PHENOTYPIC RECORDINGS SHARES THIRD EPISODE FROM NEW PODCAST: MUSICAL MINDS AND MISSIONS (M³) WITH PAUL WIANCKO
PODCAST SUMMARY
LISTEN TODAY:
NEW MEETS TIMELESS: INSIDE THE SPOLETO SOUND WITH PAUL WIANCKO
In this episode of Musical Minds and Missions (M³), host Sarah Cahill sits down with acclaimed cellist, composer, and curator Paul Wiancko to explore the artistic vision behind the Spoleto Festival USA chamber music series—and the newly released Phenotypic live recordings that capture its spirit. Wiancko shares how he blends centuries of music—from Purcell to world premieres—into a living, breathing conversation that connects past and present. The discussion dives into his philosophy of curation, the emotional power of live performance, and the idea that all music—old or new—is part of the same evolving story. Along the way, Wiancko reflects on his unconventional path into composition, the influence of Chick Corea, and the deeper purpose of creating art in today’s world. The result is a thoughtful, wide-ranging conversation about curiosity, connection, and what it means to truly listen.
ABOUT THE ALBUM
The renowned Chamber Music Series is a cornerstone of Spoleto Festival USA and is led by composer and cellist Paul Wiancko, the Charles E. and Andrea L. Volpe Director of Chamber Music. Founded in 1977 by Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Gian Carlo Menotti, Spoleto Festival USA is internationally recognized as America’s premier performing arts festival. For 17 days and nights each spring, Spoleto Festival USA fills Charleston’s historic theaters, churches, and outdoor spaces with performances in opera; theater; dance; and chamber, symphonic, choral, and jazz music.
ALBUM CREDITS
Performed by Spoleto Festival Chamber Music
Recorded live in 2024 at the Spoleto Festival USA, May 24–June 9, at the Dock Street Theatre in Charleston, South Carolina
Producer: Paul Wiancko
Executive Producer: Michael Hostetler
Recording Engineer: Andreas K. Meyer
Post-production at Swan Studios NYC: Ben Hadley, Shane Carroll, Andreas K. Meyer
Stereo & Dolby Atmos Mixing and Mastering: Andreas K. Meyer
For Spoleto Festival USA:
Mena Mark Hanna, General Director and CEO
Liz Keller-Tripp, Chief Artistic Producer
Geoff Yost, Director of Marketing and Communications
Paul Wiancko, Charles E. and Andrea L. Volpe Director of Chamber Music
For Phenotypic Podcasts:
Podcast: Sarah Cahill
Podcast Producer: AJ Machado
For Phenotypic Recordings:
Michael Hostetler, Founder & CEO
Stephen Prutsman, Creative Director
Cristin Canterbury Bagnall for BroadBand Collaborative, Fractional COO
Mary Paz Cubero Navarro & Aryahi Naomi Onaga, Project Managers
K. E. Sekararum, Podcast Executive Producer
Christopher Kornmann / Spit + Image, Graphic Design
THE ARTISTS
Disc I
Three Parts Upon a Ground | Henry Purcell (1659–1695)
Owen Dalby, violin; Alexi Kenney, violin; Livia Sohn, violin; Paul Wiancko, cello; Pedja Mužijević, harpsichord
Mata-Au | Salina Fisher (b. 1993)
Alexi Kenney, violin; Ayane Kozasa, viola; Paul Wiancko, cello
Carrot Revolution | Gabriella Smith (b. 1991)
Owen Dalby, violin; Alexi Kenney, violin; Ayane Kozasa, viola; Paul Wiancko, cello
Suite for Clarinet, Violin, and Piano, Op. 157b | Darius Milhaud (1892–1974)
Grant Houston, violin; Todd Palmer, clarinet; Inon Barnatan, piano
In Damascus | Jonathan Dove (b. 1959)
Karim Sulayman, tenor; Benjamin Beilman, violin; Alexi Kenney, violin; Masumi Per Rostad, viola; Paul Wiancko, cello
Lullaby | Valentin Silvestrov (b. 1937)
Pedja Mužijević, piano
Disc II
21 | Andy Akiho (b. 1979)
Paul Wiancko, cello; Ian Rosenbaum, percussion
Jhula Jhule for Clarinet and Piano | Reena Esmail (b. 1983)
Todd Palmer, clarinet; Amy Yang, piano
Sonata Duodecima | Isabella Leonarda (1620–1704)
Alexi Kenney, violin; Raman Ramakrishnan, cello; Pedja Mužijević, harpsichord
Mother and Child | William Grant Still (1895–1978)
Sterling Elliott, cello; Pedja Mužijević, piano
Varied Trio | Lou Harrison (1917–2003)
Benjamin Beilman, violin, Pedja Mužijević, piano; Ian Rosenbaum, percussion
Yann’s Flight | Shawn Conley (b. 1983)
Gabriela Díaz, violin; Grant Houston, violin; Ayane Kozasa, viola; Paul Wiancko, cello; Lizzie Burns, double bass
Waltz & Romance for Piano Six Hands | Sergei Rachmaninoff (1873–1943)
Inon Barnatan, piano; Pedja Mužijević, piano; Amy Yang, piano
Disc III
Blue Bourrée | Michi Wiancko (b. 1976)
Gabriela Díaz, violin; Grant Houston, violin; Ayane Kozasa, viola; Paul Wiancko, cello; Lizzie Burns, double bass
Harpsichord Concerto No. 5, BWV 1056 | Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750)
Gabriela Díaz, violin; Grant Houston, violin; Ayane Kozasa, viola; Paul Wiancko, cello; Lizzie Burns, double bass; Pedja Mužijević, harpsichord
This Is It (World Premiere) | Reena Esmail (b. 1983)
Gabriela Díaz, violin; Geneva Lewis, violin; Ayane Kozasa, viola; Paul Wiancko, cello
Next Week’s Trees | Viet Cuong (b. 1990)
Paul Wiancko, cello; Ian Rosenbaum, percussion
Quartet for Violin, Viola, Cello, and Double Bass: Mvt. I | Mark O’Connor (b. 1961)
Geneva Lewis, violin; Ayane Kozasa, viola; Sterling Elliott, cello; Lizzie Burns, double bass
Three Lieder, Op. 12 | Clara Schumann (1819–1896)
Sarah Shafer, soprano; Inon Barnatan, piano
Double Happiness | Christopher Cerrone (b. 1984)
Amy Yang, piano; Ian Rosenbaum, percussion
ABOUT PHENOTYPIC RECORDINGS
Phenotypic Recordings is a media company that brings to light new music by world-class musicians and innovative composers, with a focus on music that highlights the most important issues facing the world today. Artists include Kronos Quartet, Osvaldo Golijov, Kenji Bunch, (MoVE) MoVE (Modern Violin Ensemble), W4RP and more. As another way of amplifying artistic voices, Phenotypic Recordings donates revenue from streaming and downloads to support humanitarian causes identified by the artists making the music.
For more information about Phenotypic Recordings, visit phenotypicrecordings.com
© 2026 Phenotypic Recordings All Rights Reserved
For more information, please contact
Krista Williams, Christopher Emond or Carla Sacks at Sacks & Co., 212.741.1000.
