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The Classical Circuit

The Classical Circuit

Hosted by Ella Lee

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Episodes

61

Latest episode

May 2026

Language

EN

About the show

A deep-dive into the intricate world of classical music and all that comes with working in it. Host Ella Lee chats to a bunch of brilliant guests from across the profession, discussing their best career high, their worst career low, and other things that show you a different side to the one you might see on their website. Instagram: @theclassicalcircuit Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Listen to episodes

60 recent
May 26, 202634 min

60. James Baillieu on a changing landscape for young artists and art song as a wellness experience

In Episode 60, Ella chats to pianist James Baillieu ahead of the 77th Aldeburgh Festival, which marks 50 years since the death of its founder, Benjamin Britten. In James' first year as Associate Director of the Britten Pears Young Artist Programme (alongside Ryan Wigglesworth), he reflects on continuing Britten and Pears’ legacy of supporting young artists, through continuing existing traditions but also introducing new elements in order to tailor the programme to the music world of today. He talks about hearing Lise Davidsen sing for the first time, having a small number of long-term musical partnerships, and his most embarrassing concert moment...-------------------James BaillieuAldeburgh Festival 2026-------------------Follow The Classical Circuit on InstagramDid you enjoy this episode? If so, ratings and follows help a lot with visibility, if you have a spare moment... *bats eyelashes*No offence taken if not.--------------------Music: François Couperin - Le Tic-Toc-Choc ou Les MaillotinsPerformed by Daniel Lebhardt--------------------The Classical Circuit is made by Ella Lee (producer by trade, pianist at heart). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 19, 202636 min

59. Polly Graham on an eccentric approach to opera and the importance of music-making opportunities from the ground up

In Episode 59, Ella chats to Polly Graham, Artistic Director of Longborough Festival Opera, about the festival’s fascinating history and unique place within the UK opera scene. Polly also discusses her unconventional route into the opera world, and reflects on how experiencing the instability of the industry in her work as a freelancer informs her role as an Artistic Director.-------------------Longborough Festival Opera-------------------Follow The Classical Circuit on InstagramDid you enjoy this episode? If so, ratings and follows help a lot with visibility, if you have a spare moment... *bats eyelashes*No offence taken if not.--------------------Music: François Couperin - Le Tic-Toc-Choc ou Les MaillotinsPerformed by Daniel Lebhardt--------------------The Classical Circuit is made by Ella Lee (producer by trade, pianist at heart). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 12, 202630 min

58. Steve Long on lasting artistic partnerships, surviving major changes in the audio market, and how *not* to pitch a recording project

In Episode 58, Ella chats to Steve Long, Managing Director of Signum Records. Steve reflects on steering the label through the changing landscape of recorded music and listening habits, from the rise and fall of CDs to the shift into streaming. He also discusses Signum’s enduring relationships with many of its artists, balancing artistic ambitions with commercial realities, and shares the one question *not* to ask when pitching a recording project…-------------------Signum Records-------------------Follow The Classical Circuit on InstagramDid you enjoy this episode? If so, ratings and follows help a lot with visibility, if you have a spare moment... *bats eyelashes*No offence taken if not.--------------------Music: François Couperin - Le Tic-Toc-Choc ou Les MaillotinsPerformed by Daniel Lebhardt--------------------The Classical Circuit is made by Ella Lee (producer by trade, pianist at heart). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 5, 202639 min

57. Helen Charlston on her evolving relationship with Schumann’s Dichterliebe, exploring other sides of her artistic identity, and the precarious nature of singing careers

In Episode 57, Ella chats to mezzo-soprano Helen Charlston about her new album 'A Poet's Love', a project in which she explores her artistic identity beyond the baroque repertoire she’s so often associated with. Describing herself as 'a German Romantic at heart', Helen reflects on her long and ever-evolving relationship with Schumann’s Dichterliebe, and her approach to a work of which so many recordings already exist. She also discusses the operatic side of her career and the characters she feels most drawn to, and the realities of navigating illness as a freelance singer.A Poet's Love is released this Friday 8th May on BIS.-------------------Helen CharlstonA Poet's Love-------------------Follow The Classical Circuit on InstagramDid you enjoy this episode? If so, ratings and follows help a lot with visibility, if you have a spare moment... *bats eyelashes*No offence taken if not.--------------------Music: François Couperin - Le Tic-Toc-Choc ou Les MaillotinsPerformed by Daniel Lebhardt--------------------The Classical Circuit is made by Ella Lee (producer by trade, pianist at heart). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

April 29, 202634 min

56. Isata Kanneh-Mason on on recording Prokofiev, representation in the industry, and rediscovering her musical voice

In Episode 56, Ella chats to pianist Isata Kanneh-Mason about her latest album 'Prokofiev': a project that not only represents her reaching a long-held goal, but is the product of taking time to figure out who she is as an artist, how she functions best and what she needs in order to facilitate that. Isata also reflects on the role her heritage has played in shaping her as a musician, representation in the industry, and how the stillness of the pandemic set her on the path to rediscovering her artistic voice.-------------------Isata Kanneh-Mason: Prokofiev-------------------Follow The Classical Circuit on InstagramDid you enjoy this episode? If so, ratings and follows help a lot with visibility, if you have a spare moment... *bats eyelashes*No offence taken if not.--------------------Music: François Couperin - Le Tic-Toc-Choc ou Les MaillotinsPerformed by Daniel Lebhardt--------------------The Classical Circuit is made by Ella Lee (producer by trade, pianist at heart). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

