Best Fresh Bach Podcasts (2024)

1
Janna Levin on Mozart’s Unfinished Ambitions 24:36

26d ago24:36

24:36

Janna Levin is a theoretical cosmologist and professor of astronomy and physics at Barnard College in New York City, specializing in the study of black holes. A Guggenheim Fellow, she’s authored several books on the topics of space, mathematics, and the impassioned people that study them; her latest book, “Black Hole Survival Guide,” allows readers…

1
Hanna Arie-Gaifman on Bach and Survival 15:52

1M ago15:52

15:52

Hanna Arie-Gaifman served as the director of the Tisch Center for the Arts at the 92nd Street Y for over 20 years, where she produced countless multidisciplinary projects, cementing 92NY’s place as a leading literary and performance art venue in New York City. Before then, Aire-Gaifman worked around the world as an arts administrator, linguist, and…

1
Caroline Shaw on Mendelssohn and Possibility 11:49

1M ago11:49

11:49

Caroline Shaw is a tireless musician, active as a violinist, vocalist, producer, and composer. She’s won multiple Grammy awards and, along with Kendrick Lamar, is one of the youngest recipients of the Pulitzer Prize in Music. Throughout her career, she has continuously experimented across genres, her collaborations spanning from the likes of Nas an…

1
Nick Ferrone on Why Barber’s “Adagio” Gets a Bad Rap 24:41

2M ago24:41

24:41

By day, Nick Ferrone is a Brooklyn real estate agent, but on most Saturday nights, he can be found playing the harmonica at Sunny’s Bar in Red Hook. As the seventh of eight kids, Ferrone reaped the benefits of being exposed to records that most kids his age weren’t listening to, including the one that inspired him to start playing the harmonica: “G…

1
Lucy Boynton on Chopin and Getting Into Character 13:44

2M ago13:44

13:44

You might know actress Lucy Boynton from the television mini-series “The Ipcress File” and films like “Chevalier” and “Murder on the Orient Express.” She grew up with a music-loving family who always had something playing in the background. Here, Boynton shares a favorite piano piece by Chopin and reflects on the power of music to establish tone in…

1
Martha Lane Fox on Perseverance and Beethoven 17:52

2M ago17:52

17:52

If anyone can claim the title of Renaissance Woman, it is Martha Lane Fox. Though she gained prominence during the dot-com boom of the 1990s, her career has since led her serve as the Chancellor of Open University in the United Kingdom; to sit on the boards of companies likeChanel, WeTransfer, and Twitter; and, in 2013, she became the youngest fema…

1
Steve Reich on Why Medieval Music Sounds So Fresh 25:31

2M ago25:31

25:31

Steve Reich is one of the most important composers of the 20th and 21st centuries. A leader in developing and popularizing what many describe as minimalist music — but which Reich has often preferred to describe as music that unfolds over a gradual process — his music helped reassert the value of tonality and sonority within newly composed concert …

1
Anne-Sophie Mutter on Why Bach Is Always the Answer 12:32

3M ago12:32

12:32

“Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring” is one of Bach’s best known works. For acclaimed violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter, it has been part of her life since she was a child and has accompanied her through some of her life’s most important moments. As she puts it, “Bach is always the answer — for the joyous moments in life as much as for the moments where you do…

1
Víkingur Ólafsson on the Unpredictable Futurism of Rameau 16:21

3M ago16:21

16:21

All classical musicians are devoted to the art of reinterpretation — of trying to make the old feel new again. Pianist Víkingur Ólafsson actually manages to pull it off. Whether he’s performing keyboard music hundreds of years old or a piece hot off the press, one has the feeling that they’ve never heard this music before, or this music played in t…

1
Garth Greenwell on Finding Refuge in the Music of Britten and Pears 19:35

3M ago19:35

19:35

By now, Garth Greenwell is an award-winning author, poet, literary critic, and teacher of writing whose novels include “What Belongs To You” and “Cleanness.” But his first creative aspiration was as a musician: He attended the Interlochen Academy for the Arts and, later, the Eastman School of Music, focusing on vocal performance. In this episode, G…

1
Jennifer Egan on Chopin's Narrative Masterclass 21:44

3M ago21:44

21:44

Jennifer Egan has spent a lifetime thinking about what makes a good story — to good effect. Her novels have received many awards and recognitions, including the Pulitzer Prize for “A Visit From the Good Squad.” Its companion book and her latest work, “The Candy House,” was named one of The New York Times’s 10 Best Books of 2022. They say that one o…

1
Rowan Williams on Bach and the Daily Discipline of Silence 13:05

3M ago13:05

13:05

Rowan Williams is a British theologian and poet. From 2003-2012, he served as the Archbishop of Canterbury — a role that placed him, along with the British monarch, at the head of the Anglican Church. As one of today’s most influential religious leaders, Williams has often been the subject of both praise and controversy for his outspoken views, inc…

1
From Skepticism to Sweethearts 22:49

4M ago22:49

22:49

Prepare to have your perceptions of reality TV love stories thoroughly shaken, as we unpack Joey's transformative Bachelor journey. What started as skepticism morphed into admiration, and we're eager to share the surprising turns that led to this unexpected respect. This episode peels back the layers of Joey's final choices, Daisy and Kelsey, and t…

1
Dexter Filkins on Tension, Tenderness, and Ravel 21:03

4M ago21:03

21:03

Dexter Filkins is a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, former Iraq War correspondent for the New York Times, and author of the bestselling book, “The Forever War.” He’s currently a staff writer for The New Yorker. In this episode, Filkins recalls how Ravel’s music gave him respite during his “nightmare years” covering the war in Iraq. He explains h…

1
Fantasy Suite Shenanigans 19:55

4M ago19:55

19:55

Could Joey's quest for love be any more suspenseful? This week's heart-pounding episode of Double Dose of Batch Report whisks you away to the hometown dates that had us perched on the edge of our seats. Witness Kelsey's laid-back New Orleans jaunt, Rachel's cultural extravaganza, and Daisy's tear-jerking clarity at the Christmas tree farm. We even …

1
The Chase for Love and Unexpected Goodbyes 19:55

4M ago19:55

19:55

Hold onto your roses, love enthusiasts! This episode takes you on the heart-pulsing journey of "The Bachelor" weeks 6 and 7, where the quest for love is anything but predictable. Witness first-hand the group date drama in Montreal and delve into the heartfelt confessions between Joey and Lexie, as they navigate the tricky waters of future aspiratio…

1
Marin Alsop on Beethoven and Humanity’s Infinite Potential 25:34

4M ago25:34

25:34

As one of the leading conductors of our time, Marin Alsop has collected a lot of “firsts”: She’s the first woman to head a major orchestra in the United States, South America, Austria and the United Kingdom. Throughout her career, she has also tirelessly advocated for equitable music education and for professional opportunities for other female con…

1
Nathalie Joachim on the Connection Between Brahms and Haiti 20:44

4M ago20:44

20:44

Nathalie Joachim is a Grammy-nominated flutist, vocalist and composer. She is the co-founder of the acclaimed flute-meets-electronica duo Flutronix, as well as the composer of the evening-length work “Fanm d’Ayiti,” which explores her heritage and, more broadly, women’s voices in Haiti. Her recently-released album “Ki moun ou ye” (“Which person are…

1
Elizabeth Day on Jacqueline du Pré’s Elgar and Navigating Loss 11:07

4M ago11:07

11:07

Elizabeth Day is an author, broadcaster, and host of the podcast “How to Fail,” where she interviews guests about what they have learned from failure. In this episode, Day reflects on a performance that has guided her through different stages of her life: Jacqueline Du Pré’s rendition of Elgar’s Cello Concerto in E Minor. From the disappointment of…

1
Damien Sneed on Dreams, Family and Franz Liszt 25:23

5M ago25:23

25:23

Damien Sneed is an award-winning musician, conductor, composer and arts educator who works across classical, jazz, R&B and other genres. When he was five years old, Sneed’s parents told him he was adopted. He walks us through the story of how, through a series of dreams and coincidences, he eventually reunited with his biological family and learned…

