One Symphony with Devin Patrick Hughes

In this episode of One Symphony, conductor Devin Patrick Hughes sits down with acclaimed film and television composer Lesley Barber for a wide-ranging, behind-the-scenes conversation about writing music that reveals what characters can’t say out loud.

Lesley shares how improvising and composing before formal training shaped her voice, how pop, R&B, and composers like Schubert, Bach, and Chopin influenced her musical language, a...

In this episode of One Symphony, conductor Devin Patrick Hughes sits down with pianist/composer Joachim Horsley to explore Afro-Cuban rhythm, genre “walls,” and what orchestras can learn from dance-driven music. Horsley shares how he got “fired” from classical piano lessons, why rhythm is the “warrior that carries the message,” and how Afro Bachreimagines Bach through Caribbean and Latin frameworks—without losing the soul of the or...

Conductor Devin Patrick Hughes sits down with author and USC musicology instructor Tim Greiving to dive into John Williams: A Composer’s Life (OUP)—the first full-scale biography of the world’s most beloved film composer. Greiving traces a lifelong fandom that began with a Jurassic Park cassette, then details the five-year journey of the book: 5:30 a.m. writing rituals, a year of archival research, and rare long-form conversations ...

In the second half of a special two part conversation, conductor Devin Patrick Hughes speaks with broadcaster and author John Suchet in Part 2 of a special two-part One Symphony series on Beethoven, based on Suchet’s new book In Search of Beethoven: A Personal Journey.

This episode explores Beethoven’s life in Vienna — his patrons, performance venues, and independence as a composer. We also dive into his personal struggles, includi...

In this first half of a special two-part conversation, Devin Patrick Hughes speaks with broadcaster and author John Suchet about Beethoven’s beginnings in Bonn, his precocious childhood on the Rhine, his mentors and patrons, and the myths surrounding his father and early works. Together, they explore Beethoven’s revolutionary ideas, his first “unplayable” compositions, and the legendary (and mysterious) meeting with Mozart. Along t...

On this episode of One Symphony with Devin Patrick Hughes, composer Nan Avant takes us on a journey through her orchestral world — where nature, heritage, and imagination meet in music. Known for works inspired by the sea, the winds of Lahaina, and the birth of distant nebulas, Nan Avant blends classical tradition, cinematic color, and unexpected sounds — from steel road plates to wind machines — to tell her stories.

From her Peruv...

On this episode of One Symphony, Devin Patrick Hughes sat down with Peter Drew, a symphonist and jazz composer, to discuss his diverse life journey and his debut symphony, Reminiscence. Drew, born in Europe and later a refugee in the United States, recounted his early musical awakenings. He was first intrigued by the sound of the harmonica his stepbrother gave him. However, his musical trajectory truly shifted when, a...

In this episode of One Symphony, Devin Patrick Hughes interviews Lucas Richman, a Grammy winning composer and conductor, exploring his career and insightful perspectives on music and its role in society. 

Richman recounts his early exposure to music through composer biographies, sharing an anecdote about writing to Aaron Copland and receiving an encouraging postcard in return, which served as an early inspiration.

The discussion mo...

In this interview with Tom Morris, a veteran of orchestra management whose career included leadership roles with the Boston Symphony and the Cleveland Orchestra, conductor Devin Patrick Hughes provides a comprehensive look at the inner workings of orchestral institutions, the evolution of their management, and the crucial role of music in their success. Morris's journey from a percussionist to a top-level administrator offers a uni...

George S. Clinton is an award winning composer who has scored over 100 films, most notably “Austin Powers” !The Santa Clause”; “Mortal Kombat”; and the Emmy Award winning “Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee.”

He began his professional music career as a singer/songwriter in Nashville writing for Tree Music and doing session work. Upon moving to LA, he became a staff songwriter for Warner Brothers Music, with s...

In this episode of One Symphony, host Devin Partick Hughes joins podcast, composer, conductor, and singer Damien Geter who shares his unique perspective on the world of opera and his approach to music. Geter's insights, drawn from his experiences as a performer, composer, and educator, offer a compelling look into the challenges and opportunities facing classical music today.

Geter’s current projects include a string orchestra piec...

In this episode of One Symphony with conductor Devin Patrick Hughes, Devin has an inspiring conversation with bass virtuoso and composer Kebra Seyoun Charles. From their early exposure to African drumming and gospel music to becoming a celebrated classical musician, Charles shares their unique journey and vision for the future of classical music through their "Counter Classical" style. Charles's work embodies a fresh perspective on...

In this episode of One Symphony, host Devin Patrick Hughes interviews Dr. Samantha Ege, pianist and musicologist, about the life and works of Florence Price. Dr. Ege discusses Price's musical style, her significance in American classical music, and the recent rediscovery of her compositions. The conversation covers Price's role in the Chicago music scene, her blending of classical and African American musical traditio...

Tobias Picker, deemed “our finest composer for the lyric stage” by The Wall Street Journal, joins Devin Patrick Hughes on One Symphony. Tobias is a prolific composer in all genres. He has composed six operas, commissioned by Dallas Opera, LA Opera, Metropolitan Opera, San Francisco Opera, Santa Fe Opera, and Opera Theatre St. Louis.

Tobias Picker has composed numerous symphonic works including three symp...

American pianist Clayton Stephenson joins conductor Devin Patrick Hughes for an engaging and informative interview on One Symphony. Clayton’s love for music is immediately apparent in his joyous charisma onstage, expressive power, and natural ease at the instrument. Hailed for “extraordinary narrative and poetc gifts” and interpretations that are “fresh, incisive and characterfully alive” by Gramophone, he is committe...

In this episode of One Symphony, conductor Devin Patrick Hughes interviews acclaimed pianist and composer Marina Arsenijevic to discuss her journey that led to her latest album, Chopin Obsessions. Arsenijevic shared insights into her upbringing in former Yugoslavia, the influences that shaped her musical style, and her unwavering commitment to promoting unity through diversity. Marina Arsenijevic is as an inspiration to artists and...

In this episode of One Symphony, conductor Devin Patrick Hughes interviews internationally renowned pianist Quynh Nguyen (pronounced Quin Nwen), exploring her remarkable journey in music. Born in post-war Vietnam, Nguyen's path has been shaped by her family legacy, global influences, and dedication to her craft. From her early beginnings at the Hanoi Conservatory to her studies in Moscow, Paris, and the United States,...

In this episode of One Symphony, conductor Devin Patrick Hughes sits down with renowned composer Pierre Jalbert to explore Jalbert’s musical journey, creative process, and the spiritual influences that shape his work. Jalbert shares intimate stories about his childhood in Vermont, his collaborations with world-class musicians, and the importance of resonance and reverberation in his compositions. He also pays tribute ...

In this episode of One Symphony, Juhi Bansal discusses her diverse cultural influences, from Hindustani classical to Western styles, and how she weaves them together to create powerful narratives through sound. Bansal delves into the inspiration behind several of her striking works, including "Songs From the Deep," "Waves of Change," and "Aurora," which explore themes of women's resilience, environmental conservation,...