SATURDAY 07 JUNE 2025
SAT 00:30 Through the Night (m002cp85)
Brahms's Second Piano Concerto from Lausanne
French pianist Alexandre Kantorow is the soloist in Brahms's second piano concerto with the Lausanne Chamber Orchestra conducted by his father, Jean-Jacques Kantorow. Penny Gore presents.
12:31 AM
Camille Saint-Saens (1835-1921)
Symphony no 2 in A minor, Op 55
Lausanne Chamber Orchestra, Jean-Jacques Kantorow (conductor)
12:54 AM
Johannes Brahms (1833-1897)
Piano Concerto no 2 in B flat major, Op 83
Alexandre Kantorow (piano), Lausanne Chamber Orchestra, Jean-Jacques Kantorow (conductor)
01:44 AM
Johannes Brahms (1833-1897)
Intermezzo in A major, Op 118 no 2
Alexandre Kantorow (piano)
01:50 AM
Franz Liszt (1811-1886)
Sonetto 104 del Petrarca ('Années de pèlerinage, deuxième année: Italie, S.161)
Alexandre Kantorow (piano)
01:57 AM
Maurice Ravel (1875-1937)
String Quartet in F major
Spirea Quartet
02:26 AM
Tumasch Dolf (1889-1963), Sep Mudest Nay (author)
Me anc egn pintg mumaint (Just a little while)
Schams-Heinzenberg-Domleschg Vocal Ensemble, Luzius Hassler (director)
02:31 AM
Jean-Philippe Rameau (1683-1764)
Suite from Platee (Junon jalouse) - comedie-lyrique in three acts
Concerto Copenhagen, Lars Ulrik Mortensen (director)
02:56 AM
Anthony Payne (1936-2021)
Of land, sea and sky for chorus and orchestra
BBC Symphony Chorus, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Andrew Davis (conductor)
03:25 AM
Edward Elgar (1857-1934)
Romance for bassoon and piano, Op 62
Maria Wildhaber (bassoon), Alexander Boeschoten (piano)
03:30 AM
Joseph Haydn (1732-1809)
String Quartet in D minor, Op 42
Pavel Haas Quartet
03:43 AM
Edouard Lalo (1823-1892)
2 Aubades for orchestra (1872)
CBC Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, Daniel Swift (conductor)
03:53 AM
Brian Eno (b.1948), arr. Julia Wolfe
Music for Airports 1/2
Bang on a Can All-Stars, Wayne du Maine (trumpet), Tommy Hoyt (trumpet), Julie Josephson (trombone), Christopher Washburne (trombone), Wu Man (lute), Katie Geissinger (alto), Phyllis Jo Kubey (alto), Alexandra Montano (alto)
04:05 AM
George Frideric Handel (1685-1759)
Suite no 2 in F major, HWV.427
Allan Rasmussen (harpsichord)
04:14 AM
Antoni Haczewski (C.18th/19th)
Symphony in D major
Polish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Andrzej Straszynski (conductor)
04:23 AM
Franz Schubert (1797-1828)
Impromptu in G flat major, D.899
Schaghajegh Nosrati (piano)
04:31 AM
Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840-1893)
Twill soon be midnight (aria from 'Pique Dame')
Joanne Kolomyjec (soprano), Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, Mario Bernardi (conductor)
04:36 AM
Oskar Merikanto (1868-1924)
Summer night waltz (Op 1) & Summer night idyll (Op 16 no 2)
Eero Heinonen (piano)
04:43 AM
Alessandro Scarlatti (1660-1725)
Sonata no 3 in C minor for flute, 2 violins, cello and continuo
Giovanni Antonini (flute), Il Giardino Armonico, Giovanni Antonini (director)
04:52 AM
Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958)
Fantasia on a theme of Thomas Tallis for double string orchestra
BBC Symphony Orchestra, Andrew Davis (conductor)
05:08 AM
Richard Charlton (b.1955)
Dances for the Rainbow Serpent
Guitar Trek
05:19 AM
Antonin Dvorak (1841-1904)
Serenade for winds in D minor, Op 44
Polish Radio Orchestra, Warsaw, Michal Klauza (conductor)
05:44 AM
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
Cello Sonata no 4 in C major, Op 102 no 1
Rafael Rosenfeld (cello), Marianna Shirinyan (piano)
05:59 AM
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791)
Gallimathias Musicum, K.32
Stavanger Symphony Orchestra, Fabio Biondi (conductor)
06:15 AM
Nicolas Gombert (c.1495-c.1560)
Credo a 8
BBC Singers, Bo Holten (conductor)
SAT 06:30 Breakfast (m002d1pg)
Wake up with classical music
Emma Clarke presents Radio 3’s Breakfast show live from Salford. You can contact the show by emailing 3breakfast@bbc.co.uk
To listen on most smart speakers, just say 'Ask BBC Sounds to play 3 Breakfast’
SAT 09:00 Saturday Morning (m002d1pj)
Barokksolistene and Sandrine Piau drop in
Hannah French with the best classical music to start your weekend.
Hannah is joined by the French soprano Sandrine Piau to talk about her musicial life as a world-renowned soloist and an upcoming performance of virtuosic arias by Handel at the Wigmore Hall - a programme which sets out to show why London's audiences flocked to hear his latest productions three centuries ago.
Marking their 20th anniversary, Norwegian ensemble Barokksolistene and founder/leader Bjarte Eike bring their special brand of sixteenth century alehouse revelry to the studio with live music and conversation about their exciting BBC Proms debut this year.
In June 1965, the Wandsworth School Boys’ Choir found themselves taking part in a performance and subsequent recording of Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana which began two decades of high profile performances and recordings as they became the go-to choir for many artists and composers, especially Benjamin Britten. We hear from past members who share their memories of life in the choir and their inspirational head of music at the time, Russell Burgess, and they reflect on how their time in the choir made a lasting impression on their lives.
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, the first ever image of a black hole created by the Event Horizon Telescope is the inspiration behind Heloise Werner’s M87. Named after the galaxy in which the hole exists, the piece was written for the BBC Singers and uses the data collection schedule alongside quotes from the press conferences which announced the publication of the image.
To listen on most smart speakers just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Saturday Morning”.
SAT 12:00 Earlier... with Jools Holland (m002d1pl)
Classical, blues and jazz for the weekend
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 Albinoni, Vaughan Williams and Fats Waller, with performances by Ensemble Modern. Timothy Ridout and Aretha Franklin. His guest is the musician and composer Joan Armatrading who introduces music she loves by Bach, Tippett and Rachmaninov.
To listen on most smart speakers just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Earlier with Jools Holland".
SAT 13:00 Music Matters (m002d1pn)
Knowing the Score
There's no 'I' in 'Team'
With the help of virtuoso soloists, charismatic conductors, world champions and famous athletes, presenter Eleanor Oldroyd invites sporting stars and big names in the classical world to share their experiences and draw comparisons between their professions on the stage or in a stadium. The guests introduce music that inspires them, and Eleanor chooses pieces with a sporting theme which have meant something to her in her in her time covering 13 Summer and Winter Olympic Games for the BBC.
What makes the perfect blend in the cricket/rugby/football team or orchestra/choir? How do you cope with differences of opinion and character, and what are the strains of being on tour? Before becoming a star soloist, soprano Elin Manahan Thomas was a member of The Sixteen. She explains how being part of a choir - which has different pressures and challenges from solo singing - helped prepare her to sing under the gaze of millions worldwide at the Royal Wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in 2018. World Cup winning cricketer Ebony Rainford-Brent recalls the joy of singing in her state school choir, and also playing piano, and describes how performing music individually and collectively helped her in her sporting career. They talk together about how sporting and musical teams need to blend their personalities to get the best results, despite differences of opinion and character. Elin describes the different challenges of being at the centre of attention, and working with her fellow singers as part of a larger ensemble, particularly when being together for long periods of time in rehearsals and on tours. There's also the thrill of a collective team effort in winning a match or giving an outstanding performance as a group.
Producer: Ben Collingwood.
SAT 14:00 Record Review (m002d1pr)
Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition with Marina Frolova-Walker & Andrew McGregor
The best recording of Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition to buy, download or stream, plus the best of the week's new releases
Presented by Andrew McGregor
2pm
Gillian Moore's pick of hot new releases: Emilie Mayer, Lassus, Armande de Polignac and Sibelius
3pm
Building a Library
Marina Frolova-Walker's personal recommendation for the ultimate recording of Mussorgsky's colourful, evocative Pictures at an Exhibition
Recommended version: Philadelphia Orchestra, Riccardo Muti (Warner 5747422, download only)
3.45pm
Record of the Week
Andrew's pick of the best of the best
SAT 16:00 Sound of Cinema (m002d1pt)
Sharks
As Jaws, the 1975 American thriller film directed by Steven Spielberg, celebrates its 50th anniversary, Matthew Sweet explores its fine score by John Williams. He also has a selection of music composed for movie sharks from the Meg to Shark Tale.
To listen on most smart speakers just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Sound of Cinema".
SAT 17:00 This Classical Life (m002d1pw)
Jess Gillam with... Afrodeutsche
Jess Gillam shares favourite music with composer Afrodeutsche.
The British born Ghanaian/Russian/German artist, composer, producer, and DJ Afrodeutsche is known for her genre-spanning music, and radio shows on BBC 6Music and Radio 3 Unwind. In this programme she brings along some favourite tracks to play to Jess, who has some selections of her own. Choices today include Chopin and Piazzolla as featured in the movies, Estonian composer Arvo Pärt, Kate Bush exploring different genres, Nigel Kennedy playing Vivaldi, and the jazz/classical/rock melting pot of American multi-instrumentalist David Sancious.
To listen on most smart speakers just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Radio 3”
SAT 18:00 Opera on 3 (m002d1py)
Tchaikovsky's The Queen of Spades
Live from the New York Met, conducted by Keri-Lynn Wilson and starring Sonya Yoncheva as Lisa and Arsen Soghomonyan as Hermann, the gambling addict army officer who falls for her. Their fatal affair, Hermann's destructive obsession and the tragedies of Lisa's abandoned fiancé Prince Yeletsky and her grandmother the Countess inspire some of Tchaikovsky's most profound and disturbing music.
Presented from the Met by Debra Lew Harder, with commentator Ira Siff.
Tchaikovsky: The Queen of Spades
Lisa ..... Sonya Yoncheva (soprano)
Hermann ..... Arsen Soghomonyan (tenor)
Prince Yeletsky ..... Igor Golovatenko (baritone)
The Countess ..... Violeta Urmana (mezzo-soprano)
Count Tomsky ..... Alexey Markov (baritone)
Pauline, Lisa's friend ..... Maria Barakova (mezzo-soprano)
Metropolitan Opera Chorus and Orchestra
Conductor Keri-Lynn Wilson
To listen on most smart speakers, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Opera on 3".
