The upcoming 32nd edition of the tradition-steeped Vienna Days of Contemporary Piano Music, scheduled to take place at the mdw from 30 January to 3 February 2026, will feature Tristan Murail as a guest—reason enough to present a brief portrait of this intriguing composer.

Many of us, if asked to say whether ecology and musical work have anything to do with each other, would probably answer in the affirmative without much hesitation. And in conversations with colleagues, one notices just how urgently current the associated debate is.

On 25 March, it will have been 100 years since Claude Debussy’s passing—reason enough to give some extra thought to his music.