麻豆社

Tom Service with guests, stories and the perfect classical soundtrack to start the weekend.

Tom talks to German violinist Isabelle Faust about her unremitting tour schedule, how she finds new delights in pieces she's been performing around the world for decades, and her newfound love of the Baroque composer Georg Philipp Telemann whose music she has just recorded for a new album with the Akademie f眉r Alte Musik, Berlin.

We catch up with Irish mezzo-soprano Niamh O'Sullivan, star of Bizet鈥檚 Carmen at English National Opera right now and a Radio 3 New Generation Artist. Tom joins her backstage at London鈥檚 Coliseum to talk about what it鈥檚 like singing one of opera鈥檚 most famous heroines, as well as some of the challenges that come with life as an opera singer.

Tom explores 鈥淭he Madman鈥檚 Orchestra鈥� 鈥� a new book by the author and former 麻豆社 QI Elf Edward Brooke-Hitching which uncovers some of the most weird and wonderful curiosities from the history of music. From instruments like the cat piano, the hog harmonium, the shame flute and the badger theremin, to prehistoric flutes, underground organs and the creations of 17th century German scholar Athanasius Kircher. Tom and Edward talk about some of their own favourites from the book.

Plus violinist Amandine Beyer introduces her new recording 鈥淏ach from Italy鈥�, and pianist Rebeca Omordia tells us about one of John Ireland鈥檚 bewitching pieces from her new recording of his piano music.

To listen on most smart speakers just say "Ask 麻豆社 Sounds to play Saturday Morning鈥�.