The Classical:NEXT Podcast

In this episode, David talks with award-winning contemporary composer, pianist, musical director and educator David Önaç . This conversation is ahead of the world premier of his Atlantic Requiem with the London Symphony Orchestra, BBC Singers, and Hollywood conductor Anthony Parnther, which memoralizes the lost lives of the transatlantic slave trade. David both composed the music and wrote the lib...

In this episode, David talks with pianist, composer, and technologist Zubin Kanga. Zubin is at the forefront of music technology. Since 2021, he has been the Director and Research Lead of Cyborg Soloists, a 7-year music-technology research project supported by a UK Research and Innovation Future Leaders Fellowship and based at Royal Holloway, University of London, where he is Associate Professor i...

In this episode, David talks with Martin Cullingford, Editor and Publisher of Gramophone Magazine. Martin holds a unique place in the industry. In his role, he listens to countless recordings each year, giving him a special perspective on the recording landscape of the classical music industry and its trends. But as someone who runs what was a print only publication, he has been one of the first t...

In this episode, David talks with Leah Broad , a multi-award-winning writer, historian, and public speaker whose work focuses on twentieth-century cultural history, especially women in the arts. Leah is at the forefront of highlighting forgotten composers and discussing the barriers around programming their works. But it is her solution-focused approach to doing so that really stands out. In this...

In this episode, David talks with American Saxophonist Lucas Incle and South Korean composer Shin Kim. Both Lucas and Shin attended Classical Next 2026 in Budapest, Lucas as part of the Classical Next fellowship program, and Shin as a showcase artist. After meeting there, they both began working on a collaboration to create new music, and we thought this would be the perfect thing to explore to se...

In this episode, David talks with Caroline Whiddon , the Executive Director and Co-Founder of Me2, a classical music organization created for individuals with mental illnesses and the people who support them. The organization started in Vermont, USA in 2011 and has grown to include orchestras, choruses, and a flute choir located in three New England states. The unique nature of Me2’s work has garn...

In this episode, David talks with composer, show creator and refugee supporter Chloé Charody Widely regarded as an artistic entrepreneur as much as a composer, she has forged a new path in classical music by seamlessly integrating the physical language of contemporary circus, depth of classical music and the drama of opera within her compositional craft. In this conversation, we dive into the powe...

In this episode, David talks with Søren Mikael Rasmussen from culture consultants RasmussenNordic. RasmussenNordic help cultural institutions across Europe with new knowledge, innovation and strategy, and are the creators of “Get More Audiences – Tools for Orchestras and Ensembles” with the Danish orchestras and DEOO (Danish Ensembles, Orchestras, and Opera. These tools were also created in conjun...

In this episode, David speaks with conductor Chad Goodman Described by Forbes as “an entrepreneur bringing innovation to classical music”, Chad was conducting fellow and assistant conductor to Michael Tilson Thomas at New World Symphony in Miami. Since then he has gone on to become the Music Director of the Elgin Symphony Orchestra and guest conduct the Minnesota Orchestra, Detroit Symphony, Utah...

In this episode, David speaks with cellist and actress Sophie Kauer. Known for putting herself at the forefront of evolving classical music and the way we see it, Sophie’s breakthrough came with a leading role in Todd Field’s feature film TÁR, starring Cate Blanchett. As well as performing all over the world, you’ll also see Sophie redefining what it is to be a musician today. Whether it's finding...

In this episode, David speaks with pianist and entrepreneur Michelle Lynne. Not only does Michelle embody what a modern musician is today, but she empowers other musicians to have their own thriving careers. As well as performing across the world with immersive performances, she is the co-Founder of The Fearless Artist Mastermind, coaching musicians on their careers, and has taught entrepreneurshi...

In this episode, David speaks with Hannah Seymour and Sinéad Walsh from EMPOWER. An oboist and a flautist, Hannah and Sinéad founded EMPOWER: Women Changing Music while studying at music colleges. EMPOWER: Women Changing Music is a platform championing women’s voices in music, both historically and today, through performance, commissioning, advocacy and community. Since its launch, they have worke...

In this episode, David speaks with Simon Woods , President and CEO of the League of American Orchestras. As well as having a unique insight into the orchestral world from championing the League’s members, which range from internationally famous orchestras to smaller community organisations, Simon has an extensive knowledge of the classical music sector after working in the industry for 4 decades....

In this episode, David introduces Iván Fischer’s Opening Keynote from Classical:NEXT 2026, a standout moment of the event that left delegates in deep discussion for days after. A Budapest native and musical polymath, Maestro Fischer shares an honest reflection on the future of classical music, drawing on his unique perspective as one of the most innovative musical minds of our time. He believes we...

This episode is a little bit different. Last week was the Classical Next conference in Budapest, which gave us the chance to do something a little bit special with a live show. Instead of the regular deep dive, we wanted to hear from people about the hot topics, ideas and statements from this year's conference. So, we made this episode into more of a show, with four amazing guests and live voting...

In this episode, David talks with international concert pianist and entrepreneur Alexandra Dariescu . Alexandra is one of the most visionary and dynamic musicians in our industry today. Passionate about championing gender equality, her unique approach to programming with orchestras has seen her concert season over the last few years include around 50% works by women, and has been a solution-focuse...

In this episode, David talks with Deborah Rutter , an arts executive with nearly 5 decades of experience across major major US institutions including the Chicago Symphony, Seattle Symphony, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, and LA Philharmonic. In 2014 she became the first woman to serve as president of the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, a role she held until February 2025 when she left as p...

In this episode, David talks with Aubrey Bergauer , arts leader, consultant, author of the book “Changing the Narrative, and former CEO of the California Symphony Orchestra. Aubrey is a powerhouse in the industry, and as the name of her book would suggest, a huge advocate of todays topic… change. In this conversation, we dive into the reasons as to why change is important. We look at some of the b...

In this episode, David talks with Jessica Phillips , a clarinetist at the Metropolitan Opera , a Graduate Studies faculty member at Juilliard School of Music, a board member of the League of American Orchestras, and a consultant. This unique combination of roles gives Jessica a rare 360-degree view of the industry. It makes her the perfect person to discuss how we train the next generation of musi...

In this debut episode, David Taylor speaks with Victoria Dietrich, who holds a uniquely dual role as the Head of Digital Development and Audience Engagement at the Zurich Opera House. Victoria sits right at the intersection of two worlds that are often kept separate: high-tech innovation and real-world community building. Since joining the team in Zurich, she’s been tasked with exploring how tradi...