WELCOME TO THE MERZBAU PODCAST
a new project from the Merz Trio
For the members of the Merz Trio, our non-musical interests are integral to the way that we make music. We’ve long been curious about other musicians’ extra-musical interests and the ways that these might intersect with and inform their artistic practice. So when we found ourselves in a pandemic, we decided to call up our friends, mentors and colleagues to chat about their non-musical passions. Each of our six podcast episodes features a musician guest discussing a work of art that they love, ranging from short stories to stone-age sculpture. At least, that’s where the conversation begins - as you’ll hear we often end up in some surprising places!
The Merzbau Podcast releases episodes every Wednesday, beginning November 2nd, 2022 for six weeks. You can find more information below about our guests, their chosen art works and other relevant details. You can also follow along and participate in the conversation on social media @merzbaupod.
The Merzbau Podcast is produced and hosted by Merz Trio violinist Brigid Coleridge. The podcast gratefully acknowledges the generous support of a New England Conservatory Entrepreneurial Musician Grant in bringing this project to life.
Original art design by Lara Juriansz
Technical assistance by Melissa May
EPISODE 6: ALEX WEISER ON FRA ANGELICO’S THE LAST JUDGEMENT
For our final episode of Season 1, Brigid speaks with the composer and dear friend-of-the-Merz-Trio, Alex Weiser. Alex introduces us to a painting by the 15th century Florentine artist and monk Fra Angelico, and speaks eloquently about his experience of encountering the painting recently in real life, as well as the particular detail that caught his eye. The conversation also takes in the importance of creative quiet space, the dynamic interplay between text and music in Alex's work and Alex's galvanizing approach to programming. As a bonus, we're also invited into a recent collaboration between Alex and the Merz Trio, in a discussion of the production of Alex's forthcoming album of song cycles. All in all, it's a heartening and inspiring conversation, and we're delighted to share Alex's insights with you!
Works mentioned in this episode:
Fra Angelico: The Last Judgement
For more on Alex Weiser: https://alexweiser.com
Music featured in this episode:
Alex Weiser, And All The Days Were Purple, 2019, I. My Joy; II. - ; VI. Lines for Winter, performed by Eliza Bagg, Lee Dionne, Michael Compitello, Maya Bennardo, Hannah Levinson, Hannah Collins
Theme music:
Zortziko by Lee Dionne, from the Merz Trio's 2021 album INK
Design: Lara Juriansz
Produced and recorded by Brigid Coleridge. Technical assistance by Melissa May.
EPISODE 5: LUCY FITZ GIBBON ON BERNINI’S APOLLO E DAFNE
In this week's episode, Brigid speaks to soprano and educator Lucy Fitz Gibbon. Lucy returns us to sculpture in the layered story of her encounter with Bernini's famous interpretation of Greek myth, Apollo e Dafne. Lucy is an eloquent and thoughtful guest, and the conversation spans physical experience in sculpture and performance; the role of story in art creation; the insights recording music during the pandemic has yielded; and a particularly illuminating discussion of Lucy's relationship with text. We're delighted to share this conversation with you!
Works mentioned in this episode:
Bernini Apollo e Dafne
Handel Apollo e Dafne
For more on Lucy Fitz Gibbon:
https://lucyfitzgibbon.com/
Music featured in this episode:
Aida Shirazi Soliloquy of the Unnamed, I. The Guarded Wound, III. November Night
Text by Adelaida Crapsey, performed by Lucy Fitz Gibbon (soprano) and Geneva Lewis (violin) for a live performance at the Philadelphia Chamber Music Society.
Florence Price Night, arranged and performed by the Merz Trio.
Franz Joseph Haydn, Piano Trio No. 45 in E flat major, Hob. XV: 29, I. Poco allegretto
Performed live by the Merz Trio.
Theme music:
Zortziko by Lee Dionne, from the Merz Trio's 2021 album INK
Design: Lara Juriansz
Produced and recorded by Brigid Coleridge. Technical assistance by Melissa May.
EPISODE 4: VIVIAN WEILERSTEIN ON CARL ROGERS’ PSYCHOLOGY
In this week's episode, Brigid talks to one of the Merz Trio's great mentors: the pianist, chamber musician and educator, Vivian Weilerstein. In a departure from the artworks nominated by guests thus far, Vivian elects to discuss the work of the celebrated American psychologist Carl Rogers. The conversation spans Vivian's childhood and the influence of her parents, her twin interests in psychology and music and how the two speak to one another in her current teaching practice, as well as a memorable reflection on the importance of vulnerability in music making. Vivian is a generous and keenly insightful presence, and we're delighted to share her unique perspectives with you!
Works mentioned in this episode:
The works of Carl Rogers
For more on Vivian Weilerstein:
https://necmusic.edu/faculty/vivian-hornik-weilerstein
Music featured in this episode:
Leoš Janáček, Sonata for Violin and Piano: III. Allegretto, IV. Adagio
Performed by The Weilerstein Duo (Vivian Hornik Weilerstein and Donald Weilerstein) on their 2008 album, Enescu, Dohnányi and Janáček
Johannes Brahms, Piano Trio No. 1 in B major, Op. 8: I. Allegro con moto
Performed by the Merz Trio
Theme music:
Zortziko by Lee Dionne, from the Merz Trio's 2021 album INK
Design: Lara Juriansz
Produced and recorded by Brigid Coleridge. Technical assistance by Melissa May.
