Braving the Stave – Details, episodes & analysis
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Hosted by Jonathan James and joined by Angharad Smith, a.k.a ‘JJ & Haz’ , this bubbly duo delve through all music and genres, sharing with you their personal favourite pieces, along with some musical jokes that add a playful and informal feel to the podcast. Working as part of Arts Active's Cardiff Classical programme, we run lots of exciting extras alongside it to support the concerts. Check out the Arts Active website for more - www.artsactive.org.uk
Got any comments for JJ and Haz? Email them to A2@artsactive.org.uk
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Yn cael eu cyflwyno gan Jonathan James, yng nghwmni Angharad Smith, neu ‘JJ a Haz’ fel y’u gelwir, mae’r ddeuawd fyrlymus hon yn pori drwy bob math o gerddoriaeth a genres, gan rannu gyda chi eu hoff ddarnau personol, ynghyd â rhai jôcs cerddorol sy’n ychwanegu teimlad chwareus ac anffurfiol i’r podlediad. Gan weithio fel rhan o'r rhaglen Gyfres Glasurol Actifyddion Artistig, rydym yn cynnal llawer o bethau ychwanegol cyffrous ochr yn ochr ag ef i gefnogi'r cyngherddau. Edrychwch ar wefan Arts Active i gael mwy - www.artsactive.org.uk
Oes gennych chi unrhyw sylwadau i JJ a Haz? Anfonwch ebost i A2@artsactive.org.uk
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Apple Podcasts
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26/06/2026#71🇬🇧 Great Britain - musicCommentary
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06/01/2025#100🇬🇧 Great Britain - musicCommentary
05/01/2025#60🇬🇧 Great Britain - musicCommentary
08/11/2024#90🇬🇧 Great Britain - musicCommentary
07/11/2024#48
Spotify
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See allScore global : 73%
Publication history
Monthly episode publishing history over the past years.
Upbeats: Season 4, Episode 13 (Braving The Harp)
Season 4 · Episode 13
samedi 2 novembre 2024 • Duration 26:53
When Jon likens harp music to twinkly bedtime stories, Haz champions the instrument, taking it beyond the usual clichés. Together they consider its Celtic history, how much patience you need to tune it, the most-loved harp effects, and why harpists are the best people to ask to unscrew a jar.
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Upbeats: Season 4, Episode 12 (Braving the Sax)
Season 4 · Episode 12
samedi 28 septembre 2024 • Duration 32:40
JJ and Haz try to convert each other to the sound of the sax, celebrating its parps, growls and bends. Along the way: why Debussy called the sound 'aquatic', why it reminds JJ of custard, and what it means to be 'Careless Whispered' while at music college.
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Upbeats: Season 4, Episode 3 (Music of Protest)
Season 4 · Episode 3
mardi 28 novembre 2023 • Duration 25:32
Haz and JJ bring some pep to your November with the music of protest and revolt, whether it's Obama breaking into song, Chopin feeling heroic or Billy Holiday lamenting a dark past. And what is the opposite of goosebumps?
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Upbeats: Season 4, Episode 2 (Rain and Rainbows)
Season 4 · Episode 2
samedi 28 octobre 2023 • Duration 31:36
Given the weather recently, JJ and Haz ponder the different ways rain has been treated in music, including Chopin's disturbing dream, Britten's cheerful storm, Debussy's summer tempest, and John Luther Adams' electronic showers. Bambi gets a look-in too, as do two heart-rending versions of 'Over The Rainbow'. And if you've ever wondered how the Welsh say 'it's raining cats and dogs', look no further!
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Upbeats: Season 4, Episode 1 (All things autumn. (And some concrete))
Season 4 · Episode 1
samedi 30 septembre 2023 • Duration 28:24
All things autumn. (And some concrete).
As autumn beckons and St David's Hall lingers to have its concrete checked, JJ and Haz spend their first podcast back considering music of the moment: seasonal themes of renewal, colourful landscapes and some musique concrète too (the fun bits). The challenge is to avoid autumnal stereotypes along the way. And Haz surveys whether musicians have a favourite version of 'Autumn Leaves', the perennial jazz classic.
Hyfrydwch hydrefol. (Ac ychydig o goncrit).
Wrth i’r hydref agosáu ac wrth i Neuadd Dewi Sant aros i’w goncrit gael ei wirio, yn eu podlediad cyntaf yn ôl mae JJ a Haz yn ystyried cerddoriaeth y cyfnod: themâu tymhorol am adnewyddu, tirweddau lliwgar, ac ychydig o musique concrète hefyd (y rhannau diddorol). Yr her yw osgoi stereoteipiau hydrefol. Ac mae Haz yn holi a oes gan gerddorion hoff fersiwn o ‘Autumn Leaves’, y clasur jazz bythol.
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Upbeats: Episode 30 (Fanfares and Finales)
Season 3 · Episode 30
mardi 27 juin 2023 • Duration 32:17
To culminate this season of Braving the Stave, Haz and Jon contemplate what it might be like to kiss a fanfaring trumpeter and uncover a disturbing past to the fanfare genre. They then pick their favourite rousing (or crushing) finales from the music of Tchaikovsky, Beethoven, Bartok and John Williams.
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Upbeats: Bonus Track (JJ interviews Sali-Wyn Ryan)
Season 3
samedi 27 mai 2023 • Duration 14:47
Continuing the theme of our May episode, JJ interviews Sali-Wyn Ryan, a proudly Welsh member of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and asks her about the perks and pitfalls of orchestral life.
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Upbeats: Episode 29 (Braving the Orchestra)
Season 3 · Episode 29
samedi 27 mai 2023 • Duration 36:49
In this deep-dive into orchestral life, JJ and Haz discover why so many orchestral musicians own a pilot's licence, why a percussionist can feel like a lemon, why basketball-players could make excellent violists and the most important question of them all: which section always arrives late to every rehearsal?
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Upbeats: Episode 28 (Braving Minimalism)
Season 3 · Episode 28
samedi 29 avril 2023 • Duration 39:22
Haz sets out to enlighten JJ, a self-confessed harmony junkie, in the joys of Minimalism. Starting with the hippy experiments of La Monte Young, they trace the style's evolution via Glass and Reich to the complex scores of post-minimalist, John Adams. Along the way they discover why Haz salivates at the sound of a gamelan and how every minimalist needs a marimba.
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Upbeats: Episode 27 (Female Composers)
Season 3 · Episode 27
samedi 25 mars 2023 • Duration 33:18
Haz takes the lead in this podcast about female composers and women in music. Is there still a 'gender agenda' in the classical music industry, and is there enough female representation at the top table? Expect bold, beautiful music, frank exchanges and a contentious review of the film 'Tár'. Featuring pieces by Rebecca Clarke, Dani Howard, Rebecca Dale, Debbie Wiseman, Hildur Guðnadóttir, Rachel Portman and Florence Price.
Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0IujonLl2lB7bfPzz71U0Z?si=de2ff953d16940af
www.artsactive.org.uk
Email a2@artsactive.org.uk
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#classicalmusic #artsactive #drjonathanjames #bravingthestave #musicconversations #funfacts #guestspeakers #cardiff #cardiffclassical
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