The Magic of MelodyWhat gives a memorable melody its magic? JJ and Haz discuss the remedy, first, for 'earworms' and brave the world's ugliest melody before plundering the troves of music theatre, bebop and classical music for the most emotiona

Upbeats: Season 4, Episode 6 (Braving Rhythm)

Feb 24th, 2024 36m 8s

Braving RhythmIn the first of a series exploring different parameters of music, Jon and Haz delve into fascinating rhythms, mining the works of Gershwin, Stravinsky, Bartók, Reich and more. Along the way they discover mind-boggling Bulgarian fo

Upbeats: Season 4, Episode 5 (Less can be more)

Jan 27th, 2024 40m 35s

This month Jon and Haz take a step back from the orchestral stage and look at the more intimate world of chamber music, picking out their favourites and sharing how working in a chamber group can be so fulfilling. And those times when it doesn'

Upbeats: Season 4, Episode 4 (Upbeats Christmas Cracker)

Dec 21st, 2023 21m 44s

With Haz away due to a Christmas cold, Jon sees the year out with a festive mix of favourite moments from recent gigs, including a Turkish love song, a contemporary carol, the compulsory Sleigh Ride and a Welsh classic.Support the showwww.artsa

Upbeats: Season 4, Episode 3 (Music of Protest)

Nov 28th, 2023 25m 32s

Haz and JJ bring some pep to your November with the music of protest and revolt, whether it's Obama breaking into song, Chopin feeling heroic or Billy Holiday lamenting a dark past. And what is the opposite of goosebumps?Support the showwww.art

Upbeats: Season 4, Episode 2 (Rain and Rainbows)

Oct 28th, 2023 31m 36s

Given the weather recently, JJ and Haz ponder the different ways rain has been treated in music, including Chopin's disturbing dream, Britten's cheerful storm, Debussy's summer tempest, and John Luther Adams' electronic showers. Bambi gets a lo

Upbeats: Season 4, Episode 1 (All things autumn. (And some concrete))

Sep 30th, 2023 28m 24s

All things autumn. (And some concrete). As autumn beckons and St David's Hall lingers to have its concrete checked, JJ and Haz spend their first podcast back considering music of the moment: seasonal themes of renewal, colourful landscapes and

Upbeats: Episode 30 (Fanfares and Finales)

Jun 27th, 2023 32m 17s

To culminate this season of Braving the Stave, Haz and Jon contemplate what it might be like to kiss a fanfaring trumpeter and uncover a disturbing past to the fanfare genre. They then pick their favourite rousing (or crushing) finales from the

Upbeats: Bonus Track (JJ interviews Sali-Wyn Ryan)

May 27th, 2023 14m 47s

Continuing the theme of our May episode, JJ interviews Sali-Wyn Ryan, a proudly Welsh member of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and asks her about the perks and pitfalls of orchestral life.Support the showwww.artsactive.org.ukEmail a2@artsact

Upbeats: Episode 29 (Braving the Orchestra)

May 27th, 2023 36m 49s

In this deep-dive into orchestral life, JJ and Haz discover why so many orchestral musicians own a pilot's licence, why a percussionist can feel like a lemon, why basketball-players could make excellent violists and the most important question

Upbeats: Episode 28 (Braving Minimalism)

Apr 29th, 2023 39m 22s

Haz sets out to enlighten JJ, a self-confessed harmony junkie, in the joys of Minimalism. Starting with the hippy experiments of La Monte Young, they trace the style's evolution via Glass and Reich to the complex scores of post-minimalist, John

Upbeats: Episode 27 (Female Composers)

Mar 25th, 2023 33m 18s

Haz takes the lead in this podcast about female composers and women in music. Is there still a 'gender agenda' in the classical music industry, and is there enough female representation at the top table? Expect bold, beautiful music, frank exch

Upbeats: Episode 26 (Braving Sibelius and discovering 'The Voice of the North')

Feb 23rd, 2023 40m 4s

What was the story behind Sibelius' French first name and what makes his music so distinct and compelling? Expect brooding mountain spirits, magical string textures, Welsh-sounding hymns and abrupt 'Fininish' endings. Including an interview wit

Upbeats: Episode 25 (Braving Brahms)

Jan 28th, 2023 36m 23s

In this first podcast of the year, JJ and Haz share what they love about Johannes Brahms and his music. It's more raving than 'braving' as they reveal some lesser known stories about when he grew his famous big beard, how he was a prankster, an

Tis the season to be cheesy?

