The Music Show

Stephen Sondheim was the high priest of the modern musical, and almost five years on from his death, Daniel Okrent’s new biography Stephen Sondheim: Art Isn't Easy reveals probably more than the intensely private Sondheim would have liked. From the anger of Sweeney Todd, the struggle of the artist in Sunday in the Park with George, and the loneliness of Passion, his music reveals him even more than Daniel’s many interviews with his contemporaries ever could. Into the Woods, Sondheim’s fairytale-bending masterpiece, is being staged by Opera Queensland, and director Patrick Nolan joins Andy to talk about why Sondheim is one of the only music theatre composers regularly programmed by opera companies. Opera Queensland's Into the Woods is staged at QPAC 11-21 November.Music heard in the show:Title: Comedy TonightArtist: Zero MostelComposer: Sondheim, StephenAlbum: A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum (Original Broadway Cast)Label: Capitol RecordsTitle: Prologue; Into the WoodsArtist: Tom Aldredge and Original Broadway CastComposer: Sondheim, StephenAlbum: Into The Woods (Original Broadway Cast)Label: RCA VictorTitle: Opening DoorsArtist: Original Broadway CastComposer: Sondheim, StephenAlbum: Merrily We Roll Along (Original Broadway Cast)Label: RCA Red SealTitle: Being AliveArtist: Larry KentComposer: Sondheim, StephenAlbum: Company (Original Broadway Cast)Label: Columbia MasterworksTitle: Someone in a TreeArtist: Original Broadway CastComposer: Sondheim, StephenAlbum: Pacific Overtures (Original Broadway Cast)Label: RCA Red SealTitle: EpiphanyArtist: Len CariouComposer: Sondheim, StephenAlbum: Sweeney Todd (Original Broadway Cast)Label: RCATitle: Finishing the HatArtist: Mandy PatinkinComposer: Sondheim, StephenAlbum: Sunday in the Park With George (Original Broadway Cast)Label: RCA Red SealTitle: Ever After, Act II Prologue, I Guess This Is Goodbye, Any Moment, FinaleArtist: Tom Aldredge and Original Broadway CastComposer: Sondheim, StephenAlbum: Into The Woods (Original Broadway Cast)Label: RCA VictorThe Music Show is made on Gadigal, Gundungurra, Jagera and Turrbal, and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung CountryTechnical production by Simon Branthwaite

Beethoven’s 6th Symphony, his Pastoral, is one of the best known pieces in the repertoire. Whether your first encounter was a full orchestral performance, a crackling vinyl, or the soundtrack to prancing unicorns in Fantasia, it probably struck you. A more subtly radical piece than its sister-symphony, the bombastic 5th, it’s being performed across the country by the Australian Chamber Orchestra and director and violinist Richard Tognetti joins us to pull it apart.It’s the late Australian soprano Dame Joan Sutherland’s 100th anniversary, and she wasn’t called La Stupenda for nothing. She had one of the most perfect vocal techniques in the business, and her fame as an opera singer was rivalled only by Maria Callas. From The Music Show archives, soprano and singing teacher Jane Edwards explains how she did it.The Australian Chamber Orchestra performs Beethoven’s Pastoral 12-25 November in Newcastle, Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth. Music heard in the show:Title: Beethoven Symphony No. 6 in F Major, Op. 68, ‘Pastoral’Artist: Australian Chamber Orchestra, Richard TognettiComposer: Beethoven, LudwigAlbum: BeethovenLabel: ABC ClassicsTitle: Sempre Libera from La TraviataComposer: VerdiPerformer: Joan Sutherland and Luciano PavarottiAlbum: Verdi: La Traviata 1970 Live at the Met conducted by Richard BonyngeLabel: BLV Title: Caro Nome from RigolettoComposer: VerdiPerformer: Joan Sutherland, the Ambrosian Opera Chorus, London Symphony Orchestra conducted by Richard BonyngeAlbum: Verdi's RigolettoLabel: Decca Title: Ah! non giunge from La SonnambulaComp: Bellini, VincenzoPerformer: Joan Sutherland, Orchestra and Chorus of The Maggio Musicale/BonyngeAlbum: Bellini La Sonnambula: HighlightsLabel: Decca Title: In Questa Reggia from TurandotComposer: Puccini, GiacomoArtist: Joan Sutherland with Luciano Pavarotti as Calaf. John Alldis Choir and the London Philharmonic Orchestra/MehtaAlbum: Puccini TurandotLabel: DeccaThe Music Show is made on Gadigal, Gundungurra, Jagera and Turrbal, and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung CountryTechnical production by Simon Branthwaite