SAT 21:45 Music Planet (m002d1q0)
Laura Wilkie & Ian Carr in session
Kathryn Tickell presents a live session from Maida Vale featuring fiddle player Laura Wilkie and guitarist Ian Carr. Originally from Tain in the Highlands, Laura is a sought-after musician rooted in the Highland fiddle tradition, with influences ranging across a wide spectrum of genres. Ian Carr, an acclaimed English folk guitarist and composer, is known for his distinctive, innovative approach to traditional music. Together, they perform selections from Laura’s latest album, Vent, which draws inspiration from ancient waulking songs - traditional work songs sung by women in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland as they rhythmically beat tweed to soften and shrink it. Reimagined here as instrumental fiddle pieces, these melodies retain the songs’ original spirit of community, strength, humour, and shared knowledge.
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 22:45 New Music Show (m002d1q2)
Unsuk Chin's Xi, plus world premieres by Jessie Marino, Sylvia Lim and Alexander Papp
Kate Molleson presents Unsuk's Xi performed by the Birmingham Contemporary Music Group alongside the world premieres of Sylvia Lim's Moss that Holds from Tectonics in Glasgow, Jessie Marino's No Salt from the Witten New Music Days 2025, and Alexander Papp's deformed figures as part of the Art Mentor Foundation Lucerne at the Royal Academy of Music in London.
JULIA ULEHLA & DALAVA
Open Your Ear to the Great Below
ALEXANDER PAPP
Deformed Figures
Riot Ensemble
Aaron Holloway-Nahum (conductor)
SYLVIA LIM
Moss that Holds (world premiere)
BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra
Ilan Volkov (conductor)
JESSIE MARINO
No Salt (world premiere)
Ensemble Musikfabrik
UNSUK CHIN
Xi for Ensemble and Tape (1998)
Birmingham Contemporary Music Group
Nicolo Foron (conductor)
SUNDAY 08 JUNE 2025
SUN 00:30 Through the Night (m002d1q4)
Ajna Marosz and Il Cuore Barocco play Graupner and Telemann
A chamber music concert from the 2024 Allegretto Žilina International Music Festival in northern Slovakia. The mission of the festival is the presentation of artists from various countries, including Slovakia, who are winners of the most renowned world competitions. Penny Gore presents.
12:31 AM
Christoph Graupner (1683-1760)
Overture for Alto Flute and Strings in F major, GWV.447
Ajna Marosz (recorder), Il Cuore Barocco, Peter Zelenka (leader), Peter Zelenka (violin)
01:03 AM
Georg Philipp Telemann (1681-1767)
Concerto Polonaise in G major, TWV 43:G7
Il Cuore Barocco, Peter Zelenka (leader), Peter Zelenka (violin)
01:13 AM
Georg Philipp Telemann (1681-1767)
Concerto for Recorder and Flute in E minor, TWV 52:e1
Ajna Marosz (recorder), Il Cuore Barocco, Peter Zelenka (leader), Peter Zelenka (violin)
01:27 AM
Jan Cikker (1911-1989)
Slovak Suite, op 22
Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra, Mirko Krajci (conductor)
01:50 AM
Iris Szeghy (b.1956)
Cello Concerto
Andrej Gal (cello), Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra, Marian Lejava (conductor)
02:17 AM
Peter Zagar (b.1961)
Blumenthal Dance no 2 for violin, viola, cello, clarinet and piano (1999)
Opera Aperta Ensemble
02:25 AM
Michal Vilec (1902-1979)
Na rozhl'adni (On the Watchtower)
Ivica Gabrisova-Encingerova (flute), Matej Vrabel (piano)
02:31 AM
Sergey Rachmaninov (1873-1943)
Piano Concerto no 3 in D minor, Op 30
Simon Trpceski (piano), Beethoven Academy Orchestra, Vasily Petrenko (conductor)
03:13 AM
Claudio Monteverdi (1567-1643)
Magnificat for 6 voices from Vespro della Beata Vergine (Venice, 1610)
Montreal Early Music Studio, Christopher Jackson (conductor)
03:29 AM
Carlo Gesualdo (1566-1613), arr. Peter Maxwell Davies
2 Motets arr. Maxwell Davies for brass quintet
Graham Ashton Brass Ensemble
03:38 AM
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791)
Fantasy in C minor, K.396
Juho Pohjonen (piano)
03:46 AM
Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741)
Concerto in D minor, Op 3 no 11, from 'L'Estro Armonico'
Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra, Jeanne Lamon (conductor)
03:56 AM
Engelbert Humperdinck (1854-1921)
Weihnachten (Leise weht's durch alle Lande) for voice and piano
Benjamin Appl (baritone), James Baillieu (piano)
03:59 AM
Engelbert Humperdinck (1854-1921)
Dream Pantomime (Hansel and Gretel)
Symphony Nova Scotia, Georg Tintner (conductor)
04:08 AM
Antonin Dvorak (1841-1904)
4th mvt from Piano Trio no 4 in E minor, Op 90 'Dumky'
Delta Piano Trio
04:14 AM
Francois Couperin (1668-1733)
La Françoise (La pucelle) sonata (from Les Nations ordre no 1 in E minor)
Ricercar Consort, Henri Ledroit (conductor)
04:21 AM
Wilhelm Stenhammar (1871-1927)
Varnatt (Spring Night)
Swedish Radio Choir, Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Stefan Skold (conductor)
04:31 AM
Frederick Delius (1862-1934)
The Walk to the Paradise Garden
BBC Concert Orchestra, Barry Wordsworth (conductor)
04:41 AM
Piotr Moss (b.1949)
Wiosenno
Polish Radio Choir, Wlodzimierz Siedlik (conductor)
04:50 AM
Karl Goldmark (1830-1915)
Night and festal music - prelude to Act II from the opera 'Die Königin von Saba'
Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, Mario Bernardi (conductor)
04:58 AM
Gioachino Rossini (1792-1868)
Quartet no 1 in F major for flute, clarinet, bassoon and horn
Canberra Wind Soloists
05:09 AM
Alessandro Scarlatti (1660-1725)
Cello Sonata in D minor
Eva Saladin (violin), Daniel Rosin (cello), Johannes Keller (harpsichord)
05:16 AM
Carl Ditters von Dittersdorf (1739-1799)
Concerto for keyboard and strings in A major (1779)
Linda Nicholson (fortepiano), Florilegium Collinda
05:34 AM
Gustav Holst (1874-1934)
The Planets Suite, Op 32
BBC Philharmonic, Bach Choir, Yan Pascal Tortelier (conductor)
06:24 AM
Franz Liszt (1811-1886)
Liebestraume no 3 in A flat major (S.541)
Richard Raymond (piano)
SUN 06:30 Breakfast (m002czv2)
Start your day with classical music
Mark Forrest presents Radio 3’s Breakfast show live from Salford with birdsong and the best in classical music. This week's dawn chorus features the doyen of our waterways: the swan, with music that just has to include Tchaikovsky.
You can contact the show by emailing 3breakfast@bbc.co.uk.
To listen on most smart speakers, just say 'Ask BBC Sounds to play 3 Breakfast’
SUN 09:00 Sunday Morning (m002czv4)
Your perfect Sunday soundtrack
Sarah Walker with three hours of classical music to reflect, restore and refresh.
Today, Sarah shares one of the most familiar melodies from Elizabethan times, a breathtaking transcendental etude by Liszt, and a captivating performance of a movement from Vivaldi’s the Four Seasons in an arrangement for harp.
There’s also a thrilling journey through the skies from daybreak to dusk in Nielsen’s Helios Overture, a magical nocturnal tone poem by Hugo Alfgen, and music by one of China’s leading contemporary composers - Xiaogang Ye - which depicts a village in Sichuan province.
Plus, Lili Boulanger is inspired by the power of the sun.
A Tandem Production for BBC Radio 3
SUN 12:00 Private Passions (m002czv6)
Hilary Cottam
Hilary Cottam is a writer, innovator and social entrepreneur who wants to find solutions for some of the most intractable problems of our time - from the design of prisons to how we provide care for the elderly and might end long-term unemployment.
In her book Radical Help, she argued that we need to re-invent the Welfare State to match the challenges of the 21st century. In her most recent book, The Work We Need, she focuses on how we could re-imagine work in a way that benefits everyone, in a world facing immense technological change and ecological crisis.
Hilary's choices include Pergolesi, Chopin, Schubert and Satie.
SUN 13:30 Music Map (m002czv8)
A journey to Prokofiev's Peter and the Wolf
Sara Mohr-Pietsch with an exploration of musical connections that lead to Prokofiev's Peter and the Wolf. It was composed in 1936, a children's piece set against the backdrop of Stalinist Russia. We hear music based on fairy tales, other classical pieces for children, and music inspired by animals - ending with the classic recording of Peter and the Wolf with David Bowie as narrator, with the Philadelphia Orchestra conducted by Eugene Ormandy.
To listen to this programme (using most smart speakers), just say: "Ask BBC Sounds to play Music Map."
SUN 15:00 Choral Evensong (m002cp5p)
Canterbury Cathedral
Last Wednesday's service from Canterbury Cathedral to mark the 400th anniversary of the death of Orlando Gibbons.
Introit: Almighty and everlasting God (Gibbons)
Responses: Smith
Psalms 22, 23 (Camidge, Parisian tone)
First Lesson: Numbers 23 vv13-30
Canticles: Second Service (Gibbons)
Second Lesson: Luke 8 vv16-25
Anthem: O clap your hands (Gibbons)
Hymn: Morning glory, starlit sky (Song 13)
Voluntary: A fancy for a double orgaine (Gibbons)
David Newsholme (Director of Music)
Jamie Rogers (Assistant Director of Music)
To listen on most smart speakers just say “ask BBC Sounds to play Choral Evensong”.
SUN 16:00 Jazz Record Requests (m002czvb)
Cool and Mellow
Alyn Shipton presents jazz records of all styles as requested by you including music from Dave Brubeck, Peggy Lee, Gerry Mulligan and more.
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 (m002czvd)
Early Music Today
Presenter Hannah French is joined by music director Andrew Kirkman to celebrate 30 years of his ensemble The Binchois Consort - a hugely acclaimed vocal & instrumental ensemble that specialises in the music of the late medieval and early Renaissance periods.
She also chats to internationally renowned recorder player Tabea Schwartz about her new recording "More than muses", which celebrates female creative power in the Golden Age, with pieces by, or associated with Flemish musicians Adriana vanden Bergh, Leonora Duarte and Madeleine Phalèse.
There's news from London's Handel & Hendrix House, and from Garsington Opera - organisations who are both marking the 300th anniversary of Handel's opera Rodelinda this year.
Hannah also pays tribute to lutenist David "Dai" Miller and cellist David Watkin, both of whom sadly passed away last month.
Plus Hannah will have all the latest Early Music news, looking forward to some of the early music highlights from this year's BBC Proms, The Oxford Festival of the Arts Early Music Day, and the Edinburgh International Festival.
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 (m002czvg)
Bradford
As the city of Bradford hosts the New Music Biennial, which is being recorded for broadcast by Radio 3, this week's Words and Music brings us a mix of old and new writing and music evoking the city and its surrounds - from the drama of the moors to the quiet beauty of surrounding farmland; from the legacy of the Industrial Revolution to the multi-cultural magic of today. You will hear the music of Delius, of Jasdeep Singh Degun and Hans Zimmer - who imagines a woman from Bradford as the critical listener to all his film scores. There’ll be the emotional power of the Brontes, the wisdom of JB Priestley and the contemporary zip of AA Dhand's Virdee. We’ll hear how some of Bradford’s brilliant sons and daughters experienced the city, from the biography of the artist David Hockney to the memoir of the broadcaster Anita Rani to the working class playwright Andrea Dunbar who wrote Rita, Sue and Bob Too.
