The UK’s most famous classical music family is joining Classic FM, the nation’s most popular classical music station, to host their own radio series. Launching this Sunday 26th February at 9pm, The Kanneh-Mason Family Takeover sees all nine members of the hugely talented family make their debut radio series together.
Across six weeks, the Kanneh-Masons – mum Kadiatu, dad Stuart, Isata, Braimah, Sheku, Konya, Jeneba, Aminata and Mariatu – will share their favourite classical music and the pieces which have inspired them throughout their lives, both as a family and individually, and reveal their best-loved performances. They will talk about everyday life as a nine-strong family and share personal stories as they figuratively throw open the doors of their home to welcome in Classic FM listeners.
In the first programme, pianist Isata Kanneh-Mason reveals the music that has made the biggest impact on her. This includes the second movement of the ‘Trout’ Quintet by Schubert, one of the most played pieces from her childhood; Little Women from the soundtrack of the same name by the film composer Alexandre Desplat; and the second movement of the Cello Sonata in G Minor by her favourite composer, Rachmaninov.
The Classical BRIT award-winning Sheku will front two episodes in the series. On 5th March, he will feature a selection of the music that has inspired him throughout his life and career. Then on 19th March, the 23-year-old will team up with his mum Kadiatu for a Mother’s Day special. The pair will share personal stories from his childhood and discuss their favourite music. One piece loved by the whole family is Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in E Minor, which was played on long car journeys. Sheku and Kadiatu will reminisce as well about the intensive rehearsals in the summer of 2020, before their debut family album, a recording of Carnival of the Animals by Saint-Saëns. They will also feature Sea Murmurs by Castelnuovo-Tedesco from the album, featuring Braimah and Jeneba, to celebrate when the family recorded Carnival at Abbey Road Studios.
Violinists Braimah and Aminata will host the third programme in the series (12th March), while sisters Konya and Jeneba – both pianists – will present the fifth episode (26th March), with their musical choices including Fantaisie-Impromptu by Chopin, in honour of their grandfather. The final programme (2nd April), to be hosted by dad Stuart and youngest daughter Mariatu, will feature Mozart’s Piano Concerto No.20 in D Minor, another family favourite, along with the first movement of Elgar’s Cello Concerto – the piece that inspired Mariatu to play the cello after hearing her brother Sheku perform it.
The full series will also be available on Global Player for an extended period.
Source
Global
