In this episode of One Symphony, conductor Devin Patrick Hughes interviews acclaimed pianist and composer Marina Arsenijevic to discuss her journey that led to her latest album, Chopin Obsessions. Arsenijevic shared insights into her upbringing in former Yugoslavia, the influences that shaped her musical style, and her unwavering commitment to promoting unity through diversity. Marina Arsenijevic is as an inspiration to artists and audiences alike. Her journey of unity through diversity reminds us of the transformative power of music and its ability to bring people together, even in the most challenging of times. Growing up in a communist country, Arsenijevic was exposed to a wide range of musical genres, from Western pop to traditional Balkan music, which would later play a significant role in shaping her unique compositional style. As the disintegration of Yugoslavia began in the early 1990s, Arsenijevic found solace in her music. She recognized the power of music to transcend borders and bring people together, even in the face of conflict and adversity. “I wanted to show our common humanity through history, culture, through music, so I started to blend diverse melodies and rhythms to unite us,” she explained. Arsenijevic's commitment to promoting unity through diversity led to the creation of her PBS special, Marina at West Point: Unity Through Diversity. The concert, which featured the West Point Chorus and Band, showcased a diverse range of musical styles and pieces from Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue to Freddie Mercury's "Bohemian Rhapsody" alongside Arsenijevic's own compositions. The special aimed to share Arsenijevic's message with a wider audience. During the interview, Arsenijevic also discussed her latest album, Chopin Obsessions. She discussed the influence of Chopin's relationships with aristocratic women on his compositions and the evolution of his musical style throughout his career. Arsenijevic also drew parallels between Chopin and other composers of the Romantic Era. When asked about her advice for young composers and pianists, Arsenijevic emphasized the importance of using one's own cultural background and traditional music. She encouraged artists to explore the melodies and rhythms of their heritage and incorporate them into their compositions.

MARINA ARSENIJEVIC is an international award-winning pianist and composer, star of the Emmy-nominated Public Television program, “Marina at West Point: Unity through Diversity”which has been broadcast to more than 170 Million viewers on PBS Stations all across the country. Marina created the program and performed with the 120-member joint ensemble of the West Point Band and West Point Cadet Glee Club. The Concert was recorded live at West Point’s historic Eisenhower Hall and as of 2020 become one of the longest running single concerts at PBS TV Network.

Thank you for joining us on One Symphony. Thanks to Marina Arsenijevic for sharing her music and performances. You can find more info at https://www.marinainamerica.com/home

The following music was heard on today’s episode:

“A Piece of My Sky” composed and performed by Marina Arsenijevic. “Gypsy Suite” from the album My Balkan Soul, composed and performed by Marina Arsenijevic available from KM Records. “Armed Forces Medley” performed by Marina with the West Point Cadet Glee Club and the West Point Band from the PBS special Marina at West Point: Unity Through Diversity. The cadenza and finale from Tesla Rhapsody, composed by Marina made possible by the Gold Spirit Award from the Tesla Science Foundation. Chopin’s Waltz in A-flat Major op 42, Fantaisie-impromptu, Op.66, and Ballade No. 1 in G minor, performed by Marina on the album Chopin Obsession available from United World Bravo Music. “Homolje” from the album Balkan Sounds. Composed and performed by Marina Arsenijevic and the Servian Chamber Orchestra and Chorus. Arranged by Zoran Hristic. Available from United World Bravo Music.

You can always find more info at OneSymphony.org including a virtual tip jar if you’d like to support the show. Please feel free to rate, review, or share the show! Until next time, thank you for being part of the music!

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In this episode of One Symphony, conductor Devin Patrick Hughes interviews internationally renowned pianist Quynh Nguyen (pronounced Quin Nwen), exploring her remarkable journey in music. Born in post-war Vietnam, Nguyen's path has been shaped by her family legacy, global influences, and dedication to her craft. From her early beginnings at the Hanoi Conservatory to her studies in Moscow, Paris, and the United States, Nguyen's story exemplifies perseverance and the power of music to transcend boundaries. The interview examines Nguyen's direct connections with French composer Olivier Messiaen and studying with his wife Yvonne Loriod, her respect for Germaine Tailleferre's resilience, and her collaboration with Paul Chihara on his Concerto Fantasy for Piano and Orchestra. Nguyen also explores music’s capability to promote peace between nations in her touching final remarks.

Quynh Nguyen has performed throughout the United States, Europe, and Vietnam, in venues including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Smithsonian’s Freer Gallery, Berlin Konzerthause, and the Opera House in Hanoi, Vietnam. Broadcast appearances include Voice of America, WQXR, WGBH, NHK Television in Japan, Vietnamese national television, and “Grand Piano,” on cable TV channels across the United States. Her discography includes recordings on Arabesque, Naxos’s American Classics Series, and Music and Arts labels.