Dec 17th, 2022 24m 6s

JJ and Haz discuss classical music's Christmas clichés and compete to find the piece with the most sparkle. With new carols from young Welsh composers and a nostalgic glance back to wintry treasure swaps from earlier podcasts.Support the showww

The sacred power of the voice

Nov 26th, 2022 39m 15s

What is it about the human voice and the special sound of a choir that holds such power for people (and makes JJ 'leaky')? Using examples from all genres, Haz and JJ explore issues of the perfect blend, keeping a drone in tune and what it means

Upbeats: Episode 22 (Who's scared of improvisation?)

Oct 29th, 2022 32m 29s

Mention improvisation and many classical musicians break into a cold sweat. JJ and Haz debunk some common myths and delve into the roots and cures of 'improvophobia' and why every musician should give improv a go. And why it's good to be a 'mus

Upbeats: Episode 21 (Can Music Still Shock?)

Sep 24th, 2022 40m 29s

Can classical music still shock? Braving the Stave asks the question to BBC NOW's principal conductor Ryan Bancroft as he launches the autumn season with Stravinsky's infamous 'Rite of Spring'. JJ and Haz explore its continuing hold on audience

Upbeats: Episode 20 (Summer Music)

Jun 18th, 2022 30m 36s

JJ and Haz reach for their T-shirts and ponder how music expresses all things summery, whether the heat of Latin America or the poignancy of lost memories by a lake. Haz reveals a surprising summer piece that brings her out in hives. Which fami

Upbeats: Episode 19 (Shostakovich's Tenth Symphony)

May 21st, 2022 34m 7s

Jon and Haz take on Shostakovich's mighty Tenth symphony, but not before appreciating his lighter side. Expect quick quizzes, a lesser heard gem for the viola and a rather ambiguous Welsh sign-off.Support the showwww.artsactive.org.ukEmail a2@a

Upbeats: Episode 18 (Vaughan Williams' kaleidoscope of London)

Apr 23rd, 2022 30m 5s

With Haz away, Jon takes a look at the signature sounds of Vaughan Williams, in particular in his 'London Symphony', which takes in all the sights and sounds of the city: from Big Ben to Bloomsbury Square, from drunken jigs to solemn marches. I

Upbeats: Episode 17 (Music to Bridge Cultures)

Apr 2nd, 2022 29m 25s

At a time of so much conflict, Jon and Haz discuss their favourite cross-cultural musical projects and celebrate the power of music to connect. With music from the Silk Road Ensemble, reflections on the past by both Russian and Ukrainian comp

Upbeats: Episode 16 (The best of both worlds?)

Feb 19th, 2022 34m 24s

Do you prefer your apple crumble in a bowl with custard or deconstructed and reinvented like on Masterchef? Jon and Haz put a range of neo-classical and neo-baroque works to the 'crumble' test. Along the way, they consider why Schnittke is a s

Upbeats: Episode 15 (January Light Music)

Jan 22nd, 2022 30m 10s

Musical allergies and the Jazzical genreWhat are your musical allergies and pet peeves? Jon and Haz share theirs before quibbling over Gilbert and Sullivan. A brief introduction to the light classical genre follows, with examples of jazzical fu

Upbeats: Episode 14 (Christmas Cracker)

Dec 18th, 2021 31m 8s

In this Christmas Cracker, Jon and Haz ask some essential seasonal questions, including what are today's 'posh pantos', which music sounds Christmassy without even trying, and what their favourite new Christmas carols are.Support the showwww.ar