Pitch Me Classical
Saxophonist and presenter YolanDa Brown and players from the London Philharmonic Orchestra pitch their thoughts on some of classical music's most-asked questions, with plenty of chit-chat and laughter along the way. The show offers an informal and engaging look at classical music, blending musical expertise with entertaining conversation. It is produced by the London Philharmonic Orchestra and distributed via Acast.
Episodes
Classical music rituals (or who made all these classical music rules?)
From clapping etiquette to curtain calls, classical music is full of traditions that can seem mysterious to newcomers. YolanDa is joined by brass players Lee (tuba) and Lyndon (trombone) to explore which rituals still matter, which ones are misunderstood, and whether some deserve a rethink.They delve into the strange, wonderful, and sometimes baffling rituals that surround classical music performa
Lisztomania vs Swifties
Taylor Swift has the Swifties. Back in the 1800s, Franz Liszt inspired a phenomenon known as Lisztomania. YolanDa is joined by violinist Minn and violist Martin to explore fame, fandom, and the possibility of a new generation of classical celebrities.They dive into the surprisingly rich history of classical music fandom, uncovering stories of nineteenth-century audiences who fought over Liszt's po
The flute gives main character vibes
The flute often gets the big melodies, the soaring solos, and the spotlight. But does it really deserve its reputation as classical music's ultimate main character? YolanDa is joined by flautist Juliette and bassoonist Simon to settle the debate.The flute has the melodies, the solos and, some might argue, the best PR team in the orchestra. YolanDa, Juliette, and Simon explore the instrument's star
Classical music is just so straight-laced
Classical music is sometimes seen as serious, formal, and maybe even a little intimidating. But is that image fair? YolanDa is joined by London Philharmonic Orchestra violinist Alice and trombonist Tempo to uncover what really goes on behind the scenes of an orchestra.Pirates, karaoke, beer cans, and a trombone-playing wedding guest aren't usually associated with classical music. But according to
Tchaikovsky: classical music’s most overrated composer?
Tchaikovsky is one of classical music's all-time favourites. But does he deserve his enduring appeal, or is he massively overrated? YolanDa is joined by LPO double bassist Hugh and cellist Waynne to determine whether Tchaikovsky truly earns his place among the greats.Together, they unpack Tchaikovsky's music to decide whether he's a timeless genius or an overhyped crowd-pleaser. Along the way, the
Is classical music dead?
Is classical music dying, or is it just evolving? Most of its composers lived and died in centuries past, and the bulk of its repertoire is well over 100 years old, but does that mean classical music is on its last legs? For some, the tradition is losing relevance, but it’s also quietly thriving in surprising and unexpected ways. YolanDa, Claudia and Hugh explore why the genre carries such a reput
Nobody likes contemporary music, do they?
Contemporary music: bold, baffling, and often accused of scaring audiences away. But is it really as unlovable as its reputation suggests? In this episode, we explore why new music can feel alienating, and whether it’s actually unpopular - or just misunderstood. Whether you’re a die-hard fan of extended techniques, a curious newcomer to the contemporary world, or you’ve always wondered why a piece
Is Mahler having a moment?
Mahler’s music holds a towering place in classical music today, but that wasn’t always the case. So what changed? How did he explode into the classical zeitgeist in the 1960s - and stay there? Is he really related to Beyoncé? And will his music continue to be popular, or will our dwindling attention spans make it harder to appreciate his epic symphonies? Perhaps Mahler’s appeal isn’t about passing
All orchestras sound the same
When you listen to an orchestra, what makes its sound distinctive? Is it the concert hall, the conductor, the players, or even their instruments? While some argue that most orchestras end up sounding alike, others insist each ensemble has its own unmistakable voice. In this episode, we dive into the subtle details that shape an orchestra’s sound and explore how different orchestras can sound world
Is Ravel’s Bolero the worst piece ever written?
Today, we’re unravelling a piece that’s as simple as it is spellbinding - one of the most well known and oddly mesmerising compositions of the 20th century. Some call it brilliant, others find it unbearable, and few sit on the fence. And the piece that’s at the heart of this marmite reputation? Ravel’s Bolero. We explore what makes this 15-minute loop so unforgettable, from its relentless snare dr
Are some violinists more equal than others?
