So, Hear Me Out

Exploring the big questions around classical music — and why it still matters today.

Join hosts Linton Stephens and Gillian Moore as they challenge assumptions, unpick controversies, and share fresh ways of listening to the music you thought you knew.

Each episode starts with a question — from ‘can classical music be laugh-out-loud funny?’ to ‘is it okay to borrow music from other cultures?’ — and opens the door to two hand-picked pieces of music that will spark new perspectives on classical music today.

iPhone 15 playing the So, Hear Me Out podcast on Spotify

So, Hear Me Out: What does pop owe to classical music?

The words ‘Classical goes pop’ in large type, flanked on either side by images of the composer Ludwig van Beethoven and singer Barry Manilow

Podcast

So, Hear Me Out: What does pop owe to classical music?

Classical music goes pop for hosts Gillian Moore and Linton Stephens in this eighth and final episode of our podcast series.

So, Hear Me Out: Are film and game soundtracks ‘proper’ classical music?

The words ‘Films, Games & Classical’ in large type, flanked on either side by images of Scarlett Johansson in the film 'Under the Skin' and characters from the video game Soulcalibur II

Podcast

So, Hear Me Out: Are film and game soundtracks ‘proper’ classical music?

Gillian Moore and Linton Stephens explore the world of film soundtracks and game scores in episode seven of our podcast series.

So, Hear Me Out: Can classical music make you happier?

The words ‘Classical ‘highs in large type, flanked on either side by images of the composers Felix Mendelssohn and Francesca Caccini

Podcast

So, Hear Me Out: Can classical music make you happier?

Gillian Moore and Linton Stephens explore the happiness that classical music can bring in the sixth episode of our podcast series

So, Hear Me Out: Can classical music provide hope to the imprisoned?

The words 'Music behind bars' in large type, flanked on either side by images of the composer Ethel Smyth and composer Olivier Messiaen during his time as a prisoner of war

Podcast

So, Hear Me Out: Can classical music provide hope to the imprisoned?

Gillian Moore and Linton Stephens explore compositions that testify to the resilience of creativity in this fifth episode of our classical music podcast.

So, Hear Me Out: Is classical music just one big remix?

The words ‘Classical as Protest’ in a large font, flanked on either side by images of composer Luciano Berio and Star Wars character Darth Vader.

Podcast

So, Hear Me Out: Is classical music just one big remix?

Gillian Moore and Linton Stephens discuss classical music’s tendency to borrow from its own past in our classical music podcast’s fourth episode.

So, Hear Me Out: Can classical music be protest music?

The words ‘Classical as Protest’ in a large font, flanked on either side by images of composers Julius Eastman and Frederic Rzewski.

Podcast

So, Hear Me Out: Can classical music be protest music?

Hosts Gillian Moore and Linton Stephens contemplate classical music as a form of protest in the third episode of our classical music podcast.

So, Hear Me Out: Is it ok to use music from cultures that are not your own?

The words Cross Cultural Classical in a large font, flanked on one side by images of host Gillian Moore and composers Claude Debussy and Antonín Dvořák

Podcast

So, Hear Me Out: Is it ok to use music from cultures that are not your own?

In the second episode of our classical music podcast hosts Gillian Moore and Linton Stephens explore the boundary between inspiration and appropriation.

So, Hear Me Out: Can classical music be funny?