Mad for it
As research shows that young people are coming to classical music through film and club music, here‘s an article I wrote in 2018 for ISM...
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Ariane Todes
New Year, new mission
I’ve long since given up New Year resolutions, in the sad certainty of their failure, and I’ve certainly never shared any publicly. But I...
Ariane Todes
Primary benefits
A school in one of England’s most deprived boroughs offers proof that putting music at the heart of education offers positive outcomes...
Ariane Todes
Inspired by Szigeti
Research on Joseph Szigeti for BBC Radio 3’s Record Review took me back to some old interviews I did when I was at The Strad, where he...
Ariane Todes
Getting to know Szigeti
I had the very great pleasure of being on Radio 3’s Record Review this morning with Andrew McGregor (thankfully pre-recorded, as I hadn’t...
Ariane Todes
Mission possible
A summer festival in Silicon Valley initiates young players into the joys and challenges of chamber music and then sends them out into...
Ariane Todes
My week with Simon Rattle
In June I had the privilege of being part of BE PHIL, an international amateur orchestra conducted by Simon Rattle in Berlin. Read about...
Ariane Todes
How to write a great press release
Musicians can generate their own publicity without spending a penny, by sending out their own press releases. Here are some of the things...
Ariane Todes
Getting my fix at half past six
The London Symphony Orchestra’s early evening concert format is a welcome development in the city’s entertainment landscape, for music...
Ariane Todes
17 reasons to love amateur musicians
Amateur musicians are a vital part of the classical music world, but don’t always get the recognition or opportunities they deserve or...
Ariane Todes
Can string quartets save the world?
The recent Amsterdam String Quartet Biennale explored various aspects of the string quartet format, including the many life lessons it...
Ariane Todes
Good content is forever
The internet offers musicians fantastic opportunities to build their reputations and legacies, as well as selling their music. They...
Ariane Todes
Pictures, please!
Wigmore Hall’s new photography policy offers a sensible way forward in today’s visual culture and more venues should follow suit There...
Ariane Todes
Happy Birthday, Ivry Gitlis!
The charismatic, idealistic, often contrarian and utterly unique violinist is 95 years young today. In celebration, here is an interview...
Ariane Todes
The win–win of music education
Why is music education and pedagogy not taken more seriously in the music world?
Ariane Todes
Birth of a salesman
Car boot sales offer a brilliant lesson in salesmanship, and for this rookie also raised questions about buying and selling violins I’m...
Ariane Todes
Itzhak Perlman on his violin heroes
In this interview I did with Itzhak Perlman for The Strad’s Violin Heroes supplement in 2009, he remembered and analysed the violinists...
Ariane Todes
Review of Alexey Stadler Prom
Alexey Stadler‘s unexpected Proms debut last night was such stuff as careers are made on Performing at the Proms on a day’s notice is the...
Ariane Todes
Gilles Apap: ‘Don’t listen to nobody’
Violinist Gilles Apap has one of the most original voices today, crossing easily between classical and folk styles, often in the same...
Ariane Todes
11 important musical insights
I’ve interviewed many wonderful musicians over the year, have learnt much and had my thinking challenged many times. Here are just a few...
Ariane Todes
Review of Beethoven for a Later Age
I have a theory that musicians write in exactly the same style that they play their instruments. I’m pleased to see it proven, somewhat...
Ariane Todes
Bye Bye, Bellowhead
The ground-breaking English folk band has broken up after 12 years, leaving this fangirl sad – but grateful I’m not a mosher. I don’t...
Ariane Todes
20 great violinists
Who are my favourite violinists? A list of 20, which I made for Sinfini Music in 2014, still largely stands, but is sure to provoke a...
Ariane Todes
When classical music marketing copy goes wrong
The current Southbank Centre slogan offers a lesson in how not to talk to about classical music There are a few obvious rules in...