Welcome to Series 4! To kick off the new series, YolanDa Brown sits down with violinist Nynke Hijlkema and clarinet player Thomas Watmough to discuss the experience of having a family while working as a professional musician in an orchestra. From taking kids on tour to long distance phone calls, the essential duty free gifts and encouraging music making in your own children, Nynke and Tom reveal the struggles and the joys of parenting as a musician. Produced by Tandem Productions for the London ...
Mar 03, 2022•26 min•Season 4Ep. 1
YolanDa Brown takes us through some of the best bits of Series 3. Why do the musicians do what they do? And how do you combat the fear of fear? Plus, a revelation from conductor Karina Canellakis, the story of how a cello came to be, and the romantic connections across the orchestra… With tuba player Lee Tsarmaklis, violinist Kate Oswin, contrabassoonist Simon Estell, cellist Elisabeth Wiklander, Principal cellist Kristina Blaumane, trumpeter Anne McAneney, Principal Guest Conductor of the LPO K...
Feb 17, 2022•23 min
YolanDa Brown takes us through some of the best bits of Series 2. How do you audition for an orchestra, from the London Philharmonic to New York to Berlin? And how can you use nerves to actually improve your performance? YolanDa also finds out what it’s like recording for film, and how it feels singing in the London Philharmonic Choir. Plus, an insight into the music of Rachmaninoff. With horn player Mark Vines, violinist and leader of the orchestra Pieter Schoeman, London Philharmonic Choir mem...
Feb 03, 2022•21 min
YolanDa Brown takes us through some of the best bits of Series 1. What’s so bad about an emergency sandwich, how many pairs of pants should you pack for a tour, how do you repair cracks on a double bass, and what is a jingling johnny? With cellist Laura Donoghue, horn player John Ryan, timpanist Simon Carrington, tuba player Lee Tsarmaklis, harpist Rachel Masters, trombone player Mark Templeton, violinist Tania Mazzetti, oboe player Alice Munday, double bass player Hugh Kluger, percussionist Hen...
Jan 20, 2022•18 min
YolanDa Brown sits down with tuba player Lee Tsarmaklis, violinist Lasma Taimina and bassoon and contrabassoon player Simon Estell to find out the truth about audiences, from the unique perspective of an orchestral musician. There’s the issue of eating (whether it’s popcorn or turkey hotdogs), the connection the orchestra has with their home audience at the Royal Festival Hall, and the rockstar feeling they get when they do concerts specifically for children. YolanDa also finds out what it feels...
Dec 16, 2021•27 min•Season 3Ep. 12
Come and join us for LPO Offstage LIVE at Henry Wood Hall! YolanDa Brown sits down with the LPO’s recordings consultant Matthew Freeman, violinist Fiona Higham and piccolo player Stewart McIlwham to discover why the LPO LIVE label was created back in 2005, what it feels like to play when you know you’re being recorded, and how you patch up any mistakes. Plus, the musicians share their ‘desert island’ LPO LIVE recordings… Produced by Tandem Productions for the London Philharmonic Orchestra. #Offs...
Dec 09, 2021•29 min•Season 3Ep. 11
Facing the fear of fear, admitting you might not always want to go to those after concert drinks, and searching for the best strengthening exercises to avoid injury as a musician and a conductor are just a few of the tips and topics discussed by YolanDa Brown, cellist Elisabeth Wiklander and conductor Karina Canellakis. They discover that being in top shape for your job as a musician is a very personal journey. And how do you find that ‘lake stillness’ before a performance? Produced by Tandem Pr...
Dec 02, 2021•35 min•Season 3Ep. 10
YolanDa Brown uncovers some of the mysteries of buying an orchestral instrument with cellist David Lale and horn player Mark Vines. From commissioning a brand new cello, to finding that ‘perfectly cooked risotto’ sound of Mark’s perfect horn, to leaving horns on trains and cellos outside pubs, YolanDa hears about the highs and lows of searching for (and holding onto!) that dream instrument. Produced by Tandem Productions for the London Philharmonic Orchestra. #OffstagePod Twitter: @LPOrchestra I...
Nov 25, 2021•33 min•Season 3Ep. 9
YolanDa Brown gets the scoop on what it’s like to play Mahler’s ‘Titan’ Symphony from the musicians themselves. Horn player Martin Hobbs shares his favourite moment in the piece, where the horns actually stand up to play, harp player Rachel Masters gets to the bottom of why early audiences found the symphony to be way ahead of its time (and slightly shocking) and explains why Mahler’s writing for the harp is so effective. And flute player Juliette Bausor reveals that the challenge is not to do w...
Nov 18, 2021•31 min•Season 3Ep. 8
YolanDa Brown chats to Damian Davis (from his van!) about the celebrated LPO truck, complete with a hydraulic lift and kitchenette, and asks how he safely transports hundreds of instruments to concert halls around the world. She also hears bass player Laura Murphy’s point of view - when do you take your ‘second’ instrument, and what do you absolutely not put in your instrument case when you go on tour…? Produced by Tandem Productions for the London Philharmonic Orchestra. #OffstagePod Twitter: @...
