Leonard Slatkin: The Multifaceted Maestro and His Legacy in Music, Literature, and Life

In Part 1, Maestro Slatkin shares stories from his musical upbringing in Los Angeles, enriched by his family's deep musical roots. He reflects on his formative years studying under renowned mentors Jean Morel and Walter Susskind. We explore his process for learning new pieces and his insights on the unique approaches and sounds of various orchestras. The episode concludes with a poignant recollection of a moving performance of Barber's Adagio for Strings at the BBC Proms on September 15, 2001, just days after the tragic events of 9/11 (see links below).In Part 2 (Subscriber Content), we highlight a significant aspect of Leonard Slatkin's legacy: his dedication to promoting and premiering contemporary composers. His extensive contributions to the discovery and revival of earlier American music are equally impressive. We wrap up our conversation with delightful anecdotes about his love for baseball and his friendship with trumpet legend Bud Herseth, complete with a tale of how they pranked each other!