Conversations with Musicians with Leah Roseman is available wherever you listen to podcasts. The video and transcript are linked here on my website, where you can check out my episodes catalog and sign up for Sneak Peeks for upcoming guests: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/jeremy-mastrangelo

This week’s guest is violinist Jeremy Mastrangelo, who’s a wonderful colleague of mine in Canada’s National Arts Centre Orchestra. He’s known in our greenroom as a great storyteller, onstage as an excellent musician, and having heard him give brilliant masterclasses I can attest to his excellence as an educator as well. This episode is infused with Jeremy’s wit and wisdom as well as a couple of beautiful violin performances. We talk about violin shopping in Cremona, teenage life at Interlochen Academy, the difficulties and joys of a career as an orchestral musician, family, and the benefits of deepening our understanding of the composers we play. You will find that one of the wonderful stories in this episode reveals an unexpected discovery!

This independant podcast needs your support. Can you help with $3? https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman Thanks so much!

Timestamps:

(00:00) Intro

(02:11) Jeremy’s brother Dave, his childhood starting violin

(10:31) Bach Aria from Goldberg Variations

(13:23) Dave Mastrangelo arrangements

(15:05) orchestra audition process

(19:11) working conditions, collective agreements, Syracuse orchestra experience, Sara Mastrangelo

(27:21) please support the podcast!

(28:00) different roles and chairs in the orchestra

(30:31) Interlochen

(34:13) intro to Piazzolla etude

(35:45) Piazzolla Tango Etude no. 3

(39:34) dealing with uncertainty, pandemic Syracuse then Ottawa with Pinchas Zukerman

(45:37) ideal orchestra experiences, role of conductor and players

(50:15) Cremona with wife Sara, Italian heritage, Vittorio Villa

(55:54) Jeremy’s violin teachers Rafail Sobolevsky, Bill Preucil, Hal Grossman, Paul Kantor

(01:03:26) Rafail Sobolevsky story

(01:10:13) Sally Thomas, James Ehnes

(01:14:12) cooking

(01:16:07) great books about composers and performers

(01:20:37) solo experiences, stress dreams, benefits of knowing more about the composers

(01:28:16) one final orchestra story

Avi Kishna is a Dutch sarod player based in Amsterdam, of Indo-Surinamese heritage. You’ll get to know the sarod as an instrument and hear Avi’s perspectives on Dutch society and his interesting collaborations. Among his mentors is his inspiring father, Ramdew Kishna, a multi-talented musician, director, and painter, who played a pivotal role in shaping Avi's musical journey along with his guru, Koustuv Ray. As a young man, Avi embarked on a successful career as in sales and marketing, but during this time he pushed music aside, and I found it deeply touching to hear how he was able to come back to music with the wisdom of having left such an important part of himself behind. You’ll hear about Avi’s project working with schools in Amsterdam to help provide music programs in underserved communities and this episode features some of his sarod music. Like all my episodes, you can also watch this on my YouTube channel, and I’ve also linked the transcript here to my website: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/avi-kishna

Can you buy this podcaster a coffee to support this series? https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman Thanks!

Here you'll find the links to Avi's projects like Raga Reflections, where to stream and buy his music, upcoming performances, including a video with dancer Shailesh Bahoran (which we talk about): https://www.sarodbyavi.com/

Link to Muziek Educatie Centrum Amsterdam: https://www.muziekeducatiecentrum.nl/jeugd-fonds-sport-cultuur-amsterdam

Follow me on Social Media: https://linktr.ee/leahroseman

Episode with sitar player Mohamed Assani: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/mohamed-assani

Episode with bansuri player Milind Date:

https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/milind-date-bansuri-player

Complete Catalog of Episodes: https://www.leahroseman.com/about

Newsletter sign-up: https://mailchi.mp/ebed4a237788/podcast-newsletter

Timestamps:

(00:00) Intro

(03:42) the sarod

(11:57) Indo-Surinamese heritage and history

(16:16) South Asian music in the Netherlands

(19:38) dancer Shailesh Bahoran

(25:00) excerpt from While She Sleeps

(28:06) bringing different music together, Soundscape Sessions

(38:01) please support this podcast!

