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Carnegie Hall brings you exclusive audio interviews with the artists you love. Featured Interviews John BarryJohn Barry is a British composer who is probably best known as the man behind the James Bond sound, having scored the soundtracks for such classics as Goldfinger, A View to a Kill, and From Russia with Love. No matter how large the scope of the project, he always begins focused on the film's first few seconds. Interview recorded March 2009
 Ian BostridgeIn recital, tenor Ian Bostridge spends a good amount of his time delivering lines of Schubert’s most intimate lieder. He doesn’t let the disconnect of pouring out intensely private emotions in a packed public concert hall distract him. For him, it’s all about communicating to the audience from the heart. Interview recorded March 2009
  Terry Riley & David Harrington (Kronos Quartet)Composer Terry Riley and Kronos Quartet founder David Harrington chat about how Riley’s In C influenced their lives, their perceptions, and the course of musical history. Terry Riley: In C is now available for order from The Shop at Carnegie Hall. Interview recorded February 2009
Past Interviews (A-Z) Thomas AdèsComposer. Pianist. Conductor. Thomas Adès explains the balancing act that’s required to keep up with his musical life on and off the stage. He describes the exhilarating experience of walking into Carnegie Hall for the first time—his own composition his introduction to the hall’s legendary acoustics. March 2008
   Piotr AnderszewskiPolish-Hungarian pianist Piotr Anderszewski is known for the precision and intensity of his performances on the stage. Off the stage, his passions for musical study and exploration have brought about an intense affection for the music of Karol Szymanowski. Interview recorded December 2008
 Leif Ove AndsnesPianist Leif Ove Andsnes recalls the instense emotion that gripper him as he walked onto the Carnegie Hall stage for the first time. He also talks about the music of Grieg and Janáček, the ghosts of recordings he made many years ago, and the great bond he’s forged performing with violinist Christian Tetzlaff. April 2008
 Emanuel AxPianist Emanuel Ax talks about his teenage years spent sneaking into Carnegie Hall to hear rehearsals and sleeping on the sidewalk for a chance at Horowitz tickets. He also recalls a few lessons he learned about Beethoven—lessons a performer might not know from merely reading a score. April 2008
    Berliner PhilharmonikerGet the inside story on the Berliner Philharmoniker, as members of this famed institution talk about the time they’ve spent under conductors Herbert von Karajan, Claudio Abbado, and Sir Simon Rattle; the audition process; and how the Berlin sound has a way of drawing players in. October 2007
   David BruceBritish-American composer David Bruce has a global thought process when it comes to writing music for the concert hall, illustrated by his acclaimed Carnegie Hall commissioned work, Gumboots—based on dancing which originated in the mines of South Africa under the brutal conditions of Apartheid. October 2008
Excerpts: David Bruce’s Gumboots; St Lawrence String Quartet, Todd Palmer clarinet
David Bruce’s Piosenki, Recorded on April 15, 2007 at Weill Recital Hall    Elliott CarterComposer Elliott Carter has witnessed an incredible amount of history first hand. Born Dec. 11, 1908, he was inspired early on by the premiere of Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring. Nearly a century later, his work is championed by musicians and fans who appreciate that Carter has never stopped moving his music forward. Interview recorded November 2008
    Paquito D’RiveraGrammy–winning clarinet and saxophone player Paquito D’Rivera may be firmly rooted in Latin jazz rhythms, but he has shared stages and exchanged ideas with artists across many genres giving him a level of musical understanding that he’s anxious to pass on to younger players. February 2007
  Carl DavisConductor and composer Carl Davis has received great acclaim for his compositions for television and feature films, including the BBC’s Pride and Prejudice, Mike Leigh’s Topsy Turvy, and a series of restored silent films. Here he talks about why he thinks it’s important to bring music from the big screen to the concert stage. July 2008
       Claude and Pamela FrankIn December 2008, Claude Frank and his daughter Pamela teamed up to teach a series of Professional Training Workshops at Carnegie Hall focused on the violin sonatas and piano trios of Beethoven and Schubert. The time they had with the participants allowed them to take a fresh approach toward instructing. Interview recorded December 2008
 Susan GrahamSusan Graham, one of America’s most celebrated mezzo-sopranos, found her musical inspiration hearing Luciano Pavarotti while singing from the back of the chorus. Hear her story and how she helps break the stereotypes of her opera character types by presenting a significant number of concert performances. Feburary 2008
 Hilary HahnViolinist Hilary Hahn has opened her ears and fingers to opportunities that stretch her as a performer beyond the established parameters of the classical genre—everything from working on major motion picture soundtracks to playing shows with indie rock bands. In the end, she says, it simply makes her a better artist. February 2007
 Daniel HandlerDaniel Handler (more commonly known as Lemony Snicket) talks about his collaboration with composer Nathaniel Stookey on The Composer Is Dead, a musical “whodunit” commissioned by the San Francisco Symphony, and introduces a few of this musical murder mystery’s prime suspects. The Composer is Dead book and CD is now available on pre-order. The title will be released on March 3, 2009. For more about the elusive Lemony Snicket, visit www.lemonysnicket.com. Interview recorded November 2008
Excerpts:
The Composer is Dead; San Francisco Symphony / Edwin Outwater, Conductor; Daniel Handler, Narrator
David Harrington (Kronos Quartet)The Kronos Quartet’s David Harrington talks about the magic of creating new works, the groups own “Under 30” commissioning program, and what the future holds for classical music. April 2008
  Imani WindsSince its formation, Imani Winds has celebrated the Latin and African American heritages of the ensemble's member musicians. The group bridges traditional wind quintet repertoire and new works, and especially like performing works that force them to step outside of their comfort zone. Interview recorded January 2009
     Evgeny KissinRussian pianist Evgeny Kissin counts a wide swath of composers among his favorites, not least among them Frédérick Chopin. Although Chopin remains central, Kissin continues to seek new composers and works to add to his repertory, and to go back and take a second look at pieces he performed more than a decade ago. Interview recorded February 2009
 David KrakauerClarinetist David Krakauer is well-known for his inspired klezmer performances, but he began his musical journey on a much different path. It was not until a chance meeting on a crosstown bus that Krakauer took the leap from his classical conservatory training toward Klezmer Madness! Interview recorded February 2009
          New York String OrchestraNew York String Orchestra conductor Jaime Laredo talks about the energy and swirling excitement he finds in his young players the first time they walk onto Carnegie’s stage, and orchestra alumnus and renowned violin soloist Cho-Liang Lin reminisces about the impact the program had on him as a young musician. December 2006
     David Robertson“Whether conducting music that is seldom played or music that is played too often for its own good,” said the New York Times of David Roberston’s compelling musical approach, “[he] makes everything seem fresh and startling.” Here, Robertson gives the inside scoop on how he creates such critically hailed programs. October 2006
 Dorothea RöschmannSoprano Dorothea Röschmann woke up one October morning with tickets to hear her friend Thomas Quasthoff sing that night at Carnegie Hall’s opening night concert. When Quasthoff became ill, Röschmann got the call asking her to give up her seat in the audience and to take a seat on the stage. October 2006
 Roswell RuddJazz trombonist Roswell Rudd often finds inspirational fuel while working with fellow musicians from around the globe, including an recent and unlikely pairing with Mongolian throat singers. But, has also makes a special musical connection with the natural environment right outside his back door. September 2006
  Mark Steinberg (Brentano String Quartet)Brentano String Quartet violinist Mark Steinberg talks about the personal passions and interests that guide the quartet’s members, and about their experiences in dealing with the dangers that can befall any musical group: compromise, stagnancy, and a masked burglar. March 2008
 Toru TakemitsuWhen Japanese composer Toru Takemitsu died in 1996, his compositional credits included hundreds of works for the concert hall and the soundtracks to some 93 films. He was internationally admired for his musical talent, but he was also known for his ability to forge friendships with artists across disciplines and cultures. Peter Grilli, a longtime friend of the composer, offers this personal commentary. Interview recorded Aug 2006
 Jean-Yves ThibaudetPianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet explains the struggles of being typecast as a certain kind of pianist—and why winning the battle has been so important to him. Oct 2008
Excerpt from Liszt’s Liebestraume No. 3 In A-flat Major (Nottorno No. 3); Jean-Yves Thibaudet, Piano. Piano Essentials. Denon Records.
Excerpt from Chopin’s Valse Brillante In A-flat Major, Op. 34, No. 1; Jean-Yves Thibaudet, Piano. Piano Essentials. Denon Records.     Alisa WeilersteinPicking up her first instrument while still a toddler, Alisa Weilerstein quickly mastered the cello, and began performing professionally, while still a teen. Fueled by an innate curiosity, she keeps her ears open to a wide variety of repertoire. Interview recorded November 2008
Excerpts:
Zoltan Kodály’s Cello Sonata, Op. 8
Johann Sebastian Bach’s Unaccompanied Cello Suite No. 3 in C Major |
