Newsman John Suchet waltzes into literary line-up

The famous composer Johann Strauss had a turbulent life; a hectic schedule, illness, several marriages, relationship problems, sibling rivalries, a stand off with his father, celebrity, mental illness and workaholic tendencies.

And it is these characteristics that John Suchet has embraced, as much as Strauss’ music, in his new book The Last Waltz – The Strauss Dynasty and Vienna.

“So often it is those with an incredible talent and genius that pay the price,” Suchet accedes.

It seems fitting then, that the pair are now linked, albeit in paper form, considering John Suchet has had his fair share of testing times, a prolific career, personal tragedy, a punishing work ethic, diverse career and a similar passion for music.

We know the 71-year-old from his days at ITV, when he worked his way up from reporter to correspondent and then news presenter, that chiselled jaw reaching us in our living rooms every night.

And then he was suddenly gone, holed up at home writing endless books about Beethoven, “a mild obsession of mine,” he chuckles. What John didn’t admit until much later was that he was caring for his beloved wife who had dementia, and many will remember his despair when he discussed her decline on breakfast TV.

Then he got a call that would change his life for ever. Classic FM wanted him to host their breakfast show and the rest, as they say, is history.

John Suchet now wakes up at 5.30am every day to prepare for his radio show. At first he used to stay up all night preparing, but soon realised that a daily show needed to sound like one.

That he is now in his element is obvious, but having added another string to his already loaded bow, his new book on Strauss is currently selling like hot cakes. “I know it’s been going down a storm,” he says rather pleased.

In a chipper mood when I finally manage to pin him down – between his Classic FM radio show, his writing and his public appearances, his feet rarely touch the ground these days. “Yes, it is a bit hectic at the moment,” he concedes.

We finally manage to snatch a few minutes to discuss his impending appearance at Blenheim Palace Festival of Literature Film & Music, and the launch of his new book.

So is he pleased?

“Well the anoraks won’t like it, but I wrote it as a journalist rather than a musicologist,” he says, “and I want to fire people up and enthuse them.”

So where does this passion for music come from?

“Well I had planned to be professional trombonist. A very mediocre one I’ll have you know,” he jokes, “and intended to go to the Royal Academy of Music but then realised I wasn’t quite good enough, so became a reporter for ITN instead.”

And yet despite his meteroric rise though the news room, John never lost his love of classical music.

“When I was a reporter for ITN I bought a Walkman and could listen to classical music on the way to my assignments.

“I remember being on a ferry from Cyprus to Lebanon to report on the civil war and listening to Beethoven’s Eroica Symphony at midnight as the sky was lit up with bombs and knowing it was an experience few other people would have.”

Even so, landing the Classic FM slot still came as massive surprise. “Mammoth,” he agrees. “I never thought I would go from TV to radio.

• John Suchet’s new book explores the Strauss dynasty historically

“People are a bit sniffy about radio when they are on TV, but it is a completely different skill set, and one I am yet to acquire,” he laughs, “but radio is much more intimate.

“Terry Wogan said it best, he remarked that radio broadcasting is like talking to a group of friends who are only half listening.

“And that’s so true because very few people sit down in an armchair to listen to me. They will have the radio on in the background while they cook or clean or work, but it’s the music they want to hear, not me.

“So while I may be a source of comfort, my golden, golden rule is that the listener has tuned in to hear the music, not me, so if you have nothing to say, say nothing, just play some more music.”

When John’s wife finally died of dementia, it was writing he turned to yet again, choosing Strauss to turn to this time for his own to channel his grief into.

So what were the criteria? “I had to be passionate about the composer and they must have had an interesting life “And I am passionate about Beethoven, obviously, Wagner, Verdi and Strauss but there didn’t seem to be a book setting Strauss in a historical context, as inextricably linked to Vienna. No one had written about the Strauss family like that.

“So I sat down and wrote about it. I had some personal issues to deal with at the time, which I won’t bore you with, but writing certainly helped.”

So would he have done it differently? “Absolutely not. I was in news journalism for 40 years. And yet I can’t believe how lucky I am. At 5.30am on a Monday morning I might not feel like that, but the rest of the time it’s a privilege “ he laughs.

“And while radio gets more familiar, not easier, I never take it for granted – you would pay the price if you did. But I now like to think I know what the audience likes to hear and I envisage the listeners, while I broadcast. I try to create a picture with words – after all they say radio has better pictures than TV.”

So what next? “Funny you should say that but Nula my partner is encouraging me to start on my next book.”

How’s it going? “At the moment I’m not quite ready. Working Monday to Friday on Classic FM is seriously hard work, but at least I’m still indulging my passion.”

Where and when
John Suchet talks to Gwenan Edwards
Blenheim Lit Fest
Tomorrow at 5.45pm
blenheimpalaceliteraryfestival.com/