Radio 3 hires 20-year-old presenter to drum up youth movement
THE BBC has long harped about the urgent need to welcome new, young audiences to tune into the world of classical music.
At last, it may have finally arrived at a solution: give Radio 3’s youngest-ever presenter her own show, with guests selected from musicians under 30.
Radio 3, which has tried to reach new audiences with regular reassurances that classical music is not elitist, has offered Jess Gillam, the 20-year-old saxophonist, a new show on Saturday lunchtimes. The half-hour episodes are designed to suit the podcast genera- tion, with Gillam interviewing musicians of her own generation to capture their excitement for their listening peers.
The confirmed guests so far include Isata Kanneh-mason, a pianist, Sam Becker, a double bassist, Belle Chen, the former BBC Introducing pianist and sound artist, and Ollie Howell, a film and television composer.
Called This Classical Life, it will immediately precede Inside Music.
Executives are hoping millennials will keep their radios on to enjoy the “insight and perspectives” offered by the established programme. Gillam, who rose to become a household name after performing as a soloist at the Last Night of the Proms, said: “I’m so excited to be joining BBC Radio 3 as the presenter of This Classical Life.
“Music is such a huge part of my life, and I can’t wait to share all my latest and greatest discoveries with fellow musicians who will be joining me on the show, as well as with listeners at home.”
Speaking to The Daily Telegraph before her Last Night of the Proms performance in 2018, she said: “I’m always trying to reach out to a wider and younger demographic.
“I think that the Proms, in the way that they have programmed the whole season, going out into different venues and commissioning young female composers, they do a lot in the way of opening it out.
“It’s something I’d like to work on more.”
Other programme changes announced for Radio 3 include Opera Fix, a four-part special on Sunday evenings presented by the soprano Danielle de Niese.
The guitarist Sean Shibe, 27, will present a six-part special Guitar Zone, and the harpsichordist Mahan Esfahani will take on presenting duties for the forthcoming three-part series The Alternative Bach.
Alan Davey, controller at BBC Radio 3, said: “I am of the belief that classical music doesn’t sit in isolation, and I know that audiences are ceasing to distinguish it from other genres.
“I’m keen, therefore, that our schedule acknowledges that as part of our distinct offer, which aims to connect audiences with remarkable music and arts.
“From Jess Gillam’s discussions with young performers of their musical influences, premieres and new takes on established works such as Mahan’s revisionist history of Bach, or Sean Shibe’s look at the guitar, there’s something for everyone on BBC Radio 3.”
The first episode of This Classical Life will air on Saturday April 6.