Episodes
| Title | First Broadcast | Repeated | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| At The Piano With Lang Lang | 20191225 | Sean Rafferty travels to Holland to meet the international pianist Lang Lang and finds him very much at home seated, of course, by the piano; this time at the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam. Lang Lang takes a break from his busy tour schedule to give Sean a mini-masterclass on Beethoven's Für Elise. They talk about Lang Lang's passions and how his excitement for Tom and Jerry cartoons and Franz Liszt provided the catalyst for a young and determined pianist growing up in China. Lang Lang began playing the piano at the age of three. He won the Shenyang Competition and gave his first public recital at five, before entering Beijing's Central Music Conservatory aged nine. Lang Lang talks about difficult childhood times, practising for endless hours each day and night and about how he became an overnight sensation at seventeen when he stood in at short notice to play Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1 with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Today Lang Lang is spending a lot of his time immersing himself in the music of Beethoven, he demonstrates to Sean how he is exploring his technique as he prepares to play the concertos and record the piano sonatas. When on tour Lang Lang always visits the city's museums and galleries. He is inspired by colour and today Sean and Lang Lang take time to stand in front of Sunflowers' at the Museum Van Gogh - Lang Lang is transported and immediately his mind turns to music and Schumann ... Sean visits Lang Lang in Amsterdam to discover his life on the road. Sean Rafferty visits musicians at home and at work to learn about their lives and music | |
| Dame Cleo Laine And Jacqui Dankworth | 20131231 | In this New Year's Eve edition of the series, Sean Rafferty meets the First Lady of British Jazz, Dame Cleo Laine and her daughter, the acclaimed singer Jacqui Dankworth. They meet at home in Wavendon, near Milton Keynes, where Dame Cleo and her late husband, John Dankworth, converted a stable block in the grounds in 1969 into the renowned venue The Stables. Jacqui shows Sean the new auditorium, where great musicians from the worlds of jazz and classical music regularly perform; and takes him to the smallest room in the family house, where some of her parents' many awards are modestly hung. Dame Cleo and Jacqui share memories of John as father, husband and fellow-musician. He was a towering figure in British jazz, as saxophonist, band leader and composer. Dame Cleo recalls her friendship with other jazz greats including Ella Fitzgerald, and discusses her own extraordinary singing voice, with its famous 4 octave range, which is still going strong. Jacqui describes collaborating with her father on an album. And Jacqui and Dame Cleo introduce some of their favourite tracks by themselves and others. Sean Rafferty meets singer and actress Dame Cleo Laine and her daughter, Jacqui Dankworth. Sean Rafferty visits musicians at home and at work to learn about their lives and music | |
| Dame Janet Baker | 20171225 | Sean Rafferty meets Dame Janet Baker at the Royal Academy of Music, which she calls her home from home, to talk about her life and career on the opera and concert platforms, and her many important musical partnerships. Dame Janet is one of the most-loved and instantly recognisable voices, through her legendary performances and recordings of Baroque opera to Mahler, lieder and of course Elgar's repertoire. Janet talks openly to Sean about the journey through her career, dealing with the loss of her brother, caring for her husband. She reveals for the first time how her voice was affected by operations. She also talks about hugely important musical relationships she formed with conductors including Sir John Barbirolli and Sir Charles Mackerras and the pianist Geoffrey Parsons and the importance of encouraging young singers. Sean Rafferty meets Dame Janet Baker to talk about her life and career. Sean Rafferty visits musicians at home and at work to learn about their lives and music | |
| Dame Kiri Te Kanawa | 20151225 | In the first of two Christmas and New Year's Day specials, Sean Rafferty visits soprano Dame Kiri Te Kanawa at home in the Sussex countryside to find out about her interests and musical passions. Famous for her performances on the stages of the major opera houses throughout the world, especially in the works of Mozart and Richard Strauss, in this interview we get to meet the person behind the Countess and the Marschallin, the very private Dame Kiri. She talks about her love for her pet dogs and about her passion for teaching as she now devotes much of her time to passing on a lifetime of experience to young singers through the Kiri Te Kanawa Foundation. Sean discovers her secret love of painting and she demonstrates one of her favourite things - a mechanical musical instrument. Sean Rafferty visits soprano Dame Kiri Te Kanawa at home in the Sussex countryside. Sean Rafferty visits musicians at home and at work to learn about their lives and music | |
