Sunday Baroque Conversations 112: Melvin Chen

Sunday Baroque Conversations 112: Melvin Chen

Author: Suzanne Bona November 24, 2023 Duration: 36:30
As a music lover, you may be familiar with Melvin Chen for his recordings of piano music by Dmitri Shostakovich or Ludwig van Beethoven. He put his double degrees from The Juilliard School to work as Professor in the Practice of Piano at Yale School of Music and is Director of Norfolk Chamber Music Festival, which is Yale's Summer School of Music. Melvin Chen arrived at his career in music after earning degrees in chemistry and physics from Yale and Harvard. He spoke with Suzanne about how he has allowed his passion, energy, and curiosity steer his many diverse interests.

Behind every piece of music is a person with a story, and that’s where Sunday Baroque Conversations finds its rhythm. Host Suzanne Bona, familiar to listeners of her Sunday Baroque program, sits down with professional musicians who have dedicated their lives to their art. These aren’t just casual chats; they are deep, personal explorations of what it truly means to live a life in music. You’ll hear celebrated artists discuss the specific pieces that first ignited their passion, the formidable challenges of mastering centuries-old techniques, and the quiet triumphs that happen offstage. This podcast pulls back the curtain on the discipline and heart required for a performing career, offering a genuine, often surprising, look at the individuals behind the instruments. Each conversation feels like an intimate backstage pass, revealing the inspirations and vulnerabilities that fuel these exceptional performers. For anyone curious about the human dimension of classical and baroque music, Suzanne’s thoughtful interviews provide a rich and rewarding listen. You can find Sunday Baroque Conversations by searching its title in your favorite podcast app.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 138

Sunday Baroque Conversations
Podcast Episodes
Sunday Baroque Conversations 137: Edward Klorman [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:00
Edward Klorman is a violist and Professor of Music at the University of Wisconsin - Madison's Mead Witter School of Music. In 2025 he published his book, BACH: THE CELLO SUITES, exploring what makes these seemingly humbl…
Sunday Baroque Conversations 136: Chris Shepard [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:30
What would it take to present THE COMPLETE BACH? Thanks to an extraordinary 11-year project underway in Worcester, MA, you can find out! Starting in 2024 and continuing through March 21, 2035, Music Worcester is presenti…
Sunday Baroque Conversations 135: Vladimir Soares [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 10:25
The talented recorder player Vladimir Soares made a recording with harpsichordist Fabian Grosch of Flute Sonatas by Anna Bon di Venezia that I have admired (and played regularly on Sunday Baroque) for years. Vladimir Soa…
Sunday Baroque Conversations 134: Simone Dinnerstein 2025 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:30
Pianist Simone Dinnerstein has many loves – her family, her hometown, her musical collaborators, and Johann Sebastian Bach's music, to name just a few. The proud Brooklyn resident founded her musical ensemble and called…
Sunday Baroque Conversations 133: Matthew Suttor [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:10
New Zealand-born composer and educator Matthew Suttor's passion for music began when he was a small child. Throughout his career he has explored many facets of music making, with a particular interest in computer music a…
Sunday Baroque Conversations 132: Caroline Shaw [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:30
New York-based musician Caroline Shaw is a singer, violinist, composer, and producer who performs in solo and collaborative projects. Growing up in Greenville, NC, her introduction to music came through her mother -- a S…
Sunday Baroque Conversations 131: Eric Milnes [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:20
Eric Milnes is a professional instrumentalist and conductor who is also deeply committed to teaching and to fostering amateur talent. Along with instrumentalist Mélisande Corriveau, Milnes is co-director of Quebec's crit…
Sunday Baroque Conversations 130: Thorgy Thor [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:06
From the time she was very young, Thorgy Thor (née Shane Thor Galligan) was an outgoing bundle of energy. Her parents signed her up for a variety of activities, including sports and music, to keep her engaged and to burn…
Sunday Baroque Conversations 129: Kristen Lee [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:17
Violinist Kristin Lee was born in Seoul, Korea and came to the United States at age 7. At the time she spoke no English and the once-chatty, outgoing little girl suddenly found herself isolated, lonely, without friends.…
Sunday Baroque Conversations 128: Debra Nagy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:45
Debra Nagy plays baroque oboe, and the historical performance expert is also founding director of the chamber group Les Délices. The award-winning Cleveland-based group has a reputation for performing less well-known mus…