Classic FM - News & Interviews: Recent Episodes
Classic FM - News & Interviews
Which composer fancies her chances at table tennis (against Aled Jones)? Anne-Marie has received this request.
Back in 2007, just a month or so before the great Russian cellist Rostropovich passed away, Anne-Marie Minhall met him and violinist Maxim Vengerov. They spoke about their unique affinity and partnership.
Composer Thomas Hewitt Jones tells LBC's Shelagh Fogerty how he knocked up a charming Fantasy on David Cameron in just a couple of hours in the middle of the night.
Stephen Maddock, Chief Executive of City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, talks to Classic FM about the prospects for British music outside the EU
The virtuoso trumpet player has been honoured for a "services to music" in The Queen's Birthday Honours List and she says she's "absolutely thrilled".
Nicola Corp, one of the producers of the York Mystery Plays 2016, talks to Classic FM. Image: PA
The Royal Philharmonic Society's executive director, Rosemary Johnson, lends her support to the troubled European Union Youth Orchestra.
The Chief Executive of the European Youth Orchestra was talking at a protest at London's Southbank Centre
Tom Hanks' new film 'A Hologram for the King' is based on a book by Pulitzer-nominated Dave Eggers, author of 'A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius'. Here, Hanks tells Classic FM's Anne-Marie Minhall about seeing the author on set in Casablanca. Listen to the full interview on Classic FM, Sunday 3pm.
Hear the Oscar-winning actor talks to Classic FM's Anne-Marie Minhall this Sunday at 3pm about his new film, 'A Hologram for the King'. Here he talks about the first day of shooting, and an unusual tradition upheld by German director Tom Tykwer.
Joanna Lumley has been busy filming the Absolutely Fabulous movie. This Sunday on Classic FM at 7pm, David Mellor asks her whether being Patsy is a blessing or a curse.
The well-Ioved actress got to know some of Beethoven's music so well when she was young that she half believed she’d written it herself. She's talking to David Mellor on Classic FM this Sunday evening at 7pm in a special show to celebrate her 70th birthday.
Classic FM's Anne-Marie Minhall was delighted to get a request for an extraordinarily musical centenarian.
Classic FM's composer-in-residence has written an orchestral Overture and Finale music for the royal celebration in May.
Ian and Francis Provost from Altrincham came up with the winning name for Arwel Hughes's piece. John rang them up to break the news.
The conductor Owain Arwel Hughes called upon Classic FM listeners to name a beautiful Welsh piece composed by his father. Here he reveals his choice of the winning entry.
Classic FM's John Brunning spoke to George Martin in 2001 when he composed a work to try to save the last two Swordfish aircraft. Sir George was in the Fleet Air Arm during the war.
Sir George Martin has died at the age of 90. In this clip from a Classic FM interview, Paul McCartney reminisces about working with the legendary producer.
Welsh conductor Owain Arwel Hughes wants you to give a title to a wonderful miniature orchestral piece composed by his late father, Arwel Hughes. Listen to John Suchet introduce the piece here and send your suggested name via: http://www.classicfm.com/radio/shows/john-suchet/name-arwel-hughes-piece/
Downton Abbey has been named the nation's favourite TV theme after winning a poll of listeners in the Classic FM TV Top 20
Michael Caine was lodging with John Barry while the composer was working on a song for the second James Bond movie...and it kept the actor up all night. Hear more on Saturday Night at the Movies, Saturday 30 January 5pm, Classic FM.
The veteran British actor was expecting he might get an Oscar nomination for his latest role as a composer in Youth. But he didn't. And, as he tells Andrew Collins on Classic FM's Saturday Night at the Movies, he's not that bothered about it either.
We talk to Aled Jones about the release of his new album, in which he performs with his younger self
Saturday Night at the Movies presenter Andrew Collins looks at the nominations in this year's Bafta soundtrack category.
Principal piano with the London Sinfonietta looks back on the happy memories he has of their collaboration with Pierre Boulez.
The great French conductor and composer has passed away at his home in Germany. Classic FM presenter and soprano Catherine Bott recalls a terrifying first concert with the maestro.
The legendary pianist retired from the concert platform in 2008 but continues to appear as a speaker, talking about music and the art of performance. Anne-Marie chats with him about how he felt giving his farewell concert in Vienna back in 2008, his passion for music, nonsense poetry and why he thinks young pianists should look to singers and conductors for inspiration.
Pop star Ellie Goulding tweeted Classic FM saying, "It would literally be my dream if you played my cover of O Holy Night" Well, dreams do come true at Christmas and Anne-Marie Minhall obliged on Classic FM Requests - and she even phoned Ellie to tell her.
Andrew Collins talks to Han Solo himself about the power of The Force Awakens' soundtrack.
Christmas carol supremo John Rutter set Classic FM a challenge to find composer Barbara Bell who won a competition 40 years ago with a sublime French carol. We managed to do it. Now the two have been re-united and her carol has been performed at the Royal Albert Hall.
The brilliant composer John Rutter talks to Classic FM about turning 70, composing carols and how he spends Christmas.