The violin section of an orchestra is split into two halves: first violins and second violins. Do the firsts really get all the glory while the seconds do the heavy lifting, or are the seconds the orchestra’s unsung heroes? In an effort to decide whether some violinists are more equal than others, we explore the history behind this division, unpack stereotypes, and examine the unique challenges of
I’ll enjoy it more if I’m allowed my phone out
It’s a battle between technology and tradition: should mobiles phones be banned, tolerated, or even embraced in concert halls? Are phone-friendly performances the future of classical music, or are they a threat to the sacred concert ritual? We’ve all heard a phone go off at the most inopportune moment, but increasingly the classical music world is finding more creative ways to integrate phones int
By 2050, will all new pieces of classical music be written by AI?
In this episode, YolanDa and Francis are joined by AI expert Lora Aroyo to discuss artificial intelligence and its place in classical music. Their conversation covers everything from how AI developed to what its current capabilities of composing classical music are. They touch on the ethical and artistic implications of AI-generated music, evaluate its strengths and limitations, and try to define
Do the brass really have the most fun?
What makes a typical brass player? What really happens on a ‘viola night’? Can the saxophone truly be considered a brass instrument? And just how do you clean a tuba? YolanDa, Lee and Claudia dive into the world of brass, weighing the pros and cons of being part of the brass section and comparing it to the rest of the orchestra. They share favourite brass moments, discuss the sometimes notorious r
Ba-ba-ba-baaaa… Does Beethoven 5 have the best opening?
It’s one of the most famous pieces of classical music, but why? The beginning of Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony has an iconic status, but is it one of the best openings to a piece of music? YolanDa, Tom and Cassi dig deeper into those famous four notes and along the way they share other opening bars which are just as recognisable, arresting, or scary. It’s a tricky passage to play in sync with other p
Viola - what’s the joke?
Why is the viola the butt of so many jokes? Does the viola deserve to be mocked, or is it the unsung hero of the orchestra? YolanDa Brown is joined by Martin and Minn to unpack the origins of viola jokes and demystify why violas so often get the short end of the stick - or should we say bow? But for Martin and Minn the viola’s status as a comedic goldmine sometimes has wider implications that aren
All classical music sounds the same, right?
What makes classical music sound like classical music? And what does the word ‘classical’ mean anyway? YolanDa Brown is joined by Kristina and Mark to give their take on these big questions. They do their best to figure out where the line is between classical and non-classical music, whether film music is classical, and what makes classical music classical. And they attempt to pin down why the wor
What should I wear?
Tails? Long black? Stilettos? A dinner jacket? Concert dress is an important part of the visual appearance of an orchestra, but what is the dress code, how flexible is it, and is it old-fashioned? YolanDa, Mark and Alice all have their preferences when it comes to what they like to wear on stage. This conversation covers everything from what happens when you ask a tailor to make you a new set of t
When do I need to clap?
Round of applause, please! YolanDa, Hugh and Simon evaluate the pros and cons of applause, sharing their experiences both in the concert hall and beyond. Why do we clap, when should we clap, and what’s the etiquette? Together they cover pieces where people clap when they shouldn’t, pieces where it simply feels wrong to show your appreciation by clapping, and rock and jazz concerts where it’s commo
Is Mozart the G.O.A.T.?
When asked to name a classical composer, why does everyone always say Mozart? He’s one of classical music’s most famous composers (perhaps THE most famous), but does he deserve his reputation, and is he the G.O.A.T.*? YolanDa, Mark and Alice discuss Mozart’s high points and low points, his best pieces and his worse, and how he writes for different instruments. They also touch on what’s special abo
Welcome to Pitch Me Classical
Welcome to Pitch Me Classical! Saxophonist and presenter YolanDa Brown and players from the London Philharmonic Orchestra pitch their thoughts on some of classical music’s most-asked questions, with plenty of chit-chat and laughter along the way. Instagram: @londonphilharmonicorchestraTikTok: @lporchestraFacebook: @londonphilharmonicorchestraYoutube: @londonphilharmonicorchestra Hosted o
Best of LPO Offstage: Series 7
YolanDa Brown takes us through some of the best bits of Series 7. Why do trumpets transpose, and do they enjoy it? How has recording film music changed over the years? And what does retirement look like for orchestral musicians? Plus, singer Brindley Sherratt shares his top tips on preparing to sing an operatic role.With trombonist Mark Templeton, violinist Minn Majoe, horn player Mark Vines,
