Inside the score
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Herbert von Karajan: Architect of sound and vision
Long before digital streaming and immersive concert films, Karajan saw the potential of technology to reshape the musical experience. More than just a conductor, he was a visionary who sculpted…
Reading time estimated : 11min read
Decoding the classical voice: A guide to vocal classifications
From Queen of the Night to Carmen and Calaf, each voice type has a story. Explore the system behind classical voice classifications and learn how range, timbre, and style define…
Reading time estimated : 11min read
How to stage a controversy: Carl Nielsen’s Aladdin
Carl Nielsen’s Aladdin score is astonishingly evocative and shamelessly theatrical. But it's not just the music that made a lot of noise at the 1919 premiere...
Reading time estimated : 6min read
Notes from History: The premiere of Berg’s incomplete Lulu
Berg’s Lulu is perhaps one of the most important works of the 20th century. The “exterminating angel” of Schoenberg’s protégé inhabits a morally decaying world, and one that was utterly repellent to…
Reading time estimated : 5min read
Listen Closer: Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 2
Before becoming a piano icon, Chopin composed his Piano Concerto No. 2—a work that reveals his emerging style. A perfect listening key to understand how Chopin balanced dazzling technique, lyrical…
Reading time estimated : 4min read
How can you turn as gruesome a tale as Hansel and Gretel into an opera?
How did Hansel and Gretel go from chilling folk tale to holiday classic and beloved opera? This enduring story owes as much to 19th-century German folklore as it does to…
Reading time estimated : 9min read
Notes from History: The opening of Carnegie Hall
On May 5, 1891, Carnegie Hall opened its doors for the first time, Tchaikovsky ushering in a thriving new age of live music and public events in New York City.
Reading time estimated : 4min read
News
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Alfred Brendel passed away, Maria João Pires steps back, the first-ever Neurorecital and more
June 16 - 23: This week in classical music
Reading time estimated : 5min read
Alfred Brendel, piano legend, has died
The Austrian pianist has passed away at the age of 94.
Reading time estimated : 1min read
Beyond the hall: Classical music under the stars
There’s something special about hearing music in the open air. James Jolly shares moments when landscape, atmosphere, and music combined (almost!) perfectly.
Reading time estimated : 7min read
Aristo Sham Wins Gold at the 2025 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition
Aristo Sham, Vitaly Starikov, and Evren Ozel: See who took home the medals and other special awards at this year's competition!
Reading time estimated : 2min read
A ballet legend leaves us, a mezzo wows 50,000 sports fans, and more
May 19 - May 25: This week in classical music
Reading time estimated : 4min read
What I’ve learned from a decade of music competitions
As the 2025 Cliburn Competition approaches its end, James Jolly looks back on a decade of covering major music competitions—where brilliance, pressure, and unexpected camaraderie meet on stage.
Reading time estimated : 4min read
A countertenor wins Eurovision, the surprising new music director of La Scala, the Bernstein family speak out, and more
May 12 - May 18: This week in classical music
Reading time estimated : 4min read
Higdon on “accessible music”, Kanneh-Mason on racism, the Opéra de Paris goes VR, and more
May 5 - May 11: This week in classical music
Reading time estimated : 4min read
The outrageous Barrie Kosky, a violin with an incredible origin story, and more
April 28 - May 4: This week in classical music
Reading time estimated : 5min read
Interviews
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Alondra de la Parra: “When I’m not conducting, I love silence.”
What does a conductor value most? Empathy, silence, and the thrill of bringing unexpected programs to life. We asked 5 questions to Alondra de la Parra, founder of the PAAX…
Reading time estimated : 3min read
“It all started with the Second Concerto”: Alexandre Kantorow on Brahms
Pianist Alexandre Kantorow opens up about his deep connection to Brahms — a composer who shaped his career and imagination. From childhood inspiration to high-level interpretations, he shares how Brahms…
Reading time estimated : 7min read
“Competitions weren’t for me” — Until they were: Paul Lewis at the Cliburn
British pianist Paul Lewis returns to the world of competitions as jury chair for the 2025 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition. He speaks with James Jolly about reforming the process,…
Reading time estimated : 7min read
Lucas Debargue: “Ravel speaks to the child in all of us”
Lucas Debargue’s interpretations are known for their emotional depth and intellectual rigor—and his affinity for literature and philosophy is never far from his music. In this conversation, we…
Reading time estimated : 5min read
Maxime Pascal on Pierre Boulez
To mark the centenary of Pierre Boulez’s birth, French conductor Maxime Pascal shares his memories of the legendary composer, conductor, and innovator. In this interview, Pascal reflects on Boulez’s lasting…
Reading time estimated : 9min read
Ravel 150
Inside the score
Ravel’s challenges and obsessions
Maurice Ravel was a composer who thrived on constraint. Far from hindering his creativity, self-imposed challenges became the fuel for his musical innovation. From the hypnotic rhythms of…
Reading time estimated : 9min read
Interviews
Lucas Debargue: “Ravel speaks to the child in all of us”
Lucas Debargue’s interpretations are known for their emotional depth and intellectual rigor—and his affinity for literature and philosophy is never far from his music. In this conversation, we…
Reading time estimated : 5min read
News
A life with Ravel
Some music leaves a permanent mark from the very first listen. For James Jolly, it was Ravel’s Shéhérazade.Introduced to the piece at 17, he was captivated by its intoxicating sensuality…
Reading time estimated : 4min read
News
Brand-new Ravel, fallout at the Kennedy Center, the joys of adult ballet learners and more
February 17-23: This week in classical music
Reading time estimated : 5min read
medici.tv picks
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Gothic Gounod: A Bloody Masterpiece
Gounod’s rarely heard La Nonne Sanglante comes alive in a visually striking, Gothic staging that channels classic horror and operatic passion.
Reading time estimated : 4min read
“He reveals the soul hidden within each note” – Igor Levit plays Mozart
Looking for a perfect introduction to Igor Levit? Théophile takes us on a personal journey of discovery, introducing Igor Levit’s breathtaking Mozart Piano Concerto No. 21.
Reading time estimated : 3min read
Maria João Pires’s timeless Schumann
In this 2014 performance, Maria João Pires joins the London Symphony Orchestra under John Eliot Gardiner for Schumann’s Piano Concerto in A minor, a work she interprets with clarity and…
Reading time estimated : 3min read
7 Must-See Performances by Martha Argerich
Martha Argerich has enjoyed a thrilling and accomplished career. Still performing well into her eighties, there is a wealth of performances by the Grande Dame of the piano…
Reading time estimated : 5min read
From Abbado to Barenboim: Iconic Beethoven Symphony Performances
What makes a Beethoven symphony recording legendary? This guide explores the most iconic interpretations that challenge, celebrate, and redefine how we hear Beethoven’s genius.
Reading time estimated : 5min read
Classical Music for Easter: Resurrection in Sound
Easter has long inspired some of the most profound and powerful music in the classical canon. From Handel to Mahler, explore five timeless works that reflect themes of resurrection, renewal,…
Reading time estimated : 6min read
The enchanting world of Michel Legrand’s music
Michel Legrand had a way of turning melodies into emotions. In this concert from Brussels, we hear the full scope of his romantic genius—from film scores to poetic ballads—each note…
Reading time estimated : 1min read
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