Sunday Baroque Conversations

For as long as I can remember, naysayers have been predicting the "death of classical music." Audiences are aging, and ticket sales are often a struggle for classical music concerts, and some people are concerned that the art form will "die" as a result. Andrew Ousley leaned into that fear when he established his concert series, THE DEATH OF CLASSICAL, in 2015. He even holds the concerts in venues such as crypts, catacombs, and cemeteries. As a result, audiences are alive and well for THE DEATH OF CLASSICAL – attracting younger people and classical music newbies. Suzanne spoke with Andrew Ousley – an entrepreneur, writer, photographer, and public relations innovator – about his mission to give new life to classical music.

Violinist Yanet Campbell Secades is featured on the 2023 recording BREAKING BARRIERS with Carlos Bastidas leading Ontario Pops Orchestra. The Camagüey, Cuba native is one of three up-and-coming young women instrumentalists performing as soloists in concertos by Johann Sebastian Bach and Antonio Vivaldi. Yanet Campbell Secades joined Suzanne to chat about her early interest in and talent for music, what it was like having her professional-musician father as her first private teacher, making BREAKING BARRIERS, and what she's looking forward to next.

Alison DeSimone is a musicologist – someone who is a scholar of music and its relationship with a wide variety of other disciplines. She is an Associate Professor of Musicology at the University of Missouri-Kansas City – and she specializes in music of the Renaissance and Baroque eras. Alison DeSimone joined Suzanne to talk about what a musicologist does in general, her personal areas of expertise, and how she found a way to combine her passions for music and history into a career as a musicologist.

James O'Donnell is a Professor in the Practice of Organ at Yale University's Institute of Sacred Music and the Yale School of Music, where he teaches graduate-level organ majors and other students in sacred music. He also directs a newly-established professional liturgical vocal ensemble at Yale. James O'Donnell brings to New Haven his exceptional talent and vast experience as a concert organist, choral conductor, liturgical musician, and teacher, having served as Master of Music at Westminster Cathedral and Organist and Master of the Choristers at Westminster Abbey. Suzanne spoke with James O'Donnell about his life in music, including his work on such historic events as a 2010 service attended by Pope Benedict and the 2011 wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton.

There's a particular type of collaboration that exists in a chamber music ensemble. The award-winning Catalyst Quartet's collaborative efforts involved choosing projects and conducting scholarly research that will have maximum impact in their mission to achieve unity and celebrate composers of color whose works have been overlooked by the traditional canon. Catalyst Quartet cellist Karlos Rodriguez spoke with Suzanne about the ensemble's ongoing series of UNCOVERED recordings that highlight the musical genius of composers such as Coleridge-Taylor Perkinson, William Grant Still, and George Walker, to name just a few.

The talented young pianist Clayton Stephenson's story is more than just an inspiring example of the power of music. It is also a story of tenacity and resourcefulness, and the importance of teachers and mentors. The New York City native loves to immerse himself in the work of the countless musicians he admires. Clayton Stephenson is currently enrolled in a dual degree program at Harvard and the New England Conservatory of Music, and balancing a busy performing schedule as a concert pianist. He made time to come to the studio and speak with Suzanne about his zest for life and music, and to play a few tunes.

Violinist Holly Mulcahy is concertmaster of the Wichita Symphony, and has previously held that position in other symphonic orchestras across the country. She is also a busy soloist and chamber musician who regularly performs at a maximum security prison. Holly Mulcahy is the founder and leader of an organization that strives to " … help people in need through the power of art, culture, communication, and live music." She spoke with Suzanne about her passion for bringing music to EVERYONE, and the intelligence and deep thinking she regularly encounters from the inmates she meets.

Dr. Rochelle Sennet is a versatile musician, with a wide repertory. The prize-winning pianist has recorded (so far) two albums called BACH TO BLACK in which she combines works by Johann Sebastian Bach with works by Black composers including Samuel Coleridge Taylor, Frederick Tillis, and R. Nathaniel Dett, Florence Price, and many others. Dr. Sennet spoke with Suzanne about her life in music – beginning with her beloved first teacher and mentor – and some of the experiences along the way that have shaped her as a performer and teacher.

Randall Scotting's 2022 debut recording THE CROWN is a tribute to famed 17th century Italian castrato singer, Senesino. Scotting collaborated with the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, conducted by Laurence Cummings, and their collection of these Heroic Arias is receiving critical acclaim. The countertenor spoke with Suzanne about how he found his way to a career in music, details about the countertenor vocal range and its pivotal roles, and about Senesino (aka Francesco Bernardi), who was the subject of Scotting's PhD thesis.

Since her 1984 debut with the Chicago Symphony at age 10, American violinist Rachel Barton Pine has been a trailblazer. Her musical tastes are broad and inclusive – from the baroque era, through all the major classical and romantic works, to contemporary commissions, and heavy metal – and she's a seasoned soloist and chamber musician. Rachel spoke with Suzanne about her career, including the recent 25th anniversary re-issue of her recording of VIOLIN CONCERTOS BY BLACK COMPOSERS, and her ongoing personal and professional commitment to promoting the artistic achievements of Black musicians.

