What was the story behind Sibelius' French first name and what makes his music so distinct and compelling? Expect brooding mountain spirits, magical string textures, Welsh-sounding hymns and abrupt 'Fininish' endings. Including an interview with a champion and foremost interpreter of Sibelius' music, conductor Jukka-Pekka Saraste. Support the show www.artsactive.org.uk Email a2@artsactive.org.uk Twitter @artsactive Instagram artsactivecardiff Facebook artsactive #classicalmusic #stdavidshall #neuadddewisant #drjonathanjames #bravingthestave #musicconversations #funfacts #guestspeakers #cardi ..read more

In this first podcast of the year, JJ and Haz share what they love about Johannes Brahms and his music. It's more raving than 'braving' as they reveal some lesser known stories about when he grew his famous big beard, how he was a prankster, and why his first conducting of the concerto turned out to be the stuff of JJ's nightmares. Support the show www.artsactive.org.uk Email a2@artsactive.org.uk Twitter @artsactive Instagram artsactivecardiff Facebook artsactive #classicalmusic #stdavidshall #neuadddewisant #drjonathanjames #bravingthestave #musicconversations #funfacts #guestspeakers #card ..read more

JJ and Haz discuss classical music's Christmas clichés and compete to find the piece with the most sparkle. With new carols from young Welsh composers and a nostalgic glance back to wintry treasure swaps from earlier podcasts. Support the show www.artsactive.org.uk Email a2@artsactive.org.uk Twitter @artsactive Instagram artsactivecardiff Facebook artsactive #classicalmusic #stdavidshall #neuadddewisant #drjonathanjames #bravingthestave #musicconversations #funfacts #guestspeakers #cardiff ..read more

What is it about the human voice and the special sound of a choir that holds such power for people (and makes JJ 'leaky')? Using examples from all genres, Haz and JJ explore issues of the perfect blend, keeping a drone in tune and what it means to have a 'true tone'. With an interview with members from The Sixteen, including their founder-director, Harry Christophers. Support the show www.artsactive.org.uk Email a2@artsactive.org.uk Twitter @artsactive Instagram artsactivecardiff Facebook artsactive #classicalmusic #stdavidshall #neuadddewisant #drjonathanjames #bravingthestave #musicconvers ..read more

Mention improvisation and many classical musicians break into a cold sweat. JJ and Haz debunk some common myths and delve into the roots and cures of 'improvophobia' and why every musician should give improv a go. And why it's good to be a 'musical magpie'. With inspiring examples from Messiaen to Mehldau, Fantasias to Flamenco. Support the show www.artsactive.org.uk Email a2@artsactive.org.uk Twitter @artsactive Instagram artsactivecardiff Facebook artsactive #classicalmusic #stdavidshall #neuadddewisant #drjonathanjames #bravingthestave #musicconversations #funfacts #guestspeakers #cardiff ..read more

Can classical music still shock? Braving the Stave asks the question to BBC NOW's principal conductor Ryan Bancroft as he launches the autumn season with Stravinsky's infamous 'Rite of Spring'. JJ and Haz explore its continuing hold on audiences and share contemporary music that manages to provoke and tease. Support the show ..read more

JJ and Haz reach for their T-shirts and ponder how music expresses all things summery, whether the heat of Latin America or the poignancy of lost memories by a lake. Haz reveals a surprising summer piece that brings her out in hives. Which family of instruments sounds the warmest? And which version of Gershwin's Summertime would you pick? Support the show ..read more

In this cosy November edition of Upbeats, JJ and Haz discuss why choral music goes well with hot chocolate, the effect of conductor Harry Christophers' flowing locks, the music of Gjeilo (not J Lo), and the difference between female sopranos and boy trebles. The piece explored this time is Herbert Howells' 'A Spotless Rose', in time for the concert at St David's Hall by The Sixteen. Support the show (https://cafdonate.cafonline.org/11010#!/DonationDetails#%2FDonationDetails ..read more

Do you prefer your apple crumble in a bowl with custard or deconstructed and reinvented like on Masterchef? Jon and Haz put a range of  neo-classical and neo-baroque works to the 'crumble' test. Along the way, they consider why Schnittke is a slippery fish, what the collective noun for saxophones might be and consider the art of 'thinking in the box'. Support the show (https://cafdonate.cafonline.org/11010#!/DonationDetails#%2FDonationDetails ..read more

Music and the Sea For a composer, the sea is an obvious source of inspiration. The waves, the calm, the depths and the surface, all of these invite a musical response. Jonathan James takes to the coast to see how composers from Telemann to Britten represent the ocean in all its colours and complexity. This week he's accompanied by Sarah Jane Brown, a painter with a deep connection to the sea and its musicality. Sarah Jane Brown website: https://sjbfineart.com/ Support the show (https://cafdonate.cafonline.org/11010#!/DonationDetails#%2FDonationDetails ..read more