Shows / Ask The Maestro
Ask The Maestro
Ask The Maestro is your daily front-row seat to the hidden world of classical music. Conductor Robert Emery steps onto the podium to answer the questions you’ve always wondered about — from the drama of the orchestra to the secrets behind the score. Engaging and straight to the point, each episode uncovers the stories, traditions, and secrets of the concert hall — one question at a time. Listen daily and stay curious. Send your question to ask@robertemery.com
Episodes
Ask The MaestroDay 302: Who's Actually the Highest Paid on Stage?
Robert Emery explains who can actually earn the most money on stage during a concert. Got a music-related question? Send it over to Robert Emery to be answered…
Ask The MaestroDay 301: The Biggest Lie About Conductors
Robert Emery reveals the biggest misconception people have about conductors. Got a music-related question? Send it over to Robert Emery to be answered on Ask…
Ask The MaestroDay 300: How Long to Become a Conductor?
Robert Emery explains how long it can take to become a professional conductor. Got a music-related question? Send it over to Robert Emery to be answered on Ask…
Ask The MaestroDay 299: Lose Your Baton or Your Score?
Robert Emery chooses between losing his baton or losing his score during a performance. Got a music-related question? Send it over to Robert Emery to be…
Ask The MaestroDay 298: 3 Pieces That Are Deceptively Hard
Robert Emery shares three classical pieces that are much harder to perform than they sound. Got a music-related question? Send it over to Robert Emery to be…
Ask The MaestroDay 297: The Famous Composer I Don't Enjoy
Robert Emery reveals which famous composer he doesn't particularly enjoy. Got a music-related question? Send it over to Robert Emery to be answered on Ask The…
Ask The MaestroDay 296: How Many Pages in a Full Score?
Robert Emery explains how many pages a full orchestral score can contain. Got a music-related question? Send it over to Robert Emery to be answered on Ask The…
Ask The MaestroDay 295: Life on Kosmos & Orchestra 2026 Tour - The Tour Was Awesome, but Now Let Us Sleep!
Robert Emery takes you behind the scenes of the Kosmos & Orchestra 2026 tour, heading home to London after an amazing tour and finally getting some much-needed…
Ask The MaestroDay 294: Life on Kosmos & Orchestra 2026 Tour - The Final Curtain
Robert Emery takes you behind the scenes of the Kosmos & Orchestra 2026 tour, marking the end of an unforgettable journey filled with music, memories, and…
Ask The MaestroDay 293: Life on Kosmos & Orchestra 2026 Tour - Conducting with an Earpiece and Mic
Robert Emery takes you behind the scenes of the Kosmos & Orchestra 2026 tour, showing how he uses an earpiece and microphone to multitask while conducting! Got…
Ask The MaestroDay 292: Life on Kosmos & Orchestra 2026 Tour - Getting the Piano Just Right
Robert Emery takes you behind the scenes of the Kosmos & Orchestra 2026 tour, as the team makes sure the piano is perfectly prepared for the performance! Got a…
Ask The MaestroDay 291: Life on Kosmos & Orchestra 2026 Tour - Q&A on the Road Again!
Robert Emery takes you behind the scenes of the Kosmos & Orchestra 2026 tour, answering more questions while on the road with boys! Got a music-related…
Ask The MaestroDay 289: Life on Kosmos & Orchestra 2026 Tour - A Funny Roadtrip Conversation
Robert Emery takes you behind the scenes of the Kosmos & Orchestra 2026 tour, sharing another funny road trip conversation with his fellow travellers! Got a…
Ask The MaestroDay 288: Life on Kosmos & Orchestra 2026 Tour - The Calm Before the Frankfurt Storm
Robert Emery takes you behind the scenes of the Kosmos & Orchestra 2026 tour, capturing the calm moments before the big performance in Frankfurt! Got a…
Ask The MaestroDay 287: Life on Kosmos & Orchestra 2026 Tour - Roadtrip to Frankfurt with the Best People
Robert Emery takes you behind the scenes of the Kosmos & Orchestra 2026 tour, sharing a quick glimpse of the road trip to Frankfurt with some great company!…
Ask The MaestroDay 286: Life on Kosmos & Orchestra 2026 Tour - Crazy Busy Day in Berlin
Robert Emery takes you behind the scenes of the Kosmos & Orchestra 2026 tour in Berlin, proving that even the videos can run a little behind schedule! Got a…
Ask The MaestroDay 285: Life on Kosmos & Orchestra 2026 Tour - Under the Beautiful Chandliers in Hannover
Robert Emery takes you behind the scenes of the Kosmos & Orchestra 2026 tour, shows the stunning venue in Hannover, from its grand interiors, its lovely piano…
Ask The MaestroDay 284: Life on Kosmos & Orchestra 2026 Tour - A Little Tired but Still in Tune!
