SATURDAY 15 MARCH 2025

SAT 00:30 Through the Night (m0028k5s)
The Modigliani Quartet performs works by Turina, Ravel and Schubert

The quartet performs at the Schubertiade Schwarzenberg festival in Austria, including Schubert's quartet 'Death and the Maiden' and Ravel's String Quartet in F. Penny Gore presents.

12:31 AM
Joaquin Turina (1882-1949)
La Oración del torero, Op 34
Modigliani Quartet

12:40 AM
Maurice Ravel (1875-1937)
String Quartet in F major
Modigliani Quartet

01:09 AM
Franz Schubert (1797-1828)
String Quartet no 14 in D minor, D.810 'Death and the Maiden'
Modigliani Quartet

01:49 AM
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
Scherzo, from String Quartet no 6 in B flat major, Op 18 no 6
Modigliani Quartet

01:53 AM
Franz Schubert (1797-1828)
Piano sonata no 19 in C minor, D.958
Schaghajegh Nosrati (piano)

02:24 AM
Franz Schubert (1797-1828)
Gute Nacht (no 1 from song-cycle 'Winterreise', D.911)
Michael Schopper (bass), Andreas Staier (pianoforte)

02:31 AM
Ernest Chausson (1855-1899)
Poeme de l'amour et de la mer, Op 19 (vers. for voice)
Maria Oran (soprano), Residentie Orchestra, Hans Vonk (conductor)

02:58 AM
Eustache du Caurroy (1549-1609)
11 Fantasias on 16th-Century songs
Hesperion XX, Jordi Savall (viol), Jordi Savall (director)

03:25 AM
Jean Sibelius (1865-1957)
Pohjola's daughter - symphonic fantasia, Op 49
Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Paavo Berglund (conductor)

03:39 AM
Fryderyk Chopin (1810-1849)
Ballade no 2 in F major, Op 38
Anastasia Vorotnaya (piano)

03:47 AM
Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina (c.1525-1594)
Magnificat primi toni for 4 voices
Marco Beasley (tenor), Davide Livermoore (tenor), Fabian Schofrin (alto), Annemieke Cantor (alto), Daniele Carnovich (bass), Diego Fasolis (conductor)

03:55 AM
Johann Anton Reichenauer (1694-1730)
Bassoon concerto in G minor
Sergio Azzolini (bassoon), Camerata Bern, Sergio Azzolini (director)

04:05 AM
Francois-Adrien Boieldieu (1775-1834)
Aria: Viens, gentille dame from 'La Dame blanche'
Mark Dubois (tenor), Kitchener Waterloo Symphony Orchestra, Raffi Armenian (conductor)

04:12 AM
George Gershwin (1898-1937)
Lullaby for string quartet
New Stenhammar String Quartet

04:21 AM
Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847)
Ruy Blas (overture), Op 95
BBC Symphony Orchestra, Jiri Belohlavek (conductor)

04:31 AM
Claude Debussy (1862-1918)
La Cathedrale engloutie
Philippe Cassard (piano)

04:36 AM
Sven-Eric Johanson (1919-1997)
Fyra visor om arstiderna (4 songs about the Seasons)
Swedish Radio Choir, Eric Ericson (conductor)

04:43 AM
George Walker (1922-2018)
Lyric for Strings
BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Alpesh Chauhan (conductor)

04:51 AM
Myroslav Skoryk (1938-2020)
Melody, from the film 'High Pass'
Andrej Bielow (violin), Anastasia Kobekina (cello), Jean-Selim Abdelmoula (piano)

04:55 AM
Anon., John Coperario (1570-1626), William Lawes (1602-1645), arr. Pedro Memelsdorff & Andreas Staier
Court Masques under Charles I and II
Pedro Memelsdorff (recorder), Andreas Staier (harpsichord)

05:06 AM
George Frideric Handel (1685-1759)
Air: 'Return, O God of hosts' from "Samson", Act 2
Maureen Forrester (alto), I Solisti Zagreb, Antonio Janigro (conductor)

05:15 AM
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
Overture and music from the Ballet Prometheus, Op 43
Danish Radio Concert Orchestra, Hannu Koivula (conductor)

05:32 AM
Robert Schumann (1810-1856)
Humoreske for piano in B flat major, Op 20
Ivetta Irkha (piano)

05:56 AM
Chiara Margarita Cozzolani (1602-c.1678)
O quam bonus es - motet for 2 voices
Cappella Artemisia

06:06 AM
Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach (1714-1788)
Concerto for flute and strings no 2 in B flat major, Wq.167
Robert Aitken (flute), CBC Vancouver Orchestra, Mario Bernardi (conductor)


SAT 06:30 Breakfast (m0028s57)
Start your weekend the Radio 3 way, with Saturday Breakfast

Join Emma Clarke to wake up the day with a selection of the finest classical music.

To listen on most smart speakers just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Breakfast."


SAT 09:00 Saturday Morning (m0028s59)
String fireworks from Attacca Quartet

Tom Service with guests, stories and the perfect classical soundtrack to start your weekend!

The Grammy Award winning string quartet, Attacca Quartet pop into the studio to play live and chat to Tom about their new album. One of the most versatile and charismatic string groups around today, they talk to Tom about pushing the boundaries: whether it's through collaborations with artists from Caroline Shaw to Billie Eilish, giving virtual appearances in video games or reinterpreting the classics for audiences.

The violinist and artistic director of the Australian Chamber Orchestra, Richard Tognetti is in town and he chats to Tom about leading the band for over 3 decades, how the southern hemisphere has its own time and space and why he'll always be a benevolent leader...

Charlie Chaplin is one of cinema's great icons - however he's also one of the most undervalued film composers of all time. Chaplin wrote dozens of published songs and composed nearly 900 minutes of film music. He met composers from Rachmaninov to Schoenberg, and when he finally won his first Oscar, for Limelight in 1973, it wasn't for acting or directing, it was for the music - all without any musical training. Conductor Ben Palmer and Chaplin's grandson Spencer Chaplin talk to Tom about the filmmaker's musical legacy and why we should be re-evaluating him as a composer.

Plus the continuation of BBC Radio 3’s 25 for 25: Sounds of the Century – a series of brand new commissions celebrating and commemorating some of the biggest events of the 21st century so far. This week we are in 2007: King Torques Hollow Acetate by Jasper Dommett reflects on a year which saw huge changes in digital technologies, with the launch of the first iPhone and the global roll out of social media platforms.

To listen on most smart speakers just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Radio 3”


SAT 12:00 Earlier... with Jools Holland (m002539l)
Jools with some of his most-loved recordings

In his Saturday lunchtime show, Jools shares his lifelong passion for classical music, and the beautiful connections with jazz and blues. With fascinating guests each week, who bring their own favourite music and occasionally perform live in Jools's studio.

Today, Jools's choices include music by Franz Schubert, Carl Friedrich Abel and Arthur Crudup, with performances by the baritone Matthias Goerne, Ensemble Signal and guitarist Django Reinhardt. Jools's guest is guitarist and composer Robin Katz who introduces a track from his new EP 'Oceans for Eros' and shares music he loves by Erik Satie, Piero Umiliani and Gustav Mahler.

To listen on most smart speakers just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Earlier with Jools Holland".


SAT 13:00 Music Matters (m0028s5c)
Jenni Murray's Women Composers

Rich and powerful

Jenni Murray continues her celebration of the music of women composers, presenting a fabulous playlist of great music, classic and modern, and exploring the issues women have faced in forging a career as a composer.

6. Rich and Powerful. Jenni is joined by composer Cassie Kinoshi and Sophie Fuller, Professor of Gender and Music at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance in London, to consider the freedom afforded to women composers by money and connections. Ranging from the 12th Century Trobairitz (French troubadours) and the 18th Century Duchess Anna Amalia of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel to Croatian Dora Pejacevic, who rejected her aristocratic background. Jenni also explores whether financial status and a “who you know” culture still impacts on opportunities for young composers.

Producer: Graham Rogers

To listen on most smart speakers say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Music Matters"


SAT 14:00 Record Review (m0028s5f)
Dvořák’s 8th Symphony in Building a Library with Nigel Simeone and Andrew McGregor

Andrew McGregor with the best new recordings of classical music.

1405
Sarah Walker makes her pick of the best new releases

1500
Building a Library
Nigel Simeone chooses his favourite recording of Dvořák’s 8th Symphony

Dvořák’s lyrical 8th Symphony, infused with the spirit of Bohemian folk music, was written between August and November 1889 and first performed on 2 Feb 1890 to mark Dvořák’s admission to the Czech Academy of Arts and Sciences. It has a very original symphonic structure, appearing to be in the usual four movements, but Dvořák said he wanted to handle themes in a ‘different way’ in this piece.

First choice:
Prague Symphony Orchestra, Sir Charles Mackerras (conductor)
Supraphon SU38482

1545
Record of the Week: Andrew’s top pick.

To listen on most smart speakers just say “ask BBC Sounds to play Record Review”


SAT 16:00 Sound of Cinema (m0028s5h)
Slumdog Millionaire composer - A.R. Rahman

Matthew Sweet is joined by multiple award-winning composer A.R. Rahman to explore his extraordinary career in film music, including his best-known score - Slumdog Millionaire. In an exclusive interview, we hear about his relationship with his father, R.K. Sekher who was also a film music composer. A.R. Rahman tells Matthew about his early success in the Indian film industry, and why he decided to remain in the industry rather than become a rock musician. And we hear about his work in Hollywood on the comedy Couples Retreat.

A.R. Rahman talks about recently turning his hand to directing with Le Musk, a Virtual Reality film he wrote, scored and co-produced that even uses specially created smells to evoke memories in the viewer. And we hear about his new appointment as Honorary President of Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance.

To listen on most smart speakers, just say: "Ask BBC Sounds to play Sound of Cinema.”


SAT 17:00 This Classical Life (m0026whw)
Jess Gillam with....Lotte Betts-Dean

Jess's guest this week is the mezzo-soprano and vocalist, Lotte Betts-Dean.

Australian mezzo-soprano and vocalist Lotte Betts-Dean is passionate about performing repertoire that encompasses contemporary music, art song chamber music and non-classical collaborations.

Jess and Lotte talk about her life in music and swap favourite tracks to listen to, including music by Schubert, Cassandra Miller and Joni Mitchell.


SAT 18:00 Opera on 3 (m0028s5k)
Puccini's La Bohème

Puccini's tragic tale of love and loss from the Metropolitan Opera in New York City, with a top cast including Kristina Mkhitaryan and Joseph Calleja, conducted by Alexander Soddy. The young poet Rodolfo meets his neighbour Mimì and falls instantly in love. But she's not well - will the cruel realities of poverty and ill health destroy their future? Their love story set against a colourful life in Bohemian Paris is packed full of drama and beautiful melodies.

Presented by Debra Lew Harder and Ira Siff in New York

Puccini - La Bohème

Mimì ..... Kristina Mkhitaryan (soprano)
Rodolfo ..... Joseph Calleja (tenor)
Marcello ..... Luca Micheletti (baritone)
Schaunard ..... Gihoon Kim (baritone)
Colline ..... Nicholas Teste (bass-baritone)
Musetta ..... Brittany Renee (soprano)
Benoit/Alcindoro ..... Donald Maxwell (baritone)
Metropolitan Opera Chorus and Orchestra
Alexander Soddy (conductor)


SAT 21:30 Music Planet (m0028s5m)
Spring in our Steps

Kathryn Tickell presents a vibrant selection of roots and traditional music to celebrate the changing seasons and the arrival of spring, from the joyful calls of nature to the rhythms of renewal. We hear a vocal dedication to the cuckoo from The Baltic Sisters, a springtime raga from Indian bansuri player Hariprasad Chaurasia, and an energetic trio of Norwegian springdans melodies. Plus, we mark Nowruz, the Persian New Year, which coincides with the spring equinox, with evocative tracks from renowned Iranian singer Marzieh and the contemporary folk ensemble Rastak.

Produced by Gabriel Francis
A Reduced Listening production for BBC Radio 3

To listen on most smart speakers, just say: “Ask BBC Sounds to play Music Planet.”


SAT 22:30 New Music Show (m0028s5p)
Charlemagne Palestine Live in London

We hear a performance from Charlemagne Palestine on the Mander organ of St John at Hackney (recorded at last year's London Contemporary Music Festival). Plus, music by British composer Christopher Fox to mark his 70th birthday, and the latest in new releases.

