Classical Interviews
-
Cristian Măcelaru on Elsa Barraine
2nd Apr 2026
The Romanian conductor discusses the remarkable legacy of 'one of the most prominent figures in twentieth-century French cultural life', whose symphonies he recently recorded with the Orchestre National de France for Warner Classics.
-
Anne-Sophie Mutter on East Meets West
30th Mar 2026
To celebrate the launch of her new series on Alpha Classics, ASM Forte Forward, the violinist talks about her long history of commissioning and performing new works by composers including John Williams, Witold Lutosławski, Unsuk Chin, and Aftab Darvishi.
-
Rosa Feola on Donizetti
25th Mar 2026
The Italian soprano discusses collaborating with Carlo Rizzi on the seventh instalment of Opera Rara's mammoth Donizetti Song Project, masterminded by musicologist Roger Parker and launched in late 2024.
Featured product
Donizetti Songs Vol. 7
Rosa Feola (soprano), Carlo Rizzi (piano)
-
Claire Booth on Life Stories
24th Mar 2026
The soprano discusses her recent cabaret-themed album on Orchid Classics, featuring the world premiere recording of Zoë Martlew's theatrical song-cycle Hôtel Babylon plus music by Gershwin, Eisler, Poulenc and Adès.
-
Kazuki Yamada on Walton
19th Mar 2026
The Japanese conductor discusses his recent recording of the symphonies with the CBSO, settling into life in Birmingham, his first brush with English music as a high-school student, and inspirational visits to Ischia, Malvern and Aldeburgh.
-
Michael Finnissy at 80
17th Mar 2026
On his eightieth birthday, the English composer talks to our contemporary music guest-contributor about his student days at the Royal College of Music, drawing inspiration from country hedgerows, and why he's 'still amazed by Verdi'...
-
Christian Immler on Be Still My Heart
16th Mar 2026
In the run-up to the release of Raphaël Pichon's recording of the St John Passion (on which he sings the bass arias and Pilatus), the German singer discusses a recent passion-project of his own - a beguiling recital of songs by Wilhelm Grosz and Robert Gund with pianist Helmut Deutsch on Alpha Classics.
-
Martin James Bartlett on Bach, Mozart and Britten
12th Mar 2026
The British pianist discusses his new album of early concertos by Bach and Mozart plus Britten's Young Apollo, recorded in Salzburg with the Mozarteumorchester and Howard Griffiths.
-
Ludovic Tézier, Marina Rebeka and Francesco Meli on Simon Boccanegra
25th Feb 2026
The stars of a new account of Verdi's political thriller on Prima Classic discuss their roles, some of the singers and conductors who have inspired them in this music – and why there are ‘ghosts everywhere’ in the theatre where they recorded...
Featured product
Verdi: Simon Boccanegra
Ludovic Tézier (Simon Boccanegra), Marina Rebeka (Amelia), Francesco Meli (Gabriele Adorno), Michele Pertusi (Fiesco), Mattia Olivieri (Paolo), Andrea Pellegrini (Pietro) Orchestra e Coro del Teatro di San Carlo di Napoli, Michele Spotti
More products from this article -
Simon Callaghan on Sterndale Bennett
23rd Feb 2026
Known for his adventurous exploration of neglected repertoire, the British pianist discusses his latest recording of concertos by William Sterndale Bennett (released last month on Lyrita).
-
Alexandra Dariescu on A Child's Dream
18th Feb 2026
The Romanian pianist takes us back to the beginning of her musical journey on her new album, featuring the first piece she ever played with an orchestra (at the tender age of nine) plus music by Nadia Boulanger, Amy Beach, Missy Mazzoli and more.
-
Martyn Brabbins on The Dream of Gerontius (and Havergal Brian)
5th Feb 2026
The conductor discusses his new recording of Elgar's masterpiece with Huddersfield Choral Society, and reflects on how he became such an enthusiastic ambassador for the music of Havergal Brian (whose 150th birthday fell last week).
-
Martin Helmchen on Schubert
29th Jan 2026
To mark the composer's 229th birthday on Saturday, the German pianist reflects on the joys of discovering his early and unfinished sonatas (several of which feature on the first instalment of his new cycle on Alpha Classics).
Featured product
Schubert: Piano Sonatas, Vol. 1
Martin Helmchen (piano)
-
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
