Performing to the Red Light

For most musicians, recording is an accepted part of their professional life, yet their musical training rarely provides guidance in how to approach it. While some performers have little difficulty adjusting to the process, others have struggled. Some have even developed 'phonophobia' – a fear of the studio.

 

'Performing To The Red Light' takes listeners behind the scenes to experience the recording process as different classical performers prepare to enter the studio. The programmes are written and presented by Terence Curran (Wadham), whose DPhil work focuses on the psychological aspects of recording.

 

The programmes feature interviews with notable performers, producers and record company executives, who discuss the little-known psychological aspects behind making a classical recording. These include the performers Kathryn Stott, Stephen Hough, Emma Johnson, Ilona Domnich, Alban Gerhardt, Christian Poltera, and members of the Takacs Quartet; and producers Andrew Keener, Ralph Couzens and Jonathan Freeman-Attwood.

 

The opening programme explores how performers cope with the demands of making their first recording, while more experienced players give their views in the final episode, which also reveals how chamber ensembles find a consensus about which is the best take.

 

The first episode will be broadcast on BBC Radio 4 on Tuesday 2 June, 1330–1400. The second episode will be broadcast at the same time the following week, 9 June. The programmes will be available for a week after broadcast via the BBC iPlayer.