SUNDAY 16 MARCH 2025

SUN 00:30 Through the Night (m0028s5r)
Bruckner's Second Symphony with the German Radio Philharmonic Orchestra

Bartók and Bruckner performed by the German Radio Philharmonic Orchestra with pianist Olli Mustonen and conductor Pietari Inkinen. Presented by Penny Gore.

12:31 AM
Bela Bartok (1881-1945)
Piano Concerto no 2 in G major, Sz.95
Olli Mustonen (piano), German Radio Saarbrucken-Kaiserslautern Philharmonic Orchestra, Pietari Inkinen (conductor)

01:01 AM
Hungarian Traditional
Old Hungarian melody - I never stole in my life, from 'For Children, BB 53'
Olli Mustonen (piano)

01:05 AM
Anton Bruckner (1824-1896)
Symphony no 2 in C minor
German Radio Saarbrucken-Kaiserslautern Philharmonic Orchestra, Pietari Inkinen (conductor)

02:00 AM
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791)
Divertimento in E flat major, K113
Saarbrucken Radio Symphony Orchestra, Myung-Whun Chung (conductor)

02:15 AM
Joseph Haydn (1732-1809)
Sonata in E minor (Hob.XVI.34)
Andreas Staier (fortepiano)

02:31 AM
Leos Janacek (1854-1928)
Violin Sonata
John Harding (violin), Daniel Blumenthal (piano)

02:49 AM
Filip Kutev (1903-1982)
Sakar Suite, for symphony orchestra
Bulgarian National Radio Symphony Orchestra, Vassil Stefanov (conductor)

03:10 AM
Marcel Tournier (1879-1951)
Sonatine for harp, Op 30
Rita Costanzi (harp)

03:27 AM
Michael Praetorius (1571-1621)
Wenn wir in höchsten Nöten sein, from 'Polyhymnia Caduceatrix et Panegyrica'
Cardinal Complex, Jonas Gassmann (conductor)

03:38 AM
Engelbert Humperdinck (1854-1921)
Dream Pantomime (Hansel and Gretel)
Symphony Nova Scotia, Georg Tintner (conductor)

03:48 AM
Fernando Sor (1778-1839)
Introduction and variations on a theme from Mozart's Magic Flute, Op 9
Ana Vidovic (guitar)

03:56 AM
Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847)
4 songs from Op 59 - Nos 1, 4, 5 & 6
BBC Singers, Stephen Cleobury (conductor)

04:05 AM
Giuseppe Martucci (1856-1909)
Notturno, Op 70 no 1
Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra, Nello Santi (conductor)

04:13 AM
Giuseppe Tartini (1692-1770)
Concerto for violin and strings in D minor, D.45
Federico Agostini (violin), Slovenski Solisti, Marko Munih (conductor)

04:31 AM
Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov (1844-1908)
Russian Easter Festival Overture, Op 36
BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Vassily Sinaisky (conductor)

04:46 AM
Arnold Bax (1883-1953)
Mater ora filium
BBC Singers, David Hill (conductor)

04:57 AM
Giovanni Valentini (1582/3-1649)
Tocchin le trombe, a 10
La Capella Ducale, Musica Fiata Koln

05:05 AM
Franz Schubert (1797-1828)
Piano Trio in E flat major, D.897 "Notturno"
Grieg Trio

05:15 AM
Vatroslav Lisinski (1819-1854)
Porin - Overture
Zagreb Philharmonic Orchestra, Kazushi Ono (conductor)

05:26 AM
Camille Saint-Saens (1835-1921)
Les titans, Op 71 no 2
Lamentabile Consort, Jan Stromberg (tenor), Gunnar Andersson (tenor), Bertil Marcusson (baritone), Olle Skold (bass)

05:33 AM
Joseph Haydn (1732-1809)
String Quartet in C minor, Op 17 no 4
Quatuor Mosaiques

05:51 AM
Frederick Converse (1871-1940)
Festival of Pan, Op 9
BBC Concert Orchestra, Keith Lockhart (conductor)

06:09 AM
Georg Philipp Telemann (1681-1767)
Grand Motet "Deus judicium tuum regi da" (Psalm 71)
Veronika Winter (soprano), Andrea Stenzel (soprano), Patrick Van Goethem (alto), Markus Schafer (tenor), Ekkehard Abele (bass), Rheinische Kantorei, Das Kleine Konzert, Hermann Max (conductor)


SUN 06:30 Breakfast (m0028t3y)
Start your Sunday the Radio 3 way with Tom McKinney

Tom McKinney presents Radio 3’s classical breakfast show with music that captures the mood of Sunday morning. Email 3breakfast@bbc.co.uk

To listen on most smart speakers just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Breakfast."


SUN 09:00 Sunday Morning (m0028t40)
Sarah Walker with three hours of classical music to reflect, restore and refresh.
Today, Sarah looks forward to the imminent arrival of Spring with a violin sonata by Beethoven, and an overture by Dvorak that celebrates the great outdoors.

Sarah also enjoys the crisp elegance of Bach in a companionable flute sonata, finds excitement in the vibrant percussion of Gershwin’s Cuban Overture, and revels in the warmth of Respighi’s Tropical Night.

Plus, an arrangement of Johann Strauss, as you’ve never heard him before…

…And we continue to feature 25 for 25: Sounds of the Century – the series of brand new commissions by BBC Radio 3 which celebrate and commemorate some of the biggest events of the 21st century so far.

A Tandem Production for BBC Radio 3


SUN 12:00 Private Passions (m001y2hw)
Professor Sue Black

Professor Lady Sue Black is one of the world’s leading forensic scientists. She says “I have never been spooked by the dead. It is the living who terrify me. The dead are much more predictable and co-operative.”
Her painstaking work and expertise mean she can work out how people have met their end, and police forces, the Foreign Office and the UN have called on her evidence in countless high profile investigations. She was the lead forensic anthropologist to the British forensic team during the international war crimes investigations in Kosovo and the Thai Tsunami Victim Identification Operation. Back in the UK she provided evidence that helped prosecute Scotland’s biggest paedophile ring.
She is currently the President of St John’s College, Oxford, and in 2021 she entered the House of Lords as a crossbench peer. She has just been appointed to the Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle, the highest honour in Scotland.
Sue's music selections include Bach, Handel, Mendelssohn and Elgar.


SUN 13:30 Music Map (m002686p)
A journey to Schubert's "Death and the Maiden"

Sara Mohr-Pietsch takes us on a musical sightseeing tour to Schubert's string quartet 'Death and the Maiden', one of the outstanding achievements in Western art, and one of the most imaginative and original pieces of classical music ever composed. Along the way, our guide stops to take in the views (and the sounds) of Camille Saint-Saens, Louise Farrenc, Texas Gladden, George Gershwin and Johann Sebastian Bach.


SUN 15:00 Choral Evensong (m0028lz7)
Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge

Last Wednesday's service from the Chapel of Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge.

Introit: Memento homo (Byrd)
Responses: Leighton
Psalms 65, 66, 67 (Russell, Garrett, Luard Smith)
First Lesson: Genesis 11 vv1-9
Office hymn: Jesu quadragenariae (plainsong)
Canticles: Jesus College Service (Mathias)
Second Lesson: Matthew 24 vv15-28
Anthem: Solus ad Victimam (Leighton)
Voluntary: Fantasia in C minor, BWV 562 (Bach)

David Skinner (Director of Music)
Samuel Kemp, Francis Fowler (Organists)

To listen on most smart speakers just say “ask BBC Sounds to play Choral Evensong”.


SUN 16:00 Jazz Record Requests (m0028t42)
John Coltrane - Norma Winstone & Kit Downes - Cyrille Aimee + Jamie Cullum selects Max Roach

Alyn Shipton presents jazz records of all styles from the past to the present as requested by you including music from John Coltrane, Norma Winstone & Kit Downes, Cyrille Aimee and more. Plus a chance to hear Garvey's Ghost by iconic jazz drummer Max Roach introduced by special guest requester Jamie Cullum.

Get in touch: jrr@bbc.co.uk or use #jazzrecordrequests on social

To listen on most smart speakers just say “ask BBC Sounds to play Jazz Record Requests”


SUN 17:00 The Early Music Show (m0028t44)
Tielman Susato: composer, caligrapher, printer, pioneer

Hannah French delves into the life and music of the Flemish composer and publisher Tielman Susato who was active in Antwerp in the mid-16th century. Susato initially worked as a calligrapher, but was also employed as a trumpeter, flautist and piper, and in 1543 he founded the first music publishing house using movable music type in the Low Countries. His shop could be found in Antwerp, "At the Sign of the Crumhorn".

Susato was also an accomplished composer. He published several books of his own masses and motets as well as a vast array of instrumental music, especially dances, which remain popular to this day).

To listen to this programme using most smart speakers just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play The Early Music Show".


SUN 18:00 Words and Music (m0028t46)
1920s Ireland

The 2020s have seen a flowering of Irish writing - Sally Rooney, Claire Keegan, Anne Enright, Colm Tóibín - to name but a few. But a century ago, the island was enjoying an equally glittering literary decade and today's programme is an eve of St Patrick's Day celebration of that time. We will hear from Nobel winners - George Bernard Shaw’s Heartbreak House and WB Yeats’ Sailing to Byzantium - as well as extracts from Joyce's Ulysses, Sean O’Casey’s Juno and the Paycock, Elizabeth Bowen’s The Last September and Katherine Tynan’s The Wind That Shakes The Barley and more. There is beauty, love and nature in these readings but you will hear, too, the shadow of conflict as well as rising concerns about the position of women and the power of elites in what was then a new nation. You will hear the music of Irish composers from the time from Hamilton Harty to Ina Boyle to Alicia Needham, from those who made Ireland their home like Michele Esposito and international composers inspired by the Island from Amy Beach to Arnold Bax. The readers are Ardal O’Hanlon and Olwen Fouéré.

Sailing to Byzantium by WB Yeats
Earthbound by Dorothy McArdle
Island Cross Talk by Tomás Ó Criomhthain
The Knight of Cheerful Countenance by Molly Keane
Juno and the Paycock by Sean O'Casey
The Wind That Shakes The Barley by Katherine Tynan
Thy Neighbours Wife by Liam O'Flaherty
The Munition Worker by Elizabeth Shane
Heartbreak House by George Bernard Shaw
The Last September by Elizabeth Bowen
Ulysses by James Joyce
Without My Cloak by Kate O'Brien
Crows by Padraig Colum
The Quest by Eva Gore Booth
The Heart of the Wood translated from the Irish by Lady Augusta Gregory
Galway by Mary Davenport O'Neill
The Planters Daughter by Austin Clarke

Produced in Salford by Olive Clancy


SUN 19:15 Sunday Feature (m0028t48)
Afterwords: Pauline Oliveros

'Listen to everything all the time, and remind yourself when you’re not…'

For her 21st birthday, Pauline Oliveros (1932-2016) was given a tape recorder. It changed her life. She recorded sounds outside her window, then played the tape back, and heard things she hadn’t previously noticed. Thus began her philosophy of listening and sonic exploration.

Pauline Oliveros became a virtuoso accordionist, ground-breaking composer and experimentalist, and pioneering member of the San Francisco Tape Music Center, who went on to develop the practice of ‘Deep Listening’. She was, 'an artist, a thinker, whose life’s work was around opening up listening as an anti-hierarchical form of transformation for everyone'.

Archive interviews reveal her energy and creativity, her generosity, her self-confidence, her activism, her responses to sexism – all underpinned by her deep commitment to equity, and her playful humour.

Featuring reflections and observations from:
Annea Lockwood, composer and long-time friend,
Irene Revell, curator, writer and researcher,
Louise Gray, writer, and teacher of Sound Arts,
Maria Chávez, sound artist, abstract turntablist and DJ,
Stephanie Loveless, Director of the Center for Deep Listening

Archive courtesy of the Oral History of American Music (1983 and 1998 interviews) at Yale University, KPFA interviews (1972 and 1985) from the Other Minds archive, plus BBC interviews (1993, 2009, 2012, 2016).

Produced by Steve Urquhart
A Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 3


SUN 20:00 Drama on 3 (m001y986)
Henry V

by William Shakespeare

As King Henry's ambitions lead him to invade France, he finds himself facing daunting challenges, battling to win not only the throne but the hearts and minds of his followers. Henry soon discovers, for all his fine words, that an imperfect world can call for imperfect actions.

