The Classical:NEXT Podcast

In this episode, David talks with composer and conductor Nathan James Dearden.Nathan is a Welsh composer whose music is shaped by its function: music written for particular people, places and purposes. Working across concert and choral music, and immersive multimedia performance, he has worked with leading orchestras, opera companies, and choirs in the UK, and is Associate Professor in Music Composition at Royal Holloway, University of London. Nathan is one of the most energetic advocates for the importance of music and music education that I know of.In this conversation, we dive into what it means to build a modern composing career and why composers must adopt the entrepreneurial mindset of a startup. We look at the industry's obsession with world premieres, the hidden challenge of securing repeat performances, and why choral music is too often excluded from broader classical conversations despite its vibrant community reach. We also explore the realities of self-producing an album, how concepts of collective breath shape choral writing, and why overcoming generational trauma around arts education is essential for the future of music.Join us in Katowice, Poland for Classical:NEXT 2027 from the 11th to the 14th of May: www.classicalnext.comFollow us on: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedInThe Classical:NEXT Podcast:Hosted by David TaylorProduced by Aliena HaigLearn more: classicalnext.com/update/introducing-the-classicalnext-podcastwww.classicalnext.com

In this episode, David talks with pianist, concert creator, and lecturer Hanni Liang.Hanni has broken free of the traditional classical music career and forged a path for herself. In her new concert formats, she addresses the topics of today with and through music, understanding the concert as an open room for encounters, questions and reflections. As well as creating new concert formats herself, she now teaches others how to do the same as lecturer in concert design and concert education at the University of Music and Theatre Munich.She is also one of the mentor’s for Classical:NEXT’s very own NEXT:LAB, with the next event on 4th of December in Berlin. You can find out more about this over at classicalnext.com In this conversation, we dive into how classical musicians can break out of rigid traditional pipelines to pioneer new, participatory concert formats. We look at what it takes to transition from a broadcast performance model to an active dialogue with audiences, the courage required to embrace artistic risk, and how to pitch collaborative experiences to established venues. We also explore the civic and societal role of the modern artist, mentoring the next generation of concert designers, and why abolishing classical music competitions could unleash true creative freedom.

In this episode, David talks with Amandine Richardot, CEO of the digital sheet music app Newzik.Newzik is not just a pdf reader for digital sheet music. It is an interactive and collaborative app for musicians, ensembles and orchestras. As well as providing a home for all of a musician’s scores in the cloud, it allows for annotations to be shared in real time across orchestras, and includes built in systems for the hiring of music directly from publishers and other tools for librarians.Over the last decade, Newzik has grown to being used by over 150 organizations and 500,000 musicians. It also holds a special place in my heart, as I used Newzik with the orchestra I founded, Yorkshire Young Sinfonia, way back in 2017 and was a key part in making that orchestra successful.In this conversation we dive into how digital sheet music is transforming the way modern orchestras rehearse and perform worldwide. We look at the practical mechanics of real-time score collaboration, how Newzik's publisher platform respects digital copyright, and the groundbreaking features—from automatic page-turning to optical music recognition—that streamline workflows for ensembles and individual musicians alike. We also explore the cultural shifts around technology adoption in major arts organizations and what the future holds for digital sheet music technology."Join us in Katowice, Poland for Classical:NEXT 2027 from the 11th to the 14th of May: www.classicalnext.comFollow us on: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedInThe Classical:NEXT Podcast:Hosted by David TaylorProduced by Aliena HaigLearn more: classicalnext.com/update/introducing-the-classicalnext-podcastwww.classicalnext.com

In this episode, David talks with Grammy-winning countertenor and General Director & President of Opera Philadelphia Anthony Roth Costanzo.Described as “One of the world’s most important singers” by the Los Angeles Times, Anthony is a trailblazer on the international stage whose performances cross experimental opera, broadway, and film. But he is now also known for the innovation he does off the stage as well as on it. When he took over Opera Philadelphia, shortly before the 2024-25 season, it was on a path to bankruptcy, with 12 weeks to raise $4 million. But through he calls "creative fundraising” he ended his first year with a $1.5 million surplus, and has helped build Opera Philadelphia into an innovative powerhouse that draws in new audiences while significantly growing their donor base.In this conversation, we dive into how Opera Philadelphia is breaking industry conventions to create a culture of discovery and accessibility. We look at the 'pick-your-price' ticketing strategy, the psychology behind donor engagement and audience behavior, and why organizations must embrace risk to drive true innovation. We also explore the power of external cross-sector partnerships, the role of modern musician entrepreneurship, and how changing the structures around opera can connect the art form with new audiences.Join us in Katowice, Poland for Classical:NEXT 2027 from the 11th to the 14th of May: www.classicalnext.comFollow us on: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedInThe Classical:NEXT Podcast:Hosted by David TaylorProduced by Aliena HaigLearn more: classicalnext.com/update/introducing-the-classicalnext-podcastwww.classicalnext.com

