Best Cincinnati Song Initiative Podcasts (2025)

1
Carlos Simon and Dave Ragland: Songs 13:32

4d ago13:32

13:32

This episode was inspired by the program of a colleague that was posted on Facebook! Both Carlos Simon and Dave Ragland are modern composers working with some of the most important companies and singers of our time, creating all kinds of new works that are powerful, accessible to audiences, and absolute gems of the repertoire. Carlos Simon: Caro mi…

1
Songs from the Anthologies 13:34

18d ago13:34

13:34

This episode offers a taste of a few different songs from the anthologies that we've been talking about all season, all of which would be a great addition to everyone's library. Those anthologies are: An Anthology of African and African Diaspora Songs Anthology of Art Songs by Black American Composers A New Anthology of Art Songs by African America…

1
Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel 59:22

25d ago59:22

59:22

Before there was Felix, there was Fanny! Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel was a supremely talented and intelligent pianist and composer, but societal norms of the time kept her locked in a patriarchal prison. Join us as we hear three of her songs: Nach süden, Vorwurf, and Nachtwanderer. With soprano Isabelle Peters and mezzo-soprano Ema Nikolovska. Follow …

1
Dorothy Rudd Moore: Songs (plus a few other composers) 17:28

1M ago17:28

17:28

This episode is an eclectic mixture of pieces and composers, starting with two song cycles by Dorothy Rudd Moore! Born and raised on the East Coast, she studied with Nadia Boulanger, and was one of the co-founders of the Society of Black Composers. Her music has enough dissonance to bring out the colors of the texts beautifully, while still being v…

1
The One with Jodi Goble 46:54

1M ago46:54

46:54

Step right up and get learned by Jodi Goble, composer and vocal coach extraordinaire! She drops golden nuggets along the way for how composers and singers can best learn from each other, what's awesome about American art song today and where it's headed, and even her favorite hobby that may or may not involve a blow torch. Stick around for a fascin…

1
Rosephanye Powell and Betty Jackson King: Songs (ft. Sonya Baker) 32:24

2M ago32:24

32:24

On this episode we focus on some songs of Rosephanye Powell and Betty Jackson King, both amazing women with some fabulous songs to their credit. All of these songs are sure to be accessible and exciting to audiences, while offering enough challenge to performers to make their songs worth digging into! Our guest today is Dr. Sonya Baker, Professor o…

1
Korngold: Sechs einfache Lieder Op. 9 58:38

2M ago58:38

58:38

The worlds of Hollywood and Lieder collide in this episode about Erich Wolfgang Korngold and his Sechs einfache Lieder. Including a very special live performance of the cycle by guest vocalist Claire McCahan and guest pianist Tzu Kuang Tan recorded during the Opening Fellows Concert at CSI's Fellowship of the Song program in May of 2024. Follow the…

1
Adolphus Hailstork: Songs (ft. Darryl Taylor and Kenneth Overton) 24:35

2M ago24:35

24:35

Adolphus Hailstork is an active, award-winning composer with a great output of art songs - and he's another name in our growing list of fabulous composers who studied with Nadia Boulanger! His works blend African, American, and European musical traditions in a unique way that is satisfying to both performers and audiences. We also have personal sto…

1
The One with Glendower Jones 44:28

2M ago44:28

44:28

Have you ever wondered if, in all the years you've known Glendower Jones... all the years you've ordered music from him at Classical Vocal Reprints... all the years you've had wonderful and engaging conversations with him on Facebook... Have you ever heard him speak? Well, fellow Songsters, prepare to meet the voice behind the online personality! L…

1
Robert Owens: Songs 14:44

2M ago14:44

14:44

Robert Owens (1925-2017) funded his musical studies in Europe on the GI bill after serving in the military. He lived most of his adult life in Germany and in addition to composing, he was also a much-sought-after actor! All of his scores are available at Classical Vocal Reprints, and he has lots of songs in English, French, and German to choose fro…

