Private Passions

Music

About

Guests from all walks of life discuss their musical passions and talk about the influence music has had on their lives.

Episodes

  • James Aldred, cameraman and writer

    James Aldred, an Emmy award-winning documentary wildlife cameraman and filmmaker, shares his experiences from projects with David Attenborough and his work documenting animals. He also discusses his books, including "The Man Who Climbs Tre…

  • Professor Dame Ijeoma Uchegbu, chemist

    Professor Dame Ijeoma Uchegbu, a professor of Pharmaceutical Nanoscience at University College London and President of Wolfson College Cambridge, shares her work on nanoparticles in drug delivery. She also discusses her book, "Chain Reacti…

  • Dietmar Mueller-Elmau, entrepreneur

    Dietmar Mueller-Elmau, owner of Schloss Elmau, talks about the Bavarian Alps resort hotel established by his grandfather in 1916. He covers its tradition of hosting classical concerts and events, including performances by renowned musician…

  • Rachel Eliza Griffiths, poet and novelist

    Rachel Eliza Griffiths, a poet and novelist, discusses her work including her memoir "The Flower Bearers." She also talks about her marriage to Salman Rushdie and her musical inspirations, such as Schumann, Bach, Puccini, and Nina Simone.

  • Francis Spufford, writer

    Francis Spufford, an award-winning writer and Professor of Creative Writing at Goldsmiths, discusses his historical novels set in different eras and locations. He also shares his personal journey regarding faith and his music choices, whic…

  • Sir Ian Blatchford, Science Museum director

    Sir Ian Blatchford, Director of the Science Museum Group, shares his career journey including his time in banking and his current role overseeing several UK museums. He also discusses the current challenges faced by museums, including fund…

  • George Saunders, writer

    George Saunders, American writer and Booker Prize winner, discusses his novels "Lincoln in the Bardo" and "Vigil," as well as his short stories and musical influences. He shares insights into his creative process and literary works.

  • Penny Woolcock, film director

    Penny Woolcock, a film director, shares insights into her diverse career, from directing at the Metropolitan Opera to creating a film about Birmingham drug gangs. She also speaks about her memoir, "The Man Who Gave Me a Biscuit." Woolcock…

  • Peter Hamlyn, neurosurgeon

    Peter Hamlyn, a neurosurgeon with 40 years of experience, discusses his career, including his work with boxer Michael Watson and his contributions to sports medicine. He also shares his interest in how AI could transform neurological patie…

  • Asif Khan, architect

    Architect Asif Khan, known for projects like the re-invention of Smithfield Market and the Barbican Centre, shares his musical selections. He views architecture as a multi-disciplinary field.

  • Philippa Gregory

    Philippa Gregory, known for her historical fiction, discusses her writing career, including her focus on the Plantagenets and Tudors. She also shares her varied music selections, which include Mozart, Philip Glass, Scott Joplin, and Leo De…

  • Richard Stokes

    Richard Stokes, Professor of Lieder at the Royal Academy of Music, shares his passion for German art songs and his extensive work as a translator of music. He also discusses his role in coaching young singers and features musical choices f…

  • Sandra Knapp

    Dr. Sandra Knapp, a botanist and senior researcher at the Natural History Museum, shares her experiences traveling to remote regions to study the Solanum genus. She has discovered over a hundred new plant varieties. Her music selections in…

  • Paul Chahidi

    Paul Chahidi, an actor known for his versatile performances in theater, film, and television, shares his musical choices on Private Passions. He discusses his career trajectory and background.

  • Peter Purves

    Peter Purves, known for his roles in Doctor Who and Blue Peter, shares his musical tastes, including classical composers and jazz artists, with Michael Berkeley. He also talks about his career in television, from being a Doctor Who compani…

  • Vanessa Williams

    Vanessa Williams, known for her work in musical theatre, pop music, Hollywood, and television, shares her musical selections. She has appeared on Broadway, topped pop charts, starred in films, and played roles in TV series. She was also Mi…

  • Alison Weir

    Alison Weir, a best-selling author, discusses her historical novels and biographies. She shares how a novel about Katherine of Aragon sparked her lifelong passion for history. Her works include biographies of historical figures and novels…

  • Pam Ayres

    Pam Ayres is interviewed by Michael Berkeley on Private Passions. She shares her musical choices, including seasonal favorites, and reflects on her 50-year career since appearing on Opportunity Knocks.

  • Louise Penny

    Louise Penny, a Canadian crime fiction writer, is featured on Private Passions. She discusses her career, including her start as a novelist at 45 and her series featuring Chief Inspector Armand Gamache, with her 20th book being "The Black…

  • Lea Ypi

    Lea Ypi, a professor of political theory at the London School of Economics, discusses growing up in Albania during the fall of communism and the inspiration for her books, Free and Indignity. She shares her musical choices, including works…

  • Hugh Bonneville

    Hugh Bonneville, known for Downton Abbey and Paddington, discusses his acting career, his recent ventures into writing, and his musical influences. He shares his passion for acting from an early age and his experiences.

  • Annabel Croft

    Annabel Croft, a former British tennis player who became the youngest British player to compete in the Wimbledon main draw, discusses her career and musical choices. She retired at 21 to pursue a broadcasting career and later participated…

  • The Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer

    Sir Keir Starmer, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, shares his love of music, including works by Beethoven, Mozart, Shostakovich, and Brahms. He was formerly Director of Public Prosecutions and a flautist.

  • Hollie McNish

    Poet and author Hollie McNish discusses her career and creative work with Michael Berkeley. She shares selections of music by composers including Telemann, Joseph Bologne Chevalier de Saint-George, Nina Simone, and Tchaikovsky.

