Feeling slightly disturbed by large advert in today’s Guardian: ‘Do you know the value of your instrument?’ it asks, above a photo of ‘A Fine French Violin by JB Vuillaume’. It goes on, ‘The last 20 years have seen a huge price increase in the value of musical instruments. Please contact us for a free [...]

In today’s Guardian I have a letter on the subject of political lobbying, which is headline news in the UK at the moment.  The letter was cut before being published, and I felt that part of my specific point had been lost, so in case anyone would like to read the full version, here it [...]

Tonight, Tuesday May 28, between 9pm and 9.15pm, BBC Radio Scotland’s ‘Classics Unwrapped‘ is playing a track from my new e-album with Erich Höbarth of Mozart piano and violin sonatas. It’s the first track on the recording, the ‘Allegro con Spirito’ from the D major sonata K306, and it was recorded live in Perth Concert [...]

Spring seems to be arriving late this year, but my favourite spot in London for spring colours, the Isabella Plantation in Richmond Park, is defying the cold weather and starting to look fabulous.  Whoever planted the azaleas here was a genius of gardening. This year the shades of pink seem to be even more vivid [...]

“…. your ultimate companion to a summer of music”, says today’s Guardian Guide to Festivals. But is it? Not if classical music is your thing. I subscribe to the Guardian, look forward to reading it every day and love it to bits, but every year when they publish their guide to summer festivals, I could [...]