Healing Musicians

Episode

Title

First
Broadcast

Comments

5. Rebecca Toal And Hattie Butterworth

20241018

Kate Kennedy meets musicians who, like her, had to stop playing after injury and reconsider their relationship with their instruments.

We all know that listening to music can have a positive impact on wellbeing and mental health. But what about the performer? The truth is, for anyone wanting to turn professional, this is a highly competitive and pressurised environment often driven in part by fear and anxiety. It's a problem that can have a disproportionate effect on young people - which is why trumpeter Rebecca Toal and cellist Hattie Butterworth started their podcast, Things Musicians Don't Talk About, to try to break the taboo of not acknowledging the difficulties with mental illness that many musicians face. They talk to Kate about their personal experience of 'the system' for training musicians that can so easily break down, often resulting in crippling anxiety and burn-out. Obsessive behaviour and eating disorders are not uncommon as people try to gain some control over the endless cycle of practice and performance. By creating the podcast, Rebecca and Hattie have found a creative way to use their experiences to forge a new and less damaging path for themselves, but also to help others by sharing musicians' experiences honestly.

Presenter: Kate Kennedy

Producer: Erika Wright

Production Coordinator: Elisabeth Tuohy

Executive Producer: Rami Tzabar

Healing Musicians is a TellTale Industries production for BBC Radio 3

Kate Kennedy talks to musicians who had to rethink their careers after injury or illness.

Essays from leading writers on arts, history, philosophy, science, religion and beyond.

Kate Kennedy hears from young musicians Rebecca Toal and Hattie Butterworth how mental health issues forced them to rethink their relationship with their instruments.

[LISTEN NOW]

Julian Lloyd Webber

20241014

Kate Kennedy meets musicians who, like her, had to stop playing after injury and reshape their lives. What does being forced to fall silent mean for a musician's relationship with their instrument?

My name is Julian Lloyd Webber and I am an ex-cellist'. The internationally renowned performer, Julian Lloyd Webber talks for the first time in detail to Kate about the moment he realised his 40-year career could be over mid-recital: 'Suddenly I lost power in my right arm - I thought I was going to drop the bow. I had never experienced anything like it - I didn't know what was wrong or what to do. I was genuinely frightened'. Julian shares the sense of bereavement he felt after his prestigious career of four decades ended due to a herniated disc in his neck.

Over the next few weeks, Julian tried to pretend everything was normal. His manager was calling him with engagements he had always wanted to undertake, such as a performance of Shostakovich's First Cello Concerto in Moscow. But the wear and tear of Julian's performing career on his body was too much - he learned that the herniated disc was pressing on a nerve which was causing a loss of power in his arm. Doctors told him that he could have an operation, but with little guarantee of success, and with high risks attached. He had a young family at the time, so chose to sacrifice the cello.

He has never played since. Julian and Jiaxin, his wife and fellow cellist, reflect on the last fateful concert they played together and how they've found positives in silence.

Kate Kennedy talks to musicians who had to rethink their lives and careers after injury.

Renowned cellist Julian Lloyd Webber talks to Kate Kennedy about the injury which forced him to stop playing. Where does this leave a musician's relationship with their instrument?

[LISTEN NOW]

Stephen Marquiss

20241015

Kate Kennedy meets musicians who, like her, had to stop playing after injury and rethink their lives. What does this mean for a musician's relationship with their instrument?

Aged 11, Stephen Marquiss was labelled an exemplary piano scholar. Gaining a music specialist place in 1990 Stephen promptly attained the highest ABRSM exam mark in the country and reached the televised semi-final of BBC Young Musicians. But then injury forced him to pull out. At 18, his career was all but over, having struggled with recurring RSI, musculo-skeletal issues, which destroyed his confidence and mental health. Ironically, this crisis forced him to address fundamental aspects of how piano is taught and played - and now at 45, Stephen has his own school of playing called Piano Portals, which seeks to rewrite how practice is approached. Kate takes him back to his practice rooms, to help us understand the intensity and the fear of failure that drove him to injury and we learn how his new approach to playing unfolded.

Kate Kennedy shares stories with musicians who had to rethink their lives after injury.

Kate Kennedy talks to prize-winning pianist Stephen Marquiss about the injury that nearly destroyed his career and what he did to establish a new relationship with his instrument.

Aged 11, Stephen Marquiss was labelled an exemplary piano scholar. Gaining a music specialist place at Wells Cathedral School in 1990, Stephen promptly attained the highest ABRSM exam mark in the country and reached the televised semi-final of BBC Young Musicians. But then injury forced him to pull out. At 18, his career was all but over, having struggled with recurring RSI, musculo-skeletal issues, which destroyed his confidence and mental health. Ironically, this crisis forced him to address fundamental aspects of how piano is taught and played - and now at 45, Stephen has his own school of playing called Piano Portals, which seeks to rewrite how practice is approached, drawing on science, sport and even dance. Kate takes him back to his practice rooms, to help us understand the intensity and the fear of failure that drove him to injury and we learn how his new approach to playing unfolded.

