Inside the Notes
Inside the Notes is a classical music podcast by musicians, for musicians. Here we talk shop, and recall vivid memories of our journey in music. We strive to maintain the rich heritage of storytelling, and continue to keep ourselves connected to the incredible artists who came before us.
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Christina Smith, flute
05/03/2021
Christina Smith, flute
Christina Smith, principal flute of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, shares incredible stories of her career in music. We discuss studying with Julius Baker, her vintage flutes, life in the Atlanta Symphony and how teaching recharges and energizes her. Christina's passion for music and love of playing is inspiring and engaging!
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Grace Browning, harp
04/12/2021
Grace Browning, harp
In this episode, Grace Browning, principal harp of the Rochester Philharmonic, shares stories about her life as a harpist. We discuss audition preparation, the history of harp pedagogy, the innovations of the modern harp, and how social media is making the harp cool.
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Weston Sprott, trombone
03/08/2021
Weston Sprott, trombone
In this episode, we are chatting with Weston Sprott, trombone with the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, and Dean of the Preparatory Division of the Juilliard School. We chat about the unique journey that Weston took into the world of music, memorable performances, and the dreams he has for his role as Dean.
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Andrew Parker, oboe
02/22/2021
Andrew Parker, oboe
In this episode we are chatting with assistant professor of oboe at the Butler School of Music, Dr. Andrew Parker. He tells us stories of his journey as a young musician, choosing between piano and oboe, the experiences that helped him develop his confidence as a person and player, and learning to excel alongside performance anxiety.
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Daniel Hege, conductor
02/08/2021
Daniel Hege, conductor
In this episode, conductor Daniel Hege, discusses the defining moments in his career. From a last minute opportunity to conduct the Baltimore Symphony on tour, to studying with Daniel Lewis, his journey has been filled with twists and turns that highlight his joyous demeanor, courageous attitude, and preparation. Enjoy these stories from the Music Director of the Wichita Symphony.
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Rob Weir, bassoon
01/25/2021
Rob Weir, bassoon
San Francisco Symphony Orchestra bassoonist, Rob Weir, chats with Inside the Notes about his career. Touring Mahler symphonies with Michael Tilson Thomas, performing with the Saito Kinen Orchestra, and studying with Bernard Garfield are a few of the many important moments that shaped his life as a musician. Here we discuss those experiences and hear the stories that shaped his life.
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Jennifer Montone, horn
01/11/2021
Jennifer Montone, horn
Jennifer Montone, principal horn of the Philadelphia Orchestra, chats with us about life in a principal chair. She discusses mental preparation, recovering from injuries, balancing the many facets of her life, and the concerts which made a lasting impact on her. You will find her energy and passion both uplifting and inspiring!
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Christoph-Mathias Mueller, conductor
12/07/2020
Christoph-Mathias Mueller, conductor
Conductor Christoph-Mathias Mueller talks passionately about reviving the works of Alexander Veprik, working closely with Claudio Abbado and Vladimir Ashkenazy, and his many experiences conducting throughout Europe.
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Craig Mumm, viola
11/23/2020
Craig Mumm, viola
Craig Mumm, associate principal viola of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, shares his favorite moments from his life in the opera pit. From inspiring singers, to working with Carlos Kleiber, we hear some of the opera's most beautiful moments.
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Angela Beeching, music career coach
11/09/2020
Angela Beeching, music career coach
In this episode, career coach Angela Beeching, discusses the importance of finding your true purpose in music. As we grow our careers we must find a way to define exactly what our goals are, in order to reach them. Hear stories about how her own experiences in music and higher education lead her to the path of helping others.
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Jason Haaheim, timpani
10/26/2020
Jason Haaheim, timpani
Jason Haaheim, principal timpani of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, shares his journey from Nanotechnology to the Opera pit. His deep understanding of Deliberate Practice changed the way he prepared for performances and auditions. Hear stories of how this style of practice broke down barriers and prepared him for life at the MET.