| Dame Mitsuko Uchida | 20131226 | 20140623 (R3) | Pianist Dame Mitsuko Uchida invites Sean Rafferty into her piano studio for an extended interview reflecting on a life in music and culture. Mitsuko Uchida is one of the world's most celebrated pianists, noted for her interpretations of Mozart, Schubert and Beethoven. Japanese born Uchida has made the UK her home and houses her four pianos in a studio in West London - a deeply personal space, not often opened to visitors. Mitusko Uchida discusses her early musical memories, from her instant connection with the piano to hearing Aida with her father when an Italian opera company made its first visit to Japan. She describes her love of London, how she doesn't feel the need to own great art and her deep love of Mozart, a composer who 'always forgives'. Producer: Freya Hellier First broadcast in December 2013 (Revised repeat). Pianist Mitsuko Uchida invites Sean Rafferty into her studio for an extended interview. Sean Rafferty visits musicians at home and at work to learn about their lives and music Pianist Dame Mitsuko Uchida invites Sean Rafferty into her piano studio for an extended interview reflecting on a life in music and culture. Mitsuko Uchida is one of the world's most celebrated pianists, noted for her interpretations of Mozart, Schubert and Beethoven. Japanese born Uchida has made the UK her home and houses her four pianos in a studio in West London - a deeply personal space, not often opened to visitors. Mitusko Uchida discusses her early musical memories, from her instant connection with the piano to hearing Aida with her father when an Italian opera company made its first visit to Japan. She describes her love of London, how she doesn't feel the need to own great art and her deep love of Mozart, a composer who 'always forgives'. Producer: Freya Hellier First broadcast in December 2013 (Revised repeat). Pianist Mitsuko Uchida invites Sean Rafferty into her studio for an extended interview. Sean Rafferty visits musicians at home and at work to learn about their lives and music |
| Danielle De Niese | 20131224 | Sean Rafferty visits the home of the Australian-born lyric soprano Danielle de Niese. The Australian lyric-soprano Danielle de Niese is used to gracing the world's operatic stages where she is as much praised for her acting ability as for her extraordinary voice and glamorous demeanour. But what is she like in her own space? Sean Rafferty visits Danielle de Niese in her home, Glyndebourne, in East Sussex, for a catch-up with one of the most sought-after singers on the planet. Sean Rafferty visits the home of Australian-born lyric soprano Danielle de Niese. Sean Rafferty visits musicians at home and at work to learn about their lives and music | |
| Julian Bream | 20140929 | 20200829 (R3) 20131223 (R3) | Sean Rafferty visits guitarist Julian Bream at home in Wiltshire to discuss a lifetime of music making. At 80 years old, Julian Bream CBE has left a lasting legacy on the world of classical music, he popularised the lute and Elizabethan music and worked closely with composers such as Benjamin Britten, Michael Tippett and Malcolm Arnold to increase the guitar's repertoire. Julian talks candidly to Sean about his experiences as a child prodigy, forced to play the piano and cello because the guitar wasn't considered a 'serious' classical instrument and recounts his first experience, as a teenager, sitting in the Wigmore Hall with a pair of binoculars watching the hands of his hero Andres Segovia. Bream describes the anguish he felt while he locked himself in a shepherd's hut in Majorca for ten days, forcing himself to master Britten's fiendishly difficult Nocturnal, and how he offered Malcolm Arnold £30 to write him a concerto - a commission which was fulfilled in a matter of days. Now at the end of his career and playing no more than a few notes on his guitar, this extended interview is a unique insight into one of Britain's most important musical figures of the 20th Century. First broadcast in December 2013 (revised repeat) Sean Rafferty travels to Wiltshire to discuss a life in music with guitarist Julian Bream Sean Rafferty visits musicians at home and at work to learn about their lives and music Sean Rafferty visits guitarist Julian Bream at home in Wiltshire to discuss a lifetime of music making. At 80 years old, Julian Bream CBE has left a lasting legacy on the world of classical music, he popularised the lute and Elizabethan music and worked closely with composers such as Benjamin Britten, Michael Tippett and Malcolm Arnold to increase the guitar's repertoire. Julian talks candidly to Sean about his experiences as a child prodigy, forced to play the piano and cello because the guitar wasn't considered a 'serious' classical instrument and recounts his first experience, as a teenager, sitting in the Wigmore Hall with a pair of binoculars watching the hands of his hero Andres Segovia. Bream describes the anguish he felt while he locked himself in a shepherd's hut in Majorca for ten days, forcing himself to master Britten's fiendishly difficult Nocturnal, and how he offered Malcolm Arnold £30 to write him a concerto - a commission which was fulfilled in a matter of days. Now at the end of his career and playing no more than a few notes on his guitar, this