Classical Interviews
-
Leif Ove Andsnes on Schubert for Four Hands
20th Jan 2026
The Norwegian pianist discusses sharing a keyboard with his friend Bertrand Chamayou for a mesmerising programme of late Schubert, which began life at Andsnes's chamber music festival in the fjords a decade ago.
-
Philippe Jaroussky celebrates 25 years in the profession
31st Dec 2025
The French countertenor reflects on the changes he's seen during his first quarter-century in the business, his recent album of Italian secular cantatas, his blossoming parallel career as a conductor, and why he's a firm believer that 'the grass is not always greener in another field'.
Featured product
Gelosia!
Philippe Jaroussky (countertenor/director), Artaserse
-
Marc-André Hamelin on Found Objects/Sound Objects
30th Dec 2025
The Canadian pianist discusses his recent album of music by Frank Zappa, John Cage, Yehudi Wyner and others, his own approach to writing for the piano, and the composer who will be the focus of a upcoming 'long-range project'...
-
The trebles of St John's on O Holy Night
24th Dec 2025
The front row of the Choir of St John's College Cambridge lift the lid on all things Christmas, and tell us what they REALLY think about music director Christopher Gray!
-
Thomas Dunford and Lea Desandre on Songs of Passion
23rd Dec 2025
The lutenist and mezzo discuss their Presto Award-winning album of music by Dowland and Purcell, their own first encounters with both composers as teenagers, and some of the friends and family-members who played a part in the project.
-
Jean Rondeau on Louis Couperin
17th Dec 2025
The French harpsichordist talks about his massive project, released in November, to record the complete works of the founder of the Couperin dynasty.
-
Owain Park on Radiant Dawn
15th Dec 2025
The director of The Gesualdo Six talks about the group's new album, which sees them collaborating with trumpeter Matilda Lloyd.
Featured product
Radiant Dawn
Matilda Lloyd (trumpet), The Gesualdo Six, Owain Park
-
Piers Connor Kennedy on Nowel el el
11th Dec 2025
The composer and singer talks about his new works featured on Ensemble Pro Victoria's latest album, Nowel.
Featured product
Nowel: Advent & Beyond
Ensemble Pro Victoria, Toby Ward
-
David Fray on Baroque Encores and the Offrande Musicale festival
8th Dec 2025
The pianist talks about his new album of Baroque keyboard works performed on the piano, his inspirations, and the music festival he runs in his home region in the south-west of France.
Featured product
Baroque Encores
David Fray (piano)
-
David Matthews & Jac van Steen on their musical friendship
2nd Dec 2025
The British composer and Dutch conductor discuss their various collaborations over the last three decades, including a new album of Matthews's Symphony No. 11, Flute Concerto and Symphonic Diptych from the opera Anna (released last month on SOMM).
-
Michael Waldron on his new Christmas album with London Choral Sinfonia
27th Nov 2025
The Musical Director of London Choral Sinfonia visited Presto to talk about his latest album of Christmas music, released on Orchid Classics to celebrate the ensemble's tenth anniversary.
-
Christophe Rousset on Christmas with Charpentier
26th Nov 2025
The French conductor talks about his new album with the Monteverdi Choir and English Baroque Soloists, which puts the spotlight on glorious ancien régime works for the Christmas season.
-
Thibaut Garcia on adapting and performing Bach's Goldberg Variations with Antoine Morinière
24th Nov 2025
A unique new twist on Bach's Goldberg Variations sees these two guitarists rehearse, play - and even think - as one.
-
Anoushka Shankar on tradition and innovation
19th Nov 2025
In the wake of winning the Ivor Novello Innovation Award last week, the sitar virtuoso and composer reflects on how she found a balance between honouring her father's legacy and forging her own artistic identity - with a little help from her friends...
-
Ed Long on Songs of Ourselves
17th Nov 2025
The chair of London-based LGBTQ+ vocal ensemble The Fourth Choir talks about the group's new album, marking their début recording.
-
Anne Dudley reflects on her career
11th Nov 2025
In the wake of becoming the 33rd Fellow of The Ivors Academy, the British composer recounts how she found her niche - from an early gig on Play School to working on The Crying Game, Jeeves and Wooster and Poldark.
Featured product
Poldark: Music from the TV series
Lang Lang, Chris Garrick (violin), Chamber Orchestra of London, Skaila Kanga (celtic harp), Anne Dudley (keyboards), Lucy Wakeford (harp), Eleanor Tomlinson (vocal), Skaila Kanga (harp), David Cohen (cello), Peter Schoeman (violin), David Daniels (cello)
More products from this article -
Vasily Petrenko on Elgar and Rachmaninoff
6th Nov 2025
Ahead of the release of their debut recording on Harmonia Mundi next week, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra's Music Director reflects on the parallels between two works which were premiered in 1913 - Elgar's Falstaff and Rachmaninoff's The Bells.
-
Kitty Whately on Rebecca Clarke
5th Nov 2025
In advance of the release of Clarke's complete songs on Signum this Friday, the British mezzo discusses her ongoing advocacy for women composers, with plans including a focus-day on Clarke at Wigmore Hall this weekend and a major new song competition early next year.
-
Raphaela Gromes on Fortissima
29th Oct 2025
The German cellist discusses her new album of music by female composers (including sonatas by Henriëtte Bosmans, Emilie Mayer and Luise Adolpha Le Beau), released earlier this month on Sony.
-
Paavo Järvi on Arvo Pärt
27th Oct 2025
In the wake of an album celebrating Pärt's ninetieth birthday, the Estonian conductor discusses his long relationship with the man and his music, how his father Neeme's early advocacy of the Credo led to both composer and conductor being blacklisted by the Soviet authorities, and his own 'holy mission' to champion the work of his compatriots.
