Best Polar Music Prize Podcasts (2024)

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Ep. 145: Zartonk Academy with Anna and Artyom 31:20

2y ago31:20

31:20

Let's Talk Off The Podium with Tigran Arakelyan. Guests: Anna S. Demerjian and Artyom Manukyan In this episode we talk about Zartonk Academy with Anna and Artyom. Anna is the Development Director of Zartonk Academy and Artyom is a cellist, composer, and rapper who will be teaching at the academy. This year, the Academy will be based in Artsakh with…

1
Ep. 144: Joseph Bohigian, composer and performer 30:41

3+ y ago30:41

30:41

Joseph Bohigian is a composer and performer whose cross-cultural experience as an Armenian-American is a defining message in his music. His work explores the expression of exile, cultural reunification, and identity maintenance in diaspora. His music, described as “delightfully accessible and inventive” (SoundWordSight), has been heard around the w…

1
Ep. 143: Eugenia Forteza, "We don't just make pretty music, it has a message." 47:39

3+ y ago47:39

47:39

Ep. 143: Eugenia Forteza, opera singer and founder of 360 of Opera. Let's Talk Off The Podium with Tigran Arakelyan. Eugenia Forteza joins the podcast for a second time during the pandemic (recorded on Dec. 21, 2020). In this podcast we talk about Eugenia's busy schedule during the pandemic, what various arts organizations have done during this tim…

1
Ep. 142: Joe Kinzer, ethnographer, archivist, and ethnomusicologist 41:37

3+ y ago41:37

41:37

Ep. 142: Joe Kinzer, ethnographer, archivist, and ethnomusicologist Let's Talk Off The Podium with Tigran Arakelyan. From Joe Kinzer's website: I am an ethnographer, archivist, and ethnomusicologist specializing in issues of identity and religious expression in Asian musical contexts. I am the Senior Curatorial Assistant in the Archive of World Mus…

1
Ep. 141: David Korevaar, "You can access the world, it's not easy to reach the world..." 46:34

3+ y ago46:34

46:34

Ep. 141: David Korevaar, "You can access the world, it's not easy to reach the world..." Let's Talk Off The Podium with Tigran Arakelyan. In this episode Korevaar talks about his studies with Earl Wild and David Diamond, recordings, teachings and much more. Hailed for his “wonderfully warm, pliant, spontaneous playing” by the Washington Post, award…

1
Ep. 140: Leslie Mandoki, "Music is the greatest unifier.." 46:50

3+ y ago46:50

46:50

Ep. 140: Leslie Mandoki, "Music is the greatest unifier.." Let's Talk Off The Podium with Tigran Arakelyan. In this episode rockstar Leslie Mandoki talks about his early years in Hungary, being a refugee in Germany and eventual rise to stardom. In 1991, Ian Anderson, Jack Bruce, and Al Di Meola became founding members of Leslie Mandoki’s band proje…

1
Ep. 139: Rose Gear, executive director and bassist. 39:29

3+ y ago39:29

39:29

Ep. 139: Rose Gear, executive director and bassist. Let's Talk Off The Podium with Tigran Arakelyan. In this episode Rose speaks about her passion for hiking, capoeira, professional career as a bassist, move to PNW to work with the Seattle Symphony and Ludovic Morlot, finding a new bass, working as a Executive Director and more. Rose Gear, an exper…

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Ep. 138: Jovino Santos Neto - pianist, composer, arranger, educator. 49:48

3+ y ago49:48

49:48

In this episode Jovino speaks about his long relationship with Hermeto Pascoal, background in biology, teaching, composing and performing. We also talk about Pascoal's boxing encounter with Miles Davis and much more. Three-time Latin Grammy nominee Jovino Santos Neto, a master pianist, composer and arranger, is among the top Brazilian musicians wor…

1
Ep. 137: Joseph Young, conductor. "Don't wait for people to open doors for you." 40:45

3+ y ago40:45

40:45

Ep. 137: Joseph Young, conductor. "Don't wait for people to open doors for you." Let's Talk Off The Podium with Tigran Arakelyan. In this episode Joseph talks about his early career as a high school band conductor, studying with Marin Alsop at the the Cabrillo Festival, attending the Peabody Conservatory and working as an assistant at the Baltimore…

1
Ep. 136: Vanessa Reed, President and CEO of New Music USA 42:34

3+ y ago42:34

42:34

Ep. 136: Vanessa Reed, President and CEO of New Music USA. Let's Talk Off The Podium with Tigran Arakelyan. Vanessa Reed is excited to be joining New Music USA as President and CEO following just over a decade with PRS Foundation, the UK’s leading funder of new music and talent development. During her time at this specialist new music agency, Vanes…

