All The Right Notes

What do musical terms really mean?

Classical music is packed with weird and wonderful musical terminology. Steve Wright speaks to author and critic Jessica Duchen about the meaning and stories behind some of music’s most common terms. This episode is sponsored by Bang & Olufsen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How do you play the French horn?

The uplifting sound of the horn, particularly in an orchestral setting, is familiar to audiences worldwide – but how do you play this wonderful instrument? Charlotte Smith interviews former London Symphony, London Philharmonic and current Royal Opera House principal horn David Pyatt, who takes her through her first horn lesson. This episode is sponsored by Bang & Olufsen. Musical excerpts:Brahms Symphony No. 1London Symphony Orchestra/Jonathan PasternackNaxos 8.572448 (2011)https://www.naxos.com/CatalogueDetail/?id=8.572448 Franz Strauss Nocturno for Horn and Piano, Op 7 from David Pyatt RecitalDavid Pyatt (horn); Martin Jones (piano)Erato 9029534229 (1998)https://www.warnerclassics.com/release/recital-horn-works Interview recorded at the Royal Academy of Music, London: https://www.ram.ac.ukStudent horn loaned with kind permission by Paxman Musical Instruments, London: https://www.paxman.co.uk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How do you write a film soundtrack?

Classical film scores have given us some of the most recognisable music ever written – and film screenings with a live orchestral soundtrack in the concert hall are increasingly popular. But where do you start when writing a soundtrack and how do you capture that magic? Michael Beek speaks to British film composer Anne Dudley. This episode is sponsored by Bang & Olufsen. Musical Excerpt:Anne Dudley ‘Main Title’ from Elle (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)The Chamber Orchestra of London/Anne DudleySony Classical 88985361012 (2017)https://www.amazon.co.uk/Elle-Original-Motion-Picture-Soundtrack/dp/B01KJ331FS Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How do you look after your voice?

Smoking and alcohol are definite no-nos, but what else can you do to ensure your singing voice is in top condition? Jeremy Pound speaks to Olivia Sparkhall, author of A Young Person’s Guide to Vocal Health, to find out. This episode is sponsored by Bang & Olufsen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Why do we love The Lark Ascending?

Vaughan Williams’s The Lark Ascending consistently tops polls as Britain’s favourite classical work, but what is the source of its enduring popularity? Steve Wright interviews writer and broadcaster Andrew Green about his Lark Ascending/Skylark recordings project for the Ralph Vaughan Williams Society, in collaboration with the Wildlife Sound Recording Society and British Library’s Wildlife and Environmental Sounds Collection. This episode is sponsored by Bang & Olufsen. Musical Excerpt:Vaughan Williams The Lark AscendingTamsin Waley-Cohen (violin); Orchestra of the Swan/David CurtisSignum Classics SIGCD399 (2014)https://www.amazon.co.uk/Vaughan-Williams-Ascending-Concerto-Serenade-Introduction/dp/B00N7CM1U0 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices