Maria Joao Pires, David and Christopher Alden, Andris Nelsons
Presented by Tom Service. Including an interview with pianist Maria João Pires, conductor Andris Nelsons discussing Riga, plus the story of pianist and composer Andre Tchaikowsky.
Presented by Tom Service.
During rehearsals at The Barbican in London, Tom meets the pianist Maria Joao Pires, who celebrates her 70th birthday in 2014.
In a rare joint interview, Tom talks to the opera directors and twin brothers David and Christopher Alden, as they return to share the stage at English National Opera - David with a revival of his production of Britten's Peter Grimes, and Christopher with a new production of Verdi's Rigoletto.
And, as the Latvian capital of Riga begins its year in the limelight as a European Capital of Culture, the BBC's Damien McGuinness profiles the city and the Riga-born conductor Andris Nelsons talks about the essential nature of music in his homeland.
Last on
Clips
![]()
"I can't stand the atmosphere of competing."
Duration: 12:45
![]()
Just the Two of Us: Christopher and David Alden
Duration: 20:56
Chapters
Tom Service interviews Maria João Pires
Duration: 13:51
European City of Culture: Riga 2014
Duration: 08:48
An interview with Christopher and David Alden
Duration: 21:55
Maria João Pires
![Maria João Pires]()
The Portuguese pianist Maria Joao Pires has been in London this week rehearsing the Schumann piano concerto with the London Symphony Orchestra and Sir John Eliot Gardiner. Tom Service went to The Barbican during rehearsals and talked to her about her current project developing choirs with disadvantaged children in Brussels, her feelings towards public performance and competitions, and her plans for a quieter life as she turns 70 this year.
More information:
Maria performs the Schumann Piano Concerto with the LSO on Tues 21st Jan at the Barbican
Next month she performs with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra the Chopin Piano Concerto Number 2 on 6th Feb at Usher Hall in Edinburgh and 7th Feb at City Halls in Glasgow.
Riga 2014 – European Capital of Culture
![Riga 2014 – European Capital of Culture]()
As the Latvian capital of Riga begins its year in the limelight as a European Capital of Culture, the BBC’s Damien McGuinness gives a profile of the city, and its history as a thriving port and vibrant cultural centre and the Riga-born conductor Andris Nelsons tells Tom about his musical training and the essential nature of music in his homeland.
More Information:
Christopher and David Alden
![Christopher and David Alden]()
In a rare joint interview, Tom talks to the opera directors and identical twin brothers Christopher and David Alden, as they return to share the stage at English National Opera - David with a revival of his production of Britten's Peter Grimes, and Christopher with a new production of Verdi's Rigoletto. The Alden brothers’ productions have shocked and moved audiences all around the world over the last thirty five years and they talk to Tom about their Broadway upbringing, their feelings toward critical reaction and what they see as the future of the art form.
More Information:
David Alden directs Peter Grimes: 29th Jan - 27th Feb
Christopher Alden's new production of Rigoletto: 13th Feb - 14th March
Credits
Role Contributor Presenter Tom Service Interviewed Guest Maria Joao Pires Interviewed Guest David Alden Interviewed Guest Christopher Alden Interviewer Damien McGuinness Interviewed Guest Andris Nelsons Broadcast
- Sat 18 Jan 201412:15BBC Radio 3
Knock on wood – six stunning wooden concert halls around the world
Steel and concrete can't beat good old wood to produce the best sounds for music.
The evolution of video game music
Tom Service traces the rise of an exciting new genre, from bleeps to responsive scores.
Why music can literally make us lose track of time
Try our psychoacoustic experiment to see how tempo can affect your timekeeping abilities.
Podcast
![]()
Music Matters
The stories that matter, the people that matter, the music that matters
Related Content
