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 240: Do Musicians Watch Each Other?
Robert Emery reveals how much musicians watch and react to one another during a performance. Got a music-related question? Send it over to Robert Emery to be…
Ask The MaestroDay 239: Does Mood Change the Sound?
Robert Emery explains whether a conductor's mood can influence the sound of an orchestra. Got a music-related question? Send it over to Robert Emery to be…
Ask The MaestroDay 238: Orchestra Pranks?
Robert Emery shares some of the funniest pranks musicians have played in orchestras. Got a music-related question? Send it over to Robert Emery to be answered…
Ask The MaestroDay 237: Hair in the Bow?
Robert Emery explains why string players need horsehair on their bows. Got a music-related question? Send it over to Robert Emery to be answered on Ask The…
Ask The MaestroDay 236: Hidden Jokes in Music?
Robert Emery reveals some of the hidden jokes composers have written into their music. Got a music-related question? Send it over to Robert Emery to be…
Ask The MaestroDay 235: Why Italian Terms?
Robert Emery explains why Italian became the universal language of musical directions. Got a music-related question? Send it over to Robert Emery to be…
Ask The MaestroDay 234: Who Chooses the Tempo?
Robert Emery explains who really decides the tempo of a musical performance. Got a music-related question? Send it over to Robert Emery to be answered on Ask…
Ask The MaestroDay 233: What Is a Leitmotif?
Robert Emery explains what a leitmotif is and why composers use one. Got a music-related question? Send it over to Robert Emery to be answered on Ask The…
Ask The MaestroDay 232: How Do Crescendos Stay Together?
Robert Emery explains how an orchestra keeps a crescendo perfectly together. Got a music-related question? Send it over to Robert Emery to be answered on Ask…
Ask The MaestroDay 231: Can Orchestras Improvise?
Robert Emery explains whether orchestras can improvise like jazz musicians. Got a music-related question? Send it over to Robert Emery to be answered on Ask…
Ask The MaestroDay 230: Crew Chaos?
Robert Emery reveals the funniest moments of chaos behind the scenes with the crew. Got a music-related question? Send it over to Robert Emery to be answered…
Ask The MaestroDay 229: Elevator Stories?
Robert Emery shares some memorable stories from elevators while touring. Got a music-related question? Send it over to Robert Emery to be answered on Ask The…
Ask The MaestroDay 228: Can Music Help Plants Grow?
Robert Emery explores whether music can really help plants grow. Got a music-related question? Send it over to Robert Emery to be answered on Ask The Maestro…
Ask The MaestroDay 227: Strangest Instrument Ever?
Robert Emery reveals one of the strangest musical instruments ever invented. Got a music-related question? Send it over to Robert Emery to be answered on Ask…
Ask The MaestroDay 226: A Moving Orchestra?
Robert Emery explains whether an orchestra can perform while moving and how it works. Got a music-related question? Send it over to Robert Emery to be answered…
Ask The MaestroDay 225: Music Inspired by Space?
Robert Emery explores classical music inspired by space and the wonders of the universe. Got a music-related question? Send it over to Robert Emery to be…
Ask The MaestroDay 224: Your Proudest Achievement?
Robert Emery reflects on the achievement that has made him proudest in his career. Got a music-related question? Send it over to Robert Emery to be answered on…
Ask The MaestroDay 223: Your Dream Orchestra?
Robert Emery reveals which orchestra he would most love to conduct. Got a music-related question? Send it over to Robert Emery to be answered on Ask The…
Ask The MaestroDay 222: Mozart, Beethoven or Wagner?
Robert Emery shares whether he would choose Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Ludwig van Beethoven, or Richard Wagner, and explains why. Got a music-related question?…
Ask The MaestroDay 221: Was It in Italy?
Robert Emery reveals whether one of his most memorable stories happened in Italy. Got a music-related question? Send it over to Robert Emery to be answered on…
Ask The MaestroDay 220: Could Anyone Be a Conductor?