April 1, 202643 min

55. Michael Beek on celebrating film music, meeting John Williams, and mistakes that live on in print

In Episode 55, Ella chats with Michael Beek: writer, journalist, and Director of the London Soundtrack Festival. Michael has worked in and around film and TV music for more than twenty years, interviewing some of the industry’s most important composers, writing album sleeve notes for major labels and programme notes for the likes of the BBC Proms and the Royal Albert Hall. He was previously BBC Music Magazine's Reviews Editor and Editor of musicfromthemovies.com. Ahead of his first London Soundtrack Festival - now in its second year - he talks about 'accidentally' building a career from his greatest passion, meeting and interviewing John Williams, the flourishing of film music concerts, and mistakes that still make him cringe many years later...The London Soundtrack Festival is the capital’s very first festival dedicated to celebrating the music of film, TV and games. Running from 9-12 April, this year's festival takes place in the city's biggest cultural venues - the Barbican, Cadogan Hall, Central Hall Westminster - with a fantastic line-up of talent including David Arnold, Rachel Portman, John Lunn and Julian Nott.-------------------London Soundtrack Festival 2026-------------------Follow The Classical Circuit on InstagramDid you enjoy this episode? If so, ratings and follows help a lot with visibility, if you have a spare moment... *bats eyelashes*No offence taken if not.--------------------Music: François Couperin - Le Tic-Toc-Choc ou Les MaillotinsPerformed by Daniel Lebhardt--------------------The Classical Circuit is made by Ella Lee (producer by trade, pianist at heart). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

February 4, 202649 min

54. Nicholas McGegan on a six-decade career and leading with joy

In Episode 54 of The Classical Circuit, Ella welcomes conductor Nicholas McGegan. As we approach spring, when he receives a Lifetime Achievement Award recognising 35 years transforming the Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra into one of the world’s leading period ensembles, Nicholas reflects on his six-decade-long career, and discusses the differences found in audiences across the world, rethinking orchestral hierarchies, and leading with joy.-------------------Nicholas McGegan-------------------Follow The Classical Circuit on InstagramDid you enjoy this episode? If so, ratings and follows help a lot with visibility, if you have a spare moment... *bats eyelashes*No offence taken if not.--------------------Music: François Couperin - Le Tic-Toc-Choc ou Les MaillotinsPerformed by Daniel Lebhardt--------------------The Classical Circuit is made by Ella Lee (producer by trade, pianist at heart). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

January 28, 202645 min

53. Lizzie Ball on eclectic careers, juggling work with single-parenting, and networking with integrity

In Episode 53 of The Classical Circuit, Ella chats to violinist Lizzie Ball about her career shift away from constant touring, balancing a freelance musical life with being a single parent, and networking with integrity. Lizzie is also co-director of Ronnie Scott’s Classical – with the iconic jazz club's new venue Upstairs at Ronnie's opening on Friday 6th February, she tells us about the three different strands on offer at the weekly classical night, and why the experience will feel special - for audiences and performers alike.-------------------Lizzie BallRonnie Scott's Classical-------------------Follow The Classical Circuit on InstagramDid you enjoy this episode? If so, ratings and follows help a lot with visibility, if you have a spare moment... *bats eyelashes*No offence taken if not.--------------------Music: François Couperin - Le Tic-Toc-Choc ou Les MaillotinsPerformed by Daniel Lebhardt--------------------The Classical Circuit is made by Ella Lee (producer by trade, pianist at heart). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

January 21, 202626 min

52. Jeneba Kanneh-Mason on musical fulfilment, performance anxiety, and social media

In Episode 52 of The Classical Circuit, Ella welcomes pianist Jeneba Kanneh-Mason. Following last month's release of her 'Jane Austen's Piano' EP on Sony Classical, she discusses the story behind the project, performance anxiety, her thoughts on competitions, and the most fulfilling part of her career to date.-------------------Jeneba Kanneh-MasonJane Austen's PianoInstagram-------------------Follow The Classical Circuit on InstagramDid you enjoy this episode? If so, ratings and follows help a lot with visibility, if you have a spare moment... *bats eyelashes*No offence taken if not.--------------------Music: François Couperin - Le Tic-Toc-Choc ou Les MaillotinsPerformed by Daniel Lebhardt--------------------The Classical Circuit is made by Ella Lee (producer by trade, pianist at heart). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

January 14, 202637 min

51. Bill Barclay on the story of Carlo Gesualdo and mid-career mentorship

In Episode 51 of The Classical Circuit, Ella speaks to director, composer and writer Bill Barclay, Artistic Director of Concert Theatre Works. Bill talks about the inspiration and process behind his new production, Death of Gesualdo, in collaboration with The Gesualdo Six, which uses tableau-vivant and puppetry to superimpose the composer-prince's troubled pysche onto his darkest music. He also discusses the lack of 'script' for mentorship beyond the student years.The world premiere of Death of Gesualdo takes place at St Martin in the Fields on Friday 16th January, with future performances in London, York and New York. Tickets here: LONDON / YORK / NEW YORK-------------------Death of GesualdoBill BarclayConcert Theatre Works-------------------Follow The Classical Circuit on InstagramDid you enjoy this episode? If so, ratings and follows help a lot with visibility, if you have a spare moment... *bats eyelashes*No offence taken if not.--------------------Music: François Couperin - Le Tic-Toc-Choc ou Les MaillotinsPerformed by Daniel Lebhardt--------------------The Classical Circuit is made by Ella Lee (producer by trade, pianist at heart). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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