(38:39) Ramdew Kishna, Avi’s father

(43:27) racism and inclusion

(50:53) sarod guru Gungun Kaustuv Ray

(56:14) learning from others

(57:56) Raga Reflections

(01:04:19) Darbari

(01:08:00) sales and marketing career, return to music

(01:13:05) giving back through music education

Eliza Marshall is a British flute player acclaimed for her expressive multi-style playing and in this episode we’re celebrating her new album “Eternal Birth” in which this award-winning flautist and composer channels over two decades of international collaboration into a bold, genre-defying album, with a rich cinematic soundscape, blending classical, folk and world traditions, with haunting flutes, whistles, bansuris, spoken word, percussion and electronics. Recorded in both the UK and Senegal, the album features an extraordinary line-up of world-class andGrammy Award-Winning musicians: Ady Thioune, Ansumana Suso, Drew Morgan , Dónal Rogers, and Lena Jonsson .

Eliza shared her rich musical life: her studies with Michael Cox, her varied career including performing on the long-running West-End show The Lion King in London, touring with Peter Gabriel, and the joys and challenges of using a loop pedal. She shared insights about the importance of the folk band Ranagri in her life, her multi-disciplinary project Freedom to Roam, her love of the Hebrides Islands, the importance of re-wilding, and finding the courage to push boundaries and take risks.This episode is being released a few days before the release of Eternal Birth; you’ll find the pre-order link on Eliza’s website. I was really inspired to exchange ideas with Eliza about living a life rich with connection and creativity.

Show notes take you to linked episodes you'll love, the video, transcript, podcast Newsletter to get access for exclusive information about upcoming guests, and support link for this independent project for which I do all the many jobs! (also podcast merch)

Complete Show Notes

Eliza Marshall Website

Photo: Jason Sheldon

Timestamps:

(00:00) Intro

(03:04) album “Eternal Birth”, Lena Jonsson, with clip of They Listen

(06:29) layering textures, interest and research into music of Africa, percussionist Ady Thioune

(09:13) youth Steiner Education, trip to Buea,Cameroon

(11:13) about Roots Entwined, with clip of track 2

(13:28) many different flutes, collaborating with Joby Talbot

(17:40) about track 3, Our Times Reborn with clip

(19:56) joy in composing, Reich influence, Sarah Jeffery

(21:45) Michael Cox, learning different flutes and styles

(26:25) Freedom to Roam project

(31:32) Dónal Rogers, Ranagri, staying with projects long-term

(36:08) linked episodes and buying me a coffee to keep this podcast going

(37:08) Leah improv and podcast, Hebrides Islands, re-wilding

(43:03) loop pedal, Linsey Pollak, getting outside your comfort zone, The Lion King job

(53:45) Ansumana Suso on kora, safeguarding the fertility of the Earth, with clip of track 6 On and On

(56:49) Ady Thioune, trips to Senegal

(01:02:48) Rebeca Omordia, Omo Bello, my podcast

(01:05:55) playing with Peter Gabriel

(01:08:30) mortality with clip track 7 Dust to Dust

(01:12:14) Stevie Wonder, studio work, love of film music, album cover meaning

(01:16:56) Embracing our interconnectedness, with clip of track 8 Interconnected, self-care

I’m honoured to bring to you this in-depth conversation with the brilliant musician, writer, composer and storyteller Gabriel Kahane as my first episode of Season 6 of this podcast. You’ll be hearing many short clips from several of his albums including his piano concerto Heirloom, written for his father Jeffrey Kahane. This is a wide-ranging interview and you’ll hear about Gabriel’s upcoming book project, the impact of his early theatre training, how learning to conduct is helping him as a composer, and reflections from his hiatus from the internet and social media. Fans who love Book of Travelers and Magnificent Bird will hear clips and insights from those projects and we also got into his work as an artist-citizen in his large-scale work “emergency shelter intake form” commissioned by the Oregon Symphony about homelessness and the housing crisis. The track and album names are specified in the timestamps and everything is linked in the show notes, including other suggested episodes and ways to support this independent podcast: Complete Show Notes

