Best Cincinnati Song Initiative Podcasts (2024)

1
Craig Bohmler: Quatre petites chansons pour le petit déjeuner 19:07

1M ago19:07

19:07

American composer Craig Bohmler has an extensive list of musicals as well as operas, art songs, concerti, etc. He has at least ten song cycles to his credit, and his music is highly accessible for audiences while still giving musicians as fun challenge to perform! His cycles Love Letters and Quatre Petites Chansons pour le Petit Déjeuner are availa…

1
Allnächtlich im Traume: Mendelssohn and Schumann 56:13

1M ago56:13

56:13

A lively discussion with guest co-host Ben Offringa covering Heine's text Allnächtlich im Traume in settings by Felix Mendelssohn and Robert Schumann. With guest performers Tristan Tournaud, Parker Konkle, Ethan Neal, and Sihan Zhang. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★By Cincinnati Song Initiative

1
Louise Talma: Terre de France 15:00

2M ago15:00

15:00

Another student of Nadia Boulanger, Louise Talma was an American composer who taught at the American Conservatory at Fontainebleau as well as Hunter College. She was the first American female composer to have a full-scale opera performed in Europe. Terre de France uses traditional harmonies, but in the 1950s Talma started experimenting with serial …

1
The One with Roderick Williams 58:51

2M ago58:51

58:51

It's truly the most interesting man alive: English baritone Roderick Williams. Yes, the same Roderick Williams who sang at King Charles III's coronation in 2023. The one you've probably heard on most any English song album. Would you guess the magnitude of his career after listening to this chill conversation he has with Sam? Definitely not. So set…

1
Laura Kaminsky: Songs 21:28

2M ago21:28

21:28

Laura Kaminsky is the composer of the opera As One, which has become one of the most performed operas since it premiered in 2014. Her music is many-faceted, with dissonance and harmony, as well as rhythmically interesting moments. Laura's works can be purchased through Bill Holab Music. Recordings featured in this episode, performed by Toni Marie P…

1
Rastlose Liebe: Goethe, Zelter, and Schubert 50:04

2M ago50:04

50:04

The ASMR Lieder podcast you didn't know you needed! If you can make it past Brian's dubious soundscaping in today's episode then you're in for a treat as we discuss Goethe and his(?) text Rastlose Liebe in settings by Zelter and Schubert. Special thanks to guest performers Erin Keesy, Olivia Knutsen, and Samuel Martin! Follow the Lieder is a produc…

1
Peggy Glanville-Hicks: 5 Songs 14:36

3M ago14:36

14:36

Australian composer Peggy Glanville-Hicks studied composition with Ralph Vaughan Williams and Nadia Boulanger, among other teachers. In addition to songs, she also composed several operas and orchestral works, and worked as a music critic for the New York Herald Tribune for a time. Mimic Heaven, or 5 Songs to texts by A.E. Housman, is available thr…

1
Wald(es)gespräch: Robert Schumann and Alexander Zemlinsky 1:05:40

3M ago1:05:40

1:05:40

Join Mandee and Janie as they discuss the legend of the Lorelei and compare settings by Robert Schumann and Alexander Zemlinsky. With guest performances by Erik Nordstrom, Parker Konkle, Erin Keesy, and Samuel Martin. Picture of Zemlinsky Concert program Flight documents Lorelei Rock Follow the Lieder is a production of Cincinnati Song Initiative. …

1
Augusta Holmès: Mélodies 15:17

3M ago15:17

15:17

Augusta Holmès was a French composer of Irish descent in the 19th century. Her music was received negatively by many famous male composers of the time as being "too virile", so she published some early works under a pseudonym. The songs in this episode are in French but with a distinct Spanish flair to them. A huge shout-out to Allen Armstrong, Nic…

1
Bonus Episode - Song Cycle: The One with Iain Burnside 48:07

3M ago48:07

48:07

This month's episode of Follow the Lieder is slightlyyyyy delayed, so enjoy this bonus episode from Song Cycle hosted by CSI founder Samuel Martin! The great Scottish pianist Iain Burnside joins Sam for a fun and informative conversation. Come for the sage advice on how to stay active in this ever-changing classical music landscape, stay for the gr…