Our readers are Vinette Robinson who starred in Boiling Point and Enzo Cilenti of Game of Thrones and The Serpent Queen.
Readings:
Lines Composed in a Wood on a Windy Day by Anne Brontë
Low Moor Iron Works 1829 by John Nicolson
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
The Gallows Pole by Benjamin Myers
Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë
The Music of Frederick Delius by Jeremy Dibble
Home to Waggonhouses by Marjorie Olive Whitaker
Windy Ridge by William Riley
Bright Day by JB Priestley
Hockney, the biography by Christopher Sykes
Rita, Sue and Bob too by Andrea Dunbar
Bradford by Susanna Clark
The audiobook of The Right Kind of Girl by Anita Rani
The Family Tree by Sairish Hussain
BFD by Kirsty Taylor, performed by the poet
Hive Mother’s Prayer by Rachel Bower
The Blasphemers' Banquet by Tony Harrison
Streets of Darkness by AA Dhand
Bradford by Joolz Denby
The programme also includes an extract of Spinnin' and Weavin' about the Bradford-born cricketer Adil Rashid written and performed by Eddie Lawler
Produced in Salford by Olive Clancy
SUN 19:15 Between the Ears (m002czvj)
Iona Opie and the People in the Playground
A sonic exploration of children's culture, drawing on Iona Opie's extraordinary recordings that reveal the language and rituals of young people being remade through time.
From the late 1960s, Iona Opie travelled playgrounds across the U.K. with a tape recorder, collecting the chants, rhymes and games of children at play. Her recordings capture a world that is vibrant, poetic, and startlingly alive — a language passed between children, out of adult earshot.
We listen in on a world adults often forget how to hear. In the games of children — their rhymes, rituals, and secret codes — we glimpse a world both ancient and ever-changing, chaotic and precise, playful and profound.
Featuring recordings from the 1960 BBC series, The Lore and Language of Schoolchildren, and recordings from the C898 Opie Collection of Children's Games and Songs, available at the British Library. This collection is © British Library Board and extracts are used with permission. The complete collection is available for access through the British Library’s Listening and Viewing Service.
Produced by James Spinney
A Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 3
SUN 19:45 Sunday Feature (m002czvl)
Liza Lehmann
Liza Lehmann's singing debut came in November 1885 and she received encouragement from Clara Schumann. Nine years later, following her marriage to the composer and illustrator Herbert Bedford, she turned to composing instead of performing and became known as a writer of songs and a Professor of singing at the Guildhall School of Music. BBC New Generation Thinker Naomi Paxton re-assesses the long-overlooked life and music of Liza Lehmann (1862-1918), the first president of the Society of Women Musicians in 1911 and 1912.
Naomi talks to Liza Lehmann's great granddaughter, the opera singer Charmian Bedford, who sings two of her songs, recorded especially for the programme accompanied by Edward Picton-Turbervill. We also hear from composer Luke Whitlock, who is researching her career and tracking down scores for her unrecorded compositions.
Presenter: Naomi Paxton
Producer: Simon Funnell
The music you will hear are settings of a 1916 Constance Morgan poem Evensong, “O Moon of My Delight” from “In a Persian Garden” arranged for violin and piano and performed by Manon Galy (violin) and Anne de Fornel (piano), and a setting of Christina Rosetti's poem When I am Dead, my Dearest.
SUN 20:00 Brass Banding with Hannah Peel (m002czvn)
A Whit Friday street party
Hannah explores the towns taken over by marching brass bands for one day a year. Rosie Banham of Oldham’s Delph Band explains the allure of the Whit Friday parade and recommends a favourite marching band piece. Plus Hannah heads to Japan to discover its small but mighty banding scene with a brass arrangement of a traditional Japanese folk song. Elsewhere in the show there’s a hymn for Manchester from Tubular Brass, a tribute to Benjamin Britten from composer Simon Dobson, and a track demonstrating an early adoption of electronic equipment into brass bands.
Produced by Olivia Swift
A Reform Radio production for BBC Radio 3
SUN 21:00 20th Century Radicals (m002czvq)
Schoenberg: Breaking harmony
Kate Molleson and Gillian Moore present BBC Radio 3's series exploring the pivotal 'modern' musical works of the 20th century, the groundbreaking composers who created them, and the radical cultural and artistic movements which gave rise to them. In this episode, Gillian explores Arnold Schoenberg's expressionist masterpiece Pierrot Lunaire of 1912 and examines why early 20th Century Vienna was the perfect environment to push the limits of the harmonic language which had been forged there centuries earlier by Mozart and Haydn.
This programme features an extract from 'Serial Offender: Arnold Schoenberg's Twelve Tone Adventure', produced by Andrew McGibbon, a Curtains For Radio production for BBC Radio 4 (first broadcast: 3rd September 2024)
Produced by Sam Phillips
A Reduced Listening production for BBC Radio 3
To listen on most smart speakers just say, “ask BBC Sounds to play 20th Century Radicals”
SUN 22:00 Ultimate Calm (m002bhjz)
Hania Rani: Series 4
Drift off into dreams ft. Ben Rivers
Escape from the ordinary - Polish composer, pianist, and vocalist Hania Rani invites you to open up your mind and join her for a calming adventure through a world of dreamy music. There’ll be pieces from the likes of Toru Takemitsu, Arvo Pärt and one of Hania’s own collaborations with one of her closest friends - Polish cellist Dobrawa Czocher.
Plus, we’re transported to the musical safe haven of the British filmmaker and artist Ben Rivers, who shares a piece that not only quiets his brain but has also inspired his latest work.
Produced by Kit Callin
A Reduced Listening production
SUN 23:00 The Night Tracks Mix (m0018ypp)
Music for night owls
Hannah Peel with a magical sonic journey for late-night listening. Subscribe to receive your weekly mix on BBC Sounds.
SUN 23:30 Unclassified (m0026wkz)
Pitch, Phase and Pulse
Join Elizabeth Alker with a selection of fresh music from genre-defying artists as we journey through landscapes of ambient and experimental sounds. This week we hear the mesmerising new track ‘Ø’ from Danish composer and bassist Ida Dueland; Daniel Brandt’s remix of Hiro Ama’s terrifically optimistic ‘Everything Is Going to Make Sense In The End’; and new music from Belfast organist Brian Coney. We also drop in on a medieval French castle to hear the theremin played as you’ve never heard it before.
Produced by Geoff Bird
A Reduced Listening production for BBC Radio 3
To listen on most smart speakers just say “ask BBC Sounds to play Unclassified”
MONDAY 09 JUNE 2025
MON 00:30 Through the Night (m002czvv)
Benjamin Appl and James Baillieu in Madrid
A recital from German baritone Benjamin Appl with pianist James Baillieu featuring lieder by Schubert, Brahms, Wolf and others. Penny Gore presents.
12:31 AM
Franz Schubert (1797-1828)
Seligkeit, D.433
Benjamin Appl (baritone), James Baillieu (piano)
12:32 AM
Max Reger (1873-1916)
Des Kindes Gebet, from 'Schlichte Weisen, Op 76 Volume II'
12:34 AM
Hugo Wolf (1860-1903)
Er ist's, from 'Mörike-Lieder Volume I'
12:36 AM
Johannes Brahms (1833-1897)
Wiegenlied. Zar bewegt, from '5 Lieder, Op 49'
12:38 AM
Franz Schubert (1797-1828)
Der Einsame, D.800
12:42 AM
Johannes Brahms (1833-1897)
Mondnacht, WoO.21
12:45 AM
Franz Schreker (1878-1934)
Waldeinsamkeit
12:48 AM
Johannes Brahms (1833-1897)
Mein Mädel hat einen Rosenmund, from '49 Deutsche Volkslieder'
12:50 AM
Richard Strauss (1864-1949)
Allerseelen, from 'Letzte Blätter, Op 10 no 8'
12:54 AM
Franz Schubert (1797-1828)
Nachtstück, D.672
Benjamin Appl (baritone), James Baillieu (piano)
01:00 AM
Franz Schubert (1797-1828)
Drang in die Ferne, D.770
01:03 AM
Franz Schubert (1797-1828)
Der Wanderer an den Mond, D.870
01:05 AM
Adolf Strauss (1902-1944)
Ich weiss bestimmt, ich werd' dich wiedersehen
01:09 AM
Franz Schubert (1797-1828)
Das Heimweh, D.456
01:11 AM
Franz Schubert (1797-1828)
Der Wanderer, D.489
01:16 AM
Hugo Wolf (1860-1903)
Heimweh, from 'Mörike Lieder, IHW 22, Volume III'
01:20 AM
Hugo Wolf (1860-1903)
Gesang Weylas, from 'Mörike Lieder, IHW 22, Volume IV'
01:22 AM
Gustav Mahler (1860-1911)
Ich bin der Welt abhanden gekommen, from 'Rückert-Lieder'
01:29 AM
Franz Schubert (1797-1828)
Atys, D.585
01:33 AM
Johannes Brahms (1833-1897)
Feldeinsamkeit, Op 86 no 2
01:37 AM
Edvard Grieg (1843-1907)
Six Songs, Op 48
01:52 AM
Kurt Weill (1900-1950)
Youkali
Benjamin Appl (baritone), James Baillieu (piano)
01:55 AM
Franz Schubert (1797-1828), transc. Franz Liszt
7 Schubert Song transcriptions from S.560, S.561 & S.565
Naum Grubert (piano)
02:22 AM
Johannes Brahms (1833-1897)
2 Hungarian Dances - no 11 in D minor, no 5 in G minor
Sinfonia Varsovia, Robert Trevino (conductor)
02:31 AM
Andreas Hammerschmidt (1611/2-1675)
Suite in D minor for gambas, 'Erster Fleiss'
Hesperion XX, Jordi Savall (director)
02:46 AM
Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840-1893)
Symphony no 1 in G minor, 'Winter Daydreams'
Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, Alan Buribayev (conductor)
03:28 AM
Bernhard Molique (1802-1869), transc. Giulio Regondi, arr. Joseph Petric and Erica Goodman
6 Songs without words
Joseph Petric (accordion), Erica Goodman (harp)
03:41 AM
Joseph Haydn (1732-1809)
Sonata in G minor (H.
