Even those who ride the rarefied airwaves of Radio 3 may occasionally come across something as declassé as a requests programme. Now, the network is taking the concept a step further - by organising musicians to give personal concerts in listeners' own homes.
Bach on Call is part of a special 10 days on Radio 3, from next Friday, when every single Bach note will be broadcast.Starting from today, musicians from the BBC's five orchestras, as well as others including Northern Sinfonia and the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, will be setting up in front rooms. Radio 3 listeners were invited to nominate friends or family members for their own personalised performance, given by anything from a solo performer to a quartet.
A niece has nominated her 88-year-old aunt, stuck in a London hospital. A father has nominated his wife and baby: "It would be a lovely way to introduce a new human being to music," he told Radio 3.
Richard Jenkinson, principal cellist of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, will perform two solo cello suites. He said: "Playing in someone's home is very intimate, and it will seem more real."
Roger Wright, controller of Radio 3, said: "We wanted to get to people who can't normally get out to events."
