Olivier Latry and Notre-Dame, Paris

Kate Molleson travels to Paris to join Olivier Latry, titular organist of Notre-Dame Cathedral, as he reflects on the possibilities of making music outside the iconic building following 2019’s devastating blaze. He describes how the spirit of the cathedral has seeped into musicianship as well as its absence while the basilica is rebuilt and its congregation worship at a different site, as well as his hopes for the musical life of the building after it reopens in 2024, and how performing in religious ceremonies differs from recitals in concert halls.

Kate is joined by the musicologist Roger Nichols whose new book, 'From Berlioz to Boulez', surveys the story of French musical history through the country’s most important composers. The French music expert Caroline Potter shares her thoughts on Nichols’ new tome too.

Music Matters learns about a new archive of contemporary repertoire, commissioned by the Royal Academy of Music for students and people consulting their website, called 200 Pieces. We hear from 3 composers who've written material especially for the modern-day compilation: Helen Grime, Howard Skempton and Daniel Kidane.

And Betto Arcos, whose journalism focusses on Latin American music, tells Kate about his favourite Mexican Christmas music traditions, including the rituals of Las Posadas, La Rama, and the villancicos which has echoed across Oaxaca Cathedral’s interior since the time of the conquistadors.