SATURDAY 02 AUGUST 2025
SAT 00:30 Through the Night (m002g26v)
Viennese masterpieces: Beethoven and Schubert
Francesco Piemontesi plays Beethoven's 'Emperor' Concerto with the Lucerne Symphony Orchestra and their music director Michael Sanderling, followed by Schubert's 'Great' 9th Symphony. John Shea presents.
12:31 AM
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
Piano Concerto no 5 in E flat, Op 73 Emperor
Francesco Piemontesi (piano), Lucerne Symphony Orchestra, Michael Sanderling (conductor)
01:08 AM
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750), arr. Wilhelm Kempff
Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme, BWV.645 (encore)
Francesco Piemontesi (piano)
01:12 AM
Franz Schubert (1797-1828)
Symphony no 9 in C, D.944 'Great'
Lucerne Symphony Orchestra, Michael Sanderling (conductor)
02:07 AM
Arnold Schoenberg (1874-1951), Richard Dehmel (author)
Erwartung, Op 2 no 1
Arleen Auger (soprano), Irwin Gage (piano)
02:11 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)
02:18 AM
Marianne Martinez (1744-1812)
Sinfonia in C major
BBC Concert Orchestra, Johannes Wildner (conductor)
02:31 AM
Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741)
Dixit Dominus in D major, RV.595
Choir of Latvian Radio, Riga Chamber Players, Sigvards Klava (conductor)
03:01 AM
Max Bruch (1838-1920)
Excerpts from Eight Pieces for clarinet, viola and piano, Op 83 (nos 5-8)
Paul Dean (clarinet), Brett Dean (viola), Stephen Emmerson (piano)
03:22 AM
Edvard Grieg (1843-1907)
Gammelnorsk Romance met Variasjoner, Op 51
Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, Ole Kristian Ruud (conductor)
03:47 AM
Jean Francaix (1912-1997)
Le Gai Paris for wind ensemble
Hungarian Radio Orchestra
03:57 AM
Marin Marais (1656-1728)
La Sonnerie de Sainte-Genevieve du Mont de Paris
Ricercar Consort, Henri Ledroit (conductor)
04:06 AM
Ruth Watson Henderson (b.1932)
Missa Brevis
Elmer Iseler Singers, Elmer Iseler (conductor)
04:19 AM
Jean Sibelius (1865-1957)
Pelléas et Mélisande - incidental music, Op 46 (excerpts)
Norwegian Radio Orchestra, Kolbjorn Holthe (conductor)
04:31 AM
Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges (c.1739-1799)
Overture to the opera "L'amant anonyme"
Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra, Jeanne Lamon (conductor)
04:39 AM
Robert Schumann (1810-1856), transc. Franz Liszt
Widmung S.566, transc. for piano
Ji-Yeong Mun (piano)
04:43 AM
Henriette Bosmans (1895-1952)
Verses from Maria Lecina
Rachel Ann Morgan (mezzo soprano), Frans van Ruth (piano)
04:56 AM
Johann Christoph Pez (1664-1716)
Overture in D minor
Hildebrand'sche Hoboisten Compagnie
05:06 AM
Robert Kajanus (1856-1933)
Aino - symphonic poem for male chorus and orchestra
Helsinki University Male Voice Choir, Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Jorma Panula (conductor)
05:21 AM
Claude Le Jeune (c.1528-1600)
Dieu, nous te louons
Ensemble Vocal Sagittarius, Christina Pluhar (lute), Michel Laplenie (conductor)
05:30 AM
Benjamin Britten (1913-1976)
Nocturnal after John Dowland Op 70 for guitar
Sean Shibe (guitar)
05:48 AM
Henry Purcell (1659-1695), arr. Fred Mills
Sonata for two trumpets and brass
Brass Consort Koln
05:53 AM
Fanny Mendelssohn (1805-1847)
Piano Sonata in C minor
Sylviane Deferne (piano)
06:07 AM
Edward Elgar (1857-1934)
In the South 'Alassio' overture, Op 50
BBC Symphony Orchestra, Jiri Belohlavek (conductor)
SAT 06:30 Breakfast (m002ggbs)
Ease into the day 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 (m002ggbv)
Live from the Edinburgh International Festival
Tom Service is live from The Hub in Edinburgh on the opening weekend of the Edinburgh International Festival, with special guests and live music including superstar cellist Alisa Weilerstein and Scottish multi-instrumentalist Mairi Campbell.
Tom is also joined by musicians from the NYO2, Carnegie Hall’s dynamic national youth orchestra that amplifies the voices of exceptional young musicians from communities across the United States, making its European debut at the Edinburgh International Festival- they'll be playing Bernstein live.
Plus conductor of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, Maxim Emelyanychev drops in for a chat!
To listen on most smart speakers just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Saturday Morning”.
SAT 11:00 BBC Proms (m002ggbx)
2025
Viennese Waltzes
The BBC Concert Orchestra and Chief Conductor Anna-Maria Helsing are joined by soprano Erin Morley to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the birth of the 'Waltz King' Johann Strauss II.
Presented by Petroc Trelawny, live from the Royal Albert Hall in London,
Johann Strauss II: Die Fledermaus Overture
Johann Strauss II: Mein Herr Marquis – Adele’s Laughing Song
Josef Strauss: Brennende Liebe Polka Mazur Op. 129
Kalman: Ich sing mein Lied im Regen und Schnee (Das Veilchen von Montmartre)
Stolz: Wiener Café Waltz
Korngold: Straussiana
c.
11.45am
Interval: The writer Theresa Buckland joins Petroc Trelawny live at the Royal Albert Hall to discuss the origins of the Waltz and how it became the favourite dance, particularly in Vienna during the dynasty of the Strauss Family.
c.
12.05pm
Lehar: The Land of Smiles Overture
Zeller: Schenkt man sich Rosen in Tirol
Amy Beach: Bal masqué
Nico Dostal: Fröhliches Spiel
Johann Strauss II: Voices of Spring
Johann Strauss II: By the Beautiful Blue Danube
Erin Morley, soprano
BBC Concert Orchestra
Anna-Maria Helsing, conductor
Marking 200 years since the birth of ‘Waltz King’ Johann Strauss II, Anna-Maria Helsing and the BBC Concert Orchestra celebrate the opulence and enchantment of Vienna’s Golden Age.
SAT 13:00 Music Matters (m002539n)
A View From The Organ Loft
Royal Albert Hall, London
Anna is in home territory visiting one of the organs she knows best - that of the Royal Albert Hall in London. It may be the second largest organ in the UK, but that’s not why Anna loves it. Instead, she is amazed by the atmosphere of the hall and how easy it is to play an instrument of that size. As well as recordings made on that organ, Anna also shares music by Joseph Haydn and Eric Coates that’s inspired by London, some of her favourite film soundtracks, and pieces she associates with the BBC Proms. We also hear from Daniel Spencer, Managing Director of Bishop & Son Organ Builders, who tells us how impressive a feat of engineering the instrument was when it was first built.
Plus, Anna’s recording of the piece she gets asked to play the most, featuring bass drum and tubular bells…
A Tandem Production for BBC Radio 3
SAT 14:00 Record Review (m002ggc0)
BBC Proms Composer: Bartok with Marina Frolova-Walker and Andrew McGregor
Andrew McGregor with the best new recordings of classical music
1430
BBC Proms Composer: Béla Bartók
Marina Frolova-Walker selects five indispensable recordings of BBC Proms Composer Béla Bartók
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Proms Recording
To round off each edition of Record Review during the BBC Proms, Andrew introduces the Building a Library recommendation of a major work by a composer featured at this year's Proms.
Mahler: Das Lied von der Erde - VI - Der Abschied
Alice Coote (mezzo-soprano)
Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra
Marc Albrecht (conductor)
SAT 16:00 Sound of Cinema (m002ggc2)
Walter Murch
Matthew Sweet talks to film editor, sound designer and director Walter Murch about working on Apocalypse Now, the Godfather films, The Conversation, Barton Fink and Return to Oz
SAT 17:00 This Classical Life (m0027v8y)
Jess Gillam with... Tess Jackson
Jess Gillam is joined by conductor Tess Jackson to share the tracks they love. Between them they have chosen music by Verdi, Janacek, Dorothy Howell, Sidney Bechet and Tom Misch.
Tess Jackson began learning the piano and violin aged six and was inspired to start conducting aged fourteen. She is currently Associate Conductor of the National Youth Orchestra, making her debut at the BBC Proms in 2024. She has worked with a range of top ensembles including City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, London Mozart Players and the Philharmonia Orchestra.
To listen on most smart speakers, just say: “Ask BBC Sounds to play This Classical Life.”
SAT 18:00 Music Planet (m002ggc6)
Highlights from Førdefestival
Lopa Kothari presents the best of this year’s Førdefestival in Norway that took place in July and was themed around language and identity. The programme includes live recordings of some of her favourite performances, impromptu sessions and behind-the-scenes chats with the musicians, hailing from every corner of the planet.
The show features Norwegian traditional music, performed live by Martin Steinum Brun and a cappella group Hekate, music from Pakistan's Benju master Ustad Noor Bakhsh, songs from Ustatshakirt Ensemble from Kyrgyzstan. Plus, a wonderful sonic encounter between Norway and Iran.
Produced by Silvia Malnati and Lopa Kothari
A Reduced Listening production for BBC Radio 3. To listen on most smart speakers, just say: “Ask BBC Sounds to play Music Planet.”
SAT 19:00 New Generation Artists (m002ggc8)
2025 Proms season showcase: saxophonist Emma Rawicz
Emma Rawicz at the Norfolk and Norwich Festival 2025.
Current Radio 3 New Generation Artist, the brilliant 23-year-old saxophonist Emma Rawicz is joined at the Octagon Chapel in Norwich by four of the brightest rising stars on the UK and European jazz scene.
Emma brought them together for this concert to play an hour of new music written specifically for this unique quintet instrumentation: the voice of Immy Churchill and Emma's saxophone on the frontline and an all-star rhythm section, in the unusual constellation of the vibraphone of Jonny Mansfield, the double bass of Freddie Jensen and the drums of Marc Michel.
Chords of Inquiry
The Unbearable Lightness
As a Cloud
'N' Suite
Ballad for a Weary Traveller
Quiet, Behemoth
Emma Rawicz (saxophone)
with Immy Churchill (voice), Jonny Mansfield (vibraphone), Freddie Jensen (double bass) and Marc Michel (drums).
SAT 20:00 BBC Proms (m002ggcb)
2025
Mahler's 'Resurrection' Symphony
Live at the BBC Proms: Kahchun Wong conducts the Hallé in Mahler's visionary symphony.
Presented by Tom McKinney, live from the Royal Albert Hall, London.
Mahler: Symphony No. 2 in C minor, ‘Resurrection’
Mari Eriksmoen (soprano)
Emily D’Angelo (mezzo-soprano)
Hallé Choir
Hallé Youth Choir
Hallé
Conductor Kahchun Wong
'One is battered to the ground and then raised on angel's wings to the highest heights.' Mahler’s 'Resurrection' Symphony offers a panoramic vision of human existence and hope for the life beyond – suffering, redemption and renewal generated by huge orchestral and choral forces. The Hallé’s new Principal Conductor Kahchun Wong directs his Manchester-based forces for the first time at the Proms, joined by two star soloists: Norwegian soprano Mari Eriksmoen and Canadian mezzo-soprano Emily D’Angelo, who makes her much-anticipated Proms debut.
SAT 21:45 The Lebrecht Interview (m002ggcd)
Tenor Nicky Spence
Norman Lebrecht talks to the Scottish tenor Nicky Spence about his difficult upbringing and his redemption through singing as a youngster after an accident in which he broke both his legs. Nicky talks candidly about how he turned to therapy to help him deal with issues relating to his body size.
He shares his love for Janacek operas, which he sings in Czech, and the bitter-sweet songs of Noel Coward.
Nicky gives his personal perspective on the current landscape of arts in UK, and the impact of a reduction in funds on opera in particular. He also sheds light aon balancing his busy career with his private life, which he shares with pianist husband Dylan Perez, his recital partner, with whom he has a one-year old boy.
