A Washing Machine in Dehli

Underscore

Description: Reena Esmail knows she doesn’t look like a stereotypical composer, but that doesn’t prevent her from making a big impact. Known for her signature blend of Indian and Western classical music, Reena joins us in the studio to discuss stage fright, getting in touch with her heritage, how the #MeToo movement inspired her, and the washing machine that sparked a revelation.

Playlist: Here is a Spotify playlist with hand-picked selections from Chrysanthe, Thomas, and Reena Esmail.
Music Featured in Interview:

• “String Quartet: Ragamala” by Reena Esmail (Listen / Score)
• “Piano Sonata No. 15 in C, K.545: 1. Allegro” by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (iTunes / Spotify)
• “Jhula Jhule” by Reena Esmail (Listen / Score)
• “Die Forelle, D. 550” by Franz Schubert (iTunes / Spotify)
• “Träumerei” by Robert Schumann (iTunes / Spotify)
• “This Love Between Us” by Reena Esmail (Listen)
• “Tuttarana” by Reena Esmail (Listen / Score)
• “#metoo” by Reena Esmail
• “Nishani” by Reena Esmail (Listen / Score)

Additional Links:

• Hindustani Music: Cultural Collisions (and Washing Machines) - Reena’s blog on NewMusicBox about the washing machine

Lightning Round:

• What genre is your music? Indpressionism -- “the opposite of Impressionism”
• Performance ritual?
  • Performance ritual: “breathe, open your mouth, smile.”
  • Composing ritual: A very specific, solitary tea ritual involving the Harney & Sons Soho blend.
• A modern/technological tool that’s extremely helpful to your practice? iPad. It was so game-changing that Reena celebrates the anniversary of getting her iPad (July 17, 2017).
• A failure that turned out for the best? Failing to be a pianist
• Something besides music that you’re obsessed with right now? Hardcore math and data sets.
• A piece of art that changed your life? The chandelier at Mandarin Oriental by Dale Chihuly on 59th and Broadway in New York City.

Find Reena Esmail online:

Website / Facebook / Instagram / Twitter

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Something Old: “Call Me a Rainbow” by The Mummers (YouTube)

Something New: “String Quartet No. 9” by Georg Friedrich Haas (YouTube)

Something Borrowed: Bye Bye Beethoven Concert by Patricia Kopatchinskaja (YouTube)

Something Blue: “Aquarium” by Nosaj Thing (iTunes / Spotify)

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Credits:

• Hosts: Chrysanthe Tan and Thomas Kotcheff
• Guest: Reena Esmail
• Script: Chrysanthe Tan
• Recording engineer: Mark Hatwan
• Produced by: Chrysanthe Tan
• Editing: Mark Hatwan
• Underscore is an extension of the Classical KUSC family
• Podcast theme: "Playground Day" by Chrysanthe Tan (iTunes / Spotify)

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Twitter: @underscorefm

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Thomas is @thomaskotcheff on Twitter and Instagram.

Chrysanthe is @chrysanthetan on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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