Thoroughly Good Classical Music Podcast

Four years after the premiere of ‘Woke’ at the BBC Proms in 2021, composer Daniel Kidane is riding high, this year Composer in Residence at the 2025 Aldeburgh Festival. Kidane reflects on his training, his mindset for composing, and what’s changed (or not) since the work that promoted empathy, compassion and togetherness. The BBC Symphony Orchestra performs Woke (now named Awake) at the Aldeburgh Festival alongside a whole host of other works by Kidane.

In this episode, Jon Jacob joins Britten Sinfonia and medical professionals at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge to explore how live music brings moments of connection and calm in clinical settings. Recorded during hospital visits, the conversation reveals how music supports recovery and emotional wellbeing in the most challenging of environments.

This episode spotlights contemporary classical composer Oliver Davis talking about his new album Life. Davis writes music that makes a montage of your own life. Had author Augesten Burroughs had access to Davis he'd have had access to soundtracks that would have consoled and celebrated the very life BUrroughs ended up documenting in Running with Scissors. Davis brings his experience writing music for TV to scores that elevate real life. His newest album is dedicated to his father, first violin in the Alberni Quartet, who had a close association with Benjamin Britten and the Aldeburgh Festival. In this episode we talk about Howard's introduction to the violin, his work, Oliver's work writing music for TV and the scores and production that make up Life, a project which also features the pupil his father introduced Oliver to at the Royal Academy, violinist Kerensa Peacock.

Bristol Beacon CEO Simon Wales reflects on leadership, legacy, and launching the 2025/26 orchestral season. We talk classical music, innovation, and why Bristol deserves its place as one of the UK’s great music cities.

Andrew Comben, Chief Executive of Britten Pears Arts, reflects on leading an organisation where legacy, place, and innovation intersect. We explore the 2025 Aldeburgh Festival, the return of Festival Extra, and how collaboration across the sector is vital to sustaining new artistic work.

Some people raise the bar just by walking into the room. Mezzo Soprano and Creative Consultant Jennifer Johnston is one of them. We talk about her award-winning creative work during the pandemic, her journey from barrister to singer, and her latest collaboration with the London Transport Museum — recorded at the Southbank Centre ahead of Mahler 8 with the LPO.

Following a stunning opening concert in Manchester Camerata's new Mozart series, horn player Martin Owen talks about Mozart's Horn Concertos, working with Camerata, and a 30-year career spanning many of the UK's leading orchestras. Owen is warm, playful and generous, and that is reflected in his captivating performance. His is an instantly likeable sound on stage, one that conveys an infectious sense of confidence in performance. Little wonder performance. He fell in love with the sound of the horn at 3 years old. I rigorously checked out his story, of course. His follow up concert with Manchester Camerata is on 23 May 2025 in Stoller Hall.

Jan returns to the podcast after what we both reckon is probably around 12 years. He remains, as I dimly recall from a sunny day in Verbier, candid, down to earth, and completely and utterly absorbed by his craft. But what’s evident now — and what I definitely don’t remember sensing then — is his resolute vision: a clear sense of what he wants to do, and how he wants to do it. It’s reflected not only in his achievements, but also in the relative ease with which he articulates that vision. There’s a precision in what he says, and a solid sense of trust in what he does.

How successfully can AI underscore a day-to-day experience like grief? Or reading a book? Or even work as a coach? It turns out surprisingly well. Far better than the pearl-clutching naysayers. 11 minutes accompanied by Brahms. All very Thoroughly Good.

In this podcast Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra Chief Conductor discusses his view on leadership, the role he plays as a leader conducting an orchestra, and how he's developed that role in the 30 plus years of his career to date.

30 minutes of chat with Manchester born soprano Ana Beard Fernandez ahead of her new album - Habanera including music by Villa Lobos, Ravel, de Falla, Shostakovich and Rameau on the SOMM label featuring the Endellion Cellists, Roderick Williams, and conductor William Vann. In addition ... because it worked so well in the last episode, a book, a film and a recipe.

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

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.

This episode features three singers and one conductor who have either participated in or are currently part of the Royal Opera's Jette Parker Opera Programme. Their insights explore the unique experience of this two-year scheme, focusing on the development of rehearsal and stagecraft skills, as well as the journey toward building their authentic professional identities.