Gramophone Classical Music Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Jordi Savall on Bach's St John Passion Apr 10, 2026

Show notes

In this week's episode of the Gramophone Podcast, Editor Martin Cullingford is joined by one of the most acclaimed figures of today's musical world, Jordi Savall, to talk about his new recording of Bach's St John Passion, recorded with La Capella Reial de Catalunya and Le Concert Des Nations, and released on the Alia Vox label.

Today's podcast is sponsored by Kirker Holidays, creators of short breaks and tailor-made holidays for curious, discerning travellers to cultural destinations throughout Europe and beyond. For more information or to speak to one of Kirker's expert human beings, call 020 7593 2283 or visit kirkerholidays.com. And Gramophone readers who book a Kirker holiday will receive a bottle of Pol Roger champagne with which to celebrate – make sure to mention Gramophone at the time of booking.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Soprano Elsa Dreisig on her opera and song recital 'Invocation' Apr 03, 2026

Show notes

The soprano, Elsa Dreisig, has just released a new Erato album, 'Invocation'. Joined by the Orchestra e Coro dell'Opera Carlo Felice Genova conducted by Massimo Zanetti, it gathers together arias by Dvořák, Janáček, Puccini, Verdi, Gounod, Wagner, Rossini, Flotow, Peter Heise, and Carolina Uccelli, as well as songs by Grieg, Amy Beach and Bizet, all with a unifying theme.

James Jolly talked to Elsa Dreisig in Naples, where she was in rehearsals for Puccini's La bohème in which she was singing the role of Mimì.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Peter Whelan on Handel's Messiah Mar 24, 2026

Show notes

Editor Martin Cullingford is joined by Peter Whelan, the Artistic Director of the Irish Baroque Orchestra, to talk about his new recording on the Linn label of one of the great masterpieces of all choral music - Handel's Messiah. The world-famous oratorio was premiered in Dublin, where the ensemble is based, and so on this wonderful recording they've set out to recreate the atmosphere and experience of that very first occasion. Listen now to find out more about the story behind – and about Peter Whelan's lifelong relationship to – this remarkable work.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nico Muhly and Peter Phillips on their new album 'No Resting Place' Mar 20, 2026

Show notes

For this week's episode, the composer Nico Muhly and the founder of the Tallis Scholars Peter Phillips join the Gramophone Podcast to talk to Editor Martin Cullingford about their beautiful new release 'No Resting Place', released on Linn Records and an Editor's Choice in the April edition of Gramophone. Reflecting on more than a decade of collaboration, they talk about how they developed a remarkable understanding of each other's creativity, and also recount the story behind the album's powerful works.

This podcast is in association with REMA/Early Music Day

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sir Mark Elder and Huw Watkins on their new Hallé recording Mar 13, 2026

Show notes

In this week's edition of the Gramophone Podcast Editor Martin Cullingford was joined by conductor Sir Mark Elder and composer Huw Watkins to talk about the Hallé's new recording of Watkins's orchestral music, featuring his Symphony No 2, Concerto for Orchestra and Fanfare, all written specially for the Manchester ensemble.

This podcast is in association with REMA/Early Music Day

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Elektra: Edward Gardner on Strauss's opera Mar 05, 2026

Show notes

For this episode, we're joined by conductor Edward Gardner, who talks to Gramophone Editor Martin Cullingford about his new recording of Richard Strauss's opera Elektra, which is newly released on the Chandos label. Recorded by the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra and Choir, and with an impressive cast led by Iréne Theorin in the title role, Gardner talks us through what it takes to bring this extraordinarily dramatic work to the stage - and to life.

This podcast is in association with REMA/Early Music Day

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pianist Alexander Malofeev on his debut solo album, 'Forgotten Melodies' Feb 26, 2026

Show notes

The young Russian pianist Alexander Malofeev has just released his first album for Sony Classical. 'Forgotten Melodies' takes its name from the work by Nikolai Medtner which appears on the recording, alongside pieces by Glinka, Rachmaninov and Glazunov. The theme that links all four composers is that they were all born in Russia, but died far from their country of birth. As well as Medtner's substantial work, Malofeev also plays Rachmaninov's Second Piano Sonata in its 1931 revised version.

James Jolly caught up with Alexander Malofeev in Paris when the pianist was there as part of short European solo tour to talk about the new album, his repertoire and jumping in to replace Martha Argerich on a tour with the Rotterdam Philharmonic.

This podcast is in association with REMA/Early Music Day

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Martin James Bartlett on his new album of Bach, Mozart and Britten Feb 19, 2026

Show notes

In this week's episode of the Gramophone Podcast, editor Martin Cullingford is joined by pianist Martin James Bartlett to discuss his new recording of the music of Bach, Britten and Mozart, available on the Warner Classics label from February the 27th. Bartlett reflects on the artistic ideas that shaped this programming.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pianist Imogen Cooper looks back on her recording career Feb 13, 2026

Show notes

The celebrated pianist Dame Imogen Cooper recently announced that the coming year will be her last of public performances. To mark the occasion - and the release of her new album of late Beethoven sonatas on the Chandos label - Editor Martin Cullingford welcomed her on to the Gramophone Podcast, and invited her to select a number of her recordings that have meant the most to her.

This podcast is in association with REMA/Early Music Day

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joyce DiDonato and Time for Three on Emily: No Prisoner Be Feb 06, 2026

Show notes

Kevin Puts' newest song cycle sets Emily Dickinson's poetry for mezzo and three instrumentalists. Hattie Butterworth speaks to Joyce DiDonato and ensemble Time for Three about this unique collaboration and recording, 'Emily: No Prisoner Be'

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Gramophone Classical Music Podcast

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected