Episode Summary: Orli Shaham on Speaking Soundly

Podcast Information:

• Title: Speaking Soundly
• Host/Author: Artful Narratives Media
• Description: Your ticket to backstage conversations with world-renowned musicians. Join MET Opera Principal Trumpet David Krauss for candid and compelling discussions with today’s top performers as they speak about their creative process and lives as artists.
• Episode: Orli Shaham
• Release Date: May 27, 2025

Introduction

In the season finale of Speaking Soundly, host David Krauss sits down with the acclaimed Israeli-American pianist, educator, and recording artist, Orli Shaham. With a distinguished career highlighted by the Avery Fisher Career Grant and degrees from Juilliard and Columbia University, Shaham provides an insightful look into her multifaceted journey in the world of music.

Early Influences and Family Background

Orli Shaham's upbringing in a household where science and music coexisted played a pivotal role in shaping her disciplined approach to music. She reflects on the unique blend of scientific and musical conversations at dinner tables, emphasizing the discipline inherent in both fields.

Orli Shaham [06:32]: "There's no faking it. Either you understand and you're getting it, or you don't have it yet."

Her parents were both musicians—her mother a pianist and her father a violinist—and her brothers Gil and Shai also pursued music. Growing up surrounded by music, Shaham was naturally drawn to the piano, inspired by vivid memories of her brother Shai playing Mozart’s D minor piano concerto.

Educational Journey and Diverse Career Path

Shaham candidly discusses her time at Juilliard and Columbia University, highlighting the challenges and rewards of pursuing a dual degree. She credits her broader educational experience with enabling her to diversify her career beyond solo performances.

David Krause [04:26]: "When I was at school, I was struggling just to pass the basic music theory and music history classes. But while I was struggling, you were busy getting a second degree from Columbia University."

Shaham notes that pianists often wear many hats—soloists, chamber musicians, accompanists, educators—and her education allowed her to embrace these various roles seamlessly.

Childhood Performances and Evolving Relationship with Performance

At the tender age of eight, Shaham performed at the Aspen Music Festival, an experience she remembers fondly for the connection she felt with her young audience. She contrasts her youthful focus on perfection with her current ability to embrace spontaneity on stage.

Orli Shaham [10:19]: "At that age, honestly, I think I was just worried to get it right... At this point, I'm ready to make a fool of myself on stage in a very different way."

Shaham emphasizes the importance of balancing technical proficiency with emotional expression, a lesson she continually reminds herself of as an adult performer.

Overcoming Physical Challenges

Addressing concerns about hand size—a common worry among pianists—Shaham recounts how meeting celebrated pianist Alicia de la Rocha, known for her small hands, provided her with reassurance and inspiration.

Orli Shaham [13:13]: "Alicia de la Rocha... was very famous for having small hands. And so that was both really reassuring. I thought, okay, great. She has this career. I can have a career."

Passion for Teaching and Educational Initiatives

Shaham reveals that her passion for teaching became evident in her 30s, influenced by her father's role as a science educator on Israeli television. This foundation led her to create the Backyard program, aimed at introducing young children to classical music.

Orli Shaham [15:15]: "Music exists, and it exists for you. That's it. And that they're allowed to have access to it."

The Backyard program focuses on making music accessible and engaging for preschoolers through interactive and hands-on experiences, fostering a lifelong appreciation for the art form.

Balancing Multiple Roles and Family Life

In addition to performing and teaching, Shaham holds leadership roles such as artistic director and board chairperson of the Kaufman Music Center. She discusses how these roles complement her performance career, providing a sense of fulfillment and community involvement.

Orli Shaham [17:01]: "I do all these things, and I love all these things... When I'm teaching, I could just teach all day. I love that."

Shaham also shares insights into her marriage with renowned conductor David Robertson, highlighting the collaborative and supportive nature of their relationship both personally and professionally.

Orli Shaham [18:10]: "Our first connections to each other were totally musical. We both immediately called our managers and said, I want to play with that person again."

Personal Reflections and Meaning of Music

Throughout the conversation, Shaham eloquently expresses how integral music is to her identity and sense of meaning in life. She describes music as a means to access profound emotional experiences and a constant source of inspiration and stability.

Orli Shaham [19:40]: "I can't imagine a life without music... It's a way to access another side of this incredible, precious gift of life that you can't talk about in other ways."

Conclusion

David Krauss wraps up the episode by encouraging listeners to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast, and to follow Speaking Soundly on social media for more enriching conversations with top artists.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Orli Shaham [01:56]: "There's no faking it. Either you understand and you're getting it, or you don't have it yet."
• Orli Shaham [10:19]: "At this point, I'm ready to make a fool of myself on stage in a very different way."
• Orli Shaham [13:13]: "Alicia de la Rocha... was very famous for having small hands. And so that was both really reassuring."
• Orli Shaham [15:15]: "Music exists, and it exists for you. That's it."
• Orli Shaham [19:40]: "I can't imagine a life without music... It's a way to access another side of this incredible, precious gift of life."

Key Discussions and Insights

• The intersection of science and music in Shaham's upbringing fostering discipline and a truth-oriented mindset.
• The unexpected diversity in Shaham's career path, facilitated by her extensive education.
• Early performance experiences shaping Shaham's connection with audiences and her evolving stage presence.
• Overcoming physical challenges in piano playing through inspiration and role models.
• The inception and philosophy behind the Backyard program aimed at young children's musical education.
• Balancing multiple professional roles and maintaining a supportive family life with a partner in the same industry.
• The profound personal significance of music in providing meaning and emotional depth to Shaham's life.

Conclusion

This episode of Speaking Soundly offers a comprehensive and intimate portrait of Orli Shaham’s life as a musician, educator, and family woman. Through her reflections, listeners gain valuable insights into the dedication, passion, and multifaceted nature of a career in classical music.