1
Ep. 135: Teni Odabashian, non-musical guest 30:28

3+ y ago30:28

30:28

Ep. 135: Teni Odabashian, non-musical guest. Let's Talk Off The Podium with Tigran Arakelyan. This is the first time in over 130 that I am featuring a guest who is not a musician. Teni has been one of the early supporters of the podcast and it was a pleasure to speak with her on the show. In this episode Teni talks about being a working mom, travel…

1
Ep. 134: THE RECAP with George Jackson, principal guest contributor 38:27

3+ y ago38:27

38:27

Ep. 134: THE RECAP with George Jackson, principal guest contributor. This the second episode of the RECAP series with conductor George Jackson. Let's Talk Off The Podium with Tigran Arakelyan. In this podcast we talk about the state of orchestras during the pandemic, positives and negatives of state sponsored orchestra, blind auditions, repertoire …

1
Ep. 133: Abo Gumroyan, Grammy winning bassist 56:21

3+ y ago56:21

56:21

Ep. 133: Abo Gumroyan, Grammy winning bassist. Let's Talk Off The Podium with Tigran Arakelyan. Grammy Award-winning electric and double bassist Abe Gumroyan crosses musical borders on a daily basis. His diverse musical background has allowed him to perform a wide range of genres ranging from salsa and Latin jazz to traditional Armenian and ethnic …

1
Ep. 132: Jeremy D. Cuebas, conductor and podcaster 35:25

4y ago35:25

35:25

Colorado-based conductor Jeremy D. Cuebas is quickly establishing himself as a symphonic, operatic, and contemporary musician in the Denver area. He acts as assistant conductor with the Fort Collins Symphony, will soon be starting as the first assistant conductor with the Aurora Symphony, and is regularly invited to lead ensembles as diverse as, Op…

1
Ep. 131: Harp and Plow, Americana duo 37:54

4y ago37:54

37:54

Ep. 131: Harp and Plow, Americana duo. Let's Talk Off The Podium with Tigran Arakelyan. Harp & Plow is a husband-and-wife Americana duo that combines a classically trained harpist and a blues-based guitarist, singer/songwriter. These talents create a unique, musical experience that explores American roots music with a modern approach. DEBUT SINGLE …

1
Ep. 130: Evan Meccarello, conductor 35:42

4y ago35:42

35:42

Evan Meccarello was recently appointed Music Director of the Binghamton Community Orchestra. Meccarello is committed to new explorations in classical music and engaging with communities across the Northeast. Meccarello is committed to new explorations in classical music and engaging with communities across the Northeast. Meccarello’s conducting exp…

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Ep. 129: Kris Kwapis, ‘sterling tone’ - New York Times 48:03

4y ago48:03

48:03

Acclaimed for her ‘sterling tone’ in the New York Times, Kris Kwapis appears regularly as soloist and principal trumpet with period-instrument ensembles across North America, including Portland Baroque Orchestra, Early Music Vancouver, Pacific MusicWorks, Bach Collegium San Diego, Staunton Music Festival, Indianapolis Baroque Orchestra, Chicago’s H…

1
Ep. 128: Brian Kai Chin, musician, educator, and cultural entrepreneur 47:42

4y ago47:42

47:42

Ep. 128: Brian Kai Chin, musician, educator, and cultural entrepreneur. Let's Talk Off The Podium with Tigran Arakelyan. Brian Kai Chin is a musician, educator, and cultural entrepreneur. Trained in western classical, jazz, and world traditions, Brian’s musical focus is only part of his larger vision as the founder and Executive Director of Common …

1
Ep. 127: Stephen Williamson, principal clarinetist of the Chicago Symphony 53:11

4y ago53:11

53:11

Ep. 127: Stephen Williamson, principal clarinetist of the Chicago Symphony. In this podcast we talk about Williamson's journey from the Metropolitan Opera to Chicago Symphony and the New York Philharmonic. He talks about playing jazz piano, starting the saxophone before switching to clarinet, playing principal clarinet as a sophomore at the Eastman…

1
Ep. 126: Michael Christie, Grammy award-winning conductor 44:34

4y ago44:34

44:34

Grammy award-winning conductor Michael Christie, newly appointed Music Director of the New West Symphony, is a thoughtfully innovative conductor, equally at home in the symphonic and opera worlds, who is focused on making the audience experience at his performances entertaining, enlightening, and enriching. Christie won a 2019 Grammy Award (Best Op…

1
Ep. 125: Donato Cabrera, conductor 52:11

4y ago52:11

52:11

Ep. 125: Donato Cabrera, conductor. Let's Talk Off The Podium with Tigran Arakelyan. Donato Cabrera is the Music Director of the California Symphony and the Las Vegas Philharmonic. He served as the Resident Conductor of the San Francisco Symphony and the Wattis Foundation Music Director of the San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra from 2009-2016. …

1
Ep. 123: JoAnn Falletta, Grammy-winning conductor 39:26

4y ago39:26

39:26

Ep. 123: JoAnn Falletta, Grammy-winning conductor. Let's Talk Off The Podium with Tigran Arakelyan. In this podcast JoAnn Falletta talks about working with composers, programming, staying connected with the audience during the pandemic, advice to young musicians, and much more. Grammy-winning conductor JoAnn Falletta serves as Music Director of the…

1
Ep. 123: Lisa Bielawa, composer and vocalist. 37:22

4y ago37:22

37:22

Ep. 123: Lisa Bielawa, composer and vocalist. Let's Talk Off The Podium with Tigran Arakelyan. In this podcast Bielawa talks about a recent project called Broadcast from Home, work with Philip Glass, time at Yale, various major projects and much more. Composer, producer, and vocalist Lisa Bielawa is a Rome Prize winner in Musical Composition and ta…

1
Ep. 122: Newman & Oltman Guitar Duo 45:48

4y ago45:48

45:48

Ep. 122: Newman & Oltman Guitar Duo. Let's Talk Off The Podium with Tigran Arakelyan. In this episode we talk about their new album, working with Leo Brouwer, commissions, hobbies, working in time of a pandemic and much more. Hailed as a “revelation to hear” by The Washington Post, the Newman & Oltman Guitar Duo’s phenomenal musicianship places the…

1
Ep. 121: The Recap with George Jackson 41:03

4y ago41:03

41:03

By Tigran Arakelyan

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Ep. 120: Bob Lord, CEO of PARMA Recordings 41:09

4y ago41:09

41:09

Ep. 120: Bob Lord, CEO of PARMA Recordings Let's Talk Off The Podium with Tigran Arakelyan. In this episode Bob Lord talks about building the PARMA Recordings, job of a CEO, journey as a bassist and his new single. He also discusses the future of his company, memorable collaborations, and much more. Bob Lord is a producer, composer, bassist and CEO…

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Ep. 119: Yiğit Kolat, composer. Winner of the Takemitsu Composition Award (1st prize) 49:59

4y ago49:59

49:59

Ep. 119: Yiğit Kolat, composer. Winner of the Takemitsu Composition Award (1st prize). Let's Talk Off The Podium with Tigran Arakelyan. In this podcast Kolat talks about his education in Turkey, folk music, his compositional process, success in music competitions and much more! Yiğit Kolat is a musician, a soundmaker, and researcher. He studied the…

1
Ep. 118: Christopher Theofanidis, composer 39:17

4y ago39:17

39:17

Ep. 118: Christopher Theofanidis, composer Let's Talk Off The Podium with Tigran Arakelyan. In this episode Mr. Theofanidis talks about his collaborations with Robert Spano, Sarah Chang, his most performed work the Rainbow Body, and working with soloists on a commissioned works. He also talks about scuba diving, cooking, having pieces performed mor…

1
Ep. 117: Jimmie Herrod, artist and performer. 43:13

4y ago43:13

43:13

Ep. 117: Jimmie Herrod, artist and performer. Let's Talk Off The Podium with Tigran Arakelyan. In this podcast we talk about Jimmie's work with the Pink Martini, touring, music education and much more! Jimmie Herrod is a Pacific Northwest-based artist and performer who now splits time between Portland, Oregon and Paris, France. He holds a Bachelors…

1
Ep. 116: Invencia Piano Duo 59:12

4y ago59:12

59:12

Ep. 116: Invencia Piano Duo. Let's Talk Off The Podium with Tigran Arakelyan. In this podcast we talk about the many recordings by the duo, Florent Schmitt, martial arts, working during covid-19 and much more. If the name sounds familiar to you, it could be you have read any of the number of reviews featured in the American Record Guide, Internatio…

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Ep. 115: Elaine Mitchener, experimental vocalist, movement artist and composer 57:16