[LISTEN NOW]

Robin Graham

20241016

Kate Kennedy meets musicians who, like her, had to stop playing after injury and rethink their lives. What does being forced to fall silent mean for a musician's relationship with their instrument?

Robin Graham reached her dream as the first woman to earn a principal French horn position in a major American orchestra by audition. She shares her story of how painful injury caused her to leave in 2003 and the grief at being unable to play in the centre of a big orchestral sound.

Kate Kennedy shares stories with musicians who had to rethink their lives after injury.

Kate Kennedy meets principal French horn player Robin Graham to learn what it means for a musician's relationship with their instrument when injury forces them to stop playing.

[LISTEN NOW]

Ludwig Quandt

20241017

Kate Kennedy meets musicians who, like her, had to stop playing after injury and rethink their lives.

As principal cellist of the Berlin Philharmonic for three decades, Ludwig Quandt performed with conductors Claudio Abbado and Sir Simon Rattle until an injury unrelated to performing nearly ended his career. He reveals what being forced to confront silence means for a musician's relationship with their instrument and the innovative solution he found on the other side of the world from an unlikely source.

Kate Kennedy shares stories with musicians who had to rethink their lives after injury.

Kate Kennedy meets Ludwig Quandt, principal cellist of the Berlin Philharmonic, to discover how an unexpected injury forced him to rethink his life and career.

[LISTEN NOW]

05 LAST

Rebecca Toal And Hattie Butterworth

20241018

Kate Kennedy meets musicians who, like her, had to stop playing after injury and reconsider their relationship with their instruments.

We all know that listening to music can have a positive impact on wellbeing and mental health. But what about the performer? The truth is, for anyone wanting to turn professional, this is a highly competitive and pressurised environment often driven in part by fear and anxiety. It's a problem that can have a disproportionate effect on young people - which is why Trumpeter Rebecca Toal and cellist Hattie Butterworth started their podcast, Things Musicians Don't Talk About, to try to break the taboo of not acknowledging the difficulties with mental illness that many musicians face. They talk to Kate about their personal experience of 'the system' for training musicians that can so easily break down, often resulting in crippling anxiety and burn-out. Obsessive behaviour and eating disorders are not uncommon as people try to gain some control over the endless cycle of practice and performance. By creating the podcast, Rebecca and Hattie have found a creative way to use their experiences to forge a new and less damaging path for themselves, but also to help others by sharing musicians' experiences honestly.

Kate Kennedy talks to musicians who had to rethink their careers after injury or illness.

Kate Kennedy hears from young musicians Rebecca Toal and Hattie Butterworth how mental health issues forced them to rethink their relationship with their instruments.

[LISTEN NOW]

