episode 69)

“I don’t want to sing out of fear.”

Pérez, daughter of Mexican immigrants and one of today's fastest-rising operatic sopranos, talks about her very personal concept of success, the dangers of throwing oneself completely into a tragic role, and why it is about time for a Latina Rosenkavalier. She is the first Hispanic recipient in the Richard Tucker award’s 35-year history and in 2017 received the Sphinx Medal of Excellence, an award given to artists of color for artistic excellence, a spirit of determination, and ongoing commitment to leadership. Most recently she was honored with a 2019 Opera News Award for her artistry and for her commitment to mentorship in underserved communities. (Episode 68)

“Our radio broadcasts sell a lot of orchestra tickets.”

Robert Conrad, a legend in the radio world and "the voice of the Cleveland Orchestra," is the longest-serving announcer for an orchestra in broadcast history. He recounts amusing anecdotes of musicians he witnessed firsthand, including George Szell, Glenn Gould, Aaron Copland, and Benny Goodman, as well as on-air bloopers, near disasters, and extreme audience reactions. (Episode 66)

“When we started Apollo’s Fire, I was living on Ramen noodles.”

Grammy®-winner Jeannette Sorrel recounts how she built one of the largest audiences for baroque music in the U.S. despite having no money, no role model and being told that neither audiences nor musicians would accept a woman as a conductor. She also explains how she leads musicians and audiences alike toward an understanding of a centuries-old aesthetic. (Episode 64)

“It’s dangerous if you become famous overnight.”

French pianist and prolific recording artist Jean-Yves Thibaudet joins us for an up-close conversation about his life. He discusses how an artist maintains freshness and inspiration when repeatedly performing repertoire, and how he attempts to go deeper into the composer’s world. He shares his love of practicing and performing, and recalls his early meetings with Rubinstein. His insights include dealing with pressure, expectations, and what one must seek artistically on stage. (Episode 63)

“If you go for fame, you have a problem.”

In our 62nd release, we feature Vladimir Ashkenazy, a living legend in the musical world as a pianist, conductor, and prolific recording artist. He shares stories from his life, including playing for Sviatoslav Richter, and he recounts why not winning first prize in the 1955 Chopin Competition was actually helpful to him. He then discusses how he was forced by Soviet authorities to enter the Tchaikovsky Competition, and shares how he deals with pressures and expectations of career. In sharing his attitude towards his life, he reveals his love of European football, and delivers a concluding humanitarian message on the subject of soul. (Episode 62)

“I can only feel free if I forget about myself.”

Susanna Mälkki is making waves in the world of conducting and joins us for a delightful conversation about her journey from being a cellist to being bitten by the conducting bug. She discusses the tradition of conducting from her native Finland, and discusses the conductor's world and responsibilities — and what it means to be a leader. She also discusses performance day routines, dealing with disappointments, and what is required to create magic on stage. (Episode 61)

“Composing is a battle for me.”

Winner of four Grammy Awards, an Oscar, and the Pulitzer Prize, American composer John Corigliano has one of the most diverse and prolific musical outputs of his generation. In an exclusive and emotionally revealing feature, John Corigliano opens up about his influences and inspirations, his difficult relationship with his father who was concertmaster of the New York Philharmonic, the loss of over 100 friends to the AIDS epidemic and its influence on his works, and the tortured nature of his compositional process. He discusses whether composers endure a specific type of stage fright, and if student composers can be taught an individual voice. (Episode 60)

“You have to have inner confidence, and a team that is listening to you with compassion, insight, and imagination.”

Brian Zeger, one of the leading collaborative pianists in the musical world and director of the vocal arts program at the Juilliard School, shares his insights into how a young artist finds a unique artistic vision and growth musically and humanly. In his dynamic style, Brian highlights the struggles he overcame in his twenties, through self-awareness and realization of his strengths, that led to authentic confidence. (Episode 59)

“So many of us musicians play with pain-- even if it's the pain of not being able to express ourselves.”

Brian Thornton, longtime cellist of the Cleveland Orchestra, teacher, and founder of the Lev Aaronson Legacy Project festival in Texas, joins Living the Classical Life for a discussion about balance in life and music, emotional and physical wellness, and social activism. Filmed in Cleveland, he discusses his influential teacher, and how he leads a uniquely passionate life. (Episode 58)

“I never let anybody put me down.”

The 50th episode of LTCL follows the life, career, and art of tenor Robert White, who was a child star on NBC radio during the medium’s golden age. With archival audio and photos throughout, this special episode is a very personal look at a unique musician. In his lifelong singing career, White has sung for five U.S. Presidents, Britain’s Queen Mother and Prince Charles, Monaco’s Royal Family, and Pope John Paul II. He has recorded extensively for RCA, EMI, Virgin, Sony, Arabesque and Hyperion with such colleagues as Yo-Yo Ma, Placido Domingo, and Stephen Hough, in music ranging from Beethoven to Richard Rodgers and Edouard Lalo. His classical career began in earnest in 1959 when he was soloist at Carnegie Hall with Leonard Bernstein and the New York Philharmonic, and he maintains a highly successful singing and teaching career. (Episode 50)

“We are showcasing the beauty of imperfection.”

Nadine Sierra is the youngest winner of both the Marilyn Horne Foundation Vocal Competition and the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions. In 2010 she took home first prizes at the George London Competition, Gerda Lissner Foundation International Competition, and Loren L. Zachary Society Vocal Competition. On the concert stage, she has performed at the Metropolitan Opera, La Scala, Opéra national de Paris, La Fenice, the Ravinia Festival, Chorégies d'Orange, and Tanglewood among others. In this episode, Nadine and Zsolt chat about not being overwhelmed by past heroes, accepting the possibility of failure, and the importance of belonging. (Episode 57)

“Entering a competition is like going to a 7-11 and buying a lottery ticket.”

Distinguished pianist Emanuel Ax won the first Arthur Rubinstein International Piano Competition, the Avery Fisher Prize, and several Grammy awards, and has been a Sony Classical exclusive recording artist since 1987. He has had works written for him by John Adams, Christopher Rouse, Krzysztof Penderecki, Bright Sheng, and Melinda Wagner, and as teacher, performer, and recording artist receives uniform praise throughout the world. During a visit to Zsolt's Cleveland home, the irresistibly charming maestro chats about competitions, practicing, and finding a zone for balanced living. (Episode 56)