In this episode of Legends of Reed, oboist Celia Craig shares her journey of how she accidentally started playing the oboe and fell in love with it. She discusses her experiences as an orchestral player, touring the world and adapting to different cultural expectations. Celia also talks about her memorable concerts, including playing with Leonard Bernstein and the London Symphony Orchestra. She shares her experience of synesthesia, seeing music in colors, and how it enhances her musical performances. Celia explains why she chose to leave the orchestra and start her own recording label, Artaria, and the importance of diversity and mental health in the music industry. In this conversation, Celia discusses her experience with synesthesia and how it influences her music. She shares and describes the colors she sees when playing certain pieces. Celia also talks about her passion for photography and how it helps her relax away from music. She emphasizes the importance of innovation in the classical music industry and breaking barriers between audiences and performers. Celia discusses her efforts to create intimate concert experiences and showcase the skills of musicians in film recordings. She also highlights the need for arts bodies to support independent artists and provide career planning guidance for young musicians.


To find out more about Celia, visit her website:
https://www.celiacraig.com.au
https://www.instagram.com/celiacraigonline/

Legends of Reed is sponsored by Barton Cane, use coupon code, "legendsofreed" for free shipping on https://www.bartoncane.com

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

02:54 Discovering the Oboe

04:16 Career as an Orchestral Player

06:05 Cultural Differences in Orchestras

07:27 Memorable Concerts

08:24 Mentored by Leonard Bernstein

09:47 Leaving the Orchestra and Starting a Recording Label

13:07 Synesthesia and Music

18:43 Discovering Synesthesia

21:02 Promoting Diversity and Mental Health

23:00 The Importance of Music and Color in Modern Life

25:23 The Flow State and Synesthesia

26:18 Associating Colors with Music

26:45 Synesthesia and Mental Health

27:14 Perfect Pitch and Synesthesia

28:09 Challenges of Synesthesia

28:37 Synesthesia in Music

29:34 Describing Colors in Music

30:03 Synesthesia Experience with Elgar's Symphony

31:00 Unexpected Performance Experience

32:46 AI-Generated Art and Chamberworks

33:16 Unwinding and Relaxing with Photography

34:13 Innovating the Classical Music Industry

35:07 Intimate Concert Format

36:30 The Power of Live Music

37:28 Recognizing Performers in Film Music

38:24 Importance of Independent Art Scene

39:23 Supporting Independent Musicians

40:18 Teaching Career Planning and Entrepreneurship

42:06 Breaking Barriers and Unmasking Performers

43:03 Connecting Double Reed Players

43:58 Advice for Young Musicians

45:21 Playing in a Relaxed and Flow State

46:16 Practicing in the Dark

49:04 Upcoming Project: Researching Miriam Hyde