SAT 22:30 New Music Show (m002ggcg)
World Premiere of Laurence Osborn's Mute
Tom Service presents the best and latest in cutting-edge and experimental new music, including the world premiere of Laurence Osborn's Mute, Kenneth Hesketh's Ein Lichtspiel performed by Ensemble 10/10, Dani Teo playing Sasha Scott's Down the Rabbit Hole at Cafe OTO, and Claire Singer's Ode to Saor performed at Aberdeen Sound. Plus a mesmerising performance of Steve Reich's Mallett Quartet by the Colin Currie Quartet at King's Place in London.
SUNDAY 03 AUGUST 2025
SUN 00:30 Through the Night (m002ggcj)
BBC Proms 2024: Mahler's Fifth Symphony
The entire Hallé family of orchestra and choirs celebrate Sir Mark Elder’s last season as Music Director after 25 years in the role. Together they present Sir James MacMillan’s Timotheus, Bacchus and Cecilia and Mahler’s life-affirming Fifth Symphony. Penny Gore presents.
12:31 AM
James MacMillan (b.1959)
Timotheus, Bacchus and Cecilia
Halle Children's Choir, Shirley Court (director), Halle Youth Choir, Stuart Overington (director), Halle Choir, Matthew Hamilton (director), Hallé, Mark Elder (conductor)
12:51 AM
Gustav Mahler (1860-1911)
Symphony no 5 in C sharp minor
Hallé, Mark Elder (conductor)
02:01 AM
Edward Elgar (1857-1934)
Chanson de Nuit, Op 15 no 1
Hallé, Mark Elder (conductor)
02:06 AM
James MacMillan (b.1959)
O Radiant Dawn
BBC Singers, David Hill (conductor)
02:11 AM
Gustav Mahler (1860-1911), arr. Andrzej Bauer, Friedrich Ruckert (text)
Nun seh’ich wohl warum so dunkle Flammen (Kindertotenlieder)
Agata Zubel (soprano), Warsaw Cellonet Group, Andrzej Bauer (director)
02:16 AM
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)
Sonata for Flute and Continuo in E minor, BWV 1034
Sharon Bezaly (flute), Charles Medlam (viola da gamba), Terence Charlston (harpsichord)
02:31 AM
Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840-1893)
Six Pieces, Op 19
Duncan Gifford (piano)
03:02 AM
Philip Glass (b.1937)
Violin Concerto no 1
Piotr Plawner (violin), Polish Radio National Symphony Orchestra Katowice, Michal Klauza (conductor)
03:28 AM
Alexander Glazunov (1865-1936)
Albumblatt for trumpet and piano in D flat major
Tine Thing Helseth (trumpet), Christian Ihle Hadland (piano)
03:33 AM
Boris Papandopulo (1906-1991)
Nad grobom ljepote djevojke, Op 39 (By the grave of the Beauty)
Slovenian Chamber Choir, Vladimir Kranjcevic (director)
03:41 AM
Leos Janacek (1854-1928)
Pohadka (Fairy tale)
Jonathan Slaatto (cello), Martin Qvist Hansen (piano)
03:52 AM
Tomaso Albinoni (1671-1751)
Oboe Concerto in D minor, Op 9 no 2
Carin van Heerden (oboe), L'Orfeo Baroque Orchestra, Michi Gaigg (director)
04:03 AM
Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach (1714-1788)
Keyboard Sonata in A minor, Wq 57 no 2
Pavel Kolesnikov (piano)
04:12 AM
Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco (1895-1968)
Capriccio diabolico for guitar, Op 85
Goran Listes (guitar)
04:21 AM
Maurice Ravel (1875-1937)
Une Barque sur l'ocean (no 3 from Miroirs)
Trondheim Symphony Orchestra, Eivind Aadland (conductor)
04:31 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)
04:40 AM
Gabriel Faure (1845 - 1924)
Nocturne no 1 in E flat minor, Op 33 no 1
Stephane Lemelin (piano)
04:47 AM
Baldassare Galuppi (1706-1785)
Concerto no 4 in C minor
Schola Cantorum Basiliensis Orchestra, Vaclav Luks (conductor)
04:59 AM
Nicolas Gilbert (1979 -)
Portrait
Stephane Tetreault (cello)
05:13 AM
Alice Mary Smith (1839-1884)
The Masque of Pandora (Overture)
BBC Concert Orchestra, Bramwell Tovey (conductor)
05:24 AM
Franz Schubert (1797-1828)
Fantasie in F minor, D.940
Louis Schwizgebel (piano), Zhang Zuo (piano)
05:43 AM
Claude Debussy (1862-1918)
Nocturnes for orchestra
NFM Chorus, Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra, Katowice, Jose Maria Florencio (conductor)
06:09 AM
Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847)
Fantasia on an Irish song 'The last rose of summer' for piano, Op 15
Sylviane Deferne (piano)
06:18 AM
Hildegard of Bingen (1098-1179)
Spiritus Sanctus vivificans vite, antiphon for solo voice
Sequentia
SUN 06:30 Breakfast (m002ggzb)
Rise and shine with classical music
Mark Forrest presents Radio 3’s Breakfast show live from Salford. With birdsong 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’
SUN 09:00 Sunday Morning (m002ggzd)
Your perfect Sunday soundtrack
Sarah Walker chooses three hours of attractive and uplifting music to complement your morning.