To celebrate AusMusic Month, The Music Show brings you The Dot Strong Sessions. Named for the ABC's formidable tea lady (and the outdoor terrace that bears her name at ABC Ultimo in Sydney), we'll bring you sessions from great Australian artists throughout November.Katie Noonan was the first to set her keyboard out under the jasmine vines, performing tracks from her 30th studio album, Alone But All One.And live in the Melbourne music studio, Lisa Miller celebrates the 30th anniversary of Quiet Girl With A Credit Card, which spent decades out of print and is finally available once again.Katie Noonan is currently on tour - the full set of dates can be found hereLisa Miller is playing two shows in Victoria on the 6th and 8th of November. Music heard in this program:Title: This Isn't What I Signed Up ForArtist: Katie NoonanComposer: Katie NoonanAlbum: Alone But All OneLabel: Independent releaseTitle: Alone But All One (live)Artist: Katie NoonanComposer: Katie NoonanPerformed live on The Dot Strong Terrace from the album Alone But All OneTitle: In Your Shoes (live)Artist: Katie NoonanComposer: Katie NoonanPerformed live on The Dot Strong Terrace from the album Alone But All OneTitle: When The Heart Falls Apart (live)Artist: Katie NoonanComposer: Katie NoonanPerformed live on The Dot Strong Terrace from the album Alone But All OneTitle: Guitar Boat (live)Artist: Lisa MillerComposer: Lisa MillerPerformed live in The Music Show studio from the album Quiet Girl With A Credit CardTitle: Big Small TownArtist: Lisa MillerComposer: Lisa MillerPerformed live in The Music Show studio from the album Quiet Girl With A Credit CardTitle: Merrily Kissed The QuakerArtist: PlanxtyComposer: Andy Irvine, Christy Moore, Donal Lunny, Liam O'FlynnAlbum: PlanxtyLabel: PolydorThe Music Show is made on Gadigal, Gundungurra, and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung  CountryTechnical production by Isobella Tropiano, Brendan O'Neill, and Emrys Cronin

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander listeners are advised this program contains the names and voices of people who have died.Fanny Lumsden’s new album is a rollicking country record with her voice - both as a singer and songwriter - right at the centre of it. She’s brought her guitar and her bassist Dan Freeman into the studio to give us a live rendition of some tracks from the album.Assyrian-Australian vocalist Lillian Albazi and double bassist Oscar Neyland have come together to extend their original collaborations into a lush new record called Bright Phantoms, bringing together works by Colin Stetson, Nick Cave, ANOHNI, Björk and Adrianne Lenker. They perform live in The Music Show studio. Plus another opportunity to listen to the late Yorta Yorta singer Jimmy Little on The Music Show back in 1999, around the release of his seminal Australian songbook album Messenger.Music heard in the show:Title: (Are You) The One That I’ve Been Waiting ForArtist: Jimmy LittleComposer: Cave, NickAlbum: MessengerLabel: FestivalTitle: TraditionsArtist: Fanny LumsdenComposer: Lumsden, FannyPerformed live in The Music Show studio from the album TraditionsTitle: Difficult WomanArtist: Fanny LumsdenComposer: Lumsden, FannyPerformed live in The Music Show studio from the album TraditionsTitle: Darker With the DayArtist: Lillian Albazi, Oscar Neyland, James Sherlock, Niran Dasika, Callum MintzisComposer: Cave, NickPerformed live in The Music Show studio from the album Bright PhantomsTitle: Who the Waves Are Roaring ForArtist: Lillian Albazi, Oscar Neyland, James Sherlock, Niran Dasika, Callum MintzisComposer: Stetson, ColinPerformed live in The Music Show studio from the album Bright PhantomsTitle: Down BelowArtist: Jimmy LittleComposer: Rumour, Dan ; Elliott, Jim; Perkins, TexAlbum: MessengerLabel: FestivalTitle: Into TemptationArtist: Jimmy LittleComposer: Finn, NeilAlbum: MessengerLabel: FestivalThe Music Show is made on Gadigal, Gundungurra and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung CountryTechnical production by Isabella Tropiano, Emrys Cronin, and Brendan O’Neill

