Paul GlynnCulture reporter
BBC
Sir Humphrey Burton made the Emmy-winning Bernstein on Beethoven and also wrote a biography about the US conductor
Award-winning classical music broadcaster Sir Humphrey Burton has died at the age of 94.
He presented the BBC’s Omnibus and In Performance arts programmes in the 1970s and 80s, was the corporation’s head of music and arts for six years, and launched its Arena documentary series.
Sir Humphrey, who died on Wednesday with his family by his side, also founded the BBC’s Young Musician of the Year competition – helping to showcase young classical talent – and hosted shows on Radio 3 and Classic FM.
In a statement, his family said: “He was deeply loved by his children and grandchildren, and his commitment to spreading the joy of classical music was so inspiring.”
It continued: “He will be missed beyond words. We take comfort in knowing he is now at peace.”
Classic FM said he had “helped shape a golden age of classical music on television and radio”.
The late Hungarian-British conductor Sir Georg Solti (left) and Humphrey Burton pictured during the making of the show A Life in Music
Born in Trowbridge, Wiltshire, he began his career on BBC radio, and interviewed composers and musicians as varied as Francis Poulenc, Count Basie, Oscar Hammerstein and Glenn Gould in 1950s and 60s.
He won two Emmy Awards, first in 1972 for producing and directing Bernstein on Beethoven: A Celebration in Vienna, then in 1988 for the Great Performances episode Celebrating Gershwin.
He also won a Bafta for ITV series Aquarius, which covered theatre, music and art.
In 1978, he co-founded and hosted the first BBC Young Musician of the Year contest, which has gone on to discover soloists such as violinist Nicola Benedetti and cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason.
He was knighted in the 2020 for his services to classical music and the arts.
Speaking to the Telegraph the following year, he said: “If I was a controller 1765999854, I would try bringing on new playwrights, not that there is anyone to match someone like Harold Pinter at the moment.
“I would also try to bring on new directors. Talent is what counts. Talent and good storytelling.”
‘Enormous legacy’
Sharing the “incredibly sad” news of his death, BBC Radio 3 also paid tribute to the “much loved” broadcaster, saying he “had a huge influence on generations of arts programme makers”.
Suzy Klein, the BBC’s head of arts and classical music TV, noted how there were “few figures as influential” as Sir Humphrey “in the history of arts and classical music broadcasting”.
She added: “His vision, ambition and ability to forge partnerships across borders brought world-class opera, classical music and arts programming into the homes of many millions.
“Humphrey leaves an enormous legacy at the BBC and beyond, and our thoughts are with his family and friends.”
