Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast Speaking Soundly

Acclaimed Israeli-American pianist Orli Shaham is a compelling performer, educator, and recording artist. A recipient of the Avery Fisher career Grant, she is Chair of the Board of Trustees of Kaufman Music Center, Artistic Director of Pacific Symphony's chamber series, and was Artist in Residence at Vancouver Symphony. On this season 6 finale of Speaking Soundly, Orli sits down with David to reflect on their early musical education together and her motivation to earn degrees from The Juilliard School and Columbia University at the same time. Our guest shares how she was fueled by focus and curiosity, two traits she gained growing up the daughter of scientists and in admiration of her older musical brothers. To close it out, Orli recalls how her relationship to performance changed once she became a mother, which led to her founding of the Bach Yard musical program for kids, and why her best collaborator is her husband, conductor David Robertson.

We need your help to amplify artistic voices. Please consider supporting this show by making a 100% tax-deductible donation here.

Be sure to subscribe, leave us a rating, and share the podcast with your friends if you liked this episode!

Check out Orli Shaham on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Apple Music, Spotify, or the web. To learn more about Orli's music education program Bach Yard, visit them on the web.

Follow Speaking Soundly on Instagram.

Follow David on Instagram.

You can find out more about Artful Narratives Media on Instagram and the web.

Photograph of Orli Shaham by Pacific Symphony/Matthew Morgan .

The Speaking Soundly theme song is composed by Joseph Saba/Stewart Winter and used by permission of Videohelper.

Speaking Soundly was co-created by David Krauss and Jessica Handelman. 

This interview has been edited and condensed to fit the time format.

Episode copyright © 2025 Artful Narratives Media.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Grammy Award–winning pianist Evgeny Kissin has been a towering presence in the classical music world for decades and a favorite among audiences worldwide. Evgeny joins David to recall his legendary US debut recital at Carnegie Hall, why firemen closed down his performance in Bologna, and the reason his mother didn't want him to study music. 

We need your help to amplify artistic voices. Please consider supporting this show by making a 100% tax-deductible donation here.

Be sure to subscribe, leave us a rating, and share the podcast with your friends if you liked this episode!

Check out Evgeny Kissin on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Apple Music, Spotify, or the web.

Follow Speaking Soundly on Instagram.

Follow David on Instagram.

You can find out more about Artful Narratives Media on Instagram and the web.

Photograph of Evgeny Kissin by Phillip Andrukovich.

The Speaking Soundly theme song is composed by Joseph Saba/Stewart Winter and used by permission of Videohelper.

Speaking Soundly was co-created by David Krauss and Jessica Handelman. 

This interview has been edited and condensed to fit the time format.

Episode copyright © 2025 Artful Narratives Media.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Renowned Norwegian pianist Leif Ove Andsnes brings a deep sense of introspection to everything he performs. Our guest reflects on his childhood playing the euphonium in a band compared with his lonely pursuit as a pianist, the moment he realized that "this would be his life," and his relationship with practice. Leif Ove discusses the piece of music of which he never tires, his Beethoven journey with the Mahler Chamber Orchestra, and the advantages of being both the pianist and the conductor at the same time. To close out the conversation Leif Ove explains why he felt at home for his second concert—not his first—at Carnegie Hall.

We need your help to amplify artistic voices. Please consider supporting this show by making a 100% tax-deductible donation here.

Be sure to subscribe, leave us a rating, and share the podcast with your friends if you liked this episode!

Check out Leif Ove Andsnes on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Apple Music, Spotify, or the web.

Follow Speaking Soundly on Instagram.

Follow David on Instagram.

You can find out more about Artful Narratives Media on Instagram and the web.

Photograph of Leif Ove Andsnes by Helge Hansen/Sony Music Entertainment.

The Speaking Soundly theme song is composed by Joseph Saba/Stewart Winter and used by permission of Videohelper.

Speaking Soundly was co-created by David Krauss and Jessica Handelman. 

This interview has been edited and condensed to fit the time format.

Episode copyright © 2025 Artful Narratives Media.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Executive and Artistic Director of Carnegie Hall Clive Gillinson credits his previous career as a young cellist with the London Symphony Orchestra for shaping his creative approach to managing the world's most iconic concert hall. Clive sits down with David to discuss his kinship with musicians, how he became an arts administrator by mistake, and the secret to raising money. Reflecting on his early days as a musician, our guest shares why he was kicked out of the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain, the influence of his mother, and advice for young musicians.

We need your help to amplify artistic voices. Please consider supporting this show by making a 100% tax-deductible donation here.

Be sure to subscribe, leave us a rating, and share the podcast with your friends if you liked this episode!

Check out Carnegie Hall on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, or the web.

Follow Speaking Soundly on Instagram.

Follow David on Instagram.

You can find out more about Artful Narratives Media on Instagram and the web.

Photograph of Clive Gillinson by Fadi Kheir.

The Speaking Soundly theme song is composed by Joseph Saba/Stewart Winter and used by permission of Videohelper.

Speaking Soundly was co-created by David Krauss and Jessica Handelman. 

This interview has been edited and condensed to fit the time format.

Episode copyright © 2025 Artful Narratives Media.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Grammy Award winner Kayhan Kalhor is a world-renowned virtuoso of the kamancheh, the ancient Persian predecessor to the violin, as well as other instruments. He sits down with David to talk about the origins of the instrument, falling in love with it at age 10, and joining the Iranian National Radio and Television Orchestra at 13-years-old performing alongside musicians 4-times his age. Kayhan recalls how music took him to Europe—2,500 miles by foot with the kamancheh on his back—escaping the turmoil of the Iranian Revolution and ultimately landing at the New York Philharmonic with Yo-Yo Ma, and later Silkroad. To close it out, Kayhan reflects on how music is his anchor, refuge, and response to strife.

We need your help to amplify artistic voices. Please consider supporting this show by making a 100% tax-deductible donation here.

Be sure to subscribe, leave us a rating, and share the podcast with your friends if you liked this episode!

Check out Kayhan Kalhor on Instagram, Facebook, X, YouTube, Apple Music, Spotify, or the web.

To learn more about Silkroad visit them on the web.

Follow Speaking Soundly on Instagram.

Follow David on Instagram.

You can find out more about Artful Narratives Media on Instagram and the web.

The Speaking Soundly theme song is composed by Joseph Saba/Stewart Winter and used by permission of Videohelper.

Speaking Soundly was co-created by David Krauss and Jessica Handelman. 

This interview has been edited and condensed to fit the time format.

Episode copyright © 2025 Artful Narratives Media.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alexa Tarantino is a dynamic saxophone performer, composer, and educator, who recently made history as the first female full-time member to join the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis.

She chats with David about role models, the importance of being fearless, her relationship to practice, and a chance encounter with Philip Bailey that led to her performing with Earth, Wind, and Fire while at the Eastman School of Music. To close out the episode, Alexa discusses her new album, which features a track with Cécile McLorin Salvant, how walking on stage with Wynton is like hitting the football field as the lights go on, and the value of a musical education.

We need your help to amplify artistic voices. Please consider supporting this show by making a 100% tax-deductible donation here.

Be sure to subscribe, leave us a rating, and share the podcast with your friends if you liked this episode!

Check out Alexa Tarantino on Instagram, Facebook, X, YouTube, Spotify, or the web.

To learn more about Jazz at Lincoln Center visit them on the web.

Follow Speaking Soundly on Instagram.

Follow David on Instagram.

You can find out more about Artful Narratives Media on Instagram and the web.

Photograph of Alexa Tarantino by Anna Yatskevich.

The Speaking Soundly theme song is composed by Joseph Saba/Stewart Winter and used by permission of Videohelper.

Speaking Soundly was co-created by David Krauss and Jessica Handelman. 

This interview has been edited and condensed to fit the time format.

