Media UK

Classic FM

Classic FM was the UK's first national commercial radio station, broadcasting classical music in a popular and accessible style. Its first programme controller was Michael Bukht.

Its presenters include Nick Bailey, Simon Bates, John Brunning, Lesley Garrett, Aled Jones, and David Mellor. Past presenters include Stephen Fry, Mike Read, Paul Gambaccini, Henry Kelly, and engineer Quentin Howard.

Classic FM is known for its annual Hall of Fame, comprising the 300 most popular pieces, voted for by the listeners. The Number 1 spot in the last few years has been occupied consistently by Rachmaninoff's Second Piano Concerto.

Classic FM named a composer in residence in 2004, Joby Talbot (who is perhaps best known for his work with pop-group The Divine Comedy and writer of film scores including The Hitch-hiker's Guide to the Galaxy). Talbot created a brand new piece of classical music, scored for up to five instruments, each month for the year of his residence. The compositions were also premiered and playlisted on Classic FM.

Classic FM also runs a digital TV channel playing classical music videos, Classic FM TV.

Classic FM publishes a monthly magazine, Classic FM Magazine, which presents news and reviews.

Some or all material in this page has been adapted from the Classic FM entry (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Classic_FM), or others, in Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org), the free encyclopedia.