Friedrich Wieck – Clara Schumann’s much-maligned father – is one of the great villains of classical music history, infamous for how he tried to keep Clara and her future husband Robert Schumann apart. However, Wieck had a fascinating biography apart

The German-Japanese pianist Alice Sara Ott, born on 1 August 1988 in Munich, is celebrated for her profound musicianship and innovative approach to classical music. The daughter of a Japanese pianist mother and a German civil engineer father, Ott discovered

It all started with the double problem of what to do in the summer and how to get together with your friends. And, to compound it, you have to practice. Violinist Carl Vallin, now Artistic Director, and conductor and bassist

In the spring of 1846, dashing French author George Sand began writing a novel inspired by the breakdown of her romantic partnership with pianist and composer Frédéric Chopin. She titled it Lucrezia Floriani. Lucrezia Floriani tells the story of three

The Schubertiade Hohenems, specifically the one held in July 2025, was more than simply visiting a music festival; it felt like coming home. Tucked between the rolling hills of Vorarlberg and the shadow of the Alps, Hohenems hosted a celebration

In the hallowed halls of the Philharmonie de Paris, the Boulez Celebration of 6 January 2025 unfolded as a vibrant tribute to the centenary of Pierre Boulez’s birth. Under the masterful direction of Pierre Bleuse, the Ensemble Intercontemporain, an ensemble

Every person with mental illness experiences it in different ways, with different symptoms of different severities. This deeply personal and subjective experience means that mental illness is famously difficult to diagnose, even with our comparatively advanced medical knowledge. If it’s

Pop star Chappell Roan has adopted a slogan for herself that has become famous: “I’m your favourite artist’s favourite artist!” Who’s the equivalent in the classical music world? Have you ever wondered who your favourite composer’s favourite composer was? Sometimes