Classical music broadcaster dies aged 94

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.”

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 was knighted in the 2020 for his services to classical music and the arts.

Sharing the “incredibly sad” news online, BBC Radio 3 also paid tribute to the “much loved” broadcaster , saying he “had a huge influence on generations of arts programme makers”.