Episodes

Episode	Title	First Broadcast	Comments
	5. Rebecca Toal And Hattie Butterworth	20241018	Kate Kennedy meets musicians who, like her, had to stop playing after injury and reconsider their relationship with their instruments. We all know that listening to music can have a positive impact on wellbeing and mental health. But what about the performer? The truth is, for anyone wanting to turn professional, this is a highly competitive and pressurised environment often driven in part by fear and anxiety. It's a problem that can have a disproportionate effect on young people - which is why trumpeter Rebecca Toal and cellist Hattie Butterworth started their podcast, Things Musicians Don't Talk About, to try to break the taboo of not acknowledging the difficulties with mental illness that many musicians face. They talk to Kate about their personal experience of 'the system' for training musicians that can so easily break down, often resulting in crippling anxiety and burn-out. Obsessive behaviour and eating disorders are not uncommon as people try to gain some control over the endless cycle of practice and performance. By creating the podcast, Rebecca and Hattie have found a creative way to use their experiences to forge a new and less damaging path for themselves, but also to help others by sharing musicians' experiences honestly. Presenter: Kate Kennedy Producer: Erika Wright Production Coordinator: Elisabeth Tuohy Executive Producer: Rami Tzabar Healing Musicians is a TellTale Industries production for BBC Radio 3 Kate Kennedy talks to musicians who had to rethink their careers after injury or illness. Essays from leading writers on arts, history, philosophy, science, religion and beyond. Kate Kennedy hears from young musicians Rebecca Toal and Hattie Butterworth how mental health issues forced them to rethink their relationship with their instruments. [LISTEN NOW]
01	Julian Lloyd Webber	20241014	Kate Kennedy meets musicians who, like her, had to stop playing after injury and reshape their lives. What does being forced to fall silent mean for a musician's relationship with their instrument? My name is Julian Lloyd Webber and I am an ex-cellist'. The internationally renowned performer, Julian Lloyd Webber talks for the first time in detail to Kate about the moment he realised his 40-year career could be over mid-recital: 'Suddenly I lost power in my right arm - I thought I was going to drop the bow. I had never experienced anything like it - I didn't know what was wrong or what to do. I was genuinely frightened'. Julian shares the sense of bereavement he felt after his prestigious career of four decades ended due to a herniated disc in his neck. Over the next few weeks, Julian tried to pretend everything was normal. His manager was calling him with engagements he had always wanted to undertake, such as a performance of Shostakovich's First Cello Concerto in Moscow. But the wear and tear of Julian's performing career on his body was too much - he learned that the herniated disc was pressing on a nerve which was causing a loss of power in his arm. Doctors told him that he could have an operation, but with little guarantee of success, and with high risks attached. He had a young family at the time, so chose to sacrifice the cello. He has never played since. Julian and Jiaxin, his wife and fellow cellist, reflect on the last fateful concert they played together and how they've found positives in silence. Kate Kennedy talks to musicians who had to rethink their lives and careers after injury. Renowned cellist Julian Lloyd Webber talks to Kate Kennedy about the injury which forced him to stop playing. Where does this leave a musician's relationship with their instrument? [LISTEN NOW]
02	Stephen Marquiss	20241015	Kate Kennedy meets musicians who, like her, had to stop playing after injury and rethink their lives. What does this mean for a musician's relationship with their instrument? Aged 11, Stephen Marquiss was labelled an exemplary piano scholar. Gaining a music specialist place in 1990 Stephen promptly attained the highest ABRSM exam mark in the country and reached the televised semi-final of BBC Young Musicians. But then injury forced him to pull out. At 18, his career was all but over, having struggled with recurring RSI, musculo-skeletal issues, which destroyed his confidence and mental health. Ironically, this crisis forced him to address fundamental aspects of how piano is taught and played - and now at 45, Stephen has his own school of playing called Piano Portals, which seeks to rewrite how practice is approached. Kate takes him back to his practice rooms, to help us understand the intensity and the fear of failure that drove him to injury and we learn how his new approach to playing unfolded. Kate Kennedy shares stories with musicians who had to rethink their lives after injury. Kate Kennedy talks to prize-winning pianist Stephen Marquiss about the injury that nearly destroyed his career and what he did to establish a new relationship with his instrument. Aged 11, Stephen Marquiss was labelled an exemplary piano scholar. Gaining a music specialist place at Wells Cathedral School in 1990, Stephen promptly attained the highest ABRSM exam mark in the country and reached the televised semi-final of BBC Young Musicians. But then injury forced him to pull out. At 18, his career was all but over, having struggled with recurring RSI, musculo-skeletal issues, which destroyed his confidence and mental health. Ironically, this crisis forced him to address fundamental aspects of how piano is taught and played - and now at 45, Stephen has his own school of playing called Piano Portals, which seeks to rewrite how practice is approached, drawing on science, sport and even dance. Kate takes him back to his practice rooms, to help us understand the intensity and the fear of failure that drove him to injury and we learn how his new approach to playing unfolded. [LISTEN NOW]
03	Robin Graham	20241016	Kate Kennedy meets musicians who, like her, had to stop playing after injury and rethink their lives. What does being forced to fall silent mean for a musician's relationship with their instrument? Robin Graham reached her dream as the first woman to earn a principal French horn position in a major American orchestra by audition. She shares her story of how painful injury caused her to leave in 2003 and the grief at being unable to play in the centre of a big orchestral sound. Kate Kennedy shares stories with musicians who had to rethink their lives after injury. Kate Kennedy meets principal French horn player Robin Graham to learn what it means for a musician's relationship with their instrument when injury forces them to stop playing. [LISTEN NOW]
04	Ludwig Quandt	20241017	Kate Kennedy meets musicians who, like her, had to stop playing after injury and rethink their lives. As principal cellist of the Berlin Philharmonic for three decades, Ludwig Quandt performed with conductors Claudio Abbado and Sir Simon Rattle until an injury unrelated to performing nearly ended his career. He reveals what being forced to confront silence means for a musician's relationship with their instrument and the innovative solution he found on the other side of the world from an unlikely source. Kate Kennedy shares stories with musicians who had to rethink their lives after injury. Kate Kennedy meets Ludwig Quandt, principal cellist of the Berlin Philharmonic, to discover how an unexpected injury forced him to rethink his life and career. [LISTEN NOW]
05 LAST	Rebecca Toal And Hattie Butterworth	20241018	Kate Kennedy meets musicians who, like her, had to stop playing after injury and reconsider their relationship with their instruments. We all know that listening to music can have a positive impact on wellbeing and mental health. But what about the performer? The truth is, for anyone wanting to turn professional, this is a highly competitive and pressurised environment often driven in part by fear and anxiety. It's a problem that can have a disproportionate effect on young people - which is why Trumpeter Rebecca Toal and cellist Hattie Butterworth started their podcast, Things Musicians Don't Talk About, to try to break the taboo of not acknowledging the difficulties with mental illness that many musicians face. They talk to Kate about their personal experience of 'the system' for training musicians that can so easily break down, often resulting in crippling anxiety and burn-out. Obsessive behaviour and eating disorders are not uncommon as people try to gain some control over the endless cycle of practice and performance. By creating the podcast, Rebecca and Hattie have found a creative way to use their experiences to forge a new and less damaging path for themselves, but also to help others by sharing musicians' experiences honestly. Kate Kennedy talks to musicians who had to rethink their careers after injury or illness. Kate Kennedy hears from young musicians Rebecca Toal and Hattie Butterworth how mental health issues forced them to rethink their relationship with their instruments. [LISTEN NOW]