Episode copyright © 2025 Artful Narratives Media.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Grammy Award-winning Scottish-Italian violinist Nicola Benedetti captivates audiences with her passionate and virtuosic performances. The soloist and David kick off the conversation with a debate about the superiority of the trumpet vs. the violin and how Nicola has expanded her instrument's repertoire championing new works, including Wynton Marsalis's violin concerto. Nicola reflects on her childhood listening to classical music with her mom and sister, attending the Yehudi Menuhin school, and how she was badly advised early in her career. She goes on to share what she thought when she was asked to be the Director of the Edinburgh International Festival and how she juggles this role, her performance schedule, and her work as the Founder and Artistic Director Benedetti Foundation. To close it out, Nicola settles an outstanding question about her daughter.

We need your help to amplify artistic voices. Please consider supporting this show by making a 100% tax-deductible donation here.

Be sure to subscribe, leave us a rating, and share the podcast with your friends if you liked this episode!

Check out Nicola Benedetti on Instagram, Facebook, X, YouTube, Apple Music, Spotify, or the web.

To learn more about the Benedetti Foundation visit them on the web. For more info about the Edinburgh International Festival check out their site.

Follow Speaking Soundly on Instagram.

Follow David on Instagram.

You can find out more about Artful Narratives Media on Instagram and the web.

Photograph of Nicola Benedetti by Andy Gotts.

The Speaking Soundly theme song is composed by Joseph Saba/Stewart Winter and used by permission of Videohelper.

Speaking Soundly was co-created by David Krauss and Jessica Handelman. 

This interview has been edited and condensed to fit the time format.

Episode copyright © 2025 Artful Narratives Media.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Acclaimed piano soloist, member of The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, and Artistic Director of the Bravo! Vail Music Festival Anne-Marie McDermott credits playing with others for shaping her own career. She joins David to discuss her childhood with her musical sisters, why a healthy sense of competition is helpful, and how the piano allowed her to come out of her shell. Anne-Marie recalls performing at Carnegie Hall unaware of the importance, when she quit the piano, and how fearlessness has propelled her. To close it out, David asks about when she was "booted" from Manhattan School for Music, what it's like to judge The Cliburn, and the difference of being a soloist vs. a chamber musician. 

We need your help to amplify artistic voices. Please consider supporting this show by making a 100% tax-deductible donation here.

Be sure to subscribe, leave us a rating, and share the podcast with your friends if you liked this episode!

Check out Anne-Marie McDermott on Instagram, Facebook, Apple Music, Spotify, or the web.

Follow Speaking Soundly on Instagram.

Follow David on Instagram.

You can find out more about Artful Narratives Media on Instagram and the web.

Photograph of Anne-Marie McDermott courtesy by Anne-Marie McDermott/Bravo! Vail.

The Speaking Soundly theme song is composed by Joseph Saba/Stewart Winter and used by permission of Videohelper.

Speaking Soundly was co-created by David Krauss and Jessica Handelman. 

This interview has been edited and condensed to fit the time format.

Episode copyright © 2025 Artful Narratives Media.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Multiple Grammy Award winner and MacArthur Fellow Cécile McLorin Salvant is a fearless singer, composer, and visual artist who is one of the most highly regarded jazz vocalists of her generation. To kick the conversation off, David describes bonding with his daughter over Cécile's music at the legendary Blue Note Jazz Club. Our guest shares how the vibe of an audience affects a performance, the feeling of being in the spotlight, and her love of opera. Surrounded by music as a child, Cécile reflects on the times she tried to quit the piano, her long hatred for practice, how a small fender bender once saved her musical life, and an important lesson she learned from Wynton Marsalis. To close it out, David asks how the vocalist's visual art influences her music, why she plans to turn Carnegie Hall into a jazz club, and Cécile shares her recurring Met Opera nightmare.

We need your help to amplify artistic voices. Please consider supporting this show by making a 100% tax-deductible donation here.

Be sure to subscribe, leave us a rating, and share the podcast with your friends if you liked this episode!

Check out Cécile McLorin Salvant on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, X, YouTube, Apple Music, Spotify, or the web.

Follow Speaking Soundly on Instagram.

Follow David on Instagram.

You can find out more about Artful Narratives Media on Instagram and the web.

Photograph of Cécile McLorin Salvant by Mite Kuzevski.

The Speaking Soundly theme song is composed by Joseph Saba/Stewart Winter and used by permission of Videohelper.

Speaking Soundly was co-created by David Krauss and Jessica Handelman. 

This interview has been edited and condensed to fit the time format.

Episode copyright © 2025 Artful Narratives Media.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Violinist and composer Colin Jacobsen is “one of the most interesting figures on the classical music scene” (The Washington Post). The Avery Fisher Career Grant recipient joins David to describe his many musical families including the string quartet Brooklyn Rider, The Knights, an innovative orchestra for which he is the Co-Artistic Director with his brother, Eric, and the Santa Fe Pro Musica. Colin discusses childhood memories backstage at The Metropolitan Opera, the importance of playing with others, and what he loves about multi-generational musical experiences. Colin also reflects about the evolution of The Knights, which will perform at Carnegie Hall this season and his on-going collaboration with Yo-Yo Ma's Silkroad since its founding in 2000.

We need your help to amplify artistic voices. Please consider supporting this show by making a 100% tax-deductible donation here.

Be sure to subscribe, leave us a rating, and share the podcast with your friends if you liked this episode!

For more information on Colin's musical families check out The Knights, Brooklyn Rider, Silkroad, and Santa Fe Pro Musica.

Follow Speaking Soundly on Instagram.

Follow David on Instagram.

You can find out more about Artful Narratives Media on Instagram and the web.

Photograph of Colin Jacobsen by Marco Giannavola.

The Speaking Soundly theme song is composed by Joseph Saba/Stewart Winter and used by permission of Videohelper.

Speaking Soundly was co-created by David Krauss and Jessica Handelman. 

This interview has been edited and condensed to fit the time format.

Episode copyright © 2024 Artful Narratives Media.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Grammy-nominated Mexican composer and this season's Carnegie Hall Debs Composer Chair Gabriela Ortiz is renowned for her vibrant compositions that celebrate and transcend musical traditions. To kick things off David shares his excitement about performing Gabriela's work with the Met Opera Orchestra this season and our guest describes what it's like to be paired with musical greats including Wagner and Beethoven, why she wishes she was at the premiere of Stravinsky's "The Rite of Spring," and where she finds inspiration as an artist. Gabriela reflects on the importance of intuition, falling in love with the work of Bartók, and the rich musical environment her parents provided for her as a child. On the back end the composer discusses how she nearly pursued a profession as a flamenco dancer, career challenges, what she did to get the attention of the Mexico City Philharmonic, and why she likes to sit among the audience when her music is performed. 

We need your help to amplify artistic voices. Please consider supporting this show by making a 100% tax-deductible donation here.

Be sure to subscribe, leave us a rating, and share the podcast with your friends if you liked this episode!

Check out Gabriela Ortiz on Instagram, Facebook, X, YouTube, Apple Music, Spotify, or the web.

Follow Speaking Soundly on Instagram.

Follow David on Instagram.

You can find out more about Artful Narratives Media on Instagram and the web.

Photograph of Gabriela Ortiz by Marta Arteaga.

The Speaking Soundly theme song is composed by Joseph Saba/Stewart Winter and used by permission of Videohelper.

Speaking Soundly was co-created by David Krauss and Jessica Handelman. 

This interview has been edited and condensed to fit the time format.

Episode copyright © 2024 Artful Narratives Media.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

To close out the year, we're revisiting our interview with MacArthur Genius Grant Fellow and American classical cellist Alisa Weilerstein. The internationally celebrated artist discusses her first instruments (made by her grandmother!), her solo debut at age thirteen with the Cleveland Orchestra, and why she chose not to go directly to conservatory after high school. Alisa reminisces about performing at the White House and chuckles about receiving an apology from President Obama, as well as discusses her groundbreaking new solo concert series Fragments.

We need your help to amplify artistic voices. Please consider supporting this show by making a 100% tax-deductible donation here.

Be sure to subscribe, leave us a rating, and share the podcast with your friends if you liked this episode!

Check out Alisa Weilerstein on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Spotify, Apple Music, or the web.

Follow Speaking Soundly on Instagram.

Follow David on Instagram.

You can find out more about Artful Narratives Media on Instagram and the web.

Photograph of Alisa by Evelyn Freja.

The Speaking Soundly theme song is composed by Joseph Saba/Stewart Winter and used by permission of Videohelper.

Speaking Soundly was co-created by David Krauss and Jessica Handelman. 

This interview has been edited and condensed to fit the time format.

Episode copyright © 2024 Artful Narratives Media.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Grammy Award-winning violinist and conductor extraordinaire Maxim Vengerov is acclaimed for his concerts, recordings, and humanitarian work. The Siberian-born star discusses his discipline as a young musician, why he wanted to be a conductor by age 3, and how he knew at age 5 he had a natural gift for the violin. He reminisces about learning to play while wearing warm gloves, how music became his ticket to the world, and sets the record straight about why he punched his beloved teacher. To close out the conversation Maxim talks about a memorable experience as UNICEF's Goodwill Ambassador, David shares his excitement about performing with Maxim and The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra next month at Carnegie Hall, and our guest recalls "freaking out" on Carnegie's stage many years ago. 

We need your help to amplify artistic voices. Please consider supporting this show by making a 100% tax-deductible donation here.

Be sure to subscribe, leave us a rating, and share the podcast with your friends if you liked this episode!

Check out Maxim Vengerov on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Apple Music, Spotify, or the web.

Follow Speaking Soundly on Instagram.

Follow David on Instagram.

You can find out more about Artful Narratives Media on Instagram and the web.

Photograph of Maxim Vengerov by Davide Cerati.

The Speaking Soundly theme song is composed by Joseph Saba/Stewart Winter and used by permission of Videohelper.

Speaking Soundly was co-created by David Krauss and Jessica Handelman. 

This interview has been edited and condensed to fit the time format.

Episode copyright © 2024 Artful Narratives Media.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Two-time Grammy Award-winning soprano Angel Blue is a musical powerhouse. She and David discuss performing at The Metropolitan Opera together, the importance of the Prompter, how Angel draws on her own life experiences when singing, and why she says she is the "the annoying one in the rehearsal room." Reflecting on her childhood, Angel shares what opera she fell in love with at age four, the many voices in which she found inspiration (her father, Leontyne Price, Kathleen Battle), the first time she realized she could affect someone with her voice (in fourth grade!), and the parallels between her beauty pageant days and singing. To close it out, Angel shares her pre-performance ritual and David shares his excitement about performing with Angel and the Met Opera Orchestra later this season at Carnegie Hall. 

We need your help to amplify artistic voices. Please consider supporting this show by making a tax-deductible donation here.

Be sure to subscribe, leave us a rating, and share the podcast with your friends if you liked this episode!

Check out Angel Blue on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Apple Music, Spotify, or the web.

Follow Speaking Soundly on Instagram.

Follow David on Instagram.

You can find out more about Artful Narratives Media on Instagram and the web.

Photograph of Angel Blue by Dario Acosta.

The Speaking Soundly theme song is composed by Joseph Saba/Stewart Winter and used by permission of Videohelper.

Speaking Soundly was co-created by David Krauss and Jessica Handelman. 

This interview has been edited and condensed to fit the time format.

Episode copyright © 2024 Artful Narratives Media.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chief Conductor and Music Director of the Czech Philharmonic Semyon Bychkov is an artist whose commitment, passion, and obsession with making music is contagious. To kick off the conversation Semyon and David discuss the unique relationship between a conductor and a musician based on their own experiences performing together at the Metropolitan Opera. The Maestro recalls his earliest musical experiences at age 5 (he had perfect pitch!), the moment when he realized he was born to conduct, and the parallels between his life as an artist and an athlete. Semyon shares why winning the Rachmaninoff Conducting Competition led to his escape from the former Soviet Union and ultimate emigration to the United States in 1975 and how he came to inherit Rachmaninoff's briefcase and some of his scores. To close out the conversation Semyon shares what he loves most about Carnegie Hall and how he perceives the power of music.

Be sure to subscribe, leave us a rating, and share the podcast with your friends if you liked this episode!

Check out Semyon Bychkov on Instagram, X, Facebook, Apple Music, Spotify, or the web.

For more info on the Czech Philharmonic visit them on the web.

Follow Speaking Soundly on Instagram.

Follow David on Instagram.

We need your help to amplify artistic voices. Please consider supporting this show by making a tax-deductible donation here.

You can find out more about Artful Narratives Media on Instagram and the web.

Photograph of Semyon Bychkov by Marco Borggreve.

The Speaking Soundly theme song is composed by Joseph Saba/Stewart Winter and used by permission of Videohelper.

Speaking Soundly was co-created by David Krauss and Jessica Handelman. 

This interview has been edited and condensed to fit the time format.

Episode copyright © 2024 Artful Narratives Media.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

American tenor Michael Fabiano brings an intense passion to every performance. The recipient of the Beverly Sills Artist Award and the Richard Tucker Award joins David to discuss the obligation of every singer, challenges modern day performers face, the importance of being prepared, and how his analytic mind was made for a life in music. Michael divulges why his journey into opera is unique, how he credits his success to his business acumen, his biggest career mistake, and how he got over his inner demons. To close it out David and Michael reflect on a 2015 performance at The Metropolitan Opera where Michael took to the stage with only a few hours of notice and without time to rehearse! Be sure to listen for what slogan David thinks Michael should have printed on a t-shirt.

Be sure to subscribe, leave us a rating, and share the podcast with your friends if you liked this episode!

Check out Michael Fabiano on Instagram, X, Facebook, YouTube, Apple Music, Spotify, or the web.

Follow Speaking Soundly on Instagram.

Follow David on Instagram.

You can find out more about Artful Narratives Media on Instagram and the web.

Photograph of Michael Fabiano by Diego Bendezu.

The Speaking Soundly theme song is composed by Joseph Saba/Stewart Winter and used by permission of Videohelper.

Speaking Soundly was co-created by David Krauss and Jessica Handelman. 

This interview has been edited and condensed to fit the time format.

Episode copyright © 2024 Artful Narratives Media.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Critically acclaimed American pianist and composer Aaron Diehl deftly traverses the jazz and classical worlds. The GRAMMY nominated artist discusses the music of his childhood (Stevie Wonder, Quincy Jones, Milt Jackson, Miles Davis, and Johann Sebastian Bach), early performances on stage at his family's church, and how he learned to play "Deck the Halls" on the piano at age 5. He tells David why loosening up in his music playing is vital yet still scary and how a summer at Interlochen was a turning point in his musicianship. Aaron recounts how after winning the Jazz at Lincoln Center's Essentially Ellington competition he nearly turned down a European Tour at age 17 with Wynton Marsalis (thank goodness he didn't!!), what he learned through that experience, and why enrolling at The Juilliard School was a gift after this education on the road. To close it out Aaron describes how his life as a pilot mimics his performances on stage.

Be sure to subscribe, leave us a rating, and share the podcast with your friends if you liked this episode!

Check out Aaron Diehl on Instagram, X, Facebook, YouTube, Apple Music, Spotify, or the web.

Follow Speaking Soundly on Instagram.

Follow David on Instagram.

You can find out more about Artful Narratives Media on Instagram and the web.

Photograph of Aaron Diehl by Evelyn Freja.

The Speaking Soundly theme song is composed by Joseph Saba/Stewart Winter and used by permission of Videohelper.

Speaking Soundly was co-created by David Krauss and Jessica Handelman. 

This interview has been edited and condensed to fit the time format.

