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Terence Judd was a promising young pianist, who for reasons unknown just before Christmas 1979, threw himself off Beachy Head. No one knows why. In the run up to his tragic death, he'd won several high profile awards, and his future as a virtuoso pianist had seemed guaranteed. An award in his honour is offered every two years, and its a feature of this year's Piano 2009 Festival next month at Manchester's Birdgewater Hall. John Summers from the Halle which runs the award explains what it hopes to achieve; Plus one of three big days has arrived for the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain as they take to the stage of Birmingham's Symphony Hall to strut their stuff.

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Any festival creates logistical problems for organisors. Piano 2009 which is coming up in February at the Bridgewater Hall in Manchester has perhaps more than most, with any number of pianos flying about the building for performances in various spaces. Today we meet the technicians who make it all happen.

Another report from the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain's winter residential course in Staffordshire in advance of three big concerts in Birmingham, Manchester and London this coming week; plus a chance to meet the Orion Quartet, one of America's most sought after ensembles, returning to Kings Place in London later this month helping to complete the cycle of Beethoven's quartets.

Initially film maker Tony Palmer wanted to make a film about Carl Orff to prove there was more to the composer's work that Carmina Burana. What he discovered was a tortured and agonised man desperate to reconcile his half Jewish roots with living and working in Nazi Germany.

The British actor Shaun Dingwall has one of those faces that seems to crop up in just about every drama going - on stage or screen. He's probably best known recently for playing Rose Tyler's dad in Dr. Who, but he also popped up in Survivors and has a number of dramas ready to roll onto our screens including this weekend a big two-part crime thriller called Above Suspicion written by Lynda LaPlante. He tells Classic FM Arts Daily about the role, and his current dramatic ubiquity.

A special report from Staffordshire as members of the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain gather for a residential course in advance of their three big concerts in Manchester, Birmingham and London later this month; plus Dutch success for the Heath Quartet which spells a bright year ahead for this Manchester based ensemble.

The end of one year, and a new one full of promise is about to begin. It was an amazing year for the boys in the Fron Male Voice Choir - now living a hectic concert life, and with a clutch of CD's in the charts. At the helm of their successful ship - the mezzo soprano Ann Atkins. She talks of her association with the Fron, her other choral exploits and of her role as artistic director od the North Wales International Music Festival.

The Silesian born Henryk Mikolay Gorecky built an early reputation as the leader of the Polish avant garde in the 1950's. It wasn't until the 90's and the success of his 3rd Symphony - a Symphony of Sorrowful Songs - that he achieved international acclaim. A tribute CD to mark Gorecky's 75th birthday is being released by Landor Records in the New Year. The company's co-founder Robert Ogden explains why he feels Gorecky has been greatly neglected.

The Siberian pianist Evgeny Samoyloff returns to the Wigmore Hall in London this week with a concert of Mozart, Beethoven, Skriabin and also the composer which ignites his musical passions the most - Tchaikovsky. He's playing music from the seasonal favourite, Nutcracker, arranged by fellow Russian pianist Mikail Pletnev. He talks to Arts Daily about his playing, Russian music and his new CD; plus why harp music is increasingly hitting the right note.

Our passion for the High Street sales appear undiminished despite the financial crisis. There always appear to be a legion of shop assistants coping with the seasonal demands. Every wondered where they come from? One of them might have been Kyle McPhail who together with Adam Welsh braved the equally punishing schedule of Skellig - Sage Gateshead's recent opera production. They played Coot and Leakey in a fast moving and tense scene in the production. They talk about the show, musical theatre, and about `resting'.

Members of the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain are gathering in Staffordshire this weekend to practice for three concerts in the New Year, at Birmingham Symphony Hall, the Bridgewater Hall in Manchester, and at the Roundhouse in London. We learn more about this extraordinary organisation; plus violinist Daniel Hope on playing with the London Symphony Orchestra, and on travelling the world for his work.

Four year's ago today we woke up to the news that a huge earthquake off the coast of Indonesia had triggered off a massive Tsunami which left almost a quarter of a million people dead, and 200 million around the Indian Ocean homeless. Songs of the Coramandel Coast is an album of music written by Chris Williams, which aims to keep the event in the headlines, and raise money for development projects in affected communities.

The Margins Project was founded about 15 years ago at the Union Chapel in Islington in north London to help the growing number of homeless people across the capital. Recently they've seen a big rise in the number of people needing their services. Apart from being a congregational church the building is now also used for concerts, with a growing trend towards using music to raise money to help those on the margins of society.

The Midnight Mass will be observed in every corner of the country this evening. One of the most extraordinary venues perhaps will be the Cathedral of the Isles on Cumbrae in Scotland. This is the smallest cathedral in Britain, and yet boasts a very healthy religious and musical life. Organist Alistair Chisholm tells us more about the Cathedral and his aquatic fundraising efforts to restore the organ.

With three albums in the current Classical top 30, the Fron Male Voice Choir have hit the big time. There's is literally a tale of small town choir made very good indeed! Choir member David Jones reflects on a phenomenal year, and dares to think about things to come; plus another insight into the London Symphony Orchestra's recent tour of Japan through the eyes of double bassist Matthew Gibson.

