Raymond Blanc
Michael Berkeley's guest is chef Raymond Blanc.
Raymond Blanc is one of the finest chefs in the world and he is completely self-taught. He grew up in post-war France in Besancon in the Comte region of eastern France between Burgundy and the Jura Mountains with his four brothers and sisters.
Raymond’s mother – Maman Blanc - was his culinary inspiration. She would whip up delicious fresh, seasonal, local dishes, which became his guiding principal when he opened his first restaurant in Oxford, Les Quat’ Saisons, in September 1977. Within two years it had been awarded a Michelin star and Restaurant of the Year by food critic Egon Ronay.
Often working 18 hour days, he launched a bakery chain Maison Blanc in 1981 and then renovated and opened Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons a country house hotel which was awarded two Michelin stars and is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year.
He’s also appeared on numerous TV shows including The Restaurant on ѿý and the cookery series Simply Raymond on ITV.
Raymond's musical choices include Vivaldi, Verdi, Beethoven and Leonard Cohen.
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Music Played
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Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata in C sharp minor "Moonlight" (1st mvt)
Performer: Alice Sara Ott.- Beethoven.
- Deutsche Grammophon (DG).
- 4.
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Léo Ferré
Avec le temps
Singer: Léo Ferré.- Thank You Ferre.
- Universal Music Division Barclay.
- 13.
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Remo Giazotto
Adagio in G minor
Performer: Håkan Hardenberger. Performer: Simon Preston.- Famous Classical Trumpet Concertos.
- Decca Music Group Ltd..
- 19.
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Leonard Cohen
Hallelujah
Singer: Leonard Cohen.- Various Positions.
- Columbia/Legacy.
- 5.
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Antonio Vivaldi
The Four Seasons - Winter (1st mvt)
Performer: Vanessa‐Mae. Music Arranger: Pamela Nicholson. Music Arranger: Vanessa‐Mae. Ensemble: Laureate.- The Original Four Seasons And The Devil's Trill Sonata.
- Parlophone UK.
- 10.
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Arvo Pärt
Spiegel im Spiegel
Performer: Tasmin Little. Performer: Martin Roscoe.- Arvo Part Fratres.
- EMI.
- 4.
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Giuseppe Verdi
Addio, del passato (La traviata)
Singer: Ermonela Jaho. Orchestra: Orquestra de la Comunitat Valenciana. Conductor: Andrea Battistoni.- Anima Rara.
- Opera Rara.
- 1.
Broadcasts
- Sun 11 Feb 2024 12:00ѿý Radio 3
- Sun 26 Jan 2025 12:00ѿý Radio 3
Podcast
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Private Passions
Guests from all walks of life discuss their musical loves and hates