Episode copyright © 2024 Artful Narratives Media.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

American soprano Lisette Oropesa is one of today's most in-demand opera singers. After performing with the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra this past summer in Asia, Lisette sits down with David for our season premiere. To kick the conversation off she discusses what goes through her mind as she sings, how she avoids being a tortured musician, and David's faux pas in Tokyo. Reminiscing about her childhood as a flutist and band nerd, Lisette shares why she shifted to become an opera singer and how generous LSU Opera supporters helped prepare her for auditions at the Met early in her career. Lisette candidly talks about her weight loss and running journeys and how they made her a stronger performer. To close it out Lisette excitedly discusses her upcoming recital debut at Carnegie Hall later this month. 

Be sure to subscribe, leave us a rating, and share the podcast with your friends if you liked this episode!

Check out Lisette Oropesa on Instagram, X, Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, Apple Music, Spotify, or the web.

Follow Speaking Soundly on Instagram.

Follow David on Instagram.

You can find out more about Artful Narratives Media on Instagram and the web.

Photograph of Lisette Oropesa by Steven Harris.

The Speaking Soundly theme song is composed by Joseph Saba/Stewart Winter and used by permission of Videohelper.

Speaking Soundly was co-created by David Krauss and Jessica Handelman. 

This interview has been edited and condensed to fit the time format.

Episode copyright © 2024 Artful Narratives Media.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

American conductor and cellist Jonathon Heyward is the Music Director of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and the Festival Orchestra of Lincoln Center. It's remarkable that he's achieved such prominent positions at just 31-years-old. On this Season 5 finale of Speaking Soundly, Jonathon sits down with David to reflect on his meteoric rise, the serendipitous moments in his childhood that led to his flourishing career, his evolution as a musician, and how he earned the nickname "Converse Conductor.”

Be sure to subscribe, leave us a rating, and share the podcast with your friends if you liked this episode!

Check out Jonathon Heyward on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Apple Music, or the web.

To learn more about the orchestras Jonathon directs visit the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and the Festival Orchestra of Lincoln Center.

Follow Speaking Soundly on Instagram.

Follow David on Instagram.

You can find out more about Artful Narratives Media on Instagram and the web.

Photograph of Jonathon Heyward by Laura Thiesbrummel.

The Speaking Soundly theme song is composed by Joseph Saba/Stewart Winter and used by permission of Videohelper.

Speaking Soundly was co-created by David Krauss and Jessica Handelman. 

This interview has been edited and condensed to fit the time format.

Episode copyright © 2024 Artful Narratives Media.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

American mezzo-soprano and three-time Grammy Award winner Joyce DiDonato is "perhaps the most potent female singer of her generation" (The New Yorker), but her path to stardom was anything but easy and linear. In this special episode of Speaking Soundly, recorded live at Lincoln Center, Joyce discusses the challenges in her early career and how she moved through them with grit, how her father gave her permission to pursue a life on the stage, and why her heart still belongs in a choir. David and Joyce reflect on meaningful performances in their lives and the power of music to connect us to moments and heal.

Be sure to subscribe, leave us a rating, and share with your friends if you liked this episode!

Check out Joyce DiDonato on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Apple Music, Spotify, or the web.

Follow Speaking Soundly on Instagram.

Follow David on Instagram.

You can find out more about Artful Narratives Media on Instagram and the web.

Photograph of Joyce DiDonato by Sachyn Mital, © Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts.

The Speaking Soundly theme song is composed by Joseph Saba/Stewart Winter and used by permission of Videohelper.

Speaking Soundly was co-created by David Krauss and Jessica Handelman. 

This interview has been edited and condensed to fit the time format.

Episode copyright © 2024 Artful Narratives Media.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Grammy nominated American tenor Lawrence Brownlee has been hailed as “an international star in the bel canto operatic repertory” (The New York Times) and as a voice for activism and diversity in the classical music industry. The pickleball fanatic discusses his Metropolitan Opera auditions, why the high C's aren't the only notes that matter, and what it was like to be cast as Tamino in The Magic Flute before he had ever seen an opera. Reflecting on his childhood rooted in gospel music, Lawrence shares how "music was inside of him" from the age of nine, what he felt at age twelve from the reaction to his first solo, and how he was inspired by The Three Tenors, specifically Pavarotti. Recounting the time an agent told him he'd never succeed because of his height and race, Lawrence talks about where he finds his confidence and what it's like to get a standing ovation mid-performance.

Check out Lawrence Brownlee on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Apple Music, Spotify, or the web.

Follow Speaking Soundly on Instagram.

Follow David on Instagram.

You can find out more about Artful Narratives Media on Instagram and the web.

Photograph of Lawrence Brownlee by Zakiyah Caldwell Burroughs

The Speaking Soundly theme song is composed by Joseph Saba/Stewart Winter and used by permission of Videohelper.

Speaking Soundly was co-created by David Krauss and Jessica Handelman. 

This interview has been edited and condensed to fit the time format.

Episode copyright © 2024 Artful Narratives Media.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kenji López-Alt is a #1 New York Times bestselling author, renowned chef, culinary scientist, podcast host, YouTube sensation, and violinist. Despite his transformative impact on the culinary world and how most people cook at home, he sits down with David to discuss his true passion, making music. Kenji reflects on his early beginnings on the violin at age 4 at New York City's School for Strings, why he thinks the Suzuki method is "pretty special," and how he evaded practice at home, thus David crowning him the "Ferris Bueller of the violin." They go on to discuss Kenji's summers at Greenwood Music Camp where he fell in love with music and pulled off mischievous tricks, why he ultimately chose the path of an engineering degree from MIT instead of studying at a conservatory, and his excitement for an event he's co-hosting with James Ehnes for the Seattle Chamber Music Society this July. In the second half of the interview Kenji talks about his daughter's first performance that made him "ugly cry," as well as his first restaurant job, when he hit rock bottom of his cooking career, and how he changed course. To close it out Kenji contemplates the rewards of practice (cooking and music), his hopes for his children’s musical education, and why Beethoven's Opus 130 still makes his back tingle.

Check out Kenji López-Alt on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, or the web. Shop Kenji's books here and listen to his new podcast The Recipe with Kenji and Deb.

To learn more about and buy tickets to Kenji's Tasting Notes event with James Ehnes benefitting the Seattle Chamber Music Society click here.

Follow Speaking Soundly on Instagram.

Follow David on Instagram.

You can find out more about Artful Narratives Media on Instagram and the web.

Photograph of Kenji López-Alt courtesy of the guest.

The Speaking Soundly theme song is composed by Joseph Saba/Stewart Winter and used by permission of Videohelper.

Speaking Soundly was co-created by David Krauss and Jessica Handelman. 

This interview has been edited and condensed to fit the time format.

Episode copyright © 2024 Artful Narratives Media.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

American conductor Gerard Schwarz has led some of the world's finest orchestras for the past half-century. With 9 Emmy Awards, 14 Grammy nominations, and a catalogue of over 350 recordings, it's remarkable to consider that Gerard's illustrious journey began with a pivotal decision—leaving behind his first career as a trumpet soloist. Gerard reflects on this decision and early influences of his musical career including Szell and Bernstein, summers at Interlochen Center for the Arts, and a performance of Aida he saw at age 7. He discusses walking away from the trumpet to pursue a second career as a conductor, why he calls himself a musical traditionalist, and how the audience experience has changed over the years.

Check out Gerard Schwarz on Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, or the web.

Follow Speaking Soundly on Instagram.

Follow David on Instagram.

You can find out more about Artful Narratives Media on Instagram and the web.

Photograph of Gerard Schwarz by Ben VanHouten.

The Speaking Soundly theme song is composed by Joseph Saba/Stewart Winter and used by permission of Videohelper.

Speaking Soundly was co-created by David Krauss and Jessica Handelman. 

This interview has been edited and condensed to fit the time format.

