Fanfare Cincinnati Podcast

The CSO and Cincinnati Pops have commissioned composers to write fanfares for single instruments during this extraordinary time of pandemic. The CSO’s Nate Bachhuber and the Pops’ Sam Strater join host Chris Pinelo to discuss this important initiative.

As positions become available in the ensemble, the CSO holds auditions – attracting candidates from around the world. With each season comes at least a few new faces, and on this episode of our podcast, we meet two of the newest members of the Orchestra – horn player Molly Norcross and flutist Haley Bangs. We’ll talk about their journeys to becoming professional musicians.

CSO Proof is a new way to experience the Orchestra this season. Artists and audience share the same space on the stage of Music Hall in shorter, intermission-less performances that are casual, intimate and boundary-breaking. Each concert is a fresh collaboration with artists working across genres, featuring elements of theater, lighting and dance. On this episode, we talk CSO Proof with Orchestra President Jonathan Martin and feature a roundtable conversation with Director of Artistic Planning Nate Bachhuber, curator Timo Andres, and choreographer John Heginbotham, and finally our good friend and former Associate Conductor Keitaro Harada returns to the podcast.

We are now in the throes of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and Cincinnati Pops seasons, and on Episode 27 of the Podcast, we started a conversation about how a season comes together. Those conversations with CSO Director of Artistic Planning and Administration Nate Bachhuber and Pops Director of Artistic Planning Sam Strater were so robust that we now present part two of “How Does a Season Come Together.” As we asked for questions from our listeners in this episode, please send them to lsnow@cincinnatisymphony.org

The Cincinnati Pops welcomes new Principal Guest Conductor Damon Gupton this season. Damon has been a popular presence on the podium going back to 2015, and in addition to being an accomplished conductor, is also a professional actor and television series regular. On this episode we talk Pops with Damon Gupton and Pops Conductor John Morris Russell.

Transatlantic is the newest album from the CSO and Music Director Louis Langrée and features the highly anticipated world premiere recording of George Gershwin’s An American in Paris – both the new critical edition and with special permission from the Gershwin estate – the unabridged critical edition. The album also features the original version of Edgard Varèse’s Amériques and Igor Stravinsky’s Symphony in C. On this episode we learn more from musicologist Mark Clague and Music Director Louis Langrée.

The exciting 2019-2020 seasons for the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and Cincinnati Pops are upon us, but how does a season come together? How are concert programs built? How are guest artists identified and selected? On this episode of the podcast, - the first of a two-parter - we learn about the making of a season with CSO Director of Artistic Planning and Administration Nate Bachhuber and Pops Director of Artistic Planning Sam Strater.

To kick-off the Orchestra’s 125th anniversary season, we present CSO Look Around, an immersive experience incorporating what’s akin to multiple flash mobs performing a diverse array of music — at times overlapping and interacting — and all inspired by the cultural tapestry that is Cincinnati. This two and a half hour celebration of the Queen City showcases more than 600 artists from 20 local ensembles, and culminates in a massive performance with the CSO conducted by Music Director Louis Langrée. Our guests on the podcast today are co-creators Shara Nova, Mark DeChiazza and Siri Imani.

Voyage is the 96th recording from the Cincinnati Pops and the first studio recording made at Music Hall following a major renovation draws. It draws inspiration from the stars and includes the world premiere recording of the title track by Academy Award-winning composer Michael Giacchino. His composition, Voyage, commemorates the 50th anniversary of the Moon landing. On this episode, we talk to Pops Conductor John Morris Russell and Principal French Horn about this exciting new release.

For 99 years, CSO musicians have played a collaborative and pivotal role in Cincinnati Opera’s summer festival season. A major, fulltime orchestra also performing in the pit for an opera company is rare in this country, and the special nature of this relationship elevates the level of artistry opera goers enjoy each and every summer. On this episode, we talk to Cincinnati Opera’s Artistic Director Evans Mirageas about what this summer has to offer, as well as Cincinnati Pops Conductor John Morris Russell, who is on the podium for an exciting Cincinnati Opera world premiere.

