63 episodes
Joanna Lumley & The Maestro Bauer Media
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- Music
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4.7 • 433 Ratings
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Joanna Lumley and her husband Stephen Barlow invite you into their home for a fascinating, funny journey into their shared love of music.
You probably know Joanna Lumley, but you may not be aware that her husband Stephen Barlow is a famed conductor, composer and musician - and the pair of them are passionate about classical music. On this, their new podcast, the pair welcome you into their home for a personal, fascinating and funny journey through a musical world.
Joanna is the enthusiastic amateur - asking the questions she’s always wanted to ask - and Stephen is The Maestro, providing the answers. Who was better: Mozart or Beethoven? Why do certain pieces of music make us feel a certain way? What do conductors actually do? They also discuss the great composers and symphonies, and the often-remarkable stories behind them, all delivered in Joanna and Stephen’s unique, engaging and affectionate way.
Maybe you think classical music isn’t for you? Or you know a little and want to know more? Or perhaps it's been a lifetime love? Regardless, you definitely need to meet Joanna & The Maestro.
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The Piano Tuner
This week Joanna and Stephen are joined by a very special guest, Stephen's personal piano tuner, David Widdicombe. From concert grands, upright 'domestics' and honkytonks, David has tuned them all. Having worked with the world's most prestigious piano maker, Steinway, for 3 decades David tells us about his life working alongside the world's most gifted players, how fractions of millimetres make all the difference and how to find the perfect 'temperament' from your own “Joanna”.
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The Bohemians: Martinů & Janáček
This week we’re diving into two bohemian heroes of classical music, Bohuslav Martinů and Leoš Janáček. Stephen remembers encountering the music of Martinů at Cambridge, and being confronted by the "pure simple joy" of it. From the lyricism of Martinů, we work back towards Janáček – another gifted Czech composer – and get to grips with the fairy-tale essence of The Cunning Little Vixen, Sinfonietta and the exultant Glagolitic Mass. Strap in. The Bohemians have arrived.
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Women Composers, the "Ol' 55" and the wonders of 'The Trout'
Which note could the Maestro not live without? Where are all the female composers? And is there a better quintet going than Franz Schubert's Trout? In this mini episode Joanna puts your questions to the Maestro.
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A Few Blobs On A Stave
This episode is all about the written language of music, the 'hieroglyphs' or 'blobs on the stave'. Stephen and Joanna discuss the connection between reading music and words, elaborating on symbols, sounds, expression, speed and time signature. Stephen tests the boundaries of Joanna's musical literacy with a test and Wagner offers a 'moderate' interpretation of tempi.
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Earworms, Engravers and Glastonbury
Which earworm keeps the Stephen from his bedtime reading? What's stopping Joanna from going to Glastonbury? Is the Maestro being clear enough for his engraver? In this mini episode Joanna and Stephen dive into the email inbox once again...
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Let's Get Stringy
In today's episode, Stephen and Joanna pour over some of the most passionate music ever performed and conceived - the violin concerto. They explore the mechanics of violin playing, discuss their favourite virtuoso fiddlers and also explore major works by Elgar, Brahms, Tchaikovsky and Sibelius.
Customer Reviews
Late to the party
I’m late to the party, but just means I can fill my working from home with these to lovely, gentle and knowledgeable souls! What joy your bringing into my life. 💯 classic joy
Really enjoyed this!
Really enjoying this, its relaxing, informative, cosy and cheering. (I do wish I could get rid of the awful and jarring Tinder adverts in the breaks though!)
Joanna and the Maestro Pod cast
I have enjoyed this podcast more than I thought possible. I have always loved classical music and attended two schools where we were given very unusual opportunities even if you were not musician I played the violin very badly because I failed to put in the effort I should have even though I loved playing and being part of the orchestra but I really wanted to learn the piano properly- youngest of 8 my mother refused to pay for any more lessons- the violin was free and we had my grandmother’s violin! I attended many operas and ballets in the 6th form, Sadler’s Wells and Covent Garden for peanuts. I introduced my husband to Opera even though he was and is a pianist and very knowledgeable about all music- particularly jazz but now a real opera buff and regular attendant of concert performances. Why I love your podcast, now getting to the point, is I have regained my love of Mozart particularly and The Maestro has encouraged me to extend my knowledge and enjoyment of all genres. A lot of our retirement is taken up with childcare(8 ages between 4- 14) our own 4 children learnt several instruments each achieving grades 5,6,7,&8 and now in their 40’s still in some way are involved. The grandchildren have always been exposed to music, love singing and listening, the drums, guitar and short spells learning piano by the 4 eldest have been the choices. My 5 year old has begged to learn the piano, his mother was a good pianist and has always wanted to continue so we have now bought a piano for them and I’m hoping little Louis will emulate his mum. This summer I aim to have” breakfast tune a day beginning with Mozart”with them. Thank you Joanna and The Maestro. Please continue. With thanks, Diana Flight. PS sorry completely unrelated , Joanna, I love your “Conversations of a long Marriage”. I love Roger Allan but sometimes he becomes muddled with Stephen! I do hope there’s going to be a series 5.