When the Lebrecht Interview broke down in tears

The last guest in my current series on BBC Radio 3 is the pianist and composer Gabriela Montero.

Exiled from Venezuela and an outspoken opponent of the regime, she has suffered prejudice in parts of the music business that are invested heavily in El Sistema and its touring orchestra.

At a certain point of the interview, recalling her mother singing the Venezuela anthem as her lullaby, Gabi began to cry. I looked across at my producer. He, too, was in tears.

It took all my professional knowhow to keep the conversation going.

Listen here tomorrow night on BBC Radio 3 from 2145.

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