Down with the Patri-Bachy

What would make this podcast even more chaotic? Releasing an episode with a brand new format almost a full week late, that's what. This week, Ben's surprising Ellie with his choice, the marvellous pianist, soprano, conductor and composer, Teresa Carreño! Credits to Clara Rodriguez for the magnificent recording of ‘Vals Gayo' we're chatting about: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jg5YKrZT80U

This week is a special ep because Ben is interviewing Ellie all about her brand new book, ‘Iconic People of Colour'! She discusses how this whole crazy thing came about, the publishing process and even reads a little snippet about Lin Manuel Miranda. You can purchase the book by going straight to https://summersdale.com/sd-book/iconic-people-of-colour/ or by searching for it on Amazon, Waterstones, W H Smith or Blackwell's!

It's Monday and that means it's time for us to chat all about a new composer from an under-represented background, and this time we're handing over the spotlight to Portuguese-Indigenous composer, Waldemar Henrique. We're particularly excited about this episode because the fantastic people over at Brana Records have given us permission to include some of Henrique's songs, so we hope you enjoy getting to actually listen to this marvellous music! To purchase any of Henrique's music, please do head over to https://www.branarecords.com where you're in for a musical feast of all sorts, so show them some love so we can share this wonderful music with you!

This week we're throwing it all the way back to May 2021 with this unpublished episode all about soprano extraordinaire, Jessye Norman! We chat about Jessye's life and works and what made her so phenomenal. If you're listening on Spotify, hang on after the outro to hear the recording of ‘When the Saints' with Jessye and Mike Lovatt, and if you're listening elsewhere, use the link below to find it on another platform. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5kw9ixlOuw

Patri-Bachy Podcast is back and to kick things off we were joined by the absolutely astounding Welsh composer, Nathan James Dearden. We chat music education, the importance of collaboration and most importantly, identity and how it impacts us as musicians.  Tune into BBC Radio 3's choral evensong on Wednesday 26th January, 2022, to hear Ben and I singing in the world premiere of Nathan's brand new canticles, and to hear the radio premiere of his fantastic setting of 'Let All the World'! It's one not to be missed...

Ellie and Ben are back with a big BANG! Tune in to hear what they've both been up to and what's coming this season…

In this week's special episode, Ben and Ellie are joined by another Ben, but Bristol MA student and specialist in Soviet music. Here to talk to us all about Russian composer, Sofia Gubaidulina, we learn all about life as a female Soviet musician and how she was influenced by Dmitri Shostakovich. Don't forget to give us a follow over on @patribachypod, and if you send us voicenote we'll play it on the pod... Also please like, rate (

In this week's episode, Ellie and Ben chat all about Joseph Boulogne, Chevalier de Saint George, polymath, fender, dancer, musician and absolutely NOT ‘The Black Mozart'. Don't forget to follow us on or Instagram over at @patribachypod, send us questions, voicenotes and then download, rate (

This episode is one of several firsts: first recorded with Ellie and Ben in the same county, first East Asian composer and first living composer! In today's episode, Ben tells us all about “100% American, 100% Chinese” composer, Bright Sheng. Despite having his piano taken away from him as a child during China's Cultural Revolution, Sheng's love of music permeated political barriers and he managed to become composing royalty in the U.S.! Don't forget to follow @patribachypod on Instagram, and send us any questions or messages by sliding into the DMs there OR by sending us a voice note on Anchor.fm. Please also head to Apple Podcasts and give us a lovely five star rating, Ellie and Ben will love you forever... Happy listening!

This week, Ellie and Ben have a chat all about banging British composer, Ruth Gipps. They talk 20th Century currency, Vaughan Williams and Lili Boulanger's compositional love child and of course, sea gulls — what's not to love? Head over to @patribachypod on Instagram to see what we recommend, and you can find out what we're getting up to, and don't forget to save, rate and subscribe! Happy listening, folks

Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Hapus or, Happy St David's Day!

This week Ellie and Ben are bringing you a special episode featuring two whole musicians! Born and raised in twentieth century Paris, Lili and Nadia Boulanger are a pair of powerhouse sisters like no other: taught by Faure and influencers of an entire generation of musicians, these two changed the face of Classical music. Listen to find out more about this iconic duo, and then go and listen to our recommended pieces which you'll be able to find over on Instagram, @patribachypod! Don't forget to send us your questions, messages and suggestions for future episodes — we'd love to hear from you

Today, Ben's done his reading and is ready to tell you all about our first male musician: the brilliant Black British composer, Samuel Coleridge-Taylor. We ask questions about metaphorical gatekeeping, how many sheep you could buy in 1910, and of course, whether or not we'll be swiping left or right on this fantastic musician. Have a listen to find out, and let us know what you think on Anchor.fm or Instagram over at @patribachypod — and while you're there, why not give us a follow, like or share? Happy listening!

Today, special guest musicologist Dr. Dan Elphick joins us for a chat about the canon — not the medieval kind, the musical kind. He tells us all about how the canon got formed, why it's so tricky to change and what we can do to make it less problematic. Once you've tuned in, don't forget to send us a message or a question on Anchor.fm, and remember to follow us at @patribachypod on Instagram where you can also dm us any comments or questions. Oh, and have we begged you to subscribe/follow/rate us yet? Happy listening and we'll see you next week!

Today, Ben uses his extensive knowledge of 20th Century French music — did you know he did his dissertation on Francis Poulenc? — to chat about fantastic female composer, Germaine Tailleferre. Is she another Stravinsky? A carbon copy of Ravel? Or... OR... is she a brilliant composer in her own right who deserves the same respect awarded to Stravinsky and Ravel? Listen to find out! And don't forget to send us a message or comment on Anchor.fm, and follow us on Instagram over at @patribachy pod to keep up to date with what's happening!

In the FIRST EVER (proper) episode of the pod, Ellie and Ben explore the life and a few of the works of 20th Century African-American composer, Florence Price. Sadly, some snippets of music we were hoping to include didn't quite make it — not only do we not understand dating apps, but we don't really get technology either. Remember to LIKE, RATE and SUBSCRIBE, or just do whatever the podcast equivalent is! Please get in touch via our podcast page over on Anchor.fm to ask us questions, or just to let us know what you think, and we'll see you next week

Welcome to our brand new podcast! Here's what you can expect from Ellie and Ben as they explore some of those musicians who we don't know so well.