When I was young, Tchaikovsky was ruined for me by conductors who made it slick and treacly. Hearing Valery Gergiev conduct Tchaikovsky has been a revelation - he brings out all its raw passion. And Gergiev with the super-virtuoso LSO - well, it's just the perfect combination. Charles Hazlewood bringcombinationconduct share on social
For too long, musicians have been the greatest enemy of music. Their lack of desire to proselytize is a kind of betrayal. Charles Hazlewood betrayaldesireenemy Change image and share on social
I abhor the words 'classical music.' Few things satisfy me more than a really good cover version. Charles Hazlewood abhorclassicalcover Change image and share on social
The Southbank Centre Unlimited Festival was a distinct moment in time, an amazing counterpoint to the London 2012 Paralympics. There is no question that a major shift in perspective is taking place, that the world is waking up and greeting - as if for the first time - the extraordinary community of people with disability. Charles Hazlewood amazecentrecommunity share on social
Mozart, Beethoven - how can you not want to share them with everyone and anyone? This stuff is of as great importance as the food we eat and the air we breathe. Charles Hazlewood airbeethovenbreathe Change image and share on social
I free-form it, rock n' roll it. I'm a creature of risk, so I don't know how I'm going to explore a Beethoven symphony until I'm doing it. Charles Hazlewood beethovencreatureexplore Change image and share on social
I have loads of issues with the way classical music is presented. It has been too reverential, too 'high art' - if you're not in the club, they're not going to let you join. It's like The Turin Shroud: don't touch it because it might fall apart. Charles Hazlewood artclassicalclub share on social
I admire Tom Ades: he's a brilliant conductor, and he gets just the right hard, brilliant sound from the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra for Russian music. Charles Hazlewood adeadmirebirmingham Change image and share on social
Our pop scene is among the best in the world because there are 300 languages spoken on the streets of London, compared with 200 in New York. Our diversity is our strength. Charles Hazlewood comparediversitylanguage Change image and share on social
There is a terrible conservatism, like a cancer, right in the heartlands of music-making, a tremendous resistance to change, an absolute horror of the idea that more people might connect with music. That infuriates me more than I can say. Charles Hazlewood absolutecancerchange share on social