extended interview is a unique insight into one of Britain's most important musical figures of the 20th Century. First broadcast in December 2013 (revised repeat) Sean Rafferty travels to Wiltshire to discuss a life in music with guitarist Julian Bream Sean Rafferty visits musicians at home and at work to learn about their lives and music Sean Rafferty visits guitarist Julian Bream at home in Wiltshire to discuss a lifetime of music making. At 80 years old, Julian Bream CBE has left a lasting legacy on the world of classical music, he popularised the lute and Elizabethan music and worked closely with composers such as Benjamin Britten, Michael Tippett and Malcolm Arnold to increase the guitar's repertoire. Julian talks candidly to Sean about his experiences as a child prodigy, forced to play the piano and cello because the guitar wasn't considered a 'serious' classical instrument and recounts his first experience, as a teenager, sitting in the Wigmore Hall with a pair of binoculars watching the hands of his hero Andres Segovia. Bream describes the anguish he felt while he locked himself in a shepherd's hut in Majorca for ten days, forcing himself to master Britten's fiendishly difficult Nocturnal, and how he offered Malcolm Arnold £30 to write him a concerto - a commission which was fulfilled in a matter of days. Now at the end of his career and playing no more than a few notes on his guitar, this extended interview is a unique insight into one of Britain's most important musical figures of the 20th Century. First broadcast in December 2013 (revised repeat) Sean Rafferty travels to Wiltshire to discuss a life in music with guitarist Julian Bream Sean Rafferty visits musicians at home and at work to learn about their lives and music |
| Katia And Marielle Labeque | 20140102 | Sean travels to Rome to the home and studio of pianists Katia and Marielle Labeque. Sean Rafferty visits musicians at home and at work to learn about their lives and music | |
| Lesley Garrett | 20161224 | Sean visits the soprano Lesley Garrett at her home for a cup of tea and to talk about her career and passions. Lesley is one of the UK's most recognisable sopranos thanks to the breadth of her work: from Monteverdi at Glyndebourne and Mozart at ENO, to The Sound of Music in the West End, contemporary opera, not to mention a side career as a TV presenter. Brought up in Yorkshire but now based between there and London with her family, her Yorkshire roots are still hugely important to her. She talks to Sean about those roots, her struggles starting out as a singer, and why there need to be more roles for 60-year-old sopranos. Sean Rafferty visits Lesley Garrett at her home to learn about her career and passions. Sean Rafferty visits musicians at home and at work to learn about their lives and music | |
| Neville Marriner Day | 20140103 | 20240415 (R3) | Sir Neville Marriner invites Sean Rafferty into his London family home, site of many Academy of St Martin in the Fields rehearsals, to look back on a lifetime of music and cultural interests. Sir Neville Marriner's formidable catalogue of recordings form the backbone of many a CD collection. He relives the Academy's most important moments, working with Milos Foreman on the soundtrack to Amadeus and games of table tennis in Hollywood with Jascha Heifetz. Surrounded by the ticking of clocks collected over many years, Sir Neville describes his early days as a violinist with the LSO (which include flour bombing the orchestral tour bus from a WWII plane) his passion for planting trees and how he would be happy never to have to conduct Vivaldi's Four Seasons ever again! First broadcast in January 2014 Sean Rafferty visits conductor Sir Neville Marriner in his London home. Sean Rafferty visits musicians at home and at work to learn about their lives and music Sean Rafferty visits conductor and founder of the The Academy of St Martin in the Fields, Sir Neville Marriner, to discuss music, life and culture. |
| Sean At Home With Ren\u00e9e Fleming | 20190101 | She has sung for the Queen, at President Obama's inauguration, to the vast crowds at the super bowl and for ecstatic audiences in the world's finest opera houses and concert halls. Sean Rafferty finds Ren退e Fleming at home in her New York apartment where they talk about her musical tastes which range from opera to jazz, from lieder to musical. Ren退e has been dressed by the top names in haute couture - we even get a peek at her extraordinary collection. Her advocacy embraces the importance of music in the mind as well as advisory positions on some to the most important institutions in the USA. Join us for New Year's in New York. Sean Rafferty visits legendary soprano Ren\u00e9e Fleming Sean Rafferty visits musicians at home and at work to learn about their lives and music | |
| Sir Antonio Pappano | 20140101 | Sean Rafferty visits Sir Antonio Pappano in his natural habitat ? the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden where the British conductor has been music director for nearly a decade. Antonio Pappano was born in Essex to Italian parents and his Italian heritage is close to his heart. This, and the influence of his father who was a singing teacher, brought him to the world of opera and he has forged an international career from Covent Garden. In this revealing interview Sean Rafferty explores Antonio Pappano's world at Covent Garden. Sean Rafferty visits Sir Antonio Pappano at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. Sean Rafferty visits musicians at home and at work to learn about their lives and music | |
