Composers must be willing to eat, sleep and breathe with an orchestra if contemporary classical music is to survive, says Stephen McNeff. Here, he argues for a new approach

[The Guardian, 3 February 2006]

Hard on the heels of Radio 3's highly successful Beethoven Experience and Bach Christmas, last week saw the 250th anniversary of the birth of Mozart, which triggered worldwide celebrations that will continue throughout the year. Naturally, it's a cause for rejoicing to see the work of the great masters celebrated. But where does all this leave today's music?