A Conversation with Composer Caroline Shaw

A Conversation with Composer Caroline Shaw

Author: Joshua Weilerstein October 18, 2024 Duration: 47:32

Caroline Shaw is one of the most fascinating, innovative, and brilliant composers of our time. Since winning the Pulitzer Prize in 2013, she rocketed onto the scene and has stayed there ever since, writing music that has captivated audiences around the world. In this conversation, which dates back to 2020(so there is a bit of pandemic talk at the beginning), we talked about her musical upbringing, the shock and surprise of her Pulitzer win, her compositional process, and much much more. This was a really fun and edifying conversation and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did! 


There’s a particular kind of curiosity that draws people to classical music, but the sheer scale of the repertoire can feel overwhelming. Sticky Notes: The Classical Music Podcast, hosted by conductor Joshua Weilerstein, meets that curiosity right where it is. Think of it as a series of open conversations about the music itself, designed to be equally engaging for someone hearing a symphony for the first time and for a lifelong devotee. Episodes might feature a thoughtful interview with a performing artist, offering a glimpse behind the curtain, or they could focus entirely on a single piece, peeling back its layers to explore why it resonates. Weilerstein guides these explorations with clarity and enthusiasm, moving seamlessly from foundational concepts to more nuanced details about different musical eras. The entire premise of this podcast is built on a genuine belief that this music belongs to all of us. It’s about replacing any sense of intimidation with connection and understanding. While past seasons are gradually being re-released, each episode stands as its own invitation to listen more deeply.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 284

Sticky Notes: The Classical Music Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Sticky Notes Vs. Wagner w/ Rafael Payare [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:12
Wagner is probably the most admired AND the most reviled composer in Western Classical Music history. I've always been uncomfortable with Wagner's music, so I decided to sit down with the wonderful conductor(and my broth…
Elgar: Enigma Variations [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:12
Elgar told us all about how the inspiration for his first great success: "I began to play, and suddenly my wife interrupted by saying: "Edward, that's a good tune!... 'What is that?' I answered, 'Nothing – but something…
Fantasia 2021: 7 Pieces to Get You Started with Classical Music [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:44
Almost everyone classical music fan has a memory of the first time they saw Fantasia. The brilliant combination of music and visuals made lifelong classical music fans out of millions of people. There's no audio only ver…
Debussy La Mer [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:34
It's 1905 and you've just come to the premiere of Debussy's La Mer. The orchestra begins playing, and a magical and completely unique journey begins. Gone are the peaceful and placid portrayals of water in music of the p…
Mozart Symphony No. 41, "Jupiter" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:59
Mozart's Jupiter Symphony is a piece that can practically define the classical era symphony. Mozart pulls out every trick in the compositional book and practically sums up everything written before him. It is a symphony…
Schumann Symphony No. 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:04
Schumann's life was marked with severe mental health issues. In 1844, Schumann suffered one of his worst breakdowns yet. He was dizzy, weak, had vision problems, couldn't sleep, and couldn't listen to music. By 1845 Schu…
Brahms Symphony No. 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:13
Brahms spent much of his life battling with his ambition to write great symphonies and his terror at the spectre of Beethoven looming over him. His first symphony was a success, and with immense relief, Brahms quickly tu…
How to Listen to (and Enjoy!) Atonal Music, Part 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:11
This week we're talking all about atonal music! I'm going to tell you all about the history of this controversial development in classical music, its development, and perhaps most importantly, I'll try to find a way to h…
The Degenerates: Music Suppressed by the Nazis [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:11
From the end of WWI until 1933, classical music in Germany, Austria, and Eastern Europe was flourishing, with composers such as Zemlinsky, Weill, Krenek, Korngold, Schreker, Schulhoff, Haas, Krasa, and Ullmann writing sp…