Classical Music Podcast

Cayenna Ponchione is the associate conductor of St John's, Oxford, and is committed to the promotion of gender and ethnic equality in conducting and composition.

She speaks to Chris Gunness about promoting social justice through music, and her experience of hosting the Afghan Women's Orchestra in Oxford.

Despite being born with one hand, Nicholas McCarthy told his mother at an early age he wanted to become a concert pianist. He talks to Chris Gunness about his journey towards realising this dream.

Composer and pianist Frank Horvat talks to Chris Gunness about working with depression in the music industry, and his campaigns for causes ranging from human rights to environmentalism.

Chris Gunness talks to conductor James Rose about working in the music world with a disability, and the challenges Rose has overcome along the way.

Julian Lloyd Webber is principal of the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and one of the leading musicians of his generation. He speaks to Chris Gunness about the power of music education and the importance of a broad curriculum for all young people.

Venezuelan pianist Gabriela Montero's talent for real-time improvisation has earned her many followers around the world.

She explains how she uses music to respond to the current political crisis in her home country.

Chi-chi Nwanoku OBE is founder and artistic director of the Chineke! Foundation, which gives a platform to musicians from BAME backgrounds.

A former sprinter, she also helped to found the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, and was its principal double bass for 30 years.

British conductor Mark Wigglesworth speaks about Brexit, the challenges of a career in the music industry, and the qualities that make a good leader.