Barbican Classical Music

By Barbican Centre

What's Barbican Classical Music about?

Hear interviews, performances and exclusive tracks from the world’s finest classical musicians and performers, Barbican resident orchestras and our international associates in Barbican Classical Music podcasts.

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Barbican Classical Music episodes:

09.15.2017
In conversation with Jeremy Denk
Jeremy Denk talks to Edward Seckerson about the arts of practicing, programme-building, recording, writing and performing, as we find out what makes the innovative pianist tick. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy
12.09.2016
Peter Sellars on Ligeti’s Le grand macabre
'This music is buzzing with intergalactic messages and surrealism…’ We speak to the inimitable director about the apocalyptic anti-anti-opera ahead of his production at the Barbican with the LSO and Sir Simon Rattle For information regarding your data...
03.07.2016
American Soundscapes with the Los Angeles Philharmonic
We talk to composer Andrew Norman and video artist Deborah O'Grady about how the American landscape influences classical and contemporary music, and how to make a visual statement from these works. Both Andrew and Deborah feature Gustavo Dudamel and the Los...
05.28.2015
Iestyn Davies on Nico Muhly's Sentences
When computer pioneer and war-hero Alan Turing received a posthumous pardon in 2013, New York composer Nico Muhly had questions...Sentences is the result of those questions, and premieres at the Barbican on 6th June. In this classical podcast we speak...
03.17.2015
Boulez at 90
Ahead of the Boulez at 90 series at the Barbican, this podcast explores the life and music of the great musical provocateur, Pierre Boulez, with interviews from those who knew and worked with him. Featuring interviews with composer Nico Muhly,...
02.04.2015
February 2015 - Fabio Biondi: Vivaldi Detective
In this exclusive Barbican classical podcast, writer and broadcaster Catherine Bott interviews Fabio Biondi, director and founder of Italian period instrument ensemble Europa Galante, shedding light on the detective work that brought Vivaldi’s 1738 l'Oracolo in Messenia back from obscurity....
02.04.2015
Unsuk Chin’s Alice in Wonderland
Journey down the rabbit hole in this Barbican classical podcast exploring Unsuk Chin's operatic adaptation of Lewis Caroll's beloved stories, ahead of its UK Premiere at the Barbican on Sunday 8 March. Includes interviews with composer Unsuk Chin, director Netia...
10.20.2014
Mariinsky Opera Residency podcasts – interview with Valery Gergiev (part 2)
In anticipation of the acclaimed Mariinsky’s Opera’s London Residency at the Barbican in November 2015, we sit down with esteemed conductor Valery Gergiev to discuss Boris Godunov and the UK premiere of Levsha – both cornerstones of this historic residency....
10.20.2014
Mariinsky Opera Residency podcasts – interview with Valery Gergiev (part 1)
In anticipation of the acclaimed Mariinsky’s Opera’s London Residency at the Barbican in November 2015, we sit down with esteemed conductor Valery Gergiev to discuss Boris Godunov and the UK premiere of Levsha – both cornerstones of this historic residency....
05.20.2014
Birtwistle at 80 – The man behind the music
We talk to Harrison Birtwistle’s closest friends and collaborators to find out more about the man behind the music of one of our greatest living composers. Audio clips used by kind permission from Universal Edition. For information regarding your...
05.13.2014
Birtwistle at 80 – Music and Myth
Ben Eshmade explores the music and myths featured in our series of concerts celebrating the 80th birthday of one of our greatest living composers, Sir Harrison Birtwistle. Audio clips used by kind permission from Universal Edition. For information regarding...
04.28.2014
Birtwistle at 80 – An Introduction
In the first of a series of three podcasts, we introduce you to our Birtwistle at 80 celebration and speak to Sir Harrison Birtwistle's peers and collaborators about his life and work, as well as the great man himself. Audio...
02.26.2014
Mariss Jansons and the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra Amsterdam
One of the world’s oldest and most prestigious symphony orchestras, The Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra of Amsterdam returns to the Barbican for its second International Associate residency in April. Led by Chief Conductor Mariss Jansons, the residency celebrates the orchestra’s strong...
10.30.2013
Barbican Britten: Exploring Curlew River
Ben Eshmade explores Britten's beautiful Church Parable, Curlew River, a work inspired by Japanese 'Noh' plays. This podcast features exclusive interviews with Netia Jones, William Lacey and Ian Bostridge, who discuss their upcoming, innovative performances of the work at St...
10.02.2013
Barbican Britten: Britten and the Voice
For the second of our series of Barbican Britten podcasts, Jon Tolansky explores a selection of Britten's powerful and evocative vocal works, featuring exclusive interviews with performers Ian Bostridge, Thomas Hampson and James Gilchrist, conductor Harry Christophers and scholar Graham...
09.24.2013
Chailly's Brahms with Gewandhaus Orchestra Leipzig
There’s no better way to experience Brahms’s music than this: the world’s oldest symphony orchestra, led by one of today’s most accomplished conductors. Gewandhaus Orchestra Leipzig conductor Riccardo Chailly gives fascinating insights into the music of Brahms and its...
07.25.2013
Barbican Britten: Celebrating 100 Years
Timed to coincide with the climax of Benjamin Britten’s centenary, and encompassing the composer’s own birthday, Barbican Britten is an unmissable two-week celebration bringing fresh life to a huge range of Britten’s work through imaginative, daring and sensational performances. ...
05.29.2013
Paul Agnew talks Monteverdi's Fifth Book of Madrigals
Ahead of their performance of Monteverdi’s Fifth Book of Madrigals at the Barbican on 15 June, Catherine Bott travels to Paris to speak to Les Arts Florissant’s director for this project, Paul Agnew about these multi-voiced songs of life and...
05.03.2013
Christopher Hogwood on Handel's Imeneo
In this edition, Catherine Bott talks to AAM founder Christopher Hogwood as he continues his celebrated cycle of Handel operas at the Barbican with a classic but surprising tale of piracy, lost love and a journey to the underworld. Premiered...
04.12.2013
Live from the 2013–14 classical music season launch
Broadcaster Sandy Burnett presents this special edition Barbican Classical Music podcast live from our 2013-14 season launch. We introduce you to our packed programme of concerts and speak to representatives from our resident and associate orchestras and ensembles about their...
02.26.2013
John Adams talks The Gospel According to the Other Mary
On 16 March, Barbican audiences will finally get to hear the European premiere of 'The Gospel According to the Other Mary', John Adams and Peter Sellars's hugely anticipated follow up to the Nativity oratorio El Niño. This epic oratorio for...
02.15.2013
Maxim Vengerov in recital – Part 2
In the second part of our Maxim Vengerov podcast, Maxim continues discussing his passion for teaching music, his charity work with UNICEF, MIGDAL and MIAGI and the programme for his Barbican recital on Wed 20 Feb, which includes Beethoven, Schubert,...
01.29.2013
Maxim Vengerov in recital – Part 1
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...
01.29.2013
David Daniels stars in Handel's Radamisto
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...
12.18.2012
London Symphony Orchestra – 30 years at the Barbican
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...
12.18.2012
Joyce DiDonato talks Drama Queens
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...
11.21.2012
William Christie / Les Arts Florissants – Handel's Belshazzar
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,...
11.12.2012
Renée Fleming in recital
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...
09.05.2012
Where the Wild Things Are – An opera double bill by Oliver Knussen
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...
08.21.2012
Philip Glass at 75 – Exclusive Podcast
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...
06.08.2012
Britten Sinfonia – Associate Ensemble
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...
03.05.2012
The Importance of Being Earnest – An opera by Gerald Barry
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...
01.17.2012
Wagner Dream
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...
12.06.2011
New York Philharmonic - Jamie Bernstein and the Young People's Concert
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...
10.26.2011
Beethoven: The Symphonies - Riccardo Chailly & Gewandhaus Orchestra Leipzig
The Gewandhaus Orchestra Leipzig can proudly claim the title as the world's oldest symphony orchestra and boasts an enviably prestigious roll-call of conductors including today's highly acclaimed chief conductor Riccardo Chailly. Writer and broadcaster Edward Seckerson talks to Riccardo Chailly...