1
Botschaft: Johannes Brahms 1:19:18

3M ago1:19:18

1:19:18

Follow the Lieder is doing its best Voldemort impression.... WE'RE BACK BABY! Join us as we do a long-awaited deep dive into the life of Johannes Brahms, followed by a performance of Botschaft by tenor Logan Wagner and pianist Kirill Kuzmin. With co-host Brian Sikich. Raisin Brahms Commercial Follow the Lieder is a production of Cincinnati Song Ini…

1
Valerie Capers: Song of the Seasons (ft. Louise Toppin) 19:38

3M ago19:38

19:38

Valerie Capers (b. 1935) was Juilliard's first blind student pianist, earning both her bachelor's and master's degrees there, and at the encouragement of her brother has gone on to become a noted jazz pianist (if you want to hear her play, check out this YouTube video). Song of the Seasons is her only song cycle, and it definitely should be in the …

1
The One with Oliver Camacho 1:00:38

3M ago1:00:38

1:00:38

We're kicking off Season 5 with a fantastic and varied conversation with the singular Oliver Camacho. This singer, radio host (WFMT Listening to Singers with Oliver Camacho), podcast host (Opera Box Score), opera reviewer, and all-around smart dude has great insight and spicy opinions. From the latest trends in song to his favorite new recordings t…

1
Season 5 Trailer 3:07

3M ago3:07

3:07

Welcome to Season 5, and meet your new co-host, Laura Strickling! She's one of the coolest, most entrepreneurial singers around, and we can't wait to get into some great conversations with her and her friends. Got something to say? Share it with our new #TeamArtSong Mailbag! Submit a question for Laura and Sam to answer on a future episode. From ca…

1
John D. Carter: Cantata (ft. Casey Robards) 21:41

3M ago21:41

21:41

John D. Carter's Cantata was premiered in 1959 by Leontyne Price and David Garvey. A great pianist in his own right, Carter's song cycle is challenging for the pianist as well as the singer, with rhythmic displacements and dissonances that bring the melodies of the spirituals he chose into the classical realm. Our guest today, Dr. Casey Robards, ea…

1
H. Leslie Adams: Songs (ft. Darryl Taylor) 28:40

5M ago28:40

28:40

H. Leslie Adams (1932-2024) is best-known for his vocal compositions, with a large output of art songs and song cycles to choose from, and his works have been performed all over the world. His music is accessible to audiences and performers alike, and our guest today, countertenor Darryl Taylor, of the African American Art Song Alliance, offers ama…

1
Margaret Bonds: Six Songs on Poems by Edna St. Vincent Millay (ft. Lester Lynch, M. Roger Holland II) 22:47

5M ago22:47

22:47

Margaret Bonds (1913-1972) is probably best known for her setting of "He's Got the Whole World In His Hands", but has an extensive repertoire of art songs, which have a lot more crunch than most people expect! Our special guest hosts today are baritone Lester Lynch, who balances his international career with teaching at San Francisco Conservatory o…

1
Zenobia Powell Perry: Songs 16:27

5M ago16:27

16:27

Zenobia Powell Perry (1908-2004) decided to become a classical pianist when she heard Hazel Harrison (the first Black musician to perform with the Berlin Philharmonic) in concert, and went on to study with R. Nathaniel Dett! She became friends with Eleanor Roosevelt, who helped fund her studies. Her songs have a distinct sound, with some dissonance…

1
Howard Swanson: Songs 19:14

6M ago19:14

19:14

Howard Swanson (1907-1978) studied at the Cleveland Institute of Music and went on to study at Fontainebleau with Nadia Boulanger. He was close with poet Langston Hughes and his settings of Hughes' texts are considered definitive. Swanson has a unique sound, which makes his music well-suited for more mature musicians, but is still very accessible f…

1
Undine Smith Moore: Songs 16:57

6M ago16:57

16:57

Undine Smith Moore (1904-1989) was a classical pianist who trained at several prestigious universities, and despite her professors urging her to become a professional, she chose to become a public school music teacher and professor. She preferred to compose vocal music; her songs have a sweep and line to them that make them a joy to play and sing. …