Episode copyright © 2024 Artful Narratives Media.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nathalie Joachim is a Grammy-nominated flutist, vocalist, and composer whose creativity spans pop and electronic to classical music and beyond. Co-Founder of the critically acclaimed duo Flutronix, the Haitian-American musician discusses her debut solo album Fanm d'Ayiti (Women in Haiti) and how a girl's choir from her community's small church spurred her creativity. Nathalie tells David why she has become an early morning composer, how she was introduced to the flute in 4th grade and her rapid progression on the instrument that helped land her on the stage of Avery Fisher Hall (the current David Geffen Hall) at age 11, and when music became her first true love. As native New Yorkers, Nathalie and David share and compare their experiences shopping at Tower Records, attending Juilliard's Pre-College program, and what led David's mom to steal a piece of the iconic school's music stands as a keepsake. To close it out Nathalie shares why she is grateful to Beyoncé and reiterates her unbelievable connection to music. 

Check out Nathalie Joachim on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, or the web and don't miss her duo Flutronix.

You can listen to Nathalie's newest album, Ki moun ou ye, from New Amsterdam / Nonesuch Records, here. 

Follow Speaking Soundly on Instagram.

Follow David on Instagram.

You can find out more about Artful Narratives Media on Instagram and the web.

Photograph of Nathalie Joachim by Erin Patrice O’Brien.

The Speaking Soundly theme song is composed by Joseph Saba/Stewart Winter and used by permission of Videohelper.

Speaking Soundly was co-created by David Krauss and Jessica Handelman. 

This interview has been edited and condensed to fit the time format.

Episode copyright © 2024 Artful Narratives Media.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

American composer, singer, songwriter, and sonic storyteller Gabriel Kahane uses pop, folk, and classical music to craft captivating works that illustrate the human experience. Gabriel discusses the importance of using music to create community, his song Sit Shiva, what type of opera he imagines he'd write if given the opportunity, and how he responds to humor that is ultimately empathetic. Reflecting on the influences of his psychologist mother, concert pianist father, and his musical childhood filled with violin, piano, guitar, and singing, Gabriel talks about his start at New England Conservatory as a jazz pianist, how his interest shifted to theater at Brown, and his ultimate arrival in New York with his cellist friend Alisa Weilerstein where he began to write songs.

Check out Gabriel Kahane on Instagram, Facebook, Substack, Spotify, Apple Music, or the web.

Follow Speaking Soundly on Instagram.

Follow David on Instagram.

You can find out more about Artful Narratives Media on Instagram and the web.

Photograph of Gabriel Kahane by Jason Quigley.

The Speaking Soundly theme song is composed by Joseph Saba/Stewart Winter and used by permission of Videohelper.

Speaking Soundly was co-created by David Krauss and Jessica Handelman. 

This interview has been edited and condensed to fit the time format.

Episode copyright © 2024 Artful Narratives Media.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The first mandolin soloist to be nominated for a classical Grammy, Avi Avital's remarkable virtuosity from Baroque masterpieces to contemporary compositions has reignited fascination with the mandolin as an instrument worthy of center stage. Avi discusses the intuitive nature of a plucked instrument and how it still excites him to this day, why he finds boredom a blessing, and how his poor pick grip is recognizable by a select group of mandolinists. Reflecting on his childhood performances with his local youth orchestra, Avi shares how the social aspect kept him playing despite his hatred for the tedious and solitary nature of practice, something he still feels to this day despite his talent and success. Avi considers two turning points in his musical development, the first while in high school when he fell in love with the rock music of Nirvana and Pearl Jam and learned how to play drums, keyboard, and guitar, and the second while attending a performance of Il Giardino Armonico at a Jerusalem theater while studying at The Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance. To close it out David admits that if he hears the mandolin in Mozart's Don Giovanni, he's in trouble!

Check out Avi Avital on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Spotify, Apple Music, or the web.

Follow Speaking Soundly on Instagram.

Follow David on Instagram.

You can find out more about Artful Narratives Media on Instagram and the web.

Photograph of Avi Avital by Christoph Köstlin.

The Speaking Soundly theme song is composed by Joseph Saba/Stewart Winter and used by permission of Videohelper.

Speaking Soundly was co-created by David Krauss and Jessica Handelman. 

This interview has been edited and condensed to fit the time format.

Episode copyright © 2024 Artful Narratives Media.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Louis Cato is a Grammy nominated multi-instrumentalist, producer, songwriter, and the band leader of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. The "musical genius" discusses starting the drums before he could walk, his childhood in a tight-knit church community where he wasn't exposed to pop, rock, or jazz music, and how he mastered (or not) the trombone by age fifteen. Louis tells David why he is a "jack of all trades, master of none" in the music world and what he learned from Jon Batiste, Questlove, Doc Severinsen, and Paul Shaffer about being a great band leader.

Check out Louis Cato on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, TikTok, Spotify, Apple Music, or the web.

Follow Speaking Soundly on Instagram.

Follow David on Instagram.

You can find out more about Artful Narratives Media on Instagram and the web.

Photograph of Louis Cato by Shervin Lainez.

The Speaking Soundly theme song is composed by Joseph Saba/Stewart Winter and used by permission of Videohelper.

Speaking Soundly was co-created by David Krauss and Jessica Handelman. 

This interview has been edited and condensed to fit the time format.

Episode copyright © 2024 Artful Narratives Media.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Grammy nominated Welsh cellist and conductor Paul Watkins has enjoyed an illustrious musical career. Whether performing as a chamber musician or music director, his talent for collaboration is unparalleled. Paul reflects on his early beginnings, why he saw professional classical musicians as untouchable in his youth, and how this perspective changed while he attended the Yehudi Menuhin school as a teenager. David asks what it was like to lead the cello section of the BBC Symphony Orchestra at age 20 without any professional experience (terrifying!) and how Paul found the courage to ultimately forge a path as a soloist and chamber musician. Paul discusses how he nearly turned down an audition for the famed Emerson String Quartet, which he ultimately joined thanks to his encouraging wife and a bottle of champagne! To close it out, Paul leaves listeners with invaluable advice.

Check out Paul Watkins on Spotify, Apple Music, or the web.

You can listen to and learn more about the Emerson String Quartet on YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Apple Music, Spotify, and the web.

Follow Speaking Soundly on Instagram.

Follow David on Instagram.

You can find out more about Artful Narratives Media on Instagram and the web.

Photograph of Paul Watkins by Jurgen Frank.

The Speaking Soundly theme song is composed by Joseph Saba/Stewart Winter and used by permission of Videohelper.

Speaking Soundly was co-created by David Krauss and Jessica Handelman. 

This interview has been edited and condensed to fit the time format.

Episode copyright © 2024 Artful Narratives Media.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Preeminent banjo player Béla Fleck is renowned for his unparalleled skills, adventurous spirit, and musical innovation. He's won eighteen GRAMMY Awards in nine different fields from bluegrass to classical and according to him, he's defied the odds. A kid from Manhattan who became obsessed with bluegrass music, Béla reflects on the first time he heard the Earl Scruggs' theme song for "The Beverly Hillbillies," how he got his namesake from three classical heavy hitters, and why it took nine years to return to the banjo after he fell in love with it at the age of six. Béla discusses his quick progression on the instrument, how he skipped college to his parents' surprise, and when he realized he had to find his own distinct sound. David inquires how Béla came to musically interact with classical greats like Joshua Bell and Edgar Meyer, as well as jazz legend Chick Corea, while simultaneously shedding his imposter syndrome, and to close it out Béla tells David about the feeling of making time stand still during a performance. 

Check out Béla Fleck on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Spotify, Apple Music, or the web.

Follow Speaking Soundly on Instagram.

Follow David on Instagram.

You can find out more about Artful Narratives Media on Instagram and the web.

Photograph of Béla Fleck by Jesse Borrell.

The Speaking Soundly theme song is composed by Joseph Saba/Stewart Winter and used by permission of Videohelper.

Speaking Soundly was co-created by David Krauss and Jessica Handelman. 

This interview has been edited and condensed to fit the time format.

