Treasure Seekers
08/05/22 • 38 min
From the bees on the roof to one of the finest violins in the world, the Academy is full of surprising treasures. In this episode, Anna Picard introduces people and parts of the building that listeners might not know about, and discovers what goes on behind the scenes to ensure that the Academy’s remarkable collection of instruments will be played by generations to come. Including singing from an original Elizabethan part book, an introduction to Oliver Knussen’s beloved collection of owls, and violinist James Ehnes playing a priceless Stradivarius, the stories behind these objects unlock the history of the Academy.
Presenter: Anna Picard
Producer: Natalie Steed
Contributors: Jonathan Freeman-Attwood, Ian Brearey, Kathryn Adamson, Patrick Russill, Barbara Meyer, IJmkje van der Werfe, James Ehnes, Sheldon Gabriel, Philip Cashian
Executive Producers, Royal Academy of Music: George Chambers, Jonathan Freeman-Attwood, Safi Schlicht
Featured music:
JS Bach Adagio from Sonata in G minor, BWV 1001, performed by James Ehnes
Beethoven Symphony No 8 in F, Op 93, performed by the Academy Chamber Orchestra with Lorenza Borrani
Mendelssohn A Midsummer Night’s Dream performed by the Academy Symphony Orchestra with Andrew Gourlay
Tallis O Nata Lux performed by Academy students Isla MacEwan, Anita Monserrat, Samuel Kibble, Henry Ross, Charles Cunliffe
JS Bach Largo from Sonata in C, BWV 1005, performed by James Ehnes
Stravinsky Marche triomphale du diable from L’histoire du soldat performed by the Academy Manson Ensemble with Oliver Knussen
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
From the bees on the roof to one of the finest violins in the world, the Academy is full of surprising treasures. In this episode, Anna Picard introduces people and parts of the building that listeners might not know about, and discovers what goes on behind the scenes to ensure that the Academy’s remarkable collection of instruments will be played by generations to come. Including singing from an original Elizabethan part book, an introduction to Oliver Knussen’s beloved collection of owls, and violinist James Ehnes playing a priceless Stradivarius, the stories behind these objects unlock the history of the Academy.
Presenter: Anna Picard
Producer: Natalie Steed
Contributors: Jonathan Freeman-Attwood, Ian Brearey, Kathryn Adamson, Patrick Russill, Barbara Meyer, IJmkje van der Werfe, James Ehnes, Sheldon Gabriel, Philip Cashian
Executive Producers, Royal Academy of Music: George Chambers, Jonathan Freeman-Attwood, Safi Schlicht
Featured music:
JS Bach Adagio from Sonata in G minor, BWV 1001, performed by James Ehnes
Beethoven Symphony No 8 in F, Op 93, performed by the Academy Chamber Orchestra with Lorenza Borrani
Mendelssohn A Midsummer Night’s Dream performed by the Academy Symphony Orchestra with Andrew Gourlay
Tallis O Nata Lux performed by Academy students Isla MacEwan, Anita Monserrat, Samuel Kibble, Henry Ross, Charles Cunliffe
JS Bach Largo from Sonata in C, BWV 1005, performed by James Ehnes
Stravinsky Marche triomphale du diable from L’histoire du soldat performed by the Academy Manson Ensemble with Oliver Knussen
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Previous Episode
Harriet, Myra and Uncle Tobs
In the early part of the 20th century, Harriet Cohen, an Academy alumna, was a household name. Superficially known for her beauty and glamour, she wielded influence with some of the most important literary, political and cultural figures of her time – and she was a remarkable pianist. In this episode, Anna Picard explores Harriet’s life and legacy, placing her alongside her pianist contemporaries Myra Hess and Irene Scharrer, and the man who taught them all, Tobias Matthay. We explore the Academy’s pedagogical tradition, discuss the ‘male gaze’ with Joanna MacGregor and hear from the late, great Quentin Crisp.
Presenter: Anna Picard
Producer: Natalie Steed
Contributors: Helen Fry, Joanna MacGregor, Stephen Siek, Jonathan Freeman-Attwood, Allyson Devenish, Rebecca Leung
Executive Producers, Royal Academy of Music: George Chambers, Jonathan Freeman-Attwood, Safi Schlicht
Featured music:
JS Bach Piano Concerto No 1 in D minor, BWV 1052, performed by Harriet Cohen
JS Bach Prelude No 1 in C, BWV 846, performed by Harriet Cohen
JS Bach arr Cohen Liebster Jesu, wir sind hier, BWV 731, performed by Harriet Cohen
Mozart Piano Sonata No 5 in G, K 283, performed by Irene Scharrer
Ravel Pavane pour une infante défunte performed by Myra Hess
JS Bach Prelude and Fugue in F sharp, BWV 858, performed by Academy student Rebecca Leung
Kabalevsky Piano Sonatina in C, Op 13 No 1, performed by Harriet Cohen
Bax A Mountain Mood performed by Harriet Cohen
With thanks to APR recordings for the use of their transfers of the historic recordings listed above. All are available on at aprrecordings.co.uk.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
If you like this episode you’ll love
Episode Comments
Generate a badge
Get a badge for your website that links back to this episode
<a href="https://goodpods.com/podcasts/short-stories-200-years-of-the-royal-academy-of-music-564448/treasure-seekers-71731698"> <img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/goodpods-images-bucket/badges/generic-badge-1.svg" alt="listen to treasure seekers on goodpods" style="width: 225px" /> </a>
Copy