Composer and pianist Elena Kats-Chernin and pianist and ABC Classic presenter Tamara-Anna Cislowska share stories from a friendship and collaboration that's lasted decades, including how Tamara-Anna convinced Elena to perform with her, by sharing a single piano. Elena's concerto, Ancient Letters, was recorded by Tamara with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra and that album is nominated for an ARIA Award. The collaboration between experimental saxophonist Colin Stetson and piper Brìghde Chaimbeul is comparatively recent, but looks set to continue for a long time. Colin talks to Andy about hearing Brighde's music for the first time and why he’s so interested in capturing the sort of sounds from his instrument that most sax players work very hard to remove from a recording.Join us at Fillmore’s in Kiama on Thursday 29th October for a conversation with Sandy Evans and Andrea Keller before their Resonance performance with Michelle Nicolle and Jenny Barnes.Elena and Tamara-Anna are performing in Maitland on Sunday Oct 25.Music heard in this program:Title: Dirt DanceArtist: Colin Stetson & Brìghde ChaimbeulComposer: Colin Stetson & Brìghde ChaimbeulAlbum: All the light in the world Label: Envision RecordsTitle: Ancient Letters, i. Tiger CubArtist: Tamara-Anna Cislowska & Tasmanian Symphony OrchestraComposer: Elena Kats-CherninAlbum: Elena Kats-Chernin: Ancient LettersLabel: ABC ClassicsTitle: All the light in the world Artist: Colin Stetson & Brìghde ChaimbeulComposer: Colin Stetson & Brìghde ChaimbeulAlbum: All the light in the world Label: Envision RecordsTitle: Sorrow: II - Lento E Largo — TranquillissimoArtist: Colin StetsonComposer: Henryk Górecki & Colin StetsonAlbum: Sorrow (A Reimagining Of Gorecki's 3rd Symphony)Label: 52HzTitle: Even though the frost is harsh Artist: Colin Stetson & Brìghde ChaimbeulComposer: Colin Stetson & Brìghde ChaimbeulAlbum: All the light in the world Label: Envision RecordsTitle: Andrea’s Special DaysArtist: Andrea Keller & Sandy EvansComposer: Sandy EvansAlbum: ResonanceLabel: Independent releaseThe Music Show is made on Gadigal, Gundungurra, Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung and Gumbaynggirr CountryTechnical production by Timothy Jenkins

Loudon Wainwright III is a songwriter who falls somewhere between Woody Guthrie and Tom Lehrer. As well as being a storyteller and comedian, he's the father of a brood of musical children including Rufus and Martha Wainwright. He's 80 now and planning his first Australian tour in over twenty years. And from The Music Show's archives, another chance to hear Andy's favourite of a few interviews with Canadian singer k.d. lang, who spoke to him about creating a great Canadian songbook with her album Hymns of the 49th Parallel. Join us at Fillmore’s in Kiama on Thursday 29th October for a conversation with Sandy Evans and Andrea Keller before their Resonance performance with Michelle Nicolle and Jenny Barnes.Music heard in the show:Title: Bird on a WireArtist: k.d. langComposer: Cohen, LeonardAlbum: Hymns of the 49th ParallelLabel: NonesuchTitle: Lifetime Achievement, White Winos, I Remember Sex Artist: Loudon Wainwright IIIComposer: Wainwright, LoudonAlbum: Loudon Live in LondonLabel: The Last Music CompanyTitle: A Case of YouArtist: k.d. langComposer: Mitchell, JoniAlbum: Hymns of the 49th ParallelLabel: NonesuchTitle: HelplessArtist: k.d. langComposer: Young, NeilAlbum: Hymns of the 49th ParallelLabel: NonesuchTitle: By the RiverArtist: Fanny Lumsden feat. Paul KellyComposer: Lumsden, Edwina MargaretAlbum: TraditionsLabel: Red Dirt Road RecordsThe Music Show is made on Gadigal, Gundungurra, Gumbaynggirr and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung CountryTechnical production by Isabella Tropiano and Timothy Jenkins