Episode copyright © 2024 Artful Narratives Media.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're concluding our celebration of Women's History Month with Grammy Award-winning American mezzo-soprano J’Nai Bridges who has been lighting up opera houses with her voice. J'Nai discusses her debut at The Metropolitan Opera and her performance at Jessye Norman's memorial service, why crying and singing don't mix well, and how she channels her emotions to propel her artistry. Reflecting on her athletic background, J'Nai shares how this prepared her for a life on the stage, why she believes a good coach (vocal or athletic) is vital, and how a traumatic basketball experience in high school shaped her future as a professional singer. To close it out David and J'Nai talk shooting hoops with Wynton Marsalis and the biggest gift of her musical career. 

Check out J'Nai Bridges on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Spotify, Apple Music, or the web.

Follow Speaking Soundly on Instagram.

Follow David on Instagram.

You can find out more about Artful Narratives Media on Instagram and the web.

Photograph of J'Nai Bridges by Dario Acosta.

The Speaking Soundly theme song is composed by Joseph Saba/Stewart Winter and used by permission of Videohelper.

Speaking Soundly was co-created by David Krauss and Jessica Handelman. 

This interview has been edited and condensed to fit the time format.

Episode copyright © 2024 Artful Narratives Media.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're continuing our celebration of Women's History Month with British organist, conductor, broadcaster, and social media sensation Anna Lapwood who is a long-time champion of the organ. She discusses the early challenges of playing the instrument with her feet, what it feels like to "pull out all the stops," and the 20 instruments she could perform by the age of 10. Anna tells David about her biggest musical challenge ever, when she truly fell in love with the organ, why she is proud to #playlikeagirl, what it's like to popularize the instrument with her viral videos on TikTok, and how she came to perform with the electronic musician and producer Bonobo at Royal Albert Hall.

Check out Anna Lapwood on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, YouTube, Spotify, Apple Music, or the web.

Follow Speaking Soundly on Instagram.

Follow David on Instagram.

You can find out more about Artful Narratives Media on Instagram and the web.

Photograph of Anna Lapwood by Nick Rutter.

The Speaking Soundly theme song is composed by Joseph Saba/Stewart Winter and used by permission of Videohelper.

Speaking Soundly was co-created by David Krauss and Jessica Handelman. 

This interview has been edited and condensed to fit the time format.

Episode copyright © 2024 Artful Narratives Media.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We continue our celebration of Women's History month with American classical pianist and trailblazing cultural activist Lara Downes who captivates audiences with brilliant performances highlighting the rich contributions of underrepresented females and Black composers. Lara talks with David about this musical mission and how it stems from personal experiences, which she reckoned with in her early twenties. Reflecting on her "freakishly good" sight reading skills from an early age, Lara describes the "creepy" piano in her childhood basement, how her dad infused her ear with Jazz, and her trick for passing the time while she practiced. She also discusses the joyful discovery of Florence Price's music, the mutual communication that happens when she is performing, and how she discovered she was a New York Times crossword clue.

Check out Lara Downes on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, YouTube, Spotify, Apple Music, or the web.

Follow Speaking Soundly on Instagram.

Follow David on Instagram.

You can find out more about Artful Narratives Media on Instagram and the web.

Photograph of Lara Downes by Max Barrett.

The Speaking Soundly theme song is composed by Joseph Saba/Stewart Winter and used by permission of Videohelper.

Speaking Soundly was co-created by David Krauss and Jessica Handelman. 

This interview has been edited and condensed to fit the time format.

Episode copyright © 2024 Artful Narratives Media.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we're kicking off a brand-new season of interviews and our celebration of Women's History Month by featuring David's conversation with Grammy Award-winning soprano and conductor Barbara Hannigan. Renowned for her exceptional voice, dynamic stage presence, and inspired conducting skills, any of these talents is enough to distinguish Barbara at the forefront of creation. But, when she decided to sing, act, and conduct simultaneously, Barbara found herself forging new ground. She shares where she got the idea to try conducting, how she developed signals to use when simultaneously singing and leading, and why she programs as much Haydn as possible. Barbara reflects on her first teachers, describes how she worked like a professional athlete to overcome performance anxiety, and shares why she feels it's so important to foster the next generation of musicians.

Check out Barbara Hannigan on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, YouTube, Spotify, Apple Music, or the web and learn more about Barbara's initiatives Equilibrium Young Artists and Momentum.

Follow Speaking Soundly on Instagram.

Follow David on Instagram.

You can find out more about Artful Narratives Media on Instagram and the web.

Photograph courtesy of Barbara Hannigan.

The Speaking Soundly theme song is composed by Joseph Saba/Stewart Winter and used by permission of Videohelper.

Speaking Soundly was co-created by David Krauss and Jessica Handelman. 

This interview has been edited and condensed to fit the time format.

Episode copyright © 2024 Artful Narratives Media.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're back with a brand-new season of inspiring conversations featuring British organist and TikTok sensation Anna Lapwood, eighteen-time Grammy Award winner and America’s preeminent banjo player Béla Fleck, Grammy Award-winning mezzo-soprano J'Nai Bridges, and many more!

Follow Speaking Soundly on Instagram.

Follow David on Instagram.

You can find out more about Artful Narratives Media on Instagram and the web.

Photograph of Anna Lapwood by Andy Paradise, Béla Fleck by Jesse Borrell, and J'Nai Bridges by Dario Acosta,.

The Speaking Soundly theme song is composed by Joseph Saba/Stewart Winter and used by permission of Videohelper.

Speaking Soundly was co-created by David Krauss and Jessica Handelman. 

This interview has been edited and condensed to fit the time format.

Episode copyright © 2024 Artful Narratives Media.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're closing out our celebration of Black History Month with one of David's favorite artists and the inaugural guest of the podcast Christian McBride! From the age of seventeen, Christian has been playing with jazz legends and, over the past 30 years, has become one himself. The eight-time Grammy Award-winning bassist recalls a brief stint at Juilliard, the strong influence of his musical family, and how the music of James Brown got him through some tough times.

Check out Christian McBride on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Spotify, Apple Music, or the web.

Follow Speaking Soundly on Instagram.

Follow David on Instagram.

You can find out more about Artful Narratives Media on Instagram and the web.

Photograph of Christian McBride by David Salafia.

The Speaking Soundly theme song is composed by Joseph Saba/Stewart Winter and used by permission of Videohelper.

Speaking Soundly was co-created by David Krauss and Jessica Handelman. 

This interview originally aired on September 9, 2022. It has been edited and condensed to fit the time format.

Episode copyright © 2022 Artful Narratives Media.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we continue our celebration of Black History Month by featuring the eight-time Grammy Award winner and two-time Oscar nominee Terence Blanchard whose interview with David originally aired in April of 2023. 

Original show note: Six-time Grammy Award winner and Oscar nominee Terence Blanchard is a famed trumpeter, band leader, and composer. Recently, he also became the first Black composer commissioned by the Metropolitan Opera since it opened in 1883. Terence discusses his debut at the Met and the enormity of the experience, along with his start at age 19 with The Jazz Messengers, and the greatest lesson he learned from jazz legend Art Blakey. Terence reflects on his expansive work for film, including 17 collaborations with Spike Lee, and answers David's specific questions about a pivotal scene in Mo' Better Blues.

Check out Terence Blanchard on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube, or the web.

Follow Speaking Soundly on Instagram.

Follow David on Instagram.

You can find out more about Artful Narratives Media on Instagram and the web.

Photograph of Terence Blanchard by Cedric Angeles.

The Speaking Soundly theme song is composed by Joseph Saba/Stewart Winter and used by permission of Videohelper.

Speaking Soundly was co-created by David Krauss and Jessica Handelman. 

This interview originally aired on April 11, 2023. It has been edited and condensed to fit the time format.

