Matt Gamba Podcasts

Rihanna playing the NFL's Super Bowl halftime show this year is a dream come true for millions of fans. So which 3 songs do we hope the Barbadian megastar sings during the biggest sporting event in the world? Find out our choices in this episode of Epic Footnote Productions’ “If You Have to Pick 3 … ,” a podcast where we have to pick our top three …

Anthony McGill/Pacifica Quartet — American Stories (Cedille) Jump to giveaway form New Classical Tracks - Pacifica Quartet with Anthony McGill by “I don't remember the first time I played or performed the Mozart Clarinet Quintet. There's something about the first journeys into works that are especially memorable for me,” said clarinetist Anthony Mc…

Christopher Tin/Voces 8 — The Lost Birds (Decca) New Classical Tracks - Christopher Tin by Composer Christopher Tin and the British vocal ensemble Voces8 were introduced to one another by their recording engineer about a decade ago. Ever since that first meeting, Tin has been looking for an opportunity to collaborate with the singers. They were fin…

Pink Floyd are without question one of the most iconic and innovative bands in music. But if you had to pick the British rock pioneers’ best songs, which three would you pick? Find out our choices in this episode of Epic Footnote Productions’ “If You Have to Pick 3 … ,” a podcast where we have to pick our top three choices on any given music-relate…

Leif Ove Andsnes — Dvořák: Poetic Tone Pictures (Sony) New Classical Tracks - Leif Ove Andsnes by “It's similar to life with its highs and lows. That's what I love about this cycle. It's so contrasting and varied,” said Norwegian pianist Leif Ove Andsnes, who recently fell in love with Antonín Dvořák's Poetic Tone Pictures. It’s an ambitious and un…

In 1983, both Def Leppard and Mötley Crüe released albums that would not only skyrocket them into rockstar royalty but also (for better or worse) shape the landscape of glam rock and hair metal in the 80s. But do “Pyromania” and “Shout At The Devil” still hold up after nearly 40 years? Find out what Matt and Zach think in Epic Footnote Productions’…

Lara St. John — ♀she/her/hers (Ancalagon Records) New Classical Tracks - Lara St. John by When Lara St. John was 14 and studying at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, she was abused by her violin teacher. When she reported it, nothing happened. That’s why she decided to reveal her story to the public. “Finally, I decided the only way to…

On New Classical Tracks, we love sharing with you the most exciting new recordings every year. And, when you enter our weekly CD giveaways, you show us how excited you are about these recordings, too. Find out which albums made the list of 10 most coveted new releases of 2020.By American Public Media

John Metcalfe — Carols Without Words (Platoon) New Classical Tracks - John Metcalfe by “I’m similar to Jim Carrey in Yes Man, where saying yes to everything can lead you to extraordinary situations,” says New Zealander violist, composer and arranger John Metcalfe. “And of course, if you don't try it and don't say yes, you'll never know. I've rarely…

Cantus — Into the Light (Signum) New Classical Tracks - Paul Scholtz and Alex Nishibun from Cantus by Each December, we find ourselves surrounded by the darkness of winter, as we prepare to say goodbye to the old year and welcome in the new. It can be a time of great promise. That’s Cantus’ idea behind their new holiday recording, Into the Light. “…

Nadia Shpachenko — Invasion (Reference) New Classical Tracks - Nadia Shpachenko by “People are still trying hard to stay positive. People are powerful there and they believe in victory. They're just trying to continue living their lives but don't want to leave,” says Ukrainian pianist Nadia Shpachenko. “The people that I talk to want to stay. They …

Matt and Zach name their 5 favorite albums of 2022, as well as discuss which records came close and which ones disappointed them the most, during this very special year-end roundup episode from Epic Footnote Productions. Available to stream on any platform found here: https://linktr.ee/epicfootnote! Sponsored by Lucky 13 Beard Co.: head over to htt…

Hilary Hahn — Eclipse (DG) New Classical Tracks - Hilary Hahn by Every 10 years or so, violinist Hilary Hahn takes a one-year sabbatical from performing. It’s a way for her to remove herself from the whirlwind of professional music-making, and re-evaluate what’s working, and what’s not. When she began her most recent sabbatical in September 2019, s…

