Lucas Richman, Composing Music, Humanity, & Social Change

In this episode of One Symphony, Devin Patrick Hughes interviews Lucas Richman, a Grammy winning composer and conductor, exploring his career and insightful perspectives on music and its role in society. 

Richman recounts his early exposure to music through composer biographies, sharing an anecdote about writing to Aaron Copland and receiving an encouraging postcard in return, which served as an early inspiration.

The discussion moves to Richman's experiences with Leonard Bernstein, highlighting a masterclass on the Academic Festival Overture and the profound impact Bernstein had on his understanding of music and life. Richman emphasizes Bernstein's ability to infuse everything with love and teaching, noting his preference for discussing music with doctors rather than musicians due to their focus on the art rather than business. 

Richman discusses his approach to composition, emphasizing his commitment to bringing social issues and awareness into the concert hall. He describes his symphony inspired by Bernstein's words, "This will be our reply to violence is to make music more intensely, more beautifully, more devotedly than ever before," with movements embodying intensity, beauty, and devotion. He also discusses "The Warming Sea," a piece addressing climate change, and Paths to Dignity, a violin concerto inspired by the issue of homelessness. In Paths to Dignity, Richman musically portrays the word "dignity" using specific notes, aiming to create a conversation and raise awareness. He collaborated with Mitchell Newman, a violinist and advocate for the unsheltered community, to bring attention to the human stories behind homelessness. 

Richman reflects on his time as an assistant conductor, which instilled in him the importance of clarity and efficiency. He describes his experience conducting film scores for movies such as Seven and The Village, noting the collaborative nature of the work. Richman also shares his perspective on conducting his own music, expressing that others often bring fresh interpretations that he appreciates.

Transitioning to the evolution of the conducting field, Richman acknowledges the influence of mentors like Daniel Lewis and Herbert Blomstedt, emphasizing the significance of respect, intent, and honesty. He expresses concern that some contemporary conductors prioritize showmanship over serving the music and fostering leadership skills.

Turning to the role of a music director, Richman underscores the importance of community engagement, fundraising, and collaboration with the board and staff. He highlights initiatives such as streaming concerts, expanding educational programs, and forging relationships with local organizations. He also touches on his involvement in music education, including his piece Behold the Bold Umbrellaphant, which introduces children to classical music through imaginative characters.

Thank you for joining us on One Symphony. Special thanks to Lucas Richman for sharing his music and story.

Musical selections from today’s episode:

• Brahms: Academic Festival Overture, Op. 80 (Live). Lucas Richman conducting.
• The Warming Sea composed by Lucas Richman. Performed by the Bangor Symphony Orchestra, Divisi Women’s Choir, and the Bangor Area Youth Choir. Conducted by Jayce Ogren. Commissioned by the Maine Science Festival.
• Excerpts from Concerto for Violin: Paths to Dignity composed and conducted by Lucas Richman. Featuring Mitchell Newman on violin and the Bangor Symphony Orchestra.
• “The Gravel Road” from the film The Village. Composed by James Newton-Howard and conducted by Lucas Richman featuring Hillary Hahn on violin.
• “Tikkun Olam (Heal the World)” from Symphony: This Will Be Our Reply. Text and music by Lucas Richman. Performed by the Bangor Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Richman. Featuring the Orato