The May 2026 issue of Gramophone Magazine puts Sean Shibe front and centre. In the in-depth interview, writer Martin Cullingford sits down with Sean to discuss the inspirations behind his new album Vesper, offering a rare glimpse into the creative process that fuels his music, including his close collaboration with composer Thomas Adès, whose suite Forgotten Dances opens the record.
The conversation also ventures into Sean’s thoughtful reflections on the guitar’s evolving identity in classical music, ideas that shape not only his artistic voice but also the way he engages with composers, collaborators, and the instrument’s history. Equally fascinating is his openness to the unfamiliar, from lute and electric guitar to newly commissioned works, which challenges traditional expectations of the instrument and encourages a more exploratory, physically engaged relationship with the music itself.
The May 2026 issue is out now. Cover photo courtesy of Zip Tie Studios. You can view more of their work for this project here.