1
The One with Iain Burnside 46:30

3M ago46:30

46:30

The great Scottish pianist Iain Burnside joins Sam for a fun and informative conversation. Come for the sage advice on how to stay active in this ever-changing classical music landscape, stay for the greatest page-turning fail you never knew you needed to hear. Visit Iain Burnside's website. Song Cycle is a production of Cincinnati Song Initiative.…

1
David del Tredici: Songs for Baritone and Piano 18:07

4M ago18:07

18:07

American composer David del Tredici is considered a pioneer of neo-Romanticism, and his art songs definitely show that. With many art songs, song cycles, vocal chamber works, and compositions for voice and orchestra, it is well worth perusing his website (which also lists clips to hear the pieces!) to check out the rest of his output. His volume So…

1
Juliusz Wertheim: Songs 17:01

4M ago17:01

17:01

Juliusz Wertheim was a Polish composer, pianist, and conductor from the turn of the last century who was close friends with Arthur Rubinstein. His songs are lovely and lilting, accessible for an audience, and definitely should be a part of the standard repertoire! His music is available online through a website that is working to keep more Polish m…

1
The One with Gwen Coleman 45:44

4M ago45:44

45:44

What better way to kick off 2024 and Season 4 than with inspiration for chasing our own authentic selves? Allowing our mindsets to change over time, adopting new attitudes and approaches, and always - always - learning from those around us. It's the best advice for all of us, only from Gwen Coleman, right here on Song Cycle. Visit Gwen Coleman's we…

1
Ingolf Dahl: A Cycle of Sonnets/3 Songs to Poems of Albert Ehrismann 20:04

4M ago20:04

20:04

Ingolf Dahl was a German-born, naturalized American composer, who was well-connected throughout the entire entertainment industry as well as in classical music. His art songs are marked by intricate rhythms and atonal vocal lines that bring the texts to life. Purchase information: A Cycle of Sonnets - not available for purchase, but is available th…

1
Edward: Loewe & Brahms (or "The Tapestry of My Brain") 1:07:12

4M ago1:07:12

1:07:12

Murder ballades, Raisin Brahms, and the 'Schubert of the North' are just a few of the things you're not gonna want to miss in this month's episode of Follow the Lieder with guest co-host Brian Sikich. With guest performances by Erik Nordstrom, Parker Konkle, Lucy Evans, and Logan Wagner. https://www.eriknordstrom.com/ https://parkerkonkle.com/ http…

1
Hans Werner Henze: Fünf Neapolitanische Lieder/Three Auden Songs 20:54

5M ago20:54

20:54

Hans Werner Henze was a German composer who grew up during the time period of the Hitler Youth and went on to become a communist, leaving Germany because of his political views and its intolerance toward homosexuality. His music is influenced by serialism, atonality, jazz, and Arabic music, as well as standard compositional practices. For purchase …

1
NewMusicShelf Anthology of New Music: Trans and Non-Binary Voices 18:37

5M ago18:37

18:37

NewMusicShelf is a website dedicated to the production and distribution of scores by living composers. Their Anthology of New Music Series includes a volume of Trans & Non-Binary Voices. Recordings featured in this episode, performed by Grace Alai, mezzo-soprano, and Ellen Rissinger, pianist: At a Dinner Party (Hope Salmonson) Captain of my Soul (Y…

1
Ich stand in dunklen Träumen (Ihr Bild): Schubert & Clara Wieck Schumann 40:30

5M ago40:30

40:30

The advent of Season 4 of Follow the Lieder is upon us! All season long we will be comparing various settings of the same text within each episode, beginning today with Heinrich Heine's text “Ich stand in dunklen Träumen” as set by Franz Schubert and Clara Wieck Schumann. With guest vocalist Naomi Merer Witzen Sing Schubert's setting with me! Sing …

