Karina Canellakis - from Violinist to Conductor
Digest
This podcast features an in-depth interview with conductor and violinist Karina Cananlakis, detailing her journey from a musical upbringing in New York City to her prestigious career, including her time at the Curtis Institute of Music and Juilliard, and her roles with major orchestras like the Berlin Philharmonic and the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra. Cananlakis shares insights into musical interpretation, the competitive nature of classical music, and the conductor-musician relationship. The episode also includes promotions for various iHeart podcasts, such as "Burden of Guild" Season 2, "Bleep With Anna Navarro," "Charlie's Place," "Keep It Positive Sweetie," and "Boys and Girls," alongside segments on mental health and the science of sleep.
Outlines
Introduction and Podcast Previews
The podcast opens with introductions and previews of other iHeart podcasts, including "Burden of Guild" Season 2, "Bleep With Anna Navarro," and discussions on mental health and performance.
The Science of Sleep and Digestion
This section introduces upcoming podcast series on the functions of sleep, human unpredictability in sleep patterns, and the impact of modern life, along with a series on digestive function.
Karina Cananlakis: Early Life and Musical Journey
The podcast introduces conductor and violinist Karina Cananlakis, detailing her childhood in a musical family, her education at Bank Street School and Stuyvesant High School, and her passionate pursuit of music, leading to her admission to the Curtis Institute of Music after a dedicated year of practice.
Conservatory Life, Juilliard, and the Berlin Philharmonic Academy
Cananlakis reflects on her five years at Curtis, the competitive classical music career landscape, her decision to study at Juilliard for a specific teacher and New York's music scene, and her subsequent move to Germany in 2005 to join the Karajan Academy of the Berlin Philharmonic.
Conducting Nuances: Interpretation, Radio Orchestras, and Young Musicians
The conversation delves into the intricacies of conducting, focusing on interpreting tempo and dynamics in pieces like Mahler's Ninth Symphony, the unique role of a radio orchestra conductor, and experiences leading young orchestras at festivals.
Orchestra Dynamics and Conductor-Musician Relationships
This segment explores the chemistry between a conductor and an orchestra, emphasizing trust and communication, while acknowledging the challenges of maintaining relationships due to frequent travel.
Career Beginnings, Pre-Performance Rituals, and Transition to Conducting
Cananlakis discusses the start of her professional conducting career in 2014, her unexpected debut with the Dallas Symphony, and her pre-performance rituals. She also shares her journey from violinist to conductor, encouraged by prominent figures.
Leadership Roles and Communication in Orchestras
The podcast covers Cananlakis's appointment as chief conductor of the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra and her views on fostering more open communication between conductors and musicians for mutual growth and a healthier relationship.
Emotional Connection, Family Balance, and Musical Passions
Cananlakis discusses the profound emotional connection in music performance, the challenges of balancing a demanding career with family life, and her favorite composers and pieces, including Wagner's "Tristan und Isolde" and Sibelius.
Expanding Audiences, Childhood Inspiration, and Future Aspirations
The importance of engaging new audiences for classical music and the role of private support are highlighted. Cananlakis shares her childhood inspiration, Mikhail Baryshnikov, and her aspiration to conduct Wagner's complete Ring Cycle, alongside exploring film scores and opera.
Conclusion and Performance Excerpt
The podcast concludes with thanks to Karina Cananlakis and features an excerpt of her conducting Tchaikovsky's Symphony Number Five with the London Philharmonic, followed by repeat podcast promotions.
Keywords
Karina Cananlakis
Conductor and violinist, first woman with principal guest conductor roles in major orchestras.
Classical Music Conducting
Art of leading orchestras, interpreting scores, tempo, dynamics, and musicality.
Curtis Institute of Music
Prestigious music conservatory known for rigorous training and selective admissions.
Juilliard School
World-renowned performing arts conservatory in New York City.
Berlin Philharmonic
Leading global orchestra with its Karajan Academy for young musicians.
Musical Interpretation
Conductor's artistic vision influencing tempo, dynamics, and emotional expression.
Opera Conducting
Specialized practice coordinating singers, orchestra, and stage action in opera.
Wagner's Ring Cycle
Monumental cycle of four epic music dramas by Richard Wagner.
Sibelius's Tone Poems
Orchestral works by Jean Sibelius, inspired by mythology and nature.
Conductor-Musician Relationship
Importance of trust, communication, and collaboration between conductors and orchestras.
Q&A
What was Karina Cananlakis's childhood like growing up in a musical family?
Karina Cananlakis grew up in a crowded New York City apartment with two pianos, where music practice was a daily cacophony involving multiple family members and piano students.
How did Karina Cananlakis get into the prestigious Curtis Institute of Music?
After an initial failed audition, she dedicated a year to practicing five to six hours daily and successfully auditioned again in her senior year of high school, gaining admission to Curtis.
What is the biggest challenge for aspiring classical musicians today?
The number of highly qualified musicians far exceeds the available positions in top orchestras, making the audition process extremely competitive and often "cold and ruthless."
Why did Karina Cananlakis decide to pursue further studies at Juilliard after graduating from Curtis?
She was drawn to a specific teacher at Juilliard and sought the opportunities available in New York City's vibrant music scene, including professional gigs and exposure to major concert halls.
How did Karina Cananlakis transition from being a violinist to a conductor?
Her path was not linear; she was strongly encouraged by prominent figures like Simon Rattle and Alan Gilbert, who recognized her passion for score study and potential as a conductor.
What are Karina Cananlakis's pre-performance rituals?
She seeks a calm environment, naps, avoids excessive talking and music, and mentally rehearses the piece, often with music playing loudly in her head.
What is Karina Cananlakis's favorite piece of music?
Her all-time favorite piece is Richard Wagner's "Tristan und Isolde," an opera she finds musically unparalleled and historically significant, though challenging to stage.
How does Karina Cananlakis view the relationship between conductors and orchestras?
She believes in the importance of open communication and mutual growth, expressing a desire for more dialogue to foster a healthier and more collaborative relationship.
What are Karina Cananlakis's aspirations for the future of classical music?
She aims to bring new audiences into the concert hall and emphasizes the crucial role of private support in sustaining the arts, especially amidst funding cuts.
Who was Karina Cananlakis's childhood inspiration, and how did she meet them?
Her childhood inspiration was Mikhail Baryshnikov. She emailed him expressing her admiration, and his wife replied, inviting them to one of her performances, leading to their meeting.
Show Notes
Karina Canellakis is an American conductor and former violinist internationally acclaimed for her expressive symphonic and operatic leadership. She is currently Chief Conductor of the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra and Principal Guest Conductor of the London Philharmonic Orchestra. Notably, Canellakis was the first woman to be appointed Principal Guest Conductor for the London Philharmonic and the first woman to be Chief Conductor of any Dutch orchestra. She also made history as the first woman to conduct the Nobel Prize Concert in Stockholm and to serve as Principal Guest Conductor of the Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra. As both a violinist and conductor, Canellakis has worked with leading orchestras across Europe and North America, including the New York Philharmonic, Los Angeles Philharmonic, San Francisco Symphony, Bavarian Radio Symphony, Vienna Symphony, Orchestre de Paris, and Munich Philharmonic. Canellakis is also an accomplished opera conductor and has led Der Rosenkavalier at Santa Fe Opera and Dialogues des Carmélites in Paris. Originally trained as a violinist, she turned to conducting and built a groundbreaking career stemming from her musical upbringing in New York City.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Table of contents
United States
