PODCAST · arts
Breandáin O'Shea
by Breandáin O'Shea
Breandáin O’Shea is an Australian musician, pedagogue, and arts journalist who has called Germany home since the early 90s. With a career spanning more than three decades, O'Shea has made a profound impact on the arts scene, both locally and globally. For over 20 years, O’Shea curated and hosted two award-winning weekly arts programs for Deutsche Welle, showcasing appreciation for diverse artistic forms. His expertise has also been shared as a guest lecturer at Berlin’s University of the Arts, the Goethe Institute, and Norway's Stavanger University. O'Shea's impressive list of interviewees reads like a who's who of the arts world, including luminaries such as Daniel Barenboim, Roddy Doyle, Sting, Christo, and Jessye Norman. His insightful conversations have resonated with audiences worldwide, cementing his reputation as a leading voice in the arts community. Based in Berlin, O’Shea continues to foster cultural discourse through various mediums, from producing podcasts to crafting radio
Episodes
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BERLIN'S MIRROR- 75 YEARS OF THE BERLINER FESTSPIELE
The end of the world, but nobody's really listening. Conductor Nicholas Collon and Musikfest artistic director Winrich Hopp on opening a 75th anniversary festival with Ligeti's Le Grand Macabre, an "anti-anti-opera" with a Kubrick thread running through it. For Inside Europe. (EP Kate Laycock and...
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Small Country, Large Voice
How does a country of just over a million people turn music into a tool of survival? Reported from the Pärnu Music Festival in Estonia, with Paavo Järvi, Neeme Järvi, Mikk Murdvee, Kristjan Hallik, Viola Asoskova and Minister of Culture Heidy Purga. A DW Inside Europe feature.
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Far from Home, Close to Music
Three young Australian violinists. One city that changed everything. In this special episode of Tall Poppies, host Brendan O'Shea sits down with Leanne McGowan, Josephine Chung and Harry Ward — three remarkable musicians who left Australia and found a new creative home in Berlin. From Curtis...
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Trailer - Far From Home, Close to Music
A special episode is dropping on June 21st. - Far from Home, Close to Music - featuring Josephine Chung, Harry Ward and Leanne McGowan - three exceptional young Australian violinists, all living here in Berlin.
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Teddy at 40: Four Decades of Queer Cinema and Courage
Forty years of the Teddy Award – four decades of queer cinema, courage, celebration, and change. In this feature, we look back at how a small sidebar prize at the Berlin International Film Festival grew into one of the world’s most important honours for LGBTQ+ filmmaking. With reflections on its...
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Daughters of Donbas - Songs of Stolen Children
Stolen children. Silenced stories. Unforgettable music. Daughters of Donbas: Songs of Stolen Children blends Ukrainian folk, chamber music and poetry to bear witness to children abducted from occupied territories. As Breandáin O’Shea reports, this is music as testimony — demanding the world…
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Listening to the Unheard: Musica Secreta’s Renaissance Revelations
Hidden for centuries, the music of women composers from the Renaissance has largely remained unheard. Musica Secreta is an ensemble committed to uncovering and performing these forgotten works, blending rigorous historical research with a uniquely expressive, all-female sound. And as Breandáin...
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Arvo Pärt at 90
Few composers have shaped the soundscape of our time quite like Arvo Pärt. Often described as the sound of silence, his music emerged from censorship, inner exile, and spiritual resistance under Soviet rule. Now 90, and the most widely performed living composer, Pärt’s works speak with renewed...
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Matthew McDonald: Between the Bass and the Page
Matthew McDonald: Between the Bass and the Page Matthew McDonald is widely recognised as one of the world’s leading double bass players — a musician whose warm tone, agility and expressive clarity have shaped the sound of the Berliner Philharmoniker since he became Principal Double Bass in 2009....
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Birgit Nilsson Award 2025
The Birgit Nilsson Prize 2025: A Celebration of Many Voices In 2025, the world’s largest award in classical music — the Birgit Nilsson Prize — made history. For the first time, it honoured not an individual artist or orchestra, but a festival: the Festival d’Aix-en-Provence, one of today’s most...
