Janet Baker talking with Lebrecht

[Nick Armstrong]

I always appreciate a heads-up about interesting programmes, so here is one - a bit late - in case you missed it. I have just listened to it, and found it very good indeed: Janet Baker talking with Norm Lebrecht. The latter gets a knocking on these boards but he didn't get in the way of Dame J and some fascinating recollections and insights.

It's about to disappear from iPlayer (in 45 minutes ) but seems to be available 'indefinitely' as a podcast:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/series/lebrecht

Thoroughly recommended

[Chris Newman]

I have caught some of Normal Leebrickit's programmes after occasional Prom broadcasts and find he has mellowed a bit. He can be an old sweetie when meeting a hero(ine). He went beyond good taste with Semyon Bychkov or allowed his editors to go too far but, by and large, is less of a pretentious monster these days. I wish he would stick to novel writing. He is affecting and effective in that realm.