In this edition of the Classic Newsnight podcast we meet Mark Bebbington; Mark is the first pianist to record a full recital disc at Symphony Hall in Birmingham – one of Europe's top venues. The novelist, Frederick Forsyth, joins me to talk about his latest page-turning best-seller, “The Afghan”. The Classic FM doctor, Rob Hicks, has found yet another reason why it makes sense not to put on weight. And speaking of putting on weight, it may be only October, but Christmas is coming! So we've been ...
Oct 13, 2006•18 min
There's a distinctly operatic feel about this latest edition of the Classic Newsnight podcast. Not only will we be hearing from Jane McCullough, who's directing Lehár's The Merry Widow for Opera UK, but also from Donald Nally, Chorus Master at Welsh National Opera. And if opera goes over your head, don't worry; we'll also be meeting a lady called Pam Westwood, who's just produced a remarkable new keyboard tutor: “It's never too late to play piano”. And Pam insists we can take the title at face v...
Oct 06, 2006•12 min
Welcome to the latest edition of the Classic Newsnight podcast. With politics very much in the spotlight at the moment, we have included an interview with the Conservative leader, David Cameron. But if politics isn't your cup of tea, there's plenty more to tempt you; including our resident GP, Rob Hicks, on acupuncture and a chat with one of the world's top piano duos, the Pekinel Sisters. File Download (20:17 min / 19 MB)...
Sep 29, 2006•20 min
We're very health-oriented in this latest edition of the Classic Newsnight podcast. Mark Forrest will be extolling the putative benefits of belonging to a running club, ahead of the BUPA Great North Run in November. As well as that, we've got our regular check-up with the Classic FM doctor, Rob Hicks. As well as that, we have our composer in residence, Patrick Hawes, talking us through his latest piece, “My Beloved Spake” and Paul Osbourne helping us sort out our personal finances. File Download...
Sep 22, 2006•13 min
John Brunning presents a round-up of features from Classic FM’s flagship news programme. We join the party at the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, who celebrate their 60th birthday this week, hear from the car mechanic turned tenor Alfie Boe, and find out why training for the BUPA Great North Run isn’t as hard as you might think. File Download (15:16 min / 14 MB)
Sep 15, 2006•15 min
Anne-Marie Minhall presents a round-up of the very best reports and features from Classic FM’s flagship speech programme – including Noel Edmonds on Deal or No Deal, details of the British operatic talent of tomorrow, and the story of a battle for London’s free newspaper market. File Download (14:52 min / 14 MB)
Sep 08, 2006•15 min
“Hello, it's me: I'm on the train”. Sounds familiar? Of course, it's an example of the banal drivel that passes for conversation on most mobile phones. And if the content's not annoying enough, what about when the confounded things start going off in a concert or at the theatre? Well, Classic Newsnight has conducted an exclusive online survey to find out what you think, and it's yielded some interesting suggestions about what should happen to offenders. You can find out more in this, the latest ...
Sep 01, 2006•16 min
Hello and welcome to another Newsnight Podcast from Classic FM. This time John Brunning is here with a wealth of the best bits from this week’s newsnight programmes. We talk to John Suchet about his love of Beethoven, we clear up the frankly confusing new post charging system from the Royal Mail and we reveal why cows have regional accents. All this and much much more, and be sure to check back next week for the next Classic FM Newsnight Podcast. Happy Listening! File Download (15:51 min / 15 MB...
Aug 24, 2006•16 min
Hello and welcome to another Classic Newsnight podcast, presented by John Brunning. We’ve some good news for asthma sufferers, from the Classic FM doctor, Rob Hicks; our roving reporter, Bob Jones, investigates the growing competition among European cities to offer the best concert facilities; and the cellist, Julian Lloyd Webber, tells us why he’s turned to the song repertoire to find inspiration for his latest album. All that, plus an interview with the former head of MI5, Stella Rimington. Fi...
Aug 17, 2006•15 min
Hello and welcome to another Classic FM Newsnight Podcast, this week, presented by Paul Osbourne. The Headlines this week have been dominated by the alleged plot to blow up transatlantic flights from the UK to the United States. In this Podcast we talk to Asghar Bukhari, from the Muslim Public Affairs Committee, about why he feels that faith leaders in some areas are at lease partly to blame for extremism in young Muslims. Also, Keith Betton of ABTA on what to do if your holiday plans have been ...
Aug 11, 2006•13 min
Welcome to the latest edition of the Classic Newsnight podcast. The Classic FM doctor, Rob Hicks, will be telling us why he still advocates nicotine replacement therapy for smokers who want to quit; notwithstanding a new study suggesting it may be less effective than previously thought. We’ll find out how new technology is enabling the musical genius of Rachmaninov to be brought back to life sixty-three years after his death. And if you’ve ever seen yourself as a budding bard, we’ll tell you how...
