Dan Walker and Karthi Gnanasegeram to host Classic FM series

Sport-loving Classic FM presenters Dan Walker and Karthi Gnanasegeram are co-hosting a new nine-part series Perfect Pitch.

It launches this evening, 9-10pm and will feature classical music associated with iconic sport’s moments and tracks which have inspired famous sport stars.

The first series of Perfect Pitch, devised and presented by Karthi, was broadcast on Classic FM in 2019, and for this new series, Karthi is teaming up with the station’s Breakfast host Dan Walker.

In the first programme, the pair will celebrate the many big occasions where sport and classical music have come together.

Highlights are Pavarotti’s legendary recording of ‘Nessun dorma’ by Puccini, synonymous with Italia 90, Ravel’s Bolero that accompanied Torvill and Dean’s legendary routine at the Winter Olympics in Sarajevo in 1984, and Malakai Bayoh’s performance of ‘Abide with Me’ that was sung by the young treble ahead of the FA Cup final in May this year.

The hour-long programmes will feature interviews with renowned personalities, picking the classical music that has been with them as they’ve trained and competed at the very highest level of their sport.

The first guest will be Colin Jackson, the two-time world and Commonwealth champion, and Olympic silver medallist.

Dan Walker said: “Sport and classical music just work when they are put together. They pull on our emotions, they give our hopes and dreams a soundtrack and set us up for the biggest sporting occasions on the planet.

“Every Friday on Perfect Pitch, we’ll ask some superstars about their perfect warm-up tracks and the music that always gets them in the zone to produce their best when it really matters.”

Karthi Gnanasegaram added: “My passions growing up were classical music and sport and I loved playing in orchestras and being part of sports teams.

“I feel very lucky to still be involved with both, and in this second series of Perfect Pitch on Classic FM, to chat with some of the biggest sports stars who understand that mix of personal and team inspiration.

“Musicians must work together for the orchestra to be in sync, in the same way that sports people work with their team to achieve their goal. It’s fascinating talking to athletes about that spirit of collaboration and the power of classical music to enrich their lives.”