Claire Jackson
Recent articles by Claire Jackson
Classical music can calm our anxiety. Here’s the science behind it
The music that calms us can be deeply personal, writes Claire Jackson, yet certain universal elements are scientifically proven to ease stress
Alfred Brendel, pianist: 1931-2025
The acclaimed pianist has died at the age of 94. Claire Jackson remembers a remarkable musician, writer and thinker
Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 1: the story of a Romantic showstopper and its best recordings
Claire Jackson explains how this king of the concert hall triumphed despite its inauspicious start in life, and presents the best recordings of Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1
Ethan Loch: the blind pianist with an astonishing synaesthetic sense of hearing
Born without sight, pianist Ethan Loch has developed a finely tuned – and synaesthetic – sense of hearing, as he reveals to Claire Jackson
Julius Eastman: the uncompromising American composer who embraced his colour and sexuality with raucous confidence
A brilliant pianist, composer, singer and dancer, Eastman’s wayward lifestyle hindered the success he merited, says Claire Jackson
Review: Close-ups (Héloïse Werner)
Composer and vocalist Héloïse Werner's exploration of the human voice is given a rave review by Claire Jackson...
Is there a 'musical gene'? These nine sets of melodious siblings give us some revealing clues
Sibling connections can lead to meaningful musical partnerships – as long as childhood rivalries don’t get in the way, writes Claire Jackson
Europe's pioneering LGBTQ+ classical music festival is back. Why you don't want to miss Classical Pride 2024
As the second Classical Pride festival takes over London's Barbican, Claire Jackson speaks to founder Oliver Zeffman about supporting the LGBTQ+ community
These are the best depictions of animals in music
Beasts and birds of all shapes and sizes have inspired composers in a variety of ways. Claire Jackson takes us on a zoological tour
John Adams: Girls of the Golden West (Review)
Marc-André Hamelin – New Piano Works
Musical Destinations: Ibiza, Spain
Despite its reputation as the world’s clubbing capital, the sunny island of Ibiza has much to offer classical music fans – including Ibiza Conciertos, an annual chamber music festival hosted by German violinist Linus Roth
Ludovico Einaudi: why does the musical phenomenon still struggle to find acceptance in the classical music world?
His fans may run into the millions but, the pianist and composer Ludovico Einaudi tells Claire Jackson, his style of writing will always struggle to find total acceptance within the classical music world
Tan Dun: meet the composer of the 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon' score
Chinese-American composer Tan Dun has come from humble origins to achieve global success, yet his concerns remain the same – balance, humanity and the natural world, writes Claire Jackson
In Blue
Philip Glass: Solo
Elena Firsova: Piano Concerto
Classical music's enduring relationship with fashion
Leading musicians and fashion designers are at last starting to realise that their respective art forms can benefit one another, as Claire Jackson discovers