Michael Collins on a passion for the clarinet

By Mark Pullinger, 15 May 2018

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“It’s like a fine wine, the longer it hangs around, the longer it has to breathe”

Mark Pullinger, 27th January

How to select a top ten from over 600 works by one of the world's greatest composers? An impossible task...

Cultural activism: Leticia Moreno in Singapore

Frank Kuznik, 14th April

The Spanish violinist makes her Sinagpore debut in May performing Szymanowski. She talks about taking repertoire to new places, and being an advocate for unusual Spanish music.

From Salzburg, with love: Hans Graf bids farewell to Singapore

Peter Quantrill, 7th April

The Austrian conductor reflects on his seven year tenure with the Singapore Symphony Orchestra, work and life, returning to old scores, and why a musical ensemble is like a giant human body.

Elim Chan: from Sorcerer’s Apprentice to Proms Queen

Mark Pullinger, 7th April

The Hong Kong-born conductor talks about her entry into music, her love of big Russian repertoire, her “Cinderella moment” winning the Donatella Flick Conducting Competition and her ambition to “go against the grind”.

Training opera’s next generation at the RCM

Jessica Duchen, 6th April

The Royal College of Music offers an enviable nurturing ground for the next generation of operatic talent. Audrey Hyland, head of the Vocal and Opera faculty, talks about what makes the department special.

Once upon a time in Tarragona: Tomàs Grau on making an orchestra

Elena Luporini, 2nd April

As the Franz Schubert Filharmonia celebrates its 20th anniversary, conductor Tomàs Grau tells the story of the ensemble, reflects on the importance of local music institutions, and gives a glimpse of the road ahead.

Mark Pullinger

Mark has been a Bachtrack editor since 2014. He is also an experienced critic, writing hundreds of reviews for the site, as well as a freelancer writing for other magazines and newspapers. He also writes programme notes and blogs on Substack. Mark has a particular passion for the operas of Verdi as well as Russian and French repertoire. Outside the concert hall and opera house, Mark enjoys cooking and travel and is probably at his happiest let loose in a French patisserie or a Viennese coffee house.

Mozart, Finzi and fine wine: Michael Collins on a passion for the clarinet