As we bid farewell to longtime CSO Violist Steve Rosen, who is retiring after decades of dedicated service and artistry, we are also getting to know musicians new to the Orchestra like Caterina Longhi. On this episode we talk to these remarkable individuals, each at very different points in their respective careers, about their unique journeys.

There are all kinds of studies that show singing in a group is good for your health and contributes to overall happiness. Assuming those studies ring true, the May Festival Chorus is one healthy, happy place to make music. Comprised of volunteer singers from throughout the Greater Cincinnati region, this ensemble is the artistic core of the intensive Cincinnati May Festival and serves as the official chorus for the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and Cincinnati Pops. On this episode, we find out what it’s like to surround yourself in song by visiting with Director of Choruses Robert Porco, Chorus Member Kristi Reed, and Associate Director of Choruses Matthew Swanson.

Staff conductors play an important role in the life of an orchestra and that’s certainly true for the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and Cincinnati Pops. For the past four seasons, Keitaro Harada and Gene Chang have served the Orchestra, Cincinnati audiences and the broader community in myriad ways. These two distinguished artists are now moving on to the next phases of their respective careers, and on this episode we explore what their role has been, how they came to conductors, and what’s next on their journeys.

The concertmaster, or first chair violin, plays a pivotal in an orchestra. Tim Lees held that important position for two decades with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, but retired recently due to injury. On this episode, we talk to Tim about his extraordinary tenure with the CSO and discuss what’s next on his journey. We also talk to Director of Orchestra Personnel Paul Pietrowski about this interim period, the process and purpose for getting guest concertmasters, and the search for the CSO’s next concertmaster

The Cincinnati May Festival features an extraordinary concentration of choral music and one of the Queen City’s most treasured traditions - dating all the way back to 1873. It is of course very closely tied to the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, and on this episode, we explore the eight unique concert experiences that make up the 2019 Festival with Principal Conductor Juanjo Mena and Associate Director of Choruses Matthew Swanson.

Everyone’s story – everyone’s journey is unique. For most of us, merely setting our sights on achieving a goal is not enough and we look to others for guidance and support along the way. On this episode, we hear about Ian Saunders’ extraordinary journey as a musician, and we visit with CSO Principal Bass Owen Lee for the first time on the podcast. This episode is most definitely “All About that Bass.”

This episode features conversations with Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra Music Director Louis Langrée and percussionists Richard Jensen and Michael Culligan about the exciting new critical edition of Gershwin’s An American in Paris – taxi horns and all – and realizing the full sonic power of Varèse’s massive Amériques.

A supportive community is key to having a vibrant arts scene and a top-tier orchestra in Cincinnati. To understand the magnitude of this support, consider that in the past decade alone, ArtsWave, Cincinnati’s united arts fund, has contributed over $35 million dollars to support the CSO. Simply put, the Orchestra’s impact would be significantly diminished without this funding support. On this episode, we talk to Alecia Kintner from ArtsWave and Cincinnati Pops Conductor John Morris Russell.

With the announcement of the CSO’s 125th Anniversary season comes the launch of new initiatives both on and off the stage that seek to build on the Orchestra’s legacy. This coming season reflects not only the Orchestra’s artistry, but also a commitment to propelling the art form forward, fulfilling the CSO’s mission to seek and share inspiration, and advancing a vision to engage broader audiences and our wider community. From introducing an exciting new concert format, to experimenting with innovative performance elements to the commissioning of new American works, the 19-20 season affirms the CSO’s core value to be a place of experimentation. On this episode, we discuss the 125th anniversary season with CSO President Jonathan Martin and we also hear from Music Director Louis Langrée.

The CSO attracts talented musicians from around the world to become part of the community in Cincinnati. A major reason we launched this podcast was for listeners to get to know these musicians and on this episode, we talk with Associate Concertmaster Stefani Matsuo and Assistant Concertmaster Philip Marten. We’ll learn how they came to be musicians and find out about their respective roles in the Orchestra, particularly important in a season where the CSO is searching for a new concertmaster.