4y ago57:16

57:16

In this episode we talk about Elaine Mitchener's many projects, improvisation, music education, Jeanne Lee and much more. Elaine Mitchener is an experimental vocalist, movement artist and composer, whose work encompasses improvisation, contemporary music theatre and performance art. Born in East London to Jamaican parents, Elaine studied voice at T…

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Ep. 114: Maria Seletskaja, conductor & former principal soloist with international ballet companies 44:33

4y ago44:33

44:33

Ep. 114: Maria Seletskaja, conductor & former principal soloist with international ballet companies. Let's Talk Off The Podium with Tigran Arakelyan. In this podcast we talk about Maria's journey from a principal soloist with major ballet companies to a professional conducting career. She also talks about her family and work balance, passion for th…

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Ep. 113: Richard Stoltzman, A Classical superstar. - NY TIMES 57:37

4y ago57:37

57:37

Ep. 113: Richard Stoltzman, “A Classical superstar.” - NY TIMES. Let's Talk Off The Podium with Tigran Arakelyan. Two-time Grammy Award-winning clarinetist Richard Stoltzman is known as a captivating recitalist, chamber musician, and jazz performer, as well as a prolific recording artist. He gave the first clarinet recitals in the histories of both…

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Ep. 112: Eugenia Forteza, opera singer and founder of 360 of Opera 41:08

4y ago41:08

41:08

Ep. 112: Eugenia Forteza, opera singer and founder of 360 of Opera. Let's Talk Off The Podium with Tigran Arakelyan. Eugenia currently resides in NYC, where she freelances as a vocalist, actor and model. She is the Founder and Lead Editor of 360° of Opera and serves as a Board Member of Urban Playground Chamber Orchestra & Frisson Films. In this p…

1
Ep. 111: Joe Deninzon, violinist. The Jimi Hendrix of the Violin 38:05

4y ago38:05

38:05

Ep. 111: Joe Deninzon, violinist. “The Jimi Hendrix of the Violin” Let's Talk Off The Podium with Tigran Arakelyan. Joe Deninzon has been hailed by critics as “The Jimi Hendrix of the Violin,” because of his innovative style on electric seven-string violin. Joe has worked with Sheryl Crow, Bruce Springsteen, Phoebe Snow, Everclear, Ritchie Blackmor…

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Ep. 110: Sharon Isbin, guitarist. Grammy Award winner & founder of the Juilliard Guitar Dept. 47:09

4y ago47:09

47:09

Ep. 110: Sharon Isbin, guitarist. Grammy Award winner & founder of the Juilliard Guitar Dept. Let's Talk Off The Podium with Tigran Arakelyan. Acclaimed for her extraordinary lyricism, technique and versatility, multiple Grammy Award winner Sharon Isbin was named the 2020 Musical America Worldwide Instrumentalist of the Year, the first guitarist ev…

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Ep. 109: Rachel Fine, Executive Director and CEO of The Wallis 46:37

4y ago46:37

46:37

Ep. 109: Rachel Fine, Executive Director and CEO of the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts. Let's Talk Off The Podium with Tigran Arakelyan. Rachel Fine is Executive Director & CEO of the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts. Prior to joining The Wallis team in 2015, she worked as Senior Consultant for the DeVos Institute of…

1
Ep. 108: George Jackson, conductor. 54:46

4y ago54:46

54:46

Ep. 108: George Jackson, conductor. Let's Talk Off The Podium with Tigran Arakelyan. Armed with insatiable artistic curiosity, a true performer’s instincts and the advantages of a rigorous central European training, George Jackson has earned critical acclaim for the authority and eloquence of his music-making. The British conductor’s career continu…

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Ep. 107: Michael Crusoe, timpanist 38:29

4y ago38:29

38:29

Ep. 107: Michael Crusoe, timpanist. Let's Talk Off The Podium with Tigran Arakelyan. Michael Crusoe is principal timpanist of the Seattle Symphony Orchestra, a position he has held since 1980. In addition, he also serves as principal timpanist of the Seattle Opera Association and the Mostly Mozart Summer Festival Orchestra at Lincoln Center in New …

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Ep. 106: Yolanda Kondonassis, one of the world's premier solo harpists 38:33

4y ago38:33

38:33

Ep. 106: Yolanda Kondonassis, one of the world's premier solo harpists. Let's Talk Off The Podium with Tigran Arakelyan. Yolanda Kondonassis is celebrated as one of the world’s premier solo harpists and is widely regarded as today’s most recorded classical harpist. Hailed as “viscerally exciting” (The Chicago Tribune) and a “brilliant and expressiv…

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Ep. 105: Ransom Wilson, conductor and virtuoso flutist 52:24

4y ago52:24

52:24

Ransom Wilson has long been recognized internationally as one of the greatest flutists of his generation. Flutist/conductor Ransom Wilson has performed in concert with major orchestras the world over. As a flutist, he has recently launched an ongoing series of solo recordings on the Nimbus label in Europe. As a conductor, he is starting his third s…

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Ep. 104: Kirsten Agresta Copely, harpist 37:34

4y ago37:34

37:34

Ep. 104: Kirsten Agresta Copely, harpist. Let's Talk Off The Podium with Tigran Arakelyan. KIRSTEN AGRESTA COPELY is a harpist, composer, and arranger. Known for her unusual command of genres like hip-hop in addition to classical music, her prolific career has taken her throughout the United States, Europe, South America, Israel, Japan, and the Sou…

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Ep. 103: Angel Velez, conductor 36:17

4y ago36:17

36:17

Ep. 103: Angel Velez, conductor. Let's Talk Off The Podium with Tigran Arakelyan. Angel Velez enjoys a career balanced between the studios of Los Angeles, guest conducting and teaching. Velez has extensive experience as an orchestral conductor working with orchestras such as the Augsburger Philharmoniker (Germany), Berlin Sinfonietta (Germany), Bud…

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Ep. 102: Ludovic Morlot, conductor 39:18

4y ago39:18

39:18

Ep. 102: Ludovic Morlot, conductor. Let's Talk Off The Podium with Tigran Arakelyan. Following eight years as Music Director, Ludovic Morlot is now Conductor Emeritus of the Seattle Symphony. His tenure in Seattle formed a hugely significant period in the musical journey of the orchestra. Ludovic’s innovative programming encompassed not only his ch…

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Ep. 101: Miguel Harth-Bedoya, conductor 39:38

4y ago39:38

39:38

Ep. 101: Miguel Harth-Bedoya, conductor. Let's Talk Off The Podium with Tigran Arakelyan. Celebrating more than 30 years of professional conducting, Miguel Harth-Bedoya is a master of color, drawing idiomatic interpretations from a wide range of repertoire in concerts across the globe. He has amassed considerable experience at the helm of orchestra…

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Ep. 100: Robert Dick, revolutionary composer and flutist 59:52

4y ago59:52

59:52

Ep. 100: Robert Dick, revolutionary composer and flutist. Let's Talk Off The Podium with Tigran Arakelyan. World renowned as the leader in contemporary music for flute, Robert Dick embodies the ideal of the Renaissance artist. With equally deep roots in classical music old and new and in free improvisation and new jazz, he has established himself a…

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Ep. 99: Wadada Leo Smith, trumpeter and composer 47:37

4y ago47:37

47:37

Ep. 99: Wadada Leo Smith. Let's Talk Off The Podium with Tigran Arakelyan. Wadada Leo Smith, trumpeter, multi-instrumentalist, composer, and improviser is one of the most acclaimed creative artists of his times, both for his music and his writings. For the last five decades, Mr. Smith has been a member of the historical and legendary AACM collectiv…

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Ep. 98: Diane Schuur, Grammy winning jazz vocalist 26:46

4y ago26:46

26:46

Ep. 98: Diane Schuur, Grammy winning jazz vocalist Let's Talk Off The Podium with Tigran Arakelyan Schuur’s much-laureled career includes two Grammy Awards---each for Best Jazz Vocal Performance---on Timeless (1986) and Diane Schuur and The Count Basie Orchestra (1987). Both were released by GRP Records, the label that had launched her recording ca…

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Ep. 97: Martin Kuuskmann, Estonian-born bassoon virtuoso 46:15

4y ago46:15

46:15

Ep. 97: Martin Kuuskmann, Estonian-born bassoon virtuoso Let's Talk Off The Podium with Tigran Arakelyan Grammy nominated Estonian-born bassoon virtuoso, Martin Kuuskmann’s charismatic and commanding performances throughout the world have earned him repute as one of the leading solo instrumentalists of his generation. Kuuskmann has appeared with co…

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Ep. 96: Øystein Baadsvik, tubist 42:45

4y ago42:45

42:45

Ep. 96: Øystein Baadsvik, international soloist and chamber musician. Let's Talk Off The Podium with Tigran Arakelyan Øystein Baadsvik is voted one of the top ten brass players in history by the listeners on Classic FM. He did the first TED talk on the topic tuba and is one of the most popular classical musicians on YouTube with more than six milli…

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