Sunday Baroque Conversations

If you are a fan of NPR’s Tiny Desk concerts, you’re in luck! Tom Huizenga is a long time NPR producer, editor, and reporter whose work you’ve probably heard.

Simone Dinnerstein talks about what makes Bach’s music so important, her ensemble Baroklyn, and her longstanding Bach Concert Series at Miller Theatre at Columbia University, which begins March 28, 2024.

Morgan Sullivan came to singing later than many other professional singers do. Nevertheless she has achieved success as a freelance musician who has performed with numerous top tier ensembles, including Bach Collegium Japan, Folger Consort, and American Baroque Orchestra among many others.

Frederick Ballentine is an American tenor whose awards include a Grammy for his recording of George Gershwin’s PORGY AND BESS. The opera star exudes a sense of ease, confidence, and fun when it comes to his career.

Award-winning musician Shawn Okpebholo earned his degrees at the prestigious University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. But he credits his start in music to The Salvation Army church, where he received free music lessons as a child, and to his mother's tenacious support.

Scotland-based American conductor Kellen Gray is Assistant Conductor of the English National Opera and Assistant Conductor of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra. Suzanne spoke with Kellen Gray about his introduction to music growing up in South Carolina, and how it continues to impact his work as a conductor.

In 1746 George Frideric Handel was commissioned to compose an oratorio for a victory celebration. He based the work on the heroic story of Judah Maccabee – the Jewish leader who defended his country from invasion and whose story informs the celebration of Hanukkah.

Suzanne spoke with Brandon Patrick George about his debut 2020 solo recording, and welcomed him back in Fall 2023 to talk about his second solo recording, TWOFOLD, which pairs solo flute works by composers such as C.P.E. Bach, Ruth Crawford Seeger, and Claude Debussy with new works by composers including Reena Esmail, Saad Haddad, and Shawn E. Okpebholo.

Melvin Chen arrived at his career in music after earning degrees in chemistry and physics from Yale and Harvard. He spoke with Suzanne about how he has allowed his passion, energy, and curiosity steer his many diverse interests.

Acclaimed harpsichordist Mahan Esfahani - the first and only harpsichordist to be named a BBC New Generation Artist, and the youngest ever recipient of the Wigmore Medal – is an outspoken and passionate advocate for his instrument. He talked with Suzanne Bona about his career path and his experiences working with (and educating) some of musical collaborators about the versatility of the harpsichord.