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John Finnemore

Michael Berkeley's guest is comedy writer and performer John Finnemore, who selects his favourite pieces of music. His choices include Beethoven, Flanders and Swann and Chopin.

John Finnemore is one of our most successful comedy writers and performers. A star turn in Miranda as the doting husband Chris, he writes and stars in the award-winning Radio 4 sitcom Cabin Pressure, and he's made two series of the Radio 4 sketch show Souvenir Programme. He regularly appears on The Now Show, The Unbelievable Truth and The News Quiz. And apart from his own shows, he also writes for other comedians such as Mitchell and Webb.

John reveals to Michael Berkeley his secret of comedy inspiration, his love of performing, and his struggle with insomnia. His choices include Beethoven, Flanders and Swann, and Chopin: the music that means most to him, the music that makes him laugh - and the music that helps him sleep.

Producer: Jane Greenwood.

1 hour

Last on

Sun 9 Mar 2014 12:00
大象传媒 Radio 3

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Clip

Music Played

  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Piano Sonata in E flat major, Op.27 no.1 (1st mvt: Andante)

    Performer: Paul Lewis.

  • Johann Strauss II

    Unter Donner und Blitz (Thunder and Lightning Polka)Op.324

    Orchestra: Berlin Philharmonic. Conductor: Herbert von Karajan.

  • Fr茅d茅ric Chopin

    Nocturne in D flat major, Op.27 no.2

    Performer: Elisabeth Leonskaja.

  • Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

    Ill Wind

    Singer: Michael Flanders. Performer: Donald Swann. Music Arranger: Donald Swann.

  • Mikhail Ivanovich Glinka

    Overture: Ruslan and Lyudmila

    Orchestra: London Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Georg Solti.

  • Stephen Sondheim

    The Ballad of Guiteau (Assassins)

    Singer: Jonathan Hadary. Singer: Patrick Cassidy. Director: Paul Gemignani.

  • Carl Maria von Weber

    Variations for Trumpet and Orchestra (excerpt)

    Performer: John Wallace. Orchestra: Philharmonia Orchestra. Conductor: Christopher Warren鈥怗reen.

  • Dmitry Shostakovich

    Waltz No.2 (Jazz Suite No.2)

    Orchestra: The Philadelphia Orchestra. Conductor: Mariss Jansons.

  • Susannah Pearse

    Insomnia Ballad

    Singer: Simon Kane. Performer: Margaret Cabourn-Smith.

Broadcast

  • Sun 9 Mar 2014 12:00
    大象传媒 Radio 3

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Podcast

  • Private Passions

    Guests from all walks of life discuss their musical loves and hates