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!

https://www.marinainamerica.com/performances

https://www.priceattractions.com/devin-patrick-hughes-conductor

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!

https://www.quynhpiano.com

https://www.priceattractions.com/devin-patrick-hughes-conductor

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!

In this episode of One Symphony, Juhi Bansal discusses her diverse cultural influences, from Hindustani classical to Western styles, and how she weaves them together to create powerful narratives through sound. Bansal delves into the inspiration behind several of her striking works, including "Songs From the Deep," "Waves of Change," and "Aurora," which explore themes of women's resilience, environmental conservation, and the beauty of natural phenomena. Bansal also reflects on the role of artists in driving change and her personal growth as a composer over the past 15 years. Join us for an engaging conversation that celebrates the power of music to create narratives that combine spirituality and nature.

Thank you for joining us on One Symphony. Thanks to Juhi Bansal for sharing her music and stories. You can find more info at https://juhibansal.com.

Juhi Bansal composed all music featured in this episode.

Songs from the Deep commissioned by the Oregon Mozart Players for the 2022 Sound Investment Commission.

Waves of Change (music, surfing and identity) inspired by the Bangladesh Girls Surf Club in Cox’s Bazaar region of Bangladesh. Performed by Ranjana Ghatak. Featuring Kathryn Shuman singing soprano and Timothy Loo on cello.

Flash, Glimmer, Glow, Spark. Performed by the Dusseldorf Symphony.

Aurora (for SATB chorus). Performed by the LA Choral Lab. Featured soloists are Kathryn Shuman, Molly Pease, Rothan Ramanan, and Zachary Zaret.

Love, Lose, Exile for Soprano, Cello, and Piano. Featuring Abigail Sinclair on soprano, Yu-Hsin Teng on piano, and Evan Kahn on piano.

Wings for Violin, Cello, and Piano. Performed by Pasha Tseitlin on violin, David Meyer on cello, and Nic Gerpe on piano.

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!

In this episode of One Symphony, host Devin Patrick Hughes sits down with Ralph Patrick, a former pastor and Alzheimer's Association collaborator, to explore the profound impact of music on individuals living with dementia. Patrick shares his personal experiences and insights, discussing how live musical performances can engage, stimulate, and connect with those affected by this challenging disease. Discover the steps musical organizations can take to create dementia-friendly programs and learn about the cognitive benefits of music for individuals with dementia. Don't miss this thought-provoking discussion on the transformative power of music and its ability to reach the deeper, inner self beyond cognition.

Ralph Patrick, a former pastor and Alzheimer’s Association collaborator is the son of Jean who died of Alzheimer's in 2012. Her diagnosis in 2001 led him to join the Colorado Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association. He has presented hundreds of education classes, as well as providing consultationg services for both caregivers and those living with dementia, and has been a collaborator and presenter with Boulder Symphony creating Sensory Friendly concert series, reaching thousands in Colorado and beyond.

00:00 Introduction to the Power of Music in Dementia Care

00:14 Early Experiences and Realizations

01:59 The Impact of Music on Dementia: Recorded vs. Live

04:31 Advancements and Community Engagement in Music Therapy

07:08 Orchestras and Ensembles: Engaging with Dementia Programs

09:56 Tailoring Music Programs for Different Stages of Dementia

16:59 The Therapeutic Benefits of Music for Dementia

18:51 The Role of Orchestras in Supporting Dementia Communities

22:10 The Deep Connection Between Music and Memory

23:28 Preventative and Therapeutic Benefits of Music

25:08 Closing Thoughts and Encouragement

Thank you for joining us on One Symphony. Thanks to Ralph Patrick for sharing his expertise and stories. You can find more info at https://www.alz.org or https://bouldersymphony.org/outreach/ or linkedin.com/in/ralph-patrick-69734215

Musical selections on this episode today include

1. Bach - Air from Orchestral Suite no. 3 in D major BWV 1068 Performed by the Netherlands Bach Society
2. Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky – Symphony No 5 in E minor op. 64 Sergiu Celibidache conducts the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra
3. Mozart Divertimento in D Major, K. 136 "Salzburg Symphony No. 1": II. Andante · Ton Koopman conducts the Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra
4. The Syncopated Clock · Leroy Anderson, conducted by Leroy Anderson
5. Shostakovich: Jazz Suite No. 2 - VI. Waltz II Riccardo Chailly conducts the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra
6. Beethoven: Symphony No. 6 In F, Op. 68 -"Pastoral" – First movement -- Herbert von Karajan conducts the Berliner Philharmonic

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!

In this episode of One Symphony, host Devin Patrick Hughes welcomes rising star composer, performer, and educator Brittany Green to discuss her boundary-pushing work and perspective on the future of classical music in the 21st century.

Green, who started out in music education before pivoting to composition in her 20s, brings a multifaceted approach to her practice. Through projects like the Young Composers Project, she blends her interests in composing and teaching, working with K-5 students to collaboratively create music using tools like Max MSP. During the pandemic shutdowns, Green delved further into live electronics and narration as a form of performance, drawing inspiration from artists in the black arts and poetry space to bring fresh aesthetics to her classical compositions.

A major theme in Green's music is the "construction, displacement and rupturing of systems." She sees composers throughout history, from Beethoven onwards, as mold-breakers who redefined expectations. Green explores concepts like building and dismantling rhythmic structures, and cutting through established textures and timbres, to allow new musical ideas to emerge from the breakage and slippage. Pieces like "Against Sharp" express this through incessant repeated notes that slowly erode into legato lines and expanded harmonic material. Intellectually, Green relates this to the ideas of cultural scholars like Bell Hooks and José Muñoz around disrupting systems of domination from the margins.

When it comes to expanding classical music's reach, Green emphasized the importance of authentic community engagement. Through her "community engaged residencies" with orchestras around the country, she aims to have genuine dialogue with communities about their interests and needs, rather than just bestowing a pre-packaged experience upon them. Finding collaborators within communities and among outside artists doing impactful work elsewhere allows for rich cross-pollination of ideas. Regional orchestras especially are well-positioned to connect with local institutions and build meaningful, reverberating programming.

Green sees opportunities to lead audiences to appreciate new musical experiences they "don't know they don't know." While some may assume anything written recently is inaccessibly avant-garde, the reality is new classical music spans a wide range of genres and aesthetics. With creative programming that makes unexpected connections between old and new works, and provides helpful context, orchestras can open listeners' minds and excite their curiosity to discover fresh voices.

Even as artificial intelligence emerges as a tool for music creation, Green believes the most vital qualities of composition will remain the domain of humans. AI may be able to generate music that is theoretically "correct," but it is the element of surprise, of flouting expectations in ways only a human can anticipate, that makes music truly interesting. Moreover, the physically and emotionally resonant experience of making and sharing live music, and literally feeling sound together in community, is not something AI can replicate.

Incorporating interdisciplinary storytelling is another way Green seeks to connect on a deep level. Her piece "Garden On Green Street" features recorded interviews with her mother and aunt musically manipulated to form an intergenerational dialogue with ancestors. The multimedia work "Thresh and Hold" transforms sounds like chains and rocks collected from her family's land into instruments channeling memories of slavery and freedom.

Green's compositions often explore themes of constructing, displacing, and disrupting systems. Drawing inspiration from composers throughout history who defied conventions, she employs techniques like developing and dismantling rhythmic structures, and allowing new musical ideas to emerge from ruptured textures and timbres. Works such as "Against Sharp" exemplify this approach, while engaging with cultural theories around subverting dominant paradigms from the margins. As Green eloquently stated, "I find a lot of excitement in that for me, that unfolds in looking at rhythmic structures that I can build over time and then slowly dismantle or maybe quickly dismantle and completely break and explore what music comes out of that breakage in that slippage of rupture."

Composer Dan Visconti joins host Devin Patrick Hughes on One Symphony to discuss his innovative approaches to engaging new audiences with classical music. In this in-depth interview, Visconti shares valuable lessons from his wide-ranging collaborations, including projects with incarcerated youth, refugees, and interactive opera productions. He delves into his concept of "civic practice," which involves directly engaging communities in the artistic process to address social issues. Visconti also provides insight into his own boundary-pushing compositions, such as "Low Country Haze" and "Living Language," and the intricacies of cross-genre collaboration. Throughout the conversation, Visconti's deep commitment to expanding the reach and relevance of classical music is evident. He offers thought-provoking perspectives and practical strategies for how orchestras can adapt to the needs and interests of 21st-century audiences. This interview is essential viewing for anyone passionate about the future of classical music and its capacity to inspire positive social change.