16.44)
Petras Geniusas (piano)
03:52 AM
Alessandro Stradella (1639-1682)
Ardo, sospiro e piango
Emma Kirkby (soprano), David Thomas (bass), Jakob Lindberg (lute), Anthony Rooley (lute), Anthony Rooley (director)
03:59 AM
Arthur Honegger (1892-1955)
Pastorale d'été
Argovia Philharmonic, Rune Bergmann (conductor)
04:08 AM
Johan Halvorsen (1864-1935), George Frideric Handel (1685-1759)
Passacaglia after Handel
Byungchan Lee (violin), Cameron Crozman (cello)
04:15 AM
Johann Michael Bach (1648-1694)
Halt was du hast
Vox Luminis, Lionel Meunier (director)
04:22 AM
Stanislaw Moniuszko (1819-1872)
Introduction to Act III & Dances of the Highlanders from 'Halka'
Polish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Lukasz Borowicz (conductor)
04:31 AM
Ilmari Hannikainen (1892-1955)
Ensilumi - First snow
Risto Kyro (piano)
04:36 AM
Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741)
The Four Seasons - Winter
Davide Monti (violin), Il Tempio Armonico
04:44 AM
Carl Maria von Weber (1786-1826)
Clarinet Concertino in E flat major, Op 26
Kari Kriikku (clarinet), Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Sakari Oramo (conductor)
04:54 AM
Manuel de Falla (1876-1946)
'Vivan los que rien' - Salud's aria from Act I scene 1 of "La Vida Breve"
Manon Feubel (soprano), Orchestre Symphonique de Laval, Jacques Lacombe (conductor)
05:00 AM
Nino Rota (1911-1979)
Otto e mezzo (Eight and a Half)
Hungarian Brass Ensemble
05:05 AM
Richard Rodney Bennett (1936-2012), arr. David Lindup
Murder on the Orient Express - music from the film
BBC Philharmonic, Rumon Gamba (conductor)
05:17 AM
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
String Quartet no 2 in G major, Op 18 no 2
Amar Quartet
05:43 AM
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791)
Piano Sonata in B flat major, K.333
Gabor Farkas (piano)
06:02 AM
Erich Wolfgang Korngold (1897-1957)
Violin Concerto in D major, Op 35
Chantal Juillet (violin), New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, Franz-Paul Decker (conductor)
MON 06:30 Breakfast (m002cynt)
Brighten your day with classical music
Tom McKinney presents Radio 3’s Breakfast show live from Salford. With birdsong, Bach Before 7 and the best in classical music. You can contact the show by emailing 3breakfast@bbc.co.uk.
To listen on most smart speakers, just say 'Ask BBC Sounds to play 3 Breakfast’.
MON 09:30 Essential Classics (m002cynw)
Celebrating classical greats
Georgia Mann plays the best in classical music, with discoveries and surprises rubbing shoulders with familiar favorites.
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 (m002cyny)
Cupertinos choir live at Wigmore Hall in London
Elizabeth Alker showcases the best performances by BBC orchestras, choirs, ensembles and other great performing groups from Europe and around the globe.
The week begins with a live concert from London’s Wigmore Hall given by Portuguese choir Cupertinos. In a programme of music from their homeland, they highlight the creative spirit fostered at the cathedral in the city of Évora in the early 1600s.
The BBC National Orchestra of Wales take centre stage on Classical Live throughout this week, with a particular focus on the orchestral music of 20th-century Welsh composer Grace Williams. Today we hear her playful Fantasia on Welsh Nursery Rhymes, as well as the orchestra playing Mendelssohn’s ‘Scottish’ Third Symphony, in concert in Aberystwyth.
And across the week there’s chamber music recorded in Belfast, beginning today with former Radio 3 New Generation Artists Eivind Ringstad and the Mithras Trio in music by Gabriel Fauré.
1pm
Live from Wigmore Hall, London, presented by Hannah French
Francisco Garro
Asperges me
Filipe de Magalhães
Missa O soberana luz
Estêvão Lopes Morago
3 motets: Lætentur cæli, Erumpant Montes, Commissa mea
Manuel Cardoso
Accepit ergo
Pedro de Cristo
O magnum mysterium
Estêvão Lopes Morago
Gaudete cum lætitia
Estêvão de Brito
Ego dilecto meo
Duarte Lobo
Pater Peccavi
Duarte Lobo
Ave Regina cælorum
Estêvão de Brito
O Rex gloriæ
Cupertinos
Pedro Teixeira (conductor)
2pm
Grace Williams
Fantasia on Welsh Nursery Tunes
BBC National Orchestra of Wales
Kristian Sallinen (conductor)
Gabriel Fauré
Piano Quartet No. 1 in C minor, Op. 15
Mithras Trio
Eivind Ringstad (viola)
Georg Philipp Telemann
Fantasia No 7 (1st mvt, ‘Alla francese’) for Solo Recorder
Lucie Horsch (recorder)
3pm
Felix Mendelssohn
Symphony No. 3 in A minor, Op. 56 ‘Scottish’
BBC National Orchestra of Wales
Gergely Madaras (conductor)
Grace Williams
Hen Walia (Welsh Overture)
BBC National Orchestra of Wales
Martyn Brabbins (conductor)
To listen to this programme (using most smart speakers) just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Classical Live".
MON 16:00 Composer of the Week (m002cyp0)
Fanny Mendelssohn (1805-1847)
An Emerging Talent
Donald Macleod traces the musical development of Fanny Hensel née Mendelssohn, whose own potential would be held back by the conventions of the time. Today he delves into the period when Fanny and younger brother Felix were growing up, and supporting one another in their music making, only for Fanny to see Felix being pushed further forward by their family, whereas she would not be encouraged to pursue music professionally.
Oratorio on words from the Bible, H-U 260 (Introduction)
Dortmund University Orchestra
Willi Gundlach, conductor
Das Jahr, H-U 385 (September)
Lauma Skride, piano
Piano Quartet in A flat, H-U 55
Kaleidoscope Chamber Collective
Ferne, H-U 97
Anna Lucia Richter, soprano
Budapest Festival Orchestra
Ivan Fischer, conductor
Der Fischer, H-U 85
Tobias Berndt, baritone
Alexander Fleischer, piano
An Suleika, H-U 148
Tobias Berndt, baritone
Alexander Fleischer, piano
Mailied, H-U 122
Tobias Berndt, baritone
Alexander Fleischer, piano
Piano Sonata in C minor, H-U 128
Betty Ann Miller, piano
Produced by Luke Whitlock
MON 17:00 In Tune (m002cyp2)
World-class classical music – live
Petroc Trelawny is joined by pianists Pavel Kolesnikov and Samson Tsoy who have a new album both playing the piano on Stravinsky's Rite of Spring and Ravel's Mother Goose. Plus, the Australian/British soprano Samantha Clarke is starring in La Traviata at The Grange Festival.
MON 19:00 Classical Mixtape (m001q798)
Classical music for focus or relaxation
Tonight's Classical Mixtape has everything from a lively tango to the sweet song of the skylark, as well as dreamy choral music to help you wind down for the weekend.
Produced by Kevin Satizabal Carrascal
MON 19:30 Radio 3 in Concert (m002cyp6)
Janácek’s Glagolitic Mass from Liverpool
The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic orchestra join fast rising guest conductor Dinis Sousa to perform Beethoven Symphony No.6 'Pastoral'. Plus, after the interval, guest soloists and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Choir will take to the stage for Janáček's epic Glagolitic Mass.
Presented by Penny Gore and recorded on 12th April 2025.
Beethoven Symphony No.6 'Pastoral'
Interval
Janáček Glagolitic Mass
Evelina Dobračeva soprano
Katarina Karnéus mezzo-soprano
Ladislav Elgr tenor
Jan Martiník bass
Daniel Greenway organ
Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Choir
Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra
Dinis Sousa conductor
“The fragrance of the trees was like incense,” declared Leoš Janáček, “I felt a cathedral grow from a great forest”. And with its jubilant trumpets, thundering organ and raw, unbuttoned lust for life, there’s nothing quite like the Glagolitic Mass. It’s an ear-tingling, soul-shaking adventure of a lifetime for the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Choir and fast rising guest conductor Dinis Sousa – and there’s no better way to set the mood than with Beethoven’s leafiest (and loveliest) symphony.
To listen on most smart speakers just say, "ask BBC sounds to play Radio 3 in Concert".
MON 21:45 The Essay (m002cyp8)
Instrumental
1. Kim Moore, trumpet
Playing a musical instrument - whether you're professional or amateur - rarely follows a simple trajectory of practice and progress and it makes psychological as much as physical demands that can come to define a person. Alan Hall - who's returned to trumpet playing after a three decade hiatus - talks with musicians about the nature of their relationship to their chosen instrument.
Today, the poet Kim Moore who wrote a book about her complex instrumental entanglement, What The Trumpet Taught Me.
Including extracts from 'You Can't Mean It' performed by the Soul Survivors and Askam Town Silver Band playing Concierto de Aranjuez by Rodrigo.
A Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 3
MON 22:00 Night Tracks (m002cypb)
Music for the still of night
Hannah Peel presents an adventurous, immersive soundtrack for late-night listening, from classical to contemporary and everything in between.
MON 23:30 'Round Midnight (m002cypd)
Donovan Haffner’s 4/4
‘Round Midnight is presented by award-winning saxophonist Soweto Kinch. This weekday late-night show celebrates the thriving UK jazz scene and spotlights the best new music alongside incredible acts from past decades.
This week Soweto is joined by one of the exciting artists in UK's jazz next generation cohort, alto saxophonist Donovan Haffner. An alumnus and continuing Tomorrow’s Warriors collaborator, Donovan has worked with Moses Boyd, Balimaya Project and Nu Civilisation Orchestra, and is now stepping out as a one-to-watch bandleader. He released his debut album Alleviate this spring, featuring guitarist Francisco Garcia De-Paredes, pianist Jay Verma, double bassist, Harry Pearce, and drummer Harry Ling.
From Monday to Thursday, Donovan will be guiding us round his record collection, sharing some of the albums that have inspired him, and that he has on heavy rotation. Tonight, his first selection is an album by a UK jazz band widely celebrated for their rhythmic daring.
Plus, there’s music from Eric Lau, Mamiko Kitaura, and Jo Levano and Trio Tapestry.
TUESDAY 10 JUNE 2025
TUE 00:30 Through the Night (m002cypg)
Ravel's Piano Concerto in G, from Stockholm
The Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra performs alongside Lucas Debargue in Ravel's Piano Concerto in G. Opening the concert is Eleven Gates, a piece by Swedish composer Anders Hillborg premiered in 2006. Penny Gore presents.
12:31 AM
Anders Hillborg (b.1954)
Eleven Gates
Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Roberto Gonzalez-Monjas (conductor)
12:50 AM
Maurice Ravel (1875-1937)
Piano Concerto in G
Lucas Debargue (piano), Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Roberto Gonzalez-Monjas (conductor)
01:12 AM
Lucas Debargue (b.1990)
Toccata (encore)
Lucas Debargue (piano)
01:16 AM
Modest Mussorgsky (1839-1881)
Pictures at an Exhibition
Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra (soloist), Roberto Gonzalez-Monjas (conductor)
01:51 AM
Knut Hakanson (1887-1929), Erik Axel Karlfeldt (lyricist)
Stjarngossar (Starboys) - from 3 Karlfelt Partsongs, Op 39
Swedish Radio Choir, Eric Ericson (conductor)
01:53 AM
Ake Malmfors (1918-1951), Sigfrid Siwertz (lyricist)
Pilarna
Swedish Radio Choir, Eric Ericson (conductor)
01:55 AM
Maurice Ravel (1875-1937)
Histoires naturelles
Olle Persson (baritone), Bengt-Ake Lundin (piano)
02:12 AM
Joseph Haydn (1732-1809)
String Quartet in D major Op 64 No 5 'The Lark'
Yggdrasil String Quartet
02:31 AM
Grace Williams (1906-1977)
Symphony no 2
BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Martyn Brabbins (conductor)
03:12 AM
Georg Philipp Telemann (1681-1767)
Concerto for Flute, Violin and Cello, TWV 53:A2
Wroclaw Baroque Orchestra, Jaroslaw Thiel (conductor)
03:32 AM
Johann Rosenmuller (1619-1684)
Confitebor tibi - Psalm 110/111
Johanna Koslowsky (soprano), David Cordier (counter tenor), Gerd Turk (tenor), Stephan Schreckenberger (bass), Carsten Lohff (organ), Cantus Colln, Konrad Junghanel (lute), Konrad Junghanel (director)
03:47 AM
Paule Maurice (1910-67)
Tableaux de Provence - 5 pieces for saxophone and orchestra
Julia Nolan (saxophone), CBC Vancouver Orchestra, Mario Bernardi (conductor)
04:02 AM
Guillaume de Machaut (c.1300-1377)
Ballade 32, 'Ploures, dames'
Oxford Camerata, Jeremy Summerly (conductor)
04:11 AM
Erik Satie (1866-1925)
En habit de cheval
Pianoduo Kolacny (piano duo), Steven Kolacny (piano), Stijn Kolacny (piano)
04:18 AM
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791), arr. Zoltan Kocsis
Concert rondo for horn and orchestra in E flat major, K371
Laszlo Gal (horn), Hungarian National Philharmonic Orchestra, Zoltan Kocsis (conductor)
04:24 AM
Barbara Strozzi (1619-1677)
"Begl'occhi, bel seno" Costumo de grandi for soprano, 2 violins and continuo
Susanne Ryden (soprano), Musica Fiorita, Daniela Dolci (director)
04:31 AM
Chiel Meijering (b.1954)
La vengeance d'une femme
Janine Jansen (violin)
04:37 AM
Susan Spain-Dunk (1880-1962)
Two Scottish Pieces for orchestra, Op 54
BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Stephen Bell (conductor)
04:44 AM
Nadia Boulanger (1887-1979)
Three Pieces for Cello and Piano
Samuel Niederhauser (cello), Denis Linnik (piano)
04:52 AM
Domenico Cimarosa (1749-1801), arr. Arthur Benjamin
Trumpet Concerto in C minor
Geoffrey Payne (trumpet), Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Michael Halasz (conductor)
05:03 AM
Maurice Ravel (1875-1937)
String Quartet in F major
New Helsinki Quartet
05:33 AM
Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847)
Symphony No 4 in A major Op 90, 'Italian'
Hungarian Radio Orchestra, Tamas Vasary (conductor)
06:03 AM
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)
Concerto for 2 violins and string orchestra (BWV.1043) in D minor
Espen Lilleslatten (violin), Renata Arado (violin), Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, Ivor Bolton (conductor)
06:19 AM
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791)
Violin Sonata in C major, K 303
Tai Murray (violin), Shai Wosner (piano)
TUE 06:30 Breakfast (m002cym2)
The best classical music wake-up call
Tom McKinney presents Radio 3’s Breakfast show live from Salford. With birdsong, Bach Before 7 and the best in classical music. You can contact the show by emailing 3breakfast@bbc.co.uk
To listen on most smart speakers, just say 'Ask BBC Sounds to play 3 Breakfast’
TUE 09:30 Essential Classics (m002cym4)
A feast of great 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”
TUE 13:00 Classical Live (m002cym6)
Brahms: a sonata in Belfast and a symphony in Cardiff
Elizabeth Alker showcases the best performances by BBC orchestras, choirs, ensembles and other great performing groups from Europe and around the globe.
Throughout this week we focus on the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, travelling with them around the country and especially featuring the music of Welsh composer Grace Williams. Today, we hear her Sinfonia Concertante alongside the orchestra playing Brahms’s Fourth Symphony in its home venue: BBC Hoddinott Hall in Cardiff.
There’s also Brahms from Belfast – his Clarinet Sonata No. 1 performed by former BBC New Generation Artist Annalien van Wauwe with pianist Yannick Van de Velde. They also play the sonata by Polish composer Mieczyslaw Weinberg.
Plus 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. Today, Heloise Werner marks the year 2019 with M87, a piece inspired by the first ever image of a black hole created by the Event Horizon Telescope.
1pm
Johannes Brahms
Clarinet Sonata in E flat major, Op. 120 No. 2
Annalien van Wauwe (clarinet)
Yannick Van de Velde (piano)
Claude Debussy
Prelude a l’apres-midi d’un faun
BBC National Orchestra of Wales
Felix Ardanaz (conductor)
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Piano Sonata in C minor, K.457
Vadym Kholodenko (piano)
Antonio Vivaldi
Concerto for 2 trumpets in D major, RV781
Jaroslav Roucek (trumpet)
Hannes Rux (trumpet)
Freiburg Baroque Orchestra
Cecilia Bernardini (director)
Heloise Werner
M87
BBC Singers
2.15pm
Johannes Brahms
Symphony No. 4 in E minor
BBC National Orchestra of Wales
Simone Menezes (conductor)
Mieczyslaw Weinberg
Clarinet Sonata, Op. 28
Annalien van Wauwe (clarinet)
Yannick Van de Velde (piano)
Grace Williams
Sinfonia Concertante for piano and orchestra
Clare Hammond (piano)
BBC National Orchestra of Wales
Jac van Steen (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 (m002cym8)
Fanny Mendelssohn (1805-1847)
Marriage on the Horizon
Donald Macleod explores the period Fanny Mendelssohn forms a relationship with the artist Wilhelm Hensel, with whom she would eventually marry and raise a family. Today Donald delves into the initial hesitations towards Wilhelm on the part of Fanny’s protective parents, and Wilhelm’s own worry over Fanny’s closeness with her brother Felix.
Prelude in G, H-U 243
Gail Archer, organ
Der Rosenkranz, H-U 168
Chen Reiss, soprano
Jewish Chamber Orchestra Munich
Daniel Grossmann, conductor
Ostersonate, piano sonata in A, H-U 235
Isata Kanneh-Mason, piano
Am Flusse, H-U 204
Tobias Berndt, baritone
Alexander Fleischer, piano
Harfners Lied, H-U 162
Tobias Berndt, baritone
Alexander Fleischer, piano
Deinem Blick mich zu bequemen, H-U 151
Tobias Berndt, baritone
Alexander Fleischer, piano
Sonata o Fantasia, H-U 238
Raphaela Gromes, cello
Julian Riem, piano
Hiob, H-U 258
Crouch End Festival Chorus
London Mozart Players
David Temple, conductor
Produced by Luke Whitlock
TUE 17:00 In Tune (m002cymc)
The classical soundtrack for your evening
Petroc Trelawny welcomes live music from pianist Khatia Buniatishvili, who performs at the Barbican this week. And composer Gavin Sutherland has a new album packed full of vintage TV and Radio theme tunes.
TUE 19:00 Classical Mixtape (m002cymf)
Your daily classical soundtrack
Take time out with a 30-minute soundscape of classical music.
TUE 19:30 Radio 3 in Concert (m002cymh)
The Ulster Orchestra Season Finale- Shostakovich and Walton
The Ulster Orchestra take to the stage of the Ulster Hall with conductor Dinis Sousa performing a programme of music by Walton and Shostakovich, opening with the colourful Portsmouth Point written when the composer was just 23, inspired by a print by the English artist Thomas Rowlandson. Next, cellist Nicolas Altstaedt features in Walton's Cello Concerto originally commissioned by cellist Gregor Piatigorsky and given it's premiere in Boston in 1957.
Finally, Shostakovich's mighty Symphony No. 5 in D minor, seen by many as an act of defiance against Stalin, it has been referred to as "a Soviet artist’s reply to just criticism’ and is one of the composer's most famous pieces- wonderfully orchestrated and full of energy.
Ulster Orchestra
Dinis Sousa, conductor
Nicolas Altstaedt, cello
Walton: Portsmouth Point
Walton: Cello Concerto
Shostakovich: Symphony No.5 in D minor, Op. 47
During the interval our soloist will be in conversation with presenter John Toal.
TUE 21:45 The Essay (m002cymk)
Instrumental
2. Timothy Rundle, oboe
Playing a musical instrument - whether you're professional or amateur - rarely follows a simple trajectory of practice and progress and it makes psychological as much as physical demands that can come to define a person. Alan Hall - who's returned to trumpet playing after a three decade hiatus - talks with musicians about the nature of the relationship to their chosen instrument.
Today, Timothy Rundle, the Principal Oboe with the Philharmonia, recalls falling for this notoriously tricky instrument before he was big enough to play it.
Including extracts from the Philharmonia's recordings of Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake, Stravinsky's The Firebird Suite and Bach's Goldberg Variations arranged by Robin O'Neill.
A Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 3
TUE 22:00 Night Tracks (m002cymn)
Immersive music for after-hours
Hannah Peel presents an adventurous, immersive soundtrack for late-night listening, from classical to contemporary and everything in between.
TUE 23:30 'Round Midnight (m002cymq)
A remastered classic from Cecil McBee
‘Round Midnight is presented by award-winning saxophonist Soweto Kinch. This weekday late-night show celebrates the thriving UK jazz scene and spotlights the best new music alongside incredible acts from past decades.
Soweto spins a track from double bass maestro Cecil McBee’s recently remastered debut album.
Virtuosic alto saxophonist Donovan is back tonight with a second record he’d like to share, for 4/4. This time, he has selected a live album by a legend of the music and fellow alto saxophonist.
Also in the programme, music from Tess Hirst, The Kanpai Quartet, and New Regency Orchestra.
WEDNESDAY 11 JUNE 2025
WED 00:30 Through the Night (m002cyms)
American Landscapes
From Turin, the RAI National Symphony Orchestra and conductor David Greilsammer perform music by Grofé, Daugherty, Ives and Copland. Penny Gore presents.
