Inner Voice

Violinist Vadim Gluzman

Fri, 05 Oct 2012 00:00:00 EST

Masumi talks with the Chicago-based, Russian-born, Israeli violinist Vadim Gluzman about how he came to the U.S., why he formed a music festival in Illinois, and the difference in the falafels of Israel and Dallas.

(photo by Masumi Rostad)

Pianist Christopher Shih

Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 EST

Masumi talks with pianist Christopher Shih, gastroenterologist and winner of the 2011 Van Cliburn International Competition for Outstanding Amateurs.

(image by Wendy Harton Benner Photography)

Producer Judy Sherman

Sat, 17 Mar 2012 00:00:00 EST

In this episode, Judy Sherman talks with Masumi between Pacifica Quartet recording sessions about what she does as a producer and how recording has changed over time. She just won her umpteenth Grammy - this time for Producer of the Year!

Aaron Boyd of the Tucson Symphony

Fri, 16 Mar 2012 00:00:00 EST

Aaron Boyd is the concertmaster of the Tucson Symphony Orchestra and one of Masumi’s best friends. Here they are in Tucson shooting the breeze…with a right wing classical music rifle!

Violist Bernie Zaslav

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 00:00:00 EST

In this episode, Masumi talks with Bernie Zaslav. Name a quartet and it seems like he was a member at one point or another! They discuss his new memoir, “The Viola In My Life, An Alto Rhapsody.” Bernie has the best chuckle ever!

(photo of Bernie Zaslav by

Michael Adams of Music in the Vineyards

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 00:00:00 EST

Summertime in Napa Valley is delicious! Michael Adams and his wife Daria really hit the nail on the head by starting a festival there! The Pacifica Quartet has been playing at Music in the Vineyards since 2004. In this conversation, Michael tells the story of how they did it. By the way, Masumi swears that the wine helps lubricate his vibrato…

Kazumi Minoguchi (a.k.a. Mino!) and Complete Beethoven in 48 Hours

Tue, 13 Mar 2012 00:00:00 EST

Performing the complete Beethoven cycle in 48 hours in Tokyo’s Suntory Hall was a crazy idea conceived in a bar in NYC between members of the Pacifica Quartet and Mino. This conversation with the quartet and Mino was recorded in a bar in Tokyo just after the cycle! Mission accomplished!!

Tim Munro of eighth blackbird

Mon, 12 Mar 2012 00:00:00 EST

In this episode, Masumi has a conversation with Tim Munro, flute player extraordinaire of new music ensemble, eighth blackbird. They discuss memorization of music, compare touring notes, the issues of joining an ensemble, and generally just laugh it up.

(photo of Tim Munro by Luke Ratray)