Nov 11, 2021•31 min•Season 3Ep. 7
YolanDa Brown catches up with Brett Dean to find out what it means to be a Composer in Residence at an orchestra like the LPO, and how you tackle the daunting task of writing for so many instruments. She also talks to bass player Sebastian Pennar, who has been collaborating with Brett to discover all the sonic possibilities of the double bass (including using a rubber ball on a stick…). Produced by Tandem Productions for the London Philharmonic Orchestra. #OffstagePod Twitter: @LPOrchestra Insta...
Nov 04, 2021•34 min•Season 3Ep. 6
From nervous jazz trumpet solos to a singing orchestra and musical collaborations, today YolanDa Brown talks to trumpeter Anne McAneney and violinist Vesselin Gellev about how they’ve crossed musical boundaries, and discovers what we can learn from expanding our musical experiences. Is all music a kind of improvisation? And how can musicians overcome their fear of exploring new genres? Produced by Tandem Productions for the London Philharmonic Orchestra. #OffstagePod Twitter: @LPOrchestra Instag...
Oct 29, 2021•30 min•Season 3Ep. 5
When we all went into lockdown, David Burke and Nathan Prince dreamt up a way to bring the LPO into our homes in new, imaginative ways. From innovative lighting to performing amongst the empty seating, the LPO’s filmed performances allowed people to experience live music in fresh, bold and intimate ways. Glances between players became highlights of a performance, and light and shade added a new dimension to the music. Today, YolanDa hears about the LPO’s digital creative journey, and what it’s l...
Oct 21, 2021•29 min•Season 3Ep. 4
In the crypt underneath Henry Wood Hall, the LPO librarians work round the clock to prepare scores for the orchestra, a central cog in the LPO’s wheel. Today, YolanDa discovers how this mysterious world works, with the help of LPO librarian Sarah Holmes and percussionist Andy Barclay. Preparing a set of scores for the stage may not be as simple as it sounds… Produced by Tandem Productions for the London Philharmonic Orchestra. #OffstagePod Twitter: @LPOrchestra Instagram: @londonphilharmonicorch...
Oct 14, 2021•34 min•Season 3Ep. 3
YolanDa Brown sits down (yes - in real life!) with cellist Kristina Blaumane and violinist Fiona Higham to get the scoop on what it’s like sharing a music stand with someone, sometimes for many years. There are new friendships, tricky traditions, musical inspirations across the desks, and romantic connections… What makes the perfect (or imperfect) desk partner? Produced by Tandem Productions for the London Philharmonic Orchestra. #OffstagePod Twitter: @LPOrchestra Instagram: @londonphilharmonico...
Oct 07, 2021•29 min•Season 3Ep. 2
YolanDa Brown catches up with oboist Alice Mundy and percussionist Henry Baldwin to get their thoughts on one of the wildest pieces of classical music ever written, Symphonie Fantastique by Hector Berlioz. It’s a huge work which describes the inner turmoil of an artist in love with a woman who doesn’t feel the same way… The immense orchestral score certainly takes the listener on a truly wild ride. Produced by Tandem Productions for the London Philharmonic Orchestra. #OffstagePod Twitter: @LPOrc...
Sep 30, 2021•25 min•Season 3Ep. 1
YolanDa Brown talks to cellist Francis Bucknall, cor anglais player Sue Böhling and violinist Kate Oswin to find out about some of the music that changed their lives… Music is powerful. It can move, excite and inspire us, creating moments fixed in time and memories to last a lifetime. Donate now and your support will help ensure that we can create new musical moments and memories. Please donate and share a moment that has been special to you. lpo.org.uk/support Produced by Tandem Productions for...
Jun 17, 2021•24 min•Season 2Ep. 12
Beethoven’s nine symphonies are some of the most well-loved and revered pieces in classical music, and they are regularly performed by the LPO. YolanDa Brown dives into this world with violinist Tania Mazzetti, trumpeter Paul Beniston and clarinettist Tom Watmaugh and finds some revealing insights from the players perspective. Including demonstrations from Paul and Tom, you might find yourself listening to these majestic symphonies that little bit differently after listening to this podcast. Pro...
Jun 10, 2021•31 min•Season 2Ep. 11
YolanDa Brown talks to Chorus Director Neville Creed, singer Caroline Morris and LPO bass clarinettist Paul Richards as she finds out all about the London Philharmonic Choir. Set up in 1947, the choir has always worked closely with the LPO and in this episode YolanDa learns many of the ins and outs of how the choir operates. From rehearsal insights to the audition process to join the choir (and the importance of propping up the bar after a show), there’s plenty in store. Produced by Tandem Produ...
Jun 03, 2021•31 min•Season 2Ep. 10
YolanDa Brown talks to Artistic Director Cristina Rocca and President of the LPO and violinist Martin Hoehmann about exactly how a season of concerts is put together. Is it as much a science as an art? How involved are the members of the orchestra? How do venues impact on repertoire choices? And then there’s money… is that a creative constraint and will the marketing team be happy with a concert that might look a little intimidating on paper…?! Produced by Tandem Productions for the London Philh...