12:31 AM
Charles Ives (1874-1954)
Three Places in New England
RAI National Symphony Orchestra, David Greilsammer (conductor)
12:54 AM
Ferde Grofe (1892-1972)
Mississippi Suite
RAI National Symphony Orchestra, David Greilsammer (conductor)
01:12 AM
Aaron Copland (1900-1990)
Appalachian Spring Suite
RAI National Symphony Orchestra, David Greilsammer (conductor)
01:41 AM
Michael Daugherty (b.1964)
Route 66
RAI National Symphony Orchestra, David Greilsammer (conductor)
01:49 AM
Lou Harrison (1917-2003)
Harp Suite
David Tanenbaum (guitar), William Winant (percussion), Scott Evans (percussion), Joel Davel (drums)
02:04 AM
Antonin Dvorak (1841-1904)
String Quartet no 12 in F major, Op 96, 'American'
Keller Quartet
02:31 AM
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
Piano Concerto no 3 in C minor
Maria João Pires (piano), National Orchestra of France, Emmanuel Krivine (conductor)
03:07 AM
Pierre de la Rue (1452-1518)
Missa Sancto Job
Orlando Consort
03:43 AM
Malcolm Forsyth (1936-2011)
The Kora Dances
Julia Shaw (harp), Nora Bumanis (harp)
03:51 AM
Stanislaw Moniuszko (1819-1872)
Overture to Halka (Original version)
Polish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Lukasz Borowicz (conductor)
03:59 AM
Ludvig Norman (1831-1885)
Contrasts for Piano, Op 61 nos 3 & 4
Bengt-Ake Lundin (piano)
04:04 AM
Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck (1562-1621)
Tes beaux yeux causent mon amour - chanson for 4 voices
Amsterdam Loeki Stardust Quartet
04:08 AM
Adrien Francois Servais (1807-1866), trad,
La Romanesca
Servais Ensemble
04:12 AM
Ferruccio Busoni (1866-1924)
Seven Elegies - no 2, All' Italia
Valerie Tryon (piano)
04:21 AM
Alexander Glazunov (1865-1936)
Concert waltz for orchestra no 1 in D major, Op 47
CBC Vancouver Orchestra, Kazuyoshi Akiyama (conductor)
04:31 AM
Georg Philipp Telemann (1681-1767)
Concerto in A minor for Two Recorders, TWV.52:a2
Lea Sobbe (recorder), Hojin Kwon (recorder), Jorg-Andreas Botticher (harpsichord), Schola Cantorum Basiliensis Instrumental Ensemble
04:40 AM
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791)
Prelude and Fugue in C major, K. 394, for piano
Christoph Hammer (fortepiano)
04:49 AM
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)
Komm, Jesu, komm, BWV.229
Tafelmusik Chamber Choir, Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra, Ivars Taurins (conductor)
04:58 AM
Claude Debussy (1862-1918)
Prelude a l'après-midi d'un faune
BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Donald Runnicles (conductor)
05:08 AM
Johannes Brahms (1833-1897)
3 Lieder, arr. for cello and piano
Sol Gabetta (cello), Bertrand Chamayou (piano)
05:16 AM
Igor Stravinsky (1882-1971)
8 Instrumental miniatures for 15 instruments
Canadian Chamber Ensemble, Raffi Armenian (director)
05:24 AM
Antoine Reicha (1770-1836)
Oboe Quintet in F major, Op 107
Les Adieux
05:52 AM
Jean-Baptiste Lully (1632-1687)
Plainte d'Armide (from Les Amours deguises)
Isabelle Poulenard (soprano), Ricercar Consort, Henri Ledroit (conductor)
06:00 AM
Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847)
Piano Trio no 2 in C minor, Op 66
Hiroko Sakagami (piano), Matthias Enderle (violin), Patrick Demenga (cello)
WED 06:30 Breakfast (m002cywv)
Start the day on the right note with classical music
Tom McKinney presents Radio 3’s Breakfast show live from Salford. With birdsong, Bach Before 7 and the best in classical music. You can contact the show by emailing 3breakfast@bbc.co.uk
To listen on most smart speakers, just say 'Ask BBC Sounds to play 3 Breakfast’
WED 09:30 Essential Classics (m002cywx)
Your perfect classical playlist
Georgia Mann plays the best in classical music, with discoveries and surprises rubbing shoulders with familiar favorites.
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 (m002cywz)
BBC National Orchestra of Wales with Mendelssohn and Williams
Elizabeth Alker showcases the best performances by BBC orchestras, choirs, ensembles and other great performing groups from Europe and around the globe.
We continue our focus this week on the BBC National Orchestra of Wales with the First Symphony by Grace Williams, the 20th-century Welsh composer whose music the orchestra is currently championing. And Caribbean violinist Ellinor D’Melon is the soloist in Felix Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in a concert recorded last year in Swansea.
There’s also more chamber music from last year’s Belfast Music Society International Festival, with Irish soprano Ailish Tynan performing a set of Richard Strauss’s most beloved songs, and trumpeter Simon Höfele playing Takemitsu’s musical memorial to fellow composer Witold Lutoslawski.
1pm
Felix Mendelssohn
Violin Concerto in E minor, Op. 64
Ellinor D’Melon (violin)
BBC National Orchestra of Wales
Jaime Martín (conductor)
Richard Strauss
5 songs: Zueignung, Cäcilie, Heimliche Aufforderung, Morgen, Befreit
Ailish Tynan (soprano)
James Baillieu (piano)
2pm
Grace Williams
Symphony No. 1
BBC National Orchestra of Wales
Emilia Hoving (conductor)
Antonio Vivaldi
Concerto in D major RV.562a for violin, 2 oboes, 2 horns, timpani
Freiburg Baroque Orchestra
Cecilia Bernardini (director)
Toru Takemitsu
Paths – In Memoriam Witold Lutoslawski
Simon Höfele (trumpet)
To listen to this programme (using most smart speakers) just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Classical Live".
WED 15:00 Choral Evensong (m002cyx1)
Buckfast Abbey
Choral Vespers from Buckfast Abbey on the Wednesday in the Octave of Pentecost.
Prelude: Prélude sur le 'Veni Creator' (Boulnois)
Incipit: Deus in adiutorium (Plainsong)
Hymn: Veni creator spiritus (Plainsong)
Psalms 109, 110, 111, 112 (Plainsong/George Malcolm, Plainsong, Plainsong/Andrew Reid, Plainsong)
Reading: Acts 2 vv1-11
Magnificat Primi toni a 8 (Victoria)
Motet: The spirit of the Lord (Matthew Martin)
Voluntary: Fugue sur le 'Veni Creator' (Boulnois)
Matthew Searles (Master of the Music)
Charles Maxtone-Smith (Organist)
Recorded 6 March.
To listen on most smart speakers just say “ask BBC Sounds to play Choral Evensong”.
WED 16:00 Composer of the Week (m002cyx3)
Fanny Mendelssohn (1805-1847)
Bliss and Disharmony
Donald Macleod delves into Fanny Hensel’s early married life and her Sunday concerts – a time when her attentions were directed more towards the birth of her son, rather than music. Today Donald also explores what life was like for the Hensel’s living in such close proximity to Fanny’s parents, and also her brother Felix’s response to her musical endeavours now Fanny was married.
Oratorio on words from the Bible, H-U 260 (Gott unser Schild)
Dortmund University Choir
Dortmund University Orchestra
Willi Gundlach, conductor
Klavierstück, in F minor H-U 302 (Allegro agitato)
Sontraud Speidel, piano
Hero und Leander, H-U 262
Chen Reiss, soprano
Jewish Chamber Orchestra Munich
Daniel Grossmann, conductor
String Quartet in E flat, H-U 277
Quatuor Ebène
Mélodie, Op 4/5 No 4 (Lento appassionato)
Sophie Pacini, piano
Overture, H-U 265
Women’s Philharmonic
JoAnn Falletta, conductor
Produced by Luke Whitlock
WED 17:00 In Tune (m002cyx5)
Live classical music for your commute
Petroc Trelawny is joined by the pianist Marc-André Hamelin, who performs at London's Wigmore Hall this week. Plus, saxophonist Nubya Garcia has upcoming performances in the Southbank Centre's Meltdown Festival, curated by Little Simz.
WED 19:00 Classical Mixtape (m002cyx7)
Classical music for your journey
Take time out with a 30-minute soundscape of classical music, including works by Mikhail Glinka, Luise Adolpha le Beau and Samuel Coleridge-Taylor.
WED 19:30 Radio 3 in Concert (m002cyx9)
The Philharmonia: Ravel, Rachmaninov and Respighi
The Philharmonia is joined by pianist Nikolai Lugansky for the final concert of the season, with a romantic programme of Ravel, Rachmaninov and Respighi.
Presented live from the Royal Festival Hall by Martin Handley.
Ravel: Alborada del gracioso
Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No. 3
Interval
Ravel: La Valse
Respighi: Pines of Rome
Nikolai Lugansky (piano)
The Philharmonia
Carlos Miguel Prieto (conductor)
The Philharmonia and conductor Carlos Miguel Prieto pull out all the stops in the finale of their 2024/25 season. Nikolai Lugansky performs Rachmaninov’s Third Piano Concerto. One of the all-time great interpreters of Rachmaninov, renowned for his ‘quintessentially Russian sound’ (Independent), Lugansky understands this most challenging and rewarding of concertos inside out. All Rachmaninov’s trademarks are there: bittersweet melodies, pianistic fireworks, and lush orchestral writing.
Alborada del gracioso roughly translates as Dawn Song of the Jester and is a beguiling short piece with a Spanish flavour, complete with castanets and a harp imitating the strumming of a guitar.
La Valse is an altogether darker affair – Ravel’s deconstruction of a Viennese waltz is said to represent the cataclysmic impact of the First World War.
In Pines of Rome, Respighi uses a huge orchestra to paint four pictures of Rome in thrilling detail: the innocence of children playing, gloomy catacombs, a gentle nocturne, and finally a victorious Roman legion returning home, acclaimed by jubilant brass.
WED 21:45 The Essay (m002cyxc)
Instrumental
3. Yolanda Charles, bass guitar
Playing a musical instrument - whether you're professional or amateur - rarely follows a simple trajectory of practice and progress and it makes psychological as much as physical demands that can come to define a person. Alan Hall - who's returned to trumpet playing after a three decade hiatus - talks with musicians about the nature of their relationship to their chosen instrument.
Today, the bass guitar player Yolanda Charles, who has her own funk band, Project pH, made her name playing with Paul Weller, Robbie Williams and many others.
Including extracts from Project pH's Only You (feat. Vanessa Haynes) and Yolanda's demo When Someone...
A Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 3
WED 22:00 Night Tracks (m002cyxf)
Reflective music for the day’s end
Hannah Peel presents an adventurous, immersive soundtrack for late-night listening, from classical to contemporary and everything in between.
WED 23:30 'Round Midnight (m002cyxh)
Fresh from Raquel Martins
‘Round Midnight is presented by award-winning saxophonist Soweto Kinch. This weekday late-night show celebrates the thriving UK jazz scene and spotlights the best new music alongside incredible acts from past decades.
Portuguese-born, London-based guitarist and vocalist Raquel Martins is back with a new single.
Sowet's 4/4 guest, Donovan Haffner chooses another best-loved album from his collection, and tonight, it’s by a jazz great who continues to explore and push creative boundaries.
Plus there’s music from Doomcannon, Georgie Sweet, and Bonuru.
THURSDAY 12 JUNE 2025
THU 00:30 Through the Night (m002cyxk)
Mystery: Bruckner's Eighth Symphony
The WDR Symphony Orchestra, Cologne performs Bruckner's Eighth Symphony that the composer himself described as a 'mystery'. Penny Gore presents.
