The secret life of an orchestra librarian

Alastair Simpson in the BSO library

Alastair in the BSO library

Score of Elgar's Pomp and Circumstance glued together with war bomb stamps

Kate Risdon reading Braille

Score of Elgar's Carissimia with the composer's signature

By Elisabeth Schwarz, 12 July 2019

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“This one is stuck together with World War 1 bomb stamps from 1915”

Bachtrack, 1st May

The BBC’s prestigious young artist development scheme, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, welcomes six new entrants for 2025–27.

Unique and overwhelming: Kirill Karabits on Terterian’s Symphony no. 3

Bachtrack, 10th April

Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra’s chief conductor talks about a remarkable symphony by Armenian composer Avet Terterian: “one of the most amazing pieces of music that one could experience in the concert hall.”

Diversity and recovery: Early music in Croatia

Lawrence Dunn, 13th May

A group of younger Croatian musicians, including new ensemble Gli Schiavoni, are determined to recover the historical music of Croatia, despite a devastating series of earthquakes and armed conflicts.

Kith and kin: Brett Dean and family prepare Of One Blood

Lawrence Dunn, 1st May

Brett Dean, Heather Betts and Lotte Betts-Dean sit down to discuss their work on Of One Blood, a new opera dramatising the lives of Elizabeth I and Mary, Queen of Scots – affairs of the family all round.

Attuned to the times: Anastasia Kobekina in Prague

Charlotte Gardner, 30th April

Ahead of a return to Prague to perform with the Czech Philharmonic, Anastasia Kobekina talks about Bryce Dessner’s new cello concerto, Trembling Earth, her love for Dvořák, and exploring new instruments.

Rambert School, Juilliard School, McGregor: triple threat!

Deborah Weiss, 29th April

Amanda Britton, Artistic Director of Rambert School, talks about an exchange and collaboration between the Rambert School and Juilliard to create a new work by Wayne McGregor, a unique project.

Elisabeth Schwarz

Elisabeth is Bachtrack’s German Editor and Press Manager. After more than five years in London, she is now back in Vienna, spending more time at the opera and in cafés than her own living room. She also organises music projects for people who have experienced homelessness and works as a freelance translator and copywriter for classical music PRs.

Behind the Scenes: the secret life of an orchestra librarian