The Classical:NEXT Podcast explores the ideas and the people redefining classical and art music worldwide. Host David Taylor talks to leading voices from across the global community about the biggest challenges facing our sector, how they navigate an ever-changing landscape, and the emerging practices shaping the future of the art form.
Nathan James Dearden on treating composers like startups and building sustainable careers
In this episode, David talks with composer and conductor Nathan James Dearden.
Nathan is a Welsh composer whose music is shaped by its function: music written for particular people, places and purposes. Working across concert and choral music, and immersive multimedia performance, he has worked with leading orchestras, opera companies, and choirs in the UK, and is Associate Professor in Music Composition at Royal Holloway, University of London. Nathan is one of the most energetic advocates for the importance of music and music education that I know of.
In this conversation, we dive into what it means to build a modern composing career and why composers must adopt the entrepreneurial mindset of a startup. We look at the industry's obsession with world premieres, the hidden challenge of securing repeat performances, and why choral music is too often excluded from broader classical conversations despite its vibrant community reach. We also explore the realities of self-producing an album, how concepts of collective breath shape choral writing, and why overcoming generational trauma around arts education is essential for the future of music.
Join us in Katowice, Poland for Classical:NEXT 2027 from the 11th to the 14th of May: www.classicalnext.com (http://www.classicalnext.com)
Follow us on: Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/classicalnext) | Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/classicalnext/) | LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/classicalnext/)
The Classical:NEXT Podcast:
Hosted by David Taylor (https://www.david-taylor.org/about/)
Produced by Aliena Haig
Learn more: classicalnext.com/update/introducing-the-classicalnext-podcast (https://classicalnext.com/update/introducing-the-classicalnext-podcast/)
www.classicalnext.com (http://www.classicalnext.com)
28 Oct 2026
Hanni Liang on reimagining classical concert formats and taking creative risks
In this episode, David talks with pianist, concert creator, and lecturer Hanni Liang.
Hanni has broken free of the traditional classical music career and forged a path for herself. In her new concert formats, she addresses the topics of today with and through music, understanding the concert as an open room for encounters, questions and reflections. As well as creating new concert formats herself, she now teaches others how to do the same as lecturer in concert design and concert education at the University of Music and Theatre Munich.
She is also one of the mentor’s for Classical:NEXT’s very own NEXT:LAB, with the next event on 4th of December in Berlin. You can find out more about this over at classicalnext.com (http://classicalnext.com)
In this conversation, we dive into how classical musicians can break out of rigid traditional pipelines to pioneer new, participatory concert formats. We look at what it takes to transition from a broadcast performance model to an active dialogue with audiences, the courage required to embrace artistic risk, and how to pitch collaborative experiences to established venues. We also explore the civic and societal role of the modern artist, mentoring the next generation of concert designers, and why abolishing classical music competitions could unleash true creative freedom.
21 Oct 2026
Amandine Richardot, CEO of Newzik, on the future of digital sheet music for orchestras and musicians
In this episode, David talks with Amandine Richardot, CEO of the digital sheet music app Newzik.
Newzik is not just a pdf reader for digital sheet music. It is an interactive and collaborative app for musicians, ensembles and orchestras. As well as providing a home for all of a musician’s scores in the cloud, it allows for annotations to be shared in real time across orchestras, and includes built in systems for the hiring of music directly from publishers and other tools for librarians.
Over the last decade, Newzik has grown to being used by over 150 organizations and 500,000 musicians. It also holds a special place in my heart, as I used Newzik with the orchestra I founded, Yorkshire Young Sinfonia, way back in 2017 and was a key part in making that orchestra successful.
In this conversation we dive into how digital sheet music is transforming the way modern orchestras rehearse and perform worldwide. We look at the practical mechanics of real-time score collaboration, how Newzik's publisher platform respects digital copyright, and the groundbreaking features—from automatic page-turning to optical music recognition—that streamline workflows for ensembles and individual musicians alike. We also explore the cultural shifts around technology adoption in major arts organizations and what the future holds for digital sheet music technology."
Join us in Katowice, Poland for Classical:NEXT 2027 from the 11th to the 14th of May: www.classicalnext.com (http://www.classicalnext.com)
Follow us on: Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/classicalnext) | Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/classicalnext/) | LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/classicalnext/)
The Classical:NEXT Podcast:
Hosted by David Taylor (https://www.david-taylor.org/about/)
Produced by Aliena Haig
Learn more: classicalnext.com/update/introducing-the-classicalnext-podcast (https://classicalnext.com/update/introducing-the-classicalnext-podcast/)
www.classicalnext.com (http://www.classicalnext.com)
Contact The Classical:NEXT Podcast
Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