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Intrepid Ear Archive: Berlin’s Cultural Soul Under Threat
Berlin’s vibrant arts scene is under pressure. With major funding cuts looming, even iconic institutions like the Komische Oper, Schaubühne, and the Berlin Philharmonic face an uncertain future. In this episode, Breandáin O’Shea visits the Komische Oper to explore what’s at stake—and why…
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Intrepid Ear Archive: Meiningen: A Legacy of Art and the Politics of Change
Discover the fascinating transformation of Meiningen, a small German city with a rich artistic heritage. From 1874 to 1890, Duke George II von Sachsen Meiningen turned the city into a cultural hub, founding the Meiningen Court Theatre and attracting renowned artists. Today, this city of 25,000...
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Intrepid Ear Archive: The Köln Concert: A Tribute to an Iconic Night
On a rainy night in 1975, Keith Jarrett sat down at a battered piano in Cologne and delivered The Köln Concert—an improvised performance that would become the best-selling solo piano recording in history. But behind the music lies a story of frustration, fatigue, and unexpected brilliance. As the...
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Bridging Borders- 25 Years of the West–Eastern Divan Orchestra
In 1819, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe published The West–Eastern Divan, his final major poetry cycle, inspired by his correspondence with actress Marianne von Willemer and Joseph von Hammer’s translations of the Persian poet Hafez. This anthology symbolises cultural exchange between the Orient and...
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Hector McDonald Tall Poppies
Meet another phenomenal Australian musician Join Breandáin O'Shea as he explores the extraordinary career of Hector McDonald, one of the most celebrated French horn players of our time. From his early days in Australia to his prestigious role with the Vienna Symphony Orchestra, Hector's journey…
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Philip Langridge - The Intrepid Ear
Philip Langridge (1939-2010) was a highly esteemed English tenor known for his exceptional vocal artistry and versatility across a wide range of repertoire. Renowned for his clarity of tone, expressive delivery, and dramatic intensity, Langridge excelled in both opera and concert performances. He...
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Karlheinz Stockhausen - The Intrepid Ear
Karlheinz Stockhausen (1928-2007) was a pioneering German composer widely regarded as one of the most important figures in 20th-century avant-garde music. He is known for his innovative compositions that often pushed the boundaries of traditional musical forms and techniques. Stockhausen's works...
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Herbert Blomstedt - The Intrepid Ear
Herbert Blomstedt is a distinguished Swedish conductor renowned for his interpretations of the classical and romantic repertoire. Born in 1927 in the United States to Swedish parents, Blomstedt began conducting at a young age and rose to prominence in the mid-20th century. He has held numerous...
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Jasmila Žbanić - The Intrepid Ear
Jasmila Žbanić is a Bosnian filmmaker known for her compelling and socially conscious work. Born in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, she gained international recognition with her debut feature film "Grbavica" in 2006, which won the Golden Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival. Her...
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Alain De Botton
Alain de Botton is a Swiss-British philosopher, author, and television presenter known for his accessible approach to philosophy and exploration of everyday life. Born in Zurich in 1969, he studied at Cambridge University and later completed a master's degree in philosophy at King's College…
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Andrew Davis
Sir Andrew Davis, the esteemed conductor, left an indelible mark on the classical music world with his profound interpretations and exceptional leadership. Throughout his illustrious career, Sir Andrew held esteemed positions with renowned orchestras, including the BBC Symphony Orchestra…
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Meow Meow
Meow Meow, born Melissa Madden Gray, is an Australian cabaret performer known for her unique blend of music, comedy, and theatricality. With a distinctive style that combines elements of burlesque, vaudeville, and cabaret, Meow Meow has gained international acclaim for her electrifying...
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Jan A. P. Kaczmarek
Jan A. P. Kaczmarek is a Polish composer known for his remarkable contributions to film scores. Born on April 29, 1953, in Konin, Poland, Kaczmarek began his musical career in his native country before gaining international acclaim for his work in film. He has composed scores for numerous…
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Jan Chapman
Jan Chapman is an Australian film producer known for her contributions to the film industry. Born in Newcastle, New South Wales, she has produced numerous acclaimed films, including "The Piano" (1993), "Lantana" (2001), and "Bright Star" (2009). Chapman's collaborations with directors such as…
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Inge Drews
Ingeborg Drews, born in Cologne in 1938 and died in 2019 in the same city, was a notable German artist. She cultivated a diverse artistic oeuvre throughout her life, encompassing satire, poetry, and photography. Drews received recognition for her satirical works, notably earning the 'Prix…
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Ida Haendel
Ida Haendel was a Polish-born violinist renowned for her virtuosity, passionate performances, and profound musicality. Born on December 15, 1928, in Chelm, Poland, Haendel began playing the violin at a young age and quickly gained recognition as a prodigious talent. She studied under esteemed...
