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Apr 26, 2019

Celebrating Chaplin

The great film maker's under-appreciated musical talents are the focus of this year's 130th anniversary celebrations I'm chuffed that I...

Sep 12, 2018

Primary benefits

A school in one of England’s most deprived boroughs offers proof that putting music at the heart of education offers positive outcomes...

Sep 1, 2018

Inspired by Szigeti

Research on Joseph Szigeti for BBC Radio 3’s Record Review took me back to some old interviews I did when I was at The Strad, where he...

Sep 1, 2018

Getting to know Szigeti

I had the very great pleasure of being on Radio 3’s Record Review this morning with Andrew McGregor (thankfully pre-recorded, as I hadn’t...

Aug 22, 2018

Mission possible

A summer festival in Silicon Valley initiates young players into the joys and challenges of chamber music and then sends them out into...

May 2, 2018

How to write a great press release

Musicians can generate their own publicity without spending a penny, by sending out their own press releases. Here are some of the things...

Mar 28, 2018

Getting my fix at half past six

The London Symphony Orchestra’s early evening concert format is a welcome development in the city’s entertainment landscape, for music...

Mar 22, 2018

17 reasons to love amateur musicians

Amateur musicians are a vital part of the classical music world, but don’t always get the recognition or opportunities they deserve or...

Feb 9, 2018

Can string quartets save the world?

The recent Amsterdam String Quartet Biennale explored various aspects of the string quartet format, including the many life lessons it...

Jan 15, 2018

Good content is forever

The internet offers musicians fantastic opportunities to build their reputations and legacies, as well as selling their music. They...

Jan 3, 2018

Pictures, please!

Wigmore Hall’s new photography policy offers a sensible way forward in today’s visual culture and more venues should follow suit There...

Nov 15, 2016

The win–win of music education

Why is music education and pedagogy not taken more seriously in the music world?

Sep 5, 2016

Birth of a salesman

Car boot sales offer a brilliant lesson in salesmanship, and for this rookie also raised questions about buying and selling violins I’m...

Aug 26, 2016

Review of Alexey Stadler Prom

Alexey Stadler‘s unexpected Proms debut last night was such stuff as careers are made on Performing at the Proms on a day’s notice is the...

Aug 17, 2016

11 important musical insights

I’ve interviewed many wonderful musicians over the year, have learnt much and had my thinking challenged many times. Here are just a few...

May 17, 2016

Review of Beethoven for a Later Age

I have a theory that musicians write in exactly the same style that they play their instruments. I’m pleased to see it proven, somewhat...

Apr 30, 2016

Bye Bye, Bellowhead

The ground-breaking English folk band has broken up after 12 years, leaving this fangirl sad – but grateful I’m not a mosher. I don’t...

Apr 5, 2016

20 great violinists

Who are my favourite violinists? A list of 20, which I made for Sinfini Music in 2014, still largely stands, but is sure to provoke a...

Mar 15, 2016

When classical music marketing copy goes wrong

The current Southbank Centre slogan offers a lesson in how not to talk to about classical music There are a few obvious rules in...

Jan 28, 2016

A musical tonic for the soul

A trip to the Musical Instrument Museum in Arizona offered profound and uplifting insights into the human condition, and interesting...