The Chorus/Alice ..... Penelope Wilton
King Henry ..... Ben Lloyd-Hughes
Exeter ..... Nicholas Farrell
Fluellen/Bedford ..... Steffan Rhodri
Westmoreland/Governor of Harfleur .... Roger Ringrose
Pistol/Grey ..... Lloyd Hutchinson
Nym/Cambridge ..... Ben Crowe
Bardolph/Scroop .... Ewan Bailey
Hostess ..... Jessica Turner
The Boy ..... Billy Jenkins
King of France/Bishop of Ely ..... Steve Toussaint
The Dauphin/Williams ..... Luke Newberry
Katharine ..... Freya Mavor
The Constable/York ..... John Lightbody
Orleans/Bates/French soldier ..... Charlie Anson
Montjoy/Gloucester/Messenger ..... Ian Dunnett Jnr
Canterbury/Erpingham ..... MIchael Bertenshaw
Burgundy/Salisbury ..... Nicholas Murchie

Chorister, George B of The King’s School, Gloucester and Gloucester Cathedral Choir
Music composed by Jon Nicholls
Production Co-ordinator, Ben Hollands
Technical Producers, Peter Ringrose & Ali Craig
Director, Sally Avens


SUN 22:00 Compline (m0028t4b)
Lent 2

A reflective service of night prayer for the second Sunday in Lent, from the Church of St Mary the Virgin, Tetbury. With words and music for the end of the day, including works by Amy Beach and Lucy Walker, sung by St Martin's Voices.

Introit: Peace I leave with you (Amy Beach)
Preces (Plainsong)
Hymn: Before the ending of the day (Lucy Walker)
Psalm 4 (Plainsong, arr, Lucy Walker)
Reading: Isaiah 58 vv6-7
Responsory: Into thy hands, O Lord (Plainsong)
Canticle: Nunc dimittis (Amy Beach)
Anthem: With prayer and supplication (Amy Beach)

Andrew Earis (Conductor)

To listen on most smart speakers just say “ask BBC Sounds to play Compline”.


SUN 22:30 Night Tracks (m0028t4d)
The constant harmony machine

Sara Mohr-Pietsch presents an adventurous, immersive soundtrack for late-night listening, from classical to contemporary and everything in between.


SUN 23:30 Unclassified (m00202zk)
A Date with Dublin

To welcome in St Patrick's Day, Elizabeth Alker looks across the Irish Sea to shine a light on the best in ambient, experimental and neo-classical music hailing from the city of Dublin. This is a repeat broadcast of a programme that originally went out on last year's Bloomsday, the 16th of June, the date upon which James Joyce’s remarkable modernist novel Ulysses is set. Like the book, the day offers a celebration of that most illustrious and musical of cities, Dublin. Joyce himself was a trained singer, forever bursting into song, and his obsession with music spilled into his book, just as the Bloomsday revellers spill into the Dublin streets.

Produced by Geoff Bird
A Reduced Listening production for BBC Radio 3

MONDAY 17 MARCH 2025

MON 00:30 Through the Night (m0028t4g)
Telemann and Bach from Eisenach, Germany

The Akademie für Alte Musik, Berlin, and concert master Georg Kallweit are joined by harpsichordist Christine Schornsheim for a concert of works by Telemann and three members of the Bach family. The venue is the Palace of Eisenach in Thuringia, Germany. Penny Gore presents.

12:31 AM
Georg Philipp Telemann (1681-1767)
Overture in F sharp minor, TWV 55-fis1
Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin, Georg Kallweit (director)

12:43 AM
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)
Excerpts from The Art of Fugue, BWV 1080
Christine Schornsheim (harpsichord), Akademie fur Alte Musik Berlin, Georg Kallweit (director)

12:52 AM
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)
Harpsichord Concerto no 3 in D major, BWV 1054
Christine Schornsheim (harpsichord), Akademie fur Alte Musik Berlin, Georg Kallweit (director)

01:09 AM
Johann Bernhard Bach (1676-1749)
Ouverture no 2 in G major
Akademie fur Alte Musik Berlin, Georg Kallweit (director)

01:24 AM
Wilhelm Friedemann Bach (1710-1784)
Harpsichord Concerto in G minor, BR-WBF C17
Christine Schornsheim (harpsichord), Akademie fur Alte Musik Berlin, Georg Kallweit (director)

01:49 AM
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)
Largo from Harpsichord Concerto no 5 in F minor, BWV 1056
Christine Schornsheim (harpsichord), Akademie fur Alte Musik Berlin, Georg Kallweit (director)

01:52 AM
Johann Michael Bach (1648-1694)
Halt, was du hast
Cantus Colln, Christoph Anselm Noll (organ), Konrad Junghanel (director)

01:57 AM
Franz Schubert (1797-1828)
Fantasia in F minor for piano duet, D.940
Leon Fleisher (piano), Katherine Jacobson Fleisher (piano)

02:17 AM
Alessandro Scarlatti (1660-1725)
Bella s'io t'amo - cantata
Robin Johannsen (soprano), Leonard Schelb (recorder), Akademie fur Alte Musik Berlin, Raphael Alpermann (harpsichord), Bernhard Forck (conductor)

02:31 AM
Jean Sibelius (1865-1957)
Symphony no 7 in C major, Op 105
BBC Symphony Orchestra, Osmo Vanska (conductor)

02:52 AM
Fryderyk Chopin (1810-1849)
3 Pieces for piano
Havard Gimse (piano)

03:07 AM
Lars-Erik Larsson (1908-1986)
De nakna tradens sanger, Op 7 (Songs of the Naked Trees)
Swedish Radio Choir, Gote Widlund (conductor)

03:23 AM
Carl Friedrich Abel (1723-1787)
Symphony in D major, Op 10, no 5
La Stagione Frankfurt, Michael Schneider (conductor)

03:32 AM
Dmitry Shostakovich (1906-1975)
String Quartet no 8 in C minor, Op 110
Young Danish String Quartet

03:53 AM
Alexander Borodin (1833-1887)
Polovtsian dances (Prince Igor)
BBC Philharmonic, Gianandrea Noseda (conductor)

04:05 AM
Maurice Ravel (1875-1937)
Jeux d'eau
Paloma Kouider (piano)

04:11 AM
Kaspar Forster (1616-1673)
Jesu dulcis memoria
Dirk Snellings (bass), Ensemble Il tempo

04:18 AM
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791)
Four Minuets for orchestra, K601
Symphony Nova Scotia, Georg Tintner (conductor)

04:31 AM
Ruth Watson Henderson (b.1932)
The River, for SATB and piano
Elmer Iseler Singers, Claire Preston (piano), Lydia Adams (conductor)

04:35 AM
Robert Schumann (1810-1856)
Phantasiestucke Op 73 for clarinet & piano
Marten Altrov (clarinet), Holger Marjamaa (piano)

04:45 AM
Gioachino Rossini (1792-1868)
Overture to La Gazza ladra
Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra, Nello Santi (conductor)

04:56 AM
Rene Eespere (b.1953)
Sub specie quietatis - for percussion and choir
Tallinn Music High School Chamber Choir, Evi Eespere (director), Unknown (percussion)

05:05 AM
Francesco Geminiani (1687-1762)
Concerto grosso in D minor, Op 7 no 2
La Petite Bande, Sigiswald Kuijken (conductor)

05:15 AM
Claude Debussy (1862-1918)
Two Dances for Harp and Strings
Joel von Lerber (harp), Bern Chamber Orchestra, Philippe Bach (conductor)

05:24 AM
Josquin des Prez (c1440 - 1521)
Missa de Beata Virgine
BBC Singers, Bo Holten (conductor)

06:00 AM
Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847)
String Quartet no 2 in A minor, Op 13
Apollon Musagete Quartet


MON 06:30 Breakfast (m0028ts2)
Perk up your morning with classical music

Petroc Trelawny presents Radio 3's award-winning classical breakfast show with music that captures the mood of the morning. Email your requests to 3breakfast@bbc.co.uk. To listen on most smart speakers just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Breakfast.”


MON 09:30 Essential Classics (m0028ts4)
Your perfect classical playlist

Georgia Mann plays the best in classical music, with familiar favourites alongside new discoveries and musical surprises.

1000 Playlist starter – listen and send us your ideas for the next step in our musical journey today.

1030 Song of the Day – harnessing the magic of words, music and the human voice.

1115 Playlist reveal – a sequence of music suggested by you in response to our starter today.

1145 Slow Moment – time to take a break for a moment's musical reflection.

1230 Album of the Week

To listen on most smart speakers say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Essential Classics”


MON 13:00 Classical Live (m0028ts6)
The Dover Quartet live from Wigmore plus some rare Vaughan Williams

Today's Classical Live begins with music by two of the greatest nineteenth century musical names performed live by the Dover Quartet at Wigmore Hall. Slavic folksongs and the Indigenous American melodies Antonin Dvořák heard while living in the United States echo through his radiant ‘American’ Quartet. The Dover Quartet couples it with Robert Schumann’s Quartet in A minor, the rapturous outcome of his ‘quartetish thoughts’ of 1842.

Also in today's programme, this week's orchestra in focus the BBC Symphony Orchestra demonstrate the breadth of their music making with performances of music by Richard Strauss, a hauntingly beautiful work by Judith Weir and with a major forgotten score for orchestra, chorus and soloist by Ralph Vaughan Williams.

Plus the start of a week dedicated to Beethoven - an rich assortment of the composer's chamber music recorded at LSO St. Luke's late last year.

Today's Classical Live is presented by Fiona Talkington.

Live from Wigmore Hall, London, with Hannah French:

Antonín Dvořák
String Quartet in F Op. 96 'American'

Robert Schumann
String Quartet in A minor Op. 41 No. 1

Dover Quartet:
Joel Link (violin)
Bryan Lee (violin)
Julianne Lee (viola)
Camden Shaw (cello)

****

Richard Strauss
Der Rosenkavalier - Suite                
BBC Symphony Orchestra
Sakari Oramo (conductor)

Johann Sebastian Bach (arr. Anton Webern)
Ricecar a 6 (The Musical Offering) BWV 1079
Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra        
John Storgårds (conductor)

Ludwig van Beethoven
Octet in E-flat major Op. 103
LSO Wind Ensemble

3pm.
Ralph Vaughan-Williams
The Future
Lucy Crowe (soprano)
BBC Symphony Chorus,
BBC Symphony Orchestra
Martin Yates (conductor)

Judith Weir
Still Glowing           
BBC Symphony Orchestra
Dalia Stasevska (conductor)

To listen on most smart speakers just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Classical Live."


MON 16:00 Composer of the Week (m001ghgb)
Max Richter (b 1966)

Doorstep Discovery

Donald Macleod speaks to trailblazing composer Max Richter about his musical beginnings.

German-born British musician Max Richter is one of the most influential composers of his generation. A streaming sensation with over 3 billion listens, he blends classical and electronic elements in his music and is just as at home on 6Music as on Radio 3. He’s a producer, pianist and serial collaborator whose trailblazing work ranges from ballets and orchestral works to major Hollywood scores and solo albums. At his studio in rural Oxfordshire, Donald sits down with Max to talk about his musical life, from making synthesisers in his bedroom, to Grammy nominations, writing the world’s longest lullaby and tackling some of society’s biggest questions through the medium of music. Across the week, we dig into Max’s eclectic back catalogue, and journey through one of his most popular works, his reinterpretation of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons.

Today, we rewind back to Max’s musical beginnings. His parents’ classical records opened his eyes to the power of music, before a youth spent at punk gigs and obsessing with analogue synthesisers. Donald and Max discuss the liberating “failure” of his first record, and we hear about an unlikely influence on his creative destiny – the local milkman.

Spring 1 (Recomposed by Max Richter: Vivaldi, The Four Seasons)
Daniel Hope, violin
Konzerthaus Kammerhaus Berlin
Andre de Ridder, conductor

Last Days
BBC Philharmonic
Rumon Gamba, conductor

Sketchbook
BBC Philharmonic
Rumon Gamba

November
Mari Samuelsen
Konzerthausorchester Berlin
Jonathan Stockhammer, conductor

Andras
Max Richter, piano

Arbenita (11 Years)
Sarah Leonard, soprano
BBC Philharmonic
Rumon Gamba

Gongstream (excerpt)
Piano Circus

Max
Future Sound of London

Spring (Recomposed by Max Richter: Vivaldi, The Four Seasons)
Elena Urioste, violin
Chineke! Orchestra
Max Richter, synthesisers

Organum
Max Richter, piano

Produced by Amelia Parker for BBC Audio Cardiff


MON 17:00 In Tune (m0028ts9)
Classical music live in the studio

Violinist Charlotte Spruit plays live in the studio with lutenist Segio Bucheli, and talks to Katie Derham about their lunchtime concert at The Charterhouse this week. Katie is also joined by world-renowned conductor Osmo Vänskä who is in London with the Philharmonia this week.


