Classical music in transition and the continued importance of human interaction
An interview with Fabienne Krause, Managing Director of Classical:NEXT, by Gilles Doré, Executive Director of CINARS
Gilles Doré (GD): Classical and art music are evolving in a world shaped by profound social, cultural and technological change. From your perspective at Classical:NEXT, how would you describe the current state of the field?
Fabienne Krause (FK): Classical music today no longer exists in isolation. Artists, institutions and professionals are increasingly aware that the sector evolves alongside society and must respond to its questions, tensions and expectations. At Classical:NEXT, this is reflected in the themes that emerge year after year: diversity, equity and inclusion, gender balance, accessibility, sustainability and climate awareness are no longer peripheral discussions but central concerns. There is a growing expectation that cultural institutions articulate their values clearly and understand their role within public debate.
These shifts are also visible in the way orchestras, ensembles and presenters position themselves in relation to social and political questions. Cultural journalism, too, is being challenged to remain critical and relevant in a rapidly changing media landscape. These topics will be at the heart of conversations during the 2026 Classical:NEXT Conference in Budapest (8–11 April 2026).
GD: What have been the most challenging transformations you’ve observed, and how have they reshaped professional practices?
FK: One of the most significant challenges has been recognising classical music as a truly global and plural field. It is no longer understood as a solely European tradition or an art form reserved for specific social groups. Influences from diverse musical cultures are reshaping artistic practices and challenging narrow genre definitions. This evolution is closely tied to efforts to engage broader audiences and to ensure that more voices and stories are represented on stage.
At the same time, technological change has become unavoidable. Artificial intelligence (AI), in particular, raises complex questions around creativity, authorship, ownership and organisational practices. Orchestras and ensembles are experimenting with immersive formats, virtual and augmented reality, such as the London-based Philharmonia Orchestra’s recent projects, while streaming and digital distribution continue to redefine access and revenue models. At Classical:NEXT, these developments are increasingly discussed in relation to artistic intention and audience experience, rather than technology for its own sake.
GD: In concrete terms, what new approaches are emerging to renew the dialogue with audiences?
FK: We see a strong move towards more flexible concert formats and venues. Performances are increasingly taking place outside traditional concert halls and incorporate visual, narrative or participatory elements. These approaches invite audiences to engage differently with music and challenge presenters to rethink not only what is programmed, but also how experiences are framed and for whom.
This is particularly visible in the Classical:NEXT Showcases, which present genre-fluid projects, innovative concert formats and collaborations with dance, theatre or visual arts, as well as influences from jazz, global and electronic music. These projects are not about abandoning tradition, but about expanding the ways classical music can be experienced and communicated.
GD: Innovation is often perceived as a risk in a tradition-based field. How can the sector embrace experimentation while preserving artistic depth?
FK: Experimentation can coexist with depth and integrity, keeping tradition alive while allowing it to adapt to the present. The challenge lies in creating environments where artists and institutions feel supported in taking these risks thoughtfully.
GD: Classical:NEXT has become a key meeting point for the global classical music community. Why are international platforms and networks more important than ever?
FK: Political uncertainty and shrinking public funding make international collaboration essential. Cross-border networks enable professionals to exchange knowledge, develop partnerships and advocate collectively for the relevance of art music. They also create spaces where shared challenges can be recognised, even when national or regional contexts differ.
Beyond professional exchange, international platforms demonstrate how shared artistic goals can foster dialogue and understanding, even between regions marked by political tension. This year’s session, Sustaining International Collaboration in the Arts, brings together organisations such as CINARS, ISPA, the European Festivals Association and the League of American Orchestras to strengthen ties and enhance cooperation.
GD: CINARS and Classical:NEXT will soon be announcing a new collaboration. What common values do you see between our two organisations?
FK: Both organisations share a strong belief in international exchange as a driver of artistic vitality. We are committed to supporting the circulation of works and artists, and to creating meaningful encounters between presenters, producers and creators. This collaboration reflects a shared understanding that sustaining the future of classical and art music depends on dialogue, openness and global cooperation.
GD: Finally, what message would you like to share with presenters and professionals who may hesitate to engage more fully with classical music today?
FK: I would invite them to question persistent stereotypes. Classical music today is far more diverse, flexible and open than it is often perceived to be. Its future will depend less on preserving fixed formats and more on sustaining meaningful relationships between artists and audiences, institutions and communities, and regions of the world. Engaging with classical music now means engaging with a field in transformation, rich with opportunities for dialogue, imagination and renewal.
Classical:NEXT takes place from 8–11 April in Budapest, Hungary. For more information, visit classicalnext.com
