Classic FM's Bob Jones travels across the UK to report on the latest productions and events from the nation's top orchestras, concert venues and museums in a daily podcast exclusive to ClassicFM.com.
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Classic FM's Bob Jones travels across the UK to report on the latest productions and events from the nation's top orchestras, concert venues and museums in a daily podcast exclusive to ClassicFM.com.
Ford Galaxy, Classic FM and The Times Online are delighted to bring you a brand new and enchanting series, for all the family to enjoy. Richard E Grant, Alistair McGowan, Laurence Llewellyn Bowen, Harry Enfield and many more will be reading classic children?s stories and bring them to life in their own unique way.
Explore South Africa with Simon Calder- wine, cities, safari, beaches, places to stay. etc
Italian composer Ludovico Einaudi talking about his new solo tour of the UK and Ireland.
For sixteen nights in November, the International Wimbledon Music Festival aims to provide a banquet for the soul, presenting a feast of music making of the highest quality by world-class artists of international standing. Artistic Director Anthony Wilkinson outlines this year's fare and explains how the festival aims to carve a unique place on the fringes of the artistic powerhouse of London.
To Sunderland in the North East of England for the last of this year's reports on the work of the Children and the Arts Foundation. It funds No Limits Theatre Company to reach out to local schools to give a first taste of theatre for many youngsters.
To Glasgow for today's show to meet Louise Brown from the Citizen's Theatre in the city, and two young people - Jennifer and Jade - to discover how the Chlildren and the Arts Foundation have been introducing young people to theatre, using a production of Clockwork Orange.
Joseph Calleja is one of Malta’s most successful recent exports; now 32 years old and a veteran of many of the world’s great opera houses he’s in the UK to sing alongside Pladido Domingo in what has proven to be the hottest ticket at the Royal Opera House for many months. He chats to Mark about how he makes opera more accessible to people and why it’s more complicated to be an opera star nowadays. Also on the podcast, the Australian Craig Ogden who many say is the ‘new John Williams’ to talk about a soon to be released guitar album featuring some surprise pieces.
Patricia Routledge has been a mainstay of television for over 30 years. Depending on your age you may know her as the performer of Alan Bennett's most memorable Talking Heads, as Hyacinth Bucket, or perhaps Hetty Wainthrop. That was all preceded by a life in musical theatre. Now 81, she joins Mark to chat about her career and her latest project which takes her Cheltenham Festival to tell the story of Myra Hess and the wartime National Gallery concerts that she established. Also on the programme bass-baritone Erwin Schrott (otherwise known as Mr. Anna Netrebko) has a tip for young singers and reveals the secret to a happy marriage.
The Philharmonia's Principal Conductor and Artistic Advisor Esa-Pekka Salonen talks to Mark Forrest about his band. He tells Mark why orchestral tours are so important, reveals the biggest problem with conductors and speaks about his most relaxing place in the world. Also on the programme Ilan Eshkeri (the man who wrote scores to Stardust and The Young Victoria) gives his tips on how to make it as a contemporary composer.
With Mary Poppins and The Sound of Music, Julie Andrews has starred in two of the biggest films of all time. The famous four octave voice may not be what it once was, but Julie Andrews is still busy, directing plays, writing books and performing her stage revue of songs and anecdotes from her life on the stage. She chats about her latest film, the great advice she was given by her parents and why she’d love to sneak in to a stage production of The Sound of Music.
Listen to our interview with Holby City star and former Strictly Come Dancing chamption Tom Chambers.
Melvyn Bragg is a novelist, writer, producer, TV executive, radio presenter, member of the House of Lords but it’s probably fair to say he’s best known as the presenter of the South Bank Show for 32 years. It’s a run that’s just come to a close. Melvyn talks about some of the highlights of the past 3 decades, Pavarotti and politics.
Julian Clary tells us the story of Puss in Boots
Starring Shane Richie
Once upon a time there was a soldier but this was no ordinary soldier. He was made of tin. And as just one of a company of 25 soldiers, he only had one leg…
This weeks story is Cinderella read by actress Ashley Jensen.
The Princess and the Pea read by Samantha Morton.
Greta Scacchi tells the story of Rapunzel.
Little Red Riding Hood
Starring Miranda Richardson
“Grandma,” shouted Little Red easing the door further ajar, “Grandma, it’s me Little Red”. She bit her lip. Grandma didn’t like her using her nickname, she perferred to call her by her real name that was… well, a voice sounded back at her, muffled and coming from the bedroom. “In here Little Red, come straight in”. “Odd. Very odd. Little Red? She never calls me Little Red?
Alice in Wonderland starring Imelda Staunton
Once upon a time there was a pleasant little girl, polite and kind, no beastliness or malice, she said Thank you, she said Please, she thought the moon was made of cheese and she had the unassuming name of Alice.
Ugly Duckling starring Sanjeev Bhaskar
This weeks story is Aladin, read by Tom Baker.
You know what it's like. Your mother asks you to go to market to sell your cow because you need some extra cash. But before you get to market you meet a friendly-looking man who offers you a fantastic deal: 5 three beans for your cow. Brilliant! You get home but mother's none too happy with the deal. So what are you to do? If only the beans were magic, then all your problems would be solved…
Read by Tamzin Outhwaite
On a cold Christmas in London Town the little Match Girl walks the streets trying to sell copies of Match Magazine to make enough money for food and to heat her run-down house. Despite the snow she sees something that puts a big smile on a face. Have some tissues at the ready for this tear-jerking story.