Gabriel Kahane Website

00:00) Intro

(02:25) Book of Travelers, train trip, American Guide Series, Baedeker with clip from Book of Travelers

(08:19) Book of Travelers, Pattern of the Rail, November with clip

(10:45) Book of Travelers, arranging songs for ensembles, clip of Model Trains

(16:24) train trip, more stories

(19:20) piano concerto Heirloom, decimated press landscape, clip of beginning of first movement “Guitars in the Attic”, Heirloom piano concerto

(22:58) Jeffrey Kahane, Heirloom bringing vernacular music into the concert hall with clip of first movement “Guitars in the Attic”, Heirloom piano concerto which uses Where Are the Arms

(29:24) orchestration of Where Are the Arms and how it relates to the concerto with clip (from Heirloom album, the final track)

(35:14) about the 2nd movement “My Grandmother Knew Alban Berg” and 3rd movement “VERA’S CHICKEN-POWERED TRANSIT MACHINE”, Heirloom piano concerto, with clips of both

(38:52) pandemic move to Portland, living without the internet for a year, Magnificent Bird album

(47:27) To Be American with clip from Magnificent Bird

(50:27) other linked episodes and ways to follow and support this podcast!

(51:15) story of Gabriel’s grandmother’s late life romance, clip of Sit Shiva from Magnificent Bird

(55:24) Gabriel’s writing and upcoming book project, the importance of creativity

(01:08:06) duo with Pekka Kuusisto “Council”

(01:09:52) conducting orchestras

(01:21:23) creative process, storytelling, challenges of internet distraction

(01:28:21) “emergency shelter intake form” with clip XI. A Brief History of The Subprime Mortgage Loan Crisis and housing crisis, clip III. Where Did You Stay Last Night

(01:35:11) Craigslistlieder

Photo: Jason Quigley

The Swedish fiddler Lena Jonsson has created a unique style inspired by traditional Swedish music as well as many other influences. Today we’re focusing on the wonderful 3rd album by her trio, “Folk Covers” which celebrates many great folk music composers of today. I think you’ll really enjoy this uplifting conversation which features a lot of music, including Lena giving us some spontaneous house concert experiences, and clips from the new album, with insights into process of curating and interpreting these folk covers; please note the timestamps have the tune names. You’ll also learn about the Swedish folk scene and regional differences, her experiences studying both in Sweden and Boston at Berklee, her love of creative design and how to dance a Polska. I want to let you know that I’m going to be taking a short break for a couple of weeks, but I’m very excited to bring you Season 6 of this podcast at the beginning of January 2026!

Complete Show Notes for this Episode!

Lena Jonsson Website

photo: Klara Granberg

(00:00) Intro

(02:16) album Folk Covers, with clip of Äntligen!

(04:33) childhood musical family in Hälsingland Sweden

(10:28) microtonality and ornamentation in Swedish fiddling with Silkesvalsen

(13:25) fiddling, duo with Brittany Haas

(16:33) Four Minute Love Story with clip “Neljän Minuuttin rakkaus” Johanna Jukola

(18:44) arranging, curating with Erik Ronström and Krydda Sundström with clip of Fortcalquier by Genticorum

(22:29) first Canadian tour, Blue Skies festival

(24:26) teaching folkhögskola, Berklee experience

(30:22) Burdland, cover of Kinnaris with clip, Norwegian hardanger fiddle influence

