So, Hear Me Out: Is it ok to use music from cultures that are not your own?

In the second episode of our classical music podcast series, So Hear Me Out, Gillian Moore and Linton Stephens tackle one of the most complex questions in music today; is it okay to use sounds from cultures that are not your own? And, perhaps more importantly, how can you tell the difference between inspiration and appropriation?

Together our hosts dig into Claude Debussy’s Pagodas, written after his encounter with Javanese gamelan music at the 1889 Paris Exhibition, and ask whether his East meets West composition is an act of respectful homage or something more problematic. They also explore Antonín Dvořák’s Symphony No.9 (The New World Symphony), shaped by his time in the US and the influence of African American spirituals and Native American music – with key input from his student, Harry T. Burleigh.

Ultimately this episode is about the grey areas; where admiration meets appropriation, and where intention matters just as much as impact. With a blend of musical excerpts, historical insight, and honest reflection, Moore and Stephens offer a nuanced take on how cultural exchange has shaped classical music – and how to approach it more thoughtfully today.

Listen now for a rich and challenging conversation that proves music can both connect and complicate across cultures.

Be sure not to miss future episodes of So Hear Me Out by subscribing now via Spotify, Apple, Amazon Music or wherever you get your podcast fix.