As we prepare for Metallica’s new album “72 Seasons” and massive stadium tour around the world, we find ourselves wondering: why is it taking so long to crown the “Next Metallica”? Will a rising band in metal (or rock, for that matter) ever reach the globally massive success of a band like Metallica? Or will Metallica be the last heavy band to ever…

Johnny Gandelsman — This Is America – An Anthology 2020-2021 (In a Circle Records) New Classical Tracks - Johnny Gandelsman by “I was born in Russia into a family of musicians. Both of my parents are musicians. My only sibling, my older sister, is a violinist as well,” says violinist Johnny Gandelsman, who has been living in Brooklyn since 1999. “I…

We’ve talked about how Nickelback is easily one of music’s most polarizing bands (listen here: https://youtu.be/l6W11KCNLe4). But does the Canadian rock outfit prove naysayers wrong with “Get Rollin’” (their 10th album and first in more than five years)? Find out what Matt and Zach think in Epic Footnote Productions’ “2 Minutes to Review,” a podcas…

Amanda Lee Falkenberg with Marin Alsop/The London Symphony Orchestra & The London Voices — The Moons Symphony (Signum) New Classical Tracks - Amanda Lee Falkenberg by Amanda Lee Falkenberg is an Australian-born composer and pianist who lives in Dubai. Five years ago she took a leap of faith that led to the creation of a choral symphony that merges …

Rachel Barton Pine — Violin Concertos by Black Composers Through the Centuries (Cedille) New Classical Tracks - Rachel Barton Pine by “You could say that the album that I've just rereleased is really the album that I would have made in 1997 had I only been able to back then,” violinist Rachel Barton Pine said about releasing a pioneering recording …

A supergroup with members of My Chemical Romance, Coheed And Cambria, Thursday, Circa Survive and Saosin?! Does L.S. Dunes live up to its potential with its debut album “Past Lives”? Find out what Matt and Zach think in Epic Footnote Productions’ “2 Minutes to Review,” a podcast that’s part album review and part competition. In each episode, both h…

The Clash are often referred to as “the only band that matters” (and rightfully so). But if you had to pick the British genre-fusing punk rock icons’ best songs (that are NOT named “London Calling”), which three would you pick? Find out our choices in this episode of Epic Footnote Productions’ “If You Have to Pick 3 … ,” a podcast where we have to …

Sarah Willis — Mozart y Mambo: Cuban Dances (Alpha) Jump to giveaway form New Classical Tracks - Sarah Willis by When Sarah Willis travelled to Cuba two years ago to record Vol. 1 of her three-part series Mozart y Mambo, she wanted to make music and to make a difference. Thanks to profits from that first album, members of the Havana Lyceum Orchestr…

When we reviewed Red Hot Chili Peppers’ “Unlimited Love” back in April, we could never have imagined they’d release ANOTHER double album just a few short months later. But what does “Return of the Dream Canteen” say about the current state of RHCP? Is RHCP’s onslaught of double albums in 2022 (their first in more than 15 years with John Frusciante)…

Víkingur Ólafsson — From Afar (DG) New Classical Tracks - Víkingur Ólafsson by “I'm not shy when meeting people. I have met many fantastic people in my life. But meeting György Kurtág felt different to me. I had this feeling of awe,” Icelandic pianist Víkingur Ólafsson said. He was starstruck last year when out of the blue, he was invited to Budape…

Sheku Kanneh-Mason — Song (Decca) New Classical Tracks - The Knights by “Song really speaks to the vocal quality I find in all the pieces of music that I selected for my instrument,” cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason said about expressing his artistic freedom on his latest solo recording, Song. ”The cello has such a wonderful ability to sing in all of the…

The Knights — The Kreutzer Project (Avie) New Classical Tracks - The Knights by “Aren’t we all obsessed with time travel? Aren’t we all wanting to have dinner with that person that’s not alive anymore,” conductor of the Knights, Eric Jacobsen, asked when he fired up the time machine for their newest album, The Kreutzer Project. With his brother, vi…