MON 19:00 Classical Mixtape (m0028tsc)
Classical music for focus or relaxation

Take time out with a 30-minute soundscape of classical favourites, including music by Brahms, Fauré and William Grant Still.


MON 19:30 Radio 3 in Concert (m0028tsf)
Elgar's Cello Concerto

Laura van der Heijden joins the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra for Elgar's lyrical Cello Concerto, along with Beethoven's Symphony no.1 and Strauss's Death and Transfiguration. Recorded at The Lighthouse in Poole last month and presented by Martin Handley.

Beethoven: Symphony no. 1 in C major Op.21
Elgar: Concerto in E minor Op.85 for cello and orchestra

Interval music

Strauss: Death and Transfiguration, Op.24

Laura van der Heijden (cello)
Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
Alexander Soddy (conductor)

Written in the summer of 1919, the Cello Concerto represented, for Elgar, the angst, despair and disillusionment he felt after the Great War, and an introspective look at death and mortality. It signified Elgar’s farewell to the way of life as he had known it. The music is private and poignant but it still remains a richly lyrical and noble work with the solo cello in full focus with its bold statements and heart-rending themes. Taking the late Romantic ideal of transfiguration, summing up a lifetime of musical experience, and pushing the orchestral genre to its extreme, Death and Transfiguration portrays a dying man who recalls the great loves of his past. It is an emotional cauldron of sheer magnificence. It seems fitting that Beethoven composed his First Symphony at the dawn of a new century. Despite its homages to the older generation, it is very much a forward-looking work with glimmers of the innovations to come from the great composer.


MON 21:45 The Essay (m0028tsh)
Vivaldi - A Man for All Seasons

The seeds of a revival

In his day, Antonio Vivaldi was well-known as a composer of operas, concertos and choral works, influencing the likes of J. S. Bach. But music careers can collapse quickly, and when Vivaldi died in 1741 - penniless - so did his music. Incredibly, the man and his work only became widely known again after the Second World War, with The Four Seasons leading the charge.

In this series of The Essay, celebrating 300 years since The Four Seasons was published, Phil Hebblethwaite traces Vivaldi’s return to fame from the beginning of the 20th century to the modern day.

1. The seeds of a revival

Phil explores how Bach gave Vivaldi a footnote in music history, piquing the interest of scholars in the late 19th century, while also gifting the star violinist Fritz Kreisler a name to steal for a musical hoax. The musicologist Michael Talbot tells Phil that the hoax helped the burgeoning Vivaldi revival in a highly unexpected way.

Presenter and writer: Phil Hebblethwaite
Script editor: Jo Glanville
Producer: Joanna Jolly
Series editor: Kirsten Lass
Mixer: Jon Calver
Commissioning editor: Matthew Dodd
A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 3


MON 22:00 Night Tracks (m0028tsk)
Bewitching sounds for after dark

Sara Mohr-Pietsch presents an adventurous, immersive soundtrack for late-night listening, from classical to contemporary and everything in between.


MON 23:30 'Round Midnight (m0028tsm)
Jamie Cullum sits in

The broadcaster, jazz pianist and singer-songwriter Jamie Cullum is in for Soweto all this week.

The Chicago-based guitarist and composer Jeff Parker is Jamie’s guest from Monday to Thursday. Jeff is selecting some of his best-loved albums from his record collection for 4/4. Widely celebrated for his boundary-pushing and thoughtful compositions, Jeff Parker spans the world of jazz, electronic, rock, and improvisational music. He is a key member of the Chicago jazz community, centred around forward-focused label, International Anthem.
Kicking off his selections, Jeff chooses an album by The Sonny Clark Trio.

Plus, there's music from Zola Marcelle, Walter Smith III, and Natty Reeves & Jackson Mathod.

To listen on most smart speakers, just say: 'Ask BBC Sounds to play Round Midnight.'

TUESDAY 18 MARCH 2025

TUE 00:30 Through the Night (m0028tsp)
Mendelssohn and Stravinsky

Mezzo-soprano Deniz Uzun joins the Berlin Radio Chorus & Symphony Orchestra under the baton of conductor Martyn Brabbins. Presented by Penny Gore.

12:31 AM
Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847)
Symphony no 4 in A major, Op 90 'Italian'
Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, Martyn Brabbins (conductor)

01:01 AM
Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847)
Drei geistliche Lieder, Op 96
Deniz Uzun (mezzo-soprano), Berlin Radio Chorus, Philipp Ahmann (choirmaster), Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, Martyn Brabbins (conductor)

01:12 AM
Igor Stravinsky (1882-1971)
Symphonies of Wind Instruments
Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, Martyn Brabbins (conductor)

01:23 AM
Igor Stravinsky (1882-1971)
Symphony of Psalms
Berlin Radio Chorus, Philipp Ahmann (choirmaster), Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, Martyn Brabbins (conductor)

01:46 AM
Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847), transc. Felix Dreyschoeck
A Midsummer Night's Dream - Concert Paraphrase, Op 61 (excerpts)
Felix Dreyschoeck (piano)

01:54 AM
Leokadiya Kashperova (1872-1940)
Piano Trio in A minor, Op Posth
Gould Piano Trio

02:22 AM
Johann Joachim Quantz (1697-1773)
Trio Sonata in E flat major
Atrium Musicium Chamber Ensemble

02:31 AM
Giuseppe Tartini (1692-1770)
Violin Concerto in D major, D.28
Fabio Biondi (violin), Stavanger Symphony Orchestra

02:48 AM
Max Reger (1873-1916)
Fantasy for Organ on the Choral 'Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme!', Op 52 no 2
David Drury (organ)

03:07 AM
Franz Berwald (1796-1868)
Septet in B flat major
Fredrik Ekdahl (bassoon), Hanna Thorell (cello), Kristian Moller (clarinet), Mattias Karlsson (double bass), Ayman Al Fakir (horn), Linn Lowengren-Elkvull (viola), Roger Olsson (violin)

03:29 AM
Frank Martin (1890-1974)
Five Songs of Ariel for 16 voices
Myra Kroese (contralto), Netherlands Chamber Choir, Tonu Kaljuste (conductor)

03:41 AM
Fryderyk Chopin (1810-1849)
Polonaise for piano in A flat major, Op 53 'Polonaise heroique'
Jacek Kortus (piano)

03:48 AM
Erik Satie (1866-1925), arr. Darius Milhaud
Jack-in-the-box pantomime
CBC Vancouver Orchestra, Mario Bernardi (conductor)

03:55 AM
Igor Kuljeric (1938-2006), arr. Ivana Bilic
Barocchiana for solo marimba
Ivana Bilic (percussion)

04:08 AM
Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840-1893)
Dumka, Op 59 'Russian rustic scene'
Duncan Gifford (piano)

04:18 AM
Michael Haydn (1737-1806)
Ave Regina for double choir, MH.140
Ex Tempore, Florian Heyerick (director)

04:31 AM
Marcel Tournier (1879-1951)
Images for harp and string quartet, Op 35
Erica Goodman (harp), Amadeus Ensemble

04:42 AM
Thomas Tallis (c.1505-1585)
Spem in Alium, for 40 voices
BBC Singers, Stephen Cleobury (conductor)

04:50 AM
Claude Debussy (1862-1918)
Cello Sonata in D minor
Ola Karlsson (cello), Lars David Nilsson (piano)

05:02 AM
Giovanni Battista Vitali (1632-1692)
Improvisations on Passacaglia, Toccata and Canario
Paolo Pandolfo (viola da gamba), Thomas Boysen (theorbo), Alvaro Garrido (percussion)

05:13 AM
Gioachino Rossini (1792-1868)
Overture to "Il Barbiere di Siviglia"
KBS Symphony Orchestra, Chi-Yong Chung (conductor)

05:21 AM
Ferruccio Busoni (1866-1924)
Seven Elegies - no 2, All' Italia
Valerie Tryon (piano)

05:29 AM
Henry Purcell (1659-1695)
Timon of Athens, the man-hater - incidental music, Z.632
Lynne Dawson (soprano), Gillian Fisher (soprano), Rogers Covey-Crump (tenor), Paul Elliott (tenor), Michael George (bass), Stephen Varcoe (bass), Monteverdi Choir, English Baroque Soloists, John Eliot Gardiner (conductor)

05:50 AM
Georges Bizet (1838-1875)
L'Arlesienne Suite no 1
RTV Slovenia Symphony Orchestra, Marko Munih (conductor)

06:08 AM
Erik Tulindberg (1761-1814)
String Quartet no 3 in C major
Ostrobothnian Quartet


TUE 06:30 Breakfast (m0028sdg)
Daybreak classics

Petroc Trelawny presents Radio 3's award-winning classical breakfast show with music that captures the mood of the morning. Email your requests to 3breakfast@bbc.co.uk . To listen on most smart speakers just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Breakfast.”


TUE 09:30 Essential Classics (m0028sdj)
Great classical music for your morning

Georgia Mann plays the best in classical music, with discoveries and surprises rubbing shoulders with familiar favourites.

1000 Playlist starter – listen and send us your ideas for the next step in our musical journey today.

1030 Song of the Day – harnessing the magic of words, music and the human voice.

1115 Playlist reveal – a sequence of music suggested by you in response to our starter today.

1145 Slow Moment – time to take a break for a moment's musical reflection.

1230 Album of the Week

To listen on most smart speakers say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Essential Classics”


TUE 13:00 Classical Live (m0028sdl)
Beethoven from LSO St Luke's and the Pastoral Symphony from the BBC Symphony Orchestra

Beethoven's music forms the backbone of today's programme of specially made recordings with performances of his chamber music drawn from a variety of genres and recorded late last year at the 'Beethoven Dedications' series given at LSO St Luke's.

This week's orchestra in focus is the BBC Symphony Orchestra and it performs Beethoven's 6th Symphony - the Pastoral - under its Chief Conductor Sakari Oramo.

Also on the orchestra's playlist today is a specially recorded performance of Busoni's Violin Concerto with Italian violinist Francesca Dego plus music by the French composer Guillaume Connesson inspired by the writings of HP Lovecraft.

Pianist Paul Lewis begins a short personal selection of sonatas by Schubert and we've the next instalment in Radio 3's series of new commissions '25 for 25' charting milestones from the first twenty-five years of the Twenty-First Century through new music.

Today's Classical Live is presented by Fiona Talkington.

Ludwig van Beethoven
Symphony No. 6 in F major Op. 68 ‘Pastoral’
BBC Symphony Orchestra
Sakari Oramo (conductor)

Antonin Dvorak
Slavonic Dance Op. 72/2
Paul Lewis (piano)
Steven Osborne (piano)

Franz Schubert
Piano Sonata in A minor D. 784
Paul Lewis (piano)

25 for 25
Jasper Dommett: King Torques Hollow Acetate
BBC National Orchestra of Wales
Jac van Steen (conductor)

'Beethoven Dedications' from LSO St. Luke's
Ludwig van Beethoven
12 Variations on ‘Se vuol ballare’ (from Mozart’s ‘The Marriage of Figaro’)  WoO. 40
Chloë Hanslip (violin)
Danny Driver (piano)

Ludwig van Beethoven
Sextet in Eb major Op. 71
LSO Wind Ensemble

Guillaume Connesson
Les Cités de Lovecraft – I. Celephais
BBC Symphony Orchestra
Katharina Wincour (conductor)

Ferruccio Busoni
Violin Concerto in D Op. 35a
Francesca Dego (violin)
BBC Symphony Orchestra
Dalia Stasevska (conductor)

To listen to this programme (using most smart speakers) just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Classical Live".


TUE 16:00 Composer of the Week (m001ghds)
Max Richter (b 1966)

Daylight

Donald Macleod and Max Richter revisit a lightbulb moment in his career.

German-born British musician Max Richter is one of the most influential composers of his generation. A streaming sensation with over 3 billion listens, he blends classical and electronic elements in his music and is just as at home on 6Music as on Radio 3. He’s a producer, pianist and serial collaborator whose trailblazing work ranges from ballets and orchestral works to major Hollywood scores and solo albums. At his studio in rural Oxfordshire, Donald sits down with Max to talk about his musical life, from making synthesisers in his bedroom, to Grammy nominations, writing the world’s longest lullaby and tackling some of society’s biggest questions through the medium of music. Across the week, we dig into Max’s eclectic back catalogue, and journey through one of his most popular works, his reinterpretation of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons.

Today, with music on the theme of light and enlightenment, we go back to a pivotal moment for Max - a conversation that transformed the way he composed, leading him to push back against the prevailing trends in contemporary music. As he found his voice, we hear about the period in his career where his work began to find exposure – with his breakthrough album The Blue Notebooks.