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 libretto for the piece, which is based on the archive of Lloyd’s of London Insurance company who supported the work, bringing to life human stories from the 18th century.In this conversation, we dive into the creation of Atlantic Requiem and how music can memorialize the human toll of the transatlantic slave trade. We look at how historical archive documents and court testimonies were transformed into a dramatic libretto, as well as the unique 10-note pitch system used to mirror cultural conflict and resolution. We also explore the rich intersection of contemporary classical music, jazz, and Caribbean heritage, and why artistic expression is essential for fostering empathy, hope, and social reconciliation.Join us in Katowice, Poland for Classical:NEXT 2027 from the 11th to the 14th of May: www.classicalnext.comFollow us on: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedInThe Classical:NEXT Podcast:Hosted by David TaylorProduced by Aliena HaigLearn more: classicalnext.com/update/introducing-the-classicalnext-podcastwww.classicalnext.com

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 in Musical Performance and Digital Arts. Coming up on October 17th, he is performing a double bill at the Southbank Centre in London, featuring a host of premiers and works from composers that embrace technology, including Nwando Ebizie, Alex Paxton, George Lewis, Ben Nobuto, and Alex Groves. Later in October, he’ll also be performing Robert Laidlaw’s Techno-Utopia with the Berlin Symphony Orchestra, bringing in AI as part of the performance.In this conversation, we dive into how AI and machine-assisted composition can serve as creative tools rather than threats to classical music. We look at what it means to perform alongside AI co-performers, the difference between machine intelligence and genuine human musical empathy, and how technology can expand what is possible on stage. We also explore the rich, multi-decade history of computer-assisted music, practical ways artists can navigate emerging tech, and how new performance formats are connecting canonical repertoire with contemporary club culture.Join us in Katowice, Poland for Classical:NEXT 2027 from the 11th to the 14th of May: www.classicalnext.comFollow us on: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedInThe Classical:NEXT Podcast:Hosted by David TaylorProduced by Aliena HaigLearn more: classicalnext.com/update/introducing-the-classicalnext-podcastwww.classicalnext.com

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 to be impacted by the digital world and had to adapt to it long before many artists and arts organisations. This means that Gramophone magazine has already had to tackle many of the issues we face today.In this conversation, we dive into the role of the long-form album in an era dominated by streaming and single tracks. We look at how Gramophone has adapted to the digital age, from digitizing a century-old archive to launching weekly podcasts, while continuing to uphold authority and expertise in criticism. We also explore what makes a compelling album story, the resurgence of physical media, and why porous genre borders give us hope for the future of classical music.Join us in Katowice, Poland for Classical:NEXT 2027 from the 11th to the 14th of May: www.classicalnext.comFollow us on: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedInThe Classical:NEXT Podcast:Hosted by David TaylorProduced by Aliena HaigLearn more: classicalnext.com/update/introducing-the-classicalnext-podcastwww.classicalnext.com

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 conversation, we dive into the systemic barriers facing women composers and how a solution-focused approach can help revive forgotten repertoire. We look at the collaborative efforts needed across publishing, recording, and research to normalise music by women, and why reliance on a narrow canon limits audience growth. We also explore the non-linear history of women in 20th-century music, the role of storytelling in programming, and what we can learn from the trailblazing women musicians of the Second World War.You can also pre-order her new book Unsung, and there are more details on her website www.leahbroad.com Join us in Katowice, Poland for Classical:NEXT 2027 from the 11th to the 14th of May: www.classicalnext.comFollow us on: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedInThe Classical:NEXT Podcast:Hosted by David TaylorProduced by Aliena HaigLearn more: classicalnext.com/update/introducing-the-classicalnext-podcastwww.classicalnext.com

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 see the power of making connections. In this conversation, we dive into how international conferences create spark points for cross-border artistic collaborations. We look at the consortium model and how it offers a sustainable, entrepreneurial pathway for commissioning new works, expanding repertoire, and reaching broader audiences. We also explore the practical mechanics of collaborating remotely across time zones, advice for pitching and showcasing new projects, and why young musicians must embrace vulnerability and connection. Join us in Katowice, Poland for Classical:NEXT 2027 from the 11th to the 14th of May: www.classicalnext.comFollow us on: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedInThe Classical:NEXT Podcast:Hosted by David TaylorProduced by Aliena HaigLearn more: classicalnext.com/update/introducing-the-classicalnext-podcastwww.classicalnext.com

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 garnered attention from the NBC Today Show, Al Jazeera, and the BBC, as well as numerous newspapers including the Boston Globe and the New York Times. A feature-length documentary about Me2’s work titled “Orchestrating Change” was broadcast on PBS stations across the U.S. in the fall of 2020, and you can find a link to this in the show notes.In this conversation, we dive into how classical music can serve as a vehicle for social change and a sanctuary for mental health. We look at how removing auditions and fees creates an inclusive, stigma-free environment, and why leading with love can transform orchestra management. We also explore the practical accommodations that help musicians thrive, the power of community music-making as part of mental health treatment, and how civic partnerships offer a new future for arts organizations.Show notes:Me2 - https://me2music.org/ “Orchestrating Change” - https://orchestratingchangethefilm.com/ Join us in Katowice, Poland for Classical:NEXT 2027 from the 11th to the 14th of May: www.classicalnext.comFollow us on: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedInThe Classical:NEXT Podcast:Hosted by David TaylorProduced by Aliena HaigLearn more: classicalnext.com/update/introducing-the-classicalnext-podcastwww.classicalnext.com