Latvian cellist and conductor Margarita Balanas has played at venues around the world, from Carnegie Hall to the Sydney Opera House. She’s performed as soloist with the Munich Philharmonic and the Barcelona Symphony Orchestra among many others, and conducted orchestras including the Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich and the Baltic Sea Philharmonic, and is the founder and music director of the ANONIMI orchestra and charity.

As children, Margarita and her siblings raised money by busking in order to afford the travel and entry fees to be able to play in competitions. Her incredible tenacity and motivation took her to London and the Purcell School, then the Royal Academy of Music, and lead her to becoming assistant conductor to Paavo Järvi. Margarita shares this incredible journey with us, as well as a number of pieces she has performed with her sister, violinist Kristine Balanas, as part of that journey.

Follow Margarita on Instagram @margaritabalanas and on her website www.margaritabalanas.com

A British composer, writer and broadcaster, Stephen Johnson has a long and eclectic career. His book titles include Discover Music of the Classical Era, The Eighth: Mahler and the World in 1910, and How Shostakovich Changed My Mind, not to mention his curation of a book of ghost stories. His compositions include a String Quartet for the Brodsky Quartet, andBehemoth Dances for the Moscow State Symphony Orchestra. He was also a long-time broadcaster with the BBC’s classical radio channel, Radio 3, particularly for his acclaimed program Discovering Music. He’s been called “The authoritative British voice of classical music”.

This conversation dips into Stephen's vast musical knowledge, and he very candidly talks about music's role in mental health and his own struggles with illness. He also shares some of his experiences a the BBC and the catalysts for some of his writing.

This program was recorded at the 2024 Australian Festival of Chamber Music. The 2025 Festival runs from 25 July to 2 August in Townsville. For more information, and to become a Friend of the Festival which entitles you to priority tickets, visit afcm.com.au

A celebrated pianist, Alexander Boyd is appreciated for his sensitivity and the integrity of his interpretations. He made his concerto debut at the age of just 11 with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra. He’s since performed at London’s Wigmore Hall and St Martins in the Fields, as well as throughout Europe, the US and Australia. He’s also a composer, having written music for three films.

He has a pair of new albums out in March, one of Chopin's Ballades and other works, the other an album of Fandangos. Alexander talks about the development of these albums, and also gives some lovely insights into the life of a professional pianist.