1
Deborah Frances-White on Chance Encounters and Mozart 12:25

5M ago12:25

12:25

Deborah Frances-White is a comedian, writer, and host of “The Guilty Feminist” podcast, where she explores the balancing act between feminist idealism and human imperfection. In this episode, White reflects on her upbringing as a Jehovah’s Witness and shares a story about the first time she saw a performance of Mozart’s opera “Così fan tutte.” On t…

1
Romance, Rivalry, and Real Talk on Joey's Journey to Love 34:11

5M ago34:11

34:11

Prepare to get swept up in the turbulent tides of romance and rivalry with Andrew and me as we dissect the most memorable moments of Joey's search for love in the latest season of the Bachelor. From the very first limo arrivals to the emotionally charged eliminations, we've got all the juicy details wrapped up with a bow. Relive Maria's astonishing…

1
Tom Hiddleston on Arvo Pärt and the Infinite 19:54

5M ago19:54

19:54

Tom Hiddleston is an actor beloved around the world for his roles in film, television, and the stage, most notably for his portrayal of the Norse god Loki in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Before all that, he was a student at the Royal Academy of Arts in London, balancing both high hopes and uncertainty for his future. For the debut episode of the …

1
The Open Ears Project Returns! 1:51

5M ago1:51

1:51

The Open Ears Project returns for a new season on February 12! From tales of memorable moments in nature and fleeting encounters with strangers – to recollections of music that helped in difficult times – The Open Ears Project features people sharing a personal story about the classical track that means the most to them, and why. This season’s gues…

1
154. Wedded Bliss! A 30th anniversary gift: Stravinsky, Dumbarton Oaks 8:08

6M ago8:08

8:08

A cool and funky wedding anniversary present - a 15 minute classic from the most famous composer alive, Stravinsky's Dumbarton Oaks is stylish, sophisticated and hugely enjoyable! Listening time 23 mins (podcast 8', music 15') Music here, played by the Ensemble InterContemporain conducted by Pierre Boulez, on Youtube, Spotify, and (links to the 1st…

1
Joey’s Cast Pt. 2 26:32

6M ago26:32

26:32

Get ready to be swept off your feet by the latest heartthrobs of The Bachelor before the season premiere ignites a firestorm of romance and rivalry. We're dishing out the juicy details on Lauren and Alison, the sister act set to turn heads and perhaps each other's competitive edges on this season's quest for love. Will their sibling saga spell a re…

1
Joey’s Cast Pt. 1 32:17

6M ago32:17

32:17

Dive headfirst into the whirlwind of romance and drama with us as we unpack the latest lineup of love-seekers on The Bachelor. Feel the electricity in the air as we chat about Allison and her sister's unprecedented sibling showdown, and marvel at Autumn's unexpected career heights and gridiron enthusiasm. We're serving up the juicy details on each …

1
153. Ecstasy, beauty, and ripping the universe open: Messiaen, Vingt regards sur l’enfant Jésus - with Rolf Hind 37:29

6M ago37:29

37:29

Pianist Rolf Hind introduces one of the epics of piano music. A heady mix of virtuoso composing and devout faith, Olivier Messiaen's 20 reflections on the infant Jesus, Vingt regards sur l'infant Jésus, brings us a two-hour deep dive of awesome power and beautiful stillness. Listening time 38 mins (plus music 2hrs 8') Music here on Youtube, played …

1
Hometown Dates and Future Prospects 18:45

7M ago18:45

18:45

Ready for the inside scoop on Golden Bach’s recent hometown dates and those jaw-dropping moments that had all of us glued to the screen? Hold your breath as we venture into the heart of that helicopter ride, the escalating drama at the mansion, and that rose ceremony that left us all in shock. Say goodbye, with me, to Susan, Sandra, and Ellen - the…

1
Falling In and Out of Love 25:30

7M ago25:30

25:30

Get ready for a roller-coaster ride as we unravel the scintillating tales of love, break-ups, and drama from Bachelor in Paradise, season 9! Feel the tension rise as we recount the fleeting relationships of Tyler and Mercedes, Rachel and Tanner, their emotional departures, and Blake's brooding behavior. We'll take you on a behind-the-scenes tour of…