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Julie Landsman, horn
10/12/2020
Julie Landsman, horn
Julie Landsman is a pioneer in the horn community. Her powerful tone, beautiful phrasing, and revolutionary pedagogy are just a few of her many strengths. In this episode we discuss her journey to the MET, the incredible impact her key mentors made, and her unwavering commitment to the music and her students.
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Gregory Harrington, violin
09/27/2020
Gregory Harrington, violin
Gregory Harrington sat down with Inside the Notes to discuss his unique niche in the music world. From his new recording of the Philip Glass Violin Concerto No 2, to playing anthems in NFL stadiums, and arranging jazz and popular music themes for performances, he has conquered new audiences and venues.
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Zoltán Fejérvári, piano
03/09/2020
Zoltán Fejérvári, piano
Pianist, Zoltán Fejérvári, winner of the 2017 Concours Musical International de Montréal, discusses nerves, programming, and the balance of work and life.
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Giora Schmidt, violin
02/17/2020
Giora Schmidt, violin
Violinist, Giora Schmidt is a dynamic performer and passionate educator. In this episode, we discuss the important moments that solidified his commitment to music, his view on the magic of collaborating, and how teaching became a key aspect of his life and career.
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Amit Peled, cello
12/02/2019
Amit Peled, cello
Cello soloist and professor, Amit Peled, shares stories of his life in music. From his early beginnings traveling to lessons, to the unique scenario that brought him to Pablo Casals' cello, his journey is full of love, energy, and passion.
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Jessica Phillips, clarinet
11/18/2019
Jessica Phillips, clarinet
Jessica Phillips, 2nd and Eb clarinetist of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, speaks about her incredible journey to the MET. We discuss the mental preparation for auditions, the rigorous schedule of an opera orchestra, and the incredible guidance she received on her journey!
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Jon Kimura Parker
11/04/2019
Jon Kimura Parker
Pianist Jon Kimura Parker shares some of his most memorable stories from the stage. Beginning with his first recording with Andre Previn, to performances in the great concert halls, Mr. Parker expresses his excitement and energy for collaborating with his fellow musicians.
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Jamie Barton, mezzo soprano
10/21/2019
Jamie Barton, mezzo soprano
American Mezzo soprano, Jamie Barton, is taking the world by storm. Her powerful voice, engaging personality, and humble attitude, are just a few of the reasons why she is loved by all who hear her. In this episode, we talk about her career after competitions, working towards a balanced lifestyle, and her experiences from the stage.
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Richard Stoltzman, clarinet
10/07/2019
Richard Stoltzman, clarinet
Richard Stoltzman is a pioneer in the clarinet community as a soloist and chamber musician in both jazz and classical genres. In this interview he tells incredible stories about Marlboro, Marcel Moyse, Messiaen, Takemitsu and his incredible experiences with musicians and composers throughout his life.
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Pepe Romero
09/23/2019
Pepe Romero
Guitarist, Pepe Romero, is a legend among musicians. His career has included decades of incredible performance and pedagogy. In this interview you will hear a series of stories that shaped his life as a musician. There are very few true in the world of classical music, few who have sustained greatness and grown throughout their lives. Pepe Romero is such an artist. He has been honored by kings, heads of state, and major institutions-the encomiums continue to pour in. But to Romero, his most important contribution has been reaching the common man. He has communicated the richness and beauty of the classical guitar to millions of people throughout the world. He has, indeed, become an ambassador of classical music, and, correspondingly, of the classical guitar. But this gift did not just appear out of nowhere. Pepe is the second son of one of the greatest guitarists that ever lived—Celedonio Romero. And he is brother to two more musical phenoms—Celin and Angel Romero. But perhaps we should start at the beginning... Pepe was born in Málaga, Spain, in 1944. In those days, following the devastating Spanish Civil War (1936-39) and during the