Classical Interviews
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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...
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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
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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).
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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.
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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).
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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).
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Schubert: Piano Sonatas, Vol. 1
Martin Helmchen (piano)
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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.
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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'.
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Gelosia!
Philippe Jaroussky (countertenor/director), Artaserse
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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'...
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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!
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Radiant Dawn
Matilda Lloyd (trumpet), The Gesualdo Six, Owain Park
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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.
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Nowel: Advent & Beyond
Ensemble Pro Victoria, Toby Ward
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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.
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Baroque Encores
David Fray (piano)
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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).
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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...
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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.
