Pianist Yuja Wang is a phenomena in our time. A remarkable artist who is young enough in mind to make shockingly original music on stage, while being experienced enough to navigate the sometimes cut throat world of the classical music industry. Between the bars host Yannick Dondelinger joins Yuja Wang for a taxi ride to Amsterdam, and an especially informal chat about the genius of Rachmaninov, the joy of China's cuisine, living in the USA, religion, the privacy of Bachs music, performing with the late and great Claudio Abbado, and many many more topics….. enjoy the ride.

For a full transcript of the episode, please visit our website.

photo: Yuja Wang © Julia Wesely

music excerpts: © Deutsche Grammophon (2011): Yuja Wang/Mahler Chamber Orchestra/Claudio Abbado: Rachmaninov - Paganini Rhapsody

Weird head tapping routines, toy lobsters on stage - Part 2 of Stage Fright uncovers the strange and diverse pre-concert routines some musicians go through, and what happens if you freeze in the middle of a performance. Fight or flight, to leave the stage or not to leave the stage, that is the question. And then the taboo topic of Beta Blockers enters the conversation...

Host and MCO violist Yannick Dondelinger brings to a close this double episode of frank, funny and intimate discussion with MCO musicians around the effects, the origins, and some controversial solutions to having stage fright….

For a full transcript of the episode, please visit our website.

From childhood trauma, to professional bow shake, to the elephant in the room - Beta Blockers. Some times you swallow the stage, and sometimes the stage swallows you…

Stage fright is something we can all relate to, wether presenting a speech, teaching class, or chairing a meeting. This is especially true for the musicians of the Mahler Chamber Orchestra, who are out there on the worlds concert stages in front of thousands of people, every week, every year.

Join host and violist Yannick Dondelinger for a double episode of frank, funny and intimate discussion with MCO musicians around the effects, the origins, and some controversial solutions to having stage fright.

For a full transcript of the episode, please visit our website.

Join host Yannick Dondelinger for an intimate conversation with Dame Mitsuko Uchida. In this heartwarming discussion, Mitsuko shares her life story, from her musical upbringing to becoming one of the most revered pianists of our time. Discover the deep roots that music has in her life and how they have shaped her career.

Mitsuko also shares her unique connection with the Mahler Chamber Orchestra, her appreciation for Mozart, and touches on her upcoming role as Music Director of the Ojai Music Festival.

Throughout the episode, Mitsuko's modesty and optimism shine through, painting a portrait of an artist deeply rooted in her love for music and life. Tune in for an inspiring episode that celebrates the life and career of Mitsuko Uchida, only on Between the Bars.

For a full transcript of the episode, please visit our website.

In this episode, MCO's Outreach and Education Manager, Valentina-Katharina Georgoulopoulos, joins host Yannick Dondelinger to explore the concept of "Heimat" (home and belonging). With members originating from 25 diverse countries, "Heimat" holds much significance for the MCO.

Valentina shares insights into crafting a unique concert format, that was developed in collaboration with the MCO musicians. Specifically tailored for younger audiences, Valentina and Yannick uncover both the challenges and rewards of engaging young listeners.

Join them to discover "Heimat" and explore how our upcoming school festival in Berlin aims to further immerse students in the journey of finding their sense of home.

It's a fact - life changes when a little one comes on the scene. But how do you navigate the realms of parenthood when you're a musician and part of an internationally traveling orchestra? Host Yannick Dondelinger sits down with fellow MCO musicians Johannes Lörstad (violin) and Emma Schied (oboe) to discuss their lives before and since having children.

Complementing their conversation, producer Matthias Mayr uncovers some touching insights from the other side. Young MCO-ers Mathilda Lörstad and Oliver Dondelinger, provide a glimpse into life as children on board a musician's journey.

It's a fact - life changes when a little one comes on the scene. But how do you navigate the realms of parenthood when you're a musician and part of an internationally traveling orchestra? Host Yannick Dondelinger sits down with fellow MCO musicians Johannes Lörstad (violin) and Emma Schied (oboe) to discuss their lives before and since having children.

Complementing their conversation, producer Matthias Mayr uncovers some touching insights from the other side. Young MCO-ers Mathilda Lörstad and Oliver Dondelinger, provide a glimpse into life as children on board a musician's journey.

It's a fact - life changes when a little one comes on the scene. But how do you navigate the realms of parenthood when you're a musician and part of an internationally traveling orchestra? Host Yannick Dondelinger sits down with fellow MCO musicians Johannes Lörstad (violin) and Emma Schied (oboe) to discuss their lives before and since having children.

Complementing their conversation, producer Matthias Mayr uncovers some touching insights from the other side. Young MCO-ers Mathilda Lörstad and Oliver Dondelinger, provide a glimpse into life as children on board a musician's journey.

In her staged project "Les Adieux", Patricia Koptchinskaja points out the many goodbyes she feels we will have to take in the near future. The final goodbye, or the Big Goodbye, will be one to ourselves.

In the third, and final, episode of the Big Goodbye, Between the Bars host Yannick Dondelinger finds out how the concept of the project came to Patricia and how we could interpret what she puts on the stage!

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'Les Adieux' is generously supported by the German Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media through "NEUSTART KULTUR", with the kind support of the Rudolf Augstein Foundation.

In the second episode of "The Big Goodbye", Patricia Kopatchinskaja speaks about growing up in rural Moldova and connecting to nature from an early age, the sound of the raindrops and the momentum of the wind were her first musical teachers.

This connection with her inner child makes her want to look at the tradition of performing music. She creates her own story with the compositions, shedding off what has grown on them throughout the years.

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'Les Adieux' is generously supported by the German Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media through "NEUSTART KULTUR", with the kind support of the Rudolf Augstein Foundation.

Violinist Patricia Kopatchinskaja is not only known for her extraordinary musical skills but also for the trailblazing staged projects, in which she does not shy away from current world issues.

In Les Adieux, a project of Patricia with the Mahler Chamber Orchestra, she focuses on climate change and the rapid deterioration of our planet. How much time have we got left on Earth? When will our natural resources be used up? When will natural disasters, rising sea levels and new illnesses bring us to our knees?

The Between the Bars team met up with Patricia whilst touring through Hamburg. In the first episode of the 3-part series The Big Goodbye, they sat down with the controversial artist and discussed her motivation and drive for Les Adieux.

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'Les Adieux' is generously supported by the German Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media through "NEUSTART KULTUR", with the kind support of Rudolf Augstein Foundation.

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photo: Julia Wesely