Robert Emery shares whether anyone can become a conductor with the right training and dedication. Got a music-related question? Send it over to Robert Emery to…
Ask The MaestroDay 219: How Do You Become a Conductor?
Robert Emery explains the journey to becoming a professional conductor. Got a music-related question? Send it over to Robert Emery to be answered on Ask The…
Ask The MaestroDay 218: Pianist Slammed The Lid?!
Robert Emery reveals whether he has ever seen a pianist dramatically slam the piano lid shut. Got a music-related question? Send it over to Robert Emery to be…
Ask The MaestroDay 217: Weirdest Stage Accident?
Robert Emery shares the weirdest stage accident he has witnessed during a performance. Got a music-related question? Send it over to Robert Emery to be…
Ask The MaestroDay 216: Musician Fainted Mid-Concert?
Robert Emery reveals whether he has ever seen a musician faint in the middle of a concert. Got a music-related question? Send it over to Robert Emery to be…
Ask The MaestroDay 215: Weirdest Costume Ever?
Robert Emery shares the strangest costume he has ever worn for a performance. Got a music-related question? Send it over to Robert Emery to be answered on Ask…
Ask The MaestroDay 214: Setting Fire To A Concert?!
Robert Emery reveals whether a concert has ever taken an unexpected fiery turn. Got a music-related question? Send it over to Robert Emery to be answered on…
Ask The MaestroDay 213: Technical Disaster Live?
Robert Emery recalls a memorable technical disaster during a live concert and how everyone recovered. Got a music-related question? Send it over to Robert…
Ask The MaestroDay 212: Animals Interrupting Concerts?
Robert Emery shares whether animals have ever interrupted a live performance. Got a music-related question? Send it over to Robert Emery to be answered on Ask…
Ask The MaestroDay 211: Funniest Wrong Note Ever?
Robert Emery reveals the funniest wrong note he has ever heard during a concert. Got a music-related question? Send it over to Robert Emery to be answered on…
Ask The MaestroDay 210: Wardrobe Malfunction On Stage?
Robert Emery shares whether a wardrobe malfunction has ever interrupted one of his performances. Got a music-related question? Send it over to Robert Emery to…
Ask The MaestroDay 209: What's on Your Desk?
Robert Emery reveals the fascinating collection of items you'll find on his desk. Got a music-related question? Send it over to Robert Emery to be answered on…
Ask The MaestroDay 208: Conducting a New Orchestra
Robert Emery explains the challenges of conducting an orchestra for the very first time. Got a music-related question? Send it over to Robert Emery to be…
Ask The MaestroDay 207: British Conductor in Palermo
Robert Emery shares whether performing in the heat of Palermo is more challenging as a British conductor. Got a music-related question? Send it over to Robert…
Ask The MaestroDay 206: The Golden Rule of Rhythm
Robert Emery reveals the golden rule for keeping perfect rhythm in a fast-paced musical work. Got a music-related question? Send it over to Robert Emery to be…
Ask The MaestroDay 205: Inside the Percussion Section
Robert Emery takes you inside the percussion section and explains what makes it so unique. Got a music-related question? Send it over to Robert Emery to be…
Ask The MaestroDay 204: Backstage at Rehearsal
Robert Emery gives a behind-the-scenes look at what it's really like backstage during a rehearsal. Got a music-related question? Send it over to Robert Emery…
Ask The MaestroDay 203: The Maestro Asks Claudio
Robert Emery sits down with Claudio for a special Maestro-to-Maestro conversation. Got a music-related question? Send it over to Robert Emery to be answered on…
Ask The MaestroDay 202: Free Time on Tour
Robert Emery shares what he likes to do in his free time while on tour. Got a music-related question? Send it over to Robert Emery to be answered on Ask The…
Ask The MaestroDay 201: Rehearsal Venues
Robert Emery reveals where orchestras rehearse and what those rehearsal venues are really like. Got a music-related question? Send it over to Robert Emery to…
Ask The MaestroDay 200: Touring Conductor Challenges
Robert Emery shares the biggest challenges of life as a touring conductor. Got a music-related question? Send it over to Robert Emery to be answered on Ask The…
Ask The MaestroDay 199: Hot Stage Soundcheck
Robert Emery explains what it's like doing a soundcheck on stage when the temperature reaches 41°C. Got a music-related question? Send it over to Robert Emery…
Ask The MaestroDay 198: Working With Symphony Basel
Robert Emery shares why he loves working with the Symphony Orchestra Basel and what makes the orchestra so special. Got a music-related question? Send it over…
Ask The MaestroDay 197: A Pencil Sharpener
Robert Emery reveals why a simple pencil sharpener is one of the most important tools an orchestral musician can own. Got a music-related question? Send it…
Ask The MaestroDay 196: 7. What is This?
Robert Emery presents another mysterious orchestral object and challenges you to guess what it is. Got a music-related question? Send it over to Robert Emery…
Ask The MaestroDay 195: A Rain Stick
Robert Emery reveals what a rain stick is and explains how it creates the sound of falling rain. Got a music-related question? Send it over to Robert Emery to…
Ask The MaestroDay 194: 6. What is This?
Robert Emery presents another mystery orchestral object and invites you to guess what it does. Got a music-related question? Send it over to Robert Emery to be…
Ask The MaestroDay 193: A Double Bass Stand
Robert Emery reveals what a double bass stand is and explains why bass players use one. Got a music-related question? Send it over to Robert Emery to be…
Ask The MaestroDay 192: 5. What is This?
Robert Emery challenges you to identify yet another mysterious piece of orchestral equipment. Got a music-related question? Send it over to Robert Emery to be…
Ask The MaestroDay 191: The Tuba Mute
Robert Emery reveals what a tuba mute is and explains how it changes the instrument's sound. Got a music-related question? Send it over to Robert Emery to be…
Ask The MaestroDay 190: 4. What is This?
Robert Emery presents another unusual orchestral item and challenges you to identify it. Got a music-related question? Send it over to Robert Emery to be…
Ask The MaestroDay 189: A Guiro
Robert Emery reveals what a guiro is and explains how it adds a unique sound to the orchestra. Got a music-related question? Send it over to Robert Emery to be…
Ask The MaestroDay 188: 3. What is This?
Robert Emery challenges you to guess the purpose of another mysterious orchestral object. Got a music-related question? Send it over to Robert Emery to be…
Ask The MaestroDay 187: Trombone Stand
Robert Emery reveals what a trombone stand is and explains why brass players use one. Got a music-related question? Send it over to Robert Emery to be answered…
Ask The MaestroDay 186: What Is This?
Robert Emery puts another unusual orchestral item to the test and challenges you to identify it. Got a music-related question? Send it over to Robert Emery to…
Ask The MaestroDay 185: Plexi Screen
Robert Emery reveals what a plexi screen is and why orchestras sometimes use one. Got a music-related question? Send it over to Robert Emery to be answered on…
Ask The MaestroDay 184: What Is This?
Robert Emery challenges you to guess the purpose of a mysterious orchestral object. Got a music-related question? Send it over to Robert Emery to be answered…
Ask The MaestroDay 183: Biggest Heatwave Challenge
Robert Emery explains the biggest challenges of touring and performing during a heatwave. Got a music-related question? Send it over to Robert Emery to be…
Ask The MaestroDay 182: Favorite Touring Vehicle
Robert Emery reveals his favourite way to travel while on tour and why he prefers it. Got a music-related question? Send it over to Robert Emery to be answered…
Ask The MaestroDay 181: Coping With Homesickness
Robert Emery shares how he copes with homesickness while touring. Got a music-related question? Send it over to Robert Emery to be answered on Ask The Maestro…