H+H "Tuning In" Podcast

Have you ever wondered about how the horn feels as it vibrates when being played? Or what is this thing called “embouchure” or use of the mouth and lips? Or why does a player put a hand inside the bell of the horn? What does a horn player do to effortlessly produce sounds that stir the soul?

Todd Williams, H+H principal horn, explains all as Guy Fishman’s special guest in this week’s Tuning In podcast. Learn about the evolution of the horn, including its origins in hunting traditions, the similarities between singing and horn playing, and the differences between a period natural horn and a modern horn.

Written and produced by Guy Fishman

Harry Christophers is Guy Fishman’s charismatic guest in this week’s Tuning In podcast. Harry is conducting Haydn’s The Creation in the coming days, and his love for this work bubbles through this conversation. Harry divulges why he chose this electrifying piece for his final performance as H+H’s Artistic Director.

Have you wondered what Harry considers to be the highpoint of his 13 seasons with H+H? Harry also shares his first encounters with The Creation, including Christopher Hogwood’s role during the pioneering days with historically informed performances. Harry traces the role Handel played in informing Haydn’s oratorios, uncovers “trade secrets” for rehearsing this complex choral movement to produce “light and shade,” and explains why the dynamic range of this work requires the unusual physicality for which H+H musicians are known.

Harry can’t wait to welcome back audiences to The Creation, promising the freshness of the very first performances of this staggering orchestration.

Written and produced by Guy Fishman

In this episode, frequent H+H soloist Joélle Harvey joins the podcast. Joélle has been a soloist with H+H for nine years, and the easy rapport and natural fit that she shares with H+H musicians on stage is reflected in this enjoyable conversation!

Joélle shares about her early training, and her formative experiences with summer camps and music teachers. She currently performs both concert productions and opera – listen to find out which she prefers. Joélle stars with both early music and standard ensembles and she explains the different demands on a soloist. Joelle also shares about balancing her music career and family, and the daily life of an in-demand, globetrotting music star.

Written and produced by Guy Fishman

In this episode, H+H guest conductor Jonathan Cohen discusses his transition from a performer (on cello and harpsichord) to a conductor and what it takes to deftly lead Baroque jewels like the ones he will conduct on H+H's Bach and Vivaldi Gloria concerts.

Host Guy Fishman, H+H principal cellist, draws out of Jonathan why he programmed these three joyous pieces together in Bach + Vivaldi Gloria, contrasting the father J.S. with the son C.P.E, and the power of choral music from C.P.E. and Vivaldi.

Written and produced by Guy Fishman

In this episode, H+H principal flutist Emi Fergsuon reveals the mysteries of the Baroque flute – how its sound world is different from modern flutes due to its construction and materials, and how Bach and other Baroque composers created magic from these differences.

Host Guy Fishman, H+H principal cellist, draws out Emi's secrets to a stellar performance, such as how “circular breathing” creates virtuosity in performing Bach, and more!

Written and produced by Guy Fishman

Listen now to this lively discussion of the music and the emotions connected to the upcoming performance of Handel Messiah. With these insights and insider perspectives, you'll be ready to get the most enjoyment out of attending Messiah!

Guy Fishman, H+H principal cellist and host of the podcast Tuning In, draws out all the magic that Harry Christophers, Artistic Director, brings to his conducting, gathered through years of performing Messiah. You’ll hear about Harry’s vision for telling the story of Messiah, and how he directs musicians like Guy to bring life to the notes.

Also not to be missed – Harry shares his favorite holiday chutney cooking tips!

Most of all, hear how much Harry, Guy, and all the musicians at H+H look forward to welcoming you to the concert hall for H+H’s 168th consecutive year of performing Messiah!

Written and produced by Guy Fishman

Listen now to this fascinating discussion of the music, performance practices, and the emotions connected to the upcoming performance of Vivaldi The Four Seasons. Host Guy Fishman has a magical rapport with Aisslinn Nosky, H+H concertmaster. You’ll hear about the role of concertmaster, as well as details about historically informed performances.

Written and produced by Guy Fishman

H+H's Artistic Director Harry Christophers and President and CEO David Snead join host Guy Fishman to share the vision that inspires the 2021-22 season. Hear why Harry chose his special selections for his 13th and final season, and the inspirations he brings to shape each musical journey.