Tinderbox starring Geoffrey Palmer
This is the story of a soldier, a witch, and a key. The key unlocks a magical ‘tinder' room. But it's not that simple. There are a number of doors, and behind some of them are big bad barking dogs. Which door should the soldier open? Should he trust the witch? And what is a tinder room, anyway?
It was a seemly ordinary day for the Little Old Woman. She was feeling peckish, so she decided to bake some gingerbread men. She put all the ingredients into a big pot, cut out the gingerbread man shapes, and put them in the oven. Suddenly she heard a knocking… which seemed be coming from INSIDE the oven. The Little Old Woman Opened the doors and out jumped a real gingerbread man…
This tale of medieval upheaval starts at Gloucester and involves Dick Whittington, a boy of just 13, and a nasty chap called Black Death. It tells of how at times events can drive to cut one man adrift and give another man a lift, as Dick penniless and friendless, heads out on the street with his brown cat Keith to London where they say the pavements are lined with diamonds…
Ever since he'd been a small boy, Sinbad had been enchanted by one thing and one thing alone: the sea. He would go down to the sea everyday, absolutely everyday, without fail. Sometimes he would swim in the sea. Sometimes he would simply sit and stare at it. But mostly, Sinbad loved to go down to the harbour and be amongst the ships. So sit back, relax, and let Christopher Eccleston tell you the the story of Sinbad – the adventurous sailor who travels far and wide, getting up to all manner of exploits – some of which you won't believe…
Robert Lindsay tells the tale of the man who boasted to the king that his daughter could turn straw into pure GOLD. His daughter made a wish and a tiny, mischievous man appeared and transformed the straw into GOLD. But, little did she know, this funny little chap would now expect many favours in return… unless she could guess his name.
Our story opens at a school. But this isn’t just any old school, for hidden away amidst snowcapped mountains and glacial gorges, in a place where neither humans nor estate agents dare to tread, this school exists in the snow world with a headmistress intent on working on her brand new invention – a snowglobe. But when the enchanting snowglobe is taken into the ‘real’ world by the headmistress’ arctic monkeys – those naughty little school children – then things get nasty, especially when there’s a Snow Queen in charge.
Once upon a time there were three little pigs. One who wanted to see the world and party, one who wanted to do something arty and the third who was a little more practical and focused on his career.
Nevertheless, all three pigs agreed to build themselves a pad after being evicted from the Big Mother house. All is going well until the stereotypical baddie – the Wolf – comes knocking, despite CCTV and ‘Bad Wolf’ repellant…
There was magical land where once upon a time there lived a Golden Goose. It was so beautifully, temptingly golden that people couldn't resist trying to pluck one of its exquisite features. But as soon as they touched the bird they became stuck – there was quickly a long line of people all stuck together. A young man, who many thought wasn't the brightest in the town, was the only person who could help. However, before he could become the hero of this tale, there were many other challenges he had to complete. Starring Harry Enfield.
Ford Galaxy, Classic FM and The Times Online are delighted to bring you a brand new and enchanting series, for all the family to enjoy. Richard E Grant, Alistair McGowan, Laurence Llewellyn Bowen, Harry Enfield and many more will be reading classic children’s stories and bring them to life in their own unique way.
We wrap up the South African Journeys series with a ‘Best of…’ mix. All the highlights of the series in one podcast episode. South Africa. It’s Possible.
Simon Calder talks about ‘Oceans and Rainbows’ at the end of his South African Journey
This week in South African Journeys, Simon Calder gets to grips with Art from 30 Degrees South
Simon Calder gets into ‘Sporting Spirit’ in this weeks South African Journeys.
This week Simon Calder goes ‘In Search for Red Bush Tea’...
Simon Calder’s South African Journeys. Espisode nine- Thrill Seekers!
Simon Calder takes a look at the Big 5- lion, elephant, leopard, rhinoceros and buffalo
Simon takes us on his journey on the World’s Greatest Train Ride…
Fun, Sun City and wildlife in the game reserves of Pilanesberg. SImon Calder takes us another journey through this diverse country.
South Africa, It’s possible.
This weeks Simon Calder takes us from Robin Island to Soweto.
Simon Calder takes us on a tour of South Africa. This week it’s City Sparkle while Simon talks us round the Trio- Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town.
If you like what you hear, enter for the chance to win exclusive holidays and cases of fine wine!
South Africa. It's possible
Simon Calder takes us on a tour of South Africa. This week he tells of amazing places to stay- from the Mount Nelson Hotel via converted railway carriages to a luxury tented safari.
If you like what you hear, enter for the chance to win exclusive holidays and cases of fine wine!
South Africa. It's possible
Somon Calder takes us on a tour of South Africa. This week he explores the vineyards.If you like what you hear, enter for the chance to win exclusive holidays and cases of fine wine!
South Africa. It’s possible
Simon Calder takes us on a journey round South Africa.
If you like what you hear, enter for the chance to win exclusive holidays and cases of fine wine!
South Africa. It’s possible