Listening to the new album by The Avalanches is like being on the dancefloor and then getting hit in the head with a whole desktop computer. Electronic, nostalgic, sample-laden and manic, their latest record is called No Bad Memories. The band - Robbie Chater, Toni Di Blasi, and Andy Szekeres - join Andy to unpack the record.Patti Smith was Andy's guest on stage at the Melbourne International Festival's Spiegeltent back in 2008, where she performed live and talked about her relationship with poetry and opera. It's one of Andy's favourite interviews in his 32 years on the show. Plus a new version of a very old song from Lotte Betts-Dean and Joseph Havlat, and solo jazz piano inspired by the Blue Mountains from Matt McMahon.Music heard in the show:Title: GloriaArtist: Patti SmithComposer: Smith, PattiAlbum: HorsesLabel: AristaTitle: Superfun TV SpotArtist: The AvalanchesComposer: Chater, Robert; Di Blasi, Anthony; Szekeres, Andrew; Patton, Mike Album: No Bad MemoriesLabel: PolydorTitle: No Bad MemoriesArtist: The AvalanchesComposer: Chater, Robert; Di Blasi, Anthony; Szekeres, Andrew; Spencer, Jim; Tossing, Ed Album: No Bad MemoriesLabel: PolydorTitle: HighfieldArtist: The AvalanchesComposer: Chater, Robert; Di Blasi, Anthony; Szekeres, Andrew; Lennox, Noah; Reilly, Vini Album: No Bad MemoriesLabel: PolydorTitle: My Lagan LoveArtist: Lotte Betts-Dean, Joseph HavlatComposer: trad., arr. Havlat, JosephAlbum: KinLabel: DelphianTitle: Wing, GratefulArtist: Patti SmithComposer: Smith, PattiRecorded live at Melbourne International Festival, 2008Title: CascadeArtist: Matt McMahonComposer: McMahon, MattAlbum: Burra KorainLabel: ABC JazzThe Music Show is made on Gadigal, Gundungurra and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung CountryTechnical production by Ann-Marie Debettencor

The musical voice behind Australian classics like Two Hands and Red Dog, Cezary Skubiszewski is being honoured at the 2026 Screen Music Awards for Distinguished Services to the Australian Screen. In an extended conversation with Andy, Cezary explores building tension in bank robberies, writing music based on the time signature of a pigeon’s coo, and bringing children to tears.Music heard in this program:Music from Two Hands, composed by Cezary Skubiszewski & Jan Skubiszewski - Love Theme, The Station, The Robbery, Fletcher's HouseTitle: Love ThemeArtist: Steven Hadley, Peter Jones, Barry Palmer, Shane O'Mara, Tony HicksComposer: Cezary Skubiszewski & Jan SkubiszewskiAlbum: Two Hands SoundtrackLabel: Festival RecordsTitle: The StationArtist: Steven Hadley, Peter Jones, Barry Palmer, Shane O'Mara, Tony HicksComposer: Cezary SkubiszewskiAlbum: Two Hands Original ScoreLabel: C-ZEETitle: The RobberyArtist: Steven Hadley, Peter Jones, Barry Palmer, Shane O'Mara, Tony HicksComposer: Cezary SkubiszewskiAlbum: Two Hands Original ScoreLabel: C-ZEETitle: On The BeachComposer: Cezary SkubiszewskiAlbum: Lilian's Story - Music From The Motion PictureLabel: ColumbiaTitle: Betty Et ZorgComposer: Gabriel YaredAlbum: Betty Blue SoundtrackLabel: Virgin Movie MusicTitle: The Godfather WaltzComposer: Nino RotaAlbum: The Godfather SoundtrackLabel: Paramount RecordsTitle: The SearchComposer: Cezary SkubiszewskiAlbum: Red DogLabel: Roadshow MusicTitle: High Country creditsComposer: Cezary Skubiszewski & Jan SkubiszewskiTitle: PolymorphiaArtist: Aukso OrchestraComposer: Krzysztof PendereckiAlbum: Threnody for the Victims of HiroshimaLabel: NonesuchTitle: What's Happening Out There?Artist: Eric SerraComposer: Eric SerraAlbum: Leon The Professional soundtrackLabel: Waxwork RecordsTitle: Fletcher's HouseArtist: Steven Hadley, Peter Jones, Barry Palmer, Shane O'Mara, Tony HicksComposer: Cezary SkubiszewskiAlbum: Two Hands SoundtrackLabel: Festival RecordsTitle: Bande Originale Du Film "Pickpocket"Composer: Jean-Baptiste LullyAlbum: Bande Originale Du Film La Verte Moisson / Bande Originale Du Film PickpocketLabel: PolydorTitle: Machine Gun LullabyComposer: Ennio MorriconeAlbum: The Untouchables SoundtrackLabel: A&M RecordsTitle: The Music BoxArtist: Cezary Skubiszewski Composer: Cezary Skubiszewski Album: The Sound of One Hand Clapping SoundtrackLabel: EMITitle: Let There Be LightArtist: Polish National Symphony OrchestraComposer: Cezary Skubiszewski Album: Night SountrackLabel: OriginTitle: Mosquito State TitlesComposer: Cezary Skubiszewski The Music Show is made on Gadigal, Gundungurra, Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung and Kaurna CountryTechnical production by Ann-Marie de Bettencor