Vladimir’s Blues
Max Richter, piano

Sunlight
Louisa Fuller, violin
Natalia Bonner, violin
Rico Costa, violin
John Metcalfe, viola
Ian Burdge, cello
Chris Worsey, cello
On the Nature of Daylight
Louisa Fuller, violin
Natalia Bonner, violin
John Metcalfe, viola
Philip Sheppard, cello
Chris Worsey, cello

On the Nature of Daylight
Louisa Fuller, violin
Natalia Bonner, violin
John Metcalfe, viola
Philip Sheppard, cello
Chris Worsey, cello

Summer (Recomposed by Max Richter: Vivaldi, The Four Seasons)
Daniel Hope, violin
Konzerthaus Kammerorchester Berlin
Andre de Ridder, conductor

Flowers for Yulia ; Autumn Music 2
Robert Wyatt, speaker
Max Richter, piano
Louisa Fuller, violin
Natalia Bonner, violin
Rico Costa, violin
John Metcalfe, viola
Ian Burdge, cello
Chris Worsey, cello

Selection from 24 Postcards in Full Colour
Max Richter, piano and electronics
Louisa Fuller, violin

Produced by Amelia Parker for BBC Audio Cardiff


TUE 17:00 In Tune (m0028sdp)
Live music at drivetime

The Kings Singers perform live for Katie Derham in the In Tune studio.
Plus pianist Francesco Piemontesi drops in ahead of his concert at London's Royal Festival Hall.


TUE 19:00 Classical Mixtape (m001nh7x)
Power through with classical music

Enjoy half an hour of back to back, delightful classical music, including a popular favourite from Saint-Saens Carnival of the animals, a charming French opera aria, Spanish sunshine from Albeniz played by a brass band, Villa-Lobos played on the guitar, and a luminous film score by Alexandre Desplat. The sequence ends with calming Renaissance polyphony and a mesmerising work for organ and Swedish folk fiddle featuring the bells of a Nordic Cathedral.

Producer: Helen Garrison


TUE 19:30 Radio 3 in Concert (m0028sds)
Jess Gillam plays Glasslands

Christoph König and the BBC National Orchestra of Wales return to Aberystwyth on their bi-annual tour of Wales. They present a programme which includes Ravel, Farrenc and Shostakovich's 9th Symphony. Jess Gillam joins them as saxophonist in Anna Clyne's Glasslands. Glasslands conjures an imaginary world of three realms governed by the banshee - a female spirit who, in Irish folklore, heralds the death of a family member, usually by wailing, shrieking, or keening in the silence of the night.

Ravel: Le Tombeau de Couperin
Anna Clyne: Glasslands
Farrenc: Overture No 2 in E flat major, Op 24
Shostakovich: Symphony No 9 in E flat major, Op 70

Jess Gillam (saxophone)
BBC National Orchestra of Wales
Christoph König (conductor)


TUE 21:45 The Essay (m0028sdv)
Vivaldi - A Man for All Seasons

Monks, music and Mussolini

In his day, Antonio Vivaldi was well-known as a composer of operas, concertos and choral works, influencing the likes of J. S. Bach. But music careers can collapse quickly and when Vivaldi died in 1741, penniless, so did his music. Incredibly, the man and his work only became widely known again after the Second World War, with The Four Seasons leading the charge.

In this series of The Essay, celebrating 300 years since The Four Seasons was published, Phil Hebblethwaite traces Vivaldi’s return to fame from the beginning of the 20th century to the modern day.

2. Monks, music and Mussolini

Phil travels to Italy to the site of perhaps the greatest musicology find of the 20th century. Susan Orlando, artistic director of the Vivaldi Edition, explains how the discovery of a huge trove of Vivaldi manuscripts near Turin in the 1920s became news across the world, but also led the once-lost Venetian composer to become tied up in modern-day nationalist politics.

Presenter and writer: Phil Hebblethwaite
Script editor: Jo Glanville
Producer: Joanna Jolly
Series editor: Kirsten Lass
Mixer: Jon Calver
Commissioning editor: Matthew Dodd
A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 3


TUE 22:00 Night Tracks (m0028sdy)
A meditative moonlight soundtrack

Sara Mohr-Pietsch presents an adventurous, immersive soundtrack for late-night listening, from classical to contemporary and everything in between.


TUE 23:30 'Round Midnight (m0021xb6)
Jeff Parker’s 4/4

Jamie Cullum, sitting in all week for Soweto Kinch, presents 'Round Midnight - a weeknight celebration of jazz from across the spectrum, with a particular focus on new UK music.

Jeff Parker is back with his second record selection of the week, for 4/4. Tonight he picks an album by the Art Farmer Quartet that features a legendary American guitarist.

Plus, music from Nadav Schneerson, Anouar Brahem, and Scrimshire.

To listen on most smart speakers, just say: 'Ask BBC Sounds to play Round Midnight.'

WEDNESDAY 19 MARCH 2025

WED 00:30 Through the Night (m0028sf0)
Songs by Schumann, Mandyczewski and Brahms

Baritone Konstantin Krimmel and pianist Ammiel Bushakevitz perform songs by Schumann, Mandyczewski and Brahms at the Schubertiade Schwarzenberg festival in Austria. Penny Gore presents.

12:31 AM
Robert Schumann (1810-1856)
Liederkreis, Op 39
Konstantin Krimmel (baritone), Ammiel Bushakevitz (piano)

12:55 AM
Eusebius Mandyczewski (1857-1929)
Excerpts from 'Romanian Songs, Op 7'
Konstantin Krimmel (baritone), Ammiel Bushakevitz (piano)

01:09 AM
Johannes Brahms (1833-1897)
Meerfahrt, Op 96 no 4
Konstantin Krimmel (baritone), Ammiel Bushakevitz (piano)

01:12 AM
Johannes Brahms (1833-1897)
Wie rafft ich mich auf in der Nacht, Op 32 no 1
Konstantin Krimmel (baritone), Ammiel Bushakevitz (piano)

01:16 AM
Johannes Brahms (1833-1897)
Auf dem Kirchhofe, Op 105 no 4
Konstantin Krimmel (baritone), Ammiel Bushakevitz (piano)

01:19 AM
Johannes Brahms (1833-1897)
Der Tod, das ist die kühle Nacht, Op 96 no 1
Konstantin Krimmel (baritone), Ammiel Bushakevitz (piano)

01:22 AM
Johannes Brahms (1833-1897)
Feldeinsamkeit, Op 86 no 2
Konstantin Krimmel (baritone), Ammiel Bushakevitz (piano)

01:26 AM
Johannes Brahms (1833-1897)
Mondenschein, Op 85 no 2
Konstantin Krimmel (baritone), Ammiel Bushakevitz (piano)

01:29 AM
Johannes Brahms (1833-1897)
Die Mainacht, Op 43 no 2
Konstantin Krimmel (baritone), Ammiel Bushakevitz (piano)

01:33 AM
Robert Schumann (1810-1856)
Belsatzar, Op 57
Konstantin Krimmel (baritone), Ammiel Bushakevitz (piano)

01:39 AM
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)
Sonata in D minor, BWV.964
Wolfgang Gluxam (harpsichord)

02:00 AM
Johannes Brahms (1833-1897)
Trio for clarinet or viola, cello and piano in A minor, Op 114
Svilen Simeonov (clarinet), Anatoli Krastev (cello), Mina Ivanova (piano)

02:26 AM
Johannes Brahms (1833-1897)
Capriccio in B minor, Op 76 no 2
Ernst von Dohnanyi (piano)

02:31 AM
Grazyna Bacewicz (1909-1969)
Symphony no 3 (1952)
Polish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Jan Krenz (conductor)

03:02 AM
Pal Esterhazy (1635-1713)
Harmonia Caelestis (excerpts)
Maria Zadori (soprano), Monika Fers (soprano), Katalin Karolyi (alto), Savaria Vocal Ensemble, Capella Savaria, Pal Nemeth (conductor)

03:27 AM
Jules Massenet (1842-1912)
Méditation, from 'Thaïs'
David Nebel (violin), Giorgi Iuldashevi (piano)

03:34 AM
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791)
Symphony no 5 in B flat major, K.22
Netherlands Radio Chamber Orchestra, Ernest Bour (conductor)

03:41 AM
Claude Debussy (1862-1918)
L'Isle Joyeuse
Jurate Karosaite (piano)

03:49 AM
Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber (1644-1704)
Nachtwächter - Serenade
La Scintilla Orchestra, Riccardo Minasi (conductor)

03:58 AM
Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck (1562-1621)
Psalm 23: 'The Lord is my Shepherd'
Netherlands Chamber Choir, Philippe Herreweghe (conductor)

04:06 AM
Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847)
Hebrides overture, Op 26
Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra, Arvid Engegard (conductor)

04:18 AM
Giacomo Puccini (1858-1924)
Rodolfo's aria ("Your tiny hand is frozen") from 'La bohème'
Denes Gulyas (tenor), Hungarian Radio Orchestra, Adam Medveczky (conductor)

04:23 AM
Franz Schubert (1797-1828)
Impromptu in G flat major, D.899
Schaghajegh Nosrati (piano)

04:31 AM
Antonin Dvorak (1841-1904)
Klid (Silent woods), B182
Shauna Rolston (cello), Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, Uri Mayer (conductor)

04:37 AM
Henry Purcell (1659-1695)
Rejoice in the Lord alway (Z.49) "Bell Anthem"
Robert Lawaty (counter tenor), Robert Pozarski (tenor), Miroslaw Borczynski (bass), Sine Nomine Chamber Choir, Concerto Polacco Baroque Orchestra, Marek Toporowski (director)

04:46 AM
Fanny Mendelssohn (1805-1847)
Lied (Lenau): Larghetto; Wanderlied: Presto Op 8 nos 3 & 4 (1840)
Sylviane Deferne (piano)

04:52 AM
Corona Schroter (1751-1802)
Overture to Die Fischerin
Michael Freimuth (guitar), Gerald Hambitzer (pianoforte)

04:56 AM
Karol Jozef Lipinski (1790-1861)
Adagio from Violin Concerto no 1 in F sharp minor
Albrecht Breuninger (violin), Polish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Wojciech Rajski (conductor)

05:06 AM
Traditional Swiss, arr. Peter Brutsch
S isch äben e Mönsch uf Ärde (Guggisberglied)
Swiss Youth Choir, Nicolas Fink (conductor)

05:16 AM
Bela Bartok (1881-1945), arr. Markus Brönnimann
Hungarian Peasant Songs
Ensemble Pyramide

05:32 AM
Edvard Grieg (1843-1907)
Piano Concerto in A minor, Op 16
Sigurd Slattebrekk (piano), Trondheim Symphony Orchestra, Eivind Aadland (conductor)

06:01 AM
Antoine Reicha (1770-1836)
Oboe Quintet in F major, Op 107
Les Adieux


WED 06:30 Breakfast (m0028sf2)
Classical music to brighten your morning

Petroc Trelawny presents Radio 3's award-winning classical breakfast show with music that captures the mood of the morning. Email your requests to 3breakfast@bbc.co.uk. To listen on most smart speakers just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Breakfast.”


WED 09:30 Essential Classics (m0028sf5)
The best classical morning music

Georgia Mann plays the best in classical music, featuring new discoveries, some musical surprises and plenty of familiar favourites.

1000 Playlist starter – listen and send us your ideas for the next step in our musical journey today.

1030 Song of the Day – harnessing the magic of words, music and the human voice.

1115 Playlist reveal – a sequence of music suggested by you in response to our starter today.

1145 Slow Moment – time to take a break for a moment's musical reflection.

1230 Album of the Week

To listen on most smart speakers say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Essential Classics”


WED 13:00 Classical Live (m0028sf9)
Beethoven, Schubert and a Poem of Love and the Sea

The BBC Symphony Orchestra are this week's orchestra in focus and today it presents music by Janacek and Chausson, including the latter's song cycle about love and the sea.

Plus exclusive recordings specially made for Radio 3 from LSO St Luke's with the 'Beethoven Dedications' series of chamber concerts given there late last year. Today music by a composer whom Beethoven admired especially - Mozart; and there's contrasting keyboard music by Schubert performed by Paul Lewis on the piano and by Francois Couperin performed by Jane Campion on the harpsichord.

Today's Classical Live is presented by Fiona Talkington.

