Conversations with Deano Maduramuthu: Richard Cock

--:--

Richard Cock is probably the best known conductor in South Africa. In this episode, he talks about his beginnings in Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth), how the hugely popular RMB Starlight Classics got off the ground and his support for music projects in disadvantaged communities.

Richard's cats took exception to being ignored, so you will hear them making a racket in the background!

28 Jun English South Africa Music Commentary · Performing Arts

Other recent episodes

Schumann: Piano Concerto in A minor

Robert Schumann's wife Clara encouraged him to write for orchestra. The Piano Concerto in A minor was one of the results of her encouragement. It was not well received at first, as it presented a new (or newish) model where the piano and orchestra were given almost equal prominence. But…

22 Oct 11 min

Conversations: Maria du Toit

Internationally acclaimed clarinetist Maria du Toit took some time off from her whistle-stop tour of South Africa and she spoke about what drew her to classical music, the mental health demands of being in the spotlight and why for a musician, being good might not be enough.

28 Aug 36 min

Concerts: May / June 2023

There has been a welcome increase in concert activity in Johannesburg over the past few months. This episode is about a new chamber music forum in the city, as well as what you can expect from the JPO's upcoming Winter Season 2023.

8 May 7 min

Tchaikovsky: Violin Concerto in D major

Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto was criticised by its dedicatee, poorly performed at its premier and savaged by a leading critic. But still, this child of the composer's imagination became hugely popular and is one of the foremost violin concertos in classical music.

8 Mar 15 min

Fauré: Pélleas et Mélisande

Fauré's Pélleas and Mélisande concert suite was extracted from music he wrote for a performance of Maurice Maeterlinck's play. It showcases Fauré's ear for beautiful melodies and his knack for expressing deeply felt emotions in music that's powerful and yet at the same time, restrained.

11 Jan 11 min

All episodes