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The Classical Circuit

A deep-dive into the intricate world of classical music and all that comes with working in it


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

    45:24|
    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).

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

    26:55|
    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).
  • 51. Bill Barclay on the story of Carlo Gesualdo and mid-career mentorship

    37:14|
    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).
  • 50. Gaetan le Divelec on getting to know your audience, two decades in artist management, and the role of power

    39:21|
    In Episode 50 of The Classical Circuit, Ella welcomes Gaetan Le Divelec, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra's Vice President of Artistic Planning, about a collaborative artistic process, and the importance of getting to know his audience closely. Having previously spent two decades in artist management, Gaetan also talks about his experience of the transition from freelance musician to full-time office life. He discusses the role of an artist manager, whether there are in-built imbalances of power, and a failed contract negotiation in his early career...-------------------Atlanta Symphony Orchestra-------------------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).
  • 49. Bob Riley on 20 years of running an orchestra: innovation vs originality, getting clear on values, and creating a good culture

    39:42|
    In Episode 49 of The Classical Circuit, Ella is joined by Bob Riley, CEO of the Manchester Camerata. As he approaches his 20th anniversary in charge of the orchestra, he reflects on its transformation over the years, innovation versus originality, getting clear on what your values are as an organisation, and cultivating a good culture for the people within it. -------------------More on the Manchester Camerata-------------------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).
  • 48. Fran Matthews on celebrating contemporary classical composers

    28:35|
    In Episode 48 of The Classical Circuit, Ella talks to Fran Matthews, Director of Awards at the Ivors Academy. Ahead of the 2025 Ivors Classical Awards next week, Fran shares what it is about working so closely with songwriters and composers that has kept her at the Academy for twenty years, and the importance of celebrating contemporary classical music.-------------------The Ivors AcademyIvors Classical Awards 2025-------------------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).
  • 47. Tom Herring on redefining the choral experience and prioritising musicians' wellbeing

    46:48|
    In Episode 47 of The Classical Circuit, Ella chats to Tom Herring, conductor and Artistic Director of SANSARA, about prioritising the wellbeing of the group, remaining true to its values, and his struggles with burnout. Ahead of SANSARA's performance at Britten Weekend at Snape Maltings this Friday, Tom also talked about their Traces of the White Rose project, engaging with political ideas in artistic spaces, and what it is about music that prods us to think critically.-------------------Sansara at Britten WeekendTraces of the White RosePodcast - Traces of the White Rose-------------------Sansara-------------------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).