Ben Schott studied at Cambridge and was heading for a career in advertising when he was consumed by a love of trivia, creating one of the most popular stocking fillers at this time of year - Schotts Miscellany and Schotts Almanac. They've been described as a Swiss Army Knife in book form, and a biography of the world. He tells Arts Daily how a fascination became a full time job.

It's been a long an exciting year for the Hear Here project - the UK's only classical music project dedicated to listening, presented by the Royal Philharmonic Society and Classic FM, and supported by the Paul Hamlyn Foundation. Its principal aim perhaps was to get people talking. On the show today - four eminent people involved in creating music and the way we hear it, discuss whether it matters how we listen?

First performed back in 1946, Rape of Lucretia was Benjamin Britten's first chamber opera. Just one year later he revised the work, and it's this version that most people know today. So what, if anything, was wrong with the original? Royal Danish Opera has gained approval to stage the 1946 version this february in Copenhagan with Britten's friend Steuart Bedford at the baton. The director and dramatist explain how this production has come about.

One of the country's best known lyric tenors, Ian Partridge sings in public for the last time this weekend after a career spanning the last fifty years. He's had an immensely varied professional life, ranging from all the choral greats, to recitals with the actress Prunella Scales. He's a professor at the Royal Academy of Music. Ian mulls over the last half century of singing with Arts Daily.

The Tallis Scholars have a richly deserved worldwide reputation for singing renaissance sacred music. They're performing this evening in London. But they've also teamed up with the National Centre for Early Music to encourage the creation of new composition. Peter Phillips explains what they are looking for.

Round about this time last year, the violinist Matthew Trusler and his wife Maya Koch lost their baby son Lenny to a rare kidney disease just hours after he was born. They decided to put their talents to work to raise money for the unit at the Whittington Hospital in north London that cared for their son during his brief life. They've already achieved many of their aims, but tomorrow evening sees a special family concert at Kings Place in London with the intention of raising even more money for a cause close to their hearts; Plus 4 Girls 4 Harps, and what appears to be a very successful career ahead.

The pianist Daniel Grimwood takes to the stage of the Wigmore Hall this week with a programme entitled Liszt and trhe Erard. Liszt is a particular passion for Daniel and he's especially excited to be playing the composer's music on an original 1851 Erard piano, adding a certain degree of authenticity to the music. But how close can you get to the sound of Liszt's music as he might have heard it? Daniel Grimwood gives his expert opinion.

The singer Katherine Jenkins has a knack of gathering attractive young men about her for her shows. She's been touring the country with Blake, but also a talented young pianist from America called William Joseph. He's next on stage with Katherine on Thursday in Manchester. He explains how he ended up playing the piano, reveals his musical tastes, and why he'll never play at a wedding ever again!

The London Symphony Orchestra have an extra special concert this evening. Between the Bartok and the Brahms of their concert at the Barbican, they are premiering a new work by the American composer Augusta Read Thomas who'll be on hand for a pre concert talk. The piece is entitled Helios Choros 2. The composer tells Arts Daily how it came about.

The soprano Emma Kirkby is clocking up the airmiles at the moment. She's just returned from Germany mid way through a concert series entitled In Navititate Domini, which celebrates the musical treasures of the season. She's on stage again this evening in Bristol, and tomorrow evening in York. Arts Daily tracks her down at the airport!

Dominic Smith is a rare thing - a Formular 1 aerodynamacist, and a talented pianist. Just over a year ago he won a prestigious amateur competition which will see him take to the stage of the the Royal Festival Hall in London playing Rachmaninoff in a Valentine's night concert; plus more from the musicians of the London Symphony Orchestra on tour in Japan.

Another glimpse into the life of a musician on tour thanks to the London Symphony Orchestra's resident blogger Flautist Gareth Davies. And news of another orchestra heading across the world, City of London Sinfonia chief executive Barry Kempton outlines the exciting prospect of their imminent trip to Colombia to be the resident ensemble at the Cartagena International Music Festival in January.

The London Symphony Orchestra plays the last concert of a major Japanese tour today with Valery Gergiev at the helm. We meet Flautist Gareth Davies, the man behind their tour blog. And the avant garde Icelandic composer Johann Johannsson talks about his latest work Fordlandia, which takes technology and iconomic American brand names as its theme.

Tod Machover is described as a composer and an inventor. He's a regular visitor to the UK, most recently involved in bringing Skellig, the new opera at Sage Gatehead to the stage. But he's fascinated with technology and weaving unconventional sounds into his compositions. he tells Arts Daily about Skellig, his upbringing in a musical household, and how that's engendered a love of bringing music to young people.

A catch up with Voces 8, the a capella octet who've been busy touring Spain, appearing with the Philharmonia at the Royal Festival Hall and making a CD which has just hit the shops. Their style of music means the next month is pretty full-on!

By all accounts the new opera Skellig, which premiered at the Sage Gateshead last week was a tricky work to master for all concerned, partly due to the composer Tod Machover's unique style. Today we meet two established singers - Sophie Daneman and Paul Keohone who play the main character's parents. They explain how they approached the roles.

Today we hear about a remarkable rolling collaboration between a musician turned novelist - Jessica Duchen, and French violinist Philippe Graffin. Jessica has written dramatic works and books inspired by Philippe's music and Philippe has written music to accompany Jessica's writings. They talk about how this intricate relationship works to the benefit of both.

