PODCAST · society
Talking Classical Podcast
by Annabelle Lee
Talking about the lives, experiences and stories of people in classical music and more. This is where you can find out what it’s like being a professional musician or you're intrigued to find out more about the art form of classical music. From leading performers to those working behind the scenes, each podcast features a guest (or two!) who share their perspectives of classical music.- Top 30 Classical Music Podcasts / Top 15 Best UK Classical Music Podcasts (FeedSpot, 2025)- Brought to you by Podcastle.ai - get your subscription here: bit.ly/TCPodcastle.
Episodes
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Ep. 81: Camilla Kerslake
Camilla is a BRIT nominated English opera singer, who was the first signing to Gary Barlow’s Universal label, Future Records. She’s performed in arenas and stadiums all over the world, and recently made the transition from having a hugely successful career as a classical crossover artist to opera...
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Ep. 80: Seb Philpott
Seb Philpott is a multi-faceted freelance trumpeter who has played in a variety of ensembles such as orchestras, period instrument groups, jazz bands and West End pit bands. Seb is also a presenter of the hugely popular Three in a Bar podcast, which features interviews with a wide range of people...
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Ep. 79: Iestyn Davies
I'm so pleased to share a conversation I recorded back in September with Iestyn Davies. Iestyn is one of the world's most sought after countertenors. A noted interpreter of Handel, his repertoire also extends beyond the traditional confines of the Baroque repertoire, having recently released a…
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Ep.78: Matthew Barley
Last month, I was delighted to speak to cellist and composer Matthew Barley. His latest album, Light Stories is a deeply personal exploration of his own journey from darkness to light. Having experienced, a psychotic drug incident as a teenager. Matthew found solace in his cello playing and...
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Ep.77: Adam Cooper
On this podcast, sometimes I like to venture outside of the traditional confines of the classical music world and speak to people who have a relationship with classical music but work in different art forms. My guest on this episode is just that. Adam Cooper is a dancer, choreographer, director…
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Ep.76: Verity Simmons
On the last episode, I spoke to cellist Gabriella Swallow. This guest describes her as her "mysterious benefactor!" Like Gabriella, Verity Simmons is one of the most in-demand and versatile cellists within the music industry. She has a wide range of work from chamber music, West End shows, and...
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Ep. 75: Gabriella Swallow
Gabriella Swallow is one of the most in-demand and versatile cellists in the music industry. She plays everything from traditional classical repertoire to contemporary music, and playing with pop artists. She’s about to finish playing in the band for the acclaimed West End show Standing at the...
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Ep.74: Camilla Harris
Camilla Harris is a British soprano, fast establishing herself in the opera world. Camilla and I were at university together, so it was lovely to meet her in March at her house in London and talk to her after a long time. Among the topics we talked about included: Camilla’s journey into music…
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Ep.73: Ed Lyon
Ed Lyon is an internationally recognised tenor who enjoys a career in a wide range of repertoire from the Baroque to contemporary music, and performs in many of the major opera houses and concert platforms around the world. He is also a therapist, who specialises in helping people in the…
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Ep.72: Emily Pailthorpe
Emily Pailthorpe is an internationally renowned oboist who also practises as a psychotherapist, seeing clients for the NHS and at The Door clinic in Chiswick, as well as online in private practice. I spoke to Emily in June when we talked about her versatile work in oboe playing and psychotherapy,...
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Ep.71: Hattie Butterworth and Rebecca Toal (Things Musicians Don't Talk About podcast)
Hattie Butterworth and Rebecca Toal are professionally trained classical musicians, Initially training as a cellist, Hattie is currently the editor of the Opera Now magazine and Rebecca is a freelance trumpeter who is training to be a counsellor. They also host a successful podcast called Things...
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Ep.70: Brandon Lawrence
Brandon Lawrence is a Principal Dancer of the Birmingham Royal Ballet company but will be leaving at the end of the 22/23 season to join Ballett Zürich, the ballet company of Opernhaus Zürich. In this wide-ranging discussion, Brandon and I discuss his love of classical music, specific aspects...
