Best Suzanne Bona and WSHU Public Radio Podcasts (2024)

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Sunday Baroque Conversations 127: Neave Trio 23:21

4d ago23:21

23:21

The Grammy-nominated Neave Trio consists of violinist Anna Williams, cellist Mikhail Veselov, and pianist Eri Nakamura. They state their goal simply: To Engage. To Exchange. To Connect. Their 2024 album ROOTED features works centered around folk music by composers Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, Bedrich Smetana, Joseph Suk, and Frank Martin. Neave Trio sp…

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Sunday Baroque Conversations 126: Will Liverman 24:37

2M ago24:37

24:37

GRAMMY Award-winning musician Will Liverman has been praised for his versatility and skill as a singer. The American operatic baritone has performed in several roles at the Metropolitan Opera, and Lyric Opera Chicago, where he premiered an opera he co-created -- The Factotum – with his longtime friend, DJ King Rico. Will Livermanspoke with Suzanne …

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Sunday Baroque Conversations 125: ChamberQUEER 43:00

3M ago43:00

43:00

ChamberQUEER highlights LGBTQIA voices in contemporary and historical music and reimagines the classical concert experience as a radically inclusive gathering space and musical community for the 21st century. Founded in 2018 by Jules Biber (cello), Danielle Buonaiuto (soprano), Brian Mummert (baritone), and Andrew Yee (cello), ChamberQUEER operates…

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Sunday Baroque Conversations 124: Byron Schenkman 28:30

4M ago28:30

28:30

Byron Schenkman is an American harpsichordist, pianist, and music scholar who specializes in baroque and early music. Along with violinist Ingrid Matthews, Byron Schenkman cofounded Seattle Baroque, which the two musicians directed until 2013. Suzanne spoke with Byron Schenkman -- who has performed on dozens of recordings -- about their current pro…

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Sunday Baroque Conversations 123: Ian Watson 22:49

5M ago22:49

22:49

In 1982, a group of Early Music fans founded the Connecticut Early Music Society to present an annual festival of concerts every June. They feature a repertory of European music written before about 1800 and they focus on historically-informed performance practices, including the use of period instruments. Ian Watson is Artistic Director of the CT …

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Sunday Baroque Conversations 122: Wil B 22:40

5M ago22:40

22:40

Kevin Sylvester and Wilner Baptiste met as talented teenage music students in Florida, playing violin and viola respectively. They clicked as friends, and after pursuing their university training in music, the two classically trained instrumentalists formed their hip hop duo, Black Violin. Their performances are energetic, surprising, and captivati…

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Sunday Baroque Conversations 121: Tom Huizenga 31:20

7M ago31:20

31:20

If you are a fan of NPR's Tiny Desk concerts, you're in luck! Tom Huizenga is a long time NPR producer, editor and reporter whose work you've probably heard. Suzanne interviewed Tom about some of his favorite Tiny Desk performances and NPR interviews, and he shared stories about what it was like to meet some of his personal musical idols.…

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Sunday Baroque Conversations 120: Simone Dinnerstein 2024 20:32

7M ago20:32

20:32

Grammy-nominated pianist Simone Dinnerstein has a wide variety of musical passions, but music by Johann Sebastian Bach is an important part of her foundation. She believes Bach's music has it all – intelligence and heart – and her expertise inspired The New York Times to describe her as "an utterly distinctive voice in the forest of Bach interpreta…

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Sunday Baroque Conversations 119: Morgan Sullivan 29:16

8M ago29:16

29:16

Morgan Sullivan came to singing later than many other professional singers do. Nevertheless she has achieved success as a freelance musician who has performed with numerous top tier ensembles, including Bach Collegium Japan, Folger Consort, and American Baroque Orchestra among many others. She has also recorded music by Brahms and Schutz with Yale …

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Sunday Baroque Conversations 118: Frederick Ballentine 29:16

8M ago29:16

29:16

Frederick Ballentine is an American tenor whose awards include a Grammy for his recording of George Gershwin's PORGY AND BESS. The opera star exudes a sense of ease, confidence, and fun when it comes to his career as an in-demand collaborator on everything from classic operas, to cutting-edge contemporary works. Frederick Ballentine spoke with Suza…

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Sunday Baroque Conversations 117: Shawn Okpebholo 27:00

9M ago27:00

27:00

Award-winning musician Shawn Okpebholo earned his degrees at the prestigious University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. But he credits his start in music to The Salvation Army church, where he received free music lessons as a child, and to his mother's tenacious support. The breadth of Dr. Okpebholo's work is extraordinary: chamber wor…

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Sunday Baroque Conversations 116: BLKBOK 25:15

10M ago25:15

25:15

From the time he was just a small child, Charles Wilson III – aka BLKBOK – showed extraordinary musical talent. The budding piano virtuoso's family nurtured his interests, which blossomed to include many genres of music: classical, hip-hop, rap, and much more. BLKBOK chose his name, in part, as a way to honor his admiration for Johann Sebastian Bac…

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Sunday Baroque Conversations 115: Jessie Montgomery 30:00

10M ago30:00

30:00

"Being an artist is living a life of service." The words of Jessie Montgomery, who has earned acclaim, awards, and praise for her growing body of work as a composer, violinist, teacher, and activist. The musician credits her many teachers and mentors – and her parents – for opening up worlds to her. Jessie Montgomery shared stories about her experi…

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Sunday Baroque Conversations 114: Kellen Gray 33:00

11M ago33:00

33:00

Scotland-based American conductor Kellen Gray is Assistant Conductor of the English National Opera and Assistant Conductor of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra. He's attuned to the orchestral repertory, including Bela Bartok, Antonin Dvorak, Aaron Copland, and Ralph Vaughan Williams. He's also passionate about championing African-diasporic comp…

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Sunday Baroque Conversations 113: Brandon Patrick George 2023 27:06

11M ago27:06

27:06

Grammy-nominated flutist Brandon Patrick George is a member of Imani Winds and has appeared as a soloist with soloist with the Atlanta, Baltimore, and Albany symphonies, American Composers Orchestra, and the Orchestra of St. Luke's, among others. He's also on the faculty of the Curtis Institute of Music. Suzanne spoke with Brandon Patrick George ab…

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Sunday Baroque Conversations 112: Melvin Chen 36:30

11M ago36:30

36:30

As a music lover, you may be familiar with Melvin Chen for his recordings of piano music by Dmitri Shostakovich or Ludwig van Beethoven. He put his double degrees from The Juilliard School to work as Professor in the Practice of Piano at Yale School of Music and is Director of Norfolk Chamber Music Festival, which is Yale's Summer School of Music. …

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Sunday Baroque Conversations 111: Mahan Esfahani 34:30

12M ago34:30

34:30

Acclaimed harpsichordist Mahan Esfahani - the first and only harpsichordist to be named a BBC New Generation Artist, and the youngest ever recipient of the Wigmore Medal – is an outspoken and passionate advocate for his instrument. Although the harpsichord is most closely associated with baroque music, Mahan Esfanai’s repertory is large and diverse…

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Sunday Baroque Conversations 110: Loki Karuna 27:00

12M ago27:00

27:00

Loki Karuna (formerly Garrett McQueen) began his life in music as a bassoonist, earning degrees in music and performing in orchestras. His passion for music and justice propelled his career as a musician, leading him to become a radio and podcast producer, and an activist. An eloquent storyteller, Loki Karuna spoke with Suzanne about his weekly pod…

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Sunday Baroque Conversations 109: Trio Sefardi 16:52

1y ago16:52

16:52

Howard Bass, Tina Chancey, and Susan Gaeta are the members of Trio Sefardi, a group they formed in 2010 to perform traditional songs of the Sephardim – the descendants of Jews exiled from Spain in 1492. They draw on their individual experience and expertise in many different genres of music, including jazz, folk, and early music, and they mine the …

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Sunday Baroque Conversations 108: Tammy McCann 29:30

