Thoroughly Good Classical Music Podcast

Laura Attridge and Jonathan Tilbrook discuss opera production and the challenges staging Benjamin Britten's problematic opera Rape of Lucretia in the #MeToo era.

Recorded at the Khachaturian Cello Competition in Yerevan, Armenia, Jon Jacob speaks to some of the finalists competing for the first prize about the competition experience, the challenges of playing some of the repertoire and their own hopes and aspirations for the future.

Opera Holland Park General Director Michael Volpe and opera-goer Ruth Elleson join Jon Jacob in a discussion about opera appreciation, inspiring the younger generation, ticket prices, and this year's OHP season. Watch Hip Hop to Opera on YouTube here >> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=coz6CUlXi38

Podcast 8 recorded in the Steinway Piano Showroom in London features a returning participant – the marvellous Fran Wilson from the Cross-Eyed Pianist blog - one of the two artistic directors of this years Leeds Piano Competition, and former Radio 3 New Generation Artists Editor, Adam Gatehouse.

Podcast seven was recorded in the Royal Overseas League off Arlington Street in Central London. It features Royal Overseas League Arts Director Geoff Parkin, and previous Royal Overseas League Gold Medal Final winner saxophonist Huw Wiggin. For a full list of the topics we discussed head over to the Thoroughly Good Blog.

Podcast six was recorded in the much-maligned hotel bar The Heights – and features music journalist Ariane Todes and I talking to violinist Hugo Ticciati. Hugo talks about his new album 'White Light – The Space Between', why he went without glasses for five years, the challenge of improvisation for classical music musicians, and rock balancing. For a full list of the topics we discussed head over to the Thoroughly Good Blog.

Episode 5 of the Thoroughly Good Classical Music Podcast features conductor Damian Irorio, currently the music director of the Milton Keynes City Orchestra, and Alexander van Ingen of the Academy of Ancient Music. The Academy of Ancient Music will be playing Bach’s St John Passion on Good Friday at 3pm at the Barbican.

Recorded at Barbican, Jon Jacob is joined by pianist and composer Andrew James Johnson, and author, coach and art lover Debs Henry-Pollard for a conversation spanning piano lessons, Wagner and the CBSO. Andy's new album Winter's Heart is out now and available via Spotify. Show Notes Breakfast: bacon and spinach Introductions Andy’s CBSO work experience Orchestral manager job interview Marin Alsop’s womens conductors masterclass Audience members with conductors scores How does the music make you feel? Andy’s piano teacher The Tristan chord Budapest Opera Festival Comprehensive vs. Grammar School Andy’s new album: The Winter’s Heart Which composer would you want to have met? What one disc would you fight to keep? Cultural Recommendation: V&A Ocean Liner’s Exhibition Cultural Recommendation: Bluthner Piano Day, 29 March 2018 Andy’s first piano

Lithuanian composer Gediminas Gelgotas and member of the New Ideas Chamber Orchestra Augusta Jusionytė break from recording at Real World Studios in Box near Bath, to talk about breakfasts, names and contemporary classical. Gediminas' piece for double bass and piano Sanctifaction is available via Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/album/1opMe2xOkwYkAEBpSwjBnD?si=6eu0H1O-TwW6huJkO9lX5g). Find out more at the New Ideas Chamber Orchestra website (http://www.nicomusic.eu/).

The second in this new series of Thoroughly Good Podcasts features blogger Cross-Eyed Pianist (Fran Wilson) and composer Thomas Hewitt Jones, recorded in the Crypt Cafe in St John's Smith Square late last year. Many thanks to Richard Heason at St John's Smith Square for giving us a space in the crypt to record the podcast.

The first episode of a new series of Thoroughly Good Podcasts featuring pianists Christina McMaster and Tom Poster, recorded at Bluthner Piano Showroom in Central London. Subscribe via iTunes, or visit the Thoroughly Good Blog.