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Ep.69: Anthony Roth Costanzo
Anthony Roth Costanzo is one of the world's most in demand countertenors who has recently completed a run of Philip Glass' opera Akhnaten at English National Opera, performing the title role of the legendary Egyptian king. In this short interview (Anthony was very kindly taking some time out from...
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Ep.68 - Guy Johnston
I'm delighted to be welcoming on this podcast Guy Johnston. Guy is one of Britain's leading cellists who was the winner of the BBC's Young Musician of the Year back in 2000 which set him on a glittering international career as a soloist, chamber musician, orchestral player and teacher. This…
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Ep.67: Emily Beynon
I'm pleased to present this discussion with Emily Beynon, one of the Principal Flautists with the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra in Amsterdam. I had the pleasure of seeing the orchestra at one of their concerts during their London residency at the Barbican Centre. Thank you to the Barbican…
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Ep.66: Claire Wickes
I'm pleased to share this conversation with Claire Wickes, Principal Flautist of the Orchestra of English National Opera. Alongside her work as a flute player, she has recently developed a career as a media composer. I met Claire in October at the Royal Opera House a few hours before she had a...
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Ep. 65: Davina Clarke
Davina Clarke is a violinist based in London who specialises in historically informed performance and Baroque music. She also hosts her own podcast called The Classical Corner where she has had the opportunity to speak to a number of distinguished artists about what makes them the top of their...
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Ep.64: Ralph Allwood
Last week, I was so pleased to meet Ralph Allwood for a podcast interview. Having played under him in a concert with the Old Royal Naval College Trinity Laban Chapel Choir a few years ago, and having interviewed for this podcast several distinguished alumni he has taught, it was wonderful to talk...
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Ep. 63: Daniel Pailthorpe
I'm pleased to share this podcast with Daniel Pailthorpe, Co-Principal Flautist with the BBC Symphony Orchestra. We had a fascinating discussion about his musical journey growing up, parallels between flute playing and singing, solo performances, what it's like playing for one of the top symphony...
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Ep.62: Meghan Picerno
I am delighted to be back after a break from the podcast, and to share this discussion with coloratura soprano and Broadway soprano actor Meghan Picerno. Meghan is a wonderful and unique artist who has not only great success in and understanding of the operatic world and repertoire but more...
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Ep. 61: Andy Higgs
In this episode, I am pleased to share a discussion recorded earlier this year with Andy Higgs. Andy is a composer and piano accompanist specialising in writing and playing music for dance. Kasper Cornish (a previous guest on the podcast) recommended I talked to Andy as they both work together...
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Ep. 60: Nina Brazier
Last month, I talked to Nina Brazier, an opera director who is currently on the staff at Oper Frankfurt. We discussed Nina's journey to becoming an opera director, the differences between the opera world (and approaches to opera directing) in Germany compared to the UK, her approach to directing,...
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Ep. 59: Stephen Maddock
Last month, I recorded a podcast interview with Chief Executive of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra Stephen Maddock. In this discussion, we talked about how Stephen got into the world of arts management and what led him to the esteemed post he's in today. We also discuss what makes the...
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Ep.58: Gerald Finley
Happy New Year! I'm so excited to start 2022 with a great discussion with Gerald Finley, one of the world's leading opera and concert singers. I was pleased to talk to him amidst his very busy schedule. We talked last year, a few months ahead of a US recital tour he's embarking on next week with...
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Ep. 57: Andrew Nethsingha
In this podcast, we'll be hearing from Andrew Nethsingha, Director of Music for the world-renowned Choir of St. John's College at the University of Cambridge. We talk about the Choir's latest album The Tree, a selection of recordings representing the idea of growth and showcasing the Choir under...
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Ep. 56: Zvonimir Hačko
In this episode, we'll be hearing from Zvonimir Hačko, conductor and Artistic Director of the newly initiated International Centre for Contemporary Music (ICCM). We'll learn more about the ICCM and what the future and development of contemporary music might look like over the next few years. One…
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Ep. 55: Kirill Gerstein
In this podcast, we're hearing from Kirill Gerstein and learning about his fascinating webinar series "Kirill Gerstein invites." Over the past two years, Kirill has been hosting these webinars, alongside his rich and diverse career as an international concert pianist. Kirill Gerstein invites is...