In 1975 a schoolgirl named Barbara Bell won a national competition, judged by John Rutter, to compose a Christmas carol. Wanting to revive the carol, Rutter had no idea how to track down its composer. Thanks to Classic FM, Barbara was found and now her lost carol has been recorded by vocal ensemble, Voces 9. Full story here: http://www.classicfm.com/composers/rutter/news/mystery-missing-carol-composer/
40 years ago Wokingham teenager Barbara Bell won a competition to compose a Christmas carol. The competition's judge John Rutter has been trying to find her. John Suchet has managed to track her down and here's the moment when he rang John Rutter to tell him the news.
40 years ago Wokingham teenager Barbara Bell won a competition to compose a Christmas carol. The competition's judge John Rutter has been trying to find her. John Suchet managed to track her down thanks to help from Classic FM listeners. Here's the moment when he rang Barbara to tell her the news.
In the third and final part of his July 2004 interview with Classic FM's John Brunning, the great Italian tenor recalled the extraordinary rain-drenched Hyde Park concert when he performed for Prince Charles and Princess Diana, as well as the importance of Nessun Dorma to him, and working with the Three Tenors.
In the second part of his July 2004 interview with Classic FM's John Brunning, the great Italian tenor talked about his early song recitals, his passion for developing young talent and the beginnings of his charity work, performing with Bono.
During a break from his Farewell World Tour in July 2004, the great Luciano Pavarotti took the time to meet Classic FM's John Brunning at his idyllic summer retreat in Pesaro. In this first part of their interview, the tenor reminisces about his early life, British audiences, his four favourite roles and the conductors he most admired.
The X Factor star popped into the Classic FM studio to help raise funds for Global's Make Some Noise, and subject John Suchet to a gruelling guess the lyrics quiz - Opera or Olly.
Hear the fun and games behind the scenes as Classic FM's presenters recorded their charity play. Buy the full comedy whodunnit at classfm.co/radioplay
Starring David Tennant, David Suchet - and all the Classic FM presenters. Download from ClassicFM.com/charity
Download Upstairs Downland Abbey now from ClassicFM.com/charity - all proceeds go to Classic FM's charity, Global's Make Some Noise
John Suchet introduces an exclusive Classic FM first play of a track from André Rieu's forthcoming album. It's the Brindisi from Verdi's La Traviata.
A clip of David Suchet's appearance in the Classic FM charity comedy. Find out how to download the full radio play at ClassicFM.com
John's jetted off to Rome at the personal invitation of André Rieu. Aled Jones is keeping John's seat warm back in the Classic FM studio. Hear how it's all going.
Myleene plays Myleene Upper-Klass in our fund-raising radio comedy drama for Global's Make Some Noise. Head to ClassicFM.com to download the full comedy drama.
Catherine plays soprano Catarina Botti in our fund-raising radio comedy drama for Global's Make Some Noise. Head to ClassicFM.com to download the full comedy drama.
John plays Detective John Purée, brother of the more moustachioed Hercules, in our fund-raising radio comedy drama for Global's Make Some Noise. Head to ClassicFM.com to download the full comedy drama.
Aled stars in our fund-raising radio comedy drama for Global's Make Some Noise. Head to ClassicFM.com to download the full comedy drama.
Star launches our fund-raising radio comedy drama for Global's Make Some Noise. Head to ClassicFM.com to download the full comedy drama.
A snippet of Charlotte Green starring in Classic FM's charity play in aid of Make Some Noise. Head to ClassicFM.com to download the full comedy drama.
A snippet of David Tennant narrating the Classic FM charity play in aid of Make Some Noise. Head to ClassicFM.com to download the full comedy drama.
Joe Henson and Alexis Smith (aka composer duo The Flight) talked to Classic FM at Game Music Connect
Director of music for Sony Computer Entertainment America talks to Classic FM at Game Music Connect
Once again this year, Classic FM is supporting Global’s Make Some Noise to improve the lives of disadvantaged children and young people throughout the UK. Here, Margherita Taylor finds out about Jessie’s Fund which helps seriously ill and disabled children through the therapeutic use of music. Clarinettist Lesley Schatzberger talks about the legacy of her daughter Jessie George, who was just nine years old when she was diagnosed with a rare and inoperable brain tumour in December 1993.
One of Tim's 50 birthday challenges was to do a link in Welsh at our Classic FM Live concert at the Wales Millennium Centre on 30 June. Tenor Wynne Evans taught, and introduced, him.
Lesley Garrett is campaigning for composers to write more opera roles for older sopranos. “There are almost none to be honest,” the singer tells Classic FM’s Charlotte Green (Culture Club, Sunday 28 June 3pm), “Because we have much better health care, we have better training, we have the wonder of HRT, we’re all singing on into our 60s and 70s. Women now are captains of industry, we’re holding great offices of state, we’re running countries, and this has to be reflected in the writing of opera…otherwise its going to be seen as a museum art form.”
As one of the 50 tasks set for Classic FM's More Music Breakfast presenter for his 50th birthday, Tim reads some favourite Shakespeare sonnets, suggested by Michele Fry from Oxford.