This year's offering from W11 Opera can be seen over the weekend at the Riverside Studios in West London. Song for Rhiannon is based on the ancient Welsh texts of the Mabinogion. W11 was started back in 1971 to give young people of all backgrounds the chance to experience opera. We hear from the Librettist Helen Cooper; plus dance graduate Lucy Barlow on her involvement in Skellig, the new opera at the Sage Gateshead which premiered last week.

A ballet version of The Snowman took to the stage of the Peacock Theatre in London last night. It's a joint production by Sadlers Wells and the Birmingham repertory. Based on the book by Raymond Briggs, the libretto and music are of course from the pen of Howard Blake, who turned 70 this year. He tells Classic FM Arts Daily how the piece had been an unexpected hit, and where it fits into a long a varied career.

The Faculty Series at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London gives the conservatoir's professors the chance to show what they can do. This evening, Head of Strings, Jacqueline Ross has teamed up with keyboard player Maggie Cole for a Classic Journey from CPE Bach to Schubert; Plus how Skellig - the new opera that premiered last week in Newcastle is playing its part in getting youngsters in the North East of England into the singing habit.

This evening is Harmonic Club night - a classical music event presented in a more contemporary style, at the Arts Club in London's swanky Mayfair,and this evening including the usual DJ on the decks, but also violinist Nicola Benedetti, pianist Alexei Grynyuk and the up and coming cellist Leonard Elschenbroich, who tells Classic FM Arts Daily about the Harmonic club night, and the exciting times he has ahead.

Our regular monthly report on the activities of Hear Here - the UK first classical music project dedicated to listening - presented by the Royal Philharmonic Society and Classic FM, supported by the Paul Hamlyn Foundation. In November the project examined hearing and hearing impairment. The featured work was Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring, and the partner ensemble was the Philharmonia, Classic FM's Orchestra on Tour.

The internationally renowned conductor Richard Hickox died a week ago today. He was a great champion of English music, and was one of the most recorded of composers with some 300 titles to his name. Today we hear tributes to the man from friends, colleagues and critics, and also hear extracts from interviews he made recently with Classic FM.

The new opera Skellig comes to the end of its brief run at the Sage Gateshead this evening. Five weeks of intense rehearsals have been followed by five performances which have received rave reviews. For two young singers at the centre of the story, Matthew Long and Merrin Lazyan, it's been an amazing experience.

When she died five years ago at the age of 40 the opera singer Susan Chilcott was attaining the greatness she so richly deserved. She'd worked with all the major opera houses in the world, and had gained the adoration of Placido Domingo and Valery Gergiev to name but two. After her death her friends and family decided to set up a trust to provide financial help to aspiring singers, and the latest batch received their awards at a ceremony last night. Chair of the Trustees Jonathan Dimbleby recalls Susan Chilcott, and explains what they are trying to achieve in her name.

A special edition of Classic FM Arts Daily from Newcastle, and the Sage Gateshead, home to Northern Sinfonia. And the venue for the world premier this week of a new opera Skellig, based on the popular children's book by local writer David Almond. He tells how he feels about his work being turned into an atmospheric and powerful operatic work; plus memories in the North East of England of conductor Richard Hickox whose death was announced earlier this week.

5 singing teachers from Bournemouth, Stoke, Liverpool, Litchfield and Leeds have scooped a huge record contract with a major record company - not to sing pop music or be the next crossover band, but to sing the very best of Gilbert and Sullivan. The Gala Ensemble released its debut album on Monday, and have now set their sights on chart success.

A special edition of Classic FM Arts Daily highlighting the 30th Arts and Business Awards which were were handed out last night at a glittering ceremony at the Victoria and Albert Museum. The awards celebrate excellence in the field of cultural partnerships and sponsorship.

The Britten Sinfonia is described as one of the most dynamic ensembles in Europe. They're about to embark on their lates At Lunch series, kicking off in Krakow in Poland, and then travelling to Cambridge, London, Birmingham and Norwich. Chief Executive David Butcher brings us up to speed on their activities, and also their nomination for their collaboration with Cambridge University Press in today's Arts and Business Awards.

Joby Burgess has been described as one of the most diverse percussionists in the country. He was on stage last night in Edinburgh with his band Powerplant with two new unusual commissions - one which uses fizzy drink bottles, and another which samples speeches from American politicians. It was part of a nine date tour which also takes the show to Birmingham, Dartington, London and Brighton; Plus some alarming news for loud musicians from the pages of this year's Schotts Alamanac.

Today we focus on the London Symphony Orchestra's On Track scheme which brings the musicians from the LSO into contact with thousands of children from the East of London. The project takes LSO musicians into schools in some of the most deprived London boroughs to spready their skills and love of music; The orchestra is also up for an award at the Arts and Business Awards on Monday, for their collaboration with Rolls Royce on their recent tour of China.

We're just over a week away from the launch of Orchestra Europa's new season. The ensemble is made up of some of the most talented young musicians from across Europe. They kick off in Cardiff a week tomorrow - with the Liverpool Phil's Vasily Petrenko at the helm. Artistic Director Scott Ellaway explains the ethos of the Orchestra along with violinist Nicola Benedetti who's guesting with them later in the season; plus a capella octet - Voces8 - gets exited about its latest album release.

