Season 5, Episode 4 Nicholas Daniel, OBE

A Deep Dive with Nicholas Daniel: From Oboe Beginnings to Musical Leadership In this episode of Legends of Reed, host Jo Anne Sukumaran, has an engaging and heartfelt conversation with acclaimed oboist Nicholas Daniel. Nicholas shares his journey from his surprising introduction to the oboe, influenced by his grandmother, to achieving critical acclaim with his latest album “Schumann Works for Oboe and Piano.”  They delve into his practice routines, the importance of calm environments for recording, and his thoughts on working with producers like Jonathan Cooper and longtime collaborator Julius Drake. Nicholas recounts his experiences interacting with composers, shedding light on his approach to learning new concertos and the influence of contemporary thinkers like Molly Gabrien. The conversation also touches on broader themes such as teaching practices, the tradition of the British oboe school, his involvement with various musical organizations, and memorable encounters with Queen Elizabeth II. Nicholas's stories and insights reveal his passion for music, teaching, and the importance of maintaining a positive outlook in life. Find out more about Nicholas:https://nicholasdaniel.co.uk Vote for the Schumann album (until end Feb 2025): https://www.classical-music.com/awards/2025-awards/bbc-music-magazine-chamber-award-2025 00:00 Introduction and Greetings02:47 Discussing the Latest Album05:20 Journey into Music and the Oboe10:47 Influential Teachers and Early Training16:47 The British Oboe Tradition19:17 Goossens's Oboe and Historical Instruments27:35 Women in Music and Gender Equality33:06 Impact of COVID-19 on Musicians35:51 The Path to Becoming a Concert Oboe Soloist43:00 Meditation and Mindfulness in Practice48:30 Preparing for Performances and Learning New Music01:03:17 Using Gymnastic Balls for Breathing Exercises01:04:10 The Impact of Musculature on Breathing01:06:00 The Partnership Between Body and Breath01:06:44 The Emotional Connection to Musical Instruments01:08:13 The Importance of Flexibility in Musicians01:09:46 Hydration and Its Effects on Musicians01:10:58 Favorite Composers and Their Influence01:21:29 Collaborating with Composers01:28:47 Balancing Leadership and Collaboration in Orchestras01:36:06 Rapid Fire Questions01:41:57 The Future of Classical Music01:54:11 Meeting Queen Elizabeth II