Classic FM Live 2012: behind the scenes!

We've arrived! Fancy a sneak peak backstage at the Royal Albert Hall as we prepare for our star-studded 20th birthday concert?

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   1. Classic FM Live 2012 With Nissan Note: our interview area

   It might look quiet now, but in a few hours' time these seats will be occupied by Karl Jenkins, HJ Lim, Wynne Evans, to name but a few! Picture: Richard Johnson

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   2. Tim Lihoreau prepares to interview the performers

   Tim Lihoreau enjoys the comfortable Nissan Note car seats. He'll be interviewing the stars of the show from these chairs later. Picture: Richard Johnson

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   3. Tim Lihoreau and Myleene Klass

   Myleene Klass popped in to chat to Tim backstage at the Royal Albert Hall. She's just one of the Classic FM presenters who will be on stage this evening.

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   4. Classic FM Live 2012 With Nissan Note

   We hope you'll agree, the Royal Albert Hall looks even better with our logos on. The audience will be arriving in a few hours.

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   5. Wynne Evans' dressing room

   Backstage at the Royal Albert Hall, there's a network of corridors. In a few hours, these rooms will be filled with some big names in classical music. Picture: Richard Johnson

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   6. Inside Douglas Boyd's dressing room

   Fancy a look around? A haven of calm for Douglas Boyd, tonight's conductor, so he can relax between rehearsals and the concert. Picture: Richard Johnson

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   7. Inside the Royal Albert Hall

   Our Classic FM logo is being beamed out in the Royal Albert Hall! The stage is decked out with chairs in preparation for this afternoon's rehearsals.

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   8. Tuning the piano on stage at the Royal Albert Hall

   The piano for tonight's performance arrived at 10am, so there's plenty of time to make sure it's in tune. Picture: Richard Johnson

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    9. The instruments arrive

    Packed away in travel cases, the Royal Scottish National Orchestra's cellos stand close to the stage, ready for tonight's performance. Picture: Richard Johnson

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    10. Sarah Gardner's dressing room

    All tonight's artists have been provided with a fruit bowl. Nothing like a healthy snack to keep up the energy! Picture: Richard Johnson

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    11. Instruments arrive

    Packed in their cases, and in a protective travel box for safety, the Royal Scottish National Orchestra's instruments arrive backstage in time for tonight's performance. Picture: Richard Johnson

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    12. HJ Lim's dressing room

    HJ Lim, tonight's soloist in Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto No. 2 has a piano in her dressing room. We're sure she doesn't need the practice, though. Picture: Richard Johnson

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    13. The violins and violas arrive

    It's important the string instruments are transported safely. Not only are they extremely valuable, but they are very fragile. Picture: Richard Johnson

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    14. Tim Lihoreau interviews HJ Lim

    Tim Lihoreau spoke to HJ Lim in a break between the rehearsal and the concert. She said Rachmaninov speaks directly to her heart. Picture: Richard Johnson

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    15. HJ Lim at Classic FM Live 2012

    Pianist HJ Lim gets animated talking about Rachmaninov. She told us she became obsessed with his Piano Concerto No. 2 when she was 13. Picture: Richard Johnson

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    16. Sarah Gardner and Tim Lihoreau

    'Next Brit Thing' Sarah Gardner is only 17, but she was a natural in front of our cameras. Hopefully she won't be nervous playing some Rachmaninov on the Royal Albert Hall Stage. Picture: Richard Johnson

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    17. Tamsin Little and Tim Lihoreau

    Tamsin Little took a moment out of her busy rehearsal schedule to chat to Tim. She's had a busy year, playing a lot of Delius to celebrate his anniversary. Picture: Richard Johnson

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    18. Karl Jenkins and Tim Lihoreau

    Karl Jenkins chats with Tim Lihoreau ahead of his performance tonight. The Royal Scottish National Orchestra and the Crouch End Festival Chorus will be singing his 'Benedictus'. Picture: Richard Johnson

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    19. Karl Jenkins at Classic FM Live 2012 with Nissan Note

    While we explored the depths of the Royal Albert Hall, Karl Jenkins shared his thoughts on his music with presenter Tim Lihoreau. He didn't think his pieces would be as universally loved as they are. Picture: Richard Johnson

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    20. Wynne Evans and Tim Lihoreau

    Quite the comedian, Wynne Evans laughed and joked with Tim Lihoreau throughout our backstage interview. He'll be 'knocking out the old favourites' (his words, not ours!) this evening. Picture: Richard Johnson

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    21. Karl Jenkins dressing room at the Royal Albert Hall

    We've found Karl Jenkins' dressing room! He chatted to Tim Lihoreau backstage. Picture: Richard Johnson

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    22. Wynne Evans at Classic FM Live 2012 with Nissan Note

    Tim Lihoreau speaks to Wynne Evans backstage at the Royal Albert Hall. They're sitting on seats taken from a Nissan Note car! Picture: Richard Johnson

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    23. Presenters backstage at Classic FM Live 2012

    A few of our lovely presenters gather behind the scenes. Myleene, Laurence, and Alex were all in the same box. Picture: Matt Crossick/PA

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