For more on the Merzbau Podcast:
Website: www.merztrio/merzbaupodcast
Instagram: @merzbaupod
For more on the Merz Trio:
Website: www.merztrio.com
Instagram: @merztrio
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MerzTrio/
EPISODE 3: JEFFREY MUMFORD ON AELBERT CUYP’S VIEW OF DORDRECHT
In this week's episode, Brigid speaks with the renowned composer (and former visual artist!) Jeffrey Mumford. Jeffrey chooses to discuss a wonderfully evocative painting by the 17th century Dutch artist Aelbert Cuyp. Among other highlights, their conversation touches on the ways in which visual art and composition invite relationship with an audience, the different ways they navigate space and time, and how Jeffrey brings these different art forms into dialogue with one another in his work.
The Merz Trio has recently been playing Jeffrey's fantastic piano trio undiluted days, and it was particularly meaningful to gain this additional insight into Jeffrey's imaginative and artistic processes. Enjoy!
Works mentioned in the episode:
Aelbert Cuyp (1620-1691): View of Dordrecht
Other works by Aelbert Cuyp
For more on Jeffrey Mumford:
https://www.jeffreymumford.com
Music featured in this episode:
Jeffrey Mumford, An expanding distance of multiple voices
I. Estatico e molto appassionato
III. Molto delicatissimo ed etereo
Performed by Miranda Cuckson, on the 2014 album Jeffrey Mumford: Through a stillness brightening
Photo credit: Irene Haupt
Theme music:
Zortziko by Lee Dionne, from the Merz Trio's 2021 album INK
Design: Lara Juriansz
Produced and recorded by Brigid Coleridge. Technical assistance by Melissa May.
EPISODE 2: SINI SIMONEN ON VIRGINIA WOOLF’S TO THE LIGHTHOUSE
In today’s episode, Brigid speaks with the Finnish violinist and quartet player, Sini Simonen. Sini nominates to discuss a book: Virginia Woolf’s novel To the Lighthouse. In a moving and personal conversation recorded remotely during the height of the pandemic, we hear how Woolf’s writing has mediated Sini’s relationship with English; the part that ‘reading’ plays in Sini’s musical life; and the many ways in which Woolf’s investigation of interior and exterior lives speak to the ways in which we experience music, as performers and listeners. Sini is a beautiful and eloquent guest, and this episode is packed full of insights - for music, and for life.
Works mentioned in this episode:
Virginia Woolf To The Lighthouse
For more on Sini Simonen:
https://www.castalianstringquartet.com/biographies/
https://musicmasters.org.uk/sini-simonen/
Music:
Thomas Adès, The Four Quarters: I. Nightfall; III. Days. Performed by the Castalian String Quartet on their 2022 album Between Two Worlds: Lassus, Beethoven, Adès and Dowland
Beethoven, String Quartet No. 15 in A minor, Op. 132, III. Molto adagio (Heiliger Dankgesang eines Genesenen an die Gottheit). Performed by the Castalian String Quartet on their 2022 album Between Two Worlds: Lassus, Beethoven, Adès and Dowland
Photo Credit: Paul Marc Mitchell
Theme music: Zortziko by the Merz Trio, original composition from their 2021 album INK
Design: Lara Juriansz
Produced and recorded by Brigid Coleridge. Technical assistance by Melissa May.
EPISODE 1: MERRY PECKHAM ON VERMEER, FRANKENTHALER AND THE STARGAZER
For our first episode, Brigid speaks to the renowned cellist, chamber musician and educator, Merry Peckham. Merry nominates three (!) works of art to discuss: a stone-age sculpture, a Jan Vermeer painting and a Helen Frankenthaler landscape. In a wide-ranging conversation - that begins with what it means to be part of an audience, and ends up on stage with the performers - we hear how galleries and their contents have been a constant in Merry’s musical career. Merry is an eloquent force, and this episode inspires us to get to a gallery before our next concert!
Works mentioned in the episode:
The Stargazer
Jan Vermeer: Mistress and Maid
Helen Frankenthaler: Paintings
For more on Merry Peckham:
https://necmusic.edu/faculty/merry-peckham
Music credits:
Béla Bartok, String Quartet No. 4, BB 95: IV. Allegretto pizzicato, performed by the Cavani Quartet, from their 2010 album Bartok and Ravel
Theme music:
Zortziko by Lee Dionne, from the Merz Trio's 2021 album INK
Design: Lara Juriansz
Produced and recorded by Brigid Coleridge. Technical assistance by Melissa May
For more on the Merzbau Podcast:
Website: www.merztrio/merzbaupodcast
Instagram: @merzbaupod
For more on the Merz Trio:
Website: www.merztrio.com
Instagram: @merztrio
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MerzTrio/