Retirement
YolanDa Brown sits down with three former LPO members - violinist Geoff Lynn, bassoonist Gareth Newman, and oboist Joan Graham - to explore retirement. When they retire, some musicians sell their instruments and never play a note again. Others reduce the amount of performing they’re doing to make more time for teaching. The former LPO members chatting to YolanDa today all approached retiremen
Holst’s The Planets Revisited
YolanDa Brown joins composer Colin Matthews, Principal Conductor of the LPO Edward Gardner and flautist Juliette Bausor to revisit Gustav Holst’s most famous work, The Planets.Faber recently published a new facsimile edition of Holst’s The Planets, edited by Colin Matthews, and today’s episode explores its significance and the unique insights that the original handwritten manuscript can give us.&n
Music from the Movies
Today we’re dimming the lights, turning off our phones and filling up a giant bucket of popcorn to get the lowdown on music for film and TV.Film score production has changed a lot in recent years, and LPO musicians timpanist Simon Carrington and tuba player Lee Tsarmaklis have seen it all; from Elmer Bernstein’s skilful, old school approach, to the meticulous modern day techniques of click tracks
Wagner’s Epic Ring Cycle
Today we’re going deep in the music of Wagner - and specifically The Ring cycle, his collection of 4 monumental operas: Das Rheingold, Die Walküre, Siegfried, and Götterdämmerung Even if you haven’t seen these live, you’re probably aware that these are absolute behemoths of the opera house - with heroism, love, death, gigantic orchestras and big tunes that need big voices. Bass Brindley Sherr
From the Archive: Saint-Saens’ “Organ” Symphony with Anna Lapwood
Today, another one of our top episodes from the archive… YolanDa Brown joins organist and conductor Anna Lapwood, piccolo player Stewart McIlwham and violinist Martin Höhmann to take a close look at Camille Saint-Saëns’ Symphony No.3 - his organ symphony. They discuss the challenges of communicating with the conductor from the organ, how to get the perfect tempo so those mammoth chords have m
Inside Brahms’ Four Symphonies
YolanDa Brown sits down with contrabassoonist Simon Estell and clarinettist Tom Watmough for a deep dive into Brahms’ Four symphoniesBrahms’ symphonies are right at the beating heart of orchestral repertoire for very good reason: audiences love their romanticism and drama, and players can’t get enough of those gorgeous melodies. But how do you keep the music fresh when it’s played so often? Tom an
Inside Stravinsky's Firebird
YolanDa Brown talks to trumpeter Anne McAneney and cellist Francis Bucknall and explores Stravinsky’s Firebird. The Firebird is a hugely popular work, but what makes it so enduring? Anne, Francis and YolanDa discuss its story, Stravinsky’s revolutionary writing, and how to keep the music sounding fresh on stage and in recordings. They also mention a number of related works and why Stravinsky’
On the Road Again
YolanDa Brown joins violinist Minn Majoe and horn player Mark Vines to share their touring tips and tricks.Hot off the plane from their recent tour to Asia, Minn and Mark share the highlights and lowlights of the trip with YolanDa, who brings in her own touring experiences. They discuss the difficulties of transporting large instruments, suitcase essentials, and how to navigate washing your clothe
Good Tidings We Bring
YolanDa Brown joins harpist Rachel Masters and trombonist Mark Templeton to talk all things festive in this special Christmas episode. In this episode of LPO Offstage YolanDa and her guests share their favourite musical Christmas memories. They discuss the magic of carol singing, the pros and cons of seasonal gigs, and their favourite Christmas repertoire including some amusing alternative ly
From the Archive: Lead Singer
We’ve been dipping into the LPO Offstage archives and revisiting our favourite episodes. In this one, YolanDa Brown sits down with baritone Roddy Williams, horn player Johnny Ryan and cellist Kristina Blaumane to hear what singers can learn from instrumental playing, and why the issues of balancing a voice with an orchestra may not be what you expect. YolanDa also discovers how the players tr
From the Archive: Carry on Trucking
Here’s another favourite episode from the LPO Offstage archives! YolanDa Brown chats to Damian Davis about the celebrated LPO truck, complete with a hydraulic lift and kitchenette, and asks how he safely transports hundreds of instruments to concert halls around the world. She also hears bass player Laura Murphy’s point of view - when do you take your ‘second’ instrument, and what do you abso
From the Archive: Where are we today?
We’re taking you back to one of our favourite episodes of LPO Offstage from the archives. This episode is all about venues and YolanDa Brown talks to violinist Tania Mazzetti and trombonist Mark Templeton to discover insights about how different acoustics can radically affect performance, as well as the best (and worst) backstage facilities. And quite a lot of beer. And sausages. If you have
What are you listening to?