1
Season 3 Holiday Party! 52:03

6M ago52:03

52:03

The Season 3 finale crossover extravaganza is here! Sam invites the hosts of CSI's other podcasts, So Lit Song Lit and Follow the Lieder to join him to discuss what their shows are all about. More importantly, though, is your chance to see if you can guess even fewer music trivia questions correctly than this band of hooligans did. Happy holidays t…

1
Kriegers Ahnung: War and Music 28:01

6M ago28:01

28:01

In this episode of Follow the Lieder we discuss Schubert's song Kriegers Ahnung and music's role in highlighting our shared humanity in the face of war. With special guest cellist Da Yoon Kang. Sources: https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/bulge-dispatches/ Forgotten Voices of the Second World War by Max Arthur https://www.msf.org/d…

1
Jennifer Higdon: Songs 14:27

7M ago14:27

14:27

Composer Jennifer Higdon has won a Pulitzer Prize and THREE Grammy awards! With a long list of prizes and commissions to her credit, she has a substantial output of songs, as well as vocal chamber music and songs with orchestra. Her songs are available for purchase on her website. Recordings featured in this episode, performed by Toni Marie Palmert…

1
Isabella Leonarda: Motets 16:52

7M ago16:52

16:52

One of the most prolific female composers of the 17th century, Isabella Leonarda, was also a high-ranking nun in an Ursuline convent, fulfilling all of her duties as a nun before composing on her own time - which we assume means she never slept! Her motets would be an excellent way to begin a recital. While several of her works are available for pu…

1
The One with Sasha Cooke 54:31

7M ago54:31

54:31

Who better for a gratitude-filled, inspirational, optimistic, and enlightening Thanksgiving conversation than the luminous Sasha Cooke? From learning to trust the universe when doors of opportunity open, to meaningful commissioning projects that caught fire, to chatting about why Wolf is such a singularly unique song composer, Sasha and Sam cover a…

1
Mathilde von Kralik: Lieder 16:39

7M ago16:39

16:39

Mathilde von Kralik was an Austrian composer with an extensive list of art songs in a very Romantic style. Shout-outs to tenor Donald George for sending us her name and some ideas to get started (you can listen to his recording of Kralik Lieder with pianist Lucy Mauro on Spotify) and to Ars Augusta, a non-profit society with the mission to promote …

1
Richard Strauss: Allerseelen 50:49

7M ago50:49

50:49

The self-proclaimed first-class second-rate composer Richard Strauss is the topic of today's episode. Join us as we discuss a brief history of his life and cover his song Allerseellen with guest host Janie Roy and guest vocalist Liisa Dàvila. Sing Allerseelen with me Find Liisa here Find Janie here Sources: The Lieder of Richard Strauss by Alan Jef…

1
Henriëtte Bosmans: 10 Mélodies 21:04

8M ago21:04

21:04

Dutch composer Henriëtte Bosmans survived the war-torn Netherlands through both WWI and WWII, saving her mother from a concentration camp. She composed Dix Mélodies starting in 1949, after the war, after the death of her mother, and just a few years before her own passing. You can hear Henriëtte and her partner Noémie Perugia performing some of the…

1
Ethel Smyth: Songs and Lieder 18:37

8M ago18:37

18:37

Dame Ethel Smyth was a leader of the British women's suffragette movement in the early 20th century, and the first woman composer to have her opera, Der Wald, performed at the Metropolitan Opera in NYC. The Ethel Smyth dot org website is run by Women's Philharmonic Advocacy, and includes a complete list of works with purchase information for every …

1
Hugo Wolf: Gebet 51:54

8M ago51:54

51:54

Hugo Wolf was known for his fiery temperament, never-ending grudges, and his wildly non-filtered opinions - he even earned the nickname 'Wild Wolf.' Join us today as we discuss this feisty little composer (really he was only 5"1'!) and his song Gebet from Mörike-Lieder with tenor Adrian Autard and guest host Brian Sikich. Sing Gebet with me! Raisin…