Franz Schubert
Piano Sonata in Eb D. 568
Paul Lewis (piano)

'Beethoven Dedications' from LSO St. Luke's
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
String Quartet No 3 in G major K.156
Quatuor Modigliani

François Couperin
Ordre 8 in B minor:
La Raphaèle
Second Courante
Sarabande l’unique
Gavotte
Rondeau
Passacaille
Jane Chapman (harpsichord)

c2.00
Ernest Chausson
Poème de l'Amour et de la Mer Op. 19
Niamh O’Sullivan (mezzo-soprano)
BBC Symphony Orchestra
Paul Daniels (conductor)

Ralph Vaughan-Williams
Fantasia for piano and orchestra
Andrew von Oeyen (piano)
BBC Symphony Orchestra
Martin Yates (conductor)


WED 15:00 Choral Evensong (m0028sff)
Leeds Cathedral

Choral Vespers for the Solemnity of St Joseph live from Leeds Cathedral.

Introit: Sanctorum meritis primo (Monteverdi)
Office Hymn: Te, Ioseph, celebrant agmina caelitum (Plainsong)
Psalms 14 vv1-5, 111 vv1-10 (Daniel Justin)
Canticle: Apocalypse 15 vv3-4 (Daniel Justin)
Reading: Colossians 3 vv12-17, 23-24
Magnificat secundi toni a8 (Anerio)
Anthem: Beatus vir (Monteverdi)
Hymn: Joseph, wise ruler of God’s earthly people (Diva servatrix)
Marian Antiphon: Ave maris stella (Monteverdi)
Voluntary: Praeludium in E BWV 548 (Bach)

Thomas Leech (Conductor)
Darius Battiwalla (Organist)

To listen on most smart speakers just say “ask BBC Sounds to play Choral Evensong”.


WED 16:00 Composer of the Week (m001ghf6)
Max Richter (b 1966)

In Motion

Donald Macleod and composer Max Richter explore his music for stage and screen.

German-born British musician Max Richter is one of the most influential composers of his generation. A streaming sensation with over 3 billion listens, he blends classical and electronic elements in his music and is just as at home on 6Music as on Radio 3. He’s a producer, pianist and serial collaborator whose trailblazing work ranges from ballets and orchestral works to major Hollywood scores and solo albums. At his studio in rural Oxfordshire, Donald sits down with Max to talk about his musical life, from making synthesisers in his bedroom, to Grammy nominations, writing the world’s longest lullaby and tackling some of society’s biggest questions through the medium of music. Across the week, we dig into Max’s eclectic back catalogue, and journey through one of his most popular works, his reinterpretation of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons.

Today, Donald and Max adventure to the shores of Scotland, a Lebanese warzone, plunge into the London Underground, and jet off into outer space, on a journey through Max’s music for stage and screen. As one of the most hotly-demanded composers writing for cinema and TV today, we’ll hear what he’s learnt over the years and how he approaches a score. Plus, with excerpts from his ballets, they talk about writing for dancers, and how what’s on his bookshelf influences his work.

The Shores of Scotland (from Mary Queen of Scots)
Air Lyndhurst Orchestra
Robert Ziegler, conductor

Three Worlds: Woolf Works (II. Mrs Dalloway: In the Garden)
Max Richter, piano
Louisa Fuller, violin
Natalia Bonner, violin
John Metcalfe, viola
Ian Burdge, cello
Chris Worsey, cello

Waltz with Bashir (excerpts)
Louisa Fuller, violin
Natalia Bonner, violin
John Metcalfe, viola
Ian Burdge, cello
Chris Worsey, cello

Infra (excerpts)
Louisa Fuller, violin
Natalia Bonner, violin
Nick Barr, viola
Ian Burdge, cello
Chris Worsey, cello

Three Worlds: Woolf Works (III. Orlando - excerpts)
Sarah Sutcliffe, voice
Mari Samuelsen, violin
Deutsches Filmorchester Babelsberg
Robert Ziegler, conductor

Finale (from Mary Queen of Scots)
Air Lyndhurst Orchestra
Robert Ziegler, conductor

I will not forget you (from Testament of Youth)
Air Lyndhurst Orchestra
Robert Ziegler, conductor

Produced by Amelia Parker for BBC Audio Cardiff


WED 17:00 In Tune (m0028sfm)
Experience classical music live in session

Pianist Olga Pashchenko performs live for Katie Derham in the In Tune studio.
Plus actor, writer and director Tama Matheson talks to Katie about performing Lord Byron's 'Don Juan.'


WED 19:00 Classical Mixtape (m0028sfr)
The perfect classical half hour

Take time out with a 30-minute soundscape of classical favourites.


WED 19:30 Radio 3 in Concert (m0028sfw)
Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra with Pacho Flores

Venezuelan trumpet sensation Pacho Flores joins the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic and conductor Domingo Hindoyan for a concert including Stravinsky's Petrushka alongside music by Moncayo and Sarasate, plus the UK premiere of a trumpet concerto by Daniel Freiberg.

Whenever trumpeter Pacho Flores comes to Liverpool, things tend to catch fire! In carnival season, conductor Domingo Hindoyan throws caution to the wind: expect Latin rhythms, Russian colours and Pacho’s own brand of pyrotechnics to light up the sky. This programme features showpieces left, right and centre: there's a lively Mexican folk dance; a Stravinsky ballet bursting with energy and colour; a virtuosic set of Gypsy Airs, and as the grand finale, the UK premiere of Daniel Freiberg’s trumpet concerto - "Historias de flores y tangos".

Recorded on 20th February 2025 at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall.

Presented by Penny Gore.

José Pablo Moncayo: Huapango
Igor Stravinsky: Petrushka (1947)

INTERVAL

Pablo de Sarasate (arr. Pacho Flores): Zigeunerweisen
Daniel Freiberg: Historias de Flores y Tangos (UK premiere)

Pacho Flores (trumpet)
Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra
Domingo Hindoyan (conductor)

Produced in collaboration with Liverpool Philharmonic.


WED 21:45 The Essay (m0028sg0)
Vivaldi - A Man for All Seasons

A classic of Italian music

In his day, Antonio Vivaldi was well-known as a composer of operas, concertos and choral works, influencing the likes of J. S. Bach. But music careers can collapse quickly and when Vivaldi died in 1741, penniless, so did his music. Incredibly, the man and his work only became widely known again after the Second World War, with The Four Seasons leading the charge.

In this series of The Essay, celebrating 300 years since The Four Seasons was published, Phil Hebblethwaite traces Vivaldi’s return to fame from the beginning of the 20th century to the modern day.

3. A classic of Italian music

Phil investigates the modern history of The Four Seasons, noticing that early supporters of the rediscovered work had close links to Mussolini’s regime. Near Rome, Phil meets violinist Felix Ayo, who had the first smash-hit recording of The Four Seasons in the 1950s, helping Vivaldi on his way to becoming a household name.

Presenter and writer: Phil Hebblethwaite
Script editor: Jo Glanville
Producer: Joanna Jolly
Series editor: Kirsten Lass
Mixer: Jon Calver
Commissioning editor: Matthew Dodd
A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 3


WED 22:00 Night Tracks (m0028sg4)
Music for the darkling hour

Sara Mohr-Pietsch presents an adventurous, immersive soundtrack for late-night listening, from classical to contemporary and everything in between.


WED 23:30 'Round Midnight (m0021y10)
New from Mu Quintet

Jamie Cullum continues his stint sitting in for Soweto Kinch on 'Round Midnight.

For his third album of the week, American guitarist and composer Jeff Parker selects an uplifting release by the late, great Eddie Kendricks.

Plus, music from Honey Boulton, Rebecca Vasmant and Ennio Morricone.

To listen on most smart speakers, just say: 'Ask BBC Sounds to play Round Midnight.'

THURSDAY 20 MARCH 2025

THU 00:30 Through the Night (m0028sg8)
A Journey through German Romanticism: Beethoven, Bruch and Mendelssohn

Violinist Renaud Capuçon leads the Lausanne Chamber Orchestra in Beethoven's heroic story played out in the Egmont Overture and through Mendelssohn's Scottish journey in his third Symphony. Capuçon moves from conductor to soloist for Bruch's First Violin Concerto, directing from his instrument. Penny Gore presents.

12:31 AM
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
Overture to Egmont, Op 84
Lausanne Chamber Orchestra, Renaud Capucon (conductor)

12:40 AM
Max Bruch (1838-1920)
Violin Concerto no 1 in G minor, Op 26
Renaud Capucon (violin), Lausanne Chamber Orchestra, Renaud Capucon (conductor)

01:05 AM
Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847)
Symphony no 3 in A minor, Op 56 'Scottish'
Lausanne Chamber Orchestra, Renaud Capucon (conductor)

01:44 AM
Fanny Mendelssohn (1805-1847)
Allegro moderato for piano, Op 8 no 1
Sylviane Deferne (piano)

01:50 AM
Franz Schubert (1797-1828)
3 Songs: 'Liebesbotschaft', 'Heidenroslein' and 'Litanei auf das Fest'
Bryn Terfel (bass baritone), Malcolm Martineau (piano)

01:59 AM
Max Bruch (1838-1920)
Scottish fantasy, Op 46
James Ehnes (violin), Montreal Symphony Orchestra, Mario Bernardi (conductor)

02:31 AM
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)
Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben, BWV 147 (cantata)
The Sixteen, Netherlands Radio Chamber Orchestra, Ton Koopman (conductor)

03:01 AM
Grazyna Bacewicz (1909-1969)
String Quartet no 5
Silesian String Quartet

03:27 AM
Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov (1844-1908)
Capriccio espagnol Op.34
Stavanger Symphony Orchestra, Alexander Dmitriev (conductor)

03:43 AM
Georges Bizet (1838-1875)
Au fond du temple saint (from 'The Pearl Fishers')
Mark Dubois (tenor), Mark Pedrotti (baritone), Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony Orchestra, Raffi Armenian (conductor)

03:49 AM
Igor Stravinsky (1882-1971)
Three pieces for Clarinet Solo
Martins Circenis (clarinet)

03:53 AM
Ennio Morricone, arr. Robert Longfield
Gabriel's Oboe, from the film 'The Mission'
Tomoharu Yoshida (oboe), WDR Radio Orchestra, Rasmus Baumann (conductor)

03:57 AM
Jean Coulthard (1908-2000)
Excursion Ballet Suite
Symphony Nova Scotia, Georg Tintner (conductor)

04:12 AM
Chiel Meijering (b.1954)
La vengeance d'une femme
Janine Jansen (violin)

04:18 AM
Dame Ethel Mary Smyth (1858-1944)
Concerto for Violin and Horn in A major: 1st movt
Anna Agafia Egholm (violin), Tillmann Hofs (horn), Alice Burla (piano)

04:31 AM
Georg Philipp Telemann (1681-1767)
Sonata in F minor for recorder, violin and continuo TWV.42:f2
Bolette Roed (recorder), Frederik From (violin), Hager Hanana (cello), Joanna Boslak-Gorniok (harpsichord)

04:38 AM
Jean Sibelius (1865-1957)
Petite Suite
Royal Academy of Music Brass Soloists

04:45 AM
Camilla de Rossi (fl.1707-1710)
Cielo, pietoso Cielo (Sant' Alassio)
Agnieszka Kowalczyk (soprano), Musica Fiorita, Daniela Dolci (director)

04:49 AM
Robert Morton (c.1430-1475)
Le souvenir de vous (rondo for 3 voices)
Ferrara Ensemble, Crawford Young (director)

04:53 AM
Susan Spain-Dunk (1880-1962)
Two Scottish Pieces for orchestra, Op 54
BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Stephen Bell (conductor)

05:00 AM
Sergey Rachmaninov (1873-1943), arr. Alan Arnold
Vocalise, Op 34 no 14 arr. for viola and piano
Gyozo Mate (viola), Balazs Szokolay (piano)

05:05 AM
Judith Weir (b.1954)
The Bagpiper's String Trio
Nanos Trio

05:12 AM
Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach (1714-1788)
Sinfonia in G major, Wq.173
Arte dei Suonatori, Marcin Swiatkiewicz (harpsichord)

05:21 AM
Olivier Messiaen (1908-1992)
no.18 Regard de l'Onction terrible (from 'Vingt Regards sur l'enfant Jesus')
Martin Helmchen (piano)

05:28 AM
Robert Schumann (1810-1856)
Konzertstück in F major for 4 Horns and Orchestra, Op 86
Kurt Kellan (horn), John Ramsey (horn), William Robson (horn), Laurie Matiation (horn), Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, Mario Bernardi (conductor)

05:47 AM
Paul Taffanel (1844-1908)
Wind Quintet in G minor
Andrea Kolle (flute), Silvia Zabarella (oboe), Fabio di Casola (clarinet), Maria Wildhaber (bassoon), Joan Bautista Bernat Sanchis (horn)

06:11 AM
Richard Wagner (1813-1883)
Prelude and Liebestod - from the opera 'Tristan and Isolde'
BBC Philharmonic, Vassily Sinaisky (conductor)


THU 06:30 Breakfast (m0028t4j)
Spring: Four Seasons in One Day

Petroc Trelawny starts a day of celebrations to mark the 300th anniversary of Vivaldi's Four Seasons on Radio 3's award-winning classical breakfast show.