If you’re playing and listening to music all day for your job, what do you listen to the rest of the time? In this final episode of Series 6, YolanDa Brown sits down with Simon Carrington (principal timpanist) and Alice Ivy-Pemberton (violinist and co-leader of the LPO) to talk about their personal relationship with music… They discuss music that imbues every day walking with meaning and purp
Best of LPO Offstage: Series 6
YolanDa Brown takes us through some of the best bits of Series 6, from alternative career paths, to romance in the orchestra, and a deep dive into Holst’s Planets. There’s also advice from Anna Lapwood about how to get into classical music, and Ben Gernon gives us a tour of the orchestra pit at Glyndebourne opera house. Plus, Lee and Dave’s must have tour items… Produced by Tandem P
Sue and Hugh
YolanDa Brown joins cor anglais player Sue Böhling and double bass player Hugh Kluger to find out the reality of life as an orchestral musician, from finding the best bakeries in South East London to having a whole additional career as an interior designer. In this episode of LPO Offstage YolanDa sits down to chat with Sue and Hugh about their must have items on tour, what they listen to outs
Holst’s The Planets
YolanDa Brown joins trumpet player Anne McAneney, cellist Francis Bucknall and harpist Rachel Masters to discuss Gustav Holst’s most famous work, The Planets. Space, the solar system and intergalactic travel have been depicted in music and films for decades, but Gustav Holst was there early, trying to communicate the vastness of the planets (and their mythical links) with music. In this
From the Archive: Keeping in Shape
We’ve dug into the archives to share one of our favourite episodes of LPO Offstage - Keeping in Shape. Facing the fear of fear, admitting you might not always want to go to those after concert drinks, and searching for the best strengthening exercises to avoid injury as a musician and a conductor are just a few of the tips and topics discussed by YolanDa Brown, cellist Elisabeth Wiklander and
Behind the Scenes at the Opera with Ben Gernon
Every summer, the LPO heads down to Glyndebourne in Lewes, East Sussex for a season as one of the opera house’s resident orchestras. In this episode of LPO Offstage, YolanDa meets conductor Ben Gernon ahead of the evening’s performance of Donizetti’s opera ‘The Elixir of Love’. As Ben and YolanDa chat about what it’s really like to conduct an opera, they wander through the opera house, the fa
Brass Lowdown
YolanDa Brown joins tuba player Lee Tsarmaklis and trombone player Dave Whitehouse to get the inside scoop on the low brass section of the orchestra. What exactly is the low brass section? As well as their respective trombone and tuba, Dave and Lee have to play multiple instruments ranging from the cimbasso, to the alto trombone, to the sousaphone and the ‘baritone thingy’. But do they all a
Sussex Life
YolanDa Brown joins Eastbourne’s Arts Ambassador Chris Connelley, LPO viola player Kate Leek and clarinettist Tom Watmough to find out what their top tips are for visiting Sussex, the LPO’s second home. As well as the Royal Festival Hall, the LPO performs regularly in Brighton, Eastbourne and Lewes in East Sussex for the Glyndebourne season. And quite a few of the musicians live in the a
Saint-Saens’ “Organ” Symphony with Anna Lapwood
YolanDa Brown joins organist and conductor Anna Lapwood, piccolo player Stewart McIlwham and violinist Martin Höhmann to take a close look at Camille Saint-Saëns’ Symphony No.3 - his organ symphony. They discuss the challenges of communicating with the conductor from the organ, how to get the perfect tempo so those mammoth chords have maximum impact, and how the flutes and violins manage the
When you’re ready…
The very thought of an audition might make you nervous, but what can you learn from being assessed in this way, and what do the musicians look for when they’re sitting on an audition panel? YolanDa Brown joins cellist Kristina Blaumane and trombone player Mark Templeton to get an inside look at orchestral auditions: from managing nerves, to how to distinguish between players when you have to
Inside Brahms’ Symphony No.1
Johannes Brahms has a special place in many musicians’ hearts - but what is it about his writing that is so captivating? Today on LPO Offstage, YolanDa Brown joins violinist Fiona Higham, timpani player Simon Carrington, and horn player Mark Vines to find out how Brahms writes for their instruments, why the horn is not actually playing the notes as they are on the page, and how different cond
Strings attached
Lots of musicians find love within the music industry - whether it’s at college, singing in a choir or playing in studios… But what’s it really like living and working with your partner? YolanDa Brown joins violinist Minn Majoe and viola player Martin Wray to catch up about what they’ve been up to recently… From chamber ensemble ‘speed dating’, to Minn’s blog about where to eat on tour,
Best of LPO Offstage: Series 5
YolanDa Brown takes us through some of the best bits of Series 5, and also can’t resist delving into some earlier episodes. Expect mysterious triangle insights, a look at the practical side of writing music, an explanation of why Beethoven might sound a bit strange on first listen, and a classical music fan who you may know from a very famous baking competition… With Andy Barclay, Brett Dean,
Gardner’s Question Time
YolanDa Brown is joined by the LPO’s Principal Conductor Edward Gardner for a quick fire round to find out the answers to questions such as what makes the perfect baton and what it’s like working with different orchestras, as well as his top tips for young aspiring conductors, and how trusting yourself in the moment is key to performing. Plus, Ed reveals a few particularly embarrassing conduc
The Triangle!