This coming Saturday is St Cecilia's Day. Back in the late seventeenth century it was a day of big celebrations. The baroque ensemble La Nuova Musica and Soprano Lucy Crow are keeping the traditions alive with a concert at St John's Smith Square. Artistic Director David Bates tells Arts Daily about the ensemble and the revolutionary treatise it was named after.

With just a few days to go until the prestigious Arts and Business Awards - which celebrate best practice in partnerships between business and arts organisations - we hear how one of the nominees this year - Sage Gateshead, home to Northern Sinfonia, has benefitted from its association with Sage PLC; Plus a visit to the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in Cardiff to find out more about its ground breaking Creative Audio department.

The problem with writing a history of a country is what and who to include, and when it's written, invariable everything changes. The historian and biographer A. N. Wilson's latest work, Our Times, looks at the last 50 years of the 20th century. He tells Classic FM's Anne-Marie Minhall how he approached the project.

An operatic feel to Classic FM Arts Daily today. We have a new face to follow at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, albeit a familiar one. Nicky Spence - who's aready tasted the glitz and glamour of showbiz, is in his second year on the conservatoirs's acclaimed opera course; plus we hear about W11 Opera, which since 1971 has strived to engage young people in singing and open the door to performing fame and fortune. They're preparing for their next production at the beginning of December - Song of Rhiannon.

Two big events at London's Guildhall School of Music and Drama this week. The Vaughan Williams commemorations continue with a look at the songs of the great composer and those about him; plus Russian conducting superstar Vasily Petrenko takes a break from the Royal Liverpool Phil to work with the Guildhall Symphony Orchestra at the Barbican.

This is a big month for German born composer Max Richter. Not only is his music part of a collaboration with Wayne McGregor and Julian Opie at the Royal Opera House in London, but he's also written the score for a new animation called Waltz with Bashir, which is released in about a week's time. He talks about these two contrasting pieces, and the kind of work he likes best.

.When the young singer Mary Costa auditioned for Walt Disney to be the voice of Sleeping Beauty, she couldn't have known how popular the animated feature would be, and that 50 years later, it would be digitally remastered and re-issued on the new Blu-Ray format. She was just 22 at the time, and went on to have a massively successul singing career. She tells Arts Daily about meeting Walt Disney, how a mock English accent secured the role, and how the part changed her life.

For the actress Carol Drinkwater - what started as a passing interest in the olive tree has become a passion if not an obsession. That interest started as a trilogy - and with the publication of the Olive Tree, it's now a five book epic which defies description. Is it a biography, a travelogue, a love story? Carol tells Arts Daily how she sees the stories of an extraordinary phenomena.

The Schools Proms - which reaches its climax at the Royal Albert Hall in London this evening - is proof positive that music making is alive and well in schools across the UK. Much is due to the dedication of teachers and workshop leaders who take the enjoyment of music to every corner of the country. One such musician is Luke Crooks, who works with the Philharmonia, Classic FM's Orchestra on Tour. He tells Arts Daily about his work, and how kids respond to it.

A new a capella requiem by composer Gabriel Jackson receives its world premier this evening in London, it's performed by the Vasari Singers, described as one of the best choral groups in the world. The composer talks about how the piece evolved; Plus Oscar nominated director Robert Weider tells Classic FM's Anne-Marie Minhall about the Englishness of his latest film `How to Lose Friends and Alienate People'.

Today sees the start of Music for Youth's Schools Proms. This is the culmination of a year of participatory events involving schools and colleges in every corner of the UK. We hear what's in store at the Royal Albert Hall from new Chief Executive Lincoln Abbots; Plus the latest album by the Swedish barritone Carry Persson which celebrates heroic music.

The Sixteen - the voices of Classic FM - are gearing up for big celebrations next year but you'd be forgiven for thinking they had started early. You don't have to wait long for one of their exuberant and soulful concerts to come round. Their much anticipated annual Messiah is coming up at the beginning of December, and just recently they performed a concert of music devoted to Mary, which included work by composer Margaret Rizza, who explains the attraction of the Marian theme; plus the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama's 60th celebration plans.

The internationally acclaimed Spanish Guitarist Juan Martin is becoming a regular sight in Liverpool at the moment. He was commissioned as part of the city's year of culture celebrations to write the music for the Liverpool Playhouse's production of the Lorca classic, Blood Wedding. This is his first theatrical encounter. He tells Arts Daily how it came about.

The Hebrides Ensemble are madly mid-tour at the moment. They've already been to Glasgow and Edinburgh, travel to Fettercairn tonight and then head to Thurso and Inverness. They've teamed up again with mezzo soprano Jane Irwin, for a programme of poems set to music which examine love and loss. It includes a new work by young composer Martin Suckling which is hot off the press; plus celebrity chef John Torode tells Classic FM's Anne-Marie Minhall about his beefy aspirations.

A special edition of Arts Daily from Cardiff, where the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama has unveiled a campaign to raise enough money to build impressive new facilities on campus, costing more than 22 million pounds. We hear from the principal of the college Hilary Boulding, Architect Jason Flanaghan and the new patron of the fundraising campaign - operatic superstar Bryn Terfel.

The Macedonian pianist Simon Trpceski has established himself as one of the most remarkable players of today. He's performed with many of the world's greatest orchestras, including most recently, the CBSO at the Symphony Hall. Simon tells Arts Daily of his hectic globetrotting lifestyle and how home in Macedonia keeps his feet on the ground.

