Jeffrey Biegel is a pianist who has dazzled audiences across the globe, performing with major orchestras from a young age. But his contributions go far beyond the concert stage — He's commissioned over 25 new works from living composers, leaving a lasting mark on contemporary piano music. Always pushing the boundaries, Jeffrey has performed weekly online concerts during the Covid pandemic and even pioneered the first-ever live audio/visual recital on the internet in 1997, broadcasting from Steinway Hall in New York. We explore Jeffrey’s extraordinary journey—from his early challenges with being unable to hear to his studies at Juilliard, and his deep passion for bringing new music into the world. Along the way, we discuss his creative process, his experiences as a performer and teacher, and even a futuristic story he’s written, which you can find on his website.

Part 1 dives into Jeffrey’s early life, starting with the incredible story of overcoming hearing issues before discovering his musical gift. By age 10, he was already performing concerti! We talk about his time at Juilliard and the lessons he learned from that transformative period. Since Jeffrey has brought so many new works into the piano repertoire, I ask him to walk me through the fascinating process of commissioning new music. We wrap up with a fun, hypothetical set of questions based on one of his creative stories.

Part 2 [Subscriber Content] turns to another key part of Jeffrey’s career — teaching. We also dig into a question that musicians often grapple with: how much freedom should a performer take when interpreting a composer’s work? Finally, we end on a high note, discussing two unique pieces Jeffrey has been closely involved with: Leroy Anderson’s Concerto in C and Peter Schickele’s Concerto for Very Grand Piano (you might know him as Mr. PDQ Bach).

Would you like more inspirational stories, suggestions, insights, and a place to continue the conversations with other listeners? Visit anthonyplog-on-music.supercast.com to learn more!

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Ed's career in music has been nothing short of remarkable, spanning multiple roles including trumpeter, teacher, conductor, and entrepreneur. His deep involvement in so many facets of the musical world has made him a leading voice not just in the trumpet community, but in the broader world of music.

In Part 1 of our conversation, Ed takes us back to his early days, sharing stories from his time studying with two of the most iconic trumpet teachers of his era—Vincent Cichowitz and William Vacchiano. We’ll dive into his experiences at Juilliard and hear about his early days in New York, including what it was like to work with legendary conductors like Leonard Bernstein and Pierre Boulez. Ed also shares fascinating anecdotes about some of the great orchestral trumpet players he’s encountered, such as Tom Stevens, Morris Murphy, and John Wilbraham, and their unique approaches to working with conductors. Plus, he’ll give us an inside look at his teaching philosophy, particularly his thoughts on preparation methodology.

[Subscriber Content] In Part 2, I ask Ed a thought-provoking question: if he were a student today, knowing what he knows now, what would he do differently? His answer leads us into a rich discussion about music and interpretation that goes beyond the trumpet. We wrap up our conversation by delving into Ed’s significant contribution to the trumpet community—Chosen Vale, a project that has left a lasting impact on musicians everywhere.

Would you like more inspirational stories, suggestions, insights, and a place to continue the conversations with other listeners? Visit anthonyplog-on-music.supercast.com to learn more!

As a Contributing Listener of "Anthony Plog on Music," you'll have access to extra premium content and benefits including:

• Extra Audio Content: Only available to Contributing Listeners.
• Podcast Reflections: Tony's written recaps and thoughts on past interviews, including valuable tips and suggestions for students.
• Ask Me Anything: Both as written messages and occasional member-only Zoom sessions.
• The Show's Discord Server: Where conversations about interviews, show suggestions, and questions happen. It's a great place to meet other listeners and chat about all things music!
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Clayton Haslop's journey as a violinist has been nothing short of extraordinary. At just 18, he joined the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra and rose to become its concertmaster. Over the years, he also served as concertmaster for the Los Angeles Opera Orchestra and contributed his talents to numerous iconic film scores, including Titanic, The Matrix, and many others. But Clayton's path wasn't always smooth. In his forties, he faced a daunting challenge when he was diagnosed with Focal Dystonia in his left hand. Despite years of struggle and bouts of depression, Clayton made a remarkable comeback by relearning to play the violin using only two fingers on his left hand. I'm especially honored to have this conversation with Clayton, as we were roommates in Santa Monica in the early 1980s. Although I was ten years his senior, I learned so much from him during those years. Speaking with him on this podcast is truly a privilege.

In Part 1 of our conversation, we delve into what it’s like to be a concertmaster for some of the top studio orchestras, the experience of working on blockbuster films like Titanic and The Matrix, and collaborating with renowned film composers, each with their unique personalities and approaches to recording sessions. We also explore Clayton’s early years, including his studies with the legendary violinist Nathan Milstein, and discuss the beginnings of his career along with some key concepts from his Violin Mastery Course.

In Part 2 [Subscriber Content], Clayton delves into the profound challenges he faced after being diagnosed with Focal Dystonia. Drawing inspiration from the legendary guitarist Django Reinhardt, who famously played with only two fingers on his left hand, Clayton reimagined his own technique to continue playing the violin at an exceptional level. He shares the physical and mental strategies that enabled him to overcome this seemingly insurmountable obstacle. Beyond the technical adjustments, Clayton talks about his deep musical connection with the members of an assisted living community.

