Jessica Duchen

I feel that way about Bruckner…

Well, never heard Tchaikovsky 2nd piano concerto live in concert before. Tom says he hasn't played it since Bournemouth SO/Barshai/Donohoe over 40 years ago.

Helpful hint: if you're fond of Tchaikovsky and Sibelius, get yourself to the Royal Festival Hall tonight, prontissimo.

We have some big news... ✨

We’re thrilled to announce that Paavo Järvi will become the London Philharmonic Orchestra's Chief Conductor & Artistic Advisor from the 2028/29 season!

News: Paavo Järvi to become the next Chief Conductor and Artistic Advisor at the London Philharmonic Orchestra @lporchestra.bsky.social
bachtrack.com/news-paavo-j...

This extremely sad news doesn't seem to have made it to Bluesky yet. A devastating loss for the classical singing and choral world in the UK. I was honoured to be among his pupils over the last few years and like many I will miss his wisdom, knowledge, kindness and humour more than I can say.

Lost in the stars Seriously, four and three-quarters would be useful... Why star ratings can be the scourge of a reviewer's working life

Latest post on TWANGLE: Lost in the Star...ratings.
open.substack.com/pub/jessicad...

Completely excellent dog, and I'm sure a work to match!

Classical music has a sexism problem Pianist Yuja Wang has accused broadcaster Norman Lebrecht of “misogynistic bullying” – but he is just the tip of the iceberg

A few thoughts on that row…
liveapp.inews.co.uk/category/426...

Music lovers 🎹 @jessicaduchen.bsky.social will be with us in the #Cotswolds in May to discuss Myra Hess with @chazzasteinway.bsky.social 💙📚 #booksky
Tickets online from £10 www.campdenmayfestivals.co.uk/literature/e...

John Adams' new piano concerto arrives in the UK - and it's magical Vikingur Ólafsson and the Philharmonia Orchestra under Esa-Pekka Salonen cast a spell with the new work and a dazzling performance of Daphnis et Chloé

Great evening chez @philharmonialondon.bsky.social yesterday. Impressive new Adams concerto, fabulous playing all round, and a Daphnis & Chloe to die for from Salonen. inews.co.uk/culture/arts...

What a wonderful cat! Either she's looking for her bowl in there...or waiting for a mouse to emerge at the back?

I am a 15-year-old girl. Let me show you the vile misogyny that confronts me on social media every day | Anonymous Objectification, hate, rape threats: the politicians debating online abuse mean well, but to truly understand, they need to see what I see

This is one of the most heart-breaking & important articles I have ever read - from someone whose voices are so rarely heard, a teenaged girl.

If you want to understand online misogyny in all its devastating impact, please read this shattering piece.

www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

Sundaynightis How about some highlights for the week ahead instead?

open.substack.com/pub/jessicad...

Sundaynightis How about some highlights for the week ahead instead?

Designed to banish a bilious sensation that has lasted many a decade...
open.substack.com/pub/jessicad...

Whyever did they make him a trade envoy in the first place? Always seemed weird for a royal to be in such a post.

I do try not to grumble, honest… but is anyone else really, really, really tired of being drenched, utterly drenched, every time we venture outside? 🥶☔️

Welcome to Twangle Second day, second post (should have been first)

Second Substack post, should really have been the first. A bit about how I got here.
open.substack.com/pub/jessicad...

Weill the music lasts This is my first post here - and it's all about Kurt Weill, who to me is the composer of the moment. Here is a longer version of my article that appeared in the Sunday Times on 15 February.

I cracked and started a Substack. Welcome to TWANGLE: MUSIC AND WORDS. The first post is about Kurt Weill.
jessicaduchen.substack.com/p/weill-the-...

Beautiful writing here from a very talented young critic. Asher has really captured the nature of the supreme musicianship we heard that day.

Swallow Sings Opera: Duke Bluebeard’s Castle by Béla Bartók | Visit Guernsey

Going to Guernsey on Saturday! Never been before. Very much looking forward to seeing it, and to talking about Bartók & Duke Bluebeard's Castle ahead of London Singers' Collective performance.
www.visitguernsey.com/experiences/...

Tonight at 7pm I’m talking Clara Schumann for Lockdown University, free online to everyone everywhere.

www.lockdownuniversity.org/lectures/295...

Holocaust Memorial Day- “A Quartet for the End of Time” A performance of “A Quartet for the End of Time” composed by Olivier Messiaen while he was a prisoner of war in 1941. Performed by the London Chambe

This is tomorrow!

www.riverhousebarn.co.uk/events/13968...

Photo: Madeleine Mitchell, Joseph Spooner Anthony Friend and Ian Pace perform Messiaen Quartet for the end of time

Tues 27 Jan 7-9pm Riverhouse Barn Arts #Walton-on-Thames #Messiaen Quatuor pour la fin du temps with @ianpace.bsky.social @anthonyfriend.bsky.social & Joseph Spooner, preceded by the companion play by @jessicaduchen.bsky.social Tx www.riverhousebarn.co.uk/events/13968... #LondonChamberEnsemble

Congratulations 🎊 to @jessicaduchen.bsky.social - awarded the Presto Music Awards for her book, Myra Hess National Treasure. Jessica will be speaking at this year’s festival.

Street-smart and subversive: Ailish Tynan talks Così fan tutte @ailishtynan.bsky.social
✍️ @jessicaduchen.bsky.social
bachtrack.com/interview-ai...

The 10 best classical concerts of 2025 Classical music is strapped for cash and moral support – yet the creativity and determination in the face of that deserves several very loud cheers

Michael Church, @jessicaduchen.bsky.social and I all chose our Top 10 classical events of 2025: inews.co.uk/culture/arts...

Ooh, thanks for posting that, Sally! Glad it is still ‘out there’. Bluesky hath not the wordage for how much I loathed the exam system…

We finite ones with infinite souls are born only for sorrow and joy and it might almost be said that the best of us receive joy through sorrow.

Fun fact: my actual birthdate is unknown. Reasonable guesses are today and tomorrow. So I like to celebrate all three! Except in 1808...I had more important things to do on those days.