OJAICAST
Ojai Music Festival
Welcome to OJAICast where we pull back the curtain to explore all-things music to satisfy musical appetites, whether you are a newcomer or longtime music fan. Special guests help shine the light on topics, ranging from concert repertoire, music of today, to their own Ojai experiences.
Episodes
4. Hanzhi Wang Brings her Accordion and Mountain Song to Ojai
Hanzhi Wang demonstrates the incredible range of her accordion, talks about working with dancers and discusses her own connection to mountains for the Saturday morning meditation performance at the Ojai Meadows Preserve. Will Thomas, Producer Christopher Noxon, Host Hanzhi Wang, guest OJAICAST theme by Thomas Kotcheff and Louis Weeks Music featured - 1. Sequenza XIII composed by Luciano Berio and performed by Teodoro Anzellotti on the album Berio: Sequenzas 2. Circles composed by Bryce Dessner, currently unreleased 3. Mountain Song composed and performed by Hanzhi Wang, currently unreleased 4. Menuetto composed by Martin Lohse and performed by Hanzhi Wang on the album On the Path to H.C. Andersen 5. Wind Constellation 1/2/3 composed by Will Thomas and performed by Will Thomas on the album AV
3. Deep into the Piano with Vicki Ray
Pianist Vicki Ray dives into the Saturday evening program discussing works by Magnus Lindberg, Anna Thorvaldsdóttir, Gabriela Smith, and John Adams. Will Thomas, Producer Christopher Noxon, Host Vicki Ray, guest OJAICAST theme by Thomas Kotcheff and Louis Weeks Music featured - 1. Related Rocks composed by Magnus Lindberg and performed by Emil Holmström, Joonas Ahonen, Jani Niinimäki and Jerry Piipponen on the album Lindberg: Aura, Marea & Related Rocks 2. Ro composed by Anna Thorvaldsdóttir and performed by Caput Ensemble on the album Aerial 3. Anthozoa composed by Gabriela Smith and performed by Curtis Institute of Sound, currently unreleased 4. Chamber Symphony composed by John Adams and performed by Boston Modern Orchestra on the album John Adams: Chamber Symphony 5. Rundfunk composed by Enno Poppe and performed by Ensemble Mosaik on the album Enno Poppe: Rundfunk für neun Synthesizer
2. Percussionist Jonathan Hepfer talks Bones, Farmers and Cowboys
Join us for fascinating stories and a deep exploration into pieces Jonathan Hepfer will be performing by Globokar, Xenakis and Ferneyhough at this year’s Festival. Will Thomas, Producer Christopher Noxon, Host Jonathan Hepfer, guest OJAICAST theme by Thomas Kotcheff and Louis Weeks Music featured - 1. Komboi composed by Iannis Xenakis and performed by Red Fish Blue Fish and Steven Schick on the album Xenakis Edition, Vol. 7: Percussion Works 2. Toucher composed by Vinko Globokar and performed by Matthias Kaul on the album Globokar: Toucher 3. Bone Alphabet composed by Brian Ferneyhough and performed by Steven Schick on Bone Alphabet EP 4. Human Sadness performed by Julian Casablancas and the Voidz on the album Tyranny
1. Celebrating Eight Decades of Music
Artistic Director, Ara Guzelimian talks about Esa-Pekka Salonen's return to the festival, Messiaen's birdsong obsession and celebrating 80 years of the Ojai Music Festival. Will Thomas, Producer Christopher Noxon, Host Ara Guzelimian, guest OJAICAST theme by Thomas Kotcheff and Louis Weeks Music featured - 1. Lachen Verlernt composed by Esa-Pekka Salonen and performed by Tim Fain on the album Unraveling 2. FOG composed by Esa-Pekka Salonen and performed by Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, currently unreleased 3. Quartet for the End of Time composed by Olivier Messiaen and performed by Martin Fröst 4. Sequenza XIII for Accordion composed by Luciano Berio and performed by Teodoro Anzellotti on the album Berio: Sequenzas
4. Music in Nature, Islands, and Forests with Leilehua Lanzilotti & Liza Lim