(34:51) learning from archival recordings

(37:23) other linked episodes and ways to support this series

(38:10) experience studying in Stockholm

(42:00) Bubbles in Central Park with clip, how to dance a Polska

(47:58) how to pronounce Lena and bits of Swedish culture, and clip of Unless/The Tobagganist by Hawktail

(54:58) love of design and fashion, duo with Johanna Juhola

(59:00) Morgenslått with clip, memorizing music

(01:03:01) Erik Rydvall nyckelharpa, Midsummer, great fiddle teachers

(01:07:33) harpist Maeve Gilchrist, clip of Brenda's Abbey, how the trio got started

(01:12:09) composing with performance of Ispolskan

Violinist Lara St. John joins me to discuss her upcoming documentary Dear Lara, her remarkable career, and her ongoing work to ensure a safe and inclusive music community . Lara’s creativity, warmth, humour and brilliance come through in this wide-ranging interview and you’ll hear about her decision to become the first classical soloist to start her own record label, her formative year in the former USSR, advice about learning music and the violin, and a tribute to one of her main mentors, Joey Corpus. In fact Joey’s amazing story wasn’t one I was familiar with and since this conversation I’ve learned more about this inspiring pedagogue. We talked about two of her many albums, and you’ll hear a couple of clips from Shiksa and She/Her/Hers; track names are in the timestamps and everything is linked to Lara’s website in the show notes. Lara is also known for her love for iguanas, and at the very beginning of this episode you’ll get to meet Baby Octavius!

Trigger warning: Please note that there are detailed timestamps below, so you can go to specific parts of this interview; there are mentions of both sexual assault and a suicide attempt

Complete Show Notes with linked episodes, newsletter, podcast merch and more!

Lara St. John Website

Varaiuni Bar Fight video on Lara's channel

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Timestamps: (00:00) Intro with mention of sexual abuse (trigger warning) (03:10) meeting the Caribbean iguana Baby Octavius (04:59) Order of Canada, meeting other celebrities for Canadian Thanksgiving (06:28) the story of Moishe the violin, klezmer (09:48) about album Shiksa with clip from The Pain Will Find Us (14:17) “Dear Lara” film, trigger warning mention of rape (27:16) changing perspectives on her career (32:27) other linked episodes and supporting this podcast (33:16) perspectives on children in music, competitions (35:36) U.S.S.R. experience (38:18) her record label Ancalogon, album She/Her/Hers women composers with clip of Ana Sokolović Danza 2 (42:55) adjusting repertoire, Gabriela Lena Frank with clip of Luciérnagas (46:40) clip of video Variaiuni Bar Fight from Shiksa, linked in show notes (47:54) first trip to Peru, brief reference to suicide attempt (49:16) Marlboro, Felix Galimir (53:06) Joey Corpus violin pedagogue, portato problems, final reflections on film making and career direction

photo: Titolayo Ayangade

Guitarist Ben Garnett has released a beautiful new album, Kite’s Keep, and this episode features clips and insights from the project. The record includes collaborations with acoustic music greats familiar to listeners of this podcast, including Darol Anger and Brittany Haas. Ben’s mentor, Chris Eldridge of the Punch Brothers, also appears, and Ben discusses the wisdom he’s gained from other influential musicians in his life, among them his cousin, acclaimed rock guitarist Andy Timmons, the brilliant Julian Lage, and bandleader Missy Raines. He also talks about how playing tuba was helpful, and how he immersed himself in a range of musical styles—studying jazz in university before finding his way into Nashville’s acoustic bluegrass scene.

Like all my episodes, you can watch this on my YouTube channel or listen to the podcast on many podcast platforms, and I’ve also linked the transcript. It’s a joy to bring these inspiring episodes to you every week, and I do all the many jobs of research, production and publicity. Have a look at the show notes of this episode, where you’ll find all the links, including different ways to support this podcast! In the show notes I"ve also linked other episodes which I think may interest you: with Darol Anger, Brittany Haas, Marc van Vugt, Tal Yahalom and Alisa Rose

Complete Show Notes with ALL LINKS!

