Press Release

From Monday 12 September 2011, BBC Radio 3 introduces two new classical music programmes to its schedule.

The addition of Essential Classics and Saturday Classics illustrates Radio 3's commitment to delivering high quality classical music programmes in which Radio 3's presenters are trusted guides.

Roger Wright, Controller BBC Radio 3 and Director, BBC Proms, says: "I'm delighted to welcome two new programmes to Radio 3's distinctive schedule. Our new evening schedule, with live concerts broadcast every evening, has been warmly welcomed. The two new additions to our daytime programming will take listeners further on their journey through the world of classical music. Through a combination of expert presenters and special guests Radio 3 will be a trusted guide to the core repertoire and recordings."

Essential Classics can be heard each weekday morning between 9am-12noon from Monday 12 September. Presenters Rob Cowan and Sarah Walker share their passion for classical music by guiding listeners to essential pieces of music and recommending performances and artists. The extended length of this programme will allow for longer pieces of repertoire to be played and will include, for example, a performance of the complete Building A Library recommendation.

Alongside Radio 3's expert presenters, each day Essential Classics welcomes a guest to the studio to discuss their musical tastes. There will also be an Artist of the Week slot featuring recordings by great artists of today alongside major figures from the past and rising stars.

Following Rob Cowan's move to present Essential Classics, there is other reorganisation of the schedule. Weekday Breakfast, starting at the earlier time of 6.30am from Monday 12 September, is presented by Sara Mohr-Pietsch and Petroc Trelawny. Whilst Suzy Klein moves to present In Tune with Sean Rafferty, Rob Cowan and James Jolly will present Sunday Morning.

Another new programme, Saturday Classics, begins on Saturday 17 September between 3-5pm and offers a personal view of classical music from a range of presenters, including many well-known figures from the musical world. These authored programmes offer listeners a chance to hear themed programmes which reflect a personal interest of a number of knowledgeable figures.

With the addition of Saturday Classics, the Radio 3 schedule will benefit from more classical music whilst maintaining the range of programming currently enjoyed by listeners.

Roger Wright adds: "Our refreshed schedule introduces two new programmes which add to the richness of Radio 3's classical music output whilst also providing a home for Jazz and World Music. Jazz Record Requests remains at the heart of Saturday's schedule with our other Jazz programmes in regular weekly slots. We look forward to the autumn and our continued support of the London Jazz Festival as well as of the young artists coming through our World Routes Academy and New Generation Jazz Artist scheme."

Jazz Record Requests remains at the same time of 5pm on Saturday afternoon while, from Saturday 17 September, Jazz Library moves to 12midnight. Jazz Line Up moves earlier to 11pm on Sunday evenings and Jazz On 3 remains at 11pm on Monday evenings.

Radio 3's jazz offering is further enhanced through the addition of the Jazz Library podcasts which are now available in perpetuity on the Radio 3 website along with associated articles and artist profiles.

World Routes moves to Sunday evenings at 10-11pm from Sunday 18 September and World On 3 remains on Friday nights between 11pm-1am. 2011 marks Radio 3's 11th year at WOMAD and extensive coverage begins in World On 3 from Friday 29 July.

Additionally, programming is available to listen again via the BBC iPlayer for seven days after transmission ensuring that listeners have every opportunity to enjoy these programmes.

Notes to Editors

BBC Radio 3 broadcasts classical music, jazz, world music, arts programmes and drama

BBC Radio 3:

• is the home of "live" concerts
• broadcasts over 600 complete concerts a year
• is the home of the Proms and exclusively broadcasts every Prom programme live
• supports composers, writers and new young performers
• broadcasts over 40 new drama productions a year
• is the biggest commissioner of classical music in the UK

From Monday 12 September 2011:

Essential Classics can be heard each weekday morning between 9.00am-12.00noon

Saturday Classics can be heard on Saturday afternoons between 3.00-5.00pm

Jazz Record Requests can be heard on Saturday afternoons between 5.00-6.00pm

Jazz Library can be heard on Saturday nights at 12.00midnight-1.00am

Jazz Line Up can be heard on Sunday nights at 11.00pm-12.30am

Jazz On 3 can be heard on Monday nights at 11.00pm-12.30am

World Routes can be heard on Sunday nights at 10.00-11.00pm

World On 3 can be heard on Friday nights at 11.00pm-1.00am

BBC Radio 3 Publicity