Felix Klieser: French horn player, problem solver

Available for 27 days

Tom Service starts the weekend with the best classical music, in new and landmark recordings, with one or two surprise guests introducing their own releases. This week, Tom meets the German French horn player Felix Klieser. Born without arms, Felix has become one of the world's leading horn soloists. Currently visiting the UK to play with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Felix takes time out of his schedule to tell Tom how he sees himself foremost as a problem solver. He also recounts the story of how, despite growing up in a nonmusical family, he stll developed an overwhelming desire, as a young child, to play the French horn in front of an orchestra. Tom also speaks to writer, opera singer and arts commentator Caitlin Vincent about her new book 'Opera Wars': an engaging, sometimes irreverent look at the issues which shape the past, present and future of opera, such as the staggering financial commitment singers have to make just to try and become professional, and the challenges opera companies face to engage audiences in new and relevant works. And in The Creators this week, Tom hears the story of Mike Oldfield's groundbreaking classical and rock hybrid Tubular Bells, in conversation with longtime Mike Oldfield collaborator Robin A Smith, who has been tasked with creating a live spectacle to carry the work's legacy forward. To listen on most smart speakers just say, "Ask BBC Sounds to play Saturday Morning”.