1y ago29:30

29:30

Tammy McCann loves music. She lives and breathes her craft, and starts each day acknowledging and celebrating Music's importance in her life. She talked with Suzanne about her life as a professional jazz singer, her start as an opera singer, and how playing the double bass is the instrument she feels she was meant to play.…

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Sunday Baroque Conversations 107: Kelly Hall-Tompkins 29:30

1y ago29:30

29:30

Kelly Hall-Tompkins is a dynamo – full of energy, positivity, passion, and initiative. The talented violinist is an award-winning and acclaimed musician with an international career, as well as an entrepreneur, humanitarian, and social justice advocate who founded MUSIC KITCHEN – FOOD FOR THE SOUL. She brings together other professional musicians t…

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Sunday Baroque Conversations 106: Elijah McCormack 20:58

1+ y ago20:58

20:58

Award-winning and critically-acclaimed singer Elijah McCormack's repertory includes baroque music, contemporary music, and everything in between. He is a male soprano who grew up in a family in which music was and is an important priority – they all sing in the church choir, and his late father played viola in a local professional orchestra. (Growi…

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Sunday Baroque Conversations 105: Lauren Rico 27:15

1+ y ago27:15

27:15

Lauren Rico is a veteran classical music broadcaster who keeps countless listeners across the United States company with her friendly, down-to-earth approach. In 2016 she started sharing her passion for classical music with a different audience: readers of romance novels. Beginning with her self-published erotic thriller, REVERIE – in which she set…

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Sunday Baroque Conversations 104: Andrew Ousley - Death of Classical 23:25

1+ y ago23:25

23:25

For as long as I can remember, naysayers have been predicting the "death of classical music." Audiences are aging, and ticket sales are often a struggle for classical music concerts, and some people are concerned that the art form will "die" as a result. Andrew Ousley leaned into that fear when he established his concert series, THE DEATH OF CLASSI…

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Sunday Baroque Conversations 103: Yanet Campbell Secades 24:40

1+ y ago24:40

24:40

Violinist Yanet Campbell Secades is featured on the 2023 recording BREAKING BARRIERS with Carlos Bastidas leading Ontario Pops Orchestra. The Camagüey, Cuba native is one of three up-and-coming young women instrumentalists performing as soloists in concertos by Johann Sebastian Bach and Antonio Vivaldi. Yanet Campbell Secades joined Suzanne to chat…

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Sunday Baroque Conversations 102: Alison DeSimone 24:40

1+ y ago24:40

24:40

Alison DeSimone is a musicologist – someone who is a scholar of music and its relationship with a wide variety of other disciplines. She is an Associate Professor of Musicology at the University of Missouri-Kansas City – and she specializes in music of the Renaissance and Baroque eras. Alison DeSimone joined Suzanne to talk about what a musicologis…

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Sunday Baroque Conversations 101: James O'Donnell 33:39

1+ y ago33:39

33:39

James O'Donnell is a Professor in the Practice of Organ at Yale University's Institute of Sacred Music and the Yale School of Music, where he teaches graduate-level organ majors and other students in sacred music. He also directs a newly-established professional liturgical vocal ensemble at Yale. James O'Donnell brings to New Haven his exceptional …

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Sunday Baroque Conversations 100: Karlos Rodriguez 22:00

1+ y ago22:00

22:00

There's a particular type of collaboration that exists in a chamber music ensemble. The award-winning Catalyst Quartet's collaborative efforts involved choosing projects and conducting scholarly research that will have maximum impact in their mission to achieve unity and celebrate composers of color whose works have been overlooked by the tradition…

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Sunday Baroque Conversations 99: Clayton Stephenson 37:46

1+ y ago37:46

37:46

The talented young pianist Clayton Stephenson's story is more than just an inspiring example of the power of music. It is also a story of tenacity and resourcefulness, and the importance of teachers and mentors. The New York City native loves to immerse himself in the work of the countless musicians he admires. Clayton Stephenson is currently enrol…

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Sunday Baroque Conversations 98: Holly Mulcahy 28:18

1+ y ago28:18

28:18

Violinist Holly Mulcahy is concertmaster of the Wichita Symphony, and has previously held that position in other symphonic orchestras across the country. She is also a busy soloist and chamber musician who regularly performs at a maximum security prison. Holly Mulcahy is the founder and leader of an organization that strives to " … help people in n…