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Ep. 54: Julia Bishop
In this podcast, I talked to Julia Bishop, leading violinist specialising in Baroque and historical performance practice. You may also best know her as the co-founder of the pioneering Baroque quartet Red Priest. In this wide-ranging discussion, we talked about Julia's journey into Baroque music,...
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Ep. 53: James Pearson
Last week, I got to go to the iconic Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club during a brief visit to London. I met the club's Artistic Director James Pearson who is both equally at home in jazz and classical music. We talked about the similarities and the differences between both genres, playing styles,...
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Ep. 52: Exploring music technology - interview with PlayScore 2 creator Anthony Wilkes
In this podcast, we're hearing from musician and creator of PlayScore 2 Anthony Wilkes. PlayScore 2 is a music scanning app from Organum Ltd. Anthony talks about how he came to develop the app and its exciting features that make it essential for any musician. We also learn about the technology...
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Ep. 51: University of Birmingham MA Music (Choral Conducting) - interview with students and course director Simon Halsey
Last week, I went to the University of Birmingham (UK) to learn about its MA Music: Choral Conducting pathway, celebrating its tenth anniversary this year. In the first part of this podcast, we'll hear from the course's director Simon Halsey. He talks about how the course was developed from his...
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Ep. 50: Tim Rhys-Evans
In this podcast, we hear from Tim Rhys-Evans who is Director of Music at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. I talked to him about how the past two years have been in the role (in light of the current COVID-19 pandemic), what his post entails as well as many of the College's exciting and...
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Ep. 49: David Taylor
Today, we’re talking to arts entrepreneur and marketing consultant David Taylor. He works with a range of orchestras, arts organisations and individuals on developing their business and marketing strategy, with particular reference to digital media. In this podcast interview, we consider the...
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Ep 27 - Alternative Classical's Concert Roulette and Chris Warner
*All Talking Classical podcasts on SoundCloud have been redirected to Anchor.* In this podcast, I'm showcasing Alternative Classical's new concert video jukebox Concert Roulette and Chris Warner's new album Wonders of the Cosmos. Concert Roulette Concert Roulette is a new video jukebox created by...
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Guest Series by Chris Warner - Music Education in the UK - Episode 4
In this series of 4 episodes delving into the world of music education and outreach in the UK, we'll be talking to inspirational musicians and facilitators working in some of the UK's leading organisations, ensembles and charities. How well supported is the music education sector? What is the...
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Guest Series by Chris Warner - Music Education in the UK - Episode 3
In this series of 4 episodes delving into the world of music education and outreach in the UK, we’ll be talking to inspirational musicians and facilitators working in some of the UK’s leading organisations, ensembles and charities. How well supported is the music education sector? What is the...
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Guest Series by Chris Warner - Music Education in the UK - Episode 2
In this series of 4 episodes delving into the world of music education and outreach in the UK, we'll be talking to inspirational musicians and facilitators working in some of the UK's leading organisations, ensembles and charities. How well supported is the music education sector? What is the...
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Guest Series by Chris Warner - Music Education in the UK - Episode 1
In this series of 4 episodes delving into the world of music education and outreach in the UK, we'll be talking to inspirational musicians and facilitators working in some of the UK's leading organisations, ensembles and charities. How well supported is the music education sector? What is the...
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Ep.48 - Hannah Fiddy
*All Talking Classical podcasts formerly on SoundCloud have been redirected to Anchor.* In this podcast, I’m talking to Hannah Fiddy, who is the co-founder of Alternative Classical, an initiative that aims to present classical music in a variety of different ways, from pop-up performances to new...
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Ep. 47: Kate Royal
*All Talking Classical podcasts formerly on SoundCloud redirected to Anchor.* Welcome to the first Talking Classical Podcast of 2021! Kate Royal is one of the world's leading sopranos. In this podcast, we talk about her journey into music and classical singing, and what it was like training at…
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Ep. 46: Sandra Mogensen
*All Talking Classical podcasts formerly on SoundCloud redirected to Anchor.* In this podcast, we'll be hearing from Canadian pianist Sandra Mogensen. To commemorate the bicentenary of Clara Schumann's birth, Sandra released an album in December 2019 entitled En Pleine Lumière (In Full Light), a...
