Una despedida a Miguel Uribe Turbay.

Para la versión escrita de este episodio, visite mi página web.

Today, a sad off-topic on the recent assassination of Colombia's senator, Miguel Uribe Turbay.

For a written version of this, go to my website.

Today we’re unpacking the myths and realities of American arts funding. While many artists envy Europe’s government subsidies, the U.S. actually sustains a vast cultural sector through a decentralized system of tax incentives that channel billions of private dollars into the arts each year.

This approach empowers individuals to decide which projects to support, sparking innovation and independence while also creating inequality, since established institutions often attract the lion’s share of donations. Unlike government-controlled systems that rise and fall with political winds, the American model relies on a mix of philanthropy, civic engagement, and transparency—but it’s far from perfect.

At its core, it reflects a distinctly American belief that culture flourishes best when it’s funded by communities themselves, for better or worse.

Today’s guest is Peter Rotter, one of the most respected figures in the world of film and television music. As a music contractor, he has supervised the orchestral recordings for countless major studio projects and helped create opportunities for musicians in Los Angeles for decades. He's also the founder of Encompass Music Partners, which plays a crucial role in connecting musicians with projects across the industry.

I invited Peter on the podcast after reading his recent Hollywood Reporter op-ed, which lays out a powerful call to action about the urgent challenges facing screen music in L.A. With productions increasingly moving abroad and local recording sessions in steep decline, Peter raises the alarm on what this means for the future of L.A.’s music community—and what it will take to preserve the city's role as a global capital for film music.

We get into all of that—what's at stake, how we got here, and what might come next.

On the last episode, Sarah and I discussed the trappings of academic careers, orchestral careers, and orchestral economics! Today, we discuss the importance of grit and persistence despite adversity, and the importance of this trait to every artist.

I hope you enjoy it!

Sarah Viens is Principal Trumpet of the Pacific Northwest Ballet Orchestra and Symphony Tacoma, and is an active performer in the Pacific Northwest. Sarah frequently performs with the Seattle Symphony, Oregon Symphony, Auburn Symphony, Oregon Ballet Theater, and the Seattle and Portland Operas. She is Second Trumpet with the Sunriver Music Festival, and has performed with the Britt Festival Orchestra, Chamber Music Northwest, and the Oregon Bach Festival.

In this episode, we discuss the trappings of academic careers, orchestral careers, and orchestral economics! Tune in for part 2 with Sarah later this month!

This episode of The Arts Salon is an exploration of the philosophical tensions between historical inevitability and artistic freedom. We delve into the ideas of Hegel and Hume, questioning whether art follows a predetermined arc of progress or exists on a more fluid and open-ended plane.

Through the lens of Picasso’s insights on artistic creation, the episode challenges the notion that innovation requires rejection of the past. Instead, it argues that framing art within rigid historical narratives distorts its purpose and limits its potential. In a world where artistic movements often define themselves in opposition to what came before, this episode asks: Does pursuing progress in art sometimes do more harm than good?

I hope you enjoyedmy talk with Håkan Hardenbeger!

Today,Ben Neill returns to The Arts Salon to discuss his new book,Diffusing Music: Trajectories of Sonic Democratization!

This book explores the diffusion and democratization of music in our current era through the proliferation of digital technologies. Music has become ubiquitous and increasingly intertwined with everyday life, rendering previous models of creation, performance, and consumption obsolete. Neill explores how technology is reshaping music, enabling unprecedented levels of creativity and transforming how we share and experience sound. From digital tools that let anyone become a music maker to AI systems that write, mix, and master songs, Neill breaks down how these advancements empower creators and reshape the relationship between artists and audiences. Part history, part personal story, and part look at what’s next; Diffusing Music is a must-read for anyone curious about the future of music.

For more of Ben on The Arts Salon, listen toepisode 22. For more of my thoughts on Artificial Intelligence and its effect on the music industry, listen toepisode 63 of the podcast.

Håkan Hardenberger returns to the Arts Salon to share his thoughts on what it means to be an interpreter of music and how cultural consumption informs his artistic process. If you have not listened to episode 64, I highly encourage you to do so, as it serves as a primer for this conversation.

I hope you enjoy it!

In this episode of The Arts Salon, we prepare for our conversation about interpretation with international soloist Håkan Hardenberger!

We talk about how universities and conservatories are failing their student bodies, and how artists can improve the quality of their cultural consumption and bolster their artistic education.

For a transcript of this read, visit my website.

In this episode, I deal with the debate surrounding the role of AI in the creative industries, which exposes deeper tensions within society regarding labor, creativity, and human value. Join me in exploring the distinctions between craft and art and the complications that we face in the creative economy.

To hear more from Jan Swafford listen to my talk with him. If you would like a transcript of this episode you can find it on my website.

On this episode of "The Arts Salon," we explore the current challenges facing cultural organizations like classical music presenters, museums, and non-profits. With programs shrinking, ticket sales declining, and costs rising, many institutions are looking for new leadership to navigate these troubled times. The prevailing thought is that entrepreneurial leaders—akin to founders—are the answer, promising to reshape organizations with visionary zeal. But is this approach the right fit for long-established institutions with rich histories?