Today we meet the Atrium Quartet, a Russian ensemble who came together eight years ago in St Petersburg. Winning a pretigious string competition a few years back catapulted them into the international performing circuit. They talk of Russia, repertoir and roaming the world.

A tale of two cellists today. Young Irish player Brian O'Kane claimed the recent Windsor Festival International String Competition, but already has a hectic round of concerts on the go, including one this evening at the Wigmore Hall; And the more seasoned Richard Jenkinson, principal cello with the CBSO which tomorrow will be paying tribute to conductor Vernon Handley who died earlier in the year. He tells of his varied musical influences.

A quick look at the hectic round of events which took place last month under the watchful eye of Hear Here - the UK's first classical music project dedeicated to listening, presented by the Royal Philharmonic Society and Classic FM in association with the Paul Hamlyn Foundation. Pianist Freddy Kempf tells how Rachmaninoff inspired his early exploration of music; we meet the Ghanean musician who's teaching Guidhall percussionists new tricks; and we discover how recording differs from playing live in a concert hall.

Stockhausen is taking centre stage over the next week. There's a day long festival of his music staged by the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester with the conservatoir's wind orchestra playing Lucifer's Tanz. They are performing it again on the South Bank in London next week during the arts centre's Klang tribute. Head of conducting at the RNCM, Clark Rundell, explains how they are rising to the challenge of Stockhausen.

Carl Herring is one of a new generation of guitarrists. He's respectful of the heritage of the instrument but also not afraid to push the boundaries to take the instrument where it's never been before. He also likes to point out that both Schubert and Chopin had guitars, and that new repertoir can come from honourable places. He performs at the new Kings Place in London this evening, and explains the impulses behind his second CD, just released.

Today we meet children from Ysgol Pen-y-Bryn in Colwyn Bay who've benefitted from Music Quest, organised through the Children and the Arts Foundation, which brings top flight musicians into remoter communities to engender an enduring interest in classical music; Plus a final reflection on the Two Moors Festival for this year from artistic Director Penny Adie.

Today - as part of Arts & Kids week on Classic FM Arts Daily - we hear from the children of Sandal Magna School in Wakefield in West Yorkshire, who were given the chance to visit the town's art gallery to get some hands on experience of art, thanks to the Children and the Arts Foundation.

We continue our focus on the work of the Children and the Arts Foundation today by speaking to Wakefield Arts Gallery in West Yorkshire and the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge - both heavily involved in projects to bring kids into an enduring relationship with Art.

This is Arts and Kids week. A chance to celebrate the work of the Children and the Arts Foundation, and get involved with the many events up and down the country aimed at exposing kids to the arts and music. The Foundation was inspired by the Prince of Wales, and works especially in areas of social, economic and geographical isolation. Today we hear about how it came into being in the first place from its director Rebecca Eastmond.

Letters Home - Voices from Iraq is a play devised from letters, emails and postings gathered by an Ohio State University Drama director Jimmy Bohr. He says he wanted to find the `Warrior's Truth'. The show was presented recently in London where he made an appeal to find British input into the project; plus a new website that aims to bring the classical music community closer together.

This week sees a special concert celebrating the life and works of Howard Blake. The composer himself - who's just turned 70 - will conduct the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in several works including his Piano Concerto. Chinese pianist William Chen has made study of Blake's music, and will perform on the night. He explains his fascination.

Today is Everybody Writes Day! It's a scheme run by the Book Trust to get everyone - especially kids, involved in the reading and writing habit. The aim is to show that it is easily done. Alison Judge is in charge of the project and explains how it works to Classic FM Arts Daily; plus the final concert of the Two Moors Festival was described as a collaborative event. Artistic Director, Penny Adie, explains what it was all about.

The young a cappella octet Voces8 is making a big name for itself at the moment. They already have a string of awards to their name. They'll be appearing with the Philharmonia and Brian Blessed at the Royal Festival Hall next month, and are off to tour northern Spain this weekend.

A piano theme to today's show. We start with nervous moments at the Two Moors Festival where it's Piano, Lights Action; plus a look ahead to Piano 2008 - a festival at the Bridgewater Hall in Manchster which plays tribute to the instrument, uniting the finest soloists, orchestras and conservatoirs. Internationally renowned pianist Barry Douglas is the artistic director.

Think Bach meets Liberace meets Scissor Sisters and you'll come close to envisaging the phenomenon that is Cameron Carpenter - the self styled Maverick Organ Play of New York. He's playing at the Royal Albert Hall this evening, and explains to Classic FM Arts Daily what appears to be a love hate relationship with his instrument.

The Two Moors Festival came to an end over the weekend. Another successful year thanks to the musicians and organisors and also the many volunteers and behind the scenes people. Today we meet Bert who looks after Oakhampton Church, one of the venues used this year. Plus musical favourite La Cage aux Folles gets a dusting off for a new West End run this week, starring comedy favourite Paula Wilcox who tells Arts Daily why it's a musical for our credit crunch times.

US Singer Idina Menzel is the woman of the moment. She's just brought out a new CD called I stand; She performed for Sir Andrew Lord Webber at his 60th birthday celebrations; and her song A Hero Comes Home used in Beowulf has been nominated for the World Sound Track Awards. She's equally at home in the studio, on the road and on the stage, with memorable appearances in Wicket and Rent. But which does she prefer?

