Find articles

Estonian violinist Hans Christian Aavik wants to connect not only with the music but also with fellow musicians, to get inspired and explore the world behind every piece.

In this second part of our interview, Káel discusses opera and film direction and his plans for the Hungarian film industry.

Talented Estonian cellist Marcel Johannes Kits might be modest when talking about his accomplishments, but the world is rapidly taking notice.

2021 isn't starting on a high note. Just over year after the appearance of Covid-19, the French cultural sector is still suffering from vagaries and absurdities at the highest level.

Many arts leaders have shared their thoughts with us over this pandemic year. Here are some reflections on what's happened and what's coming up.

We speak to the CEO of Budapest's premier arts centre: a film and opera director whose past includes spells as a painter and structural engineer. 

We spoke to the director of a magical short film who sees a girl meeting a very special piano.

Estonian composer Marianna Liik successfully balances the two sides of the equation, treating electronic and acoustic instruments as equals. 

The Swedish conductor reflects on his long career, from young rebel to grand master and on his child-like curiosity. 

As happens every year as Christmas approaches, seasonal playlists have taken over streaming platforms. But they seldom highlight women composers, in spite of their significant contribution to this repertoire...

Keep checking here to find out what news is reaching us about classical music events around the world.

The Belgian choreographer explains how she moved from her initial scepticism about choreographing via Zoom to exploring the possibilities and creating 14 works. 

Talented and tenacious, soprano Mirjam Mesak has been making her mark in Munich, where she went through opera boot camp. Now she’s ready to take on the rest of the world.  

We spoke to the Choral Director of the Philadelphia Boys Choir about his work with children and how music helps them cope with the challenges of the world today. 

As a streaming platform, how do you stand out in such a competitive market? What do you offer audiences beyond pointing cameras and microphones at musicians in an empty room? 

We spoke to Jasper Parrott about Virtual Circle, a new, interactive classical music digital platform run by a team of major music managers that aims to support performers both artistically and financially.

Covent Garden's Director of Opera talks about directing opera, moving from a start-up to a behemoth and how The Royal Opera hopes to exit from the pandemic.

The Chief Conductor Designate of the Musikkollegium Winterthur on reading an orchestra, Rothko and playing the long game.

We spoke to Toms Ostrovskis, Director of the Riga Jurmala Festival Academy, about this exciting and stimulating enterprise as well as his plans for next year.

At only 13 years old, violinist Chloe Chua is about to perform with the Singapore Symphony Orchestra and Hans Graf: we took a little video journey into her short yet impressive music career to date. 

Every month, young violinist Pierre Liscia takes us behind the curtain of classical music. Today, our columnist invites us across the Rhine to follow his German travels and tribulations.

Pianist Tiffany Poon is one of those rare phenomena that come along once in every generation to upend our preconceptions. With over 270,000 subscribers on her YouTube channel, she is the most watched young pianist of her generation.

The Artistic Director of London's multi-genre hall gives us insights into how she builds a programme, about keeping concerts going during the pandemic and hopes for next year's London Unwrapped.

In the midst of frequent changes to a highly ambitious 2020-21 programme, Hungarian State Opera's general director tells us his aims and how they are providing a continuing service.

Artistic Director Martin T:son Engstroem and CEO Zane Čulkstēna tell us how the festival has overcome the disappointment of cancelling its second edition to come back stronger in 2021.

Since the end of the 19th century, a whole raft of schools and companies were founded by women, resulting in a large number of seminal works in dance history.

Spain has restarted and mantained musical activity with no interruptions from June. We've talked to orchestras' and theatres' managers to find out how this has been possible.

Today marks the 80th anniversary of the US release of Disney's Fantasia. To celebrate, we pick some favourites amongst the many animated features that have used classical music over the years. 

Four weekends, four of the world’s greatest orchestras: the Riga Jurmala Festival unveils its 2021 edition.

Lockdown, anti-infection measures, curfew, second lockdown. One trial follows another for a live performance world which, in spite of it all, holds its head high and produces repeated miracles.

The new chief conductor of the SSO talks about the amended schedules at the start of his tenure and the practicalities of performing for digital streams. 

This month, we look at how live performance is faring outside Europe. The situations in Asia and the Americas could not be more different.

Every month, young violinist Pierre Liscia takes us behind the curtain of classical music. Today, our fearless reporter takes us into the corridors of the French National Conservatoires in the time of Coronavirus...

The new Chief Conductor of the Oslo Philharmonic reflects on the conductor’s toolbox, programme building and his first season in Oslo.

From renaissance polyphony to contemporary and jazz by way of quartets, Lieder, Arab and Persian music and many other genres, Berlin's beautiful chamber hall seeks to expand your musical frontiers.

The American soprano reflects on career steps at The Royal Opera and Deutsche Oper Berlin and considers the vital role of streaming and connecting with audiences in the current climate.

How do young opera professionals progress in their careers when Covid-19 is cramping so many opportunities? British Youth Opera has some answers.

Cancellations, programme changes, safety measures on and off the stage: we give a snapshot of how musical Europe is living with the coronavirus.

Every month, young violinist Pierre Liscia takes us behind the curtain of classical music. Today: the trials and tribulations of recording in the home studio...

In Germany, orchestras and theatres start their new seasons, with unique challenges for audiences and musicians.

As Covid-19 forces the traditional US music summer camps to go digital, students and teachers tell us about the experience.

Lugano will be hosting the first major post-Covid concert with a full audience. Artistic Director Etienne Reymond tells us about the concert environment in Switzerland.

With an efficient safety concept the Salzburg Festival was able to take place this summer – in a significantly slimmed-down version, and against all odds.

Jenny Camilleri reports from Amsterdam on the response to the pandemic in the Netherlands, where the 1.5 metre rule is sacred.

A personal reflection on the world of streaming through lockdown... and how the attitude to free content needs to change. 

One of the most influential figures in chamber music talks about Wigmore Hall's efforts to survive the pandemic and the post-pandemic future.

As the curtain is raised again on live performances in parts of the world, the American soprano reveals what it's like to sing in a "new normal" staging at Madrid's Teatro Real. 

With smaller instrumental and vocal events tentatively creeping back into the sunshine, we speak to the PERFORM study principal to look at what happens next to the science of enabling a broader return to performance.

The first of a new monthly series on Bachtrack: young violinist Pierre Liscia takes us behind the curtain of classical music. This month, we're putting the spotlight on summer academies.

As our government endeavours to help the arts recover from COVID-19, what should our priorities be? We argue for a rebalancing of the objectives aimed at spreading the arts more widely.