Largely overlooked in the previous two honours lists, the classical music world has started to enjoy something of a return to form with the publication of the New Year Honours List 2026. Among those a

Cappella Amsterdam; Noord Nederlands Orkest/ Daniel Reuss Pentatone PTC5187489 72:42 mins ‘He always was and still is ahead of everybody.’ The words of Stravinsky’s musical assistant and colleague, Ro

Why we need orchestras

Humour me, for a moment, and imagine these highly improbable courtroom proceedings: — ‘Detective Constable Green, explain to the court, if you will, how you came to the somewhat bold conclusion that M

Kahchun Wong remembers vividly the moment it happened. ‘With an orchestra, you know it when it clicks, when there is a chemistry,’ he recalls. ‘I went to the first rehearsal without any expectation. I

‘We’re going to have a tonal centre and tap our feet, and that’s the way it is.’ Steve Reich is in full flow, talking to me from his home in New York. ‘The big break, the knife down the line, was betw