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October 30, 2025
Happy Halloween everyone! I usually don’t get into the spirit but this year I can’t seem to get “Dance Macabre” by Saint-Saens out of my head. There are a couple of other Halloween earworms haunting me as well so I thought I would infest your life with them too. All part of this weeks playlist. If I missed your favorite please let me know and I’ll pass it on.
In case you missed it…
Fantasy author Rachel Rossano talked about her newest book, her various series, her characters (including a dragon), the pros and cons of self publishing, and lots more.
Coming up…
Canadian filmmaker Daniel Ferguson creates movies for IMax, giant screen, and domes in very high-resolution and 3D. Please join us for a very interesting conversation about how all of this works.
In other news…
Pianist Alexander Kobrin will appear at Carnegie Hall on Nov. 6 in the first concert of the season in Terry Eder’s “Key Pianists” series. For more information please click here.
For this weeks playlist please click here.
October 23, 2025
A few years ago I began a Patreon page. At first it was a way to provide some pop music arrangements appropriate for my students level (beginning to intermediate). It began with three tiers. The first is to listen only. The second is to listen and be able to download the sheet music. The third includes a video tutorial. There is a 50/50 split between ukulele and guitar. On some of the songs I sing (poorly) and the rest are for solo instruments. There is now a catalog of nearly 200 titles.
As time went on I added a “Free” tier and I occasionally drop recordings of more complicated songs just to listen to. And most recently I’ve begun to upload my arrangements of guitar in a chamber music setting. The sheet music is available for sale individually and the recordings are midi only at this time. For example I just uploaded a collection of 5 songs by renaissance lutenist John Dowland arranged for 3 guitars.
If you or someone you know might be interested, or at least curious, please go here and check it out. There is also a link on my website.
In case you missed it…
The award winning pianist Terry Eder talks about her love of Hungarian music, especially Bartok, her new album featuring the music of Dohnanyi, her concert series, and much more.
Coming up…
Fantasy author Rachel Rossano makes a return visit to talk about her new book (number 28 so far), her recent foray into audio books, the pros and cons of self-publishing, and lots more.
In other news…
The Musicians of the Old Post Road will present their program “Cross Pollinations” on Oct. 25 and 26. For concert locations and times or to watch via live stream please go to oldpostroad.org.
The American Contemporary Music Ensemble (ACME) will present their program “Soundscapes: Music For Film and Beyond” at the Baruch Performing Arts Center on Oct. 27. For additional information please click here.
Pianist Steve Beck and trumpet player Sam Jones from the Talea Ensemble will present a program of new compositions on Oct. 28 at the Church of St. Luke and St. Matthew. For additional information please click here.
Cellist Louise Dubin and friends will perform on Oct. 25 at St. Johns in the Village Church. celebrating the release of her new CD “Passages”. For more info please click here.
FOR THIS WEEKS PLAYLIST PLEASE CLICK HERE
October 16, 2025
Making a living in the arts can be challenging. I’ve been lucky enough to in my life to get away with it but, like most of you, it’s been through hard work and a bit of luck. Creativity plays a big part, of course, but there are a lot of creative folks who haven’t been fortunate enough to do this. One of the lessons I’ve learned from you is that it’s not good enough to be creative in your field. You also need to be creative in the way you market yourself and your willingness to do the necessary work. If I were able to talk to my younger self my advice would be to practice the craft and spend the rest of my day learning the business.
In case you missed it…
I had a wonderful conversation with the award winning composer/conductor Victoria Bond. We talked about her recordings, premieres of her new works, her “Cutting Edge Concerts” series and much more.
Coming up…
The award winning pianist Terry Eder came on the show recently and we talked about her love of Hungarian music especially her devotion to Bartok and Dohnanyi, her piano concert series in NYC featuring lesser known but brilliant artists, her newest album, and much more. I know you will enjoy this.
In other news…
Cellist Inbal Megiddo's recording of Bach’s Cello Suites will be released October 17. I’ve always loved these suites and have played many of the movements on guitar. I’m really looking forward to hearing her interpretation.
This week’s YouTube playlist.
