During the lockdowns that forced the closure of concert halls around the world, conductor Vasily Petrenko was heard speaking up for musicians everywhere and highlighting the value of the work they do. As Music Director of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Chief Conductor of the European Union Youth Orchestra, Conductor Laureate of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and Associate Conductor of the Orquesta Sinfónica de Castilla y León, he was well placed to speak about the benefits of live music to society. This month he will conduct the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and West Australian Symphony Orchestra in a series of concerts, and he talks to Limelight shortly before departing for Australia.

As our conversation begins, Petrenko has just returned to his home in West Hampstead after a concert at his daughter’s school based around the theme of Ancient Greece. It was followed by a quiz for parents, which Petrenko admits was quite tricky. The pleasure the conductor derives from talking about the event is obvious and immediately leads to a discussion about music in schools.

Vasily Petrenko. Photo supplied

“I’m very glad that at least one hour of music per week has...