Clarinettist Robert Plane can be heard this week on Somerset’s GWS Radio, speaking to presenter Alan Philpott about his new CD ‘The Lily of Killarney’.

Deeply rooted in the musical traditions of the British Isles, Plane’s new album features largely unknown English and Irish Fantasias for clarinet and piano, and includes works by Thomas Dunhill, Howard Ferguson, Ruth Gipps, Joseph Holbrooke, Elizabeth Maconchy, Thomas Pitfield, Clarence Raybould and Ernest Tomlinson. The collection also features three Fantasias on operas by Michael Balfe, Julius Benedict and Vincent Wallace,  later known as ‘The Irish Ring’.

As a station committed to reflecting the lives of the community that it serves, GWS welcomed Robert on air to discuss this latest phase of his exploration of British music, a thread that he has woven throughout his distinguished career.

Recorded in collaboration with pianist Benjamin Frith, ‘The Lily of Killarney’ has received critical acclaim since its release earlier this month. Gramophone called it “a classy and handsomely presented release”, and the British Music Society described it as “beyond reproach”. GWS will broadcast the interview on Friday 24th October via their website, which may be found by clicking here. More details about ‘The Lily of Killarney’, including press reviews, may be found here.

Update: you can still hear the interview via the station’s listen again service – look for “5 Live Friday Community Show – 17:00:00 – 2025-10-24″ and Robert Plane’s slot starts at about 12’27”.