The film music composer Patrick Doyle has penned literally hundreds of scores. So many in fact that he keeps losing them! His latest project, the music for an animated feature called Igor, has taken him into new territory. Classic FM's Anne-Marie Minhall talks to the composer about his work, and how he's trying to find his missing pieces; and another trip to the Two Moors festival focussing on a rather unique offering - a Church Crawl with music.

The Two Moors Festival are very well aware that every cloud has a silver lining. Quite apart from the origins of the festival in the desperate days of the foot and mouth outbreak on Exmoor and Dartmoor, a tragic piano delivery accident, meant they were gifted a splendid Bosedorfer. Artistic Director Penny Adie meets three participants who've benefitted from access to this magnificant instrument. Plus Manchester Art Gallery's first exhibition of the work of William Holman Hunt in forty years.

Classically British is unique project aiming to showcase modern and classical ballet by dancers of minority ethnic origin. It was started five years ago by Mark Elie, who cut his teeth at the Ballet Rambert and the dance Dance Theatre of Harlem, and who went on to have a successful career as a member of Hot Gossip and West end Shows. But his passion now is to present quality dance to act as a role model for young black and asian dancers.

It was a big day yesterday at the Two Moors Festival. Four very talented young musicians - the winners of the festival's Young Musicians Platform competition performed in front of Her Royal Highness the Countess of Wessex in the beautuful setting of St Andrew's Church in Ashburton in Devon. We hear their plans, the views of pianist Harvey Davies, and details of another action packed day from festival Artistic Director Penny Adie.

Timing is everything when you're publishing a book. On the surface, Lord Chris Patten - former Conservative Minister, European Commissioner and last British Governor of Hong Kong - was spot on. His new work `What Next, Surviving the 21st Century' expresses concern about the future of the world, economic, environmental and social. But in a world where frames of reference change so quickly - did he hanker after the chance to add a few more chapters?

100 years ago this month, the author Kenneth Grahame published Wind in the Willows which went on to become a great favourite with children and adults alike. He also resigned as Secretary at the Bank of England. A new display at the Bank's museum reveals the drama surrounding his resignation. Curator John Keyworth tells us more.

The latest event from the team that bring you Lake District Summer Music reaches a climax later today. Florilegium will perform Bolivian Baroque as part of the Music from a Foreign Land series at Ulverston's Coronation Hall. We hear from some of the unsung heroes who make both festivals a great success.

Bonn in Germany is recovering from this year's Beethovenfest during which you'd have been forgiven for thinking that the great composer was the only kid on the block. Not so, as Schumannhaus Museum hopes to point out. We visit the building where Robert Schumann spent his final days.

If you find yourself seeing top flight chamber orchestral ensembles in Egremont, Ludlow, Stamford, Dartington or Chatham over the weekend, then you have Orchestras Live to thank for it. New Chief executive Henry Little explains how Orchestras Live works and it's hopes for the future.

The start of the English Consort's London season is just under a week away. Under the direction of Harry Bicket, David Daniels will sing sacred arias from Bach, and dramatic arias from Handel. Shortly after they set off on a European tour, and then next year they travel to the States. Harry Bicket tells Classic FM Arts Daily, what makes the Consort special.

Scottish Opera's 5:15 project proved to be such an overwhelming success that they've decided to do it again. They idea is to partner some of the biggest names in the Scottish artistic community - sometimes creative extraordinarily imaginative partnerships. The General Director of Scottish Opera Alex Reedijk looks ahead; plus with just a few days to go until the start of the Canterbury Festival on Saturday, Festival Director Rosie Turner says it's all systems go.

Dougie Boyd has signed up again for another few years as Artistic Director of Manchester Camerata. He's already overseen a period of immense change in the chamber orchestra which now has its HQ within the Royal Northern College of Music. Dougie explains his vision along with Chief Executive Bob Riley.

Pianist Sophie Cashell almost didn't become a musician at all. Her performing aspirations almost came to a sticky end when her first instrument, a violin, came to a sticky end and was hidden under the sofa after a childhood mishap! Luckily she took up the more robust piano, and we meet her now, an award winning performer, with a new CD out today, and soon to grace the stage of IndigO2, as part of the Classic FM series at one of London's newest venues.

The 30th Chiddingly Festival in Sussex comes to an end today. It's been a hectic few weeks of remarkably high quality performances, workshops, drama, plus a beer festival. Today we hear from some of the people who make it what it is - an amazing heartfelt event.

The novel The Girl with the Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier has been through several incarnations, the latest being a stage play which has recently transferred to the West End. The music has been written especially by multi BAFTA and Novello award winner Christopher Gunning who talks about the trials and tribulations of writing for live theatre.

If you sat next to a cello case on a transatlantic flight recently, you may well have encountered the Amaryllis Fleming Cello jetting off on a whistle stop world tour in advance of its auction at the end of this month. It's expected to fetch over a million pounds! Plus there's still time to catch the Latin beat at the Oxford Chamber Music Festival, including the world premier of a new tango this evening.

Autumn is a season of fruitfulness, especially in the music world, with many ensembles and venues announcing their new seasons. Bridgewater Hall in Manchester is no exception, and what a season they have - a plethora of European Orchestras, Bryn Terfel, Sir Willard White and much much more. The venue's artistic advisor Peter Davison brings us up to date. Plus the angst of Turner Prize winner Martin Creed who premiered a new piece with the CBSO in Birmingham last week.

