Music Matters

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Music Matters: Rhiannon Giddens, Christian Gerhaher, Gong Baths

Rhiannon Giddens, Christian Gerhaher, Gong Baths

BBC Radio 3 - Music Matters, Rhiannon Giddens, Christian Gerhaher, Gong Baths

Tom Service with multi-instrumentalist Rhiannon Giddens and baritone Christian Gerhaher.

Tom Service talks to singer and multi-instrumentalist Rhiannon Giddens and baritone Christian Gerhaher. Plus we explore the world of gong baths and sound therapy.

Tom Services talks to German baritone Christian Gerhaher during rehearsals for Alban Berg's Wozzeck at the Royal Opera House. Having recently recorded all the songs of Robert Schumann as well as Mahler, Brahms and Schubert, Christian reveals how he sees the differing role of the singer when performing lieder and opera, and why he believes celebrating the complexity of classical music will secure its future. 

Tom also meets singer, multi-instrumentalist and composer Rhiannon Giddens whose opera 'Omar' has just been awarded the Pulitzer Prize in Music.  The opera tells the story of Omar Ibn Said, a scholar who was one of tens of thousands of enslaved Muslims who were taken to the United States in the 19th century. Rhiannon discusses the power of collaboration, the future of opera and her ongoing mission to reclaim the history of the banjo as an instrument created by black communities.

For Mental Health Awareness Week, we explore the world of gong baths to find out how sound therapy can be used to help reduce levels of anxiety and stress. Tom goes for a gong bath with sound therapist and musician Simone Salvatici and talks to British Academy of Sound Therapy Director Lyz Cooper.

Plus, Chris West, author of 'Eurovision! A History of Modern Europe Through the World's Greatest Song Contest', explores how the songs of Eurovision have reflected the traditional music and cultural identity of the countries taking part, as well as telling stories of peace, conflict and resolution since it was established in 1956.

Live music and the arts: broadcasts more live music than any other radio network. Classical music is its core. Genres include world and new music, jazz, speech and drama.

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Rhiannon Giddens, Christian Gerhaher, Gong Baths

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