Braving the Stave

EXPLORE

Society & Culture

© 2024 PodJoint

https://is1-ssl.mzstatic.com/image/thumb/Podcasts221/v4/50/30/4f/50304fbd-5b53-0057-3fca-3358ffb9c2da/mza_5372920461704192507.jpg/600x600bb.jpg

Braving the Stave

Arts Active

65 episodes

3 weeks ago

Haz’s healthy obsession with Horror prompts discussions on Welsh Halloween traditions, from apple-bobbing to tail-less black pigs, a swap of scary musical scores and diverse examples of ‘night music’. For some good cheer, there are also favourite moments from ‘West Side Story’ - all inspired by the Lumas Winds’ programme. Mae obsesiwn iach Haz ag arswyd yn ysgogi trafodaethau ar draddodiadau Calan Gaeaf Cymru, o siglo afalau i foch duon di-gynffon, cyfnewid sgoriau cerddorol brawychus ac engh...

Show more...

Music Commentary

All content for Braving the Stave is the property of Arts Active and is served directly from their servers with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.

Haz’s healthy obsession with Horror prompts discussions on Welsh Halloween traditions, from apple-bobbing to tail-less black pigs, a swap of scary musical scores and diverse examples of ‘night music’. For some good cheer, there are also favourite moments from ‘West Side Story’ - all inspired by the Lumas Winds’ programme. Mae obsesiwn iach Haz ag arswyd yn ysgogi trafodaethau ar draddodiadau Calan Gaeaf Cymru, o siglo afalau i foch duon di-gynffon, cyfnewid sgoriau cerddorol brawychus ac engh...

Show more...

Music Commentary

Episodes (20/65)

Braving the Stave

Upbeats: Season 5, Episode 2 (Braving Halloween 2025)

Haz’s healthy obsession with Horror prompts discussions on Welsh Halloween traditions, from apple-bobbing to tail-less black pigs, a swap of scary musical scores and diverse examples of ‘night music’. For some good cheer, there are also favourite moments from ‘West Side Story’ - all inspired by the Lumas Winds’ programme. Support the show www.artsactive.org.uk Email a2@artsactive.org.uk X @artsactive Instagram artsactivecardiff Facebook artsactive #classicalmusic #artsactive #drjonathanjam...

3 weeks ago

36 minutes

Braving the Stave

Upbeats: Season 5, Episode 1 (Braving The Loss of Summer)

To see in this new series, JJ and Haz say farewell to summer with the music of half-light, slumber and nocturnes. Along the way you'll find out why we should feel sorry for Janacek's postman, who the mysterious Silke Schäfer is, and why Swiss tea bags have a superior design. Support the show www.artsactive.org.uk Email a2@artsactive.org.uk X @artsactive Instagram artsactivecardiff Facebook artsactive #classicalmusic #artsactive #drjonathanjames #bravingthestave #musicconversations #funfact...

1 month ago

35 minutes

Braving the Stave

Upbeats: Season 4, Episode 20 (Braving The Viola)

After getting some stereotypes out of the way - viola jokes, composers who played viola, best viola shreds - Haz and JJ explore the wonders of the instrument, from how it got its name, via lesser known orchestral moments, through to solo works that put it on the map. Along the way: Lionel Tertis' big-hipped viola, and the connection between violists and basketball players. The perfect end to the season! Support the show www.artsactive.org.uk Email a2@artsactive.org.uk X @artsactive Instagram...

5 months ago

34 minutes

Braving the Stave

Upbeats: Season 4, Bonus episode 2: Interview with Christiana Mavron (Mavron Quartet)

JJ interviews Christiana Mavron ahead of the Mavron Quartet's performance in the Arts Active Lunchtime Concert Series, on 3rd June 2025. Cardiff Classical Lunchtime Recitals: The Mavron Quartet - Arts Active Tickets Support the show www.artsactive.org.uk Email a2@artsactive.org.uk X @artsactive Instagram artsactivecardiff Facebook artsactive #classicalmusic #artsactive #drjonathanjames #bravingthestave #musicconversations #funfacts #guestspeakers #cardiff #cardiffclassical

6 months ago

21 minutes

Braving the Stave

Upbeats: Season 4, Episode 19 (Braving Neoclassicism)

Jon and Haz find out why it's best not to say 'neoclassicism' in a hurry before plunging into beautiful reinventions of the past. Along the way, Haz makes the connection between Stravinsky and sweating and Jon discovers Couperin's 'Tic-Toc Choc'. Support the show www.artsactive.org.uk Email a2@artsactive.org.uk X @artsactive Instagram artsactivecardiff Facebook artsactive #classicalmusic #artsactive #drjonathanjames #bravingthestave #musicconversations #funfacts #guestspeakers #cardiff #ca...

