Conductor's Roundtable

Conductor's Roundtable

Author: Joshua Weilerstein April 13, 2020 Duration: 56:21

This week I was proud to join the Phoenix Orchestra's livestream at twitch.tv/thephoenixorch for a quarantined conductor's roundtable featuring Matthew Szymanski, Aram Demirjian, and Gemma New. We discussed what it is that conductor's do, the art of rehearsing, batons, the psychology of working with large groups, our craziest stories from doing the job, and much much more. This was such a fun experience and we're going to be doing it again very soon. We hope you enjoy it and will join us for the next one!


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
Overtures, Overtures, Overtures! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:09:10
Imagine compressing a 3 or 4 hour opera into 8 minutes of music. You've just imagined an overture! Overtures are an integral and beloved part of the opera and concert experience, and the best overtures live on as separat…
Bach Cello Suites [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:41
Bach's Cello Suites are now an indispensable part of the cello repertoire, but this wasn't always the case. After Bach's death, they were forgotten. But starting in the 1890s, a cellist named Pablo Casals began playing t…
Haydn & Henle w/ Stephen Hough and Norbert Müllemann [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:56
Have you ever wondered how music gets from the manuscript to the printed page? Today we're talking about Haydn, and a project by Henle Publishers to reissue all 55 of Haydn's piano sonatas with fingerings from 55 differe…
Baroque Music in 60 Minutes [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:57
Bach, Handel, Vivaldi, Purcell, Monteverdi. These are some of the biggest names in the history of Western Classical Music, and they were all writing in one of the most innovative periods in musical history - the Baroque…
Mozart, "The Marriage of Figaro," Part 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:31:36
Acts III and IV of the Marriage of Figaro are complicated in many ways. They are difficult for the singers, for the conductor, and especially for the director. So in honour of the many experiments that have been made wit…
A Conversation with Frederica Von Stade [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:45
Frederica Von Stade needs no introduction. She is one of the legends of our time, and one of the most beloved singers in the world. She has made over 60 recordings and has appeared with all of the world's great opera com…
Introduction to Opera + Mozart, Marriage of Figaro (Part 1) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:13:13
In the late 16th century, a new art form emerged, borne out of a desire to re-engage with Greek dramas of the past. This art form was incredibly ambitious; it would involve music, words, and dance, all written to enterta…
Renaissance Music in 60 Minutes [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:57
There are indelible images associated with the musical Renaissance period. This 200 year era saw an astonishing growth in productivity, an expansion of education, both musical and otherwise, and repeated religious upheav…
William Levi Dawson, "Negro Folk Symphony" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:00
William Dawson is not a household name to classical music lovers. But for one week in 1934, he was the talk of the classical music world. The legendary Leopold Stokowski and the Philadelphia Orchestra had chosen to progr…