Aug 03, 2006•14 min
So you’re bored rigid, you’ve visited multifarious sites in search of intelligent and thought-provoking material and you’ve landed on the latest edition of the Classic Newsnight podcast. So what’s on offer? Well, our resident GP, Rob Hicks, will tell us about the shocking level of ignorance among women about the the risk of heart disease. On a lighter note, the clarinettist, Emma Johnson, seeks to explain the durability of Mozart’s genius. I’ll also be talking to the Music Director of the Bolsho...
Jul 28, 2006•16 min
Welcome to the latest edition of the Classic Newsnight podcast; your chance to catch up on anything you may have missed during the week. We’ll be hearing from the Russian conductor, Valery Gergiev, who’s in the UK, celebrating works for the theatre by Shostakovich; the young American violinist, Hilary Hahn, tells us about her musical heroes; and Classic FM’s resident GP, Rob Hicks, tells us how to keep our cool when temperatures soar. File Download (12:27 min / 11 MB)...
Jul 21, 2006•12 min
Welcome to the latest Classic FM Newsnight Podcast with John Brunning. We trust you’ll be as excited as we are to know that this is the first Newsnight podcast to contain blue blood. “Why?” you ask, well because we are talking to Prince Andrew, The Earl of Wessex about his experience of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. In addition we catch up with flautist Emmanuel Pahud and we have a fascinating chat with Tertia Sefton-Green, the librettist from ‘Hear our Voice’ – a piece of musical theatre which...
Jul 13, 2006•14 min
Welcome to the next edition of the Classic FM Newsnight Podcast, presented this week by Anne-Marie Minhall. Friday 7th July 2006 marked the one-year anniversary of the London bombings, in this Podcast Classic Newsnight reports on how the UK marked the day. Also, you may never of heard of them but they have had a hand in every music recording you have ever heard – we celebrate the 125th anniversary of the Music Publishers Association with a special report. Plus our resident GP tells us about the ...
Jul 08, 2006•16 min
Here’s the latest edition of the Classic Newsnight podcast; lovingly crafted to provide you with an online experience you’ll want to download and treasure. Seriously though, we’ve got some gems for you to enjoy this time around. As well as regular contributors, like the Classic FM doctor, Rob Hicks, and our resident bookworm, Chris Powling, we hear from two of the world’s top violinists. Sarah Chang tells us why the Bruch Violin Concerto No. 1 is in her all time top three, while Tasmin Little ta...
Jun 29, 2006•18 min
This week, we’ll be finding out why the European wine lake is causing trouble for England’s vineyards; the pride of New Zealand, Hayley Westenra, will tell us why she’s singing at the World Cup; we’ll get the latest on conductor Ivor Setterfield’s attempts to turn a bunch of novice singers into a credible choir; and Robert Van Leer, the man who programmes the Mostly Mozart festival at London’s Barbican every year, reveals some of the tricks of his trade. File Download (11:43 min / 11 MB)...
Jun 23, 2006•12 min
Welcome to another Classic FM Newsnight podcast presented by John Brunning. In this edition, we’ll take a look at a condition called ankylosing spondilitis, with Classic FM’s resident GP, Rob Hicks. It’s a disease that causes pain and loss of mobility, particularly among young men. We’ll also be hearing from the FT’s Personal Finance guru, Rob Budden, about how first time buyers are returning to the housing market. On the musical front, the pianist Artur Pizarro explains why Mozart is such an im...
Jun 16, 2006•14 min
Welcome to the 2nd edition of the Classic FM Newsnight Podcast presented by John Brunning. In this podcast, our resident GP, Dr Rob Hicks, gives us some timely advice on hayfever and how best to survive the season. Continuing the summer theme, Bob Jones gets an expert guided tour of ‘Constable – The Great Landscapes’, which is on now at Tate Britain. Then we mark the opening of the fifth Mostly Mozart Festival by talking to the director of Europa Galante, Fabio Biondi, about the genius of the yo...
Jun 09, 2006•14 min
Welcome to the very first Classic FM Newsnight podcast, presented by John Brunning. On this edition you will hear John talking to Opera star Yvonne Kenny and Richard Tognetti, the leader of the acclaimed Australian Chamber Orchestra. We also have Classic Newsnight regulars Chris Powling on books and Dr Rob Hicks on Health. Enjoy! File Download (12:59 min / 12 MB)
Jun 02, 2006•13 min