The Radio 3 Early Music Show presenter Hannah French introduces Vivaldi's "Spring" concerto, performed by Theotime Langlois de Swarte, alongside a playlist tailor-made for brightening days and blustery weather.

Plus, to coincide with the first day of Spring, CountryFile presenter and broadcasting veteran John Craven tells us about one of his favourite British spring birds - the nightingale.

Email your requests to 3breakfast@bbc.co.uk.

To listen on most smart speakers just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Breakfast.”


THU 09:30 Essential Classics (m0028t4l)
Summer: Four Seasons in One Day

Georgia Mann plays the best classical music to remind you of Summer, in celebration of the 300th anniversary of Vivaldi's Four Seasons.

Bask in Vivaldi's "Summer" concerto performed by violinist Tasmin Little, alongside a playlist of music to remind you of long, lazy days filled with warmth and light.

Plus, CountryFile presenter John Craven tells us about one of his favourite sounds of the British summer - the buzzing of bees.

1000 Playlist starter – listen and send us your ideas for the next step in our musical journey today.

1030 Song of the Day – harnessing the magic of words, music and the human voice.

1115 Playlist reveal – a sequence of music suggested by you in response to our starter today.

1145 Slow Moment – time to take a break for a moment's musical reflection.

1200 “25 for 25: Sounds of the Century” – a series of brand new commissions celebrating and commemorating some of the biggest events of the 21st century so far.

1230 Album of the Week

1250 Tasmin Little's recording of Vivaldi's "Summer" from "The Four Seasons".

To listen on most smart speakers say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Essential Classics”


THU 13:00 Classical Live (m0028t4n)
Autumn: Four Seasons in One Day

Today's Classical Live marks the 300th anniversary of the publication of Antonio Vivaldi's Four Seasons with violinist Renaud Capuçon's acclaimed recording of Autumn.

There's music with an autumnal feel from Johannes Brahms, Gerald Finzi, Joachim Raff and Christopher Simpson, plus CountryFile presenter and renowned broadcaster John Craven tells us about one of his favourite autumnal sounds of Britain.

There's more exclusive recordings made for Radio 3 and Classical Live from from LSO St. Luke's and this week's orchestra in focus, the BBC Symphony Orchestra.

Today's programme is presented by Elizabeth Alker.

Antonio Vivaldi
Four Seasons - Autumn
Renaud Capuçon (violin)
Lausanne Chamber Orchestra

Felix Mendelssohn
Songs Without Words Op. 30/3 in E
Songs Without Words Op. 53/2 in Eb
Songs Without Words Op. 53/3 in G minor
Paul Lewis (piano)

Gerald Finzi
Elegy for Orchestra – "Fall of the Leaf" Op. 20
Lyn Fletcher (violin)
Halle Choir
Halle Orchestra
Mark Elder (conductor)

'Beethoven Dedications' from LSO St. Luke's
Ludwig van Beethoven
Violin Sonata No 9 in A major Op. 47, ‘Kreutzer’  
Chloë Hanslip (violin)
Danny Driver (piano)

Christopher Simpson
The Four Seasons – Autumn (Fantasia)
Sirius Viols:
Hille Perl
Marthe Perl
Frauke Hes

Leos Janacek
On An Overgrown Path (Series 1)
No. 10 "The Barn Owl Has Not Flown Away"
Thomas Ades (piano)

Johannes Brahms
Five Songs Op. 104 – No. 5 ‘Im Herbst’
Freiburger Vokalensemble
Wolfgang Schäfer (conductor)

Gustav Mahler
Rückert Lieder
Jess Dandy (contralto)
BBC Symphony Orchestra
Kristian Sallinen (conductor)

Joachim Raff
Symphony No. 10 'In Autumn'
Bamberg Symphony Orchestra
Hans Stadlmair (conductor)

Jacques Ibert
Flute Concerto
Elizaveta Ivanova (flute)
BBC Symphony Orchestra
Vinay Parameswaran (conductor)

To listen to this programme (using most smart speakers) just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Classical Live".


THU 16:00 Composer of the Week (m001ghgl)
Max Richter (b 1966)

Four Seasons in One Day

Donald Macleod presents Max Richter's reimagining of Vivaldi's concerto, Autumn, as Radio 3 celebrates the 300th anniversary of Vivaldi's Four Seasons. He also talks to the record-breaking composer about his iconic work, SLEEP.

German-born British musician Max Richter is one of the most influential composers of his generation. A streaming sensation with over 3 billion listens, he blends classical and electronic elements in his music and is just as at home on 6Music as on Radio 3. He’s a producer, pianist and serial collaborator whose trailblazing work ranges from ballets and orchestral works to major Hollywood scores and solo albums. At his studio in rural Oxfordshire, Donald sits down with Max to talk about his musical life, from making synthesisers in his bedroom, to Grammy nominations, writing the world’s longest lullaby and tackling some of society’s biggest questions through the medium of music. Across the week, we dig into Max’s eclectic back catalogue, and journey through one of his most popular works, his reinterpretation of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons.

Today, we journey into the dark and into other worlds, as Max talks about his obsession with space and night-time. We hear about one of his most ambitious projects to date, his record-breaking nocturnal opus, the 8.5-hour work SLEEP. Described as “an exploration of music, consciousness and human connectivity”. Max tells us about the experience of touring the work, and why he wants to puts the listener at the centre of his compositions – awake or not.

Sleep (excerpt)
Max Richter, piano
American Contemporary Music Ensemble

Erbarme Dich (from Ad Astra)
Air Lyndhurst Orchestra
Max Richter, celeste
Tom Foster, conductor

Journey (CP1919)
Aurora Orchestra
Nicholas Collon, conductor

Autumn (Recomposed by Max Richter: Vivaldi, The Four Seasons)
Daniel Hope, violin
Raphael Alpermann, harpsichord
Konzerthaus Kammerorchester Berlin
Andre de Ridder, conductor

Dream 3 (in the midst of my life)
Max Richter, piano, organ, synthesisers, electronics
Ben Russell, violin
Clarice Jensen, cello
American Contemporary Music Ensemble

Path 5 (delta)
Grace Davidson, soprano
Max Richter, piano, organ, synthesisers, electronics
American Contemporary Music Ensemble

Produced by Amelia Parker for BBC Audio Cardiff


THU 17:00 In Tune (m0028t4r)
Winter: Four Seasons in One Day

Katie Derham marks the 300th anniversary of Vivaldi's Four Seasons with a playlist of wintry delights including a recording of Winter by Rachel Podger.

Composer Joanna Forbes L'Estrange has reimagined the Four Seasons for voices, and brings a choir to the studio in a perform some of it, including a movement from Winter.

Plus, writer Martin Weitz tells us about his new play, 'The Secret Life of Vivaldi', which is being performed in Bristol.

CountryFile presenter John Craven tells us about one of his favourite winter sounds of Britain - the mating call of the red fox.


THU 19:00 Classical Mixtape (m0028t4t)
30 minutes of classical inspiration

As Radio 3 celebrates the 300th anniversary of Vivaldi's Four Seasons, this evening's Classical Mixtape is packed with seasonal music - from Frederick Delius' 'On Hearing the First Cuckoo in Spring' to Samuel Coleridge-Taylor's 'Whispers of Summer'. Plus piano music from Dora Pejačević and plenty more seasonal delights.
Producer: Kevin Satizabal Carrascal.

To listen on most smart speakers, just say 'Ask BBC Sounds to play Classical Mixtape.


THU 19:30 Radio 3 in Concert (m0028t4w)
Rachmaninov's 3rd Symphony

The BBC National Orchestra of Wales are joined once more by their much-loved Conductor Emeritus, Tadaaki Otaka, for a programme of Grace Williams, Max Bruch, and Sergei Rachmaninov.

Penillion opens the programme, a suite which Williams based on the Welsh musical tradition of the same name. Usually an improvised vocal line over harp accompaniment, Williams bends the form to the orchestra and captures the free melodic form with great effect. Max Bruch's ever-popular First Violin Concerto follows, a work which is not just the most famous of his works, but arguably the greatest of all romantic violin concertos. After the interval, the last of Rachmaninov's symphonies, and one which the composer himself thought the best of all of his works.

Presented by Alex Humphreys, live from BBC Hoddinott Hall in Cardiff.

Williams: Penillion
Bruch: Violin Concerto No 1 in G minor, Op 26
Rachmaninov: Symphony No 3 in A minor, Op 44

Eldbjørg Hemsing (violin)
BBC National Orchestra of Wales
Tadaaki Otaka (conductor)


THU 21:45 The Essay (m0028t4y)
Vivaldi - A Man for All Seasons

Let's murder Vivaldi

In his day, Antonio Vivaldi was well-known as a composer of operas, concertos and choral works, influencing the likes of J. S. Bach. But music careers can collapse quickly and when Vivaldi died in 1741, penniless, so did his music. Incredibly, the man and his work only became widely known again after the Second World War, with The Four Seasons leading the charge.

In this series of The Essay, celebrating 300 years since The Four Seasons was published, Phil Hebblethwaite traces Vivaldi’s return to fame from the beginning of the 20th century to the modern day. He speaks to leading Vivaldi scholars and musicians who played an essential part in the revival to reveal a story of brisk technological change, war, politics and commerce, as well as music.

4. Let’s murder Vivaldi

Vivaldi’s resurgence caught the cultural zeitgeist after the Second World War. Phil looks at the success of wider early music revival and speaks to harpsichordist and conductor Trevor Pinnock about his two landmark recordings of The Four Seasons using period instruments.

Presenter and writer: Phil Hebblethwaite
Script editor: Jo Glanville
Producer: Joanna Jolly
Series editor: Kirsten Lass
Mixer: Jon Calver
Commissioning editor: Matthew Dodd
A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 3


THU 22:00 Night Tracks (m0028t50)
Immersive music for late night listening

Sara Mohr-Pietsch presents an adventurous, immersive soundtrack for late-night listening, from classical to contemporary and everything in between.


THU 23:30 'Round Midnight (m0021y2g)
Spring is here!

Jamie Cullum, sitting in all week for Soweto Kinch, presents 'Round Midnight - a weeknight celebration of jazz from across the spectrum, with a particular focus on new UK music.

To mark the equinox - Jamie has a fresh Springtime composition by Chicago composer Macie Stewart, and pieces to bounce you into the new season by The Vernon Spring and Clifford Brown & Max Roach.

Jeff Parker concludes his week guiding us around his record shelves, by taking us on a deep dive into a release by an alias of the pioneering hip hop artist, MF DOOM.

Also in the show, music from Reuben James, Witch ‘n’ Monk, and Amara.

To listen on most smart speakers, just say: 'Ask BBC Sounds to play Round Midnight.'

FRIDAY 21 MARCH 2025

FRI 00:30 Through the Night (m0028t52)
Alfvén, Mahler and Strauss from Vienna

Baritone Christian Gerhaher joins the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra and conductor Daniel Harding in Mahler's Rückert-Lieder. Penny Gore presents.

12:31 AM
Hugo Alfven (1872-1960)
En skärgårdssägen, Op 20
Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Daniel Harding (conductor)

12:47 AM
Gustav Mahler (1860-1911)
Rückert-Lieder
Christian Gerhaher (baritone), Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Daniel Harding (conductor)

01:08 AM
Richard Strauss (1864-1949)
Also sprach Zarathustra, Op 30, symphonic poem after Nietzsche
Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Daniel Harding (conductor)

01:43 AM
Hugo Alfven (1872-1960)
Aftonen (The Evening)
Swedish Radio Choir, Eric Ericson (conductor)

01:47 AM
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
String Quartet in B flat major, Op 130 (vers. standard)
Vertavo String Quartet

02:31 AM
Edvard Grieg (1843-1907)
Slatter, Op 72 (Norwegian peasant dances)
Ingfrid Breie Nyhus (piano)

03:08 AM
Louis Spohr (1784-1859)
Nonet for wind quintet, string trio and double bass in F major, Op 31
Budapest Chamber Ensemble, Andras Mihaly (conductor)

03:38 AM
Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina (c.1525-1594)
Tu es Petrus - motet for 6 voices
Silvia Piccollo (soprano), Emanuela Galli (soprano), Fabian Schofrin (alto), Marco Beasley (tenor), Daniele Carnovich (bass), Emanuela Galli (soloist), Diego Fasolis (conductor)

03:44 AM
Leevi Madetoja (1887-1947)
Dance Vision (Tanssinaky), Op 11
Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Jorma Panula (conductor)

03:52 AM
Joseph Haydn (1732-1809)
Divertimento in C major, London Trio no 1 (Hob.4 no 1)
Carol Wincenc (flute), Philip Setzer (violin), Carter Brey (cello)

04:02 AM
Ignacy Komorowski (1824-57), arr. Tadeusz Maklakiewicz
Kalina (The Cranberry Tree)
Polish Radio Choir, Unknown (piano), Marek Kluza (director)

04:06 AM
Henry Eccles (c.1675-1745)
Sonata for double bass and piano
Gary Karr (double bass), Harmon Lewis (piano)

04:14 AM
Robert Schumann (1810-1856)
Arabeske for piano in C major, Op 18
Seung-Hee Kim (piano)

04:21 AM
Jean Sibelius (1865-1957)
Serenade no 1 in D major, Op 69a
Judy Kang (violin), Orchestre Symphonique de Laval, Jean-Francois Rivest (conductor)

04:31 AM
Henricus Albicastro (fl.1700-06)
Concerto a 4 in D minor, Op 7 no 2
Chiara Banchini (violin), Ensemble 415, Chiara Banchini (director)

04:39 AM
Bohuslav Martinu (1890-1959)
Etudes and polkas (book 3)
Antonin Kubalek (piano)

04:49 AM
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)
Fürchte dich nicht, ich bin bei dir, BWV.228
Tafelmusik Chamber Choir, Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra, Ivars Taurins (conductor)

04:58 AM
Marin Goleminov (1908-2000)
Sonata for solo cello
Anatoli Krastev (cello)

05:05 AM
Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840-1893), arr. Markus Theinert
The Nutcracker Suite, Op 71a
Brass Consort Koln

05:14 AM
Fernando Sor (1778-1839)
Introduction, Theme and Variations on Marlborough s'en va-t-en guerre, Op 28
Xavier Diaz-Latorre (guitar)

05:24 AM
Giovanni Battista Ferrandini (c.1710-1791), George Frideric Handel (1685-1759)
Il Pianto di Maria, cantata
Maria Keohane (soprano), European Union Baroque Orchestra, Lars Ulrik Mortensen (conductor)

05:49 AM
Cesar Franck (1822-1890)
Prelude, Fugue and Variation
Robert Silverman (piano)

06:01 AM
Bernhard Henrik Crusell (1775-1838)
Sinfonia concertante in B flat major, Op 3
Reijo Koskinen (clarinet), Pekka Katajamaki (bassoon), Esa Tukia (horn), Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Jukka-Pekka Saraste (conductor)


FRI 06:30 Breakfast (m0028sh7)
Wake up with classical music

Petroc Trelawny presents Radio 3's award-winning classical breakfast show with the Friday poem and music that captures the mood of the morning. Email your requests to 3breakfast@bbc.co.uk. To listen on most smart speakers just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Breakfast.”


FRI 09:30 Essential Classics (m0028sh9)
Refresh your morning with classical music

Georgia Mann plays the best in classical music, with discoveries and surprises rubbing shoulders with familiar favourites.

1000 Playlist starter – listen and send us your ideas for the next step in our musical journey today.

1030 Song of the Day – harnessing the magic of words, music and the human voice.

1115 Playlist reveal – a sequence of music suggested by you in response to our starter today.

1145 Slow Moment – time to take a break for a moment's musical reflection.

1230 Album of the Week

To listen on most smart speakers say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Essential Classics”


FRI 13:00 Classical Live (m0028shc)
Beethoven from LSO St Luke's and the BBC Symphony Orchestra perform Sibelius

Classical Live brings Beethoven's 2nd Razamovsky Quartet performed by Quatuor Modigliani, recorded exclusively for Radio 3 in London's St Luke's.

Our orchestra in focus this week, the BBC Symphony Orchestra, presents symphonies by Prokofiev and Sibelius, conducted by Vinay Parameswaran and Sakari Oramo respectively. Plus pianist Paul Lewis plays Schubert. Full tracklistings are below.

Today's programme is presented by Elizabeth Alker.

'Beethoven Dedications' from LSO St. Luke's
Ludwig van Beethoven
Rondino in Eb WoO. 25
LSO Wind Ensemble

Jean Sibelius
Symphony No. 1 in E minor Op. 39
BBC Symphony Orchestra
Sakari Oramo (conductor)

From LSO St Luke's 'Beethoven Dedications'
Ludwig van Beethoven
String Quartet No 8 in E minor, Op. 59 No. 2 ‘Razumovsky’
Quatuor Modigliani

Jesus Guridi
10 Basque melodies for orchestra - No. 6 Amorosa
BBC Symphony Orchestra
Francisco Coll (conductor)

Franz Schubert
Sonata in D major D. 850
Paul Lewis (piano)

Sergei Prokofiev
Symphony No. 7 in C# minor Op. 131
BBC Symphony Orchestra
Vinay Parameswaran (conductor)

Ludwig van Beethoven
Overture to Prometheus
BBC Symphony Orchestra
Sakari Oramo (conductor)

To listen to this programme (using most smart speakers) just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Classical Live".


FRI 16:00 Composer of the Week (m001ghg7)
Max Richter (b 1966)

In the Studio

Donald Macleod joins composer Max Richter in his creative habitat to explore how and why he writes.

German-born British musician Max Richter is one of the most influential composers of his generation. A streaming sensation with over 3 billion listens, he blends classical and electronic elements in his music and is just as at home on 6Music as on Radio 3. He’s a producer, pianist and serial collaborator whose trailblazing work ranges from ballets and orchestral works to major Hollywood scores and solo albums. At his studio in rural Oxfordshire, Donald sits down with Max to talk about his musical life, from making synthesisers in his bedroom, to Grammy nominations, writing the world’s longest lullaby and tackling some of society’s biggest questions through the medium of music. Across the week, we dig into Max’s eclectic back catalogue, and journey through one of his most popular works, his reinterpretation of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons.

In today’s final episode, we get a glimpse into Max’s creative practice as he takes us inside his purpose-built studio. From his very first recording, humanitarian issues and political activism have been a long-running thread through Max’s work, and he thinks of music as an ever-more crucial place to reflect. He and Donald discuss the role of the composer in the 21st century and what drives Max to write today, while playing a selection of his most recent works.

The Twins (Prague) (excerpt)
Max Richter, piano

Exiles (excerpt)
Baltic Sea Philharmonic
Kristjan Järvi, conductor

Testament
Max Richter, piano
Max Baillie, violin
Venetia Jollands, violin
Yume Fujise, viola
Max Ruisi, cello

Flowers of Herself
Baltic Sea Philharmonic
Kristjan Järvi, conductor

Voices: All Human Beings; Origins
Max Richter, Piano, organ, synthesiser
KiKi Layne, speaker
Ian Burdge, cello
Air Lyndhurst Orchestra
Tenebrae
Robert Ziegler, conductor

Winter (Recomposed by Max Richter: Vivaldi, The Four Seasons)
Elena Urioste, violin
Chineke! Orchestra
Max Richter, synthesiser

Mercy
Mari Samuelsen, violin
Max Richter, piano

Produced by Amelia Parker for BBC Audio Cardiff


FRI 17:00 In Tune (m0028shg)
Drivetime classical

Ian Skelly is joined by pianist Alexandros Kapelis, who performs live in the In Tune studio.


FRI 19:00 Classical Mixtape (m001nh5y)
Classical music for your journey

Popular scores written for the big and small screens bookend your Classical Mixtape journey this evening. In between, enjoy an uninterrupted sequence of delightful gems such as Holst's beautiful Choral Hymns from Rig Veda, a Scottish dance by Malcolm Arnold, a whimsical flute piece by Fauré, and a choral favourite from Edgar Bainton.

Producer: Helen Garrison


FRI 19:30 Friday Night is Music Night (m0028shk)
London Soundtrack Festival

Live from Alexandra Palace Theatre, the BBC Concert Orchestra and conductor Richard Balcombe take part in the first ever London Soundtrack Festival, playing some of the best-known themes ever written for screens big and small. Their programme includes a special tribute to composers and lyricists celebrating their centenary in 2025 – Ron Goodwin (633 Squadron) and Alan Bergman (Windmills of Your Mind) - as well as music by composers who will coming to the London Soundtrack Festival: Howard Shore (Lord of the Rings) and Anne Dudley (Bright Young Things). Plus there's the world premiere of a special suite of the greatest TV Quiz Show themes, arranged by Iain Farrington.

Presented by Sarah Walker.

Richard Sherman/Robert Sherman, arr Sutherland: Overture: Mary Poppins
Laura Karpman: The Marvels - Higher. Further. Faster. Together.
Barry: Out of Africa - Main Title
Legrand, arr Sutherland: The Windmills of Your Mind
Quiz Biz (medley of TV quiz show themes, arr Farrington) (first performance)
John Williams: Fiddler on the Roof (excerpts)
James Bond Medley (arr Black)

INTERVAL

Davis: Pride and Prejudice - Theme
Howard Shore, arr Witney: Suite - The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
Anne Dudley: Bright Young Things - The Decadence Waltz
Goodwin, arr Black: 633 Squadron - Main Title
Gunning: Martini & Black Magic
John Williams: ET the Extra-Terrestrial - Adventures on Earth

Violin, Nathaniel Anderson-Frank
Trombone, Robert Moseley
Alto Saxophone, Nick Moss
BBC Concert Orchestra
Conductor, Richard Balcombe


FRI 21:45 The Essay (m0028shm)
Vivaldi - A Man for All Seasons

Going digital

In his day, Antonio Vivaldi was well-known as a composer of operas, concertos and choral works, influencing the likes of J. S. Bach. But music careers can collapse quickly and when Vivaldi died in 1741, penniless, so did his music. Incredibly, the man and his work only became widely known again after the Second World War, with The Four Seasons leading the charge.

In this series of The Essay, celebrating 300 years since The Four Seasons was published, Phil Hebblethwaite traces Vivaldi’s return to fame from the beginning of the 20th century to the modern day. He speaks to leading Vivaldi scholars and musicians who played an essential part in the revival to reveal a story of brisk technological change, war, politics and commerce, as well as music.

5. Going digital

The Vivaldi revival enters the digital age, with Nigel Kennedy’s hit recording of The Four Seasons on CD in 1989 and Max Richter ‘recomposing’ the work in 2012 for the streaming age. Phil wonders whether the Vivaldi revival has reached a natural conclusion, only to find out that new works by the composer, and facts about his life, are still be unearthed.

Presenter and writer: Phil Hebblethwaite
Script editor: Jo Glanville
Producer: Joanna Jolly
Series editor: Kirsten Lass
Mixer: Jon Calver
Commissioning editor: Matthew Dodd
A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 3


FRI 22:00 Late Junction (m0028shp)
Brunhild Ferrari’s Mixtape

Verity Sharp presents a mixtape from the musique concrète and electroacoustic composer Brunhild Ferrari. Born in Frankfurt but based in Paris since her early twenties, Ferrari traces her musical memories across her mixtape, moving from childhood recollections of cabaret songs, to her love of jazz and fascination with musique concrète and alternative composition. In the mix, she also pays tribute to the work of her late husband Luc Ferrari.

Elsewhere in the show, Verity freewheels into the new season with music to mark the first day of spring. We’ll hear the sounds of beautifully-deconstructed bird song realised with the help of 3D ambisonic microphone recordings courtesy of British composer Natasha Barratt. Plus, new sounds from Chicago-based multi-instrumentalist Macie Stewart and more from Lonnie Holley’s forthcoming release, Tonky.

Produced by Cat Gough and Alex Yates
A Reduced Listening Production for BBC Radio 3


FRI 23:30 'Round Midnight (m0021y30)
Jamie Cullum’s live session selections

To celebrate his week sitting in for Soweto Kinch on ‘Round Midnight, and 15 years of his BBC Radio 2 Jazz Show, Jamie chooses some of the most-memorable live sessions recorded for his Jazz Show over the years.

Featuring live music recorded at Maida Vale from vocal royalty Dee Dee Bridgewater, Ezra Collective’s Joe Armon-Jones, and leading UK saxophonist Nubya Garcia accompanied by the Nu Civilisation Orchestra.

To listen on most smart speakers, just say: 'Ask BBC Sounds to play Round Midnight.'