Second World War, Spain was in desperate economic straits. Basic survival was the primary challenge. Yet, despite this, Celedonio Romero and his remarkable wife, Angelita, instilled in all three of their children a love of music that transcended the profound misery surrounding them. By age seven, Pepe set foot on the concert stage for the first time, at the Teatro Lope de Vega in Sevilla. And now, more than sixty years later, he continues to mesmerize audiences throughout the world. During that time, he has given literally thousands of concerts worldwide, many with the remarkable , and many as a solo instrumentalist. He has worked with almost every major conductor and has to his credit more than 60 recordings (among which are 20 concerto recordings with the Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, with both Neville Marriner and Iona Brown). Pepe Romero has premiered works by some of the finest composers of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. Joaquín Rodrigo, Federico Moreno Torroba, Lorenzo Palomo, Padre Francisco de Madina, Paul Chihara, Enrique Diemecke, Ernesto Cordero, and, most poignantly, Celedonio Romero, have written compositions for Pepe. Always a champion of music by composers in earlier periods of music history, he has also delved into rare archives to re-explore lost pieces by Fernando Sor, (world premiere and recording of Fantasie in d minor), Mauro Giuliani (world premiere recordings of Concerto no.2 in A major and Concerto no.3 in F major and Variations and Polonaise, Op.65), Francesco Molino (world premier recording of Guitar Concerto in E minor, Op.56), Ferdinando Carulli (world premiere recording of Guitar Concerto in E minor, Op.140), Johann Kaspar Mertz, Luigi Boccherini, (world premiere recording of all 8 guitar quintets) and others. In 1992, Pepe Romero performed on a groundbreaking laser disc of the Concierto de Aranjuez with Neville Marriner and the Academy of St-Martin-in-the-Fields. He played a prominent role in the major film documentary Shadows and Light: Joaquin Rodrigo at 90, which received numerous plaudits worldwide (including the Chicago International Film Festival, International Emmy Awards, and San Francisco International Film Festival). In 2005 the Romero Quartet recorded Concierto vasco para 4 guitarras y orquesta by Francisco de Madina (written for the Romeros) with the Basque National Orchestra on a Claves release (entitled Aita Madina). A prominent recording entitled The Romeros: Generations, features premieres of works by Jorge Morel (such as El Maestro, dedicated to Celedonio) and by Pepe himself, Recuerdos del pasado. In the spring of 2005, a solo recital release called Corazón Español became available on the CPA Hollywood Records label. Shortly thereafter, on the same label, came Classic Romero, another invaluable recital recording. In the summer of 2008, Pepe Romero recorded a splendid solo guitar-vocal work by Lorenzo Palomo, with internationally recognized Spanish soprano Maria Bayo. It includes the song cycles Mi jardín solitario (with texts by Celedonio Romero) and Madrigal and Five Sephardic Songs and was released on the NAXOS label in 2009 along with Palomo’s Concierto de Cienfuegos with the Romeros Quartet and Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos conducting the Seville Royal Symphony Orchestra. Celebrating their 50th anniversary and released in 2009, is a recording by the Romeros for Sony´s RCA Red Seal Label entitled Los Romeros: Celebration. In November 2011, Deutsche Grammophon released Christmas with Los Romeros featuring the Romeros and Christmas favorites. A new Spanish solo guitar CD Spanish Nights performed by Pepe Romero includes a premiere recording of Suite Madrileña No.1 by Celedonio Romero and was released June 2012 by Deutsche Grammophon. In November 2012 Pepe Romero received a Latin Grammy Nomination for “Best Classical Album” for his recording of Concierto festivo by Ernesto Cordero. Celebrating his 70th birthday DECCA released an 11 CD set of recordings entitled “Pepe Romero: Master of the Guitar.” Recent recordings include a CD entitled Aloha España featuring guitar and ukulele performances with Daniel Ho. Released in October 2016 by Dacapo Records is a historic live performance DVD of Concierto de Aranjuez with his great life-long collaborator and friend, Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos conducting the Danish National Symphony Orchestra. Among his recent releases are Torroba: Guitar Concertos Vol I and Vol II, both CDs are part a series of recordings (shared with guitarist Vicente Coves and conducted by Manuel Coves) for NAXOS of the complete guitar concertos by Federico Moreno Torroba. Erika Block with