12:31 AM
Anton Bruckner (1824-1896)
Symphony no 8 in C Minor
WDR Symphony Orchestra, Cologne, Philippe Jordan (conductor)
01:50 AM
Richard Wagner (1813-1883)
"Mogst du, mein kind" (Daland's aria from Act II Die Fliegende Hollander)
Martti Talvela (bass), Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Jussi Jalas (conductor)
01:56 AM
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791)
Symphony No 41 in C major, K551, 'Jupiter'
Freiburg Baroque Orchestra, Rene Jacobs (conductor)
02:31 AM
Igor Stravinsky (1882-1971)
The Soldier's tale - suite arranged for clarinet, violin and piano
Kaja Danczowska (violin), Michel Lethiec (clarinet), Yeol Eum Son (piano)
02:46 AM
Max Reger (1873-1916)
Variations and fugue on a theme of Mozart, Op 132
Orchestra della Svizzera Italiana, Philippe Bach (conductor)
03:18 AM
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
Symphony No 8 in F major, Op 93
BBC Philharmonic, Gianandrea Noseda (conductor)
03:44 AM
Helena Winkelman (b.1974)
Concerto for Two Recorders and Strings
Camerata Variabile Basel, Helena Winkelman (conductor)
04:00 AM
Gabriel Faure (1845-1924), orch. Jon Washburn
Messe Basse
Henriette Schellenberg (soprano), Vancouver Chamber Choir, CBC Vancouver Orchestra, Jon Washburn (conductor)
04:10 AM
Georg Christoph Wagenseil (1715-1777)
Concerto for trombone and orchestra in E flat major
Warwick Tyrrell (trombone), Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, Nicholas Braithwaite (conductor)
04:20 AM
Dorothy Howell (1898-1982)
Two Pieces for Muted Strings
BBC Symphony Orchestra, Michael Collins (conductor)
04:31 AM
Pierre de la Rue (1452-1518)
Missa Sancto Job: Kyrie
Orlando Consort
04:36 AM
Gedimas Gelgotas (b.1986)
Never Ignore the Cosmic Ocean
Baltic Sea Youth Philharmonic, Kristjan Jarvi (conductor)
04:42 AM
Georges Hue (1858-1948)
Phantasy vers. flute and piano
Iveta Kundratova (flute), Inna Aslamasova (piano)
04:50 AM
Traditional, arr. Michael Hurst
Ten Thousand Miles Away
West Australian Symphony Orchestra, David Measham (conductor)
04:56 AM
Henk Badings (1907-1987)
Canamus, amici, canamus; Finnigan's wake
Netherlands Chamber Choir, Uwe Gronostay (conductor)
05:04 AM
Fryderyk Chopin (1810-1849)
Rondo in C major for Two Pianos, Op 73
Soos-Haag Piano Duo (piano duo)
05:15 AM
Grazyna Bacewicz (1909-1969)
Music for strings, trumpets and percussion
Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Witold Rowicki (conductor)
05:34 AM
Johannes Brahms (1833-1897)
Piano Concerto No 1 in D minor, Op 15
Kasparas Uinskas (piano), Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra, Mario Kosik (conductor)
06:23 AM
Susan Spain-Dunk (1880-1962)
Two Scottish Pieces for orchestra, Op 54
BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Stephen Bell (conductor)
THU 06:30 Breakfast (m002cyrl)
Ease into the day with classical music
Tom McKinney presents Radio 3’s Breakfast show live from Salford. With birdsong, Bach Before 7 and the best in classical music. You can contact the show by emailing 3breakfast@bbc.co.uk
To listen on most smart speakers, just say 'Ask BBC Sounds to play 3 Breakfast’
THU 09:30 Essential Classics (m002cyrn)
Great classical music for your morning
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.
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.
To listen on most smart speakers say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Essential Classics”
THU 13:00 Classical Live (m002cyrq)
Dvorak’s 'New World’ Symphony in St Davids Cathedral
Elizabeth Alker showcases the best performances by BBC orchestras, choirs, ensembles and other great performing groups from Europe and around the globe.
Throughout this week we focus on the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, travelling with them around the country and especially featuring the music of Welsh composer Grace Williams. Today, we hear her Four Illustrations for the Legend of Rhiannon – Welsh music specially recorded on St David’s Day. And from St Davids Cathedral, the orchestra performs the Ninth Symphony by Dvorak, subtitled ‘From the New World’ because of its associations with North America, where the composer spent a brief but productive period of his life.
We return to the church of St Mark’s in Dundela for more music recorded there by BBC Radio 3 as part of the Belfast International Arts Festival. Today, German pianist and former BBC New Generation Artist Elisabeth Brauß performs music by Schubert from the 2023 festival.
1pm
Johann Sebastian Bach
Violin Concerto No. 2 in E major, BWV1042
Vilde Frang (violin)
Radio France Philharmonic Orchestra
Jonathan Cohen (director)
Franz Schubert
Piano Sonata in A major, D664
Elisabeth Brauss (piano)
Antonin Dvorak
Symphony No. 9 in E minor, Op. 95 ‘From the New World’
BBC National Orchestra of Wales
Kristian Sallinen (conductor)
Grazyna Bacewicz
Piano Quintet No. 1
Dudok Quartet Ansterdam
Alasdair Beatson (piano)
3pm
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Symphony No. 14 in A major, K114
Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra
Riccardo Minasi (conductor)
Grace Williams
Four illustrations for the legend of Rhiannon
BBC National Orchestra of Wales
Jac van Steen (conductor)
George Frideric Handel
Tu del Ciel ministro eletto (The Triumph of Time and Truth, Part 2)
Julia Doyle (soprano)
Vilde Frang (violin)
Radio France Philharmonic Orchestra
Jonathan Cohen (director)
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 (m002cyrs)
Fanny Mendelssohn (1805-1847)
Possible Sibling Rivalry
Donald Macleod explores Fanny Hensel’s wish to publish her own music, and her brother Felix’s response to not support her in this venture. Donald journeys into this period when Fanny Hensel née Mendelssohn also composed one of her most significant works for solo piano, a programmatic cycle called Das Jahr.
Im wunderschönen Monat Mai, H-U 323
Felicitas Erb, soprano
Judith Erb, soprano
Doriana Tchakarova, fortepiano
Lobgesang, H-U 257 (Chorus: Meine Seele ist stille zu Gott)
Chamber Choir of Dortmund University
Florilegium Musicum Rotterdam
Willi Gundlach, conductor
Das Jahr, H-U 385 (excerpt)
Lauma Skride, piano
Warum sind denn die Rosen so blass, H-U 312
Chen Reiss, soprano
Jewish Chamber Orchestra Munich
Daniel Grossmann, conductor
Gondellied, H-U 377
Chen Reiss, soprano
Jewish Chamber Orchestra Munich
Daniel Grossmann, conductor
Capriccio in A flat, H-U 247
Lucia Swarts, cello
Elena Malinova, piano
Das Jahr, H-U 385 (excerpt)
Lauma Skride, piano
Produced by Luke Whitlock
THU 17:00 In Tune (m002cyrv)
Wind down from the day with classical
Petroc Trelawny is joined for live music by Scottish fiddler Donald Grant and former BBC New Generation Artist Fergus McCreadie on piano, and Artistic Directors of the Penarth Chamber Music Festival David Adams and Alice Neary perform live.
Petroc speaks to Dame Monica Mason about the life and legacy of prima ballerina, Alicia Markova, whose childhood home has been honoured with an English Heritage Blue plaque.
Plus, composer Nick Powell has scored an immersive experience - 'Our Story' with David Attenborough - at the Natural History Museum.
THU 19:00 Classical Mixtape (m001qvvk)
Take 30 minutes out with a relaxing classical mix
Half an hour of back to back classical music to help wind down at the end of the day. Today's mix includes a poignant film score by Michael Nyman, solo violin by Bach, a haunting choral work by Caroline Shaw, and a pianistic fairy tale by Medtner.
Producer: Calantha Bonnissent
THU 19:30 Radio 3 in Concert (m002cyrz)
BBC NOW performs Widmann, Mozart, and Mendelssohn
The BBC National Orchestra of Wales are joined by composer and conductor Jörg Widmann to give the UK premiere of his 2nd Violin Concerto, which he has paired with Mozart's effervescent Overture to The Marriage of Figaro, and Mendelssohn's celebration of the Reformation of the Catholic church, his 5th Symphony. Widmann's concerto is dedicated to his violinist sister, Carolin, and the siblings join forces in this concert to perform the work.
Recorded at BBC Hoddinott Hall in Cardiff on the 15th of May 2025, presented by Shân Cothi.
Mozart: Marriage of Figaro, K 492 (Overture)
Jörg Widmann: Violin Concerto No 2
Mendelssohn: Symphony No 5 in D, Op 107 'Reformation'
Carolin Widmann (violin)
BBC National Orchestra of Wales
Jörg Widmann (conductor)
THU 21:45 The Essay (m002cys1)
Instrumental
4. Gurdain Rayatt, tabla
Playing a musical instrument - whether you're professional or amateur - rarely follows a simple trajectory of practice and progress and it makes psychological as much as physical demands that can come to define a person. Alan Hall - who's returned to trumpet playing after a three decade hiatus - talks with musicians about the nature of their relationship to their chosen instrument.
Today, Gurdain Rayatt, a third generation tabla player whose work isn't restricted to Indian Classical music.
Including extracts from Raag Bhimpalasi with sarod player Debasmita Bhattacharya and Lavanani with Matchume Zango.
A Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 3
THU 22:00 Night Tracks (m002cys3)
A bewitching night time soundtrack
Hannah Peel presents an adventurous, immersive soundtrack for late-night listening, from classical to contemporary and everything in between.
THU 23:30 'Round Midnight (m002cys5)
One for Chick Corea’s birthday
‘Round Midnight is presented by award-winning saxophonist Soweto Kinch. This weekday late-night show celebrates the thriving UK jazz scene and spotlights the best new music alongside incredible acts from past decades.
Soweto shares a track from the late great pianist Chick Corea's iconic band Return to Forever.
All this week, alto saxophonist Donovan Haffner has been taking us round his record collection, shortlisting some of the albums that have inspired him.
Concluding his week as Soweto’s 4/4 guest, tonight Donovan has one more record to highlight and this time it’s by a tenor saxophonist hailing from Chicago, Illinois.
Plus there’s music from Joe Webb, Fatima, and Gigi Wilde.
FRIDAY 13 JUNE 2025
FRI 00:30 Through the Night (m002cys7)
Debussy and Saint-Saëns from Switzerland
The Basel Symphony Orchestra is at home in the Stadtcasino in Basel for a performance under conductor Fabien Gabel of two prominent French works: Debussy's shimmering Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune and the Organ Symphony by Saint-Saëns, with soloist Christian Schmitt. The concert includes the premiere of the Viola Concerto by Swiss composer Dieter Ammann, with Nils Mönkemeyer as soloist. Penny Gore presents.
12:31 AM
Claude Debussy (1862-1918)
Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune
Basel Symphony Orchestra, Fabien Gabel (conductor)
12:42 AM
Dieter Ammann (b.1962)
Viola Concerto
Nils Mönkemeyer (viola), Basel Symphony Orchestra, Fabien Gabel (conductor)
01:16 AM
Camille Saint-Saens (1835-1921)
Symphony no 3 (Organ), Op 78
Christian Schmitt (organ), Basel Symphony Orchestra, Fabien Gabel (conductor)
01:53 AM
Claude Debussy (1862-1918)
Ariettes oubliees - song cycle for voice and piano
Elizabeth Watts (soprano), Gary Matthewman (piano)
02:10 AM
Francois Couperin (1668-1733)
Rondeau: Soeur Monique from Pieces de Clavecin
Colin Tilney (harpsichord)
02:15 AM
Francis Poulenc (1899-1963)
Oboe Sonata
Eva Steinaa (oboe), Galya Kolarova (piano)
02:31 AM
Joseph Haydn (1732-1809)
Symphony no 96 in D major 'Miracle', H.
