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In our continuing series of one-to-one interviews with key figures in music today, Petroc Trelawny interviews the harpsichordist and conductor Trevor Pinnock as he approaches his 70th birthday. At the forefront of the early music movement in Britain, Pinnock is best known for founding the period instrument ensemble The English Concert, which he led for 30 years. He has since broadened his musical horizons, conducting modern instrument orchestras across Europe as well as continuing to play the harpsichord. Pinnock recently released a new solo CD intertwining his own journey on the harpsichord with that of the sixteenth century organist and composer Antonio Cabezón.

Speaking to Petroc at his home in London, Pinnock discusses his path through music, starting with his experience as a chorister at Canterbury Cathedral and a teenaged church organist, before turning to the harpsichord as a student at the Royal College of Music. He shares his thoughts on the world of period instrument performance today, discusses his work with modern orchestras, and his pride in approaching music as a practitioner rather than an academic.