October 9, 2025
I fell behind schedule last week and rushed to publish this blog. In the process I totally forgot to do a YouTube playlist. No one said anything so I assume no one noticed, but there is one this week and I hope I can do playlists on other platforms in the near future. Is this something that you support? Would you find it useful? Just let me know when you get a chance.
In case you missed it…
Last weeks guests on Creative Conversations were Suzanne Stumpf and Daniel Ryan the cofounders of the “Musicians of the Old Post Road” early music ensemble. They specialize in performing unknown and forgotten music from the baroque and classical periods. We talked about their concert schedule, research, their new album “Into The Light”, and much more. I’m sure you’ll enjoy it.
Coming up…
The amazing composer/conductor Victoria Bond makes her second appearance on the podcast. Please join us as we talk about her new works, her new album “Dancing On Glass”, conducting, her concert series “The Cutting Edge Concerts”, and lots more. Don’t miss this!
In other news…
New Zealand cellist Inbal Megiddo is releasing her new recording of Bach’s Six Cello Suites on October 17. For additional information please click here.
Don’t forget that the Cassatt String Quartet also has a new CD coming out on October 17. (Must be something about that date). For additional information please click here.
I have been arranging music for guitar in a chamber setting for a while now. I’ve decided to make these arrangements available via my Patreon page beginning this week with a collection of 5 songs by renaissance lutenist John Dowland for guitar trio. The midi recordings may be accessed by all of my subscribers, including the “Free” tier. If you’re interested in hearing them you can click here and then subscribe for free. it’s easy and, as always, I promise NO SPAM!
October 3, 2025
It’s hard for me to believe that it’s October already. The weather is summer-like which suspends belief even more. I’m really a big fan of Spring and typically dread Winter so Autumn for me is a weather transition from joyful to gloomy. Worse, my friends in the Southern Hemisphere are posting pictures of their Spring unintentionally rubbing it in. The bright side, however, is all of the performances that are now occurring. So, as I grumble and whine looking out my window, I also happily look forward to all of the concerts coming my way.
In case you missed it…
I had an amazing conversation with Consenses founder Sally Taylor about all things creative. They teach, promote, and inspire creativity in a novel and unique way. It’s definitely a conversation worth your time.
Coming up next…
Musicians of the Old Post Road founders Suzanne Stumpf and Daniel Ryan talk about the early music groups founding 37 years ago, their ongoing mission to find and perform lost or underperformed music, and much more.
In other news…
The aforementioned group has just released a new album. I really like it and if you like early music you’re going to like it too. You can find it here.
A new album of music by composer Victoria Bond has just been released. I’m a big fan of her music so I’m looking forward to hearing it. Check it out!
The Cassatt String Quartet has a new album coming out on October 17. You won’t want to miss it!
In Evanston, Illinois
In S. Dakota
The music of our friend Lee Kesselman is being performed in two places on October 10. I’m sure he would love to be in two places at the same time.
On October 6 violinist/conductor Tigran Shiganyan will lead the Camerata Michigan in an all Haydn program at Fairchild Auditorium on the campus of Michigan State University. For more information please click here.
September 25, 2025
Haters gotta hate I guess. I posted a comment on social media recalling how visual artists originally held photography in low regard but once the artists learned to use the medium properly they came to accept it as new art form. Although it took a while. With that in mind I wondered how true artists would use AI and if that too would become a separate art form. The post only got a few responses and they were all negative. Some people even snuck in a little name calling. I would, however, be interested in your honest opinion on the subject of AI…sans the name calling (unless it’s really imaginative).
In case you missed it…
Award winning violinist Hongyi Mo talks about studying at the Central Conservatory of Beijing, playing with the Detroit Symphony, working with Eminem, and his new album “Metamorphoses” with pianist John Etsell featuring the music of Francis Poulenc.
Coming up…
Musician/Artist Sally Taylor has created a program to help teach and promote and inspire creativity called Consenses. Now in its 14 year we talk about where it started, how it has evolved, and its various components. I think you’re going to find this fascinating. (Fun fact: Sally is the daughter of James Taylor and Carly Simon.)
In other news…
Louise Dubin just released her new album Passages on September 5. I’m definitely looking forward to hearing it soon.