| Sir Bryn Terfel | 20181225 | Sir Bryn Terfel welcomes Sean Rafferty into his home in south Wales where he meets some of Bryn's family, including his lively toddler who, Bryn points out, has inherited his lungs. Bryn reflects on his upbringing in Wales, singing in his local church, to the Cardiff Singer of the World Competition in 1989 and the battle of the baritones between him and Dmitri Hvorostovsky. Bryn shows Sean around his home, and they mull over Bryn's hectic international career in the major opera houses, in roles ranging from Mozart to Wagner's Flying Dutchman and Wotan. Sean casts an envious eye around his wine cellar and music room, and their chat throws up insights into the life and work of one of the country's greatest and much-loved singers. Sean Rafferty visits the home of Sir Bryn Terfel. Sean Rafferty visits musicians at home and at work to learn about their lives and music | |
| Sir James Galway | 20131227 | Sean Rafferty visits the London home of Sir James Galway OBE, the great Belfast-born virtuoso flute player, to discuss life and music. James Galway, 'the man with the golden flute' is one of the most iconic musicians of our time. His recordings of the flute repertoire have not only garnered the finest critical acclaim but have also appealed to millions of people across the globe. Sean Rafferty visits the home of flautist James Galway, who discusses his life and work. Sean Rafferty visits musicians at home and at work to learn about their lives and music | |
| Sir John Eliot Gardiner | 20131225 | 20180715 (R3) | For a Christmas Day edition of this series, Sean Rafferty travels to Dorset to visit the conductor Sir John Eliot Gardiner at his organic farm. John Eliot Gardiner is not only one of today's pre-eminent and most sought-after interpreters of Bach's music, but he also works a sizeable organic farm in Dorset, which includes rare Aubrac cattle. His family are rooted in this corner of Dorset and his father was one of the first truly organic farmers, and a founder member of the Soil Association. Sean Rafferty visits the organic farm that John Eliot Gardiner calls home. This is an extended interview in which Sean talks to John Eliot Gardiner about his career at the top of the international Early Music scene, his life-long passion for Bach, travelling the globe to make music with some of the world's finest orchestras and opera companies, and the music and poetry that influenced him as a child growing up in Dorset. He also talks about the challenges of combining his life in music and farming. Sean Rafferty travels to Dorset to visit conductor Sir John Eliot Gardiner. Sean Rafferty visits musicians at home and at work to learn about their lives and music For a Christmas Day edition of this series, Sean Rafferty travels to Dorset to visit the conductor Sir John Eliot Gardiner at his organic farm. John Eliot Gardiner is not only one of today's pre-eminent and most sought-after interpreters of Bach's music, but he also works a sizeable organic farm in Dorset, which includes rare Aubrac cattle. His family are rooted in this corner of Dorset and his father was one of the first truly organic farmers, and a founder member of the Soil Association. Sean Rafferty visits the organic farm that John Eliot Gardiner calls home. This is an extended interview in which Sean talks to John Eliot Gardiner about his career at the top of the international Early Music scene, his life-long passion for Bach, travelling the globe to make music with some of the world's finest orchestras and opera companies, and the music and poetry that influenced him as a child growing up in Dorset. He also talks about the challenges of combining his life in music and farming. Sean Rafferty travels to Dorset to visit conductor Sir John Eliot Gardiner. Sean Rafferty visits musicians at home and at work to learn about their lives and music |
| Sir John Tomlinson | 20180101 | From the moment Sir John Tomlinson collects Sean from Lewes station in his 1984 Mercedes (the same one he used to drive to Bayreuth every summer), it's clear that this great bass is as warm and welcoming as his voice suggests. He reflects on his upbringing in Oswaldtwistle where Handel and Gilbert and Sullivan were formative musical influences; and on how he's found relaxation during a hectic international career which has taken him from Mozart's operas to playing Wager's Wotan and pioneering roles for Sir Harrison Birtwistle and Thomas Ad耀s in more recent times. Sir John's art collection and regency home, which has been kept almost in its original state from flooring to kitchen sink, offer fascinating insights into the life and work of one of this country's greatest singers. Sean gets an insight into the life and work of this great bass. Sean Rafferty visits musicians at home and at work to learn about their lives and music | |
