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Rethinking listening and curiosity with percussionist Evelyn Glennie

Psychotherapist and broadcaster Nemone Metaxas is joined by percussionist Evelyn Glennie to delve into our relationship with music and how it shapes our lives.

Psychotherapist and broadcaster Nemone Metaxas delves into our psychological relationship with music and talks to some of classical music’s brightest stars to untangle why music can be such a powerful presence in our lives.

This week, Nemone is joined by the percussionist Dame Evelyn Glennie to explore what it means to really listen, how an audience shapes her performances and why curiosity is the most important element in music and in life.

We'll also hear from our resident psychologist Dr Claire Renfrew, who explains what happens in our brains when we improvise and how we understand rhythm.

To listen to this programme on most smart speakers, just say: 'Ask BBC Sounds to play Music Matters'.

26 days left to listen

59 minutes

Music Played

  • Vittorio Monti

    Czardas

    Performer: Evelyn Glennie. Orchestrator: Christopher Palmer. Music Arranger: Evelyn Glennie. Orchestra: National Philharmonic Orchestra. Conductor: Barry Wordsworth.
    • RCA.
  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Piano Sonata in A flat major, Op 110

    Performer: Alfred Brendel.
    • Philips.
  • Paul Smadbeck

    Rhythm Song

    Performer: Evelyn Glennie.
    • Her Greatest Hits.
    • RCA Victor.
    • 4.
  • James MacMillan

    Gaude, gaude (Veni, veni, Emmanuel)

    Performer: Evelyn Glennie. Orchestra: Scottish Chamber Orchestra. Conductor: Jukka‐Pekka Saraste.
    • CATALYST.
  • Evelyn Glennie

    Shadow Behind the Iron Sun

    Performer: Evelyn Glennie. Performer: Oliver Walker. Performer: Michael Brauer.
    • Shadow Behind the Iron Sun.
    • Catalyst.
    • 002.
  • Johann Sebastian Bach

    Two-Part Invention No. 13 (BWV 784)

    Performer: Béla Fleck. Performer: Evelyn Glennie. Music Arranger: Béla Fleck.
    • Perpetual Motion.
    • Sony Classical.
    • 1.
  • Björk

    My Spine

    Composer: Evelyn Glennie. Performer: Evelyn Glennie. Singer: Björk.
    • One Little Independent.
  • Steve Martland

    Street Songs (Poor Roger)

    Performer: Evelyn Glennie. Ensemble: The King’s Singers.
    • RCA.
  • John Corigliano

    Percussion Concerto "Conjurer": Metal

    Performer: Evelyn Glennie. Orchestra: Albany Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: David Alan Miller.
    • Naxos.
  • Evelyn Glennie

    A Little Prayer

    Performer: Evelyn Glennie.
    • Rhythm Song.
    • RCA Red Seal.
    • 10.
  • Philip Glass

    Fantasy Concerto for Double Timpani (Movement III)

    Performer: Evelyn Glennie. Performer: Jonathan Haas. Orchestra: Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra. Conductor: Gerard Schwarz.
    • Orange Mountain Music.

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