I had the pleasure of interviewing Suzanne Stumpf and Daniel Ryan, the founders of the Musicians of the Old Post Road this week. This album is an absolute delight. If you like early music like I do, you are going to enjoy it. The interview will post in a couple of weeks. Watch this space….
On Tuesday, September 23, Lee Kesselman’s “Wagon of Shoes” was performed at the Vilnius Shalom Festival. Congratulations Lee!
Beginning on September 26 Sinfonia Varsovia is kicking off La Folle Journee City Vibrations in Warsaw. Three days, six concerts, fifty-seven concerts featuring hundreds of musicians. So, you happen to be in the neighborhood…..
Click here for more information
For this weeks playlist please click here.
September 19, 2025
I was thinking about the wonderful music that I get to hear when I’m researching my guests. I know that you can search it out for yourselves, but if you’re anything like me it’s possible you won’t. So beginning this week I thought I would also include a short playlist that you can just click on. At the moment it’s only on YouTube, but I may extend it to Spotify later. I’m still playing around with it so it’s subject to change. Please let me know what you think. You’ll find the link at the bottom of the page.
For a number of reasons I’ve been using a third party platform to handle my email list instead of the one that is integrated into this platform. I decided to change back to the integrated one and keep it all under one roof so to speak. In the process (still ongoing) I discovered 30 new subscribers that were not on the third party list so they haven’t been getting this blog. It’s a process and occasionally it’s an uncomfortable one. (sigh)
In case you missed it…
I had a nice conversation with violist/author/professor Edward Klorman about his two books: “Mozart’s Friends of Music” and his just released “Bach: The Cello Suites”.
I had an enchanting conversation with violinist HongYi Mo about being a student at the Central Conservatory of Beijing, being a member of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, and his new CD “Metamorphosis” with pianist John Estell featuring the music of Francis Poulenc.
In other news…
Composer/conductor Victoria Bond will conduct a Leonard Bernstein tribute on Sept. 20 as part of the Village Trip Festival in NYC. You can get details here.
She is also kicking off her Cutting Edge concert series in conjunction with the Village Trip Festival in a program at the Salmagundi Arts Club on Sept. 24. For more information please click here.
Actually she has lots more stuff coming this fall. She’s making a return trip to Creative Conversations soon to talk about it. You won’t want to miss it.
This week’s playlist….assuming I’ve done this right. It’s short and a bit “guitar heavy”. I’ll try to be more balanced in the future. Click here
September 11, 2025
I missed my self-imposed deadline of posting on Wednesdays. I figured that no one was waiting breathlessly for this so an extra day was no big deal. It wasn’t until I woke up this morning that I realized today is the 24th anniversary of the 9-11 attacks so I questioned the appropriateness of even doing this. I have nothing to say about the attacks that haven’t been said and my feelings/emotions are not much different from yours but I still feel compelled to say that I still remember the shock and pain of that day.
My experiment with adding excerpts of music performed by my guests is working. I’m clumsy as can be but, I’m happy to announce, I’m getting better at it. My profound thanks to the guests who have been patient with me as I stumbled my way through. I do believe that it will improve the podcast significantly. I’m scheduling a couple of visual artists and a filmmaker or two in the near future so I’ll need to figure out how to do the same with them. Please hang in there with me.
One of my guests suggested that I also publish short-form clips to social media so I’m starting to experiment with that too. Once again it’s starting out clumsy, but isn’t that really part of the creative process? Or is it just me? Anyway….your suggestions matter. Please don’t be bashful. You can watch one here if you’d like.
When I’m putting together this blog I usually have to go hunting for information. I don’t mind doing it but I’m always afraid I’m going to miss something. If you have something you’d like me to include please send it to roger@rogerhumphey.com.
In case you missed it…
Award-winning guitarist/composer William Anderson talked about contemporary/modern music, performing, and his work with the upcoming Village Trip Festival.
Coming up…
Violist and scholar Edward Klorman his newest book (just out) “Bach: The Cello Suites”and his previous book “Mozart’s Music of Friends”. Great stuff if you’re a geek like me.
In other news…
If you’re going to be in the NYC area this looks like it’s the place to be and the things to do. For more information click here.
