In conversation with Professor Marina Frolova-Walker.

Following January’s debate, ‘What is the future of classical music in the UK?’ and drawing on some of its themes, the Arts & Society Forum is delighted to host this special one-off ‘in conversation’ with Marina Frolova-Walker, professor of music history at the University of Cambridge. The conversation will touch upon some of the key challenges and opportunities facing classical music – from music education to concert-going, from scholarship to charges of elitism – and ask the central question: does classical music still matter?

Professor Marina Frolova-Walker is a Russian-born British musicologist and music historian. She is Professor of Music History at Cambridge University, Director of Studies in Music at Clare College, Cambridge and Professor of Music at Gresham College, Cambridge. As one of the world’s leading authorities on Russian music, she has introduced international audiences not only to new repertories, but also to new ways of thinking about established works. She has published extensively on Russian music and is a well-known lecturer and broadcaster for BBC Radio 3. Elected a Fellow of the British Academy in 2014, and the recipient in 2015 of the RMA Dent Medal for her outstanding contribution to Musicology, Professor Frolova-Walker is committed to sharing the insights gained from her research with a wider public, through talks, radio and tv appearances, and publications.

Mo Lovatt is a programme coordinator for the Academy of Ideas (AoI) and a trustee of the music charity, Living Song. Prior to working at the AoI, Mo spent 20 years in the cultural sector and was involved in developing a range of music education projects. Working with Youth Music, Faber and Sage Gateshead she developed Music Manifesto’s Sing Up International programme & Vocal Force – ‘training the trainers in music education’. In 2014, she worked with the National Working Group for Music Education on the ‘Inspire Music’ project – a peer-learning resource for anyone involved in music education. She plays violin and piano for fun, is a tenor in the Tyneside-based Inspiration Choir and has a CME certificate in choral conducting.

Convened by Wendy Earle. Event image by Ruby Lovatt.