Classical Californians: Oliver Zeffman

This week on Classical Californian, British conductor Oliver Zeffman is an honorary Californian. He made his US debut in July 2025 at the Hollywood Bowl, leading the LA Philharmonic in their Pride Concert. In this episode, he shares some of his favorite pieces, music that he loves and selections from his dream “bucket list” to conduct. His playlist ranges from Debussy and Mahler to Caroline Shaw, Messiaen, and Wagner, a mix that reflects his passion for both the symphony and opera.

Claude Debussy: Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune – Berliner Philharmoniker, Claudio Abbado, Emmanuel Pahud

Caroline Shaw: Is a Rose: No. 3 - Red, Red, Rose – Philharmonia Orchestra, Oliver Zeffman, Nicky Spence

Gustav Mahler: Rückert-Lieder: No. 4 - Ich bin der Welt abhanden gekommen – New Philharmonia Orchestra, Sir John Barbirolli, Janet Baker

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky: Swan Lake Suite, Op. 20: Act IV: Dances of the Little Swans & Final Scene – USSR Symphony Orchestra, Evgueny Svetlanov

Olivier Messiaen: Turangalîla-Symphonie: VI. Jardin du sommeil d’amour – Orchestre de l'Opéra National de Paris, Myung-Whun Chung, Yvonne Loriod, Jeanne Loriod

Richard Wagner: Tristan und Isolde, WWV 90 / Act III: Mild und leise wie er lächelt – Bayreuth Festival Orchestra, Karl Böhm, Birgit Nilsson