Musicians Of The Old Post Road have a new album out. It looks awesome and I can’t wait to listen to it. For more information click here.
Violinist/Conductor Tigran Shiganyan is picking up the baton to conduct Camerata Michigan on Monday October 6 at Fairchild Auditorium on the campus of Michigan State University. It’s an all Haydn program that looks to be great! For more information please click here.
September 5, 2025
I’m back after taking a few weeks off to recharge my batteries. I hope your summer was fruitful and that you have a productive season to look forward to.
My first order of business is to apologize to Lee Kesselman. In my last blog I goofed up and misspelled his name. He briefly and unofficially became Lee Hesselman. I’m still not sure if it was clumsy fingers or clumsy thinking. Either way, I’m sorry Lee.
I’m trying to improve the podcast. I’ve begun to integrate my guests work into the interview. I’ve done it twice now and expect to continue. It’s still a bit awkward but a little editing makes it all better. I’m also beginning to post short excerpts on social media. So there’s a lot to look forward to this season. I’m also trying to improve this blog by including a couple of video links at the end so you can listen to some music. As always I thrive on your input so please don’t be bashful.
In case you missed it…
My final guest of season 7 was Washington D.C. communications consultant Joshua Altman. We had a great conversation about what it’s like to help businesses create a narrative and brand.
Coming up…
Kicking off season 8 guitarist/composer William Anderson talked about performing contemporary music (including working with Milton Babbitt and other luminaries), his work with the upcoming Village Trip Festival, and many other things. Please plan to take a few minutes and hang out with us.
In other news…
The aforementioned Village Trip Festival has some pre-festival events beginning Sept. 12. For all things Village Trip please click here.
Just out… Passages a new album of French cello music spanning three centuries by Louise Dubin and friends. I haven’t heard this yet but you just know I will. For additional info please click here.
This past summer the acclaimed Japanese guitar builder Masaki Sakurai passed away. The very next day I received a short piece that Stepan Rak composed in his memory. So I learned and recorded it. If you would like to listen just click here.
Here’s a link to a short piece by William Anderson called Genius Loci.
August 7, 2025
Summertime is slow. But it’s giving me time to make some changes to the podcast and blog. I’m learning some new techniques to add images and YouTube videos to the interviews in real time so the guests and I can discuss them while the audience watches. I’m still working out some of the bugs but it should be ready to roll by the start of season 8 in September. I expect to lengthen the interview time from 30 minutes to about 45 (ish) too. Several of the guests have expressed some disappointment that the interview is so short.
Thanks to all who help support this thing it’s starting to gain some momentum. As many of you know I’m always on the hunt for new guests. Recently, however, I’ve had people pitching me to be on the show. I’ve said yes to all, but I think that will change this season as I try to focus on people directly involved in the arts.
If I haven’t told you lately, I really appreciate you.
In case you missed it…
In my last interview I had a very nice and informative chat with veteran NYC talent agent Albert Bramante and got an inside peek of the business side of entertainment. If you were ever curious and wanted to look “under the hood” of an actor’s life now is your chance.
Coming up…
Joshua Altman is the founder and CEO of Beltway Media, a Washington DC based communication consulting firm. We had a great discussion about what than entails, how he got into the business, and the creativity he applies to his clients needs.
In other news…
The Village Trip Festival in New York City begins on September 12 and runs through the entire month. There are going to be some amazing events. You won’t want to miss them. For additional information and schedule please click here.
Detroit based violinist Hongyi Mo and pianist John Etsell are releasing their new CD “Metamorphoses” (on the Azica label) on August 15. This is music by F. Poulenc arranged by Mo and is not to be missed.
Composer Lee Kesselman got a glowing review from Fanfare magazine for the album “Would That Loving Were Enough” , a collection of his music.
True crime author Rod Sadler is all over the place on his book tour. Here’s a list:
I have a Patreon page where I offer new arrangements of music (mostly popular songs) for beginning and intermediate guitar and ukulele. I started this mostly for my students to have some fun music to play but it’s open to all of course. However I’ve recently expanded it to include much more sophisticated pieces. I just uploaded my arrangement of “Interlude” by E. Chausson for flute and guitar. It’s a hauntingly beautiful piece that I fell in love with a few months ago. You can listen to the midi recording for free and the sheet music is available for a small fee. Please click here.
