Sir Antonio Pappano has recently been named as the new Chief Conductor of the London Symphony Orchestra (succeeding Sir Simon Rattle at the start of the 2024 season). With perfect timing, the orchestra releases a new recording of Vaughan Williams's Symphonies No 4 and 6, the latter recorded live the day before the first lockdown. Next month finds Pappano in front of his Roman ensemble, the Orchestra dell'Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia, for a new Warner Classics album of Richard Strauss's Ein Heldenleben and the Burleske (with the pianist Bertrand Chamayou).

James Jolly caught up with the conductor by video call at his house in Rome to talk about the two new releases, but also to discuss how he has been making music in these unusual and troubling times.

Gramophone Podcasts are presented in association with Wigmore Hall, where the music continues despite lockdown with streamed concerts most weekdays (find full details of the week's concerts at the bottom of this page). To watch, or donate, please visit the Wigmore Hall's website.

You can listen to the Podcast below. To hear other Gramophone podcasts, or to subscribe for free to new editions, search for 'Gramophone Magazine' in your Podcast application of choice, or visit Gramophone's page on Apple Music podcasts. 

WIGMORE HALL CONCERTS

Monday April 19, 1pm
Olivier Stankiewicz ob
Alasdair Beatson pf
Schumann Adagio and Allegro in A flat, Op 70

JS Bach Oboe Sonata in G minor, BWV1030b

Mozart (transc Stankiewicz) Violin Sonata in B flat, K454
 

Monday, April 19, 7.30pm
Chloë Hanslip vn
Danny Driver pf
Stravinsky Suite italienne for violin and piano
L Boulanger Two Pieces for Violin and Piano – Nocturne. D'un matin de printemps
Messiaen Theme and Variations
Prokofiev Violin Sonata No 1 in F minor, Op 80


Tuesday, April 20, 7.30pm
Mahan Esfahani harpsichord
Bach The Well-tempered Clavier Book I


Wednesday, April 21,  7.30pm
Mahan Esfahani harpsichord
Bach Fantasia and Fugue in A minor, BWV904. French Suite No 5 in G, BWV816. Chromatic Fantasia and Fugue in D minor, BWV903. Fantasia on a Rondo in C minor, BWV918. French Suite No 6 in E, BWV817
 
Brian Elias Focus Day

Saturday, 24 April 11.30am
Mimi Doulton sop
Thomas Hancox fl
Jon Carnac cl
Olivia Jageurs hp
Robert Mark Burton sax
Daniel Lebhardt pf
Castalian Quartet
Elias Peroration for soprano. L'innominata
Ravel Introduction et Allegro
Elias Arioso
Lutyens Requiescat for soprano and string trio
Elias String Quartet
 
Brian Elias Focus Day
Saturday April 24, 3.00pm
Kathryn Rudge mez
Olivia Jageurs harp
Robert Mark Burton alto sax
Daniel Lebhardt pf
Thomas Hancox fl
Jon Carnac cl
Adrian Spillett perc
Castalian Quartet
Thomas Kemp conductor
Elias Meet Me in the Green Glen. Pythikos Nomos​
Debussy Préludes, Book 1 – ‘Les sons et les parfums tournent dans l'air du soir’; ‘Les collines d'Anacapri’; ‘Des pas sur la neige’ 
Elias Three Songs (Christina Rossetti). Geranos