Gaspard's Christmas: 4 (Gaspard the Fox)

Product Information

You’ve sent in your votes, we’ve checked them (twice), and on Christmas Day from 1pm John Brunning will reveal this year’s countdown of the Top 30 Christmas carols. Classic FM’s Orchestra in North West England, the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and two massed choirs come together for a whirlwind of festive music, featuring RLPO’s Artist in Residence trumpeter Pacho Flores, and presented by Kadiatu Kanneh-Mason. The festivities begin on Sunday 18 December with an evening of delightful storytelling from our very own Zeb Soanes.

Christmas and New Year radio schedule | The Home Classic FM Christmas and New Year radio schedule | The Home

I have a wonderfully collaborative relationship with James Mayhew and we quickly became very good friends. It was an incredible and moving feeling to hear the RSNO and their Youth Chorus perform Christmas is Here.Zeb – I very much enjoy the whole Dickensian Christmas: wrapping up against the cold, eating Christmas pudding, carol singing and being with family.

Gaspard’s Christmas | James Mayhew Gaspard’s Christmas | James Mayhew

A few years ago a former teacher of mine presented me with Peter Ackroyd’s biography of Shakespeare and wrote inside, ‘Always remember you are really an actor’. The encounter with the real Gaspard and the remarkably close contact we had with a wild creature was a truly magical period in our lives that neither of us will forget. He presents concerts with the UK’s leading orchestras and is the author of the bestselling Gaspard the Fox series of books. This is the fourth story following on from Gaspard the Fox (2018), Gaspard Best in Show (2019) and Gaspard’s Foxtrot (2021).

James Mayhew lives in the Suffolk countryside, surrounded by wild animals and nature, with big skies, full of light - perfect for artists. For the purposes of this development webpage, Zeb narrates his story with James Mayhew’s Illustrations, accompanied by Jonathan Dove’s magical score, performed by the Royal Scottish National Orchestra. So, whether Handel’s Messiah is a core part of your Christmas tradition, or you’re looking for a family friendly concert to liven up the holidays, here are 10 brilliant events from Classic FM’s partner orchestras and choir this winter. A story full of kindness and thoughtful themes, it was fitting it should be launched at the crypt of St-Martin-In-The-Fields, whose homeless charity will benefit, in perpetuity, from the royalties from this book.

Gaspard’s Christmas — Just Imagine Gaspard’s Christmas — Just Imagine

It will take place as part of an ongoing appeal to raise funds to install a statue of Benjamin Britten, as a boy, looking out over the sea that inspired his music in his birth town of Lowestoft. From beloved Christmas carols to wintery classical masterpieces, Classic FM provides the perfect soundtrack to December’s celebrations. Alongside his work in publishing, James performs live on stage during concerts for children, combining live classical music, storytelling and art.

For more seasoned listeners to Classic FM, too, John (Suchet) unlocks some of the mysteries behind the jargon, with brilliant music and sparkling gems of classical music trivia. Zeb – I will be on a flight to Mexico on Christmas Day, so will be learning plenty of Villancicos (Spanish carols)!