1
Florence Price: Songs 21:28

7M ago21:28

21:28

Known as a symphonic composer, Florence Price was the first African-American female to have one of her composition performed by a major orchestra in the US. Her music was rediscovered in 2009 in her old summer home, which has led to many of her works being recently published and premiered. Also an excellent pianist, her art songs include some virtu…

1
William Grant Still: Songs of Separation (ft. Lester Lynch, M. Roger Holland, II) 33:36

7M ago33:36

33:36

William Grant Still (1895-1978) was the first African-American to have a symphony performed by a major US orchestra (Symphony No. 1-"Afro-American" in 1931), to have an opera performed by a major US opera house (Troubled Island by New York City Opera in 1949), to conduct a major US orchestra (the New Orleans Symphony Orchestra in 1955), and to have…

1
R. Nathaniel Dett & Hall Johnson: Songs 19:50

8M ago19:50

19:50

R. Nathaniel Dett was a Canadian-American composer and concert pianist with a degree from Oberlin College. His arrangements of spirituals use the piano to great effect in bringing out the text--he also has an extensive repertoire of choral music. Hall Johnson was a professional violinist/violist who formed many choirs, the most famous of which (the…

1
Liebst du um Schönheit: Gustav Mahler & Clara Wieck Schumann 24:25

8M ago24:25

24:25

In our final episode of our compare and contrast season we discuss Liebst du um Schönheit by Gustav Mahler and Clara Wieck Schumann. With guest performers mezzo-soprano Kayleigh Decker and pianist Samuel Martin. Song Cycle is a production of Cincinnati Song Initiative. You can learn more about its network of podcasts at cincinnatisonginitiative.org…

1
Samuel Coleridge-Taylor: Songs 19:30

8M ago19:30

19:30

Samuel Coleridge-Taylor was a British composer and conductor with strong ties to the United States. His songs have a very "salon-music" feel to them, romantic and accessible for audiences. His daughter Avril was also a composer-conductor and we would love to find out how to access her music, so if anyone knows, please reach out! Recordings featured…

1
Harry Thacker Burleigh: Songs of Laurence Hope (ft. Kenneth Overton) 28:24

9M ago28:24

28:24

Harry Thacker Burleigh was the first Black composer to have a major influence on classical music, both by his own compositions and by his influence on Antonín Dvořak. His art songs were composed before his collection of spirituals and have recently been collected and edited by Louise Toppin, Ann Sears and Jean Snyder (who also wrote a biography of …

1
Season 3 Trailer 2:59

9M ago2:59

2:59

Season 3 drops starting August 20th, this time on Tuesdays! This season, Toni Marie and Ellen focus on Black composers, with an incredible array of guest hosts and performers. Make sure to subscribe and tell all your friends, colleagues, and students, you won't want to miss this season! So Lit Song Lit is a production of Cincinnati Song Initiative.…

1
The One with Joélle Harvey & Alex Fletcher 51:21

9M ago51:21

51:21

💥 Power couple alert! 💥 This month's conversation hits on a ton of great topics, featuring the very interesting perspectives of not one, but two titans of the industry - world-class soprano Joélle Harvey and epic artist manager Alex Fletcher. Not only do they bring their unique thoughts to the table as individuals, they give us a glimpse into how t…

1
Waldseligkeit with MYSTERY composers! 28:14

10M ago28:14

28:14

Today we have not one, not two, but THREE settings of the text Waldseligkeit by Richard Dehmel. See if you can guess the mystery composers before their names are reveled after receiving the clues and live performances of their settings by Erin Keesey and Samuel Martin! Follow the Lieder is a production of Cincinnati Song Initiative. You can learn m…

1
The One with Rhoslyn Jones 1:05:52

10M ago1:05:52

1:05:52

If you're interested in hearing a little bit about everything, this one's for you. Rhoslyn Jones brings the most joy to her artistry as a teacher and performer. Grab a listen to hear about her amazing early musical opportunities in Canada, and stay to hear all her hot takes on the industry and celebrity teachers. Oh, and no pigs were harmed during …

