Gaspard's Christmas: 4 (Gaspard the Fox)

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I hope the underlying message of kindness and the value of community stays with children long after they leave the concert hall. To celebrate the year that’s been, and welcome in the new, David Mellor hosts his annual Viennese Up on Classic FM, from 4pm to 7pm on Saturday 31 December. David dons his party hat for a sparkling afternoon of music from one of the greatest hubs for creativity and classical music – Vienna. As it turned out, I was illustrating snowy London streets in the Summer, but I loved this heartwarming tale of a homeless man with a snowy white beard, on Christmas Eve… he is discovered by Gaspard, who is out snuffling for food scraps. But can a cold hungry urban fox save a freezing man? With a little help – maybe he can! 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. As Zeb says:

Celebrate Christmas with Gaspard the Fox! - Royal Scottish

Zeb is now the presenter of Smooth Classics at Seven on Classic FM, the UK’s most popular classical music station. Read more: Classic FM Christmas playlist – here’s how to listen Gaspard’s Christmas with Zeb Soanes

Carols from the Royal Hospital Chelsea with Fiona Bruce

Zeb – I will be on a flight to Mexico on Christmas Day, so will be learning plenty of Villancicos (Spanish carols)! Zeb Soanes introduces our new book, ‘The Very Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra’ Classical Music Unboxed with John Suchet Author Zeb Soanes first mentioned a possible Christmas book several years ago, a touching tale with real heart. How wonderful that this week it came to fruition as “Gaspard’s Christmas”, the 4th title in the Gaspard The Fox series, illustrated by me. On Thursday at 9pm, Zeb finds himself in St Paul’s Church in Knightsbridge, for a carol concert in aid of The Prince’s Foundation.

Zeb Soanes — Zeb Soanes joins Classic FM

Over four days, from Tuesday 27 to Friday 30 December, we dedicate the day to some of the greatest classical music of all time, as decided by listeners across the UK. Every piece of music played between 9am and 5pm is taken from the current Classic FM Hall of Fame Top 300, made up of hundreds of thousands of votes each Easter. Stay tuned on 18 December, as Moira Stuart is joined at 9pm by one of choral music’s greatest living composers. John Rutter, who is especially loved for his Christmas music, tells Moira all about what inspires him most, and why so much of his work is devoted to Christmas. He also selects some of his own musical choices, from Bach to Billy Joel. Exclusive carol concerts with Zeb Soanes After an eventful year, during which we’ve celebrated 30 years of Classic FM, 90 years of John Williams, The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and plenty more, it seems only right that we should see 2022 out in style. This December, Classic FM’s Orchestra in North-East England and at Sage Gateshead, Royal Northern Sinfonia offer up a classical festive feast, from Corelli’s ‘Christmas Concerto’ to Pärt’s Trisagion, plus brilliant music by Biber, Hildegard of Bingen, and Bach.

Illustration is a huge part of Gaspard’s public life, how would you characterise your relationship with your illustrator? O Holy Night’ has been the forerunner for six years in a row, but can it be beaten this year? Join us on Classic FM, to find out The Nation’s Favourite Carol in 2022. Classical Christmas tales on Classic FM

Christmas Theatre 2022 Preview: Gaspard’s Christmas – Zeb

James Mayhew lives in the Suffolk countryside, surrounded by wild animals and nature, with big skies, full of light - perfect for artists. Aside from the Gaspard the Fox series, his other titles for independent Welsh publisher Graffeg are: The Knight Who Took All Day (adapted as a work for narrator and orchestra by Bernard Hughes) and illustrations for the M ouse and Mole series (by Joyce Dunbar), animated for television with the voices of Alan Bennett and Richard Briers. Not this year, I’ll be flying to Mexico on Christmas Day. But they do have foxes, the kit fox ( Vulpes macrotis), so I may make friends with one of Gaspard’s distant cousins although I will need to brush up my Spanish!Zeb – I do love The Lonely Goat-Herd scene where Maria and the children present a puppet show for the Baroness — and when I was a very young child I briefly believed my mother was Julie Andrews. It was an instant choice for Peter the Cat’s favourite Christmas film. In Gaspard’s Christmas there’s lots of snow in London – how do you think Gaspard would cope with the Scottish weather? James – Christmas pud for me – I love it. Also, Christmas cake and mince pies – I’d eat them all year round if I could! Throughout the festive period, our presenters and a selection of special guests share their own Christmas stories, bring heartwarming tales to life, and take you to the front row of some of the UK’s finest carol services – all with a generous helping of brilliant music along the way. CookieYes sets this cookie to record the default button state of the corresponding category and the status of CCPA. It works only in coordination with the primary cookie.