Royal College of Music Celebration on Classic FM
Wednesday 5 October 2016
The Royal College of Music is delighted to announce a new partnership with the UK’s most popular classical music station, Classic FM.
Royal College of Music Week on Classic FM marks the beginning of the partnership with special programmes and online features celebrating the RCM and showcasing the College’s talented students, staff and alumni.
For the centrepiece of the week on 12 October, Classic FM presents an exclusive Full Works Concert with Jane Jones, comprised solely of performances by RCM students recorded at the College’s South Kensington home. The concert features the RCM Symphony Orchestra under the direction of internationally acclaimed pianist and conductor Vladimir Ashkenazy, renowned historical performance pioneer Sir Roger Norrington and dynamic baroque violinist and conductor Matthew Truscott. The evening’s programme features popular works from Debussy, Mozart and Gluck.
On 9 October, David Mellor devotes his popular Sunday evening programme to exploring the RCM’s rich musical heritage, tracing the extraordinary contribution of such notable RCM alumni as Ralph Vaughan Williams, Sir Colin Davis and Dame Joan Sutherland, as well as that of former RCM Director Sir Hubert Parry and professor Charles Villiers Stanford.
Professor Colin Lawson CBE, Director of the RCM, said: 'I am delighted that Classic FM is celebrating our talented students and alumni through Royal College of Music Week. The significant coverage highlights the breadth of talent found amongst our students and graduates, and shows the exciting performance opportunities available to students at our world leading conservatoire.'
In addition to the on-air programmes, the RCM and ClassicFM.com will share digital features and content throughout the week. Exclusive videos will include short performances by RCM students and graduates, including 2014 BBC Young Musician Martin James Bartlett and 2015 Kathleen Ferrier Awards First and Song Prize winner Gemma Summerfield. The videos will also feature rising stars Kamilla Dunstan, Louise Goodwin, Emily Sun and Jaymee Coonjobeeharry. Other content will highlight the RCM's special collections of important historical instruments, portraits and manuscripts and there will also be a 'behind the scenes' look at the College's Performance Simulator - an innovative and pioneering training facility unique to RCM musicians.
Sam Jackson, Managing Editor of Classic FM, said: 'Many of this country’s finest musicians have studied at the Royal College of Music, and this special week of programmes will shine the spotlight on an extraordinary, world class institution. What’s more, with the latest audience figures showing that 470,000 under-25-year-olds now listen to Classic FM every week, it’s the ideal time for us to focus on the next generation of musical talent.'
The Royal College of Music’s ongoing partnership with Classic FM will continue in 2017, with further RCM related broadcasts and features.