In our fourth and final episode of this series leading up to the 2025 Ojai Music Festival, Leilehua Lanzilotti discusses giant reverbs and how Hawaiian culture influences her music. Composer Liza Lim then talks about writing for solo flute and explains How Forests Think. Will Thomas, Writer & Producer Christopher Noxon, Host Leilehua Lanzilotti and Liza Lim, Guests OJAICAST theme by Thomas Kotcheff and Louis Weeks Music featured 1. ko’u inoa composed by Leilehua Lanzilotti and performed by Jordan Bak 2. ahupua’a: iii. mohala i ka wai ka maka o ka pua composed by Leilehua Lanzilotti and performed by Leilehua Lanzilotti 3. Sola: II. – composed by Anna Thorvaldsdottir and performed by Leilehua Lanzilotti 4. Hawai’i Aloha Traditional, performed by IZ 5. Ke Aloha O Ka Haku (Queen’s Prayer) performed by Kamehameha School Children’s Choir 6. Sola: I. Prologue - I. – composed by Anna Thorvaldsdottir and performed by Leilehua Lanzilotti 7. How Forests Think: IV. The Trees composed by Liza Lim and performed by Elision Ensemble 8. How Forests Think: III. Pollen composed by Liza Lim and performed by Elision Ensemble 9. Sex Magic: III. Oracles II "Womb Bell" composed by Liza Lim and performed by Claire Chase 10. Sex Magic: IV. Oracles III "Vermillion - On Rage" composed by Liza Lim and performed by Claire Chase 11. I find you in all things composed by Jane Sheldon and performed by Jane Sheldon
3. Claire Chase talks Big Prize, Big Premieres, and Big Bertha
This week we look behind the scenes of how the Ojai Music Festival is curated with this year’s Music Director, Claire Chase and the Festival’s Artistic and Executive Director, Ara Guzelimian. Claire tells the story of this year’s Pulitzer Prize winning piece, Sky Islands by Susie Ibarra. She also demonstrates some of her exotic flute sounds and techniques. Will Thomas, Writer & Producer Christopher Noxon, Host Claire Chase and Ara Guzelimian, Guests OJAICAST theme by Thomas Kotcheff and Louis Weeks Music featured - 1. Pan - Death of Pan composed by Marcos Balter and performed by Claire Chase 2. Pan - Pan’s Flute composed by Marcos Balter and performed by Claire Chase 3. Pan - Harmony of the Spheres composed by Marcos Balter and performed by Claire Chase 4. Holy Liftoff composed by Terry Riley and performed by Claire Chase, unreleased 5. Sex Magic: II. Oracles I “Salutations to the Cowrie Shells composed by Liza Lim, performed by Claire Chase & Senem Pirler 6. Sky Islands composed by Susie Ibarra and performed by Claire Chase, unreleased 7. Sunbird composed by Susie Ibarra and performed by Claire Chase, unreleased 8. On the Overgrown Path, JW VIII/17, Book 1: I. Our Evenings composed by Leos Janacek and performed by Rudolf Firkusny 9. Yenna performed by Ali Farka Touré 10. Horse Sings From Cloud composed and performed by Pauline Oliveros
2. Wind and Wonder with Jay Campbell and Annea Lockwood
In this episode, cellist Jay Campbell discusses the adventurous programming of the Ojai Music Festival (June 5-8) and his recurring role on the Libbey Bowl stage with the JACK Quartet. Composer Annea Lockwood then takes us on an aural journey down rivers and bayous as she shares about her decades-long trials of recording the wind. Will Thomas, Writer & Producer Christopher Noxon, Host Jay Campbell & Annea Lockwood, Guests OJAICAST theme by Thomas Kotcheff and Louis Weeks Music featured - 1. Chambers composed by Marcos Balter and performed by the JACK Quartet, unreleased recording 2. The Holy Presence of Joan D’Arc composed by Julius Eastman and performed by Seth Parker Woods/Wild Up 3. Sky Islands composed by Susie Ibarra, unreleased recording 4. Eastre composed by Autechre 5. Bayou-Borne composed by Annea Lockwood and performed by Ensemble Maze 6. Housatonic River Recording by composer Annea Lockwood, unreleased 7. Wind by composer Cathy Lane 8. Arctic Winds by composer Maggi Payne
1. Exploring many flutes with Marcos Balter