1
Karol Szymanowski: Songs (Polish and German) 22:24

9M ago22:24

22:24

Karol Szymanowski was a notable Polish composer, with a vast repertoire of song literature in many languages. His musical styles span from late German Romanticism to impressionistic and atonal, and can be a great introduction to singing atonal music! With many thanks to Mark Trawka at the Pittsburgh Opera for his help with Polish Diction! To clarif…

1
Gian Carlo Menotti: Canti della lontananza/Five Songs 19:58

9M ago19:58

19:58

Most of us probably know of Gian Carlo Menotti as an opera composer, with 25 operas to his credit, but he also had a small output of art songs to his own texts. His songs sound very much like miniatures of his operas and can be a great introduction to his style prior to working on the arias. The scores for today are available at Sheet Music Plus: C…

1
Debussy & Korngold with Dylan Perez 55:22

9M ago55:22

55:22

Pianist Dylan Perez joins us today to discuss some music (not gonna tell you what!) by Claude Debussy and Erich Wolfgang Korngold. Be surprised with me as he shares some very special recordings from his new recording with tenor Ted Black. Find Dylan on Instagram @perezalicious Listen to Voyage à Paris on Spotify ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★…

1
Siegfried Wagner: Lieder 15:51

10M ago15:51

15:51

Siegfried Wagner, the oldest son of Richard Wagner, was surrounded by some of the most important musicians in Europe (including his grandfather, Franz Liszt), and his compositional style is influenced by all of them. He also composed operas and was artistic director of the Bayreuth Festival in the early 1900s. His songs are collected in Sämtliche K…

1
Henri Sauguet: Mélodies 15:31

10M ago15:31

15:31

Better known in his home country of France than in the United States, Henri Sauguet has over 200 Mélodies, many of which have not yet been recorded. His music is characterised by its simplicity (even when using polytonality!) and clarity. His music is published by Salabert and distributed through Presto Music--the scores we used for today's episode…

1
The One with Stephanie Blythe 1:09:39

10M ago1:09:39

1:09:39

Artist. Administrator. Visionary. Unique. Multi-dimensional. Drag icon. Legend. Just the first few words that come to mind when thinking about renowned singer Stephanie Blythe. Join her and Sam in a no-holds-barred discussion on finding inspiration and meaning from who came before us, the future of classical music, the need for artists to connect w…

1
Charles T. Griffes: Songs and Lieder 17:03

10M ago17:03

17:03

Charles Tomlinson Griffes is best known for his song "The Lament of Ian the Proud", but he has many more art songs and German Lieder to his credit. Having studied with Engelbert Humperdinck for a time, his German Lieder have an intense German sound, while many of his English songs have a definite French influence. "In a Myrtle Shade" and "Symphony …

1
Season 2 Trailer 2:04

11M ago2:04

2:04

Season 2 drops starting August 17th! This season Toni Marie and Ellen are focusing on queer composers, with guest host Zachary Dean Smith. Make sure to subscribe and tell all your friends, colleagues, and students!By Cincinnati Song Initiative

1
The One with Laura Strickling 55:05

11M ago55:05

55:05

This one's for you if you need a little inspiration on turning your passions into action. Meet Laura Strickling, literal creator of the #TeamArtSong hashtag, song advocate, conduit between singers, pianists, and composers, and all-around song cheerleader. Get to know her, her story, and go bookmark her brand new album, 40@40! Song Cycle is a produc…

1
On Belonging: Asian Song with Fleur Barron 1:23:03

11M ago1:23:03

1:23:03

The incomparable mezzo-soprano Fleur Barron joins us to discuss her song program titled On Belonging which explores the profundities of culture and identity through Asian song. This episode features selections from her program with pianist Myra Huang and cellist Colemann Itzkoff including Bright Fear composed by Raymond Yiu with text by Mary Jean C…

1
The One with Sholto Kynoch 50:08

12M ago50:08

50:08

Sholto Kynoch, Founding Artistic Director of the newly rebranded Oxford International Song Festival, sits down with Sam to discuss song across the Pond, how the organization engages audiences in bold and relevant ways, and that one time they bribed audience members to come to their concerts... for science, of course. Song Cycle is a production of C…