1.96
Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, Ilan Volkov (conductor)
02:54 AM
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
Piano Sonata no 26 in E flat, Op 81a 'Les Adieux'
Andre Laplante (piano)
03:13 AM
Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741)
Gloria in D major, RV.589
Ann Monoyios (soprano), Matthew White (counter tenor), Colin Ainsworth (tenor), Tafelmusik Chamber Choir, Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra, Ivars Taurins (conductor)
03:41 AM
Florence Price
Concert Overture no 2
BBC Concert Orchestra, Jane Glover (conductor)
03:57 AM
Benjamin Britten (1913-1976)
Lachrymae (Reflections on a song of Dowland) for viola and piano, Op 48
Antoine Tamestit (viola), Markus Hadulla (piano)
04:10 AM
Jean Coulthard (1908-2000), orch. Michael Conway Baker
Four Irish Songs
Linda Maguire (soprano), CBC Vancouver Orchestra, Mario Bernardi (conductor)
04:20 AM
Franz Liszt (1811-1886)
Hungarian Rhapsody no 2 in C sharp minor
Ladislav Fantzowitz (piano)
04:31 AM
Georg Philipp Telemann (1681-1767)
Sonata in A major – from Der Getreue Music-Meister
Camerata Koln, Michael Schneider (recorder), Rainer Zipperling (viola da gamba), Harold Hoeren (harpsichord)
04:38 AM
Francesca Caccini (1587-1640)
Maria, dolce Maria - from Il primo libro delle musiche a una, e due voci
Suzie Le Blanc (soprano), Tragicomedia, Stephen Stubbs (director)
04:41 AM
Traditional Swedish, arr. David Wikander
Jag unnar dig anda allt gott (I wish you well)
Swedish Radio Choir, Eric Ericson (conductor)
04:42 AM
Jean Sibelius (1865-1957)
Serenade no 2 in G minor for violin & orchestra, Op 69b
Judy Kang (violin), Orchestre Symphonique de Laval
04:51 AM
Santiago de Murcia (1673-1739)
2 pieces from 'Codex de Saldívar'
Xavier Diaz-Latorre (guitar), Pedro Estevan (percussion)
05:00 AM
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791)
Violin Concerto no 3 in G major, K 216
Nikolaj Znaider (violin), Danish Radio Chamber Orchestra, Adam Fischer (conductor)
05:23 AM
Alexander Scriabin (1871-1915)
Poeme de l'extase for orchestra, Op 54
French National Orchestra, Evgeny Svetlanov (conductor)
05:49 AM
George Gershwin (1898-1937)
Rhapsody in Blue
Hinko Haas (piano)
06:06 AM
Orlande de Lassus (1532-1594)
Missa Osculetur me
Royal Academy of Music Chamber Choir, Royal Academy of Music Cornett and Sackbut Ensemble, Patrick Russill (conductor)
FRI 06:30 Breakfast (m002cyxm)
Rise and shine with classical music
Tom McKinney presents Radio 3’s Breakfast show live from Salford. With birdsong, Bach Before 7 and the best in classical music. You can contact the show by emailing 3breakfast@bbc.co.uk.
To listen on most smart speakers, just say 'Ask BBC Sounds to play 3 Breakfast’.
FRI 09:30 Essential Classics (m002cyxp)
The best classical morning music
Georgia Mann plays the best in classical music, with discoveries and surprises rubbing shoulders with familiar favorites.
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 (m002cyxr)
Elgar’s Enigma Variations and Grace Williams’s Symphony No. 2
Elizabeth Alker showcases the best performances by BBC orchestras, choirs, ensembles and other great performing groups from Europe and around the globe.
We round off our week of programmes featuring the BBC National Orchestra of Wales with a performance of Elgar’s beloved ‘Enigma’ Variations, recorded last year in Newport. There’s also more music by the 20th-century Welsh composer Grace Williams, whose work the orchestra has and continues to champion – today, we hear the second of her two symphonies.
And we pay a further visit to Queen’s University, Belfast, home of the annual Belfast Music Society International Festival of Chamber Music, where Trio Gaspard performed music by Felix Mendelssohn and Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach.
Plus a chance to hear a brand new piece by composer and sitar virtuoso Jasdeep Singh Degun, commissioned by the BBC Concert Orchestra and recorded by them at this year's PRS New Music Biennial in Bradford.
1pm
Edward Elgar
Enigma Variations, Op. 36
BBC National Orchestra of Wales
Nil Venditti (conductor)
Felix Mendelssohn
Piano Trio No. 2 in C minor, Op. 66
Trio Gaspard
Jean Sibelius
Tapiola
BBC National Orchestra of Wales
Ryan Bancorft (conductor)
Grace Williams
Symphony No. 2
BBC National Orchestra of Wales
Martyn Brabbins (conductor)
Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach
Trio Sonata in D major, Wq. 89 No. 6
Trio Gaspard
Jasdeep Singh Degun
Into the Night
Jasdeep Singh Degun (sitar)
Kirpal Panesar (esraj)
Kaviraj Singh (santoor)
Gurdain Rayatt (tabla)
Upneet Singh (tabla)
BBC Concert Orchestra
Ellie Slorach (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 (m002cyxt)
Fanny Mendelssohn (1805-1847)
Fanny Hensel in Print
Donald Macleod explores Fanny Hensel née Mendelssohn’s final years when she eventually published her own music, with the support of her husband Wilhelm and brother Felix. However, within a year of this venture Fanny had unexpectedly died, leaving behind a young son, devoted husband, and a significant portfolio of music.
Aus meinen Tränen sprießen, H-U 327
Judith Erb, soprano
Felicitas Erb, soprano
Doriana Tchakarova, piano
Abschied von Rom, H-U 352
Ana Markovic, piano
Die frühen Gräber, H-U 222
Chen Reiss, soprano
Jewish Chamber Orchestra Munich
Daniel Grossmann, conductor
Dämmrung senkte sich von oben, H-U 392
Chen Reiss, soprano
Jewish Chamber Orchestra Munich
Daniel Grossmann, conductor
Piano Trio in D minor, Op 11
Kaleidoscope Chamber Collective
Lobgesang, H-U 257 (excerpt)
Michaela Krämer, soprano
Chamber Choir of Dortmund University
Florilegium Musicum Rotterdam
Willi Gundlach, conductor
Im Herbste, H-U 416
Lan Rao, soprano
Micaela Gelius, piano
Vorwulf, H-U 462
Lan Rao, soprano
Micaela Gelius, piano
Bergeslust, H-U 466
Lan Rao, soprano
Micaela Gelius, piano
Produced by Luke Whitlock
FRI 17:00 In Tune (m002cyxw)
The biggest names in classical music
Katie Derham ends the piano-filled week on In Tune with live music from Mark Bebbington, who performs a piece inspired by AI amongst others ahead of his recital with Summer Music in City Churches. And La Serenissima have a new album: their Artistic Director Adrian Chandler joins Katie.
FRI 19:00 Classical Mixtape (m002cyxy)
Classical music to inspire you
Take time out with a 30-minute soundscape of classical music.
FRI 19:30 Friday Night is Music Night (m0025llf)
Opera Gala
Soraya Mafi and Nicky Spence join conductor John Andrews and the BBC Concert Orchestra in a gala evening of operatic favourites, recorded in the grounds of Hampshire's West Green Opera in July.
Presented by Petroc Trelawny.
Marschner: Overture, Der Vampyr
Handel: Pastorello d'un povero (Rodelinda)
Bellini: Oh! Quante volte (Romeo e Giulietta)
Mozart: Del piu sublime (La Clemenza di Tito)
Poulenc: Non Monsieur (Les Mamelles de Tirésias)
Tchaikovsky: Lensky's aria (Eugene Onegin)
Verdi: Caro nome (Rigoletto)
Puccini: Nessun Dorma (Turandot)
INTERVAL
Rossini: Overture, La Gazza Ladra
Lalo: Aubade (Le Roi d’Ys)
Mozart: Aer Tranquillo (Il Re Pastore)
Rodgers & Hammerstein: People will say we’re in love
J Strauss II: Czardas (Ritter Pasman)
Lara: Granada
Bernstein: Glitter and Be Gay (Candide)
Denza: Funiculi Funicula
Lehar: Lippen Sweigen
Saraya Mafi (soprano)
Nicky Spence (tenor)
BBC Concert Orchestra
John Andrews (conductor)
FRI 21:45 The Essay (m002cyy1)
Instrumental
5. Zoë Martlew, cello
Playing a musical instrument - whether you're professional or amateur - rarely follows a simple trajectory of practice and progress and it makes psychological as much as physical demands that can come to define a person. Alan Hall - who's returned to trumpet playing after a three decade hiatus - talks with musicians about the nature of the relationship to their chosen instrument.
Today, the cellist and composer Zoë Martlew who made her name in contemporary music circles, including with her own one woman musical cabaret show.
With extracts from Zoë's work: Revue Z, Shift Trip, Salat Babilya and G-lude.
A Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 3
FRI 22:00 Late Junction (m002cyy3)
Emptyset’s mixtape
Jennifer Lucy Allan presents a mixtape from Emptyset, the multidisciplinary production project of James Ginzburg and Paul Purgas. Together, they explore the sonic possibilities of electroacoustic and computer music, materiality and performance, interrogating the material properties of noise and rhythm through fractured structures and seismic low frequencies. Emptyset’s latest album, Dissever, continues their ongoing exploration into the histories of electronic sound and media across the 20th century, considering the intertwined evolution of cosmic rock, minimalism and electronic music through the lens of speculative futures and overlapping technological ambitions.
Elsewhere in the show, a bold re-orchestration of music by Leith-based composer and vocalist Rylan Gleave under the moniker All Men Unto Me, working with Bristol-based Paraorchestra, recorded live at the New Music Biennial in Bradford. Plus, a theatrical ruckus from Indonesia’s Wukir Suryadi, and an introspective improvisation for solo organ from Ellen Arkbro.
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 Late Junction”
FRI 23:30 'Round Midnight (m002cyy5)
Ron Carter in conversation
‘Round Midnight is presented by award-winning saxophonist Soweto Kinch. This weekday late-night show celebrates the thriving UK jazz scene and spotlights the best new music alongside incredible acts from past decades.
This Friday night, Soweto’s special guest is the Grammy Award-winning, and world-renowned double bassist, Ron Carter. He is an artist that needs little introduction; from collaborating with Wayne Shorter, Miles Davis and Herbie Hancock, adding his groove and virtuosity to numerous Blue Note albums, to working with hip hop stars A Tribe Called Quest, Meastro Carter is the most recorded jazz bassist in history. He is also a prominent bandleader, with a vast catalogue of solo albums.
Within their conversation, Soweto and Ron Carter discuss everything from Mr. Carter’s time working with Miles Davis and being part of Miles' seminal “Second Great Quintet”, his thoughts on the hip hop scene, and his lasting love for the music which he continues to share with audiences around the world, aged 88.
Settle in for an illuminating and inspiring conversation with one of jazz and music’s formidable artists.