Let's take a closer look behind the concert stage and into the fascinating world of historical performance. I'm your host - traverso player and curator Darina Ablogina, together we will explore how musicians approach the music of the past: from original sources and period instruments to questions of style, aesthetics, and interpretation. A thoughtful and curious space where research meets artistry, inviting both experienced musicians and passionate listeners to discover Early Music from a new perspective.
In this episode, I sit down with Sophie Maria Weber, young musicologist from Halle and winner of the Telemann-Forschungspreis, to talk about her research on Georg Michael Telemann — the grandson of Georg Philipp Telemann — and his fifty years working at the Riga Cathedral.
https://telemann.de/aktuelles/telemann-forschungspreis-wird-erstmals-verliehen (https://telemann.de/aktuelles/telemann-forschungspreis-wird-erstmals-verliehen)
We dig into the adaptations Georg Michael made to his grandfather's works (spoiler: he rewrote them directly onto the originals, fully convinced he was improving them), his reportedly prickly personality, and the pupils who admitted they learned little in his lectures, mostly because he loved telling stories about his own life instead. By the end, we somehow connect it all back to a topic from my previous episode with Francesco Corti, tying together questions of heritage and copyright across the centuries.
Recorded from a hotel room in Norway, mid-tour, because the podcast must go on!
🎥 Follow behind-the-scenes moments on Instagram @darinka_smeshinka, or find the official page (in)Sight-Reading Enlightenment on Instagram and Facebook.
Music for the episode:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSsTzRs4L_o (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSsTzRs4L_o)
#HistoricallyInformedPerformance #Telemann #TelemannZentrum #Musicology #EarlyMusic #BaroqueMusic #RigaCathedral #ClassicalMusicPodcast #MusicHistory #SophieMariaWeber
22 Sept 2026
Two Composers, One Opera: Francesco Corti on Handel/Telemann's Otto
Okay, this episode has been such a treat to make. My guest is harpsichordist and conductor Francesco Corti, and honestly, I could have talked to him for three more hours.
This mini-series is dedicated to the Telemann Festtage Magdeburg made possible thanks to their wonderfully generous support, and a special thank-you to Fynn Liess, who helped make this whole collaboration happen.
So here's the mystery we're unpacking today: an opera called Otto — credited to both Handel AND Telemann. Two composers, one opera? How does that even work? I had so many questions, and Francesco had all the answers (plus a story that's honestly better than I expected).
https://telemann.de/event/otto-4 (https://telemann.de/event/otto-4)
We also get into what it's actually like to stand in front of an orchestra as a conductor, how instrumentation gets built from the ground up, and what the real difference is between a baton and a baguette. (Turns out only one of them is edible. Barely.)
Curious, funny, full of insight: this conversation has everything. Come listen!
Huge thanks to Arcana recording label for allowing me to frame my episode with their stunning recordings!
Recordings for the episode are from Francescos` Spotify channel
JS Bach Praeludium BWV 815a
https://open.spotify.com/track/2ylClhXiW75PVQrqjcBtD6 (Almira Suite)
#HistoricallyInformedPerformance #HIPP #EarlyMusic #Harpsichord #FrancescoCorti #TelemannFesttageMagdeburg #Telemann #Handel #BaroqueOpera #ClassicalMusicPodcast
29 Dec 2025
Reinoud Van Mechelen: 🌙 From Morning to Night
🎧 Season finale | (In)Sight-Reading Enlightenment
What does it mean to perform Baroque music today?
In the final episode of Season 6, I speak with Belgian tenor Reinoud Van Mechelen, founder and artistic director of a nocte temporis, about navigating the early music world between iconic masterpieces and forgotten jewels. We talk about festivals, opera characters, curating programs from morning to night, and how to stay fresh when performing the same repertoire again and again.
While editing this episode, one thought kept returning: the audience doesn’t come to check if we are right or wrong — they come for an experience. Simply “playing a concert” is no longer enough. People are ready to receive more.
https://www.reinoudvanmechelen.be/en (https://www.reinoudvanmechelen.be/en)
Special thanks for the music intro to the conductor Martin Wåhlberg, nmy beloved Orkester Nord and Reinoud as Sandomir. Check out this wonderful recording where I had a pleasure to take part:
https://open.spotify.com/album/19J7sAU0eMMvi3UYxZjUJl (https://open.spotify.com/album/19J7sAU0eMMvi3UYxZjUJl)
🎶 Episode 12 is out now — and with it, the close of Season 6.
Contact me: insightreading.enlightenment@gmail.com
#insightreadingenlightenment #earlymusic #baroquemusic #anotcetemporis #reinoudvanmechelen #earlymusicensemble #historicalperformance #baroqueopera #musicprogramming #festivalmusic #classicalmusic #artisticprocess #musicianslife #earlymusicpodcast
Who has been a guest on (in)sight-reading enlightenment
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Laura Granero
Sebastian Bausch
Natasha Loges
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