On The Right Note

Someone at the BBC really should give a better slot to its Hardtalk programme. It's currently shunted to an 11.30pm showing on BBC News24. A few months ago it featured an outstanding interview with Chicago writer Studs Terkel. On Tuesday its interviewee was principal conductor of the RLPO Vasily Petrenko (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/hardtalk/7387575.stm ). Stephen Sackur, his interviewer, is audibly shocked as Petrenko coolly states that he wants to make the Phil the world's best orchestra. Excellent viewing.