We launch season five of OJAICAST as your host Christopher Noxon dives into the lineup of the 2025 Ojai Music Festival (June 5-8). He joins composer-in-residence Marcos Balter and talks about writing music at a young age, audience participation, and collaborating with this year’s Music Director Claire Chase. Will Thomas, Writer & Producer Christopher Noxon, Host Marcos Balter, Guest OJAICAST theme by Thomas Kotcheff and Louis Weeks Music featured - 1. Processional performed by Claire Chase (composer Marcos Balter) 2. Pan’s Flute performed by Claire Chase (composer Marcos Balter) 3. Harmony of the Spheres performed by Claire Chase (composer Marcos Balter) 4. Alone performed by Claire Chase (composer Marcos Balter), unreleased 5. Chambers performed by Spektral Quartet (composer Marcos Balter) 6. Sugarcane Fields Forever by Caetano Veloso 7. Processional performed by Claire Chase (composer Marcos Balter)
1. 2024 Ojai Music Festival: A Magical Musical Journey
This season on OJAICAST, we have one very special episode where Emily Praetorius gets to talk in-depth with Artistic and Executive Director Ara Guzelimian about what magic is in store for us at the 2024 Ojai Music Festival (June 6-9). From Mozart to Schoenberg and Haydn to Gubaidulina, we take a musical tour of the Festival programming with some extra insights into Music Director Mitsuko Uchida’s close connections with the fabulous roster of musicians joining her this year. Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 17 in G major, K.453 - 3. Allegretto Performed by Mitsuko Uchida and the English Chamber Orchestra with Jeffrey Tate Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 22 in E-Flat Major, K. 482 - I. Allegro Performed by Mitsuko Uchida and the English Chamber Orchestra with Jeffrey Tate Sophia Gubaidulina: Five Etudes for Harp, Double Bass and Percussion Performed by Christina Rozhkova, Alexander Suslin and Mark Pekarsky Schoenberg: 6 Little Piano Pieces, Op. 19 - 6. Sehr langsam Performed by Mitsuko Uchida Sophia Gubaidulina: In Croce Performed by Maria Kliegel and Elsbeth Moser Helmut Lachenmann: Interieur Performed by Sae Hashimoto Kaija Saariaho: Lichtbogen Performed by Avanti Chamber Orchestra György Kurtág: Kafka Fragments - No. 19 Performed by Ah Young Hong and Patricia Kopatchinskaja John Zorn: Road Runner Performed by Frode Haltli Haydn: Symphony No. 46 in B Major, Hob.I:46 - 4. Finale. Presto e scherzando Performed by the English Chamber Orchestra with Daniel Barenboim Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 17 in G major, K.453 - 3. Allegretto Performed by Mitsuko Uchida and the English Chamber Orchestra with Jeffrey Tate Emily Praetorius, host and producer Louis Ng, recording engineer OJAICAST theme by Thomas Kotcheff and Louis Weeks
3. Old Instruments, New Music
Our final episode welcomes kamancheh player Niloufar Shiri, pipa player Wu Man, and multi-instrumetalist Francesco Turrisi to the podcast, where they discuss the history of their instruments, how they are played in contemporary music today, and what we can look forward to in this year’s festival programming. Niloufar Shiri Performs at Ojai Meadows Preserve Niloufar Shiri Pop Up Pipa with Wu Man Francesco Turrisi: Playlist & Ojai Talk Francesco Turrisi Rhiannon Giddens and Francesco Turrisi Met Museum Concert Emily Praetorius, host and producer Louis Ng, recording engineer OJAICAST theme by Thomas Kotcheff and Louis Weeks Music Excerpts in this Episode: Niloufar Shiri Improvisation Rhiannon Giddens and Francesco Turrisi Met Museum Concert
2. Composing Across Boundaries
Our second episode takes a look at the idea of composing across boundaries with festival composers Niloufar Nourbakhsh and Carlos Simon. Shawn Okpebholo Ojai Virtual Talks: Lei Liang and Steve Schick Niloufar Noubakhsh and IFCA Carlos Simon, Requiem for the Enslaved Bill Traylor Emily Praetorius, host and producer Louis Ng, recording engineer OJAICAST theme by Thomas Kotcheff and Louis Weeks Music Excerpts in this Episode: mi sueño: afro-flamenco - Shawn Okpebholo, performed by Clare Longendyke The Willows are New - Chou Wen-Chung, performed by Gloria Cheng Veiled - Niloufar Nourbakhsh, performed by Amanda Gookin Between Worlds - Carlos Simon, performed by Julia Mirzoev
