Barbican Classical Music Podcast

In discussion with Jon Tolansky, Vengerov recalls his strict musical education in communist Russia, his attempt as a ten year-old to learn Paganini's Violin Concerto No 1 in just ten days, and how his fledgling conducting career has changed his approach to performance. Also hear Vengerov like never before, playing electric viola in snippets from Benjamin Yusupov's extraordinary-sounding Viola Tango Rock Concerto.

Speaking with Catherine Bott, countertenor David Daniels and scholar Jonathan Keats explore the rich musical characterisations in Handel's Radamisto, from bloodthirsty tyrant Tiridate, to the wonderfully moving presentation of love between husband and wife, Radamisto and Zenobia. Among other topics, Daniels and Keats also discuss the historical context and topicality of Radamisto's theme of dynastic intrigue, how Handel dealt with the prima-donnas of the 18th Century and the simple key to the beauty of Handel's writing that reaches 'right to the core of the soul'.

Superstar mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato chats with Warwick Thompson about the extreme emotions on display in her new album Drama Queens, the delights and challenges of singing to the Barbican audience, and 'the most inventive, gorgeous, stunning, dramatic gown' she has ever seen – which she will wear at the Barbican on 6 Feb

To coincide with the Barbican's 30th Anniversary, we focus on our Resident Orchestra, the London Symphony Orchestra, who celebrates 30 years at the Barbican. We speak to the Orchestra, the LSO's Managing Director Kathryn McDowell as well as featuring interviews with former conductor of the LSO, Mstislav Rostropovich, the LSO's President, Sir Colin Davies and Principal Conductor, Valery Gergiev.

When Les Arts Florissants return to the Barbican in December, they bring with them Handel's oratorio Belshazzar, a biblical story of Babylonian binge-drinking, bacchanalia, and battles. Catherine Bott travels to Paris to meet William Christie, conductor of Les Arts Florissants, and discuss the plot, characters, music, and cast in their upcoming performance of what Christie labels ‘some of the best music [Handel] ever wrote'.

Renée Fleming talks to us about the mesmerising programme she has in store for her concert at the Barbican on December 9th. In discussion with Jon Tolansky, Fleming touches on topics ranging from romantic poetry and lieder composition, to the fascinating personal and musical relationships of the composers Wolf, Mahler, Schoenberg, Zemlinsky, and Korngold, revealing an intriguing historic trajectory to her programme.

Russian pianist Evgeny Kissin may be only 41, but such has been his astonishing career that he is already considered a legendary interpreter of acclaimed skill and insight and is now considered one of our age's most remarkable musicians. A child prodigy, he first recorded aged 13, and in the three decades since has embraced the monuments of the pianist's repertoire. Jon Tolansky catches up with him ahead of his recital at the Barbican next month.

On Nov 3, enter the weird and wonderful world of Maurice Sendak's much-loved books for children and see his iconic drawings brought to life in these wildly imaginative operas by Oliver Knussen. In this edition, we look at how these new productions have come together from its beginnings to the dress rehearsal for the first performance at the Aldeburgh Festival before it comes to the Barbican later this year. Along the way, we speak to director and designer, Netia Jones, costume designers, monsters, Jenny the Dog, and Max himself. These performances take place during BBC SO's Total Immersion weekend, celebrating Oliver Knussen at 60. Book your tickets now and ‘Let the wild rumpus start!'

For this rare interview, the great American composer chats to Ben Eshmade in a London cab, ahead of the celebrations for his 75th birthday at the Barbican Centre in London. Featuring plenty of Philip Glass's music and insights into his work, his legendary collaborations, his beginnings, the “music world” and the “music business” and some Schoenberg records which took five years to sell in his father's record store…

Britten Sinfonia is 20 years old this year and continues to surprise and inspire with its visionary artist collaborations, cutting-edge programming and irrepressible verve. Ahead of their first season as Associate Ensemble at the Barbican, Marcus O'Dair and Ben Eshmade speak to artists and key members from the orchestra about their exciting year ahead.

In this edition we look at how Oscar Wilde's enduringly popular play ‘The Importance of Being Earnest' has been transformed by composer Gerald Barry from the stage and cinema screen into a fantastic new opera.  Prior to the European premiere at the Barbican on 26 April we brought together some of the opera's and Oscar Wilde's biggest champions to discuss the opera in more detail: Stephen Fry, Fiona Shaw, composer Gerald Barry and Thomas Adès who will be conducting the Birmingham Contemporary Music Group in the performances in both London and Birmingham.

Broadcaster Sandy Burnett presents this special edition Barbican Classical Music podcast live from our 2012-13 Classical Music season launch.  In this edition, we introduce you to our packed programme of concerts and speak to representatives from our Resident Orchestra, the London Symphony Orchestra, our Associate Orchestra, the BBC Symphony Orchestra and our two new Associate Ensembles, the Academy of Ancient Music and Britten Sinfonia.  Highlights from our 2012-13 season include 11 world premieres, 11 UK premieres and appearances from world-class artists including Yo-Yo Ma, Evgeny Kissin, Maxim Vengerov, Juan Diego Flórez and Cecilia Bartoli.

The Academy of Ancient Music's energised, sparky and engaged performances of baroque and classical music have thrilled audiences worldwide for nearly 40 years, with live concerts on every continent except Antarctica and over 300 Brit and Grammy Award-winning recordings. Writer and broadcaster Edward Seckerson talks to the AAM's Music Director, Richard Egarr, about their new appointment as an Associate Ensemble of the Barbican, the history of the AAM and their exciting series of concerts during the Barbican's 2012-13 season.

On its world premiere in Luxembourg in 2007, the Guardian placed Jonathan Harvey's Wagner Dream on the lengthening list of operas by British composers that urgently need a staging here. Finally, on 29 January, this thrilling work will have its UK premiere as a semi-staged performance in the Barbican Hall with Martyn Brabbins conducting the BBC Symphony Orchestra. Marcus O'Dair and Ben Eshmade speak to the key people involved in this project and unearth the delights and surprises that are in store. Part of BBC SO's Total Immersion Weekend (28 – 29 Jan) celebrating the life and music of Jonathan Harvey.

The New York Philharmonic return to the Barbican as an International Associate Orchestra bringing with them the glitz, glamour and grandeur of the Big Apple!  Under music director Alan Gilbert, the orchestra present four stunning concerts, each featuring music with a special connection to New York.  Highlights include Mahler's Ninth Symphony, concerts with Lang Lang and Joyce DiDonato, a Young People's Concert and creative learning activities.  Writer and broadcaster Edward Seckerson catches up with Jamie Bernstein in the Bernstein family home in New York and talks to her about her father, the New York Philharmonic's forthcoming residency and her involvement with the orchestra's legendary Young People's Concerts.