Pianist Emmanuel Despax reflects on his deep connection to music, the emotional power of performance, and his upcoming concerts with the Bechstein Trio at Bechstein Hall in Spring 2025

This episode, the first of 2025, features vocal group Apollo5’s Director and mezzo soprano Clare Stewart director and mezzo-soprano of Apollo5 exploring the rich textures and emotional depth of the group’s latest album, Anam, set for release on the 24th of January, 2025.

The collection of music on the album is a personal project of Clare’s celebrating the groups 15th birthday. It’s a celebration too of Celtic heritage—Anam, means 'the soul' in Gaelic — a collection that reflects as well as nourishes it.

It also offers a profound sensory experience. The intricate arrangements and intimate harmonies that feature of the five-piece’s recording ushers listeners on a path of discovery, one decorated by a kaleidoscope of textures that combine a variety of stark and distinct lines into something fresh, luscious, and multi-layered. There is ancient and modern subtly infused throughout.

For me, this album has been more than just music. It’s resonated on a deeper level, prompting me to reflect on how my own listening has changed recently as a result of a recent bereavement. I have discovered that the senses can feel heightened after profound life events like grief. It’s like listening after a software upgrade. Anam is a soundtrack for moments of introspection, joy, and connection, touching on emotions we often can’t articulate in words.

Pianist Tim Horton is a busy chap. Always playing the piano and playing it a lot. Wigmore Hall, Sheffield Chamber Music Festival, Ensemble 360. All manner of places. So I consider it a considerable triumph that we arranged to meet in person a week or so ago to talk about his Wigmore Hall Chopin project -- there's a concert on December 11 and one in March 2025. Its not simply the programme that I was drawn to, but the way in which he suggests to audience members what they might listen out for in performance and, how that suggestion, might actually influence the way in which someone listens. In all truth, this suggestion about listening for ambiguity in music (instead of the predictable) doesn't simply extend to his concerts, but perhaps to all listening to classical. And if more people bought into, what impact might it have on how we appreciate live performance in the moment?

Rob Plane introduces music that he's discovered and advocated, written by the disappointingly lesser known composer Pamela Harrison.

Continuing the theme of leadership in the arts, this Thoroughly Good Classical Music Podcast profiles the career todate of Kings Place Artistic Director Sam McShane. In the conversation that follows, you'll get a sense of Sam's distinct leadership philosophy, her vision for the venue including her aims to deepen engagement in Islington in which the venue resides. She also candidly discusses balancing financial challenges and artistic opportunities at King's Place.

What can corporate leaders learn from the conductor’s podium? What are the parallels between orchestral conducting and leadership in the workplace? New Principal Guest Conductor of the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra Chloé van Soeterstède shares her journey from violinist and viola player to conductor, sharing insights on how to build trust, communicate vision, and influence teams. Plus, she shares how she balances ambition with personal well-being.

Roxanna Panufnik wins Outstanding Wins Collection at the Ivors Classical 2024. In this episode she shares a personal selection of works plus a candid reflection on the experience of hearing the premiere of her Coronational Sactus at the King's Big Do last year.

This episode features violinist Madeleine Mitchell introducing the return of the Red Violin Festival in Leeds, her connection with Yehudi Menuhin, and the career-long fascination with composer Herbert Howells whose In Gloucestershire Quartet forms part of a new release of recordings on the SOMM label of rarely heard works by the English composer.

The Red Violin Festival runs from 14th to 19th October 2014. Madeleine Mitchell and the London Chamber Ensemble's recordings of works by Howells and Charles Wood is released on Friday 18 October.