Simon Russell Beale
This week Sarah's joined by the stage and screen actor, Simon Russell Beale.
Jun 26, 2015•1 hr 1 min
My Classical Favourites
Discover classical music loved by celebrated guests from all walks of life. To hear the music in full go to BBC Playlister.
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Episodes
David Puttnam
This week Rob's joined by a film producer and educator who left school with 3 O-Levels and now has 45 honorary degrees: David Puttnam. His choices include music by Mozart, Schumann, Beethoven and Vivaldi.
Jun 19, 2015•1 hr 10 min
Hugh Bonneville
This week Sarah's joined by the actor Hugh Bonneville, famous for his roles in television series such as Downton Abbey and W1A. Hugh chooses some favourite music, including Grieg, Strauss and Elgar.
Jun 12, 2015•48 min
Will Gregory
Composer, record producer and Goldfrapp member Will Gregory joins Rob in the studio. Will's far-ranging choices include Perotin, Monteverdi, Mahler, Berio and Stravinsky.
Jun 05, 2015•52 min
Omid Djalili
Rob's guest this week is the actor and comedian Omid Djalili, who talks about his love of dance, the need for a thick skin in stand-up comedy, and his passion for music, including works by Gershwin, Prokofiev and Louis Prima.
May 29, 2015•54 min
Monty Don
Sarah's joined by the gardener and broadcaster Monty Don, who talks abut his career and chooses some favourite music, including Bach's Mass in B Minor, Beethoven's 'Eroica' Symphony, and Purcell's Funeral Music for Queen Mary.
May 22, 2015•41 min
Mike Leigh
Director and writer Mike Leigh talks to Rob about his films (including his most recent, Mr Turner), his new production of The Pirates of Penzance for ENO, and his eclectic tastes in music, from Gilbert and Sullivan to Mozart to Bartok.
May 15, 2015•53 min
Martin Shaw
The screen and stage actor Martin Shaw is Sarah's guest this week. He discusses playing various roles, from Elvis Presley to Inspector George Gently, and chooses music by Bach, Richard Strauss, Puccini and Handel.
May 08, 2015•43 min
Michel Roux
Sarah's joined by the chef, restaurateur and broadcaster Michel Roux, who shares his passion for cooking and music, including works by Vivaldi, Mozart, Verdi and Tchaikovsky.
May 01, 2015•53 min
John Hegley
This week Rob's joined by the performance poet John Hegley, a distant relation of Rameau. John's eclectic choices include music by Bach, Jim Parker, Debussy and Elvis Costello.
Apr 24, 2015•45 min
Lady Antonia Fraser
This week Rob is joined by the historian and crime novelist, Lady Antonia Fraser. She tells him about her conversion to Catholicism, what it was like to have her work read by her late husband, Harold Pinter, and her experience of playing Bridge with Mitsuko Uchida, including music by Byrd, Beethoven and Adams.
Apr 17, 2015•41 min
Charles Dance
Rob's joined by the stage and screen actor, Charles Dance, who talks about his involvement with Game of Thrones and chooses music by Mendelssohn, Wagner and Bach.
Apr 10, 2015•49 min
Declan Donnellan
Film and stage director Declan Donnellan shares some of his favourite pieces of classic music, including works by Mozart, Field and Sondheim.
Apr 03, 2015•38 min
Geraldine James
Rob's guest this week is the celebrated screen and stage actress, Gerladine James. She chooses music including Ives' Holidays Symphony, Wagner's Das Rheingold and Bach played by Pablo Casals.
Mar 27, 2015•1 hr 3 min
Bonnie Greer
Rob's joined by the playwright, novelist and critic Bonnie Greer, who talks about her career and chooses some American classics (Copland, Barber, Adams) as well music by Vaughan Williams and Bach.
Mar 20, 2015•1 hr 10 min
Julia Sawalha
Sarah's guest this week is the actress Julia Sawalha, who picks out some great music classics, and talks about her many acting roles, including Saffy in Absolutely Fabulous.
Mar 13, 2015•51 min
Erica Jong
Author and teacher Erica Jong shares favourite music choices and talks about her work, including her first novel 'Fear of Flying', a feminist classic.
Mar 06, 2015•46 min
Sir Richard Stilgoe
Sir Richard Stilgoe joins Rob Cowan to share his musical choices and discuss his diverse and illustrious career in the world of music, comedy and beyond!
Feb 27, 2015•50 min
Stella Rimington
Former Director General of MI5 Dame Stella Rimington recalls moments from her career, such as meeting the KGB for the first time, and chooses favourite music including a recording of 'Land of Hope and Glory' from 1930, conducted by Elgar.
Feb 20, 2015•1 hr 8 min
Jenny Agutter
Jenny Agutter shares insights about her acting career, from The Railway Children to Call the Midwife, and chooses some favourite music including works by Ravel, Brahms and Vaughan Williams.
Feb 13, 2015•53 min
Stuart Maconie
Writer and broadcaster Stuart Maconie shares recent musical discoveries with Sarah and chooses an eclectic selection of his favourite classical music.
Feb 06, 2015•49 min
Penelope Keith
Celebrated actress Penelope Keith shares a selection of her favourite classical music and reminisces about her time on the popular 70s sitcom, The Good Life.
Jan 30, 2015•51 min
Michael Frayn
Playwright and novelist Michael Frayn recalls meeting the great violinist David Oistrakh, and reveals which piece of Mozart reduced him - and his teenage granddaughter - to tears.
Jan 23, 2015•40 min
Leanne Benjamin
Ballet dancer Leanne Benjamin shares her passion for music with Sarah, including works she's danced to, and featuring music by Faure, Beethoven and Stravinsky.
Jan 16, 2015•48 min
Andrew Marr
Broadcaster and journalist Andrew Marr discusses his career, talks about how Mahler aided him in his recovery after a stroke, and reveals how the music of Wagner helped him meet girls.
Jan 09, 2015•45 min
James May
Top Gear presenter (and music graduate) James May talks about his passion for music, toys and cars, while Rob reveals to James how many attempts he made before passing his driving test.
Jan 02, 2015•1 hr
Victoria Wood
Comedienne, actress, singer-songwriter and director Victoria Wood talks to Sarah about her career and shares some of her favourite music choices.
Dec 26, 2014•47 min
Monica Galetti
Masterchef Monica Galetti talks to Rob Cowan about the world of michelin starred cooking and shares her favourite pieces of music.
Dec 19, 2014•49 min
John Bird
Big Issue founder John Bird talks about his extraordinary life and shares his musical passions, including Wagner, Hildegard of Bingen and Caruso.
Dec 12, 2014•1 hr 8 min
Patricia Cornwell
Best-selling author Patricia Cornwell discusses her books, her theories about Jack the Ripper, and reveals her favourite pieces of music.
Dec 05, 2014•1 hr 9 min
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