Daniel Barenboim on the piano, Gustavo Dudamel conducting the Staatskapelle Berlin in the fourth movement of Brahms's Second Piano Concerto.
John Suchet introduces the first play on UK radio of a spectacular new recording of Brahms' Piano Concertos, played by the legendary Daniel Barenboim and conducted by Gustavo Dudamel.
Dr Domenico Vicinanza of Anglia Ruskin University has produced a piece of music based on data obtained during the search for the Higgs boson. The music, commissioned by ATLAS Experiment at CERN in Switzerland to accompany a new film, uses a process called data sonification, which involves transforming scientific information into sound. To compose the music, Dr Vicinanza went back to the data the ATLAS researchers used in 2012 to announce the discovery of the Higgs boson. He mapped the vertical position of the points to a D minor and then F Major scale, and then cut the melodies into fragments of 4 to 8 notes that he used to build the piece. And this is what it sounds like...
Classic FM's More Music Breakfast presenter Tim Lihoreau turns 50 on 13 June and, as a special gift, his colleagues and listeners are setting him 50 out-of-the-ordinary things to do. Here's John Suchet's suggestion.
Classic FM's More Music Breakfast presenter Tim Lihoreau turns 50 on 13 June and, as a special gift, his colleagues and listeners are setting him 50 out-of-the-ordinary things to do. Here's Alex James's suggestion.
Classic FM's More Music Breakfast presenter Tim Lihoreau turns 50 on 13 June and, as a special gift, his colleagues and listeners are setting him 50 out-of-the-ordinary things to do. Here's Aled Jones's suggestion.
Classic FM's More Music Breakfast presenter Tim Lihoreau turns 50 on 13 June and, as a special gift, his colleagues and listeners are setting him 50 out-of-the-ordinary things to do. Here's Charlotte Green's suggestion.
The Labour leader talks about what he would have said in a final conversation with his dad
The chief executive of The City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra tells us what partnering with Classic FM means for the Midlands.
The Sixteen's recording of Monteverdi's Vespers of 1610 takes the top spot in the Classic FM Chart. Conductor Harry Christophers talks to Classic FM's John Brunning about the Vespers, as well as The Sixteen's current choral pilgrimage, and raising up the next generation of singers.
Icelandic musician Ólafur Arnalds ousts 'Wolf Hall' from the No.1 spot with his innovative Chopin Project, collaborating with pianist Alice Sara Ott. Classic FM's John Brunning broke the news to him.
Harpist Lavinia Meijer talks to Classic FM's John Brunning about her new album 'Voyage', which includes music by Debussy and Satie.
Debbie Wiseman's original score for the TV drama series has shot straight into the Classic FM Chart at No.1. Chart presenter John Brunning asked the composer about her chart success and how she went about writing the score.
We chat to violinist Tasmin Little about the stellar string competition, and her thoughts on music education.
The great pianist and conductor talks about the situation in his homeland today, 52 years after he left the Soviet Union.
The great pianist and conductor speaks to Classic FM's Sam Pittis about the honorary doctorate presented to him at the Royal College of Music on 12 March 2015.
Liverpool-born mezzo-soprano Kathryn Rudge takes to the stage with the RLPO, singing Beethoven's 9th on the occasion of the orchestra's 175th birthday. She talks to Classic FM's Jane Jones about her excitement.
The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra's platform manager Ian Doran tells Jane Jones what it takes to get the orchestra set up, and how some venues just don't have enough space.
Andrew Cornall, artistic director of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, and Sandra Parr - the RLPO's director of artistic planning, talk to Classic FM's Jane Jones about the orchestra's 175th birthday and how they make plans for the future.
He's been the principal conductor of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra since 2006 and now Vasily Petrenko is gearing up for the RLPO's anniversary concert - and the next 175 years. He talks to Classic FM's Jane Jones.
On the day he was made an Honorary Member of the Royal College of Music, Edward Fox tells Classic FM's Sam Pittis of his family's historical connection with the RCM.
Dame Kiri Te Kanawa has received an honorary doctorate from the RCM. Classic FM spoke to her after the ceremony.
Professor Ian Tracey talks to Classic FM's Jane Jones about the role of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Choir in the 175th anniversary celebrations of the RLPO.
In an interview conducted in Berlin in 2012, Sir Simon Rattle told John Suchet about how the Berlin Philharmonic took to playing the ballet music of Tchaikovsky.
Sir Simon introduced the Berlin Philharmonic and German audiences to classics from the English repertoire. How did they take to it, asks John Suchet.
When they met in Berlin in 2012, John Suchet asked Sir Simon about his life with the Berlin Philharmonic and the distinctive sound of the orchestra.
Sir Simon recollects his days in Birmingham with CBSO and their recording of Mahler's Resurrection Symphony.
In this interview carried out in Berlin in 2012, the great British conductor tells Classic FM's John Suchet about his upbringing in Liverpool and the moment he decided to be a conductor.
Richard Morrison, Chief Music critic for The Times, speaks to Rupert Bhatia about Simon Rattle's appointment as principal conductor of the London Symphony Orchestra.