What's Barbican Classical Music about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Barbican Classical Music episodes:

In conversation with Jeremy Denk

Peter Sellars on Ligeti’s Le grand macabre

American Soundscapes with the Los Angeles Philharmonic

Iestyn Davies on Nico Muhly's Sentences

Boulez at 90

February 2015 - Fabio Biondi: Vivaldi Detective

Unsuk Chin’s Alice in Wonderland

Mariinsky Opera Residency podcasts – interview with Valery Gergiev (part 2)

Mariinsky Opera Residency podcasts – interview with Valery Gergiev (part 1)

Birtwistle at 80 – The man behind the music

Birtwistle at 80 – Music and Myth

Birtwistle at 80 – An Introduction

Mariss Jansons and the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra Amsterdam

Barbican Britten: Exploring Curlew River

Barbican Britten: Britten and the Voice

Chailly's Brahms with Gewandhaus Orchestra Leipzig

Barbican Britten: Celebrating 100 Years

Paul Agnew talks Monteverdi's Fifth Book of Madrigals

Christopher Hogwood on Handel's Imeneo

Live from the 2013–14 classical music season launch

John Adams talks The Gospel According to the Other Mary

Maxim Vengerov in recital – Part 2

Maxim Vengerov in recital – Part 1

David Daniels stars in Handel's Radamisto

London Symphony Orchestra – 30 years at the Barbican

Joyce DiDonato talks Drama Queens

William Christie / Les Arts Florissants – Handel's Belshazzar

Renée Fleming in recital

Where the Wild Things Are – An opera double bill by Oliver Knussen

Philip Glass at 75 – Exclusive Podcast

Britten Sinfonia – Associate Ensemble

The Importance of Being Earnest – An opera by Gerald Barry

Wagner Dream

New York Philharmonic - Jamie Bernstein and the Young People's Concert

Beethoven: The Symphonies - Riccardo Chailly & Gewandhaus Orchestra Leipzig