Would you like more inspirational stories, suggestions, insights, and a place to continue the conversations with other listeners? Visit anthonyplog-on-music.supercast.com to learn more!

As a Contributing Listener of "Anthony Plog on Music," you'll have access to extra premium content and benefits including:

• Extra Audio Content: Only available to Contributing Listeners.
• Podcast Reflections: Tony's written recaps and thoughts on past interviews, including valuable tips and suggestions for students.
• Ask Me Anything: Both as written messages and occasional member-only Zoom sessions.
• The Show's Discord Server: Where conversations about interviews, show suggestions, and questions happen. It's a great place to meet other listeners and chat about all things music!
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Pianist Claar ter Horst is a renowned expert on German Lieder, with a special focus on the music of Robert Schumann and Hugo Wolf. Her impressive career includes collaborations with legendary German singers like Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau and Elisabeth Schwarzkopf. Who better to delve into the rich tradition of German Lieder than Claar ter Horst?

In Part 1, we explore what sets the German singing tradition apart from those of other countries, using France as a point of comparison. Claar shares her experiences working with Fischer-Dieskau and Schwarzkopf, discussing their unique perspectives on music, singing, and their work ethic. She highlights both the similarities and differences between these iconic artists, offering insights into what it was like to collaborate with them. We also dive into Claar's deep passion for the songs of Robert Schumann, a composer whose work she holds dear. Finally, we unpack a profound quote from Claar's website: “In my view, the creative process is essential: working diligently, refining like a diamond, achieving freedom like a bird, listening with all your senses, and, above all, being amazed like a child.”

[For Subscribers] Part 2 opens with a fascinating family anecdote: Claar's grandfather attended the premiere of Mahler’s 5th Symphony, where conductor Willem Mengelberg asked him to delay the train to allow the Concertgebouw Orchestra to play an encore. What a remarkable family legacy! We then continue our discussion on teaching and learning, with Claar emphasizing her belief that dedication and hard work can help students overcome any lack of innate talent or instinct for phrasing.

Would you like more inspirational stories, suggestions, insights, and a place to continue the conversations with other listeners? Visit anthonyplog-on-music.supercast.com to learn more!

As a Contributing Listener of "Anthony Plog on Music," you'll have access to extra premium content and benefits including:

• Extra Audio Content: Only available to Contributing Listeners.
• Podcast Reflections: Tony's written recaps and thoughts on past interviews, including valuable tips and suggestions for students.
• Ask Me Anything: Both as written messages and occasional member-only Zoom sessions.
• The Show's Discord Server: Where conversations about interviews, show suggestions, and questions happen. It's a great place to meet other listeners and chat about all things music!
• Can I just donate instead of subscribing? Absolutely!
• Cancel at anytime and easily resubscribe when you want all that extra content again.

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Described by Broadway World as a "richly powerful singing actress," Nina is redefining what it means to be an opera singer. Beyond her international singing career, she is the Artistic Director at the Boston Lyric Opera and the co-founder and President of the Asian Opera Alliance. Nina is someone who not only talks the talk but walks the walk, using her career to expand the boundaries of the opera world. It was a true pleasure and honor to speak with Nina about her journey as an artist, administrator, and advocate.

Would you like more inspirational stories, suggestions, insights, and a place to continue the conversations with other listeners? Visit anthonyplog-on-music.supercast.com to learn more!

As a Contributing Listener of "Anthony Plog on Music," you'll have access to extra premium content and benefits including:

• Extra Audio Content: Only available to Contributing Listeners.
• Podcast Reflections: Tony's written recaps and thoughts on past interviews, including valuable tips and suggestions for students.
• Ask Me Anything: Both as written messages and occasional member-only Zoom sessions.
• The Show's Discord Server: Where conversations about interviews, show suggestions, and questions happen. It's a great place to meet other listeners and chat about all things music!
• Can I just donate instead of subscribing? Absolutely!
• Cancel at anytime and easily resubscribe when you want all that extra content again.

Learn more about becoming a Contributing Listener @ anthonyplog-on-music.supercast.com!

In Part 1, Maestro Slatkin shares stories from his musical upbringing in Los Angeles, enriched by his family's deep musical roots. He reflects on his formative years studying under renowned mentors Jean Morel and Walter Susskind. We explore his process for learning new pieces and his insights on the unique approaches and sounds of various orchestras. The episode concludes with a poignant recollection of a moving performance of Barber's Adagio for Strings at the BBC Proms on September 15, 2001, just days after the tragic events of 9/11 (see links below).

In Part 2 (Subscriber Content), we highlight a significant aspect of Leonard Slatkin's legacy: his dedication to promoting and premiering contemporary composers. His extensive contributions to the discovery and revival of earlier American music are equally impressive. We wrap up our conversation with delightful anecdotes about his love for baseball and his friendship with trumpet legend Bud Herseth, complete with a tale of how they pranked each other!

Would you like more inspirational stories, suggestions, insights, and a place to continue the conversations with other listeners? Visit anthonyplog-on-music.supercast.com to learn more!