1
Ganymed: Schubert & Goethe 27:10

1y ago27:10

27:10

Prepare yourself for some Greek mythology, assorted space facts, and perhaps the most exhilarating (dare we say titillating?) passage in all of Lieder. Schubert's Ganymed is the focus of our podcast today with special guest vocalist Corinne Cowling. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★By Cincinnati Song Initiative

1
Vocalises 27:28

1y ago27:28

27:28

For the last episode of the season, we wanted to present a special topic: Vocalises! Not just for warming up, they can be incredible pieces for an audience as well. This episode covers the Fauré and Copland vocalises, as well as Turina's Op.74, his song cycle Vocalizaciones, with special guest, Jennifer Aylmer, Associate Professor of Voice at Carne…

1
Belsatzar: Schumann and Heine 1:01:39

1y ago1:01:39

1:01:39

Based on the historical/mythical figure of Belshazzar, Schumann's ballade Belsatzar was only the second song composed during the composer's famous "year of song." In today's episode, soprano Mimi Doulton shares her performance of Belsatzar with us and we discuss the cultural climate at the time, background on the history and mythology surrounding B…

1
Pinkham: Three Songs from Ecclesiastes 13:22

1y ago13:22

13:22

Ellen was first introduced to the music of Daniel Pinkham by tenor Kenneth Riegel (who played Don Ottavio in the 1979 movie with Raimondi). Pinkham taught composition at New England Conservatory and Boston Conservatory for six decades, but he also had a church job, so many of his works have a religious element like his Three Songs from Ecclesiastes…

1
The One with Shawn Okpebholo 45:01

1y ago45:01

45:01

The wholesome content you've been waiting for is finally here. Meet legendary composer and CSI Advisory Council member Shawn Okpebholo, who not only writes some of the most searing and poignant vocal music of today, but also keeps it 100% real by never losing sight of the ones who helped him get where he is today and paying it forward by nurturing …

1
Le Chevalier de St. Georges 20:00

1y ago20:00

20:00

Le Chevalier de St. Georges, Joseph Bologne, composed many songs, which are now being compiled by New York-based conductor Tyson Deaton! These pieces are the perfect way to introduce young singers to French repertoire and help them get comfortable with the language before venturing into more advanced tonalities. Anyone interested in purchasing thes…

1
Ilse Weber: The Songstress of Terezín 1:17:26

1y ago1:17:26

1:17:26

Amidst the horrors of the Terezín ghetto Ilse Weber wrote profound, haunting lyrics and distinctly memorable tunes to both comfort those around her and to reckon with the unspeakable atrocities surrounding them. Join us in today's episode as we cover her life, legacy, words, and music. With special guest host Kamila Storr and guest vocalist Dr. Nao…

1
Alma Mahler: Fünf Lieder 12:52

1y ago12:52

12:52

There are only 17 extant songs by Alma Mahler (wife of Gustav), and her Fünf Lieder were the first pieces she had published. They are available in Alma Mahler: Sämtliche Lieder (Selected Songs) from Stanton's Sheet Music. Recordings featured in this episode, performed by Toni Marie Palmertree, soprano, and Ellen Rissinger, pianist: Die stille Stadt…

1
Pizzetti: Cinque liriche 18:07

1y ago18:07

18:07

Jennifer Aylmer, Associate Professor of Voice at Carnegie Mellon University, joins us to discuss Ildebrando Pizzetti's Cinque liriche. The score is available at SheetMusicPlus. Recordings featured in this episode, performed by Toni Marie Palmertree, soprano, and Ellen Rissinger, pianist: 1. I pastori 3. San Basilio 5. Passeggiata 4. Il cleft progio…

1
The One with Myra Huang 42:26

1y ago42:26

42:26

You know how you have that one friend who seems to be able to do it all? That's Myra Huang. When she's not busy working with the next generation of opera stars at The Metropolitan Opera's Lindemann Young Artist Development Program, coaching at Manhattan School of Music, or running the show at the Aspen Opera Theater as director of musical administr…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Cincinnati Song Initiative Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Quick Reference Guide