Cellist and composer Freya Schack-Arnott divides her time between classical and experimental music, exploring all of the possibilities of her instrument. Her latest project, Nornir - which premieres at the Melbourne Fringe Festival - is something different again: a mixture of movement and composition that breaks down the very idea of the cello.The line between foley (cinematic sound effects) and percussion can be a blurry one, and The Music Show loves a blurry line. Andy talks to foley artist John Simpson, who has recently performed as the foley soloist in Thomas Meadowcroft's Hollywood Parsifals, a concerto for Percussion, Foley, and Orchestra; and Gabriel Fischer, a foley artist and percussionist who has taken his foley skills into his work with a piece for alfoil, snare drums and speakers called Makronomaly II. Nornir is at Melbourne Fringe 15-17 October.Listen to Hollywood Parsifals on ABC Classic’s Evening Concert program, Wednesday 14 October at 8pm. Music heard in the show:Title: Hollywood ParsifalsArtist: Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Eugene Ughetti, John Simpson, Benjamin NortheyComposer: Meadowcroft, ThomasRecorded for broadcast by ABC ClassicTitle: CirklerArtist: Freya Schack-Arnott and Benjamin WardComposer: Schack-Arnott, Freya; Ward, BenjaminAlbum: MalleeLabel: IndependentTitle: Finnish MarchArtist: Runa CaraComposer: trad.Album: Runa CaraLabel: IndependentTitle: Makronomaly IIArtist: Gabriel FischerComposer: Fischer, GabrielCourtesy of Phoenix Central Park Title: Hollywood ParsifalsArtist: Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Eugene Ughetti, John Simpson, Benjamin NortheyComposer: Meadowcroft, ThomasRecorded for broadcast by ABC ClassicThe Music Show is made on Gadigal, Gundungurra, Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung and Kaurna CountryTechnical production by Tom Henry and Simon Branthwaite

Emma Ruth Rundle describes herself as a guitarist - an instrument she's taken from metal bands to ambient minimalism. But it's her voice that's been front and centre on recent albums, alongside her writing, which has recently extended to a book of poetry. Her latest album, These Killing Times, is a return to full-band mode after the stripped-back and confessional Engine of Hell, and it's a culmination of everything she's done thus far.Randy Newman’s songs are surprising, poignant, sardonic and frequently very funny, whether they are poking fun at various US administrations, bigots, or self-satisfied characters living above the Mason-Dixon line. He was in Australia in 2011 touring with three of the state orchestras and also found time to sit down at a piano in the Music Show studios.Music heard in this program:Title: CowboyArtist: Randy NewmanComposer: Randy NewmanAlbum: Live Performance (originally on Randy Newman)Title: PowerlessArtist: Emma Ruth RundleComposer: Emma Ruth RundleAlbum: These Killing TimesLabel: Errant Child RecordingsTitle: Blooms of OblivionArtist: Emma Ruth RundleComposer: Emma Ruth RundleAlbum: Engine of HellLabel: Sargent HouseTitle: Kite, Known As HopeArtist: Emma Ruth RundleComposer: Emma Ruth RundleAlbum: Music From The Bella VistaLabel: Unnamed PressTitle: Catherine WheelArtist: Emma Ruth RundleComposer: Emma Ruth RundleAlbum: These Killing TimesLabel: Errant Child RecordingsTitle: MarieArtist: Randy NewmanComposer: Randy NewmanAlbum: Live Performance (originally on Good Old Boys)Title: Dixie FlyerArtist: Randy NewmanComposer: Randy NewmanAlbum: Live Performance (originally on Land of Dreams)The Music Show is made on Gadigal, Gundungurra, Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung and Kaurna CountryTechnical production by Simon Branthwaite