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PODCAST

Pitch Me Classical

London Philharmonic Orchestra

Saxophonist and presenter YolanDa Brown and players from the London Philharmonic Orchestra pitch their thoughts on some of classical music’s most-asked questions,with plenty of chit-chat and laughter along the way.Instagram: @londonphilharmonicorchestraTikTok: @lporchestraFacebook: @londonphilharmonicorchestraYoutube: @londonphilharmonicorchestra Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

music

All Episodes

29:09

Is classical music dead?

Pitch Me Classical ·

2025/10/30

Is classical music dying, or is it just evolving? Most of its composers lived and died in centuries past, and the bulk of its repertoire is well over 100 years old, but does that mean classical music is on its last legs? For some, the tradition is losing relevance, but it’s also quietly thriving in surprising and unexpected ways. YolanDa, Claudia and Hugh explore why the genre carries such a reputation for decline, discuss ways in which classical music is reinventing itself, and wonder what its

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31:03

Nobody likes contemporary music, do they?

Pitch Me Classical ·

2025/10/16

Contemporary music: bold, baffling, and often accused of scaring audiences away. But is it really as unlovable as its reputation suggests? In this episode, we explore why new music can feel alienating, and whether it’s actually unpopular - or just misunderstood. Whether you’re a die-hard fan of extended techniques, a curious newcomer to the contemporary world, or you’ve always wondered why a piece of music might sound like a typewriter falling down the stairs, this conversation will give you a fresh

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36:34

Is Mahler having a moment?

Pitch Me Classical ·

2025/10/02

Mahler’s music holds a towering place in classical music today, but that wasn’t always the case. So what changed? How did he explode into the classical zeitgeist in the 1960s - and stay there? Is he really related to Beyoncé? And will his music continue to be popular, or will our dwindling attention spans make it harder to appreciate his epic symphonies? Perhaps Mahler’s appeal isn’t about passing trends, but about the raw emotion in his music and its deep connection with listeners... Plus, Andy

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33:39

All orchestras sound the same

Pitch Me Classical ·

2025/09/18

When you listen to an orchestra, what makes its sound distinctive? Is it the concert hall, the conductor, the players, or even their instruments? While some argue that most orchestras end up sounding alike, others insist each ensemble has its own unmistakable voice. In this episode, we dive into the subtle details that shape an orchestra’s sound and explore how different orchestras can sound worlds apart. Juliette and Lasma take on a listening challenge where they guess the conductor of a piece the

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30:00

Is Ravel’s Bolero the worst piece ever written?

Pitch Me Classical ·

2025/09/04

Today, we’re unravelling a piece that’s as simple as it is spellbinding - one of the most well known and oddly mesmerising compositions of the 20th century. Some call it brilliant, others find it unbearable, and few sit on the fence. And the piece that’s at the heart of this marmite reputation? Ravel’s Bolero. We explore what makes this 15-minute loop so unforgettable, from its relentless snare drum rhythm to its slow-burning crescendo to determine what it is that keeps listeners hooked (or drives

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33:55

Are some violinists more equal than others?

Pitch Me Classical ·

2025/08/21

The violin section of an orchestra is split into two halves: first violins and second violins. Do the firsts really get all the glory while the seconds do the heavy lifting, or are the seconds the orchestra’s unsung heroes? In an effort to decide whether some violinists are more equal than others, we explore the history behind this division, unpack stereotypes, and examine the unique challenges of playing in each section. We also look at how this structure can shape careers, and what it’s like to

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33:33

I’ll enjoy it more if I’m allowed my phone out

Pitch Me Classical ·

2025/08/07

It’s a battle between technology and tradition: should mobiles phones be banned, tolerated, or even embraced in concert halls? Are phone-friendly performances the future of classical music, or are they a threat to the sacred concert ritual? We’ve all heard a phone go off at the most inopportune moment, but increasingly the classical music world is finding more creative ways to integrate phones into the concert experience. In this episode, we explore how concert halls, composers, and performers are

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37:46

By 2050, will all new pieces of classical music be...

Pitch Me Classical ·

2025/03/06

In this episode, YolanDa and Francis are joined by AI expert Lora Aroyo to discuss artificial intelligence and its place in classical music. Their conversation covers everything from how AI developed to what its current capabilities of composing classical music are. They touch on the ethical and artistic implications of AI-generated music, evaluate its strengths and limitations, and try to define what makes music composed by humans unique. Plus, in the quiz, Lora and Francis tell us how they would

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31:58

Do the brass really have the most fun?

Pitch Me Classical ·

2025/02/20

What makes a typical brass player? What really happens on a ‘viola night’? Can the saxophone truly be considered a brass instrument? And just how do you clean a tuba? YolanDa, Lee and Claudia dive into the world of brass, weighing the pros and cons of being part of the brass section and comparing it to the rest of the orchestra. They share favourite brass moments, discuss the sometimes notorious reputation of brass players, and attempt to pinpoint the characteristics that make brass players unique

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25:17

Ba-ba-ba-baaaa… Does Beethoven 5 have the best opening?

Pitch Me Classical ·

2025/02/06

It’s one of the most famous pieces of classical music, but why? The beginning of Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony has an iconic status, but is it one of the best openings to a piece of music? YolanDa, Tom and Cassi dig deeper into those famous four notes and along the way they share other opening bars which are just as recognisable, arresting, or scary. It’s a tricky passage to play in sync with other players, so they discuss tips and tricks to ensure it gets off to a successful start. Plus, in the quiz

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30:01

Viola - what’s the joke?

