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Find articles | Laura Volpi

Laura Volpi
Laura Volpi

Laura Volpi used to be Bachtrack's Commissioning Editor. Having studied singing as part of the choir of Teatro Alla Scala, Milano, in her native Italy, she has a soft spot for Mozart operas and contemporary dance, but also loves all classical music. A published author and magazine writer, in summer you can find her queuing for the Proms or in Hyde Park listening to Vivaldi while feeding carrots to squirrels.

Author:Laura Volpi
Showing 21 of 21 articles
Krzysztof Penderecki next to a bald cypress in his garden in Lusławice © Bartłomiej Barczyk

A pact of happiness with nature: the new Penderecki's Garden website

By Laura Volpi, 03 December 2021
We explore the new website celebrating Krzysztof Penderecki's musical and horticultural legacy and discover a rather unique treasure trove of information and sensory stimulation.
Read more
Krzysztof Penderecki next to a bald cypress in his garden in Lusławice © Bartłomiej Barczyk
03 Dec 2021
A pact of happiness with nature: the new Penderecki's Garden website
By Laura Volpi
Palau de la Música Catalana © Palau de la Música Catalana

The many faces of Barcelona: three architecture walks in the Catalan capital

By Laura Volpi, 19 November 2021
Follow me on three mini-walking tours around some of my favourite music venues in the city.
Read more
Palau de la Música Catalana © Palau de la Música Catalana
19 Nov 2021
The many faces of Barcelona: three architecture walks
By Laura Volpi
The Maestro: A Symphony of Terror © Titania Pictures

Genius and madness: the Siam Sinfonietta uses lockdown to film a homage to B horror movies

By Laura Volpi, 09 July 2021
We spoke to Thai-American composer and Siam Sinfonietta's founder Somtow Sucharitkul and Thailand-based British film director Paul Spurrier about this unique project born from lockdown restrictions.
Read more
The Maestro: A Symphony of Terror © Titania Pictures
09 Jul 2021
The Siam Sinfonietta uses lockdown to film a homage to B horror movies
By Laura Volpi
Chloe Chua rehearsing with the Singapore Symphony Orchestra © Singapore Symphony Orchestra

Young violinist Chloe Chua: a video journey ahead of her Singapore Symphony concert

By Laura Volpi, 26 November 2020
A video journey through the short yet impressive music career - to date - of violinist Chloe Chua. 
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Chloe Chua rehearsing with the Singapore Symphony Orchestra © Singapore Symphony Orchestra
26 Nov 2020
Chloe Chua: a video journey ahead of her SSO concert
By Laura Volpi
Mickey Mouse in the iconic The Sorcerer's Apprentice segment of Disney's film Fantasia © Disney | Source: Purchase DVD/Blu-ray FANTASIA

From Fantasia to Fidelio: classical music and animation

By Laura Volpi, 13 November 2020
November 2020 marked the 80th anniversary of the US release of Disney's Fantasia. To celebrate, we picked some favourites from the many animated features that have used classical music over the years. 
Read more
Mickey Mouse in the iconic The Sorcerer's Apprentice segment of Disney's film Fantasia © Disney | Source: Purchase DVD/Blu-ray FANTASIA
13 Nov 2020
From Fantasia to Fidelio: classical music and animation
By Laura Volpi

Beauty will heal us: looking ahead to The New Generation Festival

By Laura Volpi, 06 April 2020
The New Generation Festival will take place in Florence in August: I discussed hope, beauty and conviviality with co-founder Frankie Parham.
Read more
06 Apr 2020
Beauty will heal us: looking ahead to The New Generation Festival
By Laura Volpi
Benjamin Grosvenor © Patrick Allen | Operaomnia.co.uk

The joy of music making: Benjamin Grosvenor on his life at the piano

By Laura Volpi, 03 February 2020
We spoke to the British pianist about instruments, his love for Chopin and his passion for music education.
Read more
Benjamin Grosvenor © Patrick Allen | Operaomnia.co.uk
03 Feb 2020
The joy of music making: Benjamin Grosvenor on his life at the piano
By Laura Volpi

My piano is my singing voice: Ryoma Takagi on winning the Edvard Grieg competition

By Laura Volpi, 02 December 2019
We spoke to Japanese pianist Ryoma Takagi on how he found a second home in Bergen, Norway, and what came after his win.
Read more
02 Dec 2019
My piano is my singing voice: Ryoma Takagi
By Laura Volpi

Prepare, focus, stay: Florian Riem on how to make the most of a music competition

By Laura Volpi, 01 November 2019
We spoke to the newly appointed interim Secretary General of the the World Federation of International Music Competitions (WFIMC) about his best tips for competitors and organisers alike.
Read more
01 Nov 2019
Florian Riem on how to make the most of a music competition
By Laura Volpi
Johann Sebastian Bach © Public Domain