The latest DVD from the documentary film maker Christopher Nupen hits the shops today. It features an intimate portrait of the eminent conductor Vladimir Ashkenazy. Nupen tells Arts Daily about the magic of the film, and why he believes its almost impossible to create its like again.

Hear Here is the UK's first classical music project dedicated to listening, presented by the Royal Philharmonic Society along with Classic FM, and supported by the Paul Hamlyn Foundation. The listening focus this month was how memory, familiarity, change and preconceptions shape our listening enjoyment.

The Facebook Four are back with a vengeance - the latest CD from Blake hits the shops today. It again displays the eclectic song choice of the i-pod generation. Stephen, Ollie, Jules and Dominic tell Arts Daily why they've been nervously awaiting today!

Tomorrow evening YCAT - Young Concert Artists Trust presents several of their new faces. The organisation scoops up the best young soloists and ensembles and shepherds them through the early stages of their professional lives. We hear from two of them - Romanian pianist Alexandra Dariescu and the Heath Quartet.

Sometimes watching music being made is just as fascinating as attending a concert. Today at the Purcell Room on the Southbank in London there's a chance to hear two of the most interesting exponents of the Chamber Pop genre - Ted Barnes and the North Sea Radio Orchestra. They have an open rehearsal during the daytime - which is free to attend - and then they have a concert in the evening. Composer and Musician Ted Barnes explains the Chamber Pop genre to Arts Daily.

The composer York Bowen gets a run out this evening at the Wigmore Hall in London thanks to Endymion who've been at the forefront of reviving English music. Plus a performers eye view of the Windsor Festival.

The Fictionist is a collaboration between the musician and composer Surinder Sandhu and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra. It's been described as Led Zeppelin meets Star Wars, but even that wild description fails to comprehend the influences that went into creating the work, part commissioned for Liverpool's European City of Culture celebrations. The composer explains his relationship with the RLPO and how the piece came about.

We're just a week away from the opening of London's latest concert venue. And the organisors of Kings Place have pulled out all the stops to celebrate with 100 concerts in the first five days, three of which are curated by violist and composer John Metcalf, whose own band launches a new CD today.

Esa Pekka Salonen takes up the reigns as the Philharmonia's new principal conductor and artistic advisor, and talks to Anne-Marie Minhall about the orchestra's new season; and Jonathan Brett, conductor of the English Classical Players champions the Watford Colosseum.

The Mystery of York Bowen - described by some as the English Rachmaninoff, and yet so rarely played. He was tremendously popular before the first world war, but then has been largely ignored by the musical community. And a visit to the Windsor Festival's literary side?

Kiwi new boy Will Martin releases his debut CD this week. He was unleashed onto a British public earlier this year, with his own brand of home grown and international favourites. He talks to Arts Daily about his first six months in the public eye.

A quick check on two festivals to see how they're coming on. The Windsor Festival is in full swing at the moment, and we discover how an Austrian built piano is helping the Two Moors Festival on its way.

The Arts & Business awards are celebrating their 30th this year, against a backdrop of enormous economic uncertainty. With their glitzy ceremony fast approaching, Chief Executive Colin Tweedy, expresses his confidence in business and industry realising the long term benefits of working in partnership with the Arts.

This evening at St John's Smith Square in London sees the start of the 9th Rosenblatt Recitals series which aims to bring the very best operatic talent to a UK audience. Kicking off the series is American Bel Canto singer Gregory Kunde, who tells Classic FM Arts Daily how he likes to push the boundaries of the Rossini genre.

The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas tells the story of the eight year old Bruno, the son of a Nazi camp comandant, who strikes up a forbidden relationship with a jewish boy held in a camp. Classic FM's Anne-Marie Minhall speaks to screenplay writer Mark Herman, and the actor David Thewlis who plays Bruno's father.

Amongst the great plethora of festivals in this country - the name of Chiddingly may not be uppermost in your mind. And yet this event in a small East Sussex village has been going strong for 30 years! Three weeks of music and drama, literary events, puppet shows and this year also a beer festival, attracting some of the best talent around. The organisors tell us more.

It's to pin down Mario Frangoulis. The Greek tenor has enjoyed a successful stage and recording career not just in the UK but across the world for the past 20 years or more - appearing in West End musicals, and as a highly successful soloist. That's where you'll find him this Friday, as he takes to the stage of the Royal Albert Hall for a vocal spectacular with special guests Natasha Marsh, Justin Hayward, Steve Balsamo, Lara Fabian and Anthony Inglis.

The Kalichstein Laredo Robinson Trio have a long an distinguished pedigree. one of their first engagements was for President Carter at his inauguration back in 1977. Since then they've had more than 30 years of unbroken collaboration which marks them out as one of the most durable of ensembles today. Pianist Joseph Kalichstein outlines their mammoth undertaking at the Wigmore Hall starting today, to play Beethoven's piano trios in just three concerts.

The finishing touches are being put to this year's Windsor Festival. The opening parade through the town kicks off tomorrow afternoon, and there then follows two weeks of top notch music, literary events and heritage walks - 82 events in all. Festival Director Martin Denny explores the highlights, this year's International String Competition and the upcoming Cultural Olympiad.

