BBC outlines classical plans for lockdown period

From the publicity team: Great news for classical fans! We are thrilled to announce today all new classical music content across the BBC as part of our #CultureInQuarantine festival.

The reality? Less stimulating.

See details below.

– 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.

Hmmm.