Krystian Zimerman on Szymanowski, conducting and retirement

01/19/24 • 26 min

The great Polish pianist and conductor Krystian Zimerman came to London last October to collect his Gramophone Award, his seventh, for his latest DG album of music by Karol Szymanowki. James Jolly caught up with him on the morning of the ceremony, and their conversation ranged widely.

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Jonathan Freeman-Attwood on 'Handel for Trumpet'

For his tenth album of music for trumpet and piano in the ‘re-imagined’ series for Linn, Jonathan Freeman-Attwood has turned to a composer right at the centre of the period he’s most associated with, the Baroque – and George Frideric Handel. ‘Handel for Trumpet’ features transcriptions of arias as well as theoretical ‘sonatas’, created from concertos and other works.

As well as being a contributor to Gramophone, Jonathan is also Principal of the Royal Academy of Music, a record producer, teacher – and trumpeter. Gramophone’s James Jolly spoke to him about the new album, how he maintains his technique amid a busy schedule and how being a recorded musician helps his role as the leader of one of the world’s great music conservatories.

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Timothy Ridout on 'A Lionel Tertis Celebration'

Timothy Ridout won last year’s Concerto category at the Gramophone Awards for his Harmonia Mundi recording, with the BBC Symphony Orchestra and Martyn Brabbins, of Elgar’s Cello Concerto transcribed by Lionel Tertis for viola, alongside the Bloch Suite for Viola and Orchestra. His new HM release continues his exploration of the huge role that Tertis played in the history of the viola, as player, teacher, arranger and champion of the instrument.

Ridout's new double album, for which he's joined by pianists Frank Dupree and James Baillieu, includes sonatas by York Bowen and Rebecca Clarke, as well as many shorter works with powerful links to Tertis. James Jolly met up with Timothy to talk about the album, and the place that Tertis holds for viola-players.