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Sunday Baroque Conversations 97: Rochelle Sennet 22:35

1+ y ago22:35

22:35

Dr. Rochelle Sennet is a versatile musician, with a wide repertory. The prize-winning pianist has recorded (so far) two albums called BACH TO BLACK in which she combines works by Johann Sebastian Bach with works by Black composers including Samuel Coleridge Taylor, Frederick Tillis, and R. Nathaniel Dett, Florence Price, and many others. Dr. Sennet…

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Sunday Baroque Conversations 96: Randall Scotting 18:48

2y ago18:48

18:48

Randall Scotting's 2022 debut recording THE CROWN is a tribute to famed 17th century Italian castrato singer, Senesino. Scotting collaborated with the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, conducted by Laurence Cummings, and their collection of these Heroic Arias is receiving critical acclaim. The countertenor spoke with Suzanne about how he found…

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Sunday Baroque Conversations 95: Rachel Barton Pine 32:27

2y ago32:27

32:27

Since her 1984 debut with the Chicago Symphony at age 10, American violinist Rachel Barton Pine has been a trailblazer. Her musical tastes are broad and inclusive – from the baroque era, through all the major classical and romantic works, to contemporary commissions, and heavy metal – and she's a seasoned soloist and chamber musician. Rachel spoke …

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Sunday Baroque Conversations 94: Eric Rice 29:59

2y ago29:59

29:59

Brooklyn native Eric Rice did not set out to become a professional musician and musicologist. He discovered early music while studying at Bowdoin College and, after four years as a schooner captain at the South Street Seaport Museum, he earned his PhD in Musicology and a Certificate in Medieval and Renaissance studies from Columbia University. He w…

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Sunday Baroque Conversations 93: André Raphel 31:25

2y ago31:25

31:25

North Carolina native André Raphel is an award-winning orchestral conductor with an international career. An expert in the classic orchestral repertory as well as a proponent of new music, Maestro Raphel's experience with US orchestras includes appearances with the Boston Symphony, Chicago Symphony, Cleveland Orchestra, Philadelphia Orchestra and t…

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Sunday Baroque Conversations 92: Mike Fan and Sallynee Amawat 31:25

2y ago31:25

31:25

Sometimes truth is stranger than fiction! The celebrated French violinist and composer Jean-Marie Leclair was found murdered in his Paris apartment. Despite several obvious potential suspects, no one was ever charged with the crime. It remains an unsolved mystery, and the Canadian group Infusion Baroque has crafted a unique and clever concert exper…

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Sunday Baroque Conversations 91: Stephen Schultz 26:31

2y ago26:31

26:31

In 4th grade, Stephen Schultz had a chance to learn an instrument to play in the school band. He ended up being assigned to play his third choice – the flute – which was a very good thing, because the instrument is his perfect match. Stephen Schultz is one of the foremost baroque flute players, and he says that baroque music is his first love. He s…

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Sunday Baroque Conversations 90: Jason Vieaux 24:17

2+ y ago24:17

24:17

When Jason Vieaux started playing guitar he was immediately smitten with the instrument and with music, in general, practicing long and hard on his own. His tenacity paid off with some early competition wins, and he continued to hone his skills thanks to teachers and mentors who recognized and further cultivated his talent and determination. Now th…

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Sunday Baroque Conversations 89: Anthony Roth Costanzo 26:36

2+ y ago26:36

26:36

The multi-talented performer Anthony Roth Costanzo is a young countertenor whose projects include operas, recitals, films, and Broadway. The New York Times called him "Vocally brilliant and dramatically fearless." Suzanne spoke with the remarkable, Grammy-winning musician about his multi-faceted passions and interests.…

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Sunday Baroque Conversations 88: Music Haven 17:45

2+ y ago17:45

17:45

There have been numerous studies over the years about the positive impact of music on people's lives. Children, especially, seem to benefit from early musical training, although not all kids have equal access to quality musical education. Music Haven in New Haven, Connecticut is a program that offers tuition-free music education, mentoring, and per…

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Sunday Baroque Conversations 87: JungHae Kim 39:50

2+ y ago39:50

39:50

Baroque music expert JungHae Kim is a sought-after harpsichordist who performs as a soloist and chamber music collaborator all over the world. Her training included studies at Sweelinck Conservatorium in Amsterdam with legendary Dutch musician Gustav Leonhardt, who profoundly influenced her own approach to teaching music theory, ear training, keybo…

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Sunday Baroque Conversations 86: Khari Joyner 32:47

2+ y ago32:47

32:47

Cellist Khari Joyner is a sought-after musician who performs with numerous top ensembles such as Orpheus Chamber Orchestra. The charismatic young American instrumentalist is also a passionate music teacher who has inspired students all over the world. Dr. Joyner has performed for a number of important occasions, such as the 2008 Maya Angelou Birthd…

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Sunday Baroque Conversations 85: Demarre McGill 28:30

2+ y ago28:30

28:30

Flutist Demarre McGill exudes energy and passion – for music, for his students, for whatever project he is working on. The Seattle Symphony's Principal Flute is also a busy soloist and chamber musician who immerses himself in the moment, applying his extraordinary talent to playing everything from baroque, classical and romantic era music, to cutti…

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Sunday Baroque Conversations 84: Pat Neely 2022 19:19

2+ y ago19:19

19:19

Professional musician and teacher Patricia Ann Neely is also a highly respected advocate for diversity and inclusion in the world of classical music and, specifically, early music. She and Suzanne have an ongoing discussion, and in this interview they address the question: what is Black History Month and is it still needed in the year 2022?…

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Sunday Baroque Conversations 83: Rachel Podger 40:15

2+ y ago40:15

40:15

British violinist Rachel Podger is internationally renowned as a leading interpreter of music from the Baroque and Classical periods in history. Since childhood, when she was still a beginner violin student, she was a trailblazer – secretly signing up for lessons on Baroque violin in addition to her other studies. Rachel Podger is founder and direc…

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Sunday Baroque Conversations 82: Jeannette Sorrell 19:59

3y ago19:59

19:59

Antonio Vivaldi's Four Seasons Concertos are some of the "greatest hits" of the baroque era. They've been recorded many times, and in many different instrumentations. Conductor and keyboard player Jeannette Sorrell and her group Apollo's Fire collaborated with violinist Francisco Fullana on a recording of the Four Seasons that uniquely reflects the…

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Sunday Baroque Conversations 81: Courtney Beck and Davóne Tines 19:58

3y ago19:58

19:58

Courtney Beck is Executive Director of Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra and Chorale, and bass-baritone Davóne Tines is the ensemble's Creative Partner. They joined Suzanne to discuss PBO's mission and the scope and goals of Mr. Tines' newly-established Creative Partner position.By Suzanne Bona

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Sunday Baroque Conversations 80: Davóne Tines 16:15

3y ago16:15

16:15

"Davóne Tines Is Changing What It Means to Be a Classical Singer" That was headline of a New Yorker article about the versatile bass-baritone. It's just one of many profiles of the extraordinary young musician and his passion for opera, gospel music, spirituals, and so much more. The award-winning musician spoke with Suzanne about his life in music…

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Sunday Baroque Conversations 79: Dr. Albert Lee 34:14

3y ago34:14

34:14

Dr. Albert Lee is a tenor who has crafted a broad career as a classical vocalist in opera, oratorio, recital, and liturgical music. Dr. Lee received his degrees from The University of Connecticut, The Juilliard School, and Florida State University. Since summer of 2021, Dr. Lee has been Associate Professor of Music and the inaugural Director of Equ…

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Sunday Baroque Conversations 78: Emily Lau 25:30

3y ago25:30

25:30

Emily Lau is a composer, singer, teacher and restauranteur who has carved out her own, unique career blending many art forms – and her projects often bridge the gaps between ancient music and modern themes. Her work includes helping creative people channel their empathetic impulses in healthy ways, and impart a spirit of true understanding and coll…

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