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Jeffrey Tate
Jeffrey Tate was a British conductor known for his distinguished career leading orchestras around the world. Born on April 28, 1943, in Salisbury, England, Tate overcame physical challenges due to spina bifida to become a prominent figure in the classical music world. He served as the principal...
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Grover Crisp
Grover Crisp is a highly respected figure in the film industry, known for his expertise in film restoration and preservation. He has had a distinguished career at Sony Pictures Entertainment, where he served as Executive Vice President of Asset Management, Film Restoration, and Digital Mastering....
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Gregor Zubicky
Gregor Zubicky is an accomplished musician who has transitioned from being an oboist to an artistic manager. He currently holds the position of Artistic Manager at the Swedish Chamber Orchestra. Prior to this role, Zubicky served as a former oboist at the Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester, showcasing...
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Georg Kreisler
Georg Kreisler was an Austrian-American composer, satirist, and singer-songwriter, known for his biting wit and dark humor. Born in 1922 in Vienna, Kreisler fled Nazi-occupied Austria during World War II and eventually settled in the United States. He gained renown for his cabaret performances,...
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Hugh Wood
Hugh Wood was a distinguished British composer known for his contributions to contemporary classical music. Born in 1932, in Parbold, Lancashire, Wood studied composition at the Royal Academy of Music in London. His works, which encompass orchestral, chamber, vocal, and choral music, are...
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Giaconda Barbuto
Gioconda Barbuto is a highly esteemed Italian-Canadian dancer and choreographer, renowned for her captivating performances and innovative choreography. Trained at the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School, The Banff Centre, and under Gladys Forrester in Toronto, Barbuto quickly gained recognition as a...
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Lynn Harrell
Lynn Harrell was a celebrated American cellist known for his virtuosic performances and profound musicality. Born on January 30, 1944, in New York City, Harrell began studying the cello at a young age and quickly gained recognition as a prodigious talent. He rose to prominence in the classical...
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Ilona Schmiel
Ilona Schmiel is a prominent figure in the classical music world, known particularly for her work as an arts administrator and festival director. Born in Germany, Schmiel has held significant positions in various cultural institutions, including serving as the director of the Beethovenfest Bonn...
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Val McDermid
Val McDermid is a Scottish author renowned for her crime fiction. McDermid began her writing career as a journalist before transitioning to full-time fiction writing. She gained widespread acclaim for her series featuring psychological profiler Dr. Tony Hill and detective Carol Jordan, which was...
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Joachim Sartorius
Joachim Sartorius is a German poet, translator, diplomat, festival organiser, and lawyer. He has written five volumes of poetry, as well as numerous other books. In 2011 Sartorius was named a Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres.
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Ian Rankin
Ian Rankin is a Scottish crime writer. He is best known for his series of detective novels featuring Inspector John Rebus, set in Edinburgh. Rankin's novels are celebrated for their gritty realism, intricate plotting, and vivid portrayal of Scottish society. His debut novel, "Knots and Crosses,"...
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Henning Kraggerud
Henning Kraggerud is a Norwegian violinist and composer. He is internationally renowned for his virtuosic violin playing, captivating audiences with his expressive interpretations and technical brilliance. Kraggerud has performed as a soloist with major orchestras worldwide and has collaborated...
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Helmuth Rilling
Helmuth Rilling is a German conductor and choral conductor born on May 29, 1933, in Stuttgart, Germany. He is widely regarded as one of the foremost interpreters of Johann Sebastian Bach's music and has played a pivotal role in popularising Bach's choral works worldwide. Rilling founded the...
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Hélène Grimaud - Part 2
Hélène Grimaud is a French pianist born on November 7, 1969, in Aix-en-Provence, France. She is widely acclaimed for her exceptional musical talent and unique artistic approach. Grimaud made her debut with the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France at the age of 13 and has since performed with...
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Hélène Grimaud - Part 1
Hélène Grimaud is a French pianist born on November 7, 1969, in Aix-en-Provence, France. She is widely acclaimed for her exceptional musical talent and unique artistic approach. Grimaud made her debut with the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France at the age of 13 and has since performed with...
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Grete Pedersen
Grete Pedersen is a Norwegian choral conductor and music educator born in 1957 in Norway. She is internationally renowned for her exceptional contributions to choral music. Pedersen is particularly acclaimed for her work as the conductor of the Norwegian Soloists' Choir, which she has led since...
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Gregor Seyffert
Gregor Seyffert is a German choreographer and dancer born in 1960, in East Berlin, Germany. He is recognised for his innovative choreography and dynamic performances, blending contemporary dance with elements of theatre and circus arts. Seyffert trained at the Palucca School in Dresden and later...
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Gail Jones
Gail Jones is an Australian author. She is acclaimed for her evocative prose, intricate narratives, and exploration of themes such as identity, memory, and cultural history. Jones has published several novels, including "Black Mirror" (2002), "Sixty Lights" (2004), and "A Guide to Berlin" (2015),...
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Gabriele Fontana
Gabriele Fontana debuted professionally in 1980 as Pamina in Die Zauberflöte with Oper Frankfurt. She later joined the Hamburg State Opera, performing roles in various operas and premiering works like Udo Zimmermann's Weisse Rose. Fontana has since appeared at esteemed opera houses worldwide,...
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Frank Peter Zimmermann
Frank Peter Zimmermann is a German violinist. He was born in 1965, in Duisburg, Germany. He is widely regarded as one of the leading violinists of his generation, known for his virtuosic technique, rich tone, and deeply expressive interpretations. Zimmermann has performed with major orchestras…
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Frank McCourt
Frank McCourt was an Irish-American writer born on August 19, 1930, in Brooklyn, New York, and passed away on July 19, 2009. He is best known for his Pulitzer Prize-winning memoir, "Angela's Ashes" (1996), which recounts his impoverished childhood in Limerick, Ireland. McCourt's memoir vividly...
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Evgeny Kissin
Evgeny Kissin is a Russian-born pianist acclaimed for his prodigious talent and profound interpretations of classical repertoire. Born in 1971, in Moscow, Kissin displayed exceptional musical abilities from an early age, making his concert debut at the age of ten with the Moscow Philharmonic...
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Evelyn Glennie
Evelyn Glennie is a Scottish percussionist and composer. She is renowned worldwide for her virtuosity as a solo percussionist, overcoming profound deafness since childhood to achieve international acclaim. Glennie's career spans classical, contemporary, and experimental music, performing with…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Breandáin O’Shea is an Australian musician, pedagogue, and arts journalist who has called Germany home since the early 90s. With a career spanning more than three decades, O'Shea has made a profound impact on the arts scene, both locally and globally. For over 20 years, O’Shea curated and hosted two award-winning weekly arts programs for Deutsche Welle, showcasing appreciation for diverse artistic forms. His expertise has also been shared as a guest lecturer at Berlin’s University of the Arts, the Goethe Institute, and Norway's Stavanger University. O'Shea's impressive list of interviewees reads like a who's who of the arts world, including luminaries such as Daniel Barenboim, Roddy Doyle, Sting, Christo, and Jessye Norman. His insightful conversations have resonated with audiences worldwide, cementing his reputation as a leading voice in the arts community. Based in Berlin, O’Shea continues to foster cultural discourse through various mediums, from producing podcasts to crafting radio
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Breandáin O'Shea
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How many episodes does Breandáin O'Shea have?
Breandáin O'Shea currently has 115 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Breandáin O'Shea about?
Breandáin O’Shea is an Australian musician, pedagogue, and arts journalist who has called Germany home since the early 90s. With a career spanning more than three decades, O'Shea has made a profound impact on the arts scene, both locally and globally. For over 20 years, O’Shea curated and hosted...
How often does Breandáin O'Shea release new episodes?
Breandáin O'Shea publishes regularly with 115 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
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Who hosts Breandáin O'Shea?
Breandáin O'Shea is created and hosted by Breandáin O'Shea.
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