We dive into the allure of charismatic leaders who draw comparisons to figures like Steve Jobs, and discuss why hiring individuals who prioritize their own visions over institutional continuity can be risky. We'll examine the importance of balancing innovation with tradition and why the hard work behind true innovation often gets overlooked. Using Edmund Burke’s social contract as a lens, we discuss how thoughtful, gradual change can preserve an organization’s ethos for future generations, as opposed to radical, disruptive shifts that risk undermining an institution’s very foundation.

Join us as we unpack the complexities of leadership in the arts and consider what it means to be a true custodian of cultural heritage in today’s challenging landscape.

Find a comfy chair or get ready for that drive...this is a long one! Today we have Geoff Baker and Catalina Lobo-Gerrero to discuss the complex subject of Venezuela and it's "El Sistema." If you remember my episode demystifying Cuban propaganda, you will know I have a deep suspicion of programs that emerge from undemocratic regimes.

Catalina, a prominent journalist and author of Los Restos de la Revolución, will be our guide to understanding the context of Venezuela's political disaster and why it is a failed state generating more refugees than Syria. This one-hour political primer will set the stage for my conversation about "El Sistema" with Geoff Baker.

Geoff is a phenomenal musicologist and the author of El Sistema: Orchestrating Venezuela's Youth, which documents the problematic political and philosophical nature of El Sistema as an engine of social change.

Hope you enjoy this long episode, the juice IS worth the squeeze!

In this episode, I discuss my visit to the International Trumpet Guild (ITG) conference. I was there for two events: a panel honoring the late Tom Stevens and a recital by Håkan Hardenberger and Roland Pöntinen.

This episode is a reflection on Stevens' efforts to elevate the trumpet beyond flashy technical pieces, and his plight to create a catalog of new music for trumpet players.

I also discuss Hardenberger’s performance highlighting Stevens' influence and contributions, reinforcing his enduring impact on the trumpet world.

Today's guest is Alex Mansour! Alex is a composer, cellist, and jazz pianist, and one of the true multi-hyphenates of Los Angeles. In this talk we discuss many issues related to the film music scene, the challenges facing the symphony (again lol), and many more issues.

We will announce exciting things during our 60th episode so stay tuned!

Lucy Humphris and I sat down to talk about a great many things including the state of the arts, the attention economy (with comments on the great article by Ted Gioia), Chosen Vale, the decay of artistic education, and many more subjects.

We will close out the month with a conversation with LA composer/cellist/jazz pianist Alex Mansour.

The news of the closure of the American Youth Symphony has sent shockwaves through the music community, especially in Los Angeles. AYS was not just another youth music program; it was a vital stepping stone for many musicians, offering a gateway into the competitive Los Angeles freelance scene. Alumni of AYS have gone on to become prominent figures in the classical music world, shaping the landscape of the industry.

The closure of AYS raises questions about the state of the classical music sector as a whole. Small non-profits like AYS often serve as the canaries in the coal mine, sensing industry challenges before larger institutions. Issues such as audience decline, shrinking patronage, and changing philanthropic priorities have plagued AYS and larger organizations alike.

While the loss of AYS is deeply felt, it also serves as a wake-up call for the classical music community. Moving forward, the industry needs to adapt and innovate, embracing new strategies to ensure its survival and relevance in the 21st century.

Today's guest is Maggie Kilgour, she is Molson Professor of English Language and Literature at McGill University—my Alma Mater. She sat down to talk with me and Andres Caro about John Milton and his epic poem Paradise Lost.

Although this conversation is technically part of our "off-topic" series with Andres as co-host, the conversation is very much about the arts.

Paradise Lost is a central accomplishment of Western culture, and as such it is a book everyone should read at least once. I hope if you have never picked it up, this inspires you to do so!

Otto Sauter is well-known as one of the world‘s leading trumpet soloists. As a specialist on the piccolo trumpet, the German musician has already appeared in all major concert halls.

Otto Sauter⁠ and I sat down to talk about his illustrious career as a trumpet soloist specializing in baroque music. We discuss many issues including the changing listening habits of current students, his World Brass Association, the genius of J.S. Bach, Thomas Stevens, and many more subjects.

This month we will release a talk about John Milton featuring Professor Maggie Kilgour (McGill University), an essay on a topic to be announced, and more. Don't forget to leave us a 5-star review!

This conversation is a real treat. I talk with Conductor ⁠⁠Ryan Bancroft⁠⁠, and trumpeters ⁠⁠Edward Carroll⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Dave Bilger⁠⁠, Dovas Lietuvninkas, and Bailey Paugh about the Chosen Vale International Trumpet Seminar. We discuss the powerful environment, the unrivaled faculty, and many subjects about art making and directing a career in music in 2024.

We will close off January with our monthly conversation with ⁠⁠Andres Caro⁠⁠ where he will ask me questions about how to listen to classical music!