6 months ago

23 minutes

Braving the Stave

Upbeats: Season 4, Episode 18 (Braving The Clarinet)

JJ and Haz extol the virtues and versatility of the clarinet, from its humble folk beginnings through to its many shapes and sizes of today. Includes the instrument's nicknames, its use in classical and jazz and its resemblance to milk chocolate. Support the show www.artsactive.org.uk Email a2@artsactive.org.uk X @artsactive Instagram artsactivecardiff Facebook artsactive #classicalmusic #artsactive #drjonathanjames #bravingthestave #musicconversations #funfacts #guestspeakers #cardiff #ca...

7 months ago

32 minutes

Braving the Stave

Upbeats: Season 4, Bonus episode 1: Interview with Tabea Debus (recorder) and Samuele Telari (accordion)

The duo performing in an upcoming Cardiff Lunchtime series at Eglwys Dewi Sant talk with Jon about how they met, the background to their instruments and the thinking behind their innovative and beautifully considered programme. Support the show www.artsactive.org.uk Email a2@artsactive.org.uk X @artsactive Instagram artsactivecardiff Facebook artsactive #classicalmusic #stdavidshall #neuadddewisant #drjonathanjames #bravingthestave #musicconversations #funfacts #guestspeakers #cardiff

8 months ago

18 minutes

Braving the Stave

Upbeats: Season 4, Episode 17 (Braving the Musical Zoo)

With the unusual pairing of a recorder and accordion coming up in a concert, Jon and Haz do a quick survey of other rarer concert instruments. In this 'musical zoo' are instruments that are both haunting and hooting, folk and electronic, and one that reminds Haz of a 'depressed Cor Anglais.' Support the show www.artsactive.org.uk Email a2@artsactive.org.uk X @artsactive Instagram artsactivecardiff Facebook artsactive #classicalmusic #stdavidshall #neuadddewisant #drjonathanjames #bra...

8 months ago

36 minutes

Braving the Stave

Upbeats: Season 4, Episode 16 (Braving Roots Music)

Jon and Haz dip their toes into the ocean that is Roots Music, discussing its stereotypes and stigmas, its multiple instruments and crazy time signatures, and why pan pipes make for great massage music. Along the way, Jon talks about his own journey with the Dovetail Orchestra for asylum-seeking musicians, which has bases in both Bristol and Cardiff (at Eglwys Dewi Sant). Support the show www.artsactive.org.uk Email a2@artsactive.org.uk X @artsactive Instagram artsactivecardiff Facebo...

9 months ago

35 minutes

Braving the Stave

Upbeats: Season 4, Episode 15 (Braving the String Quartet)

JJ and Haz see in the new year with a celebration of the string quartet, testing the claim that it is a 'four-way marriage without the sex'. Haz divulges her pet peeves as a chamber musician, as well as what a 'shig' is and why, amazingly, 'Bridgerton' is keeping the quartet genre alive and kicking. Contact email: A2@artsactive.org.uk Support the show www.artsactive.org.uk Email a2@artsactive.org.uk X @artsactive Instagram artsactivecardiff Facebook artsactive #classicalmusic #stdavidshal...

10 months ago

34 minutes

Braving the Stave

Upbeats: Season 4, Episode 14 (Christmas Cracker 2024)

Christmas Cracker 2024 JJ and Haz bring on the 'hygge' with a homage to the wind quintet, bagatelles and boyfriends (Haz's), carols to cherish and avoid, 'disruptive' descants and a whole new genre of 'earnest kitsch'. Nadolig llawen, pawb! Got any comments for JJ and Haz? Email them to A2@artsactive.org.uk Oes gennych chi unrhyw sylwadau i JJ a Haz? Anfonwch ebost i A2@artsactive.org.uk Support the show www.artsactive.org.uk Email a2@artsactive.org.uk X @artsactive Instagram artsactivecar...

1 year ago

40 minutes

Braving the Stave

Upbeats: Season 4, Episode 13 (Braving The Harp)

When Jon likens harp music to twinkly bedtime stories, Haz champions the instrument, taking it beyond the usual clichés. Together they consider its Celtic history, how much patience you need to tune it, the most-loved harp effects, and why harpists are the best people to ask to unscrew a jar. Support the show www.artsactive.org.uk Email a2@artsactive.org.uk X @artsactive Instagram artsactivecardiff Facebook artsactive #classicalmusic #stdavidshall #neuadddewisant #drjonathanjames #bravingt...

1 year ago

26 minutes

Braving the Stave

Upbeats: Season 4, Episode 12 (Braving the Sax)

JJ and Haz try to convert each other to the sound of the sax, celebrating its parps, growls and bends. Along the way: why Debussy called the sound 'aquatic', why it reminds JJ of custard, and what it means to be 'Careless Whispered' while at music college. Support the show www.artsactive.org.uk Email a2@artsactive.org.uk X @artsactive Instagram artsactivecardiff Facebook artsactive #classicalmusic #stdavidshall #neuadddewisant #drjonathanjames #bravingthestave #musicconversations #fu...

1 year ago

32 minutes

Braving the Stave

Upbeats: Season 4, Episode 11 (Braving Sinfonia Cymru)

In the new season of Braving the Stave, JJ and Haz give their light-hearted but sharp-eared take on the lunchtime recitals happening every month in Eglwys Dewi Sant. This opening episode ponders whether Patrick Rimes, local folk legend, could play a blancmange, what it would be like to work for an insomniac Count, and the deeper meaning of 'Say a little prayer.' Support the show www.artsactive.org.uk Email a2@artsactive.org.uk X @artsactive Instagram artsactivecardiff Facebook artsactive #...

1 year ago

26 minutes

Braving the Stave

Upbeats: Season 4, Episode 10 (Summer Bangers)

JJ and Haz suggest three categories of summer music to enjoy, 'bubble, deckchair and fiesta', before selecting 6 summer bangers to see the sun in. Includes hip jiggling, graffiti and casting issues in Carmen. Support the show www.artsactive.org.uk Email a2@artsactive.org.uk X @artsactive Instagram artsactivecardiff Facebook artsactive #classicalmusic #stdavidshall #neuadddewisant #drjonathanjames #bravingthestave #musicconversations #funfacts #guestspeakers #cardiff

1 year ago

28 minutes

Braving the Stave

Upbeats: Season 4, Episode 9 (Braving Texture)

In this final part to their survey of different musical elements, Jon and Haz imagine cartwheels in Bach, the weight of silence, whether John Dowland had any party hits, how Mariah Carey would sing Twinkle Twinkle and, rather disturbingly, what Jon would look like in a bikini Support the show www.artsactive.org.uk Email a2@artsactive.org.uk X @artsactive Instagram artsactivecardiff Facebook artsactive #classicalmusic #stdavidshall #neuadddewisant #drjonathanjames #bravingthestave #musiccon...

1 year ago

36 minutes

Braving the Stave

Upbeats: Season 4, Episode 8 (Braving Harmony)

Braving Harmony What has harmony got to do with colouring-in books, killing kittens and how to yearn for something unattainable? How can Rachmaninoff change the weather with a chord? JJ and Haz discuss their favourite harmonists, from early rule-breakers to Radiohead and folk artists. Support the show www.artsactive.org.uk Email a2@artsactive.org.uk X @artsactive Instagram artsactivecardiff Facebook artsactive #classicalmusic #stdavidshall #neuadddewisant #drjonathanjames #bravingthe...

1 year ago

29 minutes

Braving the Stave

Upbeats: Season 4, Episode 7 (The Magic of Melody)

The Magic of Melody What 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 emotionally satisfying tunes. Support the show www.artsactive.org.uk Email a2@artsactive.org.uk X @artsactive Instagram artsactivecardiff Facebook artsactive #classicalmusic #stdavidshall #neuadddewisant #drjonathanjames #bravingthestave #musicconversatio...

1 year ago

30 minutes

Braving the Stave

Upbeats: Season 4, Episode 6 (Braving Rhythm)

Braving Rhythm In 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 folk patterns, why rhythm is so hard to teach, and why a road trip with Haz would always be educational. Support the show www.artsactive.org.uk Email a2@artsactive.org.uk X @artsactive Instagram artsactivecardiff Facebook artsactive #classicalmusic #s...

1 year ago

36 minutes

Braving the Stave

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

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't work out so well... Support the show www.artsactive.org.uk Email a2@artsactive.org.uk X @artsactive Instagram artsactivecardiff Facebook artsactive #classicalmusic #stdavidshall #neuadddewisant #drjonathanjames #bravingthestave #musicconversations ...

1 year ago

40 minutes