Ivan Hewett

Ivan Hewett is an Academic Professor and Doctoral Supervisor at the Royal College of Music, where he has been actively involved in music education and research. He also serves as the Chief Music Critic for the Daily Telegraph, a position he has held since 2002, making significant contributions to public discourse on classical music.

Hewett holds an MA from the University of Oxford and has worked in music for more than 30 years as a lecturer, promoter, broadcaster, and journalist. His academic background combines rigorous scholarly training with extensive practical experience in music media and criticism.

Hewett's research focuses on musicology, particularly on issues around the creation and reception of contemporary music, and the workings of contemporary harmony. His work bridges academic musicology with public engagement through criticism and broadcasting. He has contributed to various publications examining the varieties of 'classical' music around the world and has written extensively on modern composers and musical phenomena. His book Healing the Rift, a meditation on the dilemmas of modern music, demonstrates his deep engagement with the philosophical dimensions of musical experience.

His recent publications demonstrate a continued engagement with both historical and contemporary musical topics, ranging from analyses of specific composers like Tippett and Haydn to broader questions about the future of classical music in the post-lockdown era. His work often explores the intersection of music with cultural, social, and political contexts, reflecting his belief in music's relevance to wider societal issues.

Hewett has supervised doctoral students including Yuanwei Ping, whose research focuses on the piano compositions of Alexis Weissenberg. He frequently hosts public events and debates, such as the pre-concert debate at the centenary celebration of the music of Iannis Xenakis at the Southbank, and participates in events with the Academy of Ideas, including debates on the importance of the critic in maintaining the freedom of the arts.