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Ep. 45: Dr Nico de Villiers
*All Talking Classical podcasts formerly on SoundCloud redirected to Anchor.* In this podcast, I'm delighted to be talking to Dr Nico de Villiers. Nico is a pianist, vocal coach and researcher, and launched an invaluable musicians' career development podcast during the lockdown earlier this year,...
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Ep. 44: Zenaida Yanowsky
*All Talking Classical podcasts formerly on SoundCloud redirected to Anchor.* Welcome back to another episode of the Talking Classical Podcast! We're slightly moving away from the classical music world and exploring the wonderful world of dance and ballet, as in today's podcast, we'll be "zooming...
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Ep. 43: Hershey Felder
*All Talking Classical podcasts formerly on SoundCloud redirected to Anchor.* Hershey has been renowned all over the world for his unique one-man shows, in which he portrays a range of iconic composers including Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, Gershwin, Irving Berlin and Rachmaninoff. He both acts and...
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Ep. 42: Charles Hazlewood
*All Talking Classical podcasts formerly from SoundCloud redirected to Anchor.* This week is Anti-Bullying Week. It’s a week that aims to raise awareness of bullying among children and young people and to emphasise ways we can tackle it and respond to it positively. Over the last few years on...
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Ep. 41: Daniel Johnson
*All Talking Classical podcasts formerly on SoundCloud redirected to Anchor.* I'm pleased to introduce British pianist and composer Daniel Johnson, whose debut album "Faith" is released on Friday 6th November. Daniel enjoys a career as a concert pianist, performing on cruise ships and as the...
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Ep. 40: Dr Maiko Kawabata
*All Talking Classical podcasts formerly on SoundCloud redirected to Anchor.* In this podcast, I'll be talking to Dr Maiko Kawabata, Lecturer at the world-famous Royal College of Music. This podcast discussion was recorded earlier this month, in the wake of the tragic events surrounding the...
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Ep. 39: Thomas Kemp, Artistic Director of the At Home with Music@Malling Festival
*All Talking Classical podcasts formerly on SoundCloud redirected to Anchor.* An interview with Thomas Kemp, Artistic Director of the At Home with Music@Malling Festival 2020. Book your tickets for this festival here! https://musicatmalling.com Music used in this podcast: Music by…
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Ep. 38: John Gilhooly
*All Talking Classical podcasts formerly on SoundCloud redirected to Anchor.* This episode of Talking Classical is presented in collaboration with Wigmore Hall. Nestled in the heart of London, just off Oxford Street, Wigmore Hall has established itself as the world’s leading chamber music venue....
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Ep. 37: Francesco Fusaro and Sebastiano De Gennaro from 19'40"
*All Talking Classical podcasts formerly on SoundCloud redirected to Anchor.* Subscription-based, boutique Italian recording series 19'40" release their latest album, "At The Gates Of The Twilight Zone," on 12 August 2020. This release is a live recording from the ContempoRarities Festival in...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Talking about the lives, experiences and stories of people in classical music and more. This is where you can find out what it’s like being a professional musician or you're intrigued to find out more about the art form of classical music. From leading performers to those working behind the scenes, each podcast features a guest (or two!) who share their perspectives of classical music.- Top 30 Classical Music Podcasts / Top 15 Best UK Classical Music Podcasts (FeedSpot, 2025)- Brought to you by Podcastle.ai - get your subscription here: bit.ly/TCPodcastle.
HOSTED BY
Annabelle Lee
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Talking Classical Podcast have?
Talking Classical Podcast currently has 90 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Talking Classical Podcast about?
Talking about the lives, experiences and stories of people in classical music and more. This is where you can find out what it’s like being a professional musician or you're intrigued to find out more about the art form of classical music. From leading performers to those working behind the scenes,...
How often does Talking Classical Podcast release new episodes?
Talking Classical Podcast has 90 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Talking Classical Podcast?
You can listen to Talking Classical Podcast on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Talking Classical Podcast?
Talking Classical Podcast is created and hosted by Annabelle Lee.
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