Practice Room Breaks

Singer-songwriter and opera composer Rufus Wainwright and Grammy-nominated arranger and conductor Chris Walden join us for a wide-ranging conversation about inhabiting Kurt Weill, the architecture of song, and their collaborative album, I'm a Stranger Here Myself, recorded with the Pacific Jazz Orchestra.We explore how Weill’s deceptively simple melodies demand rigorous vocal precision, what his original Berlin manuscripts reveal about his orchestration choices, and how Walden re-imagined those historic pit orchestra scores for a contemporary hybrid big-band and string ensemble. Wainwright reflects on his lifelong affinity for Weill’s theatrical heroines, the delicate balance between composer intent and performer swagger on iconic tracks like "Mack the Knife," and how his background as an opera composer shapes his athletic, dynamic vocal delivery. Along the way, the two discuss the historical and political resonance of 1930s Weimar Germany in today’s cultural landscape—and share humorous insights into composer personalities, from Bertolt Brecht’s austerity to Giuseppe Verdi’s legendary disdain for musicians.This conversation marks the very first crossover episode of Practice Room Breaks, exploring the living bridge between classical, jazz, and theatrical songcraft. Looking at how brilliant artists from outside the traditional classical canon step into and reshape elements of our world, this feature is the first of many exciting crossover conversations to come—asking what it truly means to be both creator and interpreter in an interconnected musical landscape.Support the show

This year is a landmark year for jazz at IMSLP. With classics like "Georgia on My Mind" entering the public domain, we're celebrating the deep, undeniable connection between classical music and jazz, and kicking it off by welcoming our first jazz musician to the podcast.  Jon Lampley is a trumpeter, sousaphonist, singer-songwriter, and one of the most versatile and sought after brass players on the jazz scene today. For 11 years he was a core member of Louis Cato and the Great Big Joy Machine (the band on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert) co-founded the jazz-funk collective Huntertones, and toured arenas with O.A.R., all while developing a sound that defies categorization.  In this episode, we get into his gospel roots, the moment he knew music was the only path, what it actually takes to blend jazz, soul, and gospel without losing your distinct voice, and the culture shock of going from intimate Brooklyn venues to late-night television. We also talk Huntertones, his Sunday residency Night Service, what increased access to scores through IMSLP means for the future of jazz, and his upcoming album Notes to Self, out June 26.Support the show

Pianist and composer Conrad Tao joins us for a wide-ranging conversation about the creative process, autograph manuscripts, and inhabiting multiple musical identities.We explore how Debussy's notation reveals compositional logic, what Beethoven's crossed-out passages tell us about artistic decision-making, and where the line between composer authorship and performer interpretation really lies. Tao shares insights from examining holographic manuscripts, discusses his favorite piece (Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 23), and weighs in on which classical composer would be most viral on social media today.From the historical weight of original scores to the democratizing power of IMSLP's open-access library, this episode bridges centuries of musical practice with today's digital landscape—and asks what it means to be both creator and interpreter in classical music.Support the show

How does a tiny student side project become the largest classical music library in the world?In this episode, IMSLP Founder & CEO Edward Guo joins Natalie Nedvetsky for an honest, funny, and surprisingly intimate look at the story behind IMSLP — from its beginnings at NEC to the moment it suddenly exploded across the global classical community.Edward shares his journey from growing up in China to studying in the U.S., how conservatory culture shaped his thinking, and the exact moment the idea for IMSLP clicked. He and Natalie dive into the early chaos (including the bug that made the site go viral), the realities of running a massive volunteer-driven platform, and the hidden features and quirky corners of IMSLP that even longtime users miss.The conversation also unpacks the complexities of international copyright, why laws differ so wildly, how cases like Shostakovich illustrate the challenges, and what Edward would change if we rewrote copyright from scratch. They explore IMSLP’s reach, who uses it, and where it might be heading — including the creation of Ludwig, IMSLP’s AI assistant.The episode closes with rapid-fire Q&A from the IMSLP community, touching on funding, scan quality, score organization, and what inspires Edward to keep this enormous project alive.If you’ve ever downloaded a score or wondered how IMSLP actually runs, this episode is a must-listen.Support the show

Zlatomir Fung — one of the leading cellists of his generation — joins IMSLP to trace his path from prodigious beginnings to becoming the youngest-ever International Tchaikovsky Competition winner, unpacking the mindset of competition playing and the balance between intensity, restraint, and interpretation under pressure.He delves into the intersection of analysis and expression — transcribing for the cello, Popper etudes, chess-like pattern recognition, and the balance between composer intent and performer authorship. We talk Fantasies, his debut album weaving operatic transcriptions with contemporary works, and explore his close study of Dvořák’s Cello Concerto, revealing how comparing the manuscript and first edition can reshape phrasing and approach. Fung also reflects on being the youngest Juilliard professor ever, social media’s evolving role, and what artistic success means beyond competition.Support the show

Internationally renown violinist Simone Porter joins us to talk about her journey from early debuts with the Seattle Symphony and Royal Philharmonic to playing with the nation’s top orchestras. She answers listener questions on stage confidence and managing performance anxiety, and reflects on moments when live music completely transported her — or taught her something through the unexpected.We also dive into her debut album ad tendo, inspired by Simone Weil’s idea that “absolute attention is prayer.” Simone shares why she pairs centuries-old works by Hildegard of Bingen and Biber with contemporary voices like Salonen, Andrew Norman, and Reena Esmail, and what unites them in one program. Plus, hear a live excerpt of Biber’s Passacaglia, and learn what books, art, and daily rituals are currently fueling her artistry.Click the link below to learn more and to purchase her debut album, Ad Tendo! www.SimonePorterViolin.comSupport the show

On this episode of Practice Room Breaks, Host Natalie Vargas Nedvetsky sits down with pianist extraordinaire, Alessio Bax. Diving into is musical upbringing, deep artistic philosophies, and how winning top prizes at the Hamamatsu and Leeds International Piano Competitions at such a young age shaped the course of his career, Alessio shares his meaningful approach to programming, the mindset behind competition preparation, and the art of transcribing some of his favorite works. From his surprise feature in The New York Times dining section his profound connection to chamber music, and what it means to collaborate with some of the greatest living legends, including his wife and pianist Lucille Chung—Alessio reminds listeners how essential it is to bring your most authentic self to your art.*If you like what you hear, make sure to like, subscribe, and check out IMSLP's Youtube channel for the video companion of this podcast. Support the show

What did Liszt refuse to teach - and why? In the debut episode of Practice Room Breaks - the podcast, host and classical pianist Natalie Vargas Nedvetsky sits down with internationally acclaimed pianist, pedagogue and scholar Steven Spooner to uncover the surprising origins of the recital and masterclass, share untold stories from Liszt’s life and the era in which he lived, and hear excerpts from Spooner’s monumental 10-volume Liszt album — consisting of over 300 works and 35 hours of music.Packed with jaw-dropping performances and deep insights on artistry, risk, and being a whole musician, this episode offers inspiration and wisdom for performers, students, and music lovers alike.*If you like what you hear, make sure to subscribe and check out IMSLP’s YouTube channel for the video companion of this podcast. Support the show