BBC Radio 3 and BBC Four unveiled classical music content on radio, TV and online, as part of the cross-arts, cross-platform, BBC Arts festival, Culture In Quarantine.
As part of the virtual festival, BBC Radio 3 and BBC Four unveiled classical music highlights including:
> A European radio moment with Max Richter’s Sleep – an eight hour ‘lullaby for a frenetic world’ – the orchestral work will return to its home on BBC Radio 3 but this time simulcast through Radio 3 and the European Broadcasting Union, encouraging listeners all over the continent to relax, listen, and sleep in this special radio event
> The virtual choir – BBC Four to broadcast the first ever TV concert where none of the participants will meet, choir members of Tenebrae will each record individual parts and will be unified through virtual reality technology in a feat of production
> Home Sessions – Sheku Kanneh-Mason, Andreas Scholl, Mahan Esfahani, Isata Kanneh-Mason, Ksenija Sidorova, Craig Ogden, Olivia Chaney, and others will bring home performances to Radio 3 audiences
> Postcards From Composers – contemporary composers to write musical messages to listeners at home on BBC Radio 3
> BBC Young Musician returns – one of the oldest musical talent competitions is to return to BBC Four and BBC Radio 3 celebrating the best of British talent with full broadcasts of the category finals of this world famous young talent competition
> Classical Companion – a collection of online gems from the archive including mixes, collections, quizzes, essential daily symphonies and podcasts for this time of lockdown at bbc.co.uk/radio3
> BBC Orchestras and Choirs to record ensemble and solo works remotely for Afternoon Concert, each musician will practise social distancing thanks to the wonders of technology
Alan Davey, Controller of Classical Music, said: “Music and classical music in particular is an important part of the UK’s cultural identity. It has a special power to bring people from all walks of life together. Our aim is to both provide classical music programming that is a sanctuary during these difficult times as well as helping people to feel connected at a time of profound seclusion and uncertainty. We also wanted to continue to support the artists who bring us so much joy as well as showcase British talent. We hope to guide audiences through isolation with specially put together classical content be it radio, TV or online. There is something for everyone.”
Head of BBC Music TV Commissioning, Jan Younghusband added: “As we enter this traditional Easter period, we are normally greeted by beautiful music brought to us live via radio and television from our churches and concert halls, performed by Britain’s outstanding choirs, orchestras and soloists. At this difficult time we are all working together at the BBC to continue to bring great music into the lives of our listeners and viewers, and at the same time supporting the unending creativity of our performing artists. Classical music is never more important to us than now, and we hope that by bringing these shared experiences into every home, it may help us all feel less alone.”