00:00 Introduction and Visconti's Early Musical Influences

00:30 The Importance of Play and Discovery in Musical Development

01:47 Visconti's Transition from Violin Performance to Composition

03:30 The Impact of The Beatles and Classical Music on Visconti's Style

04:33 Strategies for Audience Engagement and Defying Conventions

05:02 Visconti's Projects and Experiences in Music and Social Impact

07:39 Harnessing the Power of Music in Civic Practice

08:53 A Case Study: Music Programs for Incarcerated Youth

17:18 The Significance of Music in Community Engagement Efforts

17:34 Designing Interactive Concert Experiences for Modern Audiences

32:43 Balancing Artistic Vision and Practicality in Composition

33:00 "Low Country Haze": A Musical Interpretation of the American Road Trip

38:03 The Dynamics of Collaboration in Music from a Composer's Perspective

42:58 Conclusion: Visconti's Vision for the Future of Music and Collaboration

Thank you for joining us on One Symphony. Thanks to Dan Visconti for sharing his music and wealth of knowledge. You can find more info and connect with Dan at https://www.danvisconti.com

Musical selections on this episode today include

Music Box (River Silver)

Fifth House Ensemble

December 1952

Composed by Earle Brown

David Tudor

Deep Listening - Ione

Pauline Oliveros, Stuart Dempster & Panaiotis

Low Country Haze (Version for Chamber Orchestra)

Scharoun Ensemble Berlin

Drift of Rainbows

Humble Pie

Composed by Dan Visconti

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!

On this episode of One Symphony, conductor Devin Patrick Hughes interviews Henry Fogel, a prominent figure in the orchestral music field. Fogel discusses his early life in music, his exciting journey in radio, and his passion for making symphonic music more accessible. They also delve into Fogel's contribution to orchestras as a director and a manager. From his beginnings in a home where Broadway musicals were the high end of musical taste, to his rise as a key figure in the world of orchestral music, Fogel’s insights on board members and anecdotes about conductors provide a unique window into the business side of the symphony orchestra.

Henry Fogel has served as President and CEO of the League of American Orchestras, where he significantly impacted the orchestral landscape by supporting and consulting with over 190 orchestras during his tenure. His leadership as President of the Chicago Symphony for 18 years saw substantial growth in the organization's endowment and community engagement efforts. Henry’s extensive career also includes leadership positions at the National Symphony Orchestra of Washington, D.C., and the New York Philharmonic. He is actively involved in various nonprofit boards and serves as Chair of the Chicago Classical Music Recording Foundation. Henry’s contributions to the American symphonic landscape have been recognized through honorary doctorate degrees and many awards, including the League of American Orchestras' Gold Baton Award. Beyond his professional achievements, Fogel is an accomplished narrator and producer, sharing his passion for classical music over the radio waves for 5 decades. Henry enjoys spending time with his children, grandchildren, and pursuing his interest in Chinese cuisine.

Thank you for joining us on One Symphony. Thanks to Henry Fogel for sharing his wealth of wisdom.

Musical selections on this episode today include

Mass in B Minor, BWV 232: I. Kyrie: No. 1, Kyrie eleison I (Chorus)[Music Download]

From the album Bach: Mass in B Minor, BWV 232

By: The Netherlands Bach Society & Jos van Veldhoven

Glagolitic Mass,

From the album Janáček: Glagolitic Mass - Martinů: Field Mass

By: Czech Philharmonic, Prague Philharmonic Choir, Václav Neumann, Josef Veselka, Jan Hora, Gabriela Beňačková, Věra Soukupová, František Livora, Karel Průša

Berwald: Symphony No. 4 in E flat major - I. Allegro risoluto[Music Download]

From the album Schubert: Symphony No.4 "Tragic" / Berwald: Symphonies Nos.3 "Singulière" & 4

By: Berliner Philharmoniker and Igor Markevitch

Symphony No. 9 in E-Flat Major, Op. 70: V. Allegretto[Music Download]

From the album Shostakovich: Symphony Nos. 5 & 9

By: Leonard Bernstein and the New York Philharmonic Orchestra

Corigliano: Symphony No. 1[Music Download]

Symphony No. 1: I. Apologue. Of Rage and Remembrance

By: Daniel Barenboim and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra

Nielsen: Symphonies Nos. 3 & 5[Music Download]

Symphony No. 5, Op. 50, FS 97, CNW 29: I. Tempo giusto - Adagio

By: Leonard Bernstein and the Royal Danish Orchestra

https://www.wfmt.com/programs/collectors-corner-with-henry-fogel/

https://devinpatrickhughes.com

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!