Natalie Wheen
Natalie Wheen presents Classic FM’s new weekend Full Works Concert from 10pm to 12 midnight. Find out more about her here.
Biography
Born in Shanghai, Natalie Wheen spent her early years in Hong Kong before coming to the UK at the age of nine. She now lives in South West London and owns several olive groves in Greece, which produce fabulous olive oil.
She is a musician in her own right, studying music from the age of three, beginning with the piano and violin before progressing to her real love, singing, at the Royal College of Music.
Never good enough to be a performer (Natalie’s words), Natalie went straight from college into radio production as a studio manager and then trainee producer. In 1972 she joined the team and ultimately became editor of Music Now, a magazine which was to set the music news agenda and lead debate. From scandals and rows to funding debates, this is where Natalie cut her teeth and began to carve out an extraordinary name for herself.
Natalie tried a spell in television, but it just didn’t live up to the appeal of the radio. "Radio lets you speak to people, whisper in their ears, share real information intimately," she says. "I also like it because it is so easy to do – just a tape recorder and sounds. No fuss."
She’s also a good listener – which in its turn makes for good radio. "I like asking why and how. Finding out. Getting to understand the mechanics and then sharing that information."
But it’s not all talk. Off air, Natalie uses her experience and contacts to support several schemes which get music into the kind of places which would otherwise never have it. She’s on the Council of English National Opera’s Contemporary Opera Studio based at The Works in Hackney. As a trustee of the Hackney Music Development Trust, she uses her connections to bring in musicians like Wynton Marsalis to inspire the children.
The current bee in Natalie’s bonnet is one familiar to Classic FM – promoting how working with the creative arts can develop people’s personalities, giving them confidence and self-esteem.
Outside of music, food is a passionate interest. Natalie is a very good cook and so an invitation Chez Wheen is always a culinary treat. When abroad, first stop is the local market.
Natalie’s travels have taken her far and wide, with trips to the Sahara, Iran, Afghanistan, South Africa, Mexico, Turkey and India to name but a few, "I’m fascinated by other cultures. It comes from being born abroad. Your eyes and ears are open."
Fact File
Place of Birth:
Shanghai
Joined Classic FM:
May 1999
Ideal studio guest - dead or alive:
Haydn - because his music suggests he had an enquiring mind - and laughed a lot
Do you play a musical instrument:
I sing - I’m taking it up again for my classic cabaret ‘Talking Dirty’.
How do you relax:
Gardening, having friends round for a meal, vegging out
Current Passions:
Looking after my olive trees, of which there are rather too many