Robert Emery takes you behind the scenes of the Kosmos & Orchestra 2026 tour, where the days are long, the energy is running low, but the music must go on for…
Ask The MaestroDay 283: Life on Kosmos & Orchestra 2026 Tour - The Many, Many Vehicles 😱
Robert Emery takes you behind the scenes of the Kosmos & Orchestra 2026 tour, showing just how many vehicles it takes to keep everything moving! 😱 Got a…
Ask The MaestroDay 282: Do Conductors Memorise EVERYTHING?
Robert Emery explains whether conductors really memorise everything they conduct. Got a music-related question? Send it over to Robert Emery to be answered on…
Ask The MaestroDay 281: 3 Backstage Secrets Nobody Tells You
Robert Emery reveals three backstage secrets that audiences rarely hear about. Got a music-related question? Send it over to Robert Emery to be answered on Ask…
Ask The MaestroDay 280: How Many Rehearsal Hours per Concert?
Robert Emery explains how many hours of rehearsal typically go into preparing for a concert. Got a music-related question? Send it over to Robert Emery to be…
Ask The MaestroDay 279: Tails or All-Black — Conductor Style Pick
Robert Emery picks between tails and an all-black outfit for a conductor's style. Got a music-related question? Send it over to Robert Emery to be answered on…
Ask The MaestroDay 278: How Big Is a 'Full' Orchestra Really?
Robert Emery explains what a 'full' orchestra actually looks like and how many musicians it can include. Got a music-related question? Send it over to Robert…
Ask The MaestroDay 277: My Worst Habit on the Podium
Robert Emery shares his worst habit when he is on the podium. Got a music-related question? Send it over to Robert Emery to be answered on Ask The Maestro…
Ask The MaestroDay 276: 3 Mistakes Every New Conductor Makes
Robert Emery reveals three common mistakes that new conductors make. Got a music-related question? Send it over to Robert Emery to be answered on Ask The…
Ask The MaestroDay 275: No Score or Blindfolded — Which Is Worse?
Robert Emery compares conducting without a score with conducting blindfolded and chooses which would be worse. Got a music-related question? Send it over to…
Ask The MaestroDay 274: Was Beethoven Actually Deaf for This?
Robert Emery explores whether Beethoven was already deaf when he composed this particular work. Got a music-related question? Send it over to Robert Emery to…
Ask The MaestroDay 273: The Piece I'm Sick of Conducting
Robert Emery shares the piece he has become tired of conducting. Got a music-related question? Send it over to Robert Emery to be answered on Ask The Maestro…
Ask The MaestroDay 272: What Does a Conductor's Baton Cost?
Robert Emery reveals how much a conductor's baton can actually cost. Got a music-related question? Send it over to Robert Emery to be answered on Ask The…
Ask The MaestroDay 271: 3 Composers Who Were Actually Unhinged
Robert Emery highlights three composers whose behaviour was anything but conventional. Got a music-related question? Send it over to Robert Emery to be…
Ask The MaestroDay 270: The Loudest Instrument Isn't What You Think
Robert Emery reveals which orchestral instrument produces more volume than you might expect. Got a music-related question? Send it over to Robert Emery to be…
Ask The MaestroDay 269: What Audiences Do That Drives Me Mad
Robert Emery shares the things audiences do during concerts that drive him mad. Got a music-related question? Send it over to Robert Emery to be answered on…
Ask The MaestroDay 268: The Longest Piece I've Ever Conducted
Robert Emery reveals the longest piece he has ever conducted. Got a music-related question? Send it over to Robert Emery to be answered on Ask The Maestro…
Ask The MaestroDay 267: Studio or Live — The Real Answer
Robert Emery compares studio recordings with live performances and gives his honest answer. Got a music-related question? Send it over to Robert Emery to be…
Ask The MaestroDay 265: The Most Annoying Sound in a Concert Hall
Robert Emery reveals the sound that he finds most annoying in a concert hall. Got a music-related question? Send it over to Robert Emery to be answered on Ask…
Ask The MaestroDay 264: How Many Musicians for Mahler?