Dr. Nguyen is a graduate of The Juilliard School and Mannes College of Music and received her Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the Graduate Center of City University of New York. She is the recipient of several highly prestigious scholarships and awards, including the United States Presidential Academic Fitness Award, the American Prize, and the Fulbright Fellowship to France.

Thank you for joining us on One Symphony. Thanks to Quynh Nguyen for sharing her music and spirit. You can find more info at https://www.quynhpiano.com

All music selections feature Quynh Nguyen on Piano. The following albums were featured on One Symphony today:

“Fleurs de France: No. 2, Coquelicot de Guyenne” and “Berceuse” composed by Germaine Tailleferre from the album The Flower of France available from Naxos.

From Vingt regards sur l'Enfant-Jesus I. No. 15. Le baiser de l'enfant-Jesus ("The kiss of the infant Jesus") composed by Olivier Messiaen from the album Quynh Nguyen: Live in Concert - New York available from Arabesque Records.

Concerto Fantasy, composed by Paul Chihara and featuring Nguyen with the London Symphony Orchestra

“Drinking Songs for Kittens,” “Like Rising Must,” and “Kleine Toccata…” from the Twice Seven Haiku.

4 Reveries on Beethoven (2021 Version): No. 2, Pastorale.

All these selections are available on the album Chihara: Concerto-Fantasy for Piano and Orchestra, Bagetelles, Reveries & Ami on the Naxos label.

You can always find more info at OneSymphony.org including a virtual tip jar if you’d like to support the show. Please feel free to rate, review, or share the show! Until next time, thank you for being part of the music!

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In this episode of One Symphony, conductor Devin Patrick Hughes sits down with renowned composer Pierre Jalbert to explore Jalbert’s musical journey, creative process, and the spiritual influences that shape his work. Jalbert shares intimate stories about his childhood in Vermont, his collaborations with world-class musicians, and the importance of resonance and reverberation in his compositions. He also pays tribute to his mentor, the late Larry Rachleff, and discusses his genre-bending project with the Apollo Chamber Players. Throughout the interview, Jalbert offers insights into the challenges and rewards of writing for both chamber groups and large ensembles and reveals how he strives to create music that serves the audience. Join us for a fascinating glimpse into the mind of one of today's best composers.

Earning widespread notice for his richly colored and superbly crafted scores, Pierre Jalbert’s music has been described as “immediately captures one’s attention with its strong gesture and vitality” by the American Academy of Arts and Letters. Among his many honors are the Rome Prize, the BBC Masterprize, a Guggenheim Fellowship, and the Fromm Foundation commission.

Jalbert’s music has been performed worldwide in such venues as Carnegie Hall, Wigmore Hall, Lincoln Center, the Kennedy Center, and the Barbican. Recent orchestral performances include those by the Boston Symphony, the National Symphony, the Houston Symphony, the Cabrillo Festival Orchestra, and the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra.

He has served as Composer-in-Residence with the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, the California Symphony, and Music in the Loft in Chicago. Select chamber music commissions and performances include those of the Ying, Borromeo, Maia, Enso, Chiara, Escher, Del Sol, and Emerson String Quartets, as well as violinist Midori. Three new CDs of his music have been recently released: Violin Concerto, Piano Quintet and Secret Alchemy, and Piano Trio No. 2.

Jalbert is Professor of Music at Rice University's Shepherd School of Music in Houston, and he is a co-founder of Musiqa, a Houston-based new music collective. His music is published by Schott Helicon Music Corporation, New York.

Thank you for joining us on One Symphony. Thanks to Pierre Jalbert for sharing her music and stories. You can find more info at https://www.pierrejalbert.com.

Pierre Jalbert composed all music featured in this episode, with one exception.

String Theory was performed live by the Kaleidoscope Chamber Orchestra.

Mystical and With Great Energy, from Secret Alchemy, from the album Music From Copland House performed by Curtis Macomber, Danielle Farina, Alexis Pia Gerlach and Michael Boriskin.

The first movement from From Dusk to Starry Night “The Night in Silence” on a text by Walt Whitman features Sasha Cooke and the River Oaks Chamber Orchestra.

Violin Concerto, featuring Steven Copes on violin. Performed by The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra with Thomas Zehetmair as the conductor.

“Fiddle Dance” from L’espirit du nord. Performed by the Apollo Chamber Players.

Mozart Piano Concerto K488 in A major, first movement improvised cadenza performed by Robert Levin with the Cluj-Nacopa Philharmonic in Romania with Nicole Moldovenau as the conductor.

“Chanson de Lisette” from Le’spirit du nord. Performed by the Apollo Chamber Players.

“Music of air and fire” performed by the Houston Youth Symphony conducted by Michael Isadore.

You can always find more info at OneSymphony.org including a virtual tip jar if you’d like to support the show. Please feel free to rate, review, or share the show! Until next time, thank you for being part of the music!