My choice of instrument was, in a way, inevitable. My parents play violin and viola, so the cello seemed the obvious choice. Looking back, I think it was an great one: few instruments combine such a deep, warm sound with a singing voice in the upper register. There is one downside, though: unlike my colleague Jill, I'll never be able to take my instrument on a hike!

This summer, you'll find me cycling along the Loire, or somewhere in a mountain hut in the Austrian Alps.

During long summer drives, I like going back to the basics. For me, that means Bach. It's hard to imagine the musical world without him, and The Well-Tempered Clavier is one of my 'go-tos'.

When I'm in the mood for something more romantic, I often turn to the opening of Wagner's Lohengrin – one of the most beautiful musical moments ever written, if you ask me.

Summer is also a good time to discover new pieces. This year, inspired by a friend’s concert, Biber’s violin sonatas made it onto my playlist.

Guilty pleasure? My time in New York was unforgettable, but getting there involved a mountain of paperwork. While filling out endless forms, I kept listening to Alicia Keys' Empire State of Mind to stay motivated. To this day, hearing that song instantly takes me back.

Curious what else I'm listening to outside the classical bubble this summer? Have a listen to my playlist!

PLAYLIST

Johann Sebastian Bach The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book 1: Fugue No. 17 in A-Flat Major
Richard Wagner Lohengrin
Heinrich Ignaz Franz Biber Violin Sonatas
JAŸ-Z, Alicia Keys Empire State of Mind
Antilopen Gang Pizza
Gerhard Schöne Spar deinen Wein nicht auf für morgen
Dota Kehr, Die Stadtpiraten Ohrsteckermädchen
Gregory Porter Liquid Spirit
Gregory Porter Brown Grass
Moop Mama Typïsche Verhältnisse
Moop Mama Meermenschen
Danger Dan Das ist alles von der Kunstfreiheit gedeckt
Wynton Marsalis, Richard Galliano La Foule