Episode copyright © 2023 Artful Narratives Media.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we’re continuing our celebration of Black History Month with Avery Fisher Prize winner and clarinetist Anthony McGill. Anthony is the first African-American to hold a Principal chair in the New York Philharmonic’s 180-year history. He sees his high-profile position as an opportunity to inspire a new generation of diverse musicians. Anthony discusses his work as an artist and activist, the greatest experience of his life, and how Michael Jordan inspired him to strive for excellence.

Check out Anthony McGill on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Spotify, Apple Music, and the web.

Follow Speaking Soundly on Instagram.

Follow David on Instagram.

You can find out more about Artful Narratives Media on Instagram and the web.

Photograph of Anthony McGill by Chris Lee.

The Speaking Soundly theme song is composed by Joseph Saba/Stewart Winter and used by permission of Videohelper.

Speaking Soundly was co-created by David Krauss and Jessica Handelman. 

This interview originally aired on October 15, 2022. It has been edited and condensed to fit the time format.

Episode copyright © 2022 Artful Narratives Media.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we begin our celebration of Black History Month by featuring David's conversation with his longtime mentor and dear friend, the legendary Wynton Marsalis. The Pulitzer Prize-winning composer, nine-time Grammy Award winner, and Artistic Director of Jazz at Lincoln Center talks about his musical development, the benefits of music, and a treasured gift with David.

Check out Wynton Marsalis on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Spotify, Vimeo, YouTube, or the web.

Follow Speaking Soundly on Instagram.

Follow David on Instagram.

You can find out more about Artful Narratives Media on Instagram and the web.

Photograph of Wynton Marsalis by Luigi Beverelli.

The Speaking Soundly theme song is composed by Joseph Saba/Stewart Winter and used by permission of Videohelper.

Speaking Soundly was co-created by David Krauss and Jessica Handelman. 

This interview originally aired on October 11, 2022. It has been edited and condensed to fit the time format.

Episode copyright © 2022 Artful Narratives Media.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eight-time Grammy Award-winning pianist Emanuel “Manny” Ax has performed in the world’s greatest concert halls, playing on a different piano in each city, and enjoys the challenge of adjusting to each unique instrument. He recalls how an accidental trip to Carnegie Hall ignited his fantasy to perform on that very stage and reveals the secret to making the piano sing.

Check out Emanuel Ax on Facebook, Twitter, Spotify, Apple Music, or the web.

Follow Speaking Soundly on Instagram.

Follow David on Instagram.

You can find out more about Artful Narratives Media on Instagram and the web.

Photograph of Emanuel Ax by Lisa Marie Mazzucco.

The Speaking Soundly theme song is composed by Joseph Saba/Stewart Winter and used by permission of Videohelper.

Speaking Soundly was co-created by David Krauss and Jessica Handelman. 

This interview originally aired on September 19, 2022. It has been edited and condensed to fit the time format.

Episode copyright © 2022 Artful Narratives Media.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

International violin virtuoso, Ray Chen is redefining the role of today’s classical soloist. Using social media, Ray aims to educate, enlighten, and entertain his audience before they get to the concert hall. He credits his grit and determination to his experience of being a first-generation immigrant and likens playing his ten-million-dollar Stradivarius violin to wielding Thor’s hammer.

Check out Ray Chen on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, YouTube, Apple Music, Spotify, or the web.

Follow Speaking Soundly on Instagram.

Follow David on Instagram.

You can find out more about Artful Narratives Media on Instagram and the web.

Photograph of Ray Chen by John Mac.

The Speaking Soundly theme song is composed by Joseph Saba/Stewart Winter and used by permission of Videohelper.

Speaking Soundly was co-created by David Krauss and Jessica Handelman. 

This interview originally aired on November 1, 2022. It has been edited and condensed to fit the time format.

Episode copyright © 2022 Artful Narratives Media.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Three-time GRAMMY Award-winning American mezzo-soprano Isabel Leonard describes how she navigates the occasional chaos of backstage as she prepares to sing in the world’s greatest opera houses. She enjoys the challenge of finding emotional inroads to the operatic roles she’s portrayed, even if it's a love-stricken teenage boy.

Check out Isabel Leonard on Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Music, or the web.

Follow Speaking Soundly on Instagram.

Follow David on Instagram.

You can find out more about Artful Narratives Media on Instagram and the web.

Photograph of Isabel Leonard by Sergio Kurhajec.

The Speaking Soundly theme song is composed by Joseph Saba/Stewart Winter and used by permission of Videohelper.

Speaking Soundly was co-created by David Krauss and Jessica Handelman. 

This interview originally aired on September 26, 2022. It has been edited and condensed to fit the time format.

Episode copyright © 2022 Artful Narratives Media.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Conductor Joshua Weilerstein catapulted to international attention at a young age when he won first prize of the world-famous Malko Competition for Young Conductors with hardly any formal training. He discusses growing up in a musical family, how performing for thousands of youth who had never heard a live concert profoundly influenced his career, earning the trust and respect of musicians, and paying homage with his popular classical music podcast "Sticky Notes" to the late Leonard Bernstein.

Check out Joshua Weilerstein on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, or the web and the Sticky Notes Podcast.

Follow Speaking Soundly on Instagram.

Follow David on Instagram.

You can find out more about Artful Narratives Media on Instagram and the web.

Photograph of Joshua Weilerstein by Paul Marc Mitchell.

The Speaking Soundly theme song is composed by Joseph Saba/Stewart Winter and used by permission of Videohelper.

Speaking Soundly was co-created by David Krauss and Jessica Handelman. 

This interview originally aired on November, 8, 2022. It has been edited and condensed to fit the time format.

Episode copyright © 2022 Artful Narratives Media.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The podcast is taking a short break while we work on new episodes. In the meantime, we're airing some of our most memorable episodes from the first season. Metropolitan Opera Orchestra trombonist Denson Paul Pollard had an unconventional path to the stage and credits his grit, determination, and humble roots for taking him from a small town in rural Georgia to Carnegie Hall. Paul's work ethic is inspiring as he describes the jobs he’s held from Iowa to Hong Kong and his daily commute from Indiana to New York City.

Check out Denson Paul Pollard on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Spotify, Apple Music, or the web.

Follow Speaking Soundly on Instagram.

Follow David on Instagram.

You can find out more about Artful Narratives Media on Instagram and the web.

Photograph of Denson Paul Pollard by Rose Callahan.

The Speaking Soundly theme song is composed by Joseph Saba/Stewart Winter and used by permission of Videohelper.

Speaking Soundly was co-created by David Krauss and Jessica Handelman. 

This interview originally aired on September 26, 2022. It has been edited and condensed to fit the time format.

Episode copyright © 2022 Artful Narratives Media.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

American singer and actress Mandy Gonzalez has shaped some of Broadway's most well-known characters including Nina Rosario in Lin-Manuel Miranda's breakout "In the Heights," Angelica Schuyler Church in the Tony Award-winning show Hamilton, and the green witch Elphaba in Wicked. Mandy reflects on her 1,400 performances on stage for Hamilton and how she kept it fresh, discusses what happens when you make a mistake mid-show (the white room!), and shares what it's like to join a performance mid-run (the put-in rehearsal!). She tells David why starring with an all-Latino cast in a universal story is still near and dear to her heart, how her Jewish Bubbe sang with her as a child, reflects on her early start with Bette Midler, and explains why she launched her Fearless club.

Check out Mandy Gonzalez on Instagram, Facebook, Threads, YouTube, Spotify, Apple Music, or the web.

Follow Speaking Soundly on Instagram.

Follow David on Instagram.

You can find out more about Artful Narratives Media on Instagram and the web.

Photograph of Mandy by Matthew Murphy.

The Speaking Soundly theme song is composed by Joseph Saba/Stewart Winter and used by permission of Videohelper.

Speaking Soundly was co-created by David Krauss and Jessica Handelman. 

This interview has been edited and condensed to fit the time format.