(00:00) Intro

(01:57) Kite’s Keep album, Brittany Haas, Darol Anger, clip Look Again

(06:59) Darol Anger, clip Tell Me About You

(10:07) album cover, photo by Emilio Mesa

(11:35) tuba, music education

(13:43) Andy Timmons

(19:11) Julian Lage

(24:25) Chris Eldridge, producing 1st album Imitation Fields, clip of Post Office Prodigies

(29:09) Julian Lage, Chris “Critter” Eldridge

(34:20) other linked episodes and ways to support this project

(35:09) jazz, Chris Eldridge, Paul Kowert, Ethan Jodziewicz, clip of The Clockmaker

(40:33) love of movies, Bluegrass, Missy Raines

(51:13) touring strategies, Ben’s guitars

(56:25) Celia Hill, clip A Place for the In Between, Matt Glassmeyer

(01:00:14) teaching, clip the end of Somewhere Near Hope, next projects

photo: Natia Cinco

Canadian violinist Yolanda Bruno spoke to me about her new album Dear Jeanne and her film The Immortal Serafin, which both honour the late Jeanne Lamon, the renowned baroque violinist, and Music Director of Tafelmusik for 34 years. Yolanda explains how she explores the story of Jeanne’s 1759 Santo Serafin baroque violin, which was generously loaned to Yolanda for one year. You’ll hear a few clips from the album, including Jeanne’s masterful string trio arrangement of Bach’s iconic Ciaccona, as well as a taste of a Leclair duo with Julia Wedman, another important mentor for Yolanda, and a work by Beth Silver honouring Jeanne’s Dutch-Jewish heritage.

Yolanda reflects on what it means to live more sustainably with her partner, the accordionist Michael Bridge, who was previously featured on this podcast. She shared how her her annual project Music for Your Blues has impacted her life, as well as a very memorable experience performing in a high-security penitentiary, which taught her about connection and dignity, and the value of live music. I also wanted to shine a light on Yolanda’s brilliant first ablum, The Wild Swans, featuring 11 women composers, recorded with pianist Isabelle David. You’ll hear short excerpts by Lera Auerbach and Kelly-Marie Murphy. We end the episode with Yolanda’s insights about avoiding burnout by achieving balance in her life using the idea of longer cycles of time, which I loved.

Complete Show Notes with All the Links!

Yolanda Bruno Website

photo: Curtis Perry

(00:00) Intro

(02:34) Dear Jeanne and her film The Immortal Serafin, Jeanne Lamon, Tafelmusik

(12:25) Jeanne’s arrangement of Bach Ciaconna with clip (Yolanda with Julia Wedman, Christina Mahler - J.S. Bach Ciaccona from Partita No. 2 in D minor, BWV 1004

(15:46) film The Immortal Serafin, living more sustainably and mindfully, Michael Bridge

(24:39) the process of buying the Serafin, Jaak Liivoya, Bill Monical

(30:56) how Yolanda started playing baroque violin, meeting Jeanne

(34:41) clip of Jean-Marie Leclair Sonata for Two Violins in D Major, Op. 3, No. 3, ii. Allegro, lessons with Julia Wedman

(38:00) other linked episodes and ways to support this series

(38:50) Leclair, Beth Silver, Jeanne Lamon’s Dutch-Jewish heritage

(44:16) musical family, The Wild Swans album, Lera Auerbach with clip Lera Auerbach - 24 Preludes for Violin and Piano, op. 46: No. 9 in E Major (Allegro)

(51:38) Kelly Marie-Murphy The Swan Parapraxis with clip Kelly-Marie Murphy - The Swan Parapraxis, Carmen Bruno cello The Wild Swans album, Katherine Dowling

(55:22) Music for Your Blues, reading, memorable concerts

(01:02:37) performing for incarcerated audience in a penitentiary, Jean Rohe, Diane Schoemperlen

(01:07:04) studying in England, balancing life in annual cycles