1
Craig Bohmler: Quatre petites chansons pour le petit déjeuner 18:07

12M ago18:07

18:07

American composer Craig Bohmler has an extensive list of musicals as well as operas, art songs, concerti, etc. He has at least ten song cycles to his credit, and his music is highly accessible for audiences while still giving musicians as fun challenge to perform! His cycles Love Letters and Quatre Petites Chansons pour le Petit Déjeuner are availa…

1
Allnächtlich im Traume: Mendelssohn and Schumann 56:13

12M ago56:13

56:13

A lively discussion with guest co-host Ben Offringa covering Heine's text Allnächtlich im Traume in settings by Felix Mendelssohn and Robert Schumann. With guest performers Tristan Tournaud, Parker Konkle, Ethan Neal, and Sihan Zhang. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★By Cincinnati Song Initiative

1
Louise Talma: Terre de France 14:00

1y ago14:00

14:00

Another student of Nadia Boulanger, Louise Talma was an American composer who taught at the American Conservatory at Fontainebleau as well as Hunter College. She was the first American female composer to have a full-scale opera performed in Europe. Terre de France uses traditional harmonies, but in the 1950s Talma started experimenting with serial …

1
The One with Roderick Williams 58:51

1y ago58:51

58:51

It's truly the most interesting man alive: English baritone Roderick Williams. Yes, the same Roderick Williams who sang at King Charles III's coronation in 2023. The one you've probably heard on most any English song album. Would you guess the magnitude of his career after listening to this chill conversation he has with Sam? Definitely not. So set…

1
Laura Kaminsky: Songs 20:28

1y ago20:28

20:28

Laura Kaminsky is the composer of the opera As One, which has become one of the most performed operas since it premiered in 2014. Her music is many-faceted, with dissonance and harmony, as well as rhythmically interesting moments. Laura's works can be purchased through Bill Holab Music. Recordings featured in this episode, performed by Toni Marie P…

1
Rastlose Liebe: Goethe, Zelter, and Schubert 50:04

1y ago50:04

50:04

The ASMR Lieder podcast you didn't know you needed! If you can make it past Brian's dubious soundscaping in today's episode then you're in for a treat as we discuss Goethe and his(?) text Rastlose Liebe in settings by Zelter and Schubert. Special thanks to guest performers Erin Keesy, Olivia Knutsen, and Samuel Martin! Follow the Lieder is a produc…

1
Peggy Glanville-Hicks: 5 Songs 13:36

1y ago13:36

13:36

Australian composer Peggy Glanville-Hicks studied composition with Ralph Vaughan Williams and Nadia Boulanger, among other teachers. In addition to songs, she also composed several operas and orchestral works, and worked as a music critic for the New York Herald Tribune for a time. Mimic Heaven, or 5 Songs to texts by A.E. Housman, is available thr…

1
Wald(es)gespräch: Robert Schumann and Alexander Zemlinsky 1:05:40

1y ago1:05:40

1:05:40

Join Mandee and Janie as they discuss the legend of the Lorelei and compare settings by Robert Schumann and Alexander Zemlinsky. With guest performances by Erik Nordstrom, Parker Konkle, Erin Keesy, and Samuel Martin. Picture of Zemlinsky Concert program Flight documents Lorelei Rock Follow the Lieder is a production of Cincinnati Song Initiative. …

1
Augusta Holmès: Mélodies 14:17

1y ago14:17

14:17

Augusta Holmès was a French composer of Irish descent in the 19th century. Her music was received negatively by many famous male composers of the time as being "too virile", so she published some early works under a pseudonym. The songs in this episode are in French but with a distinct Spanish flair to them. A huge shout-out to Allen Armstrong, Nic…

1
Bonus Episode - Song Cycle: The One with Iain Burnside 48:07

1y ago48:07

48:07

This month's episode of Follow the Lieder is slightlyyyyy delayed, so enjoy this bonus episode from Song Cycle hosted by CSI founder Samuel Martin! The great Scottish pianist Iain Burnside joins Sam for a fun and informative conversation. Come for the sage advice on how to stay active in this ever-changing classical music landscape, stay for the gr…

