Michael Berkeley Reveals Private Passions’ Secrets After 30 Years!

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As I join in the celebrations for Private Passions turning 30 on the 15th of April, I share the sentiment of composer Michael Berkeley, who’s been with it since 1995 and presents each episode. He thinks there’s still a lot more this unique format can offer.

Indeed, I played a significant role in shaping its development, yet it originated due to Nicholas Kenyon’s desire for a replacement for Man of Action, as he expresses. Ever since John Freeman’s Face to Face, I’ve been captivated by conversation. Music is an extraordinary means to inspire people to share deeply.

In essence, during his interview, psychoanalyst and author Adam Phillips remarked, “You seem to understand that what you’re doing is somewhat similar to my work, as I don’t pose direct questions about people’s lives, but rather encourage them to share stories. And in a way, by using music, you’re performing a very comparable task.” It appeared to me that he became a bit less talkative following this comparison.

Berkeley emphasizes that there’s a significant difference between Private Passions and BBC Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs. “Desert Island Discs is truly remarkable, yet it’s an entirely distinct entity. We wouldn’t feature someone who wasn’t deeply passionate about classical music. There might be occasional pop songs, jazz tunes, folk numbers, or ethnic melodies, but the underlying emotion must be a deep-rooted love for classical music.

The variety of visitors has been quite extensive. I particularly enjoy it when people play me something new and unfamiliar. For instance, Germaine Greer once selected Peggy Lee’s “Is That All There Is?” It was incredibly moving. Additionally, anthropologist Stephen Hugh-Jones once brought in an instrument from the Amazon that he had to warm up by rubbing its resinous part.

As a fan, I must confess that there have been instances where my enthusiasm isn’t as high as usual. However, it’s not about personal preference; it’s about embracing the diversity of perspectives. And let me tell you, some of the most captivating performances come from those who claim they’re not musicians! They often provide insights beyond what a musicologist could offer, drawing connections to art forms like painting, literature, or even complex as brain surgery!

According to him, he grew up in a rather affluent environment, given that his father, Lennox Berkeley, was a celebrated composer. During his youth, Michael sang alongside Benjamin Britten as a chorister and had the opportunity to meet renowned composers like Stravinsky, Shostakovich, and William Walton. However, he prefers contemporary pop music and frequently attends concerts performed by Neil Tennant.

Apart from being a fan of Pet Shop Boys, he shared an interesting anecdote about his past. As a student, he was part of a band called the Seeds of Discord. The band consisted of guitarists, a drummer, and a vocalist named Dave McTavish. They traveled in a Commer van and found excitement in transforming shy spectators into an energetic crowd at venues like Brentford Town Hall or elsewhere.

As a passionate film enthusiast, let me tell you, was it his defiance towards “serious” tunes? Well, that’s what my dad seemed to think, given we would practice right under his study! Callers would often request The Seeds, asking for their rendition of Satisfaction. But little did they know, my father had no idea who the Rolling Stones were!

According to Berkeley, as long as he continues to enjoy creating Private Passions, there’s a strong likelihood that the viewers will also find joy in it: “If you’re having a great time producing something, chances are others will feel the same way.

Regarding criticisms directed at Radio 3 under its controller, Sam Jackson, he feels content as long as the essential content is being addressed – specifically, events like the Proms, series such as 20th Century Radicals, and shows like Composer of the Week. He encourages attempts to expand the network’s reach by experimenting on the periphery to attract a broader audience. His personal experience at the Barbican, where he witnessed a large crowd listening to Pierre Boulez for an entire day on Radio 3, is evidence that this approach can work. In his view, such an immersive experience would be unlikely on Classic FM.

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2025-04-15 18:48