After a busy week working with the British Youth Opera, Southbank Sinfonia, their partner orchestra is gearing up for a concert at the Wigmore Hall on Saturday. The soloist and director for the performance is the world renowned clarinettist Michael Collins, who explains their relationship.

A tribute to Vernon Handley, considered to be one of the best loved British conductors of our time, who's death was announced yesterday at the age of 77. Regarded as unteachable by his mother and at school, he became a protege of Sir Adrian Boult, and a stalwart of the orchestral scene in this country.

If your image of an aspiring writer is one of a passionate scribbler, taking every opportunity possible to find time to write their masterwork, in the hope of making it big, then you'd be correct. Composer Tim Blinko, is Professor of Music at Hertfordshire University. All the signs are that his hard work has paid off, and he's about to break into the children's fiction market.

There's never a dull moment for Classic FM star Jonathan Ansell. He's fresh from a movie music tour, opens in the Mikado this week, has an autumn tour lined up, and has a new CD ready to roll later in the year? Does he ever have any spare time?

British Youth Opera are now well into the swing of things with their presentations this year. It's often been described as a `finishing school' for opera professionals. What they may lack in experience, the certainly make up for in enthusiasm. Today we meet the writer, director and conductor of one of their offerings, Flight - Jonathan Dove, Martyn Lloyd Evans and Nicholas Cleobury.

Amid the hustle and bustle of Bonn's Beethovenfest with all its concerts and talks and films, is the tranquility and peace of why it's all there in the first place. Tucked away in the main shopping streets is Beethovenhaus Museum - where the great composer was born. The director of the museum explains why it's such a special place.

Small town Australian boy runs away at 15 to become a hoofer, suffers the highs and lows of life on the road, rising through the ranks to become a West End dancer, director and now choreographer. Craig Revel Horwood's biography has hit the shops. He tells Arts Daily why he's chosen to write it now.

British Youth Opera's showing off its wares over the next few days, offering Puccini's La Rondine, but also a relatively new work Flight, by Jonathan Dove. Often described as a finishing school for budding opera stars, singers Charlotte Stephenson and Nicky Spence explain how it's helped them; plus the Chelsea Schubert Festival - a celebration of all things Schubertian, we heard from the organisors.

Scottish Opera sets off on a 25 venue tour this evening, with their production of The Merry Widow. Performing in theatres, schools and community centres, this production is only accompanied by a piano. Director and choreographer Clare Whistler talks about taking such a well known piece off on tour.

The opening concert at the Beethovenfest in Bonn featured Beethoven's 9th, which at the time was seen as a pointed rejection of Napoleon Bonaparte. The programme also included a Schonberg piece which lashed out at Hitler. Conductor Paavo Jarvi talks about Beethoven, using music to relax, and the difference between US and European orchestras.

Beethovenfest in the German city of Bonn - the birthplace of the great composer and former capital of West Germany. The theme this year is Macht Musik - and examines how the works of Beethoven and others have been misappropriated for political means. Festival Director Ilona Schmiel sets out her store.

Elizabethan streets were far from tranquil and bucolic. True, there were no juggernauts thundering by, but they did have bells, hawkers, trumpets and songs. A new CD produced by Shakespeare's Globe, with street music performed by Terleton's Jig gives a flavour of the Bard's England.

A round up of activity in August inspired by Hear Here - the UK's first classical music project dedicated to listening, presented by the Royal Philharmonic Society and Classic FM, with the support of the Paul Hamlyn Foundation. The subject this month was An Outburst of the Soul, and examined the emotional reactions we have to listening to music.

It's the last full day of the Edinburgh International Festival, and of course tomorrow there's the traditional spectacular fireworks display in Princes Street Gardens. Work is already underway on next year's offerings, but as Artistic Director, Jonathan Mills tells Arts Daily, that's all still firmly under wraps.

The Get a Life Fund has given its first awards. It was set up in memory of viola player Katherine McGillivray, who died suddenly two years ago from a brain tumour. She'd just taken a life changing year out to study how to play the nyckelharpa, a swedish instrument. The fund offers grants to help musicians develop themselves and their careers, sometimes in unusual ways. Katherine's sister Alison brings us up to date on the latest awards.

They say there's no such thing as a free lunch. But a free Lunchtime concert is another matter. But how do they fit into the career path of an aspiring young pianist Simon Watterton? Plus a life on the ocean wave. How music themed cruises are becoming all the rage.

Classic FM's Anne-Marie Minhall catches up with the energetic, enigmatic and hugely dedicated pianist Piotr Anderszewski and discusses recording,timetables, touring, and the trials of living out of suitcases.

By popular demand the musical Zorro is taking bookings till September next year! And there's international expansion in the offing. So, what is it about this swashbucking all action hero that speaks to our time? The star of the show, actor Matt Rawle, explains why he believes Zorro is a hero for today

They rocketed to Classical Brit success with their first album earlier in the year, and have been touring with Kathryn Jenkins, and somehow managed to fit in trips to Japan and Denmark. Their second album is about to be released. But has success changed the four blokes who met on Facebook? And what lessons have they learned along the way?

The Verbier Academy sits quite comfortable alongside the summer festival in the Swiss Alps. It uses the cream of the musical crop to coach amateurs and aspiring professionals in an informal setting. We hear about the work of the academy, plus some sonic postcards from children in the alpine resort.