Episode 5: Alexander Armstrong

Join William Sitwell as he welcomes award-winning Spanish chef and restaurateur, Jose Pizarro into the Classical Kitchen. Together they discuss olive picking in winter, the art of simple cooking and unearth Andalusian history through the 'El Amor Brujo' ballet. While talking, William and Jose enjoy one final feast; a Beautifully Simple Chorizo Patatas Bravas Salad with Paprika Mayonnaise. The pieces played in this episode are: Bolero, Luis Ravel. Neeme Jarvi, Detroit Symphony Orchestra. Chandos. Spring, Antonio Vivaldi. Tasmin Little, BBC Symphony Orchestra. Chandos. Canon in D, Johann Pachelbel. Adrian Shepherd, Cantilena. Chandos. Piano Sonata No 14 'quasi una fantasia', Op. 27 No. 2; Adagio sostenuto (Moonlight Sonata) Ludvig van Beethoven. Solo Pianist: Jean-Efflam Bavouzet. Chandos. El Amor Brujo, Manuel de Falla. Geoffrey Simon, London Symphony Orchestra. Chandos. Twilight of the Gods, Richard Wagner. Reginald Goodall, Sadlers Wells Opera Orchestra. Chandos.

Join William Sitwell as he welcomes Alexander Armstrong into the Classical Kitchen. Alexander is a BAFTA winning comedian and host of ‘Pointless’ on BBC One, but he’s also an accomplished bass-baritone singer who trained at Cambridge University. In this episode, William explores Xander’s culinary roots in 1970’s cookbooks, discovering his voice, and the splendour of Tudor evening-song. Together they prepare a fragrant dish close to Xander’s heart - a Beautifully Simple Gujarati Sweet Potato Curry with oven baked Naan. The pieces played in this episode are: Bach. Cantatas No. 208 'Sheep May Safely Graze'. Extreme Music Bach. St Matthew's Passion: Aria: Mache Dich, Mein Herze, rein, Stuttgart Bach Collegium, Helmuth Rilling, Gachinger Kantorei. Chandos Elgar. The Enigma Variations, Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Sir Alexander Gibson. Chandos Handel. Jephtha: HWV 70, Act II, Scene 2: Recitative. "Again Heav'n Smiles" - Airia "Freedom Now”. Solo Tenor: James Gilchrist, Chandos. Verdi. La Traviata. Extreme Music. Purcell. Hear My Prayer, O Lord. Extreme Music. Albinoni, Oboe Concerto in D Minor, Extreme Music. Grieg. Piano Concerto in A Minor- Adagio. Extreme Music Beethoven Symphony No.7, Allegretto, 2nd Movement. Extreme Music

Join William Sitwell once again as he welcomes presenter, author, DJ and multi-instrumentalist Myleene Klass into the Classical Kitchen. Here, Myleene recalls charting the stars to Holt’s Jupiter, playing her grand piano on the shores of a tropical island, and never quite getting the hang of grandma’s recipes. Together they prepare and enjoy this Beautifully Simple recipe: Aberdeen Angus Steak with Walnuts and a Ponzu Sauce. If you’ve been inspired by these conversations and want to get in touch, or simply want to find out more, go to https://campaign.classicfm.com/classical-kitchen The recordings featured in this episode are: Also Sprach Zarathustra,. Strauss, National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain, Edward Gardner, Chandos. Spartacus, Kachaturian, Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Neeme Jarvi, Chandos. Planets, Jupiter, Holst, National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain, Edward Gardner, Chandos. Requiem, Mozart, Extreme. Flight of the Bumblebee, Rachmaninoff, Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Neeme Jarvi, Chandos. Arabesque, Debussy, Extreme. Prelude a l'apres mini d'un faune, Debussy, Extreme. Fur Elise, Beethoven, Louis Lortie piano, Chandos. Piano Concerto No.2 - 2nd Movement, Rachmaninoff, Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Bryden Thomson, Chandos. Nimrod (Enigma Variations), Elgar, Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Sir Alexander Gibson, Chandos. Cello concerto - 2nd Movement, Elgar, BBC Philharmonic, Sir Andrew Davis, Chandos.

Join William Sitwell as he welcomes Eastender's star and Celebrity MasterChef winner Lisa Faulkner into the Classical Kitchen. In this episode, William uncovers Lisa’s passion for cooking, memories of table top ice-skating and the link between motherhood, a philanthropic sea captain and Handel’s Messiah. And together they prepare a light meal that packs a punch - Beautifully Simple Hainanese Chicken Rice with a honey and lime sauce. The pieces played in this episode are: Ravel, Bolero, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Neeme Jarvi. Chandos. Mozart, The Abduction from the Seraglio: ‘Pasha Selim’. Chandos. Tchaikovsky, Swan Lake. Tchaikovsky, The Nutcracker. Handel, Sarabande. Handel, The Messiah.

Join William Sitwell as he welcomes Country File host and Smooth Classics DJ Margherita Taylor into the Classical Kitchen. Margherita and William discuss the hidden power of female composers, gatecrashing Italian weddings, and the classic beauty of cavolo nero cabbage, as they prepare and eat a Beautifully Simple winter warmer – Italian-style Beef & Mushroom Casserole. If you’ve been inspired by these conversations and want to get in touch or simply find out more go to https://campaign.classicfm.com/classical-kitchen. The recordings featured in this episode are: Vaughn Williams, The Lark Ascending. Tasmin Little violin, BBC Philharmonic, Sir Andrew Davis. Chandos. Aaron Copland, Fanfare for the Common Man. BBC Philharmonic, John Wilson. Chandos. Tchaikovsky, 1812 Overture. Royal Liverpool Philharmonic conducted by Vasily Petrenko. Samuel Barber, Adagio for Strings. Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Neeme Jarvi. Chandos.

Join William Sitwell as he welcomes broadcaster, Sunday Times bestselling author and Classic FM presenter John Suchet into the Classical Kitchen. John and William discuss Beethoven’s dreadful dinner parties, Tchaikovsky’s self-doubt, and John chops a leek for the first time as they prepare and eat their first Beautifully Simple recipe – Cod & Prawns with Fennel & White Wine. If you’ve been inspired by these conversations and want to get in touch or simply find out more go to www.classicfm.com/ClassicalKitchen. The recordings featured in this episode are: Beethoven, Symphony No 3 in E flat major Op 55 Eroica Allegro con brio. City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra / Walter Weller. Beethoven, Symphony No 5 in C minor Op 67 Allegro con brio. City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra / Walter Weller. Beethoven, Piano Sonata No. 8, Op. 13 "Pathétique". Movement II. Adagio cantabile. Jeno Jandó. Beethoven, Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 61: II. Larghetto, Capella Istropolitana. Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra, Kenneth Jean Gunzenhauser. Dvorjak, Symphony No 9 Op 95 From the New World Largo Un poco piu? mosso Largo. Royal Scottish National Orchestra / Neeme Jarvi. Mozart Concerto in D major for Flute and Orchestra K 314 Allegro aperto. English Chamber Orchestra / Raymond Leppard.

Take one foodie, one classical music lover and one delicious meal. In each episode of Classical Kitchen, William Sitwell is joined in the kitchen by a fascinating guest to celebrate two life-long passions; music and food.