As a Contributing Listener of "Anthony Plog on Music," you'll have access to extra premium content and benefits including:

• Extra Audio Content: Only available to Contributing Listeners.
• Podcast Reflections: Tony's written recaps and thoughts on past interviews, including valuable tips and suggestions for students.
• Ask Me Anything: Both as written messages and occasional member-only Zoom sessions.
• The Show's Discord Server: Where conversations about interviews, show suggestions, and questions happen. It's a great place to meet other listeners and chat about all things music!
• Can I just donate instead of subscribing? Absolutely!
• Cancel at anytime and easily resubscribe when you want all that extra content again.

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Imagine being a multi-talented artist, a composer who has crafted scores for TV and iconic films like Jeremiah Johnson and The Candidate. Now, imagine you're also an acclaimed actor, having graced countless movies and winning a Tony Award for Children of a Lesser God Picture collaborating with legendary directors such as Bob Fosse, Mike Nichols, and Stephen Sondheim. Oh, and did I mention your father was the renowned pianist Artur Rubinstein? Growing up, you played for distinguished guests like Stravinsky, Milhaud, and Lawrence Olivier. With that incredible background, you can only imagine how thrilling it was for me to chat with the extraordinary John Rubenstein!

In Part 1, we delve into John's fascinating childhood and his initial steps into the world of composing. He began by writing for school projects and eventually transitioned into film scoring. John shares how the movie Chinatown influenced him and his special connection with trumpeter Uan Rasey, whose haunting solos left a lasting impact. We also explore the art of writing scores in Hollywood, discussing the nuances between composing for TV series and films. Then, we shift to John's acting career, highlighting his lead role in Pippin under the direction of the legendary Bob Fosse. We wrap up this segment by discussing the challenges of dealing with nerves and taking auditions.

In Part 2, we take a detour to discuss a memorable evening when John starred in Children of a Lesser God at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles, while his father performed at the Music Center. John reminisces about playing for George Szell and shares insights into his father's experience recording with Fritz Reiner. We conclude with a wide-ranging conversation covering John's favorite books and composers.

Would you like more inspirational stories, suggestions, insights, and a place to continue the conversations with other listeners? Visit anthonyplog-on-music.supercast.com to learn more!

As a Contributing Listener of "Anthony Plog on Music," you'll have access to extra premium content and benefits including:

• Extra Audio Content: Only available to Contributing Listeners.
• Podcast Reflections: Tony's written recaps and thoughts on past interviews, including valuable tips and suggestions for students.
• Ask Me Anything: Both as written messages and occasional member-only Zoom sessions.
• The Show's Discord Server: Where conversations about interviews, show suggestions, and questions happen. It's a great place to meet other listeners and chat about all things music!
• Can I just donate instead of subscribing? Absolutely!
• Cancel at anytime and easily resubscribe when you want all that extra content again.

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Called "one of the biggest talents of his generation," Elias David Moncado, at a very young age, has already had an exceptional career. After winning his first competition at the age of 6, then his first international competition at the age of 8, he went on to win four major competitions after that (the Sendai Violin Competition in 2019, the International Karol Lipinski Violin Competition in 2019 (first grand prize and ten special prizes), the Valesia Musica Competition in 2021, and the Vladimir Spivakov Competition in 2021). His debut album was released in 2022 with works by Hindemith, Poulenc, and Bartok. Equally involved in different types of chamber music, he is a well-established international artist who is still just at the beginning of his career.

We begin with my asking Elias about his very early beginnings as a violinist, his early studies with Professor Latica Honda-Rosenberg, and then his phenomenal success at international competitions. I asked about his mental outlook during those competitions, and his answer was both a surprise and revealing to me. We then speak about interpretation and memorization (and how he is able to memorize so many major concerti), and his thoughts about concentration.

(Part 2 for Subscribers): During Covid, when he had no in-person performance opportunities, Elias learned the fiendishly difficult Bartok solo sonata as a way of using his free time to challenge himself. In 2022 he released his first solo album, and we talk about why he didn't record standard repertoire for his first recording. Because Elias is also deeply involved in playing chamber music, we talk about time management, and managing a career... "you need to create a full package as an artist." I then ask about the two 18th-century violins he plays, and we end with Elias talking about his special musical relationship with Anne Sophie Mutter.

Would you like more inspirational stories, suggestions, insights, and a place to continue the conversations with other listeners? Visit anthonyplog-on-music.supercast.com to learn more!

As a Contributing Listener of "Anthony Plog on Music," you'll have access to extra premium content and benefits including:

• Extra Audio Content: Only available to Contributing Listeners.
• Podcast Reflections: Tony's written recaps and thoughts on past interviews, including valuable tips and suggestions for students.
• Ask Me Anything: Both as written messages and occasional member-only Zoom sessions.
• The Show's Discord Server: Where conversations about interviews, show suggestions, and questions happen. It's a great place to meet other listeners and chat about all things music!
• Can I just donate instead of subscribing? Absolutely!
• Cancel at anytime and easily resubscribe when you want all that extra content again.

Learn more about becoming a Contributing Listener @ anthonyplog-on-music.supercast.com!