1. Liquid Borders
Our first episode gives an in-depth look into the 77th Ojai Music Festival (June 8th - 11th, 2023), curated by Music Director Rhiannon Giddens. Special guest Executive Director Ara Guzelimian will give us some insights into the creation of this year's festival programming and background on some of pieces being played. Ojai Virtual Talks, Rhiannon Giddens Uncovering the History of the Banjo with Rhiannon Giddens Emily Praetorius, host and producer Louis Ng, recording engineer OJAICAST theme by Thomas Kotcheff and Louis Weeks Music Excerpts in this Episode: I’m on My Way - Rhiannon Giddens, performed by Rhiannon Giddens and Francesco Turrisi Liquid Borders - Gabriela Ortiz, performed by red fish blue fish Clock Catcher - Flying Lotus, performed by Attacca Quartet Ghost Opera - Tan Dun, performed by Kronos Quartet
4. All Well that Ends – Sunday, June 12
More music, meditation, and dance plus community events end the four-day Festival starting with Meditation with the music of Julius Eastman, followed by Hans Otte’s The Book of Sounds, and two world premieres Dance in the Park and Rome is Falling. To end this jam-packed Fesrival, the Sunday Finale will display the virtuosity of all 17 AMOC members as a collective. Guests: Ara Guzelimian, Julia Eichten, and Doug Balliett. Emily Praetorius, producer and host Louis Ng, sound engineer (lensonproductions.com) OJAICAST theme by Thomas Kotcheff and Louis Weeks Music Excerpts in Episode 4: The Book of Sounds, mvts. 1, 10, by Hans Otte Performed by Ralph van Raat
3. Let the weekend begin – programs for Saturday, June 11
Let Festival weekend begin! In this episode we look at the Saturday program which is quintessential Ojai Music Festival -- music of Bach and Bach re-imagined and three premieres of some of today’s most exciting composers Matthew Aucoin, Carolyn Chen, and Andrew McIntosh. Guests: AMOC co-founder/composer Matthew Aucoin and AMOC member and violinist Miranda Cuckson. Emily Praetorius, producer and host Louis Ng, sound engineer (lensonproductions.com) OJAICAST theme by Thomas Kotcheff and Louis Weeks Music Excerpts in Episode 3: cross/collapse, by Catherine Lamb About Bach, by Cassandra Miller Performed by Quatuor Bozzini Tanz Tanz, by Reiko Füting Performed by Olivia de Prato Prelude in G Minor, by Bach Performed by Emi Ferguson and Ruckus Little Jimmy, by Andrew McIntosh Performed by Yarn/Wire
2. TGIF – A Look at Friday, June 10
From early morning sunrise to evening sunset, AMOC dives into the music of icons George Lewis and Roscoe Mitchell, the life and music of Julius Eastman alongside world premieres of works by Anthony Cheung and new staging of Messian’s Harawi. Guests: AMOC member and flutist Emi Ferguson and composer Anthony Cheung. Emily Praetorius, producer and host Louis Ng, sound engineer (lensonproductions.com) OJAICAST theme by Thomas Kotcheff and Louis Weeks Music Excerpts in Episode 2: Gay Guerilla, by Julius Eastman Performed by Julius Eastman Stay on It, by Julius Eastman Performed by Julius Eastman, Doug Gaston, Amrom Chodos, Dennis Kahle, Benjamin Hudson, Joseph Ford, George Mitkoff, Jan Williams, Peter Kotik Harawi, mvts. 2, 6, 10, by Olivier Messiaen Performed by Hetna Regitze Bruun and Kristoffer Hyldig
1. OJAI RUNS AMOC and a look at Thursday, June 9