Composer Jonathan Bailey Holland’s connection to the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra dates back to the world premiere of Halcyon Sun in 2004. The relationship has continued through the years, and for the 2018-19 season, he is the CSO’s Composer-in-Residence. On this episode of our podcast, we talk to Jonathan Bailey Holland about his most recent commission for the CSO, which had its world premiere in November. We also talk to Education Programs Manager Becky Spiewak and University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music composition student Mabel Lecrone about the work Jonathan is doing in Cincinnati as part of his residency.

We said from the very beginning that this podcast provides an opportunity for listeners to explore the world of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, the Cincinnati Pops, and the region's vibrant arts scene through conversations with performers, conductors and the people behind the scenes who make the music possible. On today's episode, we hear from two CSO musicians - Principal Clarinet Chris Pell, who recently joined the CSO, and Principal Trumpet Bob Sullivan, who re-joined the CSO after some years spent teaching at Northwestern University. We'll talk about how they came to be musicians, how they came to Cincinnati, and about their critically important roles within the Orchestra.

CSO President Jonathan Martin told the Business Courier in September that orchestras must be focused on relevance and value to succeed in the 21st century. In this episode of our podcast, we talk to Jonathan Martin, CSO Director of Audience Engagement Amber Ostaszewski and two curators for the Orchestra’s Friday Orange series about relevance, value and discovering ways to attract and engage audiences.

The year 1918 marked the end of the First World War and a cultural awakening in America. This episode focuses on the Cincinnati Pops’ highly-anticipated new album, American Originals: 1918, captured live at Music Hall and featuring popular music of that era. Pops Conductor John Morris Russell, Keyboardist Julie Spangler and Administrator Sam Strater dive into uniquely American sounds and talk about the collaborations with Rhiannon Giddens, Pokey LaFarge and Steep Canyon Rangers.

As the media landscape has gone through major changes in the past decade, so has local arts coverage. This episodes explores how that landscape affects arts organizations and journalists alike. Guests are longtime Cincinnati music critic and reporter Janelle Gelfand and journalist and anchor Kathrine Nero.

A novel from over 400 years old – considered by many to be the first modern novel – has inspired centuries of music. This episode explores the world of Don Quixote with CSO Principal Viola Christian Colberg, who performs his own concerto inspired by the classic novel with the CSO in October, and Music Director Louis Langrée who built a concert program around interpretations of this classic story.

Stravinsky’s iconic Rite of Spring started a revolution and changed the musical language. It is regarded by many to be the greatest composition of the 20th century and in this episode of our podcast, we discuss Stravinsky’s masterpiece with CSO Music Director Louis Langrée. Of course Rite of Spring opens with a famous solo bassoon line and we’ll also meet the CSO’s new Principal Bassoon, Chris Sales.

The 2018-19 Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra season is upon us. In this episode, we talk season highlights with the CSO’s new Director of Artistic Administration and Planning Nate Bachhuber and also find out what Music Director Louis Langrée was up to over the summer.

Star Wars is an iconic film that changed the cultural landscape with an equally iconic film score by John Williams. In advance of the Cincinnati Pops performances in September, this episode examines the cultural impact of Star Wars with Assistant Principal Trumpet Chris Kiradjeff, Pops Director of Artistic Administration Sam Strater and Conductor John Morris Russell.

The second of a two-part episode explores the highly competitive world of orchestra auditions. Paul Pietrowski, Director of Orchestra Personnel, offers insights into the audition process and learn about Principal Violist Christian Colberg’s journey.

When a position opens up at the CSO, hundreds and at times, hundreds upon hundreds of musicians apply, traveling to Cincinnati on their own dime. Getting into a full-time professional orchestra is immensely challenging and many audience members probably don’t realize how challenging a process it truly is. For the next two episodes of our podcast, we will set out to demystify the audition process and offer insights.

Episode 2 of the Fanfare Cincinnati podcast discusses the groundbreaking CSO/CCM Diversity Fellowship Program. Guests from the CSO's own Education and Community department, Ahmad Mayes and Carol Dary Dunevant weigh in on what it takes to facilitate such a program and we hear from one of the recently graduated alumni from the first class of fellows, Emilio Carlo.

The Cincinnati Pops performs every Fourth of July at Riverbend Music Center, a tradition that started when the venue opened in 1984. Learn about this family-friendly tradition on the banks of the Ohio River and the great American music that drives it.