Every time I sit down for a new Penthesilea on Air episode, I’m reminded why I love these conversations so much: they allow me to discover not only try guest’s approaches to their individual artistry, but also the human stories, struggles and visions that shape them. My recent talk with trumpeter Giuliano Sommerhalder was exactly that—an inspiring journey through the highs and lows of a life in music. Giuliano’s career reads like a dream résumé: former principal trumpet of the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra and the Royal Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, now with the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande in Geneva, plus countless solo and chamber projects, not to mention teaching. But what impressed me most was not the list of accomplishments—it was his openness, his humility, and his desire to rethink what it means to be a musician today.

In this episode, we step again into a world where music, mental health, and medicine intersect — with special guest Heidi Brandi, musician, therapist, and founder of the Center for Professional Musicians in Hamburg. Heidi shares what inspired her to found the center in 2013, alongside Professors Hugo Schmale and Christian Kunert. Her main motivation was to create a space dedicated to the physical and psychological well-being of musicians — an often-overlooked aspect of professional artistic life we regularly address in this podcast. With her background in piano and organ and extensive experience supporting classical and jazz musicians, Heidi discusses the ongoing challenges musicians face, such as performance anxiety, physical strain, and the unspoken taboos around mental health in the industry.We explore the parallels she draws between “performance music” and competitive sports, including the pressures, recovery cycles, and institutional expectations. Heidi also reflects on whether musicians can regulate their own balance between productivity and rest — or whether larger structural changes in orchestras and conservatories are necessary.
Delving into her research on artistic identity, we unpack what this term truly means: its components, how it’s formed, and how it can be shaped — or even distorted — by external pressures, career expectations, and personal history.
The conversation also covers the role of artistic identity in auditions, how it can be used strategically, and whether adapting to specific orchestra cultures is a strength or a risk. Heidi explains how she works with young musicians and orchestral academies to prepare for these defining career moments — not just technically, but psychologically and emotionally.

In this episode of Penthesilea on Air, Karin Bonelli speaks with Tara Mohr, author of Playing Big—a book originally written for women - containing wisdom that resonates beyond gender. They talk about creative calling, confidence, and how to stay true to your artistic path amidst doubt, fear, and external pressure. Tara shares tools like the Inner Mentor and offers deep wisdom on courage, gender dynamics, and playing big—on stage and in life.