Brooklyn native Eric Rice did not set out to become a professional musician and musicologist. He discovered early music while studying at Bowdoin College and, after four years as a schooner captain at the South Street Seaport Museum, he earned his PhD in Musicology and a Certificate in Medieval and Renaissance studies from Columbia University. He worked as Artistic Director of the Connecticut Early Music Festival and music director of the Boston-based ensemble Exsultemus. Dr. Rice is currently head of the Music Department at the University of Connecticut, where he teaches music history and directs the Collegium. He spoke with Suzanne about his career as a musician and educator, and his musical group, Ensemble Origo, and their 2021 recording of music by Orlando di Lasso for the 1568 wedding of the Duke of Bavaria.

North Carolina native André Raphel is an award-winning orchestral conductor with an international career. An expert in the classic orchestral repertory as well as a proponent of new music, Maestro Raphel's experience with US orchestras includes appearances with the Boston Symphony, Chicago Symphony, Cleveland Orchestra, Philadelphia Orchestra and the New York Philharmonic. André Raphel spoke with Suzanne about his career in music, including explaining the role of a conductor and talking about some of his favorite composers.

Sometimes truth is stranger than fiction! The celebrated French violinist and composer Jean-Marie Leclair was found murdered in his Paris apartment. Despite several obvious potential suspects, no one was ever charged with the crime. It remains an unsolved mystery, and the Canadian group Infusion Baroque has crafted a unique and clever concert experience with actor/musician Mike Fan to present the whodunit. Suzanne spoke with Mike and Infusion Baroque violinist Sallynee Amawat about their collaboration.

In 4th grade, Stephen Schultz had a chance to learn an instrument to play in the school band. He ended up being assigned to play his third choice – the flute – which was a very good thing, because the instrument is his perfect match. Stephen Schultz is one of the foremost baroque flute players, and he says that baroque music is his first love. He spoke with Suzanne about his career as a performer and teacher, his passion for Bach, Mahler and the Beatles, and he even took out two of his instruments to demonstrate the difference between baroque and modern flutes.

When Jason Vieaux started playing guitar he was immediately smitten with the instrument and with music, in general, practicing long and hard on his own. His tenacity paid off with some early competition wins, and he continued to hone his skills thanks to teachers and mentors who recognized and further cultivated his talent and determination. Now the Grammy-winning musician is paying it forward, training the next generation of guitarists, in addition to collaborating with other top-tier musicians, recording some of his favorite music, and even composing. Jason Vieaux spoke with Suzanne about his path to becoming a professional musician.

The multi-talented performer Anthony Roth Costanzo is a young countertenor whose projects include operas, recitals, films, and Broadway. The New York Times called him "Vocally brilliant and dramatically fearless." Suzanne spoke with the remarkable, Grammy-winning musician about his multi-faceted passions and interests.

There have been numerous studies over the years about the positive impact of music on people's lives. Children, especially, seem to benefit from early musical training, although not all kids have equal access to quality musical education. Music Haven in New Haven, Connecticut is a program that offers tuition-free music education, mentoring, and performance opportunities to children from the first grade through high school. Suzanne spoke with one of Music Haven's Teachers – Gregory Tompkins – and his violin student, Reign, who is also now working part time at Music Haven helping younger students.

Baroque music expert JungHae Kim is a sought-after harpsichordist who performs as a soloist and chamber music collaborator all over the world. Her training included studies at Sweelinck Conservatorium in Amsterdam with legendary Dutch musician Gustav Leonhardt, who profoundly influenced her own approach to teaching music theory, ear training, keyboard performance, and chamber music. JungHae Kim spoke with Suzanne about her life in music and her passion for skiing as a polio survivor.

Cellist Khari Joyner is a sought-after musician who performs with numerous top ensembles such as Orpheus Chamber Orchestra. The charismatic young American instrumentalist is also a passionate music teacher who has inspired students all over the world. Dr. Joyner has performed for a number of important occasions, such as the 2008 Maya Angelou Birthday Celebration, and a private performance for President Barack Obama in the Oval Office. He earned his Doctor of Musical Arts degree from The Juilliard School, where his dissertation -- The Vertex: An Analysis of Mathematics and Music for the 21st Century Student and Performer – looked at the connections and overlap between mathematics and music. Khari Joyner spoke with Suzanne about his music, teaching, and his passion for learning and experiencing new things.

Flutist Demarre McGill exudes energy and passion – for music, for his students, for whatever project he is working on. The Seattle Symphony's Principal Flute is also a busy soloist and chamber musician who immerses himself in the moment, applying his extraordinary talent to playing everything from baroque, classical and romantic era music, to cutting-edge contemporary compositions. Suzanne spoke with Demarre McGill about what makes him tick as a musician and as a person.