Today, Sarah's big piece is a classic recording of Debussy's impressionist Three Nocturnes, and there's a chance to hear Martha Argerich's masterful take on the first movement of Schumann's Piano Concerto.
She has a joyful dance-like caprice for the violin by Sophie-Carmen Eckhardt-Gramatté, there's music to accompany your summer from Albeniz and Delius, and she'll be playing the Mendelssohn favourite, Fingal's Cave.
Plus, Sarah's Choral Reflection today is the striking 3rd Psalm by Edvard Grieg, which shows a completely different side to the composer than the one you know from his extroverted Piano Concerto or Norwegian Dances.
A Tandem Production for BBC Radio 3
SUN 12:00 Private Passions (m001y97t)
Sathnam Sanghera
Sathnam Sanghera is a best-selling writer and journalist. He grew up in Wolverhampton to Punjabi parents in a home where, in his words, “no one read books or owned them, let alone wrote them”. When he started school, he couldn’t speak English but he went on to graduate from Cambridge University with a first-class degree in English Language and Literature.
He started out writing for newspapers, winning the Young Journalist of the Year at the British Press Awards in 2002. He now writes for The Times. In 2008 he published his memoir of his early life called The Boy With the Topknot.
More recently he has focused on our colonial history. In 2021 he published Empireland: How Imperialism Has Shaped Modern Britain, which was named a Book of the Year at the National Book Awards. Then came Empireworld: How British Imperialism has shaped the Globe, which quickly became a best-seller.
Sathnam's musical choices include Bach, John Coltrane, Debussy and Jasdeep Singh Degun.
SUN 13:30 Music Map (m002ggzj)
A journey to Samuel Coleridge-Taylor's Nonet.
Sara Mohr-Pietsch maps a route to Samuel Coleridge-Taylor's Nonet. The Nonet was written between 1893-4 whilst he was still a student at the Royal College of Music, where his teacher was Charles Villiers Stanford. Conceived on a grand scale, the piece demonstrates both Coleridge-Taylor's instrumental-writing skill, but also his gift for writing a great tune! Reviewed in the August 1894 edition of the 'Musical Times', the un-named reviewer remarked that "...the whole Nonet is interesting...and few would guess it to be the work of one still a student." Sara Mohr-Pietsch explores the Nonet and its influences.
To listen to this programme on your smart speaker, just say: 'Ask BBC Sounds to play Music Map.'
SUN 15:00 Choral Evensong (m002g1vv)
Hereford Cathedral
Live from Hereford Cathedral during the Three Choirs Festival, with the choirs of Hereford, Gloucester and Worcester Cathedrals.
Introit: Jerusalem on high (Ouseley)
Responses: Cecilia McDowall
Psalm 147 (Boyce)
First Lesson: 1 Samuel 7 vv1-17
Canticles: Magdalen College Service (Leighton)
Second Lesson: Luke 21 vv20-28
Anthem: Blessed city, heavenly Salem (Bairstow)
Hymn: God of grace and God of glory (Neander)
Voluntary: Thema met variaties (Andriessen)
Geraint Bowen (Conductor)
Peter Dyke (Organist)
To listen on most smart speakers just say “ask BBC Sounds to play Choral Evensong”.
SUN 16:00 Jazz Record Requests (m002