Robert Emery explains how many musicians are needed to perform Mahler's larger orchestral works. Got a music-related question? Send it over to Robert Emery to…
Ask The MaestroDay 263: Mozart or Beethoven — Pick One
Robert Emery picks between Mozart and Beethoven and explains his choice. Got a music-related question? Send it over to Robert Emery to be answered on Ask The…
Ask The MaestroDay 262: Can Conductors Even Think?!
Robert Emery answers the question of whether conductors can actually think while conducting. Got a music-related question? Send it over to Robert Emery to be…
Ask The MaestroDay 261: Your 1st Piece of Classical Music?
Robert Emery reveals the first piece of classical music he ever played or performed. Got a music-related question? Send it over to Robert Emery to be answered…
Ask The MaestroDay 260: Can an Orchestra Play in the Round?
Robert Emery explains how an orchestra can perform with the audience seated all around it. Got a music-related question? Send it over to Robert Emery to be…
Ask The MaestroDay 259: What's the Thing I Hate About Touring?
Robert Emery shares the thing he dislikes most about life on tour. Got a music-related question? Send it over to Robert Emery to be answered on Ask The…
Ask The MaestroDay 258: How to Produce a Tour - Ticket Selling
Robert Emery reveals how ticket sales are managed and what goes into selling tickets for a concert tour. Got a music-related question? Send it over to Robert…
Ask The MaestroDay 257: How to Produce a Tour - Technical
Robert Emery explains the technical planning and coordination needed to bring a concert tour to the stage. Got a music-related question? Send it over to Robert…
Ask The MaestroDay 256: How to Produce a Tour - Finances & Budget
Robert Emery breaks down how finances and budgets are planned and managed for a concert tour. Got a music-related question? Send it over to Robert Emery to be…
Ask The MaestroDay 255: How to Produce a Tour - The Artworks
Robert Emery explains how artwork is created and managed when producing a concert tour. Got a music-related question? Send it over to Robert Emery to be…
Ask The MaestroDay 254: How to Produce a Tour - Venue Management
Robert Emery explains how venues are managed and coordinated throughout a concert tour. Got a music-related question? Send it over to Robert Emery to be…
Ask The MaestroDay 253: How to Produce a Tour - The Venues
Robert Emery explains how venues are selected and coordinated when producing a full concert tour. Got a music-related question? Send it over to Robert Emery to…
Ask The MaestroDay 252: Has AI changed music production?
Robert Emery shares his thoughts on how artificial intelligence has changed music production. Got a music-related question? Send it over to Robert Emery to be…
Ask The MaestroDay 251: Do performers hear music differently from audiences?
Robert Emery explains whether performers hear music differently from the audience. Got a music-related question? Send it over to Robert Emery to be answered on…
Ask The MaestroDay 250: Which composer had the strangest pet?
Robert Emery shares which composer had the strangest pet and the story behind it. Got a music-related question? Send it over to Robert Emery to be answered on…
Ask The MaestroDay 249: Conducting the Unrehearsed?
Robert Emery reveals what it's like conducting an orchestra with little or no rehearsal. Got a music-related question? Send it over to Robert Emery to be…
Ask The MaestroDay 248: Does an Orchestra Need to Like You?
Robert Emery explains whether an orchestra needs to like its conductor to perform at its best. Got a music-related question? Send it over to Robert Emery to be…
Ask The MaestroDay 247: Nature Sounds in Classical Music?
Robert Emery explores how composers have recreated the sounds of nature in classical music. Got a music-related question? Send it over to Robert Emery to be…
Ask The MaestroDay 246: Recording Classical vs Pop
Robert Emery explains the biggest differences between recording classical music and pop music. Got a music-related question? Send it over to Robert Emery to be…
Ask The MaestroDay 245: Better Live Than Recorded?
Robert Emery shares why he believes nothing compares to hearing music performed live. Got a music-related question? Send it over to Robert Emery to be answered…
Ask The MaestroDay 244: Why Play with Eyes Closed?
Robert Emery explains why some musicians perform with their eyes closed. Got a music-related question? Send it over to Robert Emery to be answered on Ask The…
Ask The MaestroDay 243: What If Someone Plays Wrong?
Robert Emery reveals what happens when someone plays the wrong note during a performance. Got a music-related question? Send it over to Robert Emery to be…
Ask The MaestroDay 242: How Do Musicians Memorize Everything?
Robert Emery explains how professional musicians memorize so much music. Got a music-related question? Send it over to Robert Emery to be answered on Ask The…
Ask The MaestroDay 241: When a Soloist Starts Early…
Robert Emery explains what happens when a soloist comes in too early. Got a music-related question? Send it over to Robert Emery to be answered on Ask The…