There’s music on the page, where it’s preserved for later use, and then there’s music when it’s played, traveling through the air. On each end of that is a body, musician reaching out to listener and touching them via sound. For Augusta Read Thomas too, that’s where the music starts, in the body. Her method of composing—creating new material, shaping it and building it into larger structures and forms—is grounded in the physical sensations of music, especially singing and movement. Sounds from the body become elements in a larger mosaic. That is the subtle, but fundamental connection between her artistry and the subject of her new piece, MAGIC GARDENS, which the Rolston String Quartet will play in its American premiere May 1, at a concert celebrating the bicentennial of the Musical Fund Society of Philadelphia.

Ronaldo Rolim is as sunny as his native Brazil. The pianist positively exudes joy and love for life, especially when talking about music. Trained as a pianist by his mother when he was very young, Rolim would eventually make his way to the United States where he would study with some of the world’s finest pianists. Now he is at the cusp of a brilliant career, performing the European classics and championing the rich musical legacy of Brazil.

For 40 years, innova Recordings, the label of the American Composers Forum, has celebrated new music–whether classical, jazz, world, electronic and other genres, concepts, and approaches. Earlier this year, the label announced its first national call for new artists, which marked what Director of Recordings Chris Campbell has called a “paradigm shift” in how they approach and conduct business with the goals of making the recording process more collaborative, inclusive, equitable, and transparent.

The Gateways Music Festival Orchestra makes its Carnegie Hall debut this month led by Anthony Parnther. The concert features Jon Batiste, who just won five Grammys at this year’s ceremony, including the highly-coveted title, “Album of the Year”.

Elizabeth Sobol joins us on the Classical Post podcast to discuss the magic of synchronicity as a leader; how meditation in the morning and boxing at night helps to sustain well-being; and the important work of the Philadelphia Orchestra programming the works of Florence Price.

Rachel O’Brien’s musical artistry is worthy of her harp. Having studied at the Cleveland Institute of Music, O’Brien is now settled in her beloved Appalachia, teaching her own students both locally and around the world on Zoom. She has also written a book to inspire young musicians and she regularly performs herself. On April 10, O'Brien will give a recital in Philadelphia which will celebrate her Appalachian heritage.

The Swedish folk jazz duo — Elise & Tobi — just released their award-winning music video Je te verrai, which is the French translation based off of the American classic song from 1938, “I’ll Be Seeing You”.

There’s a zany book published several years ago by British author and photographer Ben Schott that has “invented words” using the German language. This book — Schottenfreude: German Words for the Human Condition — inspired composer Eric Nathan (who teaches at Brown University) to write an 84-minute magnum opus — Missing Words — that now has its world premiere recording.

German composer Sven Helbig is part of a new generation of composers for whom there are no longer any barriers between the classical world of the orchestra, experimental art, and pop music.

Composer Danaë Xanthe Vlasse recently received a Grammy nomination for her album Mythologies featuring sopranos Hila Plitmann and Sangeeta Kaur. The album is a collection of works inspired by Ancient Greek myths. Danaë’s father Marcus (née Vlassopoulos) grew up on the island of Ithaca, once ruled by Homer’s legendary hero, Odysseus. Centered on vocal works, Mythologies celebrates some of the most lasting myths of history and invites listeners to ponder long-standing cultural concepts, such as idolized heroism, divine power, crisis of faith and morality, and the junction of fate and free-will.

Patrick Cassidy joins us on the Classical Post podcast today. You will certainly know his music from the Ridley Scott film, Hannibal, starring Anthony Hopkins. Patrick wrote the famous aria, “Vide cor Meum”, that was written as a “mini” opera for this film.

My guest today on the Classical Post podcast is the conductor Luke Frazier. He is the founder and music director of The American Pops Orchestra, which is now heard regularly on PBS around the country. He’s done 12 major PBS concert specials that have all been filmed and broadcast during the pandemic. And, they’ve reached 40 million viewers with these concerts. It’s an incredible feat.

French conductor Chloé van Soeterstède is one of the very prestigious Dudamel Fellows this season with the Los Angeles Philharmonic. She’s working with Gustavo Dudamel, but also with other conducting legends like Michael Tilson Thomas and Zubin Mehta. It’s quite an honor for a young conductor to have this experience and really helps set them up for future success as a music director of a major orchestra.

JoAnn Falletta, the internationally acclaimed musical conductor, director, and ambassador, serves as the Music Director of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra and Music Director Laureate of the Virginia Symphony Orchestra. A prolific recording artist for Naxos Records, she has led over 120 titles and received four GRAMMY Awards. Renowned as a “demonstrative, kinetic conductor” (The New York Times), Falletta has conducted over 100 orchestras across the world.

I had the pleasure of speaking with violinist Sean Lee and pianist Peter Dugan about their new digital EP featuring nine of the Paganini Caprices, each with accompanying music videos. It’s a really fantastic project and I hope you listen to it.

The name Jessie Montgomery is becoming more and more familiar to classical music lovers. The 40-year-old is making her mark as a composer with a unique voice. Her music reflects her own life as an African American woman, but also draws on various other cultures and influences, including Zimbabwean dance, swing and techno.

Cellist Laura van der Heijden won the BBC Young Musician competition at just 15 years old. She’s gone on to make a name for herself, graduating from Cambridge University, and now on to releasing her second album called Pohádka: Tales from Prague to Budapest, which explores the rich folk melodies of Janáček, Kodály and Dvořák.

Emily Levin, principal harp at Dallas Symphony Orchestra, is also the Artistic Director of Fine Arts Chamber Players in Dallas. The Bronze Medal Winner of the 9th USA International Harp Competition, Levin teaches as an Adjunct Associate Professor of Harp in Meadows School of the Arts at Southern Methodist University. Charming and elfin in person, her playing is likewise ethereal–both grounded and soaring, creating new magical soundscapes to explore. Classical Recording Foundation named her their 2017 Young Artist of the Year after the release of her debut album Something Borrowed.

Iceland calls itself “The Land of Fire and Ice.” It’s an apt description. Although Iceland’s landscapes can be barren and austere, they’re also percolating with innumerable geothermal sites that continuously spew plumes of steam into the frosty air. And don’t forget the volcanoes with their glowing lava flows. Known for its natural beauty, Iceland is not as well known for its classical musicians. That is until now. Icelandic pianist Víkingur Ólafsson has captivated the classical wold with his cerebral and sensitive performances. Ólafsson’s burgeoning Deutsche Grammophon discography ranges from the cool minimalism of Philip Glass to the intricacies of Bach and the Gallic elegance of Debussy and Rameau. His exquisitely chosen repertoire is evidence of a highly selective and creative artist.

Multi Grammy Award nominee violinist Philippe Quint is internationally recognized for his unique and insightful approach to standard repertoire, championing and rediscovering neglected repertoire and embarking on imaginative, exciting journeys of explorations and collaborations with artists of different genres.