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Jess Gillam with... Lara Downes

Jess Gillam is joined by American pianist, activist, and broadcaster Lara Downes, for a listening party, including music by Florence Price, Stevie Wonder, and Philip Glass.

Jess Gillam is joined by American pianist, activist, and broadcaster Lara Downes, for a listening party.

American pianist Lara Downes is dedicated championing new and neglected music and to using music to create positive social impact. Jess speaks to her ahead of her recital at Wigmore Hall on Tuesday 10th November. Her musical choices include works by Florence Price, Leonard Bernstein, Stevie Wonder, and Nina Simone. In exchange, Jess shares tracks by Philip Glass, Armenian pianist composer Arno Babadjanian, and Jazz chamber outfit Vega Trails.

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21 days left to listen

1 hour

Music Played

  • Jean‐Marie Leclair

    Violin Sonata in G major (3rd movt)

    Performer: Wu Wei. Ensemble: Holland Baroque Society.
    • Pentatone.
  • Elie Siegmeister

    Lusty and Joyful (from American Sonata)

    Performer: Lara Downes.
    • Pentatone.
  • Florence Price

    Symphony No. 3 in C Minor: III. Juba. Allegro

    Orchestra: Philadelphia Orchestra. Conductor: Yannick Nézet‐Séguin.
    • Deutsche Grammophon.
  • Philip Glass

    Music from the film Koyaanisqatsi: Koyaanisqatsi

    Singer: Albert de Ruiter.
    • Island Records.
  • Stevie Wonder

    Love's In Need Of Love Today

    • Love’s In Need of Love Today.
    • Motown.
    • 1.
  • Arno Babajanian

    Piano Trio in F sharp minor (3rd movt: Allegro vivace)

    Ensemble: Trio Contrasti.
    • Oehms Classics.
  • Scott Joplin

    Maple Leaf Rag

    Music Arranger: Stephen Buck.
    • Rising Sun.
  • Leonard Bernstein

    Candide: Finale; Make Our Garden Grow

    Singer: Jane Archibald. Singer: Leonardo Capalbo. Choir: London Symphony Chorus. Orchestra: London Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Marin Alsop.
    • LSO LIVE.
  • Vega Trails

    Love Your Grace

    Performer: Jordan Smart. Singer: Milo Fitzpatrick.
    • Gondwana Records.
  • Nina Simone

    I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free

    • RCA.
  • Pyotr Tchaikovsky

    Souvenir de Florence (3rd movt: Allegretto moderato)

    Orchestra: Orpheus Chamber Orchestra.
    • Deutsche Grammophon.
  • Charles Villiers Stanford

    Justorum animae

    Choir: Choir of the King’s Consort. Conductor: Robert King.
    • A Voice from Heaven.
    • Vivat.
    • 1.

Broadcast

  • Sat 19 Sep 202617:00

Why are more young people listening to classical music?

Why are more young people listening to classical music?

20yo classical musician and presenter Jess Gillam is here to improve your playlist game.

Podcast