KCRW Berlin Amplified: Leitmotifs

Fredrika Brillembourg reconnects with her old friend, Pulitzer Prize winner and music critic Tim Page. He has worn many hats over the years as an author, editor, radio host and professor of journalism and music at the University of Southern California. (Originally aired Oct. 3, 2020)

In this episode of Leitmotifs, host Fredrika Brillembourg talks with pianist and conductor Benjamin Hochman. He has performed in major cities and festivals around the world, both as a soloist and chamber musician. Currently, Hochman is a research associate with Bard College Berlin and concert curator for the American Academy. Fredrika spoke with him about Mozart and Hochman's approach to music.

Fredrika Brillembourg reconnects with her old friend, Pulitzer Prize winner and music critic Tim Page. He has worn many hats over the years as an author, editor, radio host and professor of journalism and music at the University of Southern California.

Host Fredrika Brillembourg Opera singer Fredrika Brillembourg talks to Michael Naumann.Opera singer Fredrika Brillembourg is back with another episode of Leitmotifs, this time with Michael Naumann. He served as commissioner for cultural affairs in the German federal government from 1998 to 2001 and since 2012, Naumann has been the director of the Barenboim-Said Academy.

In 2019, after 30 years of being a member, cellist Eckart Runge left the world renowned Artemis Quartet to explore solo projects that combine various musical genres, including classical, jazz and rock. In this episode of our monthly series on classical music, he tells Fredrika Brillembourg about his life-long love for the cello and return to the stage.

Host Fredrika Brillembourg talks with German conductor Marc Albrecht, who was named ‘Conductor of the Year’ at last year’s International Opera Awards.

Host and opera singer Fredrika Brillembourg talks with conductor Donald Runnicles. He is the general music director of the Deutsche Oper Berlin and music director of the Grand Teton Music Festival in Jackson, Wyoming.

Host and opera singer Fredrika Brillembourg talks with Dietmar Schwarz, Intendant of the Deutsche Oper Berlin since 2012. They look back on his career in the world of opera and discuss the challenges ahead.

Every month, opera singer Fredrika Brillembourg hosts “Leitmotifs”, but this month is different: all three opera houses in Berlin are closed and productions are on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic. Producer Monika Mueller-Kroll checked in with Fredrika on how she is spending her time during the outbreak without her colleagues and curtain calls.

Host and opera singer Fredrika Brillembourg speaks with Dominic Seldis. Seldis is the principal double bass player in the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra in Amsterdam. He is also a teacher, a conductor, a TV personality and, most recently, the star of the stage show “Music, Maestro!”

In the latest segment of our series “Leitmotifs,” Fredrika Brillembourg talks with soprano Alma Sadé. Sadé has been with the Komische Oper ensemble since 2014 and is known for roles such as Maria in “West Side Story” and Hodel in “Anatevka,” among others.

Host and opera singer Fredrika Brillembourg talks with award winning opera director Nicola Raab. Her productions have been in opera houses all over the world, including Copenhagen, Valencia, Los Angeles, and Strasbourg.

Host Fredrika Brillembourg speaks with Mena Mark Hanna, who started his musical life as a boy soprano in the Philadelphia Boys Choir and is now the Dean of Barenboim-Said Akademie in Berlin.

Host Fredrika Brillembourg speaks with Adrian Jones, the orchestra director of the Rundfunk Sinfonieorchester Berlin (RSB).

Host and opera singer Fredrika Brillembourg speaks with Paolo Bortolameolli. He is the associate conductor of the L.A. Philharmonic and the guest conductor in residence of the Orchestra of the Americas.

Host and opera singer Fredrika Brillembourg speaks with Berlin-based musician and composer Craig Urquhart, about finding his voice, and working for Leonard Bernstein.

Host and opera singer Fredrika Brillembourg speaks with Berlin-based couple Alexander Polzin and Sommer Ulrickson about their collaborations in the world of opera, theater and dance. Polzin, as well as being a sculptor, has worked extensively as a stage designer and director. Ulrickson is a choreographer, dancer, actor and director.

Host Fredrika Brillembourg talks to Jamie Bernstein about her film, “Crescendo! The Power of Music,” her book, “Famous Father Girl: A Memoir of Growing Up Bernstein” and her relationship with classical music.

Opera singer Fredrika Brillembourg speaks with Marsha Ginsberg, a set and costume designer for opera and theater.

In this first edition of “Leitmotifs,” host Fredrika Brillembourg is joined by Anisha Bondy, an assistant director at the Komische Oper Berlin. Their talk focuses on Brody’s career, her work with directors such as Barrie Kosky and Andreas Homoki, and her involvement in the Komische Oper’s outreach program “Selam Opera!” – an intercultural program that brings opera to the city.