Music Matters

Robert Spano

Saturday 7 July 2007 12:15-13:00 (Radio 3)

Tom Service talks to conductor Robert Spano and discusses music, memory and 'The Importance of Music to Girls' with poet and author Lavinia Greenlaw.

Plus pianist John York and psychologist John Sloboda look at the psychological skills necessary to become a musician.

Duration:

45 minutes

In this programme

Robert Spano

The American conductor, Robert Spano is now in his sixth season as Music Director of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. Spano is passionate about new music and wants to make contemporary American music part of the tradition in Atlanta. Recently, he has been promoting the music of Osvaldo Golijov in an ongoing collaboration with the composer.
Robert Spano conducts:-
Kaija Saariaho: La Passion de Simone (UK Premiere) with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra at the Barbican, 10^th & 12^th July 2007.
Bernstein: Candide. Opening the 2007 Edinburgh Festival with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, 10^th August 2007. This can also be heard in Opera on 3 on BBC Radio 3 on 15^th September.
A programme of Stravinsky, Bernstein & Gershwin in Prom 41 with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra at the Royal Albert Hall, 14^th August 2007.


Lavinia Greenlaw - Music and Memory
In a specially commissioned piece, Lavinia Greenlaw reveals her personal thoughts on the inextricable connection between music and memory. Greenlaw's latest book, The Importance of Music to Girls, explores the impact of music in her life - its emotional and psychological connections and she reflects on this in her Music Matters musings.

Lavinia Greenlaw: The Importance of Music to Girls. Pub. Faber & Faber, August 2007. h/b. £15.99.


Psychology for Musicians
In his recent co-authored book, Psychology for Musicians, John Sloboda looks at the science behind musical experience - listening, practicing, performing and teaching. However, the book is not intended as theory alone, but aims to give practical advice to performers and teachers through an understanding of the psychology behind their art.
To discuss the book, Tom is joined by John Sloboda and the pianist and teacher John York to assess the relevance of the research and recommendations.
John Sloboda; Andreas C. Lehmann; Robert H. Woody: Psychology for Musicians - Understanding and Acquiring the Skills. Pub. Oxford University Press. h/b. £17.99

Detlev Glanert
For German composer Detlev Glanert composition is all about telling stories. His first love is opera. He studied with Hans Werner Henze and in Germany is the most well-known contemporary opera composer .Through his operas - works including Caligula and Joseph Suss - he deals with issues of the world today: outsiders, injustice and political power. For Glanert, music has the power to reveal aspects of our emotional lives that nothing else can. He explains why to Tom.
Detlev Glanert: Three Water Plays receives its UK Premiere at Almeida Opera on 15^th July 2007.

Music Matters

Episode and Playlist Information

• 13 Oct 07 Luigi Nono
• 6 Oct 07 Anniversary Special
• 22 Sep 07 Portugal Special
• 15 Sep 07 James MacMillan
• 7 Jul 07 Robert Spano
• 23 Jun 07 Jordi Savall
• 16 Jun 07 Elephant and Castle
• 9 Jun 07 Royal Festival Hall

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