| Sir Neville Marriner | 20140103 | 20161016 (R3) 20140407 (R3) | Sir Neville Marriner, invites Sean Rafferty into his London family home, site of many Academy of St Martin in the Fields rehearsals, to look back on a lifetime of music and cultural interests. Sir Neville Marriner's formidable catalogue of recordings form the backbone of many a CD collection. He relives the Academy's most important moments, working with Milos Foreman on the soundtrack to Amadeus and games of table tennis in Hollywood with Jascha Heifetz. Surrounded by the ticking of clocks collected over many years, Sir Neville describes his early days as a violinist with the LSO (which include flour bombing the orchestral tour bus from a WWII plane) his passion for planting trees and how he would be happy never to have to conduct Vivaldi's Four Seasons ever again! Producer: Freya Hellier First broadcast in January 2014. In a programme made before his death, Neville Marriner invites Sean Rafferty to his home. Sean Rafferty visits musicians at home and at work to learn about their lives and music Sir Neville Marriner, invites Sean Rafferty into his London family home, site of many Academy of St Martin in the Fields rehearsals, to look back on a lifetime of music and cultural interests. Sir Neville Marriner's formidable catalogue of recordings form the backbone of many a CD collection. He relives the Academy's most important moments, working with Milos Foreman on the soundtrack to Amadeus and games of table tennis in Hollywood with Jascha Heifetz. Surrounded by the ticking of clocks collected over many years, Sir Neville describes his early days as a violinist with the LSO (which include flour bombing the orchestral tour bus from a WWII plane) his passion for planting trees and how he would be happy never to have to conduct Vivaldi's Four Seasons ever again! Producer: Freya Hellier First broadcast in January 2014. In a programme made before his death, Neville Marriner invites Sean Rafferty to his home. Sean Rafferty visits musicians at home and at work to learn about their lives and music Sir Neville Marriner, invites Sean Rafferty into his London family home, site of many Academy of St Martin in the Fields rehearsals, to look back on a lifetime of music and cultural interests. Sir Neville Marriner's formidable catalogue of recordings form the backbone of many a CD collection. He relives the Academy's most important moments, working with Milos Foreman on the soundtrack to Amadeus and games of table tennis in Hollywood with Jascha Heifetz. Surrounded by the ticking of clocks collected over many years, Sir Neville describes his early days as a violinist with the LSO (which include flour bombing the orchestral tour bus from a WWII plane) his passion for planting trees and how he would be happy never to have to conduct Vivaldi's Four Seasons ever again! Producer: Freya Hellier First broadcast in January 2014. In a programme made before his death, Neville Marriner invites Sean Rafferty to his home. Sean Rafferty visits musicians at home and at work to learn about their lives and music |
| Sir Roger Norrington | 20160101 | Sean Rafferty visits conductor Sir Roger Norrington at his home in Devon to find out more about the passions that have driven him in over 50 years as a performing musician. Norrington is best known for historically informed performances of Baroque, Classical and Romantic music and his life on the podium has taken him around the world conducting some of the worlds greatest orchestras including the Berlin Philharmonic and the Vienna Philharmonic. In this interview we get to meet the private man behind the public persona. Sean Rafferty visits conductor Sir Roger Norrington at his home in Devon. Sean Rafferty visits musicians at home and at work to learn about their lives and music | |
| Sir Thomas Allen | 20131230 | Sean Rafferty visits the home of the great British English baritone, Sir Thomas Allen. Born in County Durham and still fiercely proud of his North Eastern roots, Sir Thomas is one of the best-known, best-loved and most critically rated English singers on the international stage. His huge career has taken him to all the world's major opera houses. Sean Rafferty catches up with the great man at his home to discuss life and music. Celebrated British English baritone Sir Thomas Allen talks about his life and work. Sean Rafferty visits musicians at home and at work to learn about their lives and music | |
| Stephen Hough | 20161231 | Sean visits the pianist Stephen Hough at his home and in his studio to talk about his passions and life in music. Stephen is one of the world's most celebrated pianists - and he's not just a pianist, he's also a successful composer, painter and writer. And it's in London that he makes his home. He invites Sean into his studio where all these passions collide - a personal sanctuary for his work housing two pianos, works of art still in progress, a library, garden and even the world's most compact gym. They also take a walk round the corner together to Stephen's house to chat about his life on and off the concert stage. Sean visits pianist Stephen Hough at his home to hear about his passions. Sean Rafferty visits musicians at home and at work to learn about their lives and music |