Handel's last Prima Donna

The Georgian-born pianist and composer – and a former Gramophone ‘One to Watch’ and Editor’s Choice recipient – Nicolas Namoradze has signed a recording contract with the Finnish Ondine label. The first fruit of the agreement is an album of solo Beethoven that includes two of the ...  Show more

In this week's episode of The Gramophone Listening Room, presented in partnership with dCS Audio, host Charlotte Gardner welcomes cellist Laura van der Heijden and horn player Ben Goldscheider to the studio to share two of their personal favourite recordings. A video version of t ...  Show more

Richard Strauss was aged 84 when he completed his final composition. It was 'Four Last Songs', which, although dealing death, conveys a sense of calm acceptance. Though written in 1948, it still touches the hearts of many listeners today. As the soprano voice delves ever deeper i ...  Show more

In today's episode, Stephen and Joanna pour over some of the most passionate music ever performed and conceived - the violin concerto. They explore the mechanics of violin playing, discuss their favourite virtuoso fiddlers and also explore major works by Elgar, Brahms, Tchaikovsk ...  Show more

Sean Rafferty talks to tenor Roberto Alagna & mezzo soprano Anita Rachvetishvili about their roles in Bizet's Carmen at Covent Garden. 

Have you ever wondered how a conductor deciphers the individual musical parts and melodies from a whole opera score? In this episode, Stephen and Joanna deconstruct Richard Strauss’ monumental opera, Salome - a score which contains the so-called “most sickening chord in all opera ...  Show more