Our first episode introduces us to our 2022 Music Director AMOC, the multidisciplinary collective which incorporates music, dance, poetry, theatre in all their work and their ambitious programming that begins on Thu June 9. Guests: Ara Guzelimian, Zack Winokur, and Keir Gogwilt Emily Praetorius, producer and host Louis Ng, sound engineer (lensonproductions.com) OJAICAST theme by Thomas Kotcheff and Louis Weeks Music Excerpts in Episode 1: Craigie Hill, by Keir GoGwilt and Celeste Oram Performed by Keir GoGwilt Prelude to the Holy Presence of Joan d’Arc, by Julius Eastman Performed by Julius Eastman Rebonds B, by Iannis Xenakis Performed by Steven Schick Gretchen am spinnrade, by Eric Wubbels Performed by Eric Wubbels and Mariel Roberts
4. Ojai Time Machine
The Ojai Music Festival has been around since 1947, but rather than sticking to status quo, it continues to evolve and surprise with unusual intersections of musical styles and genres. Invited to talk about their Ojai experiences will be alum - Matthew Duvall of Eighth Blackbird, Music Director of 2009, and Steven Schick, percussionist, conductor and Music Director of 2015. SHOW NOTES / CREDITS: Thomas Kotcheff, host Thomas Kotcheff, producer Louis Ng, recording engineer OJAICAST theme by Thomas Kotcheff and Louis Weeks Music used in this episode: Missy Mazzoli - Still Life with Avalanche performed by Eighth Blackbird Xenakis - Rebonds B performed by Steven Schick
3. Ears Open: A Guide to Listening to New Music
Classical music can be intimidating to newcomers and frequent concertgoers alike, even more so, new contemporary music. Host Thomas Kotcheff discusses this topic with the help from his guests, Musicologist Lance Brunner and composer Veronika Krausas, on finding meaning and confidence in the process of listening to classical music. SHOW NOTES / CREDITS: Thomas Kotcheff, host Thomas Kotcheff, producer Louis Ng, recording engineer OJAICAST theme by Thomas Kotcheff and Louis Weeks Music used in this episode: Rachmaninoff - Isle of the Dead performed by Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Andrew Davis Glass - Glassworks, Opening (Reworked By Christian Badzura) Performed by Víkingur Ólafsson Knut Nystedt/Johann Sebastian Bach - Immortal Bach performed by Maulbronner Kammerchor, Benjamin Hartmann
2. About John Adams
American composer and conductor John Adams, who leads the 75th Ojai Music Festival, has been an influence for many artists and composers, including several of our 2021 collaborators. The second episode invites pianists Vicki Ray and Joanne Pearce Martin, composer Dylan Mattingly, and chairman emeritus and longtime president of Nonesuch Records Robert Hurwitz to discuss their personal connections with John Adams. SHOW NOTES / CREDITS: Thomas Kotcheff, host Thomas Kotcheff, producer Louis Ng, recording engineer OJAICAST theme by Thomas Kotcheff and Louis Weeks Music used in this episode: John Adams - Hallelujah Junction performed by Nicolas Hodges and Rolf Hind John Adams - Road Movies: III. 40% Swing performed by Leila Josefowicz and John Novacek Dylan Mattingly - Magnolia performed by ZOFO duet (Eva-Maria Zimmermann and Keisuke Nakagoshi) John Adams - The Dharma at Big Sur, Pt. II: Sri Moonshine performed by Tracy Silverman, John Adams, and the BBC Symphony Orchestra John Adams - I Still Play performed by Timo Andres
1. Ojai Up Close
Our first episode gives an in-depth look into the 75th Ojai Music Festival (September 16-29, 2021) repertoire and the musical threads that connect it all together, curated by Music Director John Adams. Guests include Ojai Festival Artistic & Executive Director Ara Guzelimian, Program Book Annotator Thomas May, and featured 2021 composer Gabriela Ortiz. SHOW NOTES / CREDITS: Thomas Kotcheff, host Thomas Kotcheff, producer Louis Ng, recording engineer OJAICAST theme by Thomas Kotcheff and Louis Weeks Music used in this episode: Philip Glass - Evening Song No. 2 performed by Timo Andres Gabriela Ortiz - Río de las Mariposas performed by Southwest Chamber Music N.B. John Adams was music director of the Ojai Music Festival in 1993 and not 1994 as stated in the podcast