Nancy Shear on Stokowski, Rostropovich, and "I Knew a Man Who Knew Brahms"
Conversations with Musicians, with Leah Roseman
05/14/26
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I was so honoured and delighted to have this opportunity to have this conversation with Nancy Shear, whose diverse career in classical music will fascinate you. I loved reading her memoir “I knew a man who knew Brahms” which is very much a book about appreciation for great music making as well as the importance of reflecting on the legacies our elders. You’ll hear about insights gleaned from her close releationships with many luminaries including Leopold Stokowski and Mstislav Rostropovich. Nancy was a troubled teenager when she began working as part of the Philadelphia orchestra library staff, and her brave determination, sensitivity and brilliance have led her to many unexpected opportunities. Whether or not you are currently a fan of classical music, I’m sure Nancy’s wisdom and storytelling will inspire you. We’re also including Nancy’s suggested listening links in the show notes, as well as other episodes you’ll enjoy.
Complete show notes take you to: video, transcript, Nancy's website and listening suggestions, other episodes you'll enjoy, podcast newsletter sign-up, podcast merch store, podcast support page to buy this independent podcaster a coffee, and more! SHOW NOTES with ALL links!
(00:00) Intro
(01:38) memoir “I Knew a Man Who Knew Brahms”
(12:01) Leopold Stokowski and her memoir
(38:14) William R. Smith
(43:25) Eugene Ormandy
(52:48) other suggested episodes
(53:47) Stokowski, excerpt from the book
(56:50) Stravinsky Rite of Spring, Stokowski, Mahler
(01:00:35) Rostropovich
(01:08:49) Nancy’s career and independence
(01:17:35) Stokowski’s fascination with technology
(01:20:32) great concerts, Byron Janis, Jacqueline du Pré, Ormandy
(01:24:22) Curtis
(01:27:41) growth mind-set, healthy tech boundaries, writing
(01:36:45) final excerpt from “I Knew a Man Who Knew Brahms” about Stokowski, Saul Caston, music appreciation
(01:40:14) who was the man who knew Brahms, importance of legacy
photo of Nancy: David Teubner
Previous Episode
This is my second conversation with Grammy-winning producer Ian Brennan, whose work continues to make a meaningful impact around the world. If you missed Part 1 of our interview, be sure to check the link in the show notes.
In this episode, we explore Ian Brennan’s remarkable approach to recording music in some of the most remote and overlooked places on Earth. You’ll hear stories from his travels to Ghana, where he recorded in witch camps, as well as projects in Bhutan and within unhoused communities in Oakland, California—near where he grew up.
This ongoing series within my podcast highlights more than 50 albums Ian Brennan has produced, many of which have helped local musicians gain international recognition and perform outside their home countries for the first time.
In addition to his work in music production, Ian Brennan is also an accomplished author and a respected expert in nonviolent crisis resolution. In this conversation, we also discuss his book Peace by Peace and the philosophy behind his work.
The excerpts from the albums featured in this episode are linked in the show notes.
The show notes also take you to: transcript, YouTube video, Ian Brennan's website, Marilena Delli Umuhoza's videos, other episodes you'll enjoy including with Ian Brennan, newsletter sign-up, podcast merch, and how you can buy this indepedent podcaster a coffee to keep this going! Show Notes!
(00:00) Intro
(01:32) Bhutan Balladeers with clips (album and film linked in show notes)
(18:35) experience recording “Not a Homelless Person, just a person without a home” with the Homeless Oakland Heart Collective with clips (album linked in show notes)
(31:34) non-violent crisis resolution, book Peace by Peace
(44:14) recording Witch Camp in Ghana (album linked in show notes)
photo: Marilena Delli Umuhoza
Next Episode
Vivienne Aerts is a NYC-based Dutch Singer, Educator, and Psychologist, for many years on the faculty of the Berklee College of Music. I’ve been following her inspiring creative practice for a couple of years and I’m excited to tell you that for this episode you’ll be hearing clips from her beautiful upcoming album Current, produced on a tiny 1951 Dutch sailboat, blending jazz, electronics, and vocal loops with water-inspired soundscapes. Her husband, the renowned pastry chef Ted Steinebach also made a documentary film about the journey, which features several other wonderful musicians who hopped on the boat to record.
I found it uplifting to get to know Vivienne’s interdisciplinary approach, rooted in mindfulness and how she got started as a student creating interesting opportunities for artists. You’ll also be hearing clips from a couple of her previous projects including the award-winning Typuhthâng featuring 100 female musicians which supports Congolese female cacao farmers through a partnership with Original Beans.
In this age of AI, I’m inspired by Vivienne's trust and hopefulness in the need for us to engage all of our senses and the power of mobilizing micro-communities to support meaningful creative work.
You can also watch this video on my YouTube; I’ve also linked the transcript, Vivienne's website, other suggested episodes, podcast newsletter sign-up, podcast merch, and how you can buy me a coffee to support this independent podcast! Everything linked here in the complete show notes: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/vivienne-aerts
photo: Ted Steinebach
(00:00) Intro
(02:48) album Current and film with excerpt of track 1
(08:30) collaborations with husband chef Ted Steinebach
(12:54) Current, mindfulness, the film, excerpt of track 5
(17:33) creative process Current, excerpt strack 5 and 11
(22:08) songwriting, South Korea
(27:49) Current, clip of track 8 Closer, living on the boat
(35:26) other linked episodes
(36:23) creative process album Polaroid with clip of Streetlamps
(39:16) Susanne Alt with clip of track 11
(43:31) Typuhthâng album with clips track 9, 4, 1, 6, Original Beans chocolate
(50:17) Vivi Talks podcast, teaching, Berklee, entrepreneurship
(55:16) her educational path, railway festival, micro-communities
(01:04:51) album launch concerts on boats
(01:08:12) career path with psychology and music, Dutch culture
(01:12:15) Effortless Mastery Kenny Werner, different approach to teaching mindfulness with self compassion
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