1
Beachside Mischief 12:32

8M ago12:32

12:32

Ready for a dose of love and drama? We're serving it up, straight from Bachelor in Paradise episodes four and five. We dish about the stir caused by newcomer Sam and the buzz surrounding Kat's birthday. Rachel and Braden's date takes center stage, followed by the evolving dynamics between Davia and Tanner, and the potential fallout between Blake an…

1
From Romance Tactics to Toilet Troubles 30:00

8M ago30:00

30:00

Would you believe it if we told you that Braden and Kat consider themselves the strongest couple in Bachelor Nation? Or that Sam’s constipation struggles have become the talk of the town? This is just a smidge of the drama and unexpected laughter we get to unpack together in this episode of The Bach Report. We start off by examining the diametrical…

1
Golden Love, Drama, and Pickleball 25:17

8M ago25:17

25:17

Are you ready for some serious Bachelor drama? Buckle up as we take you on a sizzling journey through episodes two, three, and four of the Golden Bachelor! We're kicking things off with a sneak peek into the mansion, where our contestants' journey begins, and then moving on to some nail-biting group dates featuring a romance novel cover recreation …

1
152. An injection of flavour and joy: Nohl, Spices 15:15

9M ago15:15

15:15

Hot off the press! The wonders of modern tech allow us to enjoy Katharina Nohl's rhapsody for piano and orchestra, Spices, before it's even been performed by live musicians! And Katharina joins us to talk us through the recipe. Listening time 33 mins (podcast 15', music 18') The complete music here on Youtube. What do you think? Tell me with a comm…

1
151. An unbeaten 50 of flair and panache! Haydn, Symphony No.50 8:30

10M ago8:30

8:30

Always entertaining the crowds, Haydn brings up his 50 with typical style (before settling down for 50 more symphonies). Not a famous piece but well worth a listen! Listening time 27 mins (podcast 9', music 18') Music here on Youtube, Spotify, Amazon and Apple Musics played by the Swedish Chamber Orchestra conducted by Béla Drahos. You can buy the …

1
Golden Bachelor: The Diverse Cast and Their Aspirations 27:25

10M ago27:25

27:25

What if you could get an exclusive, behind-the-scenes peek at the Golden Bachelor, the exciting new dating show for folks in their 70s? You've come to the right place! We're about to provide the ultimate rundown of the diverse cast, from Anna, a fearless 61-year-old who enjoys cage-less shark diving, to Christina, a 73-year-old nostalgic for her fi…

1
The Tumultuous Journey of Charity’s Season 22:03

11M ago22:03

22:03

Imagine a world where Jesse isn't the host of the Bachelor shows. Sounds decent, doesn't it? And guess who we proposed as a potential host, Lance Bass from NSYNC! From Aaron's desperate wish for a one-on-one date in New Orleans to a tense two-on-one date with Sean and Tanner, we've got a lot to discuss. And let's not forget Joey's candid chat about…

1
Unraveling the BIP Contestant Lineup 14:18

11M ago14:18

14:18

Ready for some juicy Bachelor in Paradise updates? Buckle up as Lindsey unravels the intriguing contestant lineup for this season. We're buzzing about Aaron B., Blake Moynes, Brayden Bowers, Brooklyn Willey, Cat Wong, and the vivacious Eliza. With such a diverse mix of personalities, this season promises to be a rollercoaster of emotions. We also e…

1
Women’s World Cup FINAL of Classical Music: USA v Ireland 2:28

11M ago2:28

2:28

It's the Women’s World Cup of Classical Music! And it's THE FINAL! USA vs Republic of Ireland Complete music here: hthttps://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCXUbmBaA9OoRjafAn_k1zTnHR8cH9qyj Please listen to the music and then: vote here: https://forms.gle/XJoU1Vr3MfWraQL48 Voting open NOW Please share the podcast widely, by telling people you know and …

1
If plankton made music what would it sound like? Norway: Maja S K Ratkje 17:33

11M ago17:33

17:33

Maja S K Ratkje joins Cacophony at the Women's World Cup to explore the fun and joy of writing music and choose pieces by her Norwegian colleagues. But there must be something in the Norwegian water, as there's the same tiny inspiration for several of the composers! The complete pieces on Maja's list can be heard here: https://youtube.com/playlist?…

1
Music from a global melting pot: Brazil / Gabriella di Laccio 26:51

11M ago26:51

26:51

It's Cacophony… at the Women’s Football World Cup! A glorious celebration of music from around the world, all written by women, and chosen specially for Cacophony by leading female musicians. Singer, Gabriella di Laccio is our guide to music by women from Brazil - a melting pot of traditions and cultures that ends up with music that sounds... Brazi…

1
The Bachelorette: From Roses to Revelations 23:08

11M ago23:08

23:08

Will Brayden's rose secure his place in the Bachelorette's heart, or will it wilt under Aaron’s skeptical gaze? This week we're pulling apart the second episode of the US Bachelorette season, where 19 eager men vie for our Bachelorette's affections. From Aaron B's coin-flipping date to an awkward dodgeball game in speedos - we've got it all covered…

1
Music with intention...for those with an open mind: Canada / Melissa Hui 25:58

11M ago25:58

25:58

It's Cacophony… at the Women’s Football World Cup! A glorious celebration of music from around the world, all written by women, and chosen specially for Cacophony by leading female musicians. In this episode we turn to Canada, where Melissa Hui's selection is typically diverse with living composers who are first nations, Canadian born and immigrant…

1
”Music is integral, it’s like breathing”: Roxanna Panufnik/ England 19:16

12M ago19:16

19:16

It's Cacophony… at the Women’s Football World Cup! A glorious celebration of music from around the world, all written by women, and chosen specially for Cacophony by leading female musicians. We shift the focus to England, with Roxanna Panufnik's choice of rich and satisfying pieces from a line up of stellar composers. Listening time: podcast 20min…

1
Living through the ups and downs of creation: Elena Kats-Chernin/ Australia 22:56

12M ago22:56

22:56

It's Cacophony… at the Women’s Football World Cup! A glorious celebration of music from around the world, all written by women, and chosen specially for Cacophony by leading female musicians. Elena Kats-Chernin presents her choices of music from Australia - composers who all work hard and write music of vitality, invention, intensity and often fun!…

1
Mountains, olives and the vastness of existence: Spain/ Inés Medina-Fernández 23:51

12M ago23:51

23:51

It's Cacophony… at the Women’s Football World Cup! A glorious celebration of music from around the world, all written by women, and chosen specially for Cacophony by leading female musicians. In this epsiode, Inés Medina Fernández presents her choices of music from Spain, carefully chosen from accross the country and including including famous musi…

1
Music as a thing for shared connection: Netherlands/ Marion von Tilzer 20:59

1y ago20:59

20:59

It's Cacophony… at the Women’s Football World Cup! A glorious celebration of music from around the world, all written by women, and chosen specially for Cacophony by leading female musicians. This episode features music from the Netherlands and Marion von Tilzer's choices of music that gets us more connected. We'll hear how, when a performer is rel…

1
Super excited and hyped up! Sage Shurman/ USA 18:41

12M ago18:41

18:41

It's Cacophony …at the Women’s Football World Cup! A glorious celebration of music from around the world, all written by women, and chosen specially for Cacophony by leading female musicians. This epsiode we hear top young composer, Sage Shurman, getting super excited - in a pretty chilled Californian kind of way - for both the World Cup football a…

1
”Planting women’s music in the collective memory of society” Katharina Nohl/ Switzerland 25:55

12M ago25:55

25:55

It's Cacophony …at the Women’s Football World Cup! A glorious celebration of music from around the world, all written by women, and chosen specially for Cacophony by leading female musicians. In this episode we hear from Katharina Nohl, founder of the Swiss Female Composers Festival, with her choices of music from Switzerland and how giving female …

1
From Bombshells to Breakups: Unraveling the Bachelor Finale 20:44

1y ago20:44

20:44

Are you ready to navigate the romantic chaos of the Bachelor in Paradise, Canada finale? We start with the bombshell return of Celine to the beach and the domino effect it has on the rest, including Matia's surprise, Sam and Marilyn's mutual exit, and the abrupt cancellation of the rose ceremony. Experience the tension of casino night and its impac…

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