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Programme information

Saturday 19th December to Friday 25th December 2020

WEEK 52

THE PRINCE’S FOUNDATION CAROL CONCERT

Tuesday 22nd December, 8pm to 10pm

John Suchet presents an exclusive carol concert recorded recently in the beautiful St Paul’s Church in Knightsbridge, in aid of The Prince’s Foundation. The charity was set

up by His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales to support community, through everything from championing sustainable living to teaching traditional arts and skills, or

by restoring historic sites and looking after places to visit for everyone to enjoy.

The programme includes an introduction by HRH The Prince of Wales followed by readings from special guests Emilia Fox and Sarah Beeny, alongside traditional

Christmas favourites performed by the Choir of St Paul’s, Knightsbridge, including ‘God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen’ and ‘Silent Night’.

Classic FM is available across the UK on 100-102 FM, DAB digital radio and TV, on Global Player on your smart speaker (“play Classic FM”), iOS or Android

device and at ClassicFM.com.

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WEEK 52 SATURDAY 19TH DECEMBER 3pm to 5pm: MOIRA STUART’S HALL OF FAME CONCERT Moira shines the spotlight on cellist Steven Isserlis, who celebrates his 62nd birthday today. We hear his sparkling recording of Haydn’s Cello Concerto No.1, joined by the German Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra. Elsewhere in the programme, there’s a suite of music from Tchaikovsky’s ballet The Nutcracker, a festive film favourite by John Williams, and the Choir of Queen’s College Oxford sings Berlioz. Adolphe Adam ‘O Holy Night’ Organ: Aaron Shilson Sarah MacDonald conducts the Girl Choristers and Lay Clerks of Ely Cathedral

Philip Lane Old Christmas Music Gavin Sutherland conducts the Royal Ballet Sinfonia

Joseph Haydn Cello Concerto No.1 in C major Steven Isserlis directs the German Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra from the cello Hector Berlioz The Shepherd’s Farewell (From L’enfance du Christ) Organ: Rebecca Baker Owen Rees conducts the Choir of Queen’s College, Oxford

Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky Nutcracker – Suite Georg Solti conducts the Chicago Symphony Orchestra

Anon ‘Still, Still, Still’ Organ: Jonathan Wessler John Robinson conducts the Boys of St Paul’s Choir School

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Piano Concerto No.21 in C major K.467 Daniel Barenboim directs the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra from the keyboard

John Williams ‘Somewhere in my Memory’ (from the film Home Alone) Christopher Bell conducts the Royal Scottish National Orchestra

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SATURDAY 19TH DECEMBER 5pm to 7pm: SATURDAY NIGHT AT THE MOVIES with ANDREW COLLINS Andrew Collins focuses on the greatest Christmas film soundtracks in today’s programme. He features music to warm the soul from Hollywood's Golden Age, including Irving Berlin's score to White Christmas and It's A Wonderful Life by Dmitri Tiomkin. Andrew also includes the modern-day classics Elf, with music by John Debney, Frozen by Christophe Beck, The Nightmare Before Christmas and the 2018 animated adaptation of The Grinch by Danny Elfman. 7pm to 9pm: COWAN’S CLASSICS WITH ROB COWAN Rob features some of his favourite seasonal music this evening, including extracts from Bach’s Christmas Oratario, before Chanticleer perform a clever combination of the two different settings of ‘O Little Town of Bethlehem,’ by both Lewis Redner and Ralph Vaughan Williams. Rob also plays a rousing rendition of ‘Joy to the World’ from the Cleveland Orchestra and George Szell. 9pm to 10pm: BEETHOVEN: THE MAN REVEALED with JOHN SUCHET (50 / 52) This week has seen the 250th anniversary of Beethoven’s birth, so John begins the programme by turning the clock back to reveal some of the mystery around the great composer’s arrival into the world, and explains why no-one is sure exactly when he was born.

Then, John picks up the story 55 years later with a short canon Beethoven composed to compensate for his non-appearance in London to conduct his Symphony No.9, Ars Longa, Vita Brevis; ‘Art endures, but life is short’. He also plays a dramatic choral piece published around the same time, Tremate, empire tremate.

Real life was proving to be just as dramatic; after a violent confrontation between Beethoven and his nephew, a desperate Karl took a train to Baden with a bag packed with pistols and gunpowder. The events that followed would lead to Beethoven’s ultimate humiliation.

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SUNDAY 20TH DECEMBER 3pm to 5pm: JOHN HUMPHRYS John takes us back to 1823 – the year Rosamunde premiered. The play was written by Helmina von Chézy with incidental music by Schubert. Though the script was lost, the charming music remained recorded, so today John plays a performance by the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra under Nikolaus Harnoncourt.