YolanDa Brown is joined by the LPO’s Principal Percussionist Andy Barclay to find out everything she can about a very famous instrument – the triangle. It may conjure up memories of school music lessons or the theme from the Pink Panther but the triangle also has an illustrious history and is used widely in all forms of music from pop to classical. It's also remarkably difficult to play (well
What can technology do for us?
What’s the role of technology in music? Does it enhance creativity, and can it be a hindrance? YolanDa Brown is joined by LPO cellist Elisabeth Wiklander and session drummer Dav Shiel, who is Project Manager and Associate Musician at Drake Music - a charity that helps disabled people reach their musical potential through the use of assistive technology. From using an iPad to compos
Inside Beethoven’s Symphony No.3: ‘Eroica’
What is so special about Beethoven? YolanDa Brown gets an inside view of what it’s like to play and conduct Beethoven’s third symphony from the perspective of conductor Karina Canellakis and horn player Annemarie Federle. Karina explains why Beethoven’s music is ‘a universal form of musical communication’ and together with Annemarie they consider how much you should take a composer’s life int
Youth vs Experience
YolanDa Brown sits down with double bass player Laura Murphy and horn player Gareth Mollison to find out what it means to be an ‘experienced’ musician and how things have changed in the orchestra over the years from technology to travel.Gareth reveals what’s different about being in the LPO now compared to when he joined in 1986, and Laura muses on what might change in the future. YolanDa also ask
A Place to Call Home
YolanDa Brown sits down with the LPO’s Artistic Director Elena Dubinets, and violinist and President of the LPO’s board Martin Höhmann to ask how you make sure a symphony orchestra stays relevant, and what it takes to curate a season of music. Elena Dubinets reveals the careful thought, deliberation and research behind the themes in the LPO’s current season ‘A Place to Call Home’: from displa
From the Archive: Welcoming the World
Today, a special episode from the LPO Offstage archive… YolanDa Brown finds out what it’s like for some of the LPO players who have moved to the UK to live and work in London. Yang moved to London from China, Nynke from the Netherlands and Hugh from Australia, so how do their diverse cultural backgrounds coalesce in the UK? They discuss issues relating to family and friends in far off co
Elgar’s Symphonies
Ahead of the LPO’s performances of both of Elgar’s symphonies in January 2023, YolanDa Brown sits down with violinist Tom Eisner, cor anglais player Sue Böhling and horn player Martin Hobbs to find out what is so special about Elgar’s music. Elgar’s symphonies bring back memories for the musicians, but is it useful to always associate Elgar with ‘Britishness’? YolanDa also asks why you need s
Jazzing up the Orchestra
YolanDa Brown joins jazz saxophonist Joe Lovano and LPO double bass and bass guitar player Tom Walley to find out what role the saxophone has within the orchestra, and how the worlds of jazz and orchestral playing come together. YolanDa, Joe and Tom get stuck into a discussion about musical genres and expression: from improvising with an orchestra to different playing techniques, emulating vo
Mahler’s Symphonies
Ahead of the LPO’s performances of Gustav Mahler’s music in their 22/23 season, YolanDa Brown uncovers both the epic side and the more intimate sounds of Mahler, what it’s like to play his symphonies with very different conductors over the years, and the high risk but high reward of the offstage bands.YolanDa also finds out that there’s often room for interpretation in the percussion parts, and To
LPO Superfans
Welcome to Series 5 of LPO Offstage! To kick off the new series, YolanDa Brown joins The Great British Bake Off star and LPO fan Jürgen Krauss, flute player Sue Thomas and LPO supporter Joanna Williams to find out what it means to be a fan of the LPO: from childhood memories of the orchestra, to favourite conductors and LPO cakes.Plus, what a supportive fan base means to the players… Pro
