Episode notes
It’s hard work talking about classical music all day. Perhaps we need an interval - no - not that kind of interval! In this episode Stephen explains how intervals are the building blocks of music, and Joanna reveals what stage performers really get up to in the interval break.
Podcast
Joanna Lumley & The Maestro
Joanna Lumley and her husband Stephen Barlow invite you into their home for a fascinating, funny journey into their shared love of music. You probably know Joanna Lumley, but you may not be aware that her husband Stephen Barlow is a famed conductor, composer and musician - and the pair of them are p
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S3 · E3 · 28 Nov 2023 · 33 min
Rule Breakers: Gesualdo, Beethoven and Stravinsky
Which three composers tore up the rule book and changed music forever? Joanna and Stephen begin this episode with the cold-blooded murderer, Carlo Gesualdo - a dreadful man who composed sacred music. Known for plundering the depths of emotion in his madrigals, Gesualdo's 'word-paintings' broke the 16th century Venosan equivalent of the internet. We also discover how Beethoven reimagined the symphony and explore Stravinsky's daring new experiments in rhythm and orchestration.
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S3 · E2 · 23 Nov 2023 · 10 min
Bonus Brydon: Mashups, Richard Burton and 'The Swinging Doors'
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S3 · E1 · 21 Nov 2023 · 31 min
Rob Brydon: Springsteen, Miles Davis and paying homage to The King
We're back! Starting a new series with comedian, actor and Welsh icon Rob Brydon who discusses the poetry of Bruce Springsteen, his life on stage and a burgeoning love for jazz. Sharing stories about early life in Porthcawl, Swansea and the wonderfully flamboyant 'Mr Crute', Rob tells us how his life took a turn towards musicals later in his career and how he's never looked back (even if his fingers are a little sore).
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S3 · 14 Nov 2023 · 1 min
Welcome back to Joanna Lumley & The Maestro Season 3
Joanna & The Maestro are overjoyed to be back, and this time they're bringing some friends with them. In a brand new series Joanna Lumley and composer and conductor Stephen Barlow once again invite listeners into their home for more fascinating, funny journeys into their lifelong shared passion; classical music. Joining them for the ride are comedians, musicians, broadcasters and national treasures including Stephen Fry, Aled Jones and Anna Lapwood, who join our hosts on their mission to explore centuries of breath-taking music and celebrate the most talented composers to have ever lived.…
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S2 · E24 · 13 Jul 2023 · 16 min
Getting THE FEAR & The First Ever Opera
This mini episode sees Stephen having flashbacks to the most challenging piece of music he’s ever had to play, Joanna asks about composers who've been lost in time, and we investigate the first ever real opera... Got questions for Joanna and Stephen? Drop them a line [email protected]
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S2 · E22 · 6 Jul 2023 · 11 min
Dogs Riding Horses & Music For Your Funeral
Do all classical pieces have to be long? Apparently not. Are there some brief classical hits? Yes indeed. Stephen and Joanna also discuss whether composers ever write music for their own funerals. Plus, a listener is distracted by a dog riding a horse. Seriously. Got questions for Joanna and Stephen? Drop them a line [email protected]
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S2 · E21 · 4 Jul 2023 · 32 min
The King of Instruments
They were the most complex machines ever constructed (before the industrial revolution). The best are said to have “bite” and the biggest has over 33,000 pipes. We’re talking about the organ - aka “The King of Instruments”. Both Mozart and Bach adored these kaleidoscopes of sound, so when and why did they fall out of fashion? And what debt do we owe these monumental instruments today?
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S2 · E20 · 29 Jun 2023 · 12 min
The Coronation (Part 2)
Joanna and Stephen return to your questions about the King’s coronation. They discuss the old and new compositions and commissions from the day and the breathtaking conductorship of Andrew Nethsingha and Sir Antonio Pappano.
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S2 · E19 · 27 Jun 2023 · 39 min
STRAUSS PARTY!
In this episode we dive into the life and works of Richard Strauss, one of Stephen’s favourite composers. Joanna and Stephen take a tour through his ‘ultra-modern’ operas Elektra and Salome and also chat about his enduring legacy of work along the way. If there are other composers you’d like Joanna and Stephen to do a deep dive on let them know at [email protected].
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S2 · E18 · 22 Jun 2023 · 14 min
The Coronation (Part 1)
Joanna and Stephen spill the beans on the coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla. As favoured guests, they tell us about their favourite moments from inside Westminster Abbey on the special day.
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