Does Lamb Of God live up to their legacy as a leader in the new wave of American heavy metal movement with their ninth album “Omens”? Or does Randy Blythe and the Virginia metal outfit leave fans yearning for more? Find out what Matt and Zach think in Epic Footnote Productions’ “2 Minutes to Review,” a podcast that’s part album review and part comp…

Does Slipknot live up to their status as their generation’s larger-than-life metal band with “The End, So Far,” or does album No. 7 leave much to be desired from Corey Taylor and the Iowa-metal outfit? Find out what Matt and Zach think in Epic Footnote Productions’ “2 Minutes to Review,” a podcast that’s part album review and part competition. In e…

Time for Three — Letters for the Future (DG) New Classical Tracks - Time for Three by “This is Kevin Puts; he’s our new member, our composer in residence — ‘Time for Four.’” The members of the string trio Time for Three — violinists Nick Kendall and Charles Yang, and bassist Ranaan Meyer — are talking about Puts and his involvement on their latest …

Claire Bryant — Whole Heart (Bright Shiny Things) Jump to giveaway form New Classical Tracks - Claire Bryant by “I chose to release my album at the Lee Correctional Institution,” said cellist Claire Bryant about her debut recording, Whole Heart. “It is one of the largest maximum-security prisons in South Carolina. “I chose to do that because my gro…

On paper, an Ozzy Osbourne solo album that enlists a slew of all-stars for guest appearances (including Black Sabbath’s Tony Iommi, Jeff Beck, Eric Claption, Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Chad Smith, Metallica’s Robert Trujillo, Zakk Wylde, Guns N’ Roses’ Duff McKagan, and Pearl Jam’s Mike McCready… just to name a few) should be making massive fans like u…

Orli Shaham — Mozart: Piano Sonatas Vol. 2 & 3 (Canary Classics) New Classical Tracks - Orli Shaham by “Through the course of this project, I got a taste of what it would have felt like to be Mozart,” pianist Orli Shaham said about recording all 18 of Mozart’s piano sonatas. “It was probably exhausting because he had so many ideas running through h…

Very few bands are as beloved as Clutch. So do the Maryland rock veterans live up to fans’ high expectations with “Sunrise on Slaughter Beach” (their first album in nearly four years, as well as their shortest to date)? Find out what Matt and Zach think in Epic Footnote Productions’ “2 Minutes to Review,” a podcast that’s part album review and part…

It's been nearly ten years since The Mars Volta disbanded. But will fans enjoy Omar Rodríguez-López and Cedric Bixler-Zavala's attempt to craft their vision of a pop record, or will the group’s self-titled comeback album leave fans yearning for the hyperactive, head-spinning sound that made them prog rock darlings? Find out what Matt and Zach think…

Avlana Eisenberg conducting the Royal Scottish National Orchestra with violinist Zina Schiff — William Grant Still: Summerland/Violin Suite/Pastorela/American Suite (Naxos) New Classical Tracks - Avlana and Celeste by ”It's crucial to remember this is not new music. These manuscripts have been around for generations. I'm aware that there are many m…

Janoska Ensemble — The Big B’s (DG) New Classical Tracks - Janoska Ensemble by Two violins, double bass and piano is an unusual combination for a classical quartet, but it’s the perfect combination for the Janoska Ensemble. “It's a new window that we want to open for classical music,” double bassist Julius Darvas said about the ensemble’s sound. “W…

There’s no denying Megadeth are responsible for some of metal’s most iconic albums and songs. But does Dave Mustaine and co. live up to the band’s legacy with its 16th album, “The Sick, The Dying… And The Dead!” Find out what Matt and Zach think in Epic Footnote Productions’ “2 Minutes to Review,” a podcast that’s part album review and part competi…

Even after nearly three decades, very few bands sound like Muse. But does the operatic alt rock trio live up to their legacy with their ninth studio album, "Will of the People"? Find out what Matt and Zach think in Epic Footnote Productions’ “2 Minutes to Review,” a podcast that’s part album review and part competition. In each episode, both hosts …

Itamar Zorman — Violin Odyssey (First Hand) New Classical Tracks - Itamar Zorman by Like many musicians during the pandemic, Israeli violinist Itamar Zorman found creative ways to continue performing. He and his wife, pianist Liza Stepanova, created a live-streamed video series, Hidden Gems. It was that video series that inspired Zorman’s latest re…

Bands reuniting can lead to varied results - especially when bands reunite without key members. But is it hypocritical to be skeptical of some reunions while fully accepting of others when the band’s circumstances may be identical? What makes some reunions successful and others a complete bust? That’s what Matt and Zach discuss in the latest episod…

Leif Ove Andsnes — Mozart Momentum: 1786 (Sony Classical) New Classical Tracks - Leif Ove Andsnes by “On stage you have to have a childlike openness,” Norwegian pianist Leif Ove Andsnes said. “There will be moments in concerts where I feel, ‘I’m creating now. It's actually happening in the moment.’ Also, there is nothing as beautiful as Mozart's mu…

Frederic Hand — Across Time (New Focus Recordings) New Classical Tracks - Frederic Hand by ”I'm not sure why this happened, but he started to sing at a slower tempo. I had this moment of panic,” guitarist Frederic Hand said during one of the many stories he can tell about his role as the official guitarist for the Metropolitan Opera. “Here we are, …

The Interrupters have created lots of buzz with their blend of two-tone ska So-Cal punk rock. But does the band live up to their hype with album number 4, “In The Wild”? Find out what Matt and Zach think in Epic Footnote Productions’ “2 Minutes to Review,” a podcast that’s part album review and part competition. In each episode, both hosts are give…

Aznavoorian Duo — Gems From Armenia (Cedille) New Classical Tracks - Aznavoorian Duo by “It's like watching French films. It’s the simplest thing, yet you're bawling your eyes out,” pianist Marta Aznavoorian said. “These pieces are like that for us; they're memories. They're examples of what it means for us to be Armenian.” The Aznavoorian Duo, whi…

Beyonce has easily been one of the past two decades’ most powerful and influential figures in pop culture. But if you had to whittle down her vast musical catalogue down to three songs, which three would we declare as Queen Bey’s best? Find out our choices ahead of her new album "Renaissance" in this episode of Epic Footnote Productions’ “If You Ha…

Alisa Weilerstein / Inon Barnatan: Beethoven Cello Sonatas (Pentatone) New Classical Tracks - Alisa Weilerstein by “It takes organization. But it is more than possible, and it's fantastic.” That’s cellist Alisa Weilerstein talking about what it takes to integrate family with an active career. About five months ago, she and her husband, conductor Ra…

Marc-André Hamelin – William Bolcom: The Complete Rags (Hyperion) New Classical Tracks - Marc-André Hamelin by “In 1985, I won the Carnegie Hall competition for American Music. One of the prizes was an invitation to the Cabrillo Festival in California, which is still going on, I think. And the two composers in residence that year happened to be Arv…

There's no harm in a band trying to evolve their sound. But it can sometimes be startling when a band sounds almost unrecognizable from their debut album. So which three bands do we think sound the most different from their humble beginnings? Find out our choices in this episode of Epic Footnote Productions’ “If You Have to Pick 3 … ,” a podcast wh…

Michael Repper and the New York Youth Symphony — Works by Florence Price, Jessie Montgomery, Valerie Coleman (Avie) New Classical Tracks - Michael Repper by “Maybe it's because I come from the Marin Alsop school of conducting and how I was taught, but we want to build community,” conductor Michael Repper said. “We want to make the world a better pl…

After 20 years, Coheed And Cambria remain committed as ever to the concept album format. So how does the progressive alt rock outfit’s 10th effort “Vaxis II: A Window of the Waking Mind” fair among the other albums within their beloved Amory Wars storyline? Find out what Matt and Zach think in Epic Footnote Productions’ “2 Minutes to Review,” a pod…

For over a decade, Porcupine Tree left many fans wondering if they’d ever play together again - let alone release new music. So do Steve Wilson, Richard Barbieri and Gavin Harrison live up to fans’ expectations with “CLOSURE / CONTINUATION”, or does the progressive rock outfit’s first album in 13 years leave much to be desired? Find out what Matt a…