Pepe Romero after taping Inside the Notes Maestro Romero's many accomplishments include: world premieres of Rodrigo´s Concierto andaluz (with the Romero Guitar Quartet), Concierto madrigal (with Angel Romero), and Concierto para una fiesta (written for Pepe Romero); Federico Moreno Torroba's Diálogos entre guitarra y orquesta (Pepe was personally chosen by Torroba and Andrés Segovia for the world recording premiere of this work dedicated to Segovia with an extended guitar cadenza written especially for Pepe), Concierto Ibérico by Torroba (written for and performed by the Romeros), Concierto en flamenco by Torroba was premiered in Málaga (performed by Pepe with Angel Romero conducting); and Lorenzo Palomo's Concierto de Cienfuegos (with the Romero Quartet) and Nocturnos de Andalucía (both released on the Naxos label). Of the many guitar concertos by his father, Celedonio Romero, Pepe has performed the world premieres of Concierto de Málaga, Fiesta Andaluza and El Cortijo de Don Sancho. Other premieres include Troubadour Music for four guitars and orchestra by Morton Gould, Concierto vascoand Concierto flamenco by Francisco de Madina, Concierto festivo by Ernesto Cordero, Christmas Suite for four guitars and chamber orchestra by Massimo Paris, Concierto a Celedonio by Enrique Diemecke, Concierto Mariachi by Michael Zearott and the guitar concerto, Zareh, by Loris Tjeknavorian. He also revived the great orchestral work Metamorfosi de concert by Xavier Montsalvatge, with Gianandrea Noseda, and premiered as well as recorded the Concerto for Guitar and Orchestra with Trumpet Obbligato by Paul Chihara, with Neville Marriner and the London Symphony. In April 2014 Pepe Romero performed the German premiere in the Berlin Philharmonic of a new work by Lorenzo Palomo – Fulgores - for violin, guitar and orchestra. Upcoming projects include premieres of new guitar concertos by the wonderful Italian composer, Massimo Paris and by the imminent Spanish composer, Jose Peris Lacasa. In the United States, he has appeared with leading symphony orchestras in Philadelphia, Cleveland, Chicago, Houston, Detroit, Pittsburgh, Boston, San Francisco, Dallas, New York, and Los Angeles, as well as with the Orpheus Chamber Ensemble and Boston Pops. European ensembles with which he has appeared include the Academy of St-Martins-in-the-Fields, Dresden Philharmonic, London Symphony, la Accademia Santa Cecilia di Roma, Monte Carlo Philharmonic, I Musici, Zurich Chamber Orchestra, Philharmonia Hungarica, Solisti di Zagreb, Hungarian State Orchestra, Spanish National Orchestra, Spanish National Radio Television Orchestra, Norddeutscher Rundfunk, Hamburg Philharmoniker, L'Orchestre de la Suisse-Romande, Lausanne Chamber Orchestra, New Moscow Chamber Orchestra, American Sinfonietta, and Bournemouth Symphony—among many others. In addition, he has collaborated with such distinguished conductors as Sir Neville Marriner, Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos, Jesús López-Cobos, Eugene Ormandy, Antoni Ros-Marbà, Josep Pons, Arthur Fiedler, Lawrence Foster, Enrique Jordá, Andre Kostelanetz, Leonard Slatkin, Phillipe Entremont, Odón Alonso, Morton Gould, Michael Palmer, Guillermo Figueroa, Michael Zearrot, Miguel Ángel Gómez Martínez, Pedro Halffter, and Christoph Eschenbach. Pepe Romero has always felt, along with his father and brothers, that the sharing of one's art is a personal responsibility. Mr. Romero has served as Professor of Guitar at the University of Southern California, University of California at San Diego, Southern Methodist University, and the University of San Diego. Every summer at the Celedonio Romero Guitar Institute, currently held at Oklahoma City University, the Romeros conduct an intensive guitar workshop including master classes, private lessons, student concerts and a final concert featuring the students performing with the Romeros. Pepe has conducted master classes at the Salzburg Summer Academy, Córdoba Guitar Festival, and the Schleswig-Holstein Festival. In 2004 he was appointed Distinguished Artist in Residence at the University of Southern California's Thornton School of Music. His newly revised guitar method “La Guitarra” was published and released by Tuscany Publications in 2012. Currently he is finalizing a teaching video that discloses the principles of the Pepe Romero guitar technique. Pepe Romero holds honorary doctorates in music from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and the University of Victoria, British Columbia. In June 1996, he received the "Premio Andalucía de la Música," the highest recognition given by his native land for his contribution to the arts. In addition, His Majesty, King Juan Carlos I of Spain, has knighted Pepe and his brothers into the Order of "Isabel la Católica." In June 2018 he received the Medalla de Honor from the Real Academia de Bellas Artes de Granada for his lifelong achievement in performance and pedagogy. A biographical documentary about the Romeros appeared on PBS in 2001 entitled "Los Romeros, the Royal Family of the Guitar." Following this production, German television released another brilliant documentary about the Romeros entitled ¨Los Romeros, the Dynasty of the Guitar." In 2007, the Romeros received the President's Merit Award from the Recording Academy, producers of the Grammy Awards, for their significant contributions to the music world and professional career achievements. [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ycUBO644EDo&w=560&h=315] [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJ0pFGHdEcU&w=560&h=315] [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFOXnQWkmlA&w=560&h=315] [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdHnQj3RnCo&w=560&h=315] [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COc1ljZEb-M&w=560&h=315]
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Pepe Romero, guitar
09/23/2019
Pepe Romero, guitar
Legendary guitarist, Pepe Romero, sits down with Inside the Notes to talk about his life as a musician. He tells us tales of studying with his father, his incredible experiences on and off the stage, and the true purpose in the study of music. There is so much we can learn from this cherished musician.
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Benjamin Hochman, piano
06/04/2019
Benjamin Hochman, piano
Pianist and conductor, Benjamin Hochman's career has already included many once in a lifetime experiences. He sits down with Inside the Notes to discuss the teachers who helped him on his journey, the importance of curiosity and exploring the music, and advice bestowed to him by the musical giants who proceeded him.
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Kenneth Grant, clarinet
05/21/2019
Kenneth Grant, clarinet
Kenneth Grant is principal clarinet of the Rochester Philharmonic and Professor of clarinet at the Eastman School of Music. This episode includes countless stories about Marcellus, Hasty, Wright, and many other performers and teachers who shaped today's clarinet community.
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Kimberly Fisher, violin
05/06/2019
Kimberly Fisher, violin
Kimberly Fisher is principal second violin of the Philadelphia Orchestra and artistic director of the Philadelphia International Music Festival and Camp. In this episode, she talks to us about how she started her journey, and her experiences auditioning for the orchestra. Her enthusiasm for playing and teaching is infectious, and I look forward to you hearing her stories!
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Colin Carr, cello
04/08/2019
Colin Carr, cello
Inside the Notes sat down to chat with cellist, Colin Carr. We discuss his early life studying at the Menuhin school, his career as a soloist and chamber musician, and his seemingly endless energy as he teaches in both the UK and New York.
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Richard Roberts, violin
03/18/2019
Richard Roberts, violin
Richard Roberts is the concertmaster of the Montreal Symphony Orchestra and the Bellingham Festival of Music. Inside the Notes sat down to talk about his life as a young musician, how auditions have changed, and his experiences in the Montreal, Cleveland, and Minnesota Orchestras.
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Joshua Roman, cello
03/04/2019
Joshua Roman, cello
Inside the Notes sits down with soloist, curator, and composer, Joshua Roman. His beautiful playing and huge personality captivate audiences around the globe. Enjoy stories of his beginning, life as a soloist, and the origins of the great solo cello works.
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Roberto Plano, piano
02/18/2019
Roberto Plano, piano
Italian pianist, Roberto Plano's stories are captivating, just like his lyrical playing. In this episode we discuss his journey as a young musician in Italy, winning the 2001 Cleveland International Piano Competition, and how he connects his students to the performers who influenced him.
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Edwin Huizinga, violin
02/04/2019
Edwin Huizinga, violin
Violinist Edwin Huizinga's career has taken him all over the world, performing in nearly every genre. Listen to the incredible stories of how his network of musicians has grown, his exciting new projects, and how he has managed such a multifaceted career.
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