Jessica Cottis: Hearing in Colour

Conversations with Musicians, with Leah Roseman

Jessica Cottis is an acclaimed orchestral conductor, and in this wide-ranging interview you’ll gain insights into the special world of orchestral conductors and also some of Jessica’s interests in the natural world and the arts. She spoke to me about her musical path, from how she made her first trumpet, to life on a sheep farm, to her transition from a career as a concert organist, to lessons learned from conducting mentors including Colin Davis and Colin Metters. Jessica is such an articulate champion of the value of music and the arts, and I’ve also been privileged to have worked with her in my role as a violinist in Canada’s National Arts Centre Orchestra.

I have a special interest in synesthesia, so I was interested in hearing her experience of sound through colour, and if you look at the description of this episode, you’ll find detailed timestamps for the many topics covered, inluding some beautiful music from Julie Cooper’s new album Oculus with Jessica Cottis conducting. Jessica also shared her difficult recovery from a concussion and how her senses were further mixed for a period of time.

Like all my episodes, you can also watch this on my YouTube channel and I’ve also linked the transcript to my website as well: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/jessica-cottis

Jessica Cottis website: https://www.jessicacottis.com/about

Angel in Dark Green by composer Julie Cooper is featured in this episode from her album Oculus (conducted by Jessica Cottis): https://juliecoopermusic.com/

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photo of Jessica Cottis: Gerard Collett

Timestamps:

(00:00) Intro

(02:46) Jessica Cottis transition from organist to conductor

(13:57) the experience of conducting an orchestra

(16:57) Julie Cooper Oculus project, synesthesia, chromesthesia

(20:41) Angel in Dark Green by Julie Cooper from Oculus

(25:45) synesthesia

(26:22) please support this listener-supported series!

(26:58) synesthesia, random assault and recovering from concussion

(37:08) childhood and the sheep farm, butterflies

(42:08) childhood musical education, trumpet, piano

(43:45)programming orchestral programs

(48:52) presenting and interpreting contemporary music

(52:20) equity and inclusion in classical music

(56:19) conducting mentor Colin Davis

(01:00:18) conducting mentor Colin Metters, the art of conducting

(01:07:41) how Jessica learns scores, listening to historical recordings

(01:16:00) inspiration from books

(01:17:34) time-space synesthesia

(01:19:16) childhood and using music to understand and express emotions

(01:20:52) early conducting experiences, founding the Bloomsbury Opera and getting sponsors