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