  • Shobana Jeyasingh

    Shobana Jeyasingh, a pioneering choreographer, has created over 60 original works, often for outdoor settings. She started her dance company in 1989 and has collaborated with various artists and scientists. Her recent work is inspired by S…

  • Richard Armitage

    Actor and author Richard Armitage discusses his career in television, film, and literature on Private Passions. He shares personal musical selections from composers including Arvo Part, Mahler, Rameau, and Gluck.

  • Deborah Prentice

    Deborah Prentice, the first American Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cambridge, discusses her career and academic leadership. She also shares her musical interests, including works by Beethoven, Bach, Mussorgsky, and Ravel.

  • Mark Kermode

    Mark Kermode, a film critic and musician, shares insights into his 40-year career in film criticism and his involvement with the band The Dodge Brothers. He also discusses his book, "Mark Kermode's Surround Sound," which explores the relat…

  • Kathleen Marshall

    American director and choreographer Kathleen Marshall discusses her career and musical influences, including Mozart, Chopin, Tchaikovsky, and Duke Ellington, on Private Passions.

  • Dame Rachel de Souza

    Children’s Commissioner for England Dame Rachel de Souza discusses her career in education and her focus on protecting children's rights. She also shares a selection of music that has influenced her life, including works by Handel, Tippett…

  • Daniel Katz

    In this episode of Private Passions, art dealer and collector Daniel Katz discusses his career and path in the art world. He shares insights into his diverse expertise in sculpture, antiquities, and paintings, while discussing his personal…

  • Jay Griffiths

    Writer Jay Griffiths discusses her career, her books including Wild and Tristimania, and her recent work on the therapeutic role of animals on Private Passions. She also shares personal musical selections from composers such as Sibelius, R…

  • Gabriel Zuchtriegel

    Gabriel Zuchtriegel, director of the Pompeii archaeological site and author of The Buried City, discusses his work and career. In this episode, he also shares his musical preferences, including pieces by Schubert, Mozart, Vivaldi, and Bach.

  • Suzanne Vega

    Singer-songwriter Suzanne Vega joins Private Passions to discuss her four-decade career, including her hit songs and recent album, Flying with Angels. She also shares a selection of classical music that has influenced her.

  • Hilary Cottam

    Social entrepreneur and author Hilary Cottam discusses her work on social innovation and reimagining the welfare state and the future of work. She also shares a selection of music including works by Pergolesi, Chopin, Schubert, and Satie.

  • Adam Buxton

    Comedian and podcaster Adam Buxton discusses his career, his memoirs Ramble Book and I Love You Byeee!, and his personal experiences with grief. He also shares a selection of his favorite music, including works by Ravel, Grieg, and Theloni…

  • Philip Hoare

    Award-winning writer Philip Hoare discusses his literary work, his fascination with the sea and whales, and his research on William Blake. He also shares a selection of his favorite music, featuring pieces by Prokofiev, Britten, and Coplan…

  • Emma Rice

    Theatre director Emma Rice discusses her career, including her time with Kneehigh, her tenure at Shakespeare’s Globe, and her work with Wise Children. She also shares her musical interests, featuring works by Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninov, Moza…

  • Jonathan Sumption

    Lord Sumption discusses his career as a barrister and Supreme Court justice, his historical writing, and his perspectives on law and democracy. He also shares his musical preferences, featuring works by Berlioz, Schumann, Britten, and Moza…

  • Colum McCann

    Writer Colum McCann discusses his career, award-winning novels, and recent collaborative projects on Private Passions. He highlights his musical influences, including works by Gorecki, Prokofiev, Brahms, and Haydn.

  • Romola Garai

    Actor and director Romola Garai discusses her diverse career in stage and screen, including recent Olivier Award-winning work. She also shares a selection of music that has influenced her, featuring pieces by John Taverner, Handel, and Kei…

  • Terry Gilliam

    Director Terry Gilliam discusses his career, his approach to filmmaking, and his upcoming project. He also shares a selection of his favorite musical pieces by composers including Richard Strauss, Berlioz, and Delius.

  • Monica Feria-Tinta

    Barrister Monica Feria-Tinta joins Private Passions to discuss her work advocating for the natural world and her book, A Barrister for the Earth. She shares her legal career journey and selects music by Sibelius, Monteverdi, and Chopin.

  • Boulez at 100: Gerard McBurney

    In this episode of Private Passions, composer and musicologist Gerard McBurney joins Michael Berkeley to share stories about Pierre Boulez and his own musical career, including his work with Russian composers and the Chicago Symphony Orche…

  • Bob Crowley

    Set and costume designer Bob Crowley discusses his career in theater and his approach to creating, while sharing a selection of his favorite music. He reflects on his work with the National Theatre, the Royal Shakespeare Company, and his a…

  • Dr Sian Williams

    Dr. Sian Williams joins the podcast to discuss her career in journalism and psychology, as well as her work with the NHS. She also shares a selection of music, including pieces by Mozart, Rachmaninov, Max Richter, and Vivaldi.

  • Daniel Levitin

    Psychologist and neuroscientist Daniel Levitin discusses his background in the music industry and his research into the effects of music on the brain. He also explores the potential of music as a medical treatment in his book, Music as Med…

  • Ursula Jones

    Musical icon Ursula Jones discusses her life in music, including her work with the English Chamber Orchestra and the Philip Jones Brass Ensemble. She also shares insights into her academic pursuits in archaeology and her philanthropic effo…

  • Professor Anthony Kessel

    Professor Anthony Kessel, National Deputy Medical Director of NHS England and author, shares his life and musical inspirations. He discusses his work in public health and his Young Adult detective novel series on Private Passions.

  • Raymond Blanc

    Self-taught chef Raymond Blanc discusses his culinary journey, from his upbringing in France to opening his Michelin-starred restaurant, Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons. He also shares musical selections from artists including Vivaldi, Verdi, B…