July 16, 2025
Last night I watched Rick Beato on YouTube create a pop song using AI. He told it the style he wanted and the subject matter. In a matter of moments a fully formed song popped out (pun intended) that actually sounded pretty consistent with what I’ve heard recently. After another prompt AI also created a “picture” of the fictional artist. I personally find the whole thing disturbing, as did Beato. A week ago I heard an AI attempt to create a new work in a baroque style. It was awful but I’m afraid it won’t be long before it gets better.
I’m not sure where all of this is heading. I’m pretty sure I'm not going to like it. I hope that my humble podcast and this blog will work as a subtle speed bump by putting performers and creators and everyone else involved in the arts in the spotlight.
In case you missed it …
The distinguished and award-winning guitarist Adam Levin talked about the Kithara Project, teaching, touring, recording, and much more.
Coming up…
Albert Bramante, the founder and CEO of Bramante Artists in NYC talks about working with actors and his role in helping to make them successful. An honest and interesting look under the hood to see some of the engine that helps propel a successful acting career.
In other news…
The Cassatt String Quartet will be at the Seal Bay Festival July 27-Aug 6. For additional information please click here.
July 9, 2025
In case you missed it…
The award winning journalist, author, and educator Lucinda Davenport talks about journalism past, present, and future.
Coming up…
The distinguished and award-winning classical guitarist talks about the performing new compositions, chamber music, the future of the guitar and much more.
In other news…
Dr. Brad DeRoche will be hosting a two day seminar for guitarists that he calls his Guitar Academy. It’s an intensive study of guitar technique, sight-reading, memorization, and the art and science of practicing. This is on July 12 & 13 at the Daylight Studio in Midland, Michigan. For additional contact him directly at brderoch@delta.edu.
June 18, 2025
In case you missed it…
Veteran character actor talked about life as an actor in Hollywood. You’ve seen him as Kermit in “Shameless” and as a guest in many of your favorite TV shows. He pops up in various commercials from time to time too.
Coming up…
Award winning journalist, educator, and researcher Lucinda Davenport talks about the current state of journalism, teaching, and much more. She’s actually co-written 3 textbooks on journalism that are used in over 350 colleges internationally and was an early proponent of online journalism and education.
In other news…
Cambridge University has announced a new book by Edward Klorman. It’s an in-depth study of the Six Unaccompanied Cello Suites by J. S. Bach. Publication is scheduled for September 2025.
The Houston Symphony Bassoons premiered “Blocks” by Lee Kesselman at the Texas Music Festival on Tuesday June 10. It was a great success. Congratulations Lee!
June 11, 2025
I had planned to continue posting podcast episodes and blogs during the summer. That’s in contrast to previous years when I simply went on hiatus from June until September. However, it seems that things are much slower (I should have known…) so I won’t be on any kind of a schedule. I’ll post sporadically as I have content. I’m always on the lookout for guests so if you know anyone or if you’d like to make a return visit please let me know. Also if you are doing something that you would like others to know about please let me know and I’ll put it in the blog. The adage that “content is king” is painfully apparent at the moment. (Yeah I know…I need to quit whining and go outside.)
In case you missed it…
Guitarist/arranger Gregg Nestor has released 15 albums, published over 17,000 pages of music, and has spent several decades as a music proofreader in Hollywood. We talk about that, studio work, his creative process and much more.
Speaking of Hollywood…veteran character actor Jim Hoffmaster makes a return visit to talk about life as a working actor. You’ve seen him in “Shameless”, as a guest on many of your favorite shows, and in many commercials. Don’t miss it!
June 4, 2025
So summer is finally here. Schedules are shifting gears and events are transitioning from lots of concerts to lots of festivals. To composer and writer friends I hope you get a chance to get away from your work and enjoy the season. To my painter friends I hope you can go outside and be creative. Let me give you some advice from a very old man (not me, of course, I’m just passing it along). Relax and enjoy the moment. I’m sure your work will improve as a result.
In case you missed it…
Composer/flutist Sarah Bassingthwaighte talks about her new CD (released on May 20) “Orchestrating The Wild” that was recorded by the London Symphony Orchestra, her unique composing process, performing, teaching and much more. You can learn more and access her CD by going to her website.
Coming up…
Guitarist/arranger Gregg Nestor has published over 17,000 pages of music, recorded 15 albums and continues to arrange for guitar and chamber music. Please join us as he talks about working with Henry Mancini, various movie studios and much more..
In other news…
Pianist Karine Poghosyan will be performing an all Khachaturian program on June 10 at Carnegie Hall. For more information and tickets click here.
Composer/guitarist David Leisner will be performing In New Lebanon, NY on June 7. For program information and tickets please click here.
Composer Gerald Cohen’s new work “Adonai S’fatai Tiftach” will premiere on June 12 in White Plains, NY. For additional information please click here.
May 28, 2025
Memorial Day was this past Monday and it marks the unofficial start of summer. In past years I’ve taken the summer months off and resumed the podcast in September. However it came at a cost. People got out of the habit of listening or watching and it took a while to get my small (but important) audience back. So I’ve decided to continue producing through the summer, although I might miss a week or two. Many of you will be traveling this summer so I hope you will use that time to listen to additional episodes and perhaps introduce your friends to the podcast.
In case you missed it…
The extraordinary pianist Karine Poghosyan talked about her upcoming 10th appearance at Carnegie Hall, performing, touring, recording, and lots more.
Coming up…
The very talented, award winning composer and flutist Sarah Bassingthwaighte talks about the recently released CD of her music recorded by the London Symphony Orchestra, her creative process, performing, teaching, and much more.
In other news…
Pianist Min Kwon is performing on May 28, 2025 at Victoria Bond’s Cutting Edge Concert Series in NYC. For additional information and tickets click here.
Composer Gerald Cohen and librettist Deborah Brevoort were recently in a webinar discussing their opera “Steal A Pencil For Me”. It’s a fascinating discussion and is available on YouTube. If you would like to check it out just click here.
May 14, 2025
College is out in most places and commencement and graduation ceremonies are over. Many of the recent grads are now trying to figure out what they are going to do in the future without realizing that they’ve already used up a couple of weeks of it. It also means that the concert season is winding down and the summer festival season is nearly upon us. Outdoor art festivals, music festivals, and a variety of “concerts in the park”. Let me take this opportunity to encourage you to support and attend these various events. Trust me…you’ll feel good about yourself if you do and your life will be richer for it.
FYI - My little podcast and this blog is growing a bit but I’m under no illusion…it’s never going to be really big. (Now if I was a 14 year old girl giving out life advice I’d have many thousands of subscribers by next week…) Because I try my best to provide high quality content and not worry about big numbers I’ve decided to refer to this as a “boutique” podcast/blog. I don’t know if I’ve invented the term but I’m going to pretend that I did.
In case you missed it…
This weeks guest is Korean pianist Yekwon Sunwoo who won the gold medal at the 2017 Van Cliburn competition. We talked about how winning changed his life, touring, recording, and much more. Please join us.
Coming up…
My guest next week is the award winning pianist Kariné Poghosyan. We had a delightful chat about her upcoming concert at Carnegie Hall (June 9 for those in the NYC area), her use of online platforms for concerts and teaching, recording, touring and much more. You’re gonna love her.
In other news…
Victoria Bond’s “Cutting Edge Concerts” is presenting pianist Min Kwon performing selections from her “America/Beautiful” project on May 28 at Symphony Space. For more information and tickets please click here.
Baruch Performing Arts Center is finishing the season on a high note with classical accordionist Hanzhi Wang on May 19. For information and tickets please click here.
San Francisco’s Ear Play series concludes on May 19 with a premiere of Benjamin Sabey’s “Dream Suite” for sextet. For more information and tickets please click here.
May 7, 2025
As I see photos of college graduations occurring that involve past students or family members of current students I find myself reflecting on my years teaching at various colleges. It’s hard to believe that I stopped teaching at college and university a dozen or so years ago. Although I still teach a handful of private students, mostly children, I haven’t accepted a new student in years. This summer several of my students will be heading off to college and will no longer be taking lessons from me. It’s always bittersweet to see the kids grow up and move on.
I don’t know if I will ever fully retire from teaching. I’ve been doing it since 1968 and it’s very much a part of who I am. But as my students slowly grow up and move on my schedule gets increasingly smaller so I may not have a choice. Either way, I wish success and happiness to all of my former students as they begin to take their rightful place in society.
In case you missed it…
Polina Fradkina was this weeks guest. We talked about her concerts and lectures, her educational pursuits, and mixed discipline projects. A truly fascinating artist.
Coming up…
South Korean pianist Yekwon Sunwoo talks about his journey as an artist including winning the gold medal at the Van Cliburn competition in 2017. We also talk about touring and his upcoming appearances.
In other news…
The Mid-Michigan Classical Guitar Society presented our Spring Concert on May 4. The group is made up of professional guitarists and hobbyists. The first half of the evening was a potpourri of members playing solos, duets, and trios followed by the entire group (minus a few who couldn’t be there) playing music as a guitar orchestra. After a brief intermission our special guest Ryan Apple gave a marvelous concert of music by Carlo Domeniconi.
Composer Lee Kesselman has some new music that you can listen to on Soundcloud. You will enjoy spending time on his channel and listening.
Classical accordionist Hanzhi Wang is in concert at the Baruch Performing Arts Center in NYC on May 19. For more information and tickets click here.
April 30, 2025
My wife and I had the pleasure of attending a private “House Concert” on Sunday. We saw the Grand Rapids Guitar Duo play an absolutely lovely program that was met with an encore and a lot of applause. I personally believe that this is one of the best ways to experience classical guitar (and probably small chamber music in general). As a performer I always enjoyed performing in small settings and as an avid audience member it’s even better. We’ve hosted a couple of events also and are anxious to do it again.
In case you missed it…
I had a great conversation with true crime author ROD SADLER. His new book “Depraved Obsession” is about the pursuit and capture of a sadistic serial killer. As a retired cop Rod has a unique perspective and is a compelling story teller. It will be on sale after May 6. You can find it and his other books on Amazon.
Coming up…
Pianist POLINA FRADKINA left her home in St. Petersburg and moved to Denmark in 2022 due to her opposition to the war. She has worked as a concert artist, in film, and has done a lot in cross-cultural projects. A fascinating and multi-talented artist.
In other news…
The MID-MICHIGAN CLASSICAL GUITAR SOCIETY will present their (our) Spring Recital on May 4 in Midland, Mich. This group is made up of award winning professionals and avid amateurs. We will also feature special guest Ryan Apple for a short solo program. For additional info you can just contact me.
Composer GERALD COHEN, librettist DEBORAH BREVORT and others presented an informative webinar about the creation and production of their opera “Steal A Pencil For Me”. I highly recommend checking it out. You can find it here.
Pianist Yebwon Sunwoo (2017 Van Cliburn gold medalist) will be appearing at Carnegie Hall on May 2. It looks like an amazing program. You should try to be there if you’re in NYC. For more information and tickets click here.
April 23, 2025
My wife and I will attend a private “house” concert on Sunday. I really love these events. I’ve attended several, hosted a few, and even performed at some in the past. It’s always a casually elegant time listening to wonderful music in a very intimate setting and then making new friends. If you’ve ever been involved in house concerts as a host or guest you know what I mean. If you haven’t then you don’t know what you’re missing. It’s also a great way to support the arts.
Coming up…
True crime author Rod Sadler makes a return visit to talk about his newest book “Depraved Obsession” (due out May 6). Rod is a retired police officer and his insight makes him a very compelling story-teller. Don’t miss it! For more info please click here.
In other news…
The Vega Quartet will be performing with bluegrass greats Mark and Maggie O’Connor at Carnegie Hall on Friday April 25. For more information and tickets click here.
On Tuesday April 29 the Sylvan Winds will be performing with harpist Kristi Shade in a program called “Ravel and His World” at Eglise St. Jean Baptiste in NYC. For additional information and tickets click here.