Bachground music: a day with Johann Sebastian

By Laura Volpi, 15 August 2019
An entire day with Bach as your soundtrack.
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Johann Sebastian Bach © Public Domain
15 Aug 2019
Bachground music: a day with Johann Sebastian
By Laura Volpi

Musical Dolce Vita: the Varignana Music Festival

By Laura Volpi, 10 May 2019
Feeding body and soul: the Varignana Music Festival offers its audience the chance to enjoy great chamber music while also taking care of their wellbeing.
Read more
10 May 2019
Musical Dolce Vita: the Varignana Music Festival
By Laura Volpi

A new generation of choral music: the Rainbow Chamber Singers

By Laura Volpi, 26 March 2019
With their songs about nagging parents or overtime at the office, Shanghai-based ensemble Rainbow Chamber Singers are connecting with a new generation of choral music lovers.
Read more
26 Mar 2019
A new generation of choral music: the Rainbow Chamber Singers
By Laura Volpi
Simon Halsey at the Palau de la Música Catalana © Ricardo Rios Baixa

Simon Halsey on the beauty of differences and the joy of choral singing

By Laura Volpi, 22 March 2019
In conversation with acclaimed Choral Director Simon Halsey, on choral traditions and on how important it is to be part of a large musical family.
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Simon Halsey at the Palau de la Música Catalana © Ricardo Rios Baixa
22 Mar 2019
Simon Halsey on the beauty of differences and the joy of singing
By Laura Volpi
Musica Secreta © Musica Secreta

A secret singing life: the vibrant world of Renaissance convent choirs

By Laura Volpi, 08 March 2019
We speak to musicologist and Renaissance expert Prof. Laurie Stras to find out more about some fascinating stories and scores that have been left out of the history books.
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Musica Secreta © Musica Secreta
08 Mar 2019
A secret singing life: convent choirs in the Renaissance
By Laura Volpi
Karina Canellakis © Mathias Bothor

One of the players: Karina Canellakis on her journey to the podium

By Laura Volpi, 07 February 2019
Karina Canellakis on her love for her job and why the music education of young children is so important.
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Karina Canellakis © Mathias Bothor
07 Feb 2019
One of the players: Karina Canellakis on her journey to the podium
By Laura Volpi
Martin Grubinger © Simon Pauly

Martin Grubinger, the percussion polymath

By Laura Volpi, 01 February 2019
Percussion virtuoso Martin Grubinger talks about his love for Bernstein, his current projects and how we need more women to take up percussion. 
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Martin Grubinger © Simon Pauly
01 Feb 2019
Martin Grubinger, the percussion polymath
By Laura Volpi
Sally Beamish © Ashley Coombes

Inspiring a new generation of composers: Sally Beamish

By Laura Volpi, 25 January 2019
Sally Beamish on women composers and on how her daughter's viola gave her back her performing voice.
Read more
Sally Beamish © Ashley Coombes
25 Jan 2019
Inspiring new generations of composers
By Laura Volpi
Anna Meredith © Kate Bones

Anna Meredith on the shape of music

By Laura Volpi, 16 January 2019
Eclectic composer and performer Anna Meredith talks to Bachtrack about her composition process and her most recent work. 
Read more
Anna Meredith © Kate Bones
16 Jan 2019
The shape of music: Anna Meredith
By Laura Volpi
New York City Ballet in Justin Peck’s Easy, set on Bernstein's music © Paul Kolnik

On the side of the angels: Bernstein is third most performed composer of 2018

By Laura Volpi, 07 January 2019
We speak to Paul Epstein, Senior Vice President at the Leonard Bernstein Office and longtime friend of the composer, to find out what's behind the success of the Bernstein's centennial.
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New York City Ballet in Justin Peck’s Easy, set on Bernstein's music © Paul Kolnik
07 Jan 2019
Bernstein is third most performed composer of 2018
By Laura Volpi
Aldo Ciccolini, 1949 Long Thibaud Crespin laureate with piano-maker Andre Gaveau's dog Blanche-Neige © Fondation Long Thibaud Crespin

Once upon a tempo: a dip into the history of classical music competitions

By Laura Volpi, 08 November 2018
A peek into the past of many classical music competitions reveals that the strength of the human spirit is at the centre of it all.
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Aldo Ciccolini, 1949 Long Thibaud Crespin laureate with piano-maker Andre Gaveau's dog Blanche-Neige © Fondation Long Thibaud Crespin
08 Nov 2018
Once upon a tempo: the history of classical music competitions
By Laura Volpi
Leila Josefowicz © Chris Lee

Leila Josefowicz: musical explorer

By Laura Volpi, 17 October 2018
Virtuoso violinist and contemporary muse Leila Josefowicz talks about her efforts to add new pieces to the violin repertoire.
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Leila Josefowicz © Chris Lee
17 Oct 2018
Leila Josefowicz: musical explorer
By Laura Volpi