Classical Greenroom Podcast

The Classical Greenroom

a podcast from CRD

We are committed to the discovery of classical music by listeners old and new. This means thinking hard about how we can use different forms of media to connect artists and their work with listeners. The spoken word is an obvious choice.

And so why we are launching the Classical Greenroom from CRD.

Join us, the Directors of CRD, as we sit in conversation with the wonderful artists with whom we are privileged to work.

Be a fly on the wall of our discussions about existing and forthcoming albums in the CRD catalogue – the repertoire, the performance choices, the recording space and where each project sits in an artists’ career.

Episode #1

Pandemics and lockdowns now feel a distant memory for many. But out of adversity also came great creativity, not least in the hands of British-born, Los Angeles-based violinist Maya Magub.

In our first episode, we offer you the chance to drop in on a conversation between Emma Pauncefort, Director of CRD Records, and violinist, Maya Magub. Together, Emma and Maya explore the album 'Canons', a sparkling set of tracks spanning a huge range of colours – from the playful to the pastoral – and including world premiere recordings of Mozart works, coming together to offer 'socially but not musically distanced canon collaborations'.

Episode #2

Again, we have the pleasure of sitting down with British-born violinist Maya Magub in Santa Monica, California to explore the violin’s ability to interpret historical dance forms as featured on Maya’s forthcoming album ‘The Violin Dances – Baroque’.

Recorded at the illustrious Menuhin Hall in Cobham, Surrey, England, this album is the result of an intricate process that saw Maya select, curate and arrange dance pieces, many of which lay hidden for decades in Maya's father's collections. We underline the significance of rhythm and tempo in ‘dance music’, as we see in the violin's bowing techniques, and we spotlight the expressive freedom in ornamentation and spontaneous interpretation that Maya and Matthew delighted in when recording.

Finally, we add a note on the extraordinary acoustics of Menuhin Hall that enhance the performance and help shed light on the emotional and rhythmic intricacies of Baroque dances ranging from the Sarabande to the Sicilienne to the hornpipe.

As we hope our conversation highlights, this is an album celebrating the joy of rediscovering historical dances that can so beautifully – and relevantly! – soundtrack C21st life.

Episode #3

We check in with classical accordionist Iwo Jedynecki and violinist Karolina Mikolajczyk about their innovative 'CRD debut' album 'Imagique'.

Speaking virtually in the midst of Iwo and Karolina's busy autumn 2024 tour, we discuss their journey over the past decade playing together and transcribing works from various musical eras, blending violin and accordion whilst modernising some of their favourite classical pieces. Iwo and Karolina share insights on their artistic process, technical challenges, and emotional connections to composers ranging from Chopin, Ravel, Saint Saëns and not to forget Penderecki, for whom they had the privilege to play their version of his violin sonata. 'Imagique' is just the start...

We also explore upcoming performances, including a premiere at the National Gallery of Art in DC with their new programme 'Paris 1874'. For Iwo and Karolina this is part of their lifelong goal to bring classical music to life for both the listener turning to classical to chill out and for those whose passion is this pinnacle of musical art.

Episode #4

Emma Pauncefort sits in conversation with Pete Judge, trumpeter-composer-turned-pianist, about his latest project ‘Piano 3’ which ties together music and landscapes.

Pete shares the inspiration behind his compositions, highlighting the influence of the likes of C20th composer Gerald Finzi and the impact of nature and seasonal changes. We discuss his connection to the environments of Southern Britain and his bid to advocate for broader environmental concerns in his music as he seeks to replicate the extraordinary minimalist repetitions we see around us.

Our discussion explores the coexistence of stillness and movement in Pete’s work and his personal journey of transforming improvisations into fixed compositions.

He also shares his experience of recording at St George's in Bristol, England versus ‘solo’ performances and how he always works in dialogue with the space.

Episode #5 – Forthcoming

Join host Emma Pauncefort (CRD Records) and soprano Joanna Songi as we discuss Joanna's debut album, created in collaboration with pianist Matthew Fletcher: a collection of mostly unpublished songs by 20th-century, British composer Elizabeth Maconchy. Discover how these hidden treasures were found at St Hilda’s College, Oxford, and why Maconchy's music deserves a wider audience.

Explore the album's journey, from childhood memories of Ophelia’s Song to the haunting In Fountain Court. we discuss Maconchy's text selection, including There is a Lady, Sweet and Kind (compared to Handel’s Silent Worship) and its connection to Vaughan Williams. Hear about The Garland song cycle (its first soprano recording!) and Maconchy's setting of Ben Jonson’s Have You Seen But a Bright Lily Grow?. Our conversation also muses on the complexities of Sho-heen Sho, a lullaby exploring multifaceted motherhood.

Joanna shares how performing Maconchy's work has shaped her artistry, and Emma draws parallels to literary criticism. We conclude by discussing the importance of championing overlooked female composers and the universal relevance of Maconchy’s music.