About Living the Classical Life

We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing back into classical music the human dimension lost in an ever more commercialized and dehumanized music business.

Living the Classical Life is an ongoing series of conversational portraits hosted by Zsolt Bognár. Its goal is to educate viewers so that they can experience music again as speaking directly from the heart to the heart.

The episodes focus on the inner world of classical musicians and the essence of music itself. Performers at various stages of their careers generously share what Living the Classical Life is about—its passions, fears, obstacles, and its rewards. The intense, very personal exchange between host Zsolt Bognár and his guests is itself a real-time model for Living the Classical Life. Each episode has its own individual trajectory and its own intellectual, emotional, and visual flavor, created by Elyria Pictures, NYC, our highly professional, artistic, and passionately engaged team.

Any viewer, whether music critic, opera fan, or occasional concertgoer, will enjoy these new, exciting insights into the heart of classical music. In a first encounter with a seemingly daunting, closed world, the experience of its humanity is nothing short of transformative.

LTCL Board Members

Zsolt Bognár, President

Caroline Oltmanns, Vice President

Jonathan Eifert, Secretary

Daniel Isengart

Sean P. Malone

M. George Stevenson

Ben Wolf

Living the Classical Life gratefully acknowledges Jutta Ittner and Peter Hobbs for their contributions to the show and for their service on the board. Peter Hobbs created the show, and was from the start its editor, cinematographer, and one of the executive producers. Jutta Ittner, also part of the team from the start, is an executive producer, and has tirelessly helped to coordinate filming shoots, guest relations and research, managed drafts, and for years has been one of the primary sponsors of the project. Their vision and prolific creative output greatly helped to define the growth and stature of the project. We thank them both.