Pitch Me Classical ·

2025/01/23

Why is the viola the butt of so many jokes? Does the viola deserve to be mocked, or is it the unsung hero of the orchestra? YolanDa Brown is joined by Martin and Minn to unpack the origins of viola jokes and demystify why violas so often get the short end of the stick - or should we say bow? But for Martin and Minn the viola’s status as a comedic goldmine sometimes has wider implications that aren’t necessarily positive, for example putting people off learning the instrument, affecting the way

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32:26

All classical music sounds the same, right?

Pitch Me Classical ·

2025/01/09

What makes classical music sound like classical music? And what does the word ‘classical’ mean anyway? YolanDa Brown is joined by Kristina and Mark to give their take on these big questions. They do their best to figure out where the line is between classical and non-classical music, whether film music is classical, and what makes classical music classical. And they attempt to pin down why the word ‘classical’ came to be used to describe this genre of music in the first place. Plus, Mark and

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20:57

What should I wear?

Pitch Me Classical ·

2024/12/26

Tails? Long black? Stilettos? A dinner jacket? Concert dress is an important part of the visual appearance of an orchestra, but what is the dress code, how flexible is it, and is it old-fashioned? YolanDa, Mark and Alice all have their preferences when it comes to what they like to wear on stage. This conversation covers everything from what happens when you ask a tailor to make you a new set of tails, whether you need to iron a shirt when only a sliver of it is visible, why orchestras dress the way

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33:20

When do I need to clap?

Pitch Me Classical ·

2024/12/12

Round of applause, please! YolanDa, Hugh and Simon evaluate the pros and cons of applause, sharing their experiences both in the concert hall and beyond. Why do we clap, when should we clap, and what’s the etiquette? Together they cover pieces where people clap when they shouldn’t, pieces where it simply feels wrong to show your appreciation by clapping, and rock and jazz concerts where it’s common to clap every few minutes. But this episode isn’t just about putting your hands together - they also

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32:29

Is Mozart the G.O.A.T.?

Pitch Me Classical ·

2024/11/28

When asked to name a classical composer, why does everyone always say Mozart? He’s one of classical music’s most famous composers (perhaps THE most famous), but does he deserve his reputation, and is he the G.O.A.T.*? YolanDa, Mark and Alice discuss Mozart’s high points and low points, his best pieces and his worse, and how he writes for different instruments. They also touch on what’s special about him and whether other composers are more deserving of fame. Plus, this episode’s quiz reveals strong

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2:18

Welcome to Pitch Me Classical

Pitch Me Classical ·

2024/11/22

Welcome to Pitch Me Classical! Saxophonist and presenter YolanDa Brown and players from the London Philharmonic Orchestra pitch their thoughts on some of classical music’s most-asked questions,with plenty of chit-chat and laughter along the way.Instagram: @londonphilharmonicorchestraTikTok: @lporchestraFacebook: @londonphilharmonicorchestraYoutube: @londonphilharmonicorchestra Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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22:15

Best of LPO Offstage: Series 7

Pitch Me Classical ·

2024/04/25

YolanDa Brown takes us through some of the best bits of Series 7. Why do trumpets transpose, and do they enjoy it? How has recording film music changed over the years? And what does retirement look like for orchestral musicians?Plus, singer Brindley Sherratt shares his top tips on preparing to sing an operatic role.With trombonist Mark Templeton, violinist Minn Majoe, horn player Mark Vines, tuba player Lee Tsarmaklis, double bass player Simon Carrington, trumpeter Anne McAneney, bass Brindley

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33:57

Retirement

Pitch Me Classical ·

2024/04/11

YolanDa Brown sits down with three former LPO members - violinist Geoff Lynn, bassoonist Gareth Newman, and oboist Joan Graham - to explore retirement.When they retire, some musicians sell their instruments and never play a note again. Others reduce the amount of performing they’re doing to make more time for teaching. The former LPO members chatting to YolanDa today all approached retirement in very different ways.Geoff, Gareth and Joan tell YolanDa what they miss about their orchestral years,

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32:47

Holst’s The Planets Revisited

Pitch Me Classical ·

2024/03/28

YolanDa Brown joins composer Colin Matthews, Principal Conductor of the LPO Edward Gardner and flautist Juliette Bausor to revisit Gustav Holst’s most famous work, The Planets.Faber recently published a new facsimile edition of Holst’s The Planets, edited by Colin Matthews, and today’s episode explores its significance and the unique insights that the original handwritten manuscript can give us.Colin, Ed and Juliette also talk to YolanDa about their favourite and least favourite movements, their

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27:12

Music from the Movies

Pitch Me Classical ·

2024/03/13

Today we’re dimming the lights, turning off our phones and filling up a giant bucket of popcorn to get the lowdown on music for film and TV.Film score production has changed a lot in recent years, and LPO musicians timpanist Simon Carrington and tuba player Lee Tsarmaklis have seen it all; from Elmer Bernstein’s skilful, old school approach, to the meticulous modern day techniques of click tracks and multitrack recording.Simon and Lee tell YolanDa about the film scores which soundtrack their

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