The Cleveland Orchestra launches Second Season of Acclaimed On a Personal Note podcast, a weekly series of stories told in words and music
clevelandorchestra.com/podcast
Ten new episodes go behind the scenes to explore music’s emotional depth and impact, taking listeners on journeys that are both powerful and personal
First episode available on September 1: Music Director Franz Welser-Möst reflects on a traumatic accident from his youth that emotionally connects him to Schubert’s music
Additional episodes feature Director of Choruses Lisa Wong’s reflections on the healing power of the human voice as connected to John Adams’s On the Transmigration of Souls and Principal Percussionist Marc Damoulakis talks about what it means to keep time for The Cleveland Orchestra
Podcast series is part of @Home with The Cleveland Orchestra offerings
CLEVELAND – The Cleveland Orchestra announces details of the second season of its acclaimed podcast, On a Personal Note, available Tuesday, September 1. Launched last spring, On a Personal Note builds on the Orchestra’s belief in the power of music to take listeners on an emotional journey. The podcast has built a loyal and growing audience across its first season, having been downloaded more than 17,000 times and has accounted for over 600 hours of listening time (to date) in the United States, Canada, Japan, Germany, Austria, and other countries. Throughout the second season of On a Personal Note, the podcast will continue offering uniquely personal perspectives and illuminating views from inside classical music, including conversations about celebrated Cleveland Orchestra recordings. The second season will feature ten episodes available across all major podcast platforms and at clevelandorchestra.com/podcast.
On a Personal Note’s second season begins on Tuesday, September 1, with an episode featuring Cleveland Orchestra Music Director Franz Welser-Möst reflecting on his lifelong connection to the music of Schubert. Recalling an emotional time during his youth, Welser-Möst talks about studying music in Vienna, his desire to become a violinist, and how he was forced to consider new ways of expressing himself through music.
“The past few months have undoubtedly been some of the most difficult times The Cleveland Orchestra has ever faced in in its 103-year history,” says André Gremillet, Cleveland Orchestra President and CEO. “But they’ve also provided us with opportunities to explore new initiatives that connect our audiences and musicians. The first season of On a Personal Note was tremendously successful as it made it possible for our audiences and listeners to get to know Franz Welser-Möst and Cleveland Orchestra musicians better, through their musical and personal stories.
“On a Personal Note’s second season will again showcase intimate and revealing stories about the impact of music on artists and members of The Cleveland Orchestra family. This new series of episodes begins with a raw and moving chapter from Franz Welser-Möst’s youth when he was injured in a car accident that led him down an unplanned path in his music career. We’re given a special moment to hear about Franz’s passion for the art form and his connection to the music of Schubert.”
Praise for the first season of On a Personal Note from cleveland.com (July 8, 2020):
“Necessity isn’t just mothering invention these days,” wrote Zachary Lewis on cleveland.com. “At The Cleveland Orchestra, it’s giving rise to fine audio art. Pressed to remain vital in new ways, the Orchestra during the coronavirus pandemic has channeled its musical energy and expertise into a free podcast series called ‘On a Personal Note.’ Only this is no mere side project. What had been little more than an idea on a back burner a few months ago has developed into a rich library of musical moments and a promising outlet likely to continue long past quarantine . . . The impact of ‘On a Personal Note’ is clear. Since its launch on a variety of platforms in April, the first season of 11 podcasts has been downloaded more than 15,000 times — seven times the capacity of Severance Hall, or a good crowd at Blossom Music Center.”
Praise for the first season of On a Personal Note on social media:
“I'm so happy about this podcast - I've always been curious about the musicians themselves and what pieces of music really move them.”
“I have truly enjoyed all episodes and recommend that all TCO fans listen.”
“Thank you for sharing your personal journey and of course, the music ♥”
“Wow, powerful, love it. Bravo”
“Beautiful, profound words of wisdom. Thank YOU, orchestra…”
To access the second season of The Cleveland Orchestra’s On a Personal Note podcast, visit clevelandorchestra.com/podcast as well anywhere you get podcasts, including Apple and Google Podcasts, Spotify, and Stitcher and coming soon to Radio.com, Breaker, Deezer, iHeartRadio, Overcast, Pandora, Pocket Casts, RadioPublic, TuneIn, etc.).
@Home with The Cleveland Orchestra
On a Personal Note is part of @Home with The Cleveland Orchestra, a series of online offerings providing new or expanded ways for people to connect with The Cleveland Orchestra and each other through experiences that bring music and the Orchestra to you, no matter where you are, including special Learning@Home resources for families. These offerings include radio and online broadcasts of Cleveland Orchestra concerts seven days a week in collaboration with WCLV ideastream, TCO Classics series of free on-demand concert recordings, Mindful Music Moments mediations with Cleveland Orchestra recordings, performance and education videos by Cleveland Orchestra musicians from their homes, and Learning@Home with The Cleveland Orchestra – a series of education resources for children, educators, parents and families offering a variety of ways to introduce others to music. On a Personal Note is created in partnership with Digital River Media. For more information visit, https://www.clevelandorchestra.com/athome
On a Personal Note Season Two, Current Episode Summary
Information about the first three episodes of On a Personal Note’s second season is listed below with details of the remaining ten to be released in the coming weeks. After the first episode, featuring Cleveland Orchestra Music Director Franz Welser-Möst, the release order and subjects of subsequent episodes is being determined. Please check with the media contacts below for more information. At this time, additional episodes include Cleveland Orchestra Director of Choruses Lisa Wong and Principal Percussionist Marc Damoulakis.
Episode 1: Veer
Music Director Franz Welser-Möst recalls the automobile accident that would forever change his course, sparking a lifelong affinity for Franz Schubert in the process.
Episode 2: Where Words Fail, Music Speaks
Director of Choruses Lisa Wong reflects on the healing power of John Adams’s On the Transmigration of Souls after 9/11 and the human voice as medicine for the soul.
Episode 3: Pulse
Principal Percussionist Marc Damoulakis talks about feeling the rhythm from an early age and what it means to keep time for The Cleveland Orchestra.