Episode copyright © 2023 Artful Narratives Media.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Composer, author, lecturer, and performer Bruce Adolphe is a multifaceted artist. He’s known by millions of listeners for his ingenious Piano Puzzlers on public radio's Performance Today and his concert pieces are played worldwide by Itzhak Perlman, Yo-Yo Ma, and Joshua Bell. Bruce shares how he was inspired by Leonard Bernstein to educate and compose, his love of collaborating with scientists, and the importance of letting your mind wander. He reminisces about the first piece he composed at the age of ten and how his father nearly stole the applause, recounts hearing the shot that killed John Lennon, and discusses his opera-singing parrot Polly Rhythm. David asks about Inspector Pulse, a character Bruce created for the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, and how the clever Piano Puzzlers came to be. At the end, we leave you with a holiday puzzle—see how many operatic melodies and classic holiday tunes you can hear. 

Listen to Santa and Isolde, A Holiday Opera Fantasy by Bruce Adolphe as performed by The Metropolitan Opera Brass on Apple Music or Spotify.

Check out Bruce Adolphe on Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, or the web.

Don't miss Bruce's latest books Visions and Decisions and The Mind's Ear.

You can find more Piano Puzzlers on the web.

Follow Speaking Soundly on Instagram.

Follow David on Instagram.

You can find out more about Artful Narratives Media on Instagram and the web.

Photograph of Bruce by The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center.

Santa and Isolde, A Holiday Opera Fantasy used with permission from 5th Show LLC

The Speaking Soundly theme song is composed by Joseph Saba/Stewart Winter and used by permission of Videohelper.

Speaking Soundly was co-created by David Krauss and Jessica Handelman. 

This interview has been edited and condensed to fit the time format.

Episode copyright © 2023 Artful Narratives Media.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Grammy award winner, singer, songwriter, and guitarist Madison Cunningham folds together Folk, Americana, and Indie influences in her soulful music. She tells David about how she blends her voice with the guitar, reflects on how she physically held a full-size Taylor guitar at age six, and considers the first time she affected someone with her music and what that meant to her. Madison discusses the importance of sincerity in music vs. technical perfection, what it was like to direct a choir where the members were more than three times her age, and why being introduced to the music of the Beatles at age seventeen for the first time (and not earlier) was a gift. To finish out the episode, Madison talks about one of her "life highlights," a performance earlier this past year in New York City with Jacob Collier and Chris Thile.

Check out Madison Cunningham on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, YouTube, Spotify, Apple Music, or the web.

Follow Speaking Soundly on Instagram.

Follow David on Instagram.

You can find out more about Artful Narratives Media on Instagram and the web.

Photograph of Madison by Todd Owyoung/NBC.

The Speaking Soundly theme song is composed by Joseph Saba/Stewart Winter and used by permission of Videohelper.

Speaking Soundly was co-created by David Krauss and Jessica Handelman. 

This interview has been edited and condensed to fit the time format.

Episode copyright © 2023 Artful Narratives Media.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Grammy nominated singer, songwriter, and pianist Regina Spektor is an indie-pop icon with two albums that debuted at number three on the Billboard 200 chart. The Russian-born American musician tells David how difficult it was to leave behind her beloved childhood piano when her family immigrated to America, how she found her first piano teacher in the United States through a chance encounter between her father and a stranger on a train, and why she practiced on an imaginary piano. Regina reminisces about a trip to Israel when she was sixteen that sparked her career as a songwriter, reflects on a Carnegie Hall performance following her father's death, and reveals what she loves most about The Metropolitan Opera. To close it out, David and Regina compare notes about meeting celebrated soprano Renée Fleming!

Check out Regina Spektor on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, or the web.

Follow Speaking Soundly on Instagram.

Follow David on Instagram.

You can find out more about Artful Narratives Media on Instagram and the web.

Photograph of Regina by Shervin Lainez.

The Speaking Soundly theme song is composed by Joseph Saba/Stewart Winter and used by permission of Videohelper.

Speaking Soundly was co-created by David Krauss and Jessica Handelman. 

This interview has been edited and condensed to fit the time format.

Episode copyright © 2023 Artful Narratives Media.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Grammy nominated Venezuelan pianist Gabriela Montero is celebrated for her exceptional musicality and her ability to improvise complex pieces on themes suggested by her audiences at live performances. The best-selling recording artist, Latin Grammy Award winner, and human rights activist discusses recording at Abbey Road Studios, seeing her album poster-size Tower Records near Lincoln Center, and what she discovered about her brain when she performs spontaneously. Gabriela reminisces about learning to play the piano at eight-months old, performing Haydn D Major at age nine, her desire to leave the piano behind in her early thirties, and her ultimate return to the instrument. She shares with David how her music influences her political activism and what it meant to her to perform with Itzhak Perlman, Yo-Yo Ma, and Anthony McGill at the inauguration of President Barack Obama.

Check out Gabriela Montero on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Spotify, Apple Music, or the web.

As discussed in the interview, you can see Gabriela perform Haydn D Major at age nine here.

Follow Speaking Soundly on Instagram.

Follow David on Instagram.

You can find out more about Artful Narratives Media on Instagram and the web.

Thanks to our good friends at Ravinia for helping to make this interview possible.

Photograph of Gabriela by Anders Brogaard.

The Speaking Soundly theme song is composed by Joseph Saba/Stewart Winter and used by permission of Videohelper.

Speaking Soundly was co-created by David Krauss and Jessica Handelman. 

This interview has been edited and condensed to fit the time format.

Episode copyright © 2023 Artful Narratives Media.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Swiss-American conductor, educator, scholar, and President of Bard College, Leon Botstein has dedicated his musical career to the performance of lesser known repertoire. Maestro Botstein candidly discusses the practical and emotional challenges a conductor faces while leading an orchestra and the importance of forgoing theatrical gestures. Leon reflects on how his choice to pursue music was a form of rebellion within his family of physicians and when he understood he wouldn't be a virtuoso. David and Leon talk about what makes a good leader of school, Leon's belief in a broad education (as opposed to that of a conservatory), the importance of an inquiring mind, and arts patronage.

Check out Leon Botstein on Facebook, Spotify, Apple Music, or the web.

Learn more about American Symphony Orchestra here, Bard College here, and The Orchestra Now here.

Follow Speaking Soundly on Instagram.

Follow David on Instagram.

You can find out more about Artful Narratives Media on Instagram and the web.

Photograph of Leon by Matt Dine.

The Speaking Soundly theme song is composed by Joseph Saba/Stewart Winter and used by permission of Videohelper.

Speaking Soundly was co-created by David Krauss and Jessica Handelman. 

This interview has been edited and condensed to fit the time format.

Episode copyright © 2023 Artful Narratives Media.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

MacArthur "Genius" Grant recipient, Avery Fisher Prize winner, and acclaimed pianist Jeremy Denk is also a New York Times bestselling author. He sits down with David to discuss his memoir Every Good Boy Does Fine, which was published to universal acclaim and how he managed to write the book with demanding concert and practice schedules. Jeremy recalls how his dad rescued a graffiti-covered piano from a burlesque house, getting beat up for blasting classical music with a boombox on his childhood school bus, and when he began to practice for the love of practicing. Jeremy shares lessons he learned from numerous piano teachers over the years and an early mistake he made when first starting out as a teacher himself. To close the conversation out, David and Jeremy share a laugh about the smell of the practice rooms on the fourth floor of Juilliard.

Check out Jeremy Denk on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Spotify, Apple Music, or the web.

You can order Jeremy's book Every Good Boy Does Fine here.

Follow Speaking Soundly on Instagram.

Follow David on Instagram.

You can find out more about Artful Narratives Media on Instagram and the web.

Thanks to our good friends at Ravinia for helping to make this interview possible.

Photograph of Jeremy by Shervin Lainez.

The Speaking Soundly theme song is composed by Joseph Saba/Stewart Winter and used by permission of Videohelper.

Speaking Soundly was co-created by David Krauss and Jessica Handelman. 

This interview has been edited and condensed to fit the time format.

Episode copyright © 2023 Artful Narratives Media.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.