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Episodes
In this weekly podcast, a panel of critics and broadcasters choose their Top 5 on a variety of subjects, arguing their case between themselves and the listeners. Note: The Podcast has now come to an end but we hope you will enjoy exploring our archived shows.
Episodes
Thursday Jul 15, 2021
Thursday Jul 15, 2021
In the very last Classical Top 5, Tommy Pearson, Richard Bratby and Charlotte Gardner look back at their favourite guests, moments and music from the series and discuss issues that have emerged in what has been an extraordinary 18 months for the industry.
The show has welcomed some incredible guests and thousands of pieces of music have been mentioned in a wide-range of subjects. We hope you've enjoyed being with us and discovered things along the way - we've certainly loved doing it. But now things are inching back to 'normal' we return to our day jobs! Please continue to let us know your Top 5s on our Facebook and Twitter pages - we love hearing from you. Thank you for your company and support throughout. It's been a blast!
Our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/theclassicaltop5
On Twitter: twitter.com/classicaltop5
Wednesday Jun 16, 2021
Wednesday Jun 16, 2021
Our guest this week is the superstar harpsichordist, organist, writer and commentator Mahan Esfahani and he's got a few things to get off his chest about the classical music industry.
Mahan chooses his Top 5 Myths about Classical Music - those oft-accepted views, approaches and ideas in music that can remain unchallenged. Why should a composer's wishes always be respected? Is every work we hear on radio really a masterpiece? Is fame and talent really down to just good PR?
A wide-ranging discussion about many key issues in the classical music world.
With Tommy Pearson, Richard Bratby and Charlotte Gardner.
Producer: Simon Funnell
Thursday May 27, 2021
Thursday May 27, 2021
A huge subject for the team this week: Violin Concertos. So many to choose from, everything from rare curiosities to much-performed classics. Tommy Pearson, Richard Bratby and Charlotte Gardner dive in with a mix of 'Bible and Shakespeare' choices and personal picks from the baroque to last month and everything in between!
Producer: Tommy Pearson
If you enjoy our podcasts, please help us continue by making a donation at paypal.me/classicaltop5. Thank you!
For all latest info:
Our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/theclassicaltop5
On Twitter: twitter.com/classicaltop5
Friday May 21, 2021
Friday May 21, 2021
What are those pieces, performances, recordings or events that changed your entire perception of them and perhaps turned a dislike into a love?
This week, Tommy, Richard and Charlotte highlight the moments that, for them, were game-changers in their classical music life. It's a deeply personal trip of memories through favourite teachers, revelatory recordings, performances and surprising discoveries.
Share your game-changing moments in classical music over on our Facebook page!
Producer: Simon Funnell
If you enjoy our podcasts, please help us continue by making a donation at paypal.me/classicaltop5. Thank you!
For all latest info:
Our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/theclassicaltop5
On Twitter: twitter.com/classicaltop5
Thursday May 13, 2021
Thursday May 13, 2021
Our guest this week is pianist and writer Susan Tomes, one of the world's finest chamber musicians; member of the Florestan Trio, Domus Ensemble and solo recitalist as well as a brilliant writer on music. Susan's latest book, "The Piano: A History in 100 Pieces" is published in July.
Susan chooses her Top 5 Trios - all of them classics in the repertoire - and the team adds theirs. From Mozart to Judith Bingham and all points between, it's the usual Classical Top 5 mix!
With Tommy Pearson, Richard Bratby and Charlotte Gardner.
Producer: Simon Funnell
If you enjoy our podcasts, please help us continue by making a donation at paypal.me/classicaltop5. Thank you!
For all latest info:
Our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/theclassicaltop5
On Twitter: twitter.com/classicaltop5
Thursday Apr 29, 2021
Thursday Apr 29, 2021
This week the team tackles First Symphonies; those that were numbered the first by their composers, or were written first but given another number (or no number at all) or are the only symphony they wrote.
The first symphonies of some of the greatest composers are amongst their least known works - for others, it's their biggest hit.
Lots to choose from, as always, for Tommy Pearson, Richard Bratby and Charlotte Gardner. Who will make it onto the final list?
Producer: Simon Funnell
If you enjoy our podcasts, please help us continue by making a donation at paypal.me/classicaltop5. Thank you!
For all latest info:
Our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/theclassicaltop5
On Twitter: twitter.com/classicaltop5
Friday Apr 23, 2021
Friday Apr 23, 2021
It is said that 99% of all music written is never performed! But it's certainly true that some composers and pieces deserve a better hearing and, for often a myriad of reasons, never quite get into the standard repertoire. Tommy Pearson, Richard Bratby and Charlotte Gardner pick the works (and composers) that they think are unjustly neglected or have simply fallen out of fashion.
Producer: Simon Funnell
If you enjoy our podcasts, please help us continue by making a donation at paypal.me/classicaltop5. Thank you!
For all latest info:
Our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/theclassicaltop5
On Twitter: twitter.com/classicaltop5
Wednesday Apr 14, 2021
Wednesday Apr 14, 2021
Tommy Pearson talks to one of the great legends of British choral life, the singer, conductor, music director and manager Terry Edwards.
Terry formed London Voices - one of the busiest professional choirs in the UK - in 1973, managed the Swingles, created the ground-breaking vocal group Electric Phoenix, was director of the London Sinfonietta Voices and Chorus and for 12 years was Chorus Director at the Royal Opera House. Before all that, he also played basketball for Great Britain!
In this wide-ranging conversation, recorded in 2018, Terry looks back on his career: the composers he's worked with (including Berio, Ligeti and John Williams), his time at the Royal Opera House with Solti, education work, film scores and the business of being a singer and managing choirs.
Presenter/Producer: Tommy Pearson
If you enjoy our podcasts, please help us continue by making a donation at paypal.me/classicaltop5. Thank you!
For all latest info:
Our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/theclassicaltop5
On Twitter: twitter.com/classicaltop5
Thursday Apr 08, 2021
Thursday Apr 08, 2021
In the second of his conversations with figures in music who have played a key role in his life, Tommy Pearson talks to the composer Sir George Benjamin, who he first met at school when George visited his school for a London Sinfonietta education project. They talk about music education, the role of a composer today, studying with Olivier Messiaen, the joy of music and writing a hit opera. And in a deeply personal tribute, George remembers his close friend and fellow composer, Oliver Knussen.
The conversation was recorded in late 2018 and this is the first time it has been released.
Presenter/Producer: Tommy Pearson
If you enjoy our podcasts, please help us continue by making a donation at paypal.me/classicaltop5. Thank you!
For all latest info:
Our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/theclassicaltop5
On Twitter: twitter.com/classicaltop5
Thursday Apr 01, 2021
Thursday Apr 01, 2021
This week, Tommy, Richard and Charlotte are joined by actor, writer, broadcaster and critic Jeremy Nicholas who chooses his Top 5 recordings of classical music.
With such a vast number to choose from, Jeremy and the team select the ones that mean the most to them for a variety of reasons, personal and professional. Can they ever shake off the allure of that first recording they heard of a piece?
With Tommy Pearson, Richard Bratby and Charlotte Gardner.
Producer: Simon Funnell
If you enjoy our podcasts, please help us continue by making a donation at paypal.me/classicaltop5. Thank you!
For all latest info:
Our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/theclassicaltop5
On Twitter: twitter.com/classicaltop5