Then, as we enter the final week of advent, there’s a beautiful performance of Harold Darke’s setting of ‘In the Bleak Midwinter’, thanks to the Choir of Westminster Cathedral. 5pm to 7pm: DAVID MELLOR Join David Mellor for two hours of festive fun on the last weekend before Christmas. He includes some of his personal Christmas favourites, alongside some toe tapping festive tune from the Boston Pops, including Arthur Fiedler’s arrangement of Johnny Mark’s song ‘Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer’, and Mozart’s Sleigh Ride. Crack open the mince pies and pour yourself a festive tipple and join David for some real Christmas crackers! 7pm to 9pm: SMOOTH CLASSICS AT SEVEN with CHARLOTTE HAWKINS Charlotte presents a selection of laidback music, specially selected to provide a moment of calm and relaxation at the end of the weekend.

Charlotte Hawkins features the young Ukrainian pianist Anna Fedorova as her Young Classical Star. Anna started taking piano lessons aged just five, and has gone on to study at the International Piano Academy in Italy and the Royal College of Music in London.

Her international career has taken her to the stages of Carnegie Hall in New York, London's Cadogan Hall, The Concertgebouw in Amsterdam and La Sala Verdi di Milano. 9pm to 10pm: MOIRA STUART MEETS…MAXIM VENGEROV (6 /6) Join Moira Stuart for the final episode of the series of Moira Stuart Meets…, where she speaks to some of the biggest and brightest names in arts and showbusiness, who select the classical music that has played an important part in their life.

Moira speaks to Classic FM’s Artist in Residence, the violinist Maxim Vengerov. He tells Moira about his relationship with famed cellist Mstislav Rostropovich, and selects some of his personal favourite recordings.

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MONDAY 21ST DECEMBER 8pm to 10pm: THE LORD’S TAVERNERS CAROL CONCERT WITH THE STARS John Suchet presents a very special carol concert, in aid of the Lord’s Taverners, recorded in the beautiful Marylebone Church in London.

Featuring carols from the Holst Singers conducted by Nicholas Cleobury, including ‘Once in Royal David’s City’ and ‘O come, all ye faithful’. Baritone Roderick Williams and pianist Anna Tillbrook perform an intimate selection of songs, and Stephen Fry, David Gower and Ebony Rainford-Brent provide the readings.

Henry John Gauntlett ‘Once in Royal David’s City’ Nicholas Cleobury conducts the Holst Singers

‘O little town of Bethlehem’ Nicholas Cleobury conducts the Holst Singers

Herbert Howells ‘My Dere Hert’ Baritone: Roderick Williams Piano: Anna Tillbrook

Robert Salter Joseph’s Second Letter to the Corinthians Narrator: Robert Powell

Anon ‘Away in a Manger’ Nicholas Cleobury conducts the Holst Singers

Peter Cornelius The Three Kings Baritone: Roderick Williams Nicholas Cleobury conducts the Holst Singers

Marion Swinger The First Christmas Narrator: Ebony Raindford-Brent

John Gardner ‘Tomorrow shall be my dancing day’ Nicholas Cleobury conducts the Holst Singers

John Francis Wade ‘O come, all ye faithful’ Nicholas Cleobury conducts the Holst Singers

Continued…

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MONDAY 21ST DECEMBER 8pm to 10pm: THE LORD’S TAVERNERS CAROL CONCERT WITH THE STARS Continued… T.S Eliot Journey of the Magi Narrator: Stephen Fry

Jan Sweelinck ‘Hodie’ Nicholas Cleobury conducts the Holst Singers

Anon Christmas Cake Recipe Narrator: David Gower

Anon ‘Ding dong, merrily on high’ Nicholas Cleobury conducts the Holst Singers

Felix Mendelssohn ‘Hark! The Herald Angels Sing’ Nicholas Cleobury conducts the Holst Singers

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TUESDAY 22ND DECEMBER 8pm to 10pm: THE PRINCE’S FOUNDATION CAROL CONCERT John Suchet presents an exclusive live carol concert recorded recently in the beautiful St Paul’s Church in Knightsbridge, in aid of The Prince’s Foundation. The charity was set up by His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales to support community, through everything from championing sustainable living to teaching traditional arts and skills, or by restoring historic sites and looking after places to visit for everyone to enjoy. The programme includes an introduction by HRH The Prince of Wales followed by readings from special guests Emilia Fox and Sarah Beeny, alongside traditional Christmas favourites performed by the Choir of St Paul’s, Knightsbridge, including ‘God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen’ and ‘Silent Night’. John Francis Wade ‘O come, all ye faithful’ Choir of St Paul’s, Knightsbridge

Franz Gruber ‘Silent Night’ Choir of St Paul’s, Knightsbridge

Matthew 1: 18 – 25 Narrator: Sarah Beeny

Anon ‘God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen’ Choir of St Paul’s, Knightsbridge

Luke 2: 8 – 20 Narrator: The Earl of Snowdon

Johann Sebastian Bach French Suite No.5 in G major BWV.816 – Allemande Harpsichord: Kenneth Dunsmuir

Harold Darke ‘In the Bleak Midwinter’ Choir of St Paul’s, Knightsbridge

Adam Kay Twas the nightshift before Christmas Narrator: Emilia Fox

Anon Sans Day Carol Choir of St Paul’s, Knightsbridge

Felix Mendelssohn ‘Hark! The Herald Angels Sing’ Choir of St Paul’s, Knightsbridge

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WEDNESDAY 23RD DECEMBER 8pm to 10pm: A CAROL CONCERT FROM CANCER CHARITY MAGGIE’S John Suchet has front row seats reserved at a star studded evening of festive music and readings in aid of the cancer support charity Maggie’s.

Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall takes part in this very special event, reading John Betjemin’s poem ‘Christmas’.

The Oriana Choir, as well as baritone Roderick Williams and soprano Ellie Laugharne, provide atmospheric carol performances, including a world premiere composition by Grammy winning composer and conductor Eric Whitacre.

There’s not only great festive music on offer; big names from stage and screen including Gillian Anderson, Stanley Tucci, Dominic West and Fiona Bruce also feature.

Henry John Gauntlett ‘Once in Royal David’s City’ Dominic Ellis Peckham conducts the London Oriana Choir

John Betjemin Christmas Narrator: HRH Duchess of Cornwall Traditional Amazing Grace Soloist: Lulu Dominic Ellis Peckham conducts the London Oriana Choir Edgar Guest A Friend’s Greeting Narrator: Fiona Bruce Anon Christmas Cake Recipe Narrator: Sue Perkins John Francis Wade ‘O come, all ye faithful’ Dominic Ellis Peckham conducts the London Oriana Choir

Carol Ann Duffy The Christmas Truce Narrator: Dominic West Franz Gruber ‘Silent Night’ Baritone: Roderick Williams Harp: Olivia Jageurs

Continued…

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WEDNESDAY 23RD DECEMBER 8pm to 10pm: A CAROL CONCERT FROM CANCER CHARITY MAGGIE’S Continued…

Eric Whitacre The Perfect Gift Dominic Ellis Peckham conducts the London Oriana Choir

Dr Seuss The Grinch Who Stole Christmas Narrator: Stanley Tucci Adolphe Adam ‘O Holy Night’ Soprano: Ellie Laugharne Piano: Rob Rayner Clement Clarke Moore A Visit From St Nicolas Narrator: James Norton Felix Mendelssohn ‘Hark! The Herald Angels Sing’ Dominic Ellis Peckham conducts the London Oriana Choir

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THURSDAY 24TH DECEMBER 4.30pm to 5pm: ALED JONES NARRATES THE SNOWMAN Aled Jones narrates the timeless story of The Snowman, complete with Howard Blake’s wonderful music. 5pm to 8pm: MOIRA STUART’S CHRISTMAS CRACKER Moira presents three hours of traditional carols, festive favourites and seasonal tunes to soundtrack any last-minute wrapping and food preparation. The music includes Once in Royal David’s City by Henry John Gauntlett, O Holy Night by Adolphe Adam, Leroy Anderson’s Sleigh Ride and an arrangement of Chris Rea’s Driving Home for Christmas.

Benjamin Britten’s A Ceremony of Carols is performed by the Choir of King’s College, Cambridge; and Welsh bass-baritone Bryn Terfel sings Irving Berlin’s White Christmas.

Moira also shares some of her Christmas memories and the stories behind some of her favourite carols and festive memories. 8pm to 10pm: THE CHRISTMAS CLASSIC FM CONCERT with JOHN SUCHET John takes us on a tour of the British Isles to hear a selection of best loved carol performances. Starting in the South West of England, John plays the Choir of Exeter Cathedral’s recording of ‘Once in Royal David’s City’, before the Worcester Cathedral Choir sing ‘The First Nowell’. The choirs of Manchester, Durham and St Mary’s, Edinburgh also feature, and Bryn Terfel takes to the stage, joined by the Orchestra of the Welsh National Opera.

Elsewhere, the Royal Scottish National Orchestra plays William Henry Fry’s Christmas Symphony, and Simon Callow narrates a cheeky retelling of The Night Before Christmas, accompanied by the RTÉ Concert Orchestra.

Henry John Gauntlett ‘Once in Royal David’s City’ Organ: Paul Morgan Andrew Millington conducts the Choir of Exeter Cathedral

Anon ‘The First Nowell’ Organ: James Lancelot Stephen Shellard conducts the Worcester Cathedral Chamber Choir

Adolphe Adam ‘O Holy Night’ Sarah MacDonald conducts the Girl Choristers and Lay Clerks of Ely Cathedral

Continued…

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THURSDAY 24TH DECEMBER 8pm to 10pm: THE CHRISTMAS CLASSIC FM CONCERT with JOHN SUCHET Continued… John Gardner ‘Tomorrow shall be my dancing day’ James Lancelot conducts the Choir of Durham Cathedral William James Kirkpatrick ‘Away in a Manger’ Tenor: Bryn Terfel Tecwyn Evans conducts the Orchestra of the Welsh National Opera Anon Wexford Carol Tenor: Bryn Terfel Tecwyn Evans conducts the Orchestra of the Welsh National Opera

John Rutter ‘What Sweeter Music’ David Davies conducts the Choir of Guildford Cathedral

Philip Lane and Carol Ann Duffy Another Night Before Christmas Gavin Sutherland conducts the RTÉ Concert Orchestra Narrator: Simon Callow

Anon ‘O little town of Bethlehem’ Organ: Jeffrey Makinson Christopher Stokes conducts the Choir of Manchester Cathedral

Anon Noel Nouvelet Peter Backhouse conducts the Choir of St Mary’s Cathedral, Edinburgh

Peter Warlock Bethlehem Down Peter Backhouse conducts the Choir of St Mary’s Cathedral, Edinburgh

Anon ‘In dulci jubilo’ James O’Donnell conducts the Choir of Westminster Cathedral

Anon ‘I saw three ships’ Organ: John Scott Whiteley Philip Moore conducts the Choir of York Minster

Continued…

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THURSDAY 24TH DECEMBER 8pm to 10pm: THE CHRISTMAS CLASSIC FM CONCERT with JOHN SUCHET Continued… William Henry Fry Santa Claus: Christmas Symphony Tony Rowe conducts the Royal Scottish National Orchestra Elizabeth Poston ‘Jesus Christ the Apple Tree’ Treble: Finn Lacey Matthew Owens conducts the Wells Cathedral Choir

Michael Head ‘The Little Road to Bethlehem’ Ashley Grote conducts the Choir of Norwich Cathedral

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FRIDAY 25TH DECEMBER 1pm to 3pm: THE NATION’S FAVOURITE CAROL with JOHN BRUNNING Over the past three weeks, Classic FM listeners have been voting for their best-loved Christmas carol – and this afternoon, John Brunning counts down this year’s top 30. In 2019, O Holy Night took the crown as the Nation’s Favourite Carol for the fourth time. Will it remain there for the fifth year in a row, or could it be unseated by another favourite? 3.05pm to 5pm: A ROYAL CHRISTMAS with NICHOLAS OWEN Every year, the annual Buckingham Palace Carol Concert takes place inside the grand Ballroom, but this year’s event will be smaller, and held in the Chapel Royal, St James’s Palace. One thing hasn’t changed, and that’s Classic FM’s exclusive access to record the event for broadcast. Nicholas Owen hosts this very special programme, featuring some of our very favourite carols performed by the Chapel Royal Choir, with an exclusive introduction and reading from HRH The Earl of Wessex. 5pm to 7pm: SIR TREVOR MCDONALD’S CHRISTMAS MESSAGE Join broadcasting icon Sir Trevor McDonald, for two hours of his favourite seasonal music, liberally sprinkled with memories of his festive times past; from growing up in the Caribbean, to his long association with the United States.

At the end of an unusual 2020, Sir Trevor brings you stories that help to lift the spirit, and inspire feelings of hope as we look ahead to a bright new year. 7pm to 10pm: THE STORY OF CAROLS with ANNE-MARIE MINHALL Anne-Marie takes us on a seasonal, musical journey, sharing the fascinating stories behind our most famous carols. We hear very different French version of The Twelve Days of Christmas: There’s no mention of a pear tree, drummers drumming or gold rings; instead, it’s all about pigs’ trotters, spitted rabbits and partridges with cabbage. Anne-Marie also reveals which carol is the best selling of all time, selling over 150 million copies, and tells the tale of another that was written in the middle of summer, in an effort to “stay cool by thinking cool”.