Written and produced by Guy Fishman

Host Guy Fishman is joined by Dr. Robert Bellinger (Associate Professor of History, Suffolk University) to discuss what life was like in Lexington, the site of the beginnings of the Revolutionary War and H+H's recent Mozart, CPE Bach, and Friends concert. Dr. Bellinger is Director of Suffolk University's Black Studies Program and Clark Collection of African American Literature. His academic specializations include African American and American History, the African Diaspora, and the history and culture of Senegal.

Written and produced by Guy Fishman

Host Guy Fishman is joined by Anthony Rudel (General Manager, GBH Music) and David Snead (President and CEO, H+H), to discuss Handel's Messiah for Our Time, a streamed and televised performance of Handel's Messiah which was recorded at GBH studios. This incredible COVID-era feat kept H+H's tradition of performing Handel's Messiah going into its 167th consecutive year.

Written and produced by Guy Fishman

In this episode, Scott Allen Jarrett, Resident Conductor of the Chorus, continues the conversation with host Guy Fishman to discuss one of his greatest inspirations in his musical career: Johann Sebastian Bach.

Written and produced by Guy Fishman

In this episode, Scott Allen Jarrett, Resident Conductor of the Chorus, joins host Guy Fishman to discuss one of his greatest inspirations in his musical career: Johann Sebastian Bach. Jarrett's passion and incredible knowledge of Bach's works shine as he and Guy discuss Bach's incredible motets, including Singet dem Herrn.

Written and produced by Guy Fishman

H+H violinist Fiona Hughes joins host (and H+H principal cellist) Guy Fishman. In this episode, Fiona discusses the beginnings of her passion for early music and her role in bringing early music to central Virigina via her ensemble, Three Notch'd Road. 

Written and produced by Guy Fishman

Guy Fishman explores the fascinating history of the viola da gamba with fellow H+H cellist Shirley Hunt. A cellist since the age of 9, Shirley picked up the viola da gamba in college as she developed an interest in period instrument performance. Revel in the wealth of knowledge of these two dynamic players as they discuss the challenges and joys of playing both cello and viola da gamba, sometimes both in the same performance, as Shirley does in Bach's St. Matthew Passion!

Written and produced by Guy Fishman

H+H soprano Cassandra Extavour doesn't just have a beautiful voice. When she's not on stage, she is a researcher and professor of molecular and cellular biology at Harvard! Host Guy Fishman talks with Cassandra about her multi-faceted career and the role of creativity in both music and science.

Written and produced by Guy Fishman

H+H violinist Julie Leven joins host Guy Fishman to reveal Telemann's glorious and colorful creativity...music, poetry, gardening, and more!

Written and produced by Guy Fishman

H+H Principal Keyboardist and Associate Conductor Ian Watson continues his discussion with host Guy Fishman to reminisce about H+H's recent performance of the complete Brandenburg Concertos by J.S. Bach in the Dominican Republic.

Also features a conversation with Yolanda Borrás and John Thomas Dodson, the founders of the host festival, Conciertos de la Villa de Santo Domingo.

Written and produced by Guy Fishman

H+H Principal Keyboardist and Associate Conductor Ian Watson joins host Guy Fishman to reminisce about H+H's recent performance of the complete Brandenburg Concertos by J.S. Bach in the Dominican Republic.

Written and produced by Guy Fishman

Vivaldi's best-known work, The Four Seasons, is the topic of this week's continued conversation between host (and H+H Principal Cellist) Guy Fishman and H+H Concertmaster Aisslinn Nosky.

Written and produced by Guy Fishman

Vivaldi's best-known work, The Four Seasons, is the topic of this week's conversation between host (and H+H Principal Cellist) Guy Fishman and H+H Concertmaster Aisslinn Nosky.

Written and produced by Guy Fishman

Host (and H+H Principal Cellist) Guy Fishman continues his conversation with H+H Artistic Director Harry Christophers about J.S. Bach's St. Matthew Passion.

Written and produced by Guy Fishman

Host (and H+H Principal Cellist) Guy Fishman chats with H+H Artistic Director Harry Christophers about J.S. Bach's St. Matthew Passion.

Written and produced by Guy Fishman