Robert Rinder to host series on Classic FM

Broadcaster and criminal barrister Robert Rinder MBE is joining Classic FM to present a new six-part series, starting on Sunday 4 July.

Each week in Robert Rinder’s Classical Passions, he will share his lifelong passion and love of classical music. 

In what will be a very personal series, Rinder will feature some of the world’s biggest names in classical music who happen to be gay, including Tchaikovsky, renowned for his powerful and emotional music, which many now believe to have been fuelled by his own torment and conflicted feelings about his sexuality; as well as Benjamin Britten, half of one of the most important classical musical power-couples of the 20th century, with tenor Peter Pears. 

In the first episode, Rinder marks American Independence Day. He begins with the composer whom, arguably, founded the 20th century American classical sound – Aaron Copland. 

Robert Rinder said: “Like many people, I didn’t grow up around classical music. When I discovered it, it became my love, my passion and my escape. I want to share that delight with everybody – whoever you are, whatever background you come from, classical music is for you.

“The mission of this programme is to share the joy and richness of some of the greatest musical works in history, but also to remind everybody that that special magic came from the hearts and minds of people who were marginalised and criminalised.

“I feel enormously proud of Classic FM to share not only my delight in this incredible music, but also to embrace those composers, performers and conductors whose lives we knew only a small part of and to gift them back their full history.”

Robert Rinder’s Classical Passions will be broadcast every Sunday 9-10pm, from 4 July to 8 August.