1
The One with Iain Burnside 46:30

1y ago46:30

46:30

The great Scottish pianist Iain Burnside joins Sam for a fun and informative conversation. Come for the sage advice on how to stay active in this ever-changing classical music landscape, stay for the greatest page-turning fail you never knew you needed to hear. Visit Iain Burnside's website. Song Cycle is a production of Cincinnati Song Initiative.…

1
David del Tredici: Songs for Baritone and Piano 17:07

1y ago17:07

17:07

American composer David del Tredici is considered a pioneer of neo-Romanticism, and his art songs definitely show that. With many art songs, song cycles, vocal chamber works, and compositions for voice and orchestra, it is well worth perusing his website (which also lists clips to hear the pieces!) to check out the rest of his output. His volume So…

1
Juliusz Wertheim: Songs 16:01

1y ago16:01

16:01

Juliusz Wertheim was a Polish composer, pianist, and conductor from the turn of the last century who was close friends with Arthur Rubinstein. His songs are lovely and lilting, accessible for an audience, and definitely should be a part of the standard repertoire! His music is available online through a website that is working to keep more Polish m…

1
The One with Gwen Coleman 45:44

1y ago45:44

45:44

What better way to kick off 2024 and Season 4 than with inspiration for chasing our own authentic selves? Allowing our mindsets to change over time, adopting new attitudes and approaches, and always - always - learning from those around us. It's the best advice for all of us, only from Gwen Coleman, right here on Song Cycle. Visit Gwen Coleman's we…

1
Ingolf Dahl: A Cycle of Sonnets/3 Songs to Poems of Albert Ehrismann 19:04

1y ago19:04

19:04

Ingolf Dahl was a German-born, naturalized American composer, who was well-connected throughout the entire entertainment industry as well as in classical music. His art songs are marked by intricate rhythms and atonal vocal lines that bring the texts to life. Purchase information: A Cycle of Sonnets - not available for purchase, but is available th…

1
Edward: Loewe & Brahms (or "The Tapestry of My Brain") 1:07:12

1y ago1:07:12

1:07:12

Murder ballades, Raisin Brahms, and the 'Schubert of the North' are just a few of the things you're not gonna want to miss in this month's episode of Follow the Lieder with guest co-host Brian Sikich. With guest performances by Erik Nordstrom, Parker Konkle, Lucy Evans, and Logan Wagner. https://www.eriknordstrom.com/ https://parkerkonkle.com/ http…

1
Hans Werner Henze: Fünf Neapolitanische Lieder/Three Auden Songs 19:54

1y ago19:54

19:54

Hans Werner Henze was a German composer who grew up during the time period of the Hitler Youth and went on to become a communist, leaving Germany because of his political views and its intolerance toward homosexuality. His music is influenced by serialism, atonality, jazz, and Arabic music, as well as standard compositional practices. For purchase …

1
NewMusicShelf Anthology of New Music: Trans and Non-Binary Voices 17:37

1+ y ago17:37

17:37

NewMusicShelf is a website dedicated to the production and distribution of scores by living composers. Their Anthology of New Music Series includes a volume of Trans & Non-Binary Voices. Recordings featured in this episode, performed by Gracyn Blu Louis, mezzo-soprano, and Ellen Rissinger, pianist: At a Dinner Party (Hope Salmonson) Captain of my S…

1
Ich stand in dunklen Träumen (Ihr Bild): Schubert & Clara Wieck Schumann 40:30

1+ y ago40:30

40:30

The advent of Season 4 of Follow the Lieder is upon us! All season long we will be comparing various settings of the same text within each episode, beginning today with Heinrich Heine's text “Ich stand in dunklen Träumen” as set by Franz Schubert and Clara Wieck Schumann. With guest vocalist Naomi Merer Witzen Sing Schubert's setting with me! Sing …

1
Season 3 Holiday Party! 52:03

1+ y ago52:03

52:03

The Season 3 finale crossover extravaganza is here! Sam invites the hosts of CSI's other podcasts, So Lit Song Lit and Follow the Lieder to join him to discuss what their shows are all about. More importantly, though, is your chance to see if you can guess even fewer music trivia questions correctly than this band of hooligans did. Happy holidays t…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Cincinnati Song Initiative Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen