BBC RADIO 3 AUTUMN SEASON 2017 PRESS PACK CONTENTS Page 2 - Schedule and Presenter Changes Page 5 - Arts and Culture Page 11 - Classical Page 21 - World, Jazz and New Music Page 25 - Special Seasons For further information please contact [email protected] 020 3614 3888 Alexandra Heybourne, Head of Communications, BBC Radio 3 Kate Hassell, Publicist, BBC Radio 3 Saskia Rolland-Bezem, Assistant Publicist, BBC Radio 3 1 BBC RADIO 3 SCHEDULE AND PRESENTER CHANGES, AUTUMN 2017 Sarah Walker Sara Mohr-Pietsch Suzy Klein This Autumn sees some exciting changes on BBC Radio 3, including new programmes, schedule changes and a presenter re-shuffle. In Tune From the 2 October, Radio 3’s flagship afternoon drive-time programme In Tune will move into a slightly later slot, from 5 until 7pm. It will be immediately followed by a brand-new half-hour segment: In Tune Mixtape. This will take the form of an unpresented sequence of music; often contrasting, sometimes surprising, this juxtaposition of works will be an engaging start to the evening on Radio 3. Each mixtape will be easily downloadable, available on the BBC Music App and the Radio 3 website so audiences can listen anytime. This Autumn also marks Sean Rafferty MBE’s 20th anniversary presenting In Tune. Essential Classics On 11 September, Suzy Klein will join Rob Cowan on Essential Classics, BBC Radio 3’s popular weekday programme presenting specially-curated selections of some of the finest classical music recordings, as well as discussion from daily guests on their musical and cultural influences. 2 Suzy Klein commented: ‘I am thrilled to be joining Essential Classics, a programme I've loved listening to for many years. Not only do we have a stunning line-up of guests this autumn, but I also get to enjoy music with the loyal, passionate listeners who already love this show. I am hugely looking forward to sharing my mornings with them, playing the freshest, best and most brilliant classical recording artists at work today.’ Sunday Morning From the 1 October, Sarah Walker is set to become the sole presenter for Sunday Morning, where listeners can hear a carefully curated programme of music each weekend. Sarah Walker commented: ‘After six happy years on Essential Classics, and four years prior to that presenting its predecessor, Classical Collection, I’m delighted to be given the opportunity to present Radio 3’s live Sunday morning show each weekend. The programme will continue to offer everything our listeners are looking for on a Sunday morning – there will certainly continue to be a rich variety of music, that I can guarantee!’ Choir and Organ This Autumn will see the advent of a brand new concept in Radio 3 programme making. Sundays are traditionally a day of rest and reflection, and a brand new programme Choir and Organ, will pick up on the pure musical joy of choral and organ music. It is the first time Radio 3 has had a dedicated slot for organ music in a weekly show. In each programme, Sara Mohr-Pietsch will present an extensive range of choral or organ music. To complement the on-air show, additional supporting material will be created for specialist listeners or for those who want to dig deeper; this will include interviews, features and will build each week to develop an ongoing library of information, all available online. Information relevant to the music in the programmes on air will also be posted, and will build a tremendous resource for beginners and choral and organ scholars alike. Sara Mohr-Pietsch commented: ‘I’m so excited to begin presenting BBC Radio 3’s new programme Choir and Organ. This will be a show that highlights what Radio 3 does best, providing listeners with an exciting exploration of both musical worlds as well as the opportunity to extend their knowledge through additional content released exclusively online.’ 3 Afternoon on 3 From the 11 September, Afternoon on 3 will be re-named Afternoon Concert, where concert works and unique performances will be presented in full. The programme will be extended by an extra half-hour, running from 2 until 5pm. New Generation Artists From 4 October, listeners will be able to enjoy a weekly Wednesday afternoon programme from 4.30 until 5pm dedicated entirely to BBC New Generation Artists. The show will cast a spotlight on brand new recordings by current New Generation Artists as well as gems from the ever-expanding NGA archive. Hear and Now This Autumn, Radio 3’s flagship contemporary music programme will begin a new mini- series, Sound of the Week. Each week, a composer will discuss the influence of a particular sound which has caught their imagination, inspired them or stimulated their composing process. This feature will allow audiences to hear these sounds afresh and shed light on the composers’ own music. 4 ARTS AND CULTURE Katie Derham © BBC George Blagden Sound of Dance Katie Derham returns in November for the second series of her popular programme, Sound of Dance, where she’ll continue to explore the relationship between music and dance. This series will uncover the African American roots of dances such as the Charleston and Foxtrot, and explore contemporary choreographers’ responses to the music of J.S Bach. At Christmas, Katie will unpick the music and choreography of perhaps the most quintessentially festive ballet, Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker. Sunday Feature This Autumn will see an exciting and diverse range of topics explored in Radio 3’s Sunday Feature documentary slot. In addition to special editions developed as part of Radio 3’s Breaking Free: A Century of Russian Culture season and the BBC Opera Season, other forthcoming highlights include the broadcast of three programmes focussing on the lasting legacies of American icons; environmentalist Henry David Thoreau, writer James Baldwin and poet Robert Lowell. Californian US Poet Laureate Dana Gioia explores the diversity of Californian poetry as he visits every county in the state and Fiona Shaw will guide us through the role and history of stage lighting. 5 In January, Clemency Burton-Hill will present a landmark series, Select-Copy-Paste, which will explore the impact of technology on creativity. Across three episodes we will trace the creative process, from conception and execution, to sharing and experiencing. Drama on 3 As part of Radio 3’s Breaking Free: A Century of Russian Culture, Drama on 3 will present Brian Friel’s acclaimed dramatisation of Turgenev’s 1860 novel, Fathers and Sons. Charles Dance (Game of Thrones) and George Blagden (Versailles) lead an all-star cast in a story of generational divide in the political environment that would eventually lead to the Russian Revolution. Also as part of this season, Radio 3 will broadcast specially-commissioned works by some of Russia’s leading playwrights working today, translated for the Radio 3 audience. George Bladgen commented: ‘I think imagination is such an important part of story-telling. It's where stories come from, it's how stories grow and develop. To be able to allow people to use their own imagination in receiving a story is such a gift, and I think it is why radio is still such a popular medium - it's amazing to see how such a detailed world can be created with sound!’ Other highlights include a radio dramatisation of Justin Butcher’s stage play The Devil’s Passion starring David Suchet. A new production of Louis MacNeice’s iconic radio play, The Dark Tower, will also be broadcast, recorded during a performance at Orford Church, Suffolk, as part of the Snape Maltings Britten weekend, and featuring Benjamin Britten’s original music performed by the BBC Concert Orchestra. Radio 3 will also broadcast a new production of The Mother, French playwright Florian Zeller’s companion play to his West End hit, The Father, which Radio 3 broadcast last year. The Mother will star actress Gina McKee. There will also be the rare chance to hear the work of internationally acclaimed Norwegian playwright Jan Fosse performed in English, when Radio 3 broadcasts his play The Name. David Suchet commented: ‘When I saw A Devil’s Passion performed on stage I found it to be one of the most amazing evenings I’ve spent at the theatre. I am honoured to be a part of Radio 3’s adaptation which will allow audiences at home to enjoy the same immersive experience created by Justin Butcher’s formidable writing.’ Further highlights include a UK premiere of Anthony Burgess’ A Clockwork Orange, a collaboration between BBC Radio Drama and the BBC Philharmonic as part of the BBC 6 spoken-word festival Contains Strong Language. Recorded with an audience in Hull University’s Middleton Hall, this production will feature original songs composed by Burgess, and will be the first time the author’s A Clockwork Orange music has been performed along with the play in the UK. The New Year will also see Radio 3 broadcast the first radio production of Lucy Prebble’s international hit, The Effect. The Essay Forthcoming essay highlights include a series celebrating the 350th anniversary of Milton’s epic poem, Paradise Lost. Award-winning poet and editor Don Paterson discusses the five poems he wishes he could have written himself, while Professor Fiona Stafford presents a second instalment of her popular series The Meaning of Flowers. As part of the BBC Opera Season, five different figures including novelist Julian Barnes and actor David Threlfall record personal essays on how they first came to fall in love with the art-form. Free Thinking In November, Free Thinking takes part in Being Human, a festival which places a spotlight on new arts and humanities research being conducted at universities across the UK.