Next Season
YolanDa Brown joins Principal Conductor of the LPO Ed Gardner, trumpet player Anne McAneney and double bass player Sebastian Pennar to find out how to prepare for a new season… How do you connect different pieces in a concert, how do you thread musical themes across a whole season, and what are the musicians most looking forward to playing in the LPO’s 2022-2023 concerts?Plus, Seb reveals the
Best of LPO Offstage: Series 4
YolanDa Brown takes us through some of the best bits of Series 4. How did Howard Shore write the score for Lord of the Rings, how does Lee approach a rare tuba solo, what can singers learn from instrumental playing, and what happens when everyone thinks a cadenza has ended… except the soloist? With Howard Shore, Johnny Ryan, Roderick Williams, Mark Templeton, Stewart McIlwham, Julia Fischer,
In the Spotlight
YolanDa Brown joins pianist Catherine Edwards, tuba player Lee Tsarmaklis and bass clarinet player Paul Richards to discover what it’s like to play an instrument that only has rare moments in the spotlight… How do you prepare for the ‘moment’ when you emerge from the orchestra after many bars rest? And what happens if it all goes wrong?Catherine, Lee and Paul reveal what the roles of their very un
Inside Shostakovich’s Symphony No.10
YolanDa Brown gets an inside view of what it’s like to play Shostakovich’s 10th Symphony from the perspective of trombonist Mark Templeton, violinist Lasma Taimina and piccolo player Stewart McIlwham. We find out what lies behind the notes of this dramatic piece, both for the musicians who play it and for Shostakovich himself. From favourite scary moments to Stewart continuing in the footstep
Getting paid to hit things
YolanDa Brown joins timpanist Simon Carrington and percussionist Karen Hutt to discover the ins and outs of percussion playing in an orchestra: from how you ‘play’ bubble wrap, to the complex and never ending task of tuning timpani… Plus, an in depth discussion of one of the most important (and surprisingly difficult to play well) instruments in the orchestra: the triangle. Produced by T
Lord of the Rings
YolanDa Brown joins legendary film composer Howard Shore (down the line in New York), the LPO’s principal percussionist Andy Barclay and principal trumpet player Paul Beniston to find out how Howard approached writing the music for Lord of the Rings, and gets an insight into what it was like to play from Andy and Paul. Back in 2001, the LPO recorded the music for the first Lord of the Rings f
Lead Singer
YolanDa Brown sits down with baritone Roddy Williams, horn player Johnny Ryan and cellist Kristina Blaumane to hear what singers can learn from instrumental playing, and why the issues of balancing a voice with an orchestra may not be what you expect. YolanDa also discovers how the players transition from the concert stage to the opera pit and back again, and finds out about the surround soun
LPO DNA
YolanDa Brown talks to trombone player Dave Whitehouse and violinists Tom Eisner and Minn Majoe about the LPO’s identity as an orchestra.We’ve heard a lot about the LPO being a ‘friendly’ orchestra, but what does this really mean? And how do the musicians define the sound of the LPO? Plus, how things have changed over a 36 year career….Produced by Tandem Productions for the London Philharmoni
From the Archive: Courage!
Today, another one of our top episodes from the archive… YolanDa Brown talks to horn player Mark Vines and leader of the orchestra Pieter Schoeman about how to get on top of an inevitable (and essential) aspect of being a musician: nerves. Dry mouth, the shakes, cold sweats, ‘butterflies’ in the stomach, these are all things anyone who performs in public will be able to identify with. But how
From the Archive: Where are my reeds?
We’re taking you back to some of our favourite episodes of LPO Offstage. Today - touring!YolanDa Brown is joined by flautist Sue Thomas, tuba player Lee Tsarmaklis and Tours Manager Grace Ko to find out about travels with the the LPO: From logistical challenges, audience reactions and the juggle of family life, to hotel incidents, shrunken pants and the infamous LPO Bus 3... Produced by Tande
Fixing a hole…
YolanDa Brown sits down with the Personnel Manager of the LPO Andrew Chenery and cor anglais player Sue Böhling, to discover the secret art of fixing. From finding a last minute replacement musician, to looking for a bunch of banjo players, Andrew and Sue reveal the ins and outs of how to actually fix the people needed to play the music. Plus, how do you get on the list? And what happens
All the World’s a Stage
YolanDa Brown sits down with the stage managers of the LPO to discuss how a concert actually gets on the stage: from finding a piano that can be hit with chains, to awkward instrument logistics on tour. YolanDa also discovers what goes into preparing the stage for a complex percussion concerto, and why the harp has its own special duvet. Plus, a simple message from the stage managers to
How did we get here? Part 2
YolanDa Brown asks where it all began for three LPO players, and how they made a passion into a profession. From Lyndon’s early brass band days, to David’s primary school string inspiration, and Emma’s recent exploration of different genres, YolanDa discovers what makes these musicians who they are today. Plus, a very supportive Grandpa, and a violist’s journey into flamenco music…
Artist in Residence - Julia Fischer
YolanDa Brown sits down with violinist and pianist Julia Fischer and asks what it means to be the LPO’s Artist in Residence for their current season. How does it feel to lead the orchestra from a soloist’s perspective? YolanDa also discovers how it feels for the musicians to play with no conductor, as well as finding out all about the joys of playing chamber music…Produced by Tandem Productio
Family Time
Welcome to Series 4!To kick off the new series, YolanDa Brown sits down with violinist Nynke Hijlkema and clarinet player Thomas Watmough to discuss the experience of having a family while working as a professional musician in an orchestra. From taking kids on tour to long distance phone calls, the essential duty free gifts and encouraging music making in your own children, Nynke and Tom reve
Best of LPO Offstage: Series 3
YolanDa Brown takes us through some of the best bits of Series 3. Why do the musicians do what they do? And how do you combat the fear of fear? Plus, a revelation from conductor Karina Canellakis, the story of how a cello came to be, and the romantic connections across the orchestra… With tuba player Lee Tsarmaklis, violinist Kate Oswin, contrabassoonist Simon Estell, cellist Elisabeth W
Best of LPO Offstage: Series 2
YolanDa Brown takes us through some of the best bits of Series 2. How do you audition for an orchestra, from the London Philharmonic to New York to Berlin? And how can you use nerves to actually improve your performance?YolanDa also finds out what it’s like recording for film, and how it feels singing in the London Philharmonic Choir. Plus, an insight into the music of Rachmaninoff. With horn
Best of LPO Offstage: Series 1
YolanDa Brown takes us through some of the best bits of Series 1. What’s so bad about an emergency sandwich, how many pairs of pants should you pack for a tour, how do you repair cracks on a double bass, and what is a jingling johnny? With cellist Laura Donoghue, horn player John Ryan, timpanist Simon Carrington, tuba player Lee Tsarmaklis, harpist Rachel Masters, trombone player Mark Templet
Are You Sitting Comfortably?
YolanDa Brown sits down with tuba player Lee Tsarmaklis, violinist Lasma Taimina and bassoon and contrabassoon player Simon Estell to find out the truth about audiences, from the unique perspective of an orchestral musician. There’s the issue of eating (whether it’s popcorn or turkey hotdogs), the connection the orchestra has with their home audience at the Royal Festival Hall, and the rockst
Press Record
Come and join us for LPO Offstage LIVE at Henry Wood Hall! YolanDa Brown sits down with the LPO’s recordings consultant Matthew Freeman, violinist Fiona Higham and piccolo player Stewart McIlwham to discover why the LPO LIVE label was created back in 2005, what it feels like to play when you know you’re being recorded, and how you patch up any mistakes. Plus, the musicians share their ‘desert isla
Keeping in Shape
Facing the fear of fear, admitting you might not always want to go to those after concert drinks, and searching for the best strengthening exercises to avoid injury as a musician and a conductor are just a few of the tips and topics discussed by YolanDa Brown, cellist Elisabeth Wiklander and conductor Karina Canellakis. They discover that being in top shape for your job as a musician is a very per
Tools of the Trade
YolanDa Brown uncovers some of the mysteries of buying an orchestral instrument with cellist David Lale and horn player Mark Vines. From commissioning a brand new cello, to finding that ‘perfectly cooked risotto’ sound of Mark’s perfect horn, to leaving horns on trains and cellos outside pubs, YolanDa hears about the highs and lows of searching for (and holding onto!) that dream instrument. &
