Thoroughly Good Classical Music Podcast

This episode spotlights contemporary classical composer Oliver Davis talking about his new album Life.

Davis writes music that makes a montage of your own life. Had author Augesten Burroughs had access to Davis he'd have had access to soundtracks that would have consoled and celebrated the very life BUrroughs ended up documenting in Running with Scissors.

Davis brings his experience writing music for TV to scores that elevate real life. His newest album is dedicated to his father, first violin in the Alberni Quartet, who had a close association with Benjamin Britten and the Aldeburgh Festival. In this episode we talk about Howard's introduction to the violin, his work, Oliver's work writing music for TV and the scores and production that make up Life, a project which also features the pupil his father introduced Oliver to at the Royal Academy, violinist Kerensa Peacock.

Bristol Beacon CEO Simon Wales reflects on leadership, legacy, and launching the 2025/26 orchestral season. We talk classical music, innovation, and why Bristol deserves its place as one of the UK’s great music cities.

Andrew Comben, Chief Executive of Britten Pears Arts, reflects on leading an organisation where legacy, place, and innovation intersect. We explore the 2025 Aldeburgh Festival, the return of Festival Extra, and how collaboration across the sector is vital to sustaining new artistic work.

Some people raise the bar just by walking into the room. Mezzo Soprano and Creative Consultant Jennifer Johnston is one of them. We talk about her award-winning creative work during the pandemic, her journey from barrister to singer, and her latest collaboration with the London Transport Museum — recorded at the Southbank Centre ahead of Mahler 8 with the LPO.

Following a stunning opening concert in Manchester Camerata's new Mozart series, horn player Martin Owen talks about Mozart's Horn Concertos, working with Camerata, and a 30-year career spanning many of the UK's leading orchestras. Owen is warm, playful and generous, and that is reflected in his captivating performance. His is an instantly likeable sound on stage, one that conveys an infectious sense of confidence in performance. Little wonder performance. He fell in love with the sound of the horn at 3 years old. I rigorously checked out his story, of course. His follow up concert with Manchester Camerata is on 23 May 2025 in Stoller Hall.

Jan returns to the podcast after what we both reckon is probably around 12 years. He remains, as I dimly recall from a sunny day in Verbier, candid, down to earth, and completely and utterly absorbed by his craft. But what’s evident now — and what I definitely don’t remember sensing then — is his resolute vision: a clear sense of what he wants to do, and how he wants to do it. It’s reflected not only in his achievements, but also in the relative ease with which he articulates that vision. There’s a precision in what he says, and a solid sense of trust in what he does.

How successfully can AI underscore a day-to-day experience like grief? Or reading a book? Or even work as a coach? It turns out surprisingly well. Far better than the pearl-clutching naysayers. 11 minutes accompanied by Brahms. All very Thoroughly Good.

In this podcast Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra Chief Conductor discusses his view on leadership, the role he plays as a leader conducting an orchestra, and how he's developed that role in the 30 plus years of his career to date.

30 minutes of chat with Manchester born soprano Ana Beard Fernandez ahead of her new album - Habanera including music by Villa Lobos, Ravel, de Falla, Shostakovich and Rameau on the SOMM label featuring the Endellion Cellists, Roderick Williams, and conductor William Vann. In addition ... because it worked so well in the last episode, a book, a film and a recipe.

Pianist Emmanuel Despax reflects on his deep connection to music, the emotional power of performance, and his upcoming concerts with the Bechstein Trio at Bechstein Hall in Spring 2025