Rob Cowan is set to take over Radio 3's breakfast show from 17th February 2007. The move is part of a schedule re-shuffle which includes a new programme with Derek Jacobi and Juliet Stevenson and the introduction of more classical music across the afternoon and evenings.
These changes follow a special week during which the station broadcasts the complete works of Tchaikovsky and Stravinsky (10-16 February), the vibrant climax of The Tchaikovsky Experience across the BBC.
The new breakfast show, eponymously entitled Rob Cowan, will be characterised by his insight and passion for classical music. Weekday mornings on Radio 3 will continue to explore both new and historic recordings in Classical Collection (10am-noon) with presenters including Sarah Walker.
Afternoon On 3 (Monday-Friday, 2-5pm) will now include full length operas such as the recently acclaimed Peter Grimes from Opera North, Verdi's Otello from the Vienna State Opera and the first night of the much talked about Aida from La Scala, Milan.
Further daytime highlights will be the complete symphonic cycle of Arnold Bax performed by the BBC Philharmonic; Bernard Haitink and Riccardo Muti directing the Berlin Philharmonic; and the BBC Symphony Orchestra on tour in the Far East.
Performance On 3 will start at the earlier time of 7pm and presents a high-quality line-up of concerts by both UK and international artists: Mariss Jansons and the Royal Concertgebouw, Esa-Pekka Salonen and the Philharmonia with Anne-Sophie Von Otter, Sir Simon Rattle directing the Berlin Philharmonic in Tom Ades' Tevot (UK premiere), Valery Gergiev's inaugural concerts as Principal Conductor of the London Symphony Orchestra, and recitals by Alice Coote, Christine Brewer and Magdalena Kozena.