May 27, 2021•29 min•Season 2Ep. 9
YolanDa Brown connects with New York and Berlin for a trio of Philharmonics: London, New York and Berlin. She is joined by horn player Leelanee Sterrett from the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, violist Matthew Hunter from the Berlin Philharmonic and double bass player Sebastien Pennar from the LPO as they compare and contrast orchestral life in the UK, America and Germany. From thoughts about their regular audiences to differences in the audition process this episode is a fascinating glimpse in...
May 20, 2021•33 min•Season 2Ep. 8
YolanDa Brown heads off to the movies with piccolo player Stewart McIlwham and violinist Kate Birchall. Stewart and Kate have played on many film soundtracks including some of the most iconic of recent decades including the Lord of the Rings trilogy. They tell YolanDa some of their tales from behind the scenes including the breakneck pace at which Howard Shore wrote the score for LOTR. Plus insights from the world of game music too… Produced by Tandem Productions for the London Philharmonic Orch...
May 13, 2021•31 min•Season 2Ep. 7
YolanDa Brown finds out what it’s like for some of the LPO players who have move to the UK to live and work in London. Yang moved to London from China, Nynke from the Netherlands and Hugh from Australia, so how do their diverse cultural backgrounds coalesce in the UK? They discuss issues relating to family and friends in far off countries, different approaches to programming and orchestral auditions, and it wouldn’t be possible to make this episode without talking about Brexit and what that migh...
May 06, 2021•30 min•Season 2Ep. 6
YolanDa Brown gets under the skin of one of the most popular of Rachmaninoff’s orchestral pieces, his Symphonic Dances. Together with timpanist Simon Carrington, violinist Laura Vallejo and trombone player Dave Whitehouse they open up a piece about which Rachmaninoff said “I don’t know how it happened, it must have been my last spark.” Indeed it was the last piece he wrote and it’s a work that many people now think of as one of his greatest orchestral works. Simon, Laura and Dave have played thi...
Apr 29, 2021•25 min•Season 2Ep. 5
YolanDa Brown talks to trumpeter Anne McAneney and violist Richard Waters about the LPO’s work in the community. Many people may assume that the LPO is focused solely on rehearsals and performances at the Royal Festival Hall in London, or on tour around the globe. But there is also a great passion amongst the players and staff for getting involved in the community and widening access to the orchestra. From work in care homes and homeless shelters to programmes with schools and young musicians t...
Apr 22, 2021•30 min•Season 2Ep. 4
YolanDa Brown explores the world of opera with principal bass Kevin Rundell and violinist Fiona Higham. The LPO have a long association with Glyndebourne so opera is a key part of their annual calendar. But how does being a musician at the opera differ from their usual gigs at Southbank Centre? How does it feel to be playing from a pit rather than centre stage? Is it as glamorous as it appears? Plus a terrifying near death experience… Produced by Tandem Productions for the London Philharmonic Or...
Apr 15, 2021•29 min•Season 2Ep. 3
YolanDa Brown talks to Mark Vines and Pieter Schoeman about how to get on top of an inevitable (and essential) aspect of being a musician, learning how to deal with nerves. Dry mouth, the shakes, cold sweats, ‘butterflies’ in the stomach, these are all things anyone who performs in public will be able to identify with. But how do musicians learn to manage their nerves so their performances aren’t affected, and can they actually use nervous energy to help rather than hinder them? This episode is ...
Apr 08, 2021•34 min•Season 2Ep. 2
A behind the scenes all access pass to the London Philharmonic Orchestra and its musicians. YolanDa Brown talks to James Fountain, Minn Majoe and Gareth Newman about their paths into the music profession. From early experiences at school and in youth orchestras, to incredibly dedicated parents (6 hour round trips for lessons anyone?), this episode is packed full of insights for any budding musician and anyone curious about the path to becoming a professional player. Produced by Tandem Production...
Apr 01, 2021•32 min•Season 2Ep. 1
A behind the scenes all access pass to the London Philharmonic Orchestra and its musicians. YolanDa Brown talks to Lasma Taimina, Andy Barclay and Mark Templeton to get the inside view on playing music by living composers. From thoughts around programming new music and the technical demands on players to anecdotes about Messiaen and his surf drum, this episode covers all things squeak (an official LPO term). Produced by Tandem Productions for the London Philharmonic Orchestra. #OffstagePod Twitt...
Feb 18, 2021•31 min•Ep. 12
A behind the scenes all access pass to the London Philharmonic Orchestra and its musicians. YolanDa Brown chats to viola player David Quiggle and clarinettist Ben Mellefont about the ins and outs of practice. From tips about practice routines to thoughts around physical wellbeing, this episode is full of insights for any musician, from absolute beginner to concert virtuoso. Produced by Tandem Productions for the London Philharmonic Orchestra. #OffstagePod Twitter: @LPOrchestra Instagram: @london...
Feb 11, 2021•26 min•Ep. 11
