Private Passions/Radio 3: Hannah Rankin

As previously noted here, if you seek the formula of interview coupled with musical choice Private Passions, not Desert Island Discs is for you.

Yesterday the subject was Hannah Rankin who combines two unusual accomplishments: she is the IBF Super Welterweight  boxing champion and a concert bassoonist.

When I saw the programme listed for watching I was concerned that she would be yet another lady achiever given her platform by the BBC to bang the drum for equality.

In fact she was vivacious, engaged and impressive and when she eventually said she felt she should have the same money for doing the same job I could only agree.

The presenter Michael Berkeley knows his music and is therefore able to comment on her choices which I would describe as the Classic FM side of classical: Sibelius’s The Finlandia, Tchaikovsky interspersed with The Eagles’ Take it Easy for her dad and ending with Scott Joplin’s Maple Leaf Rag.

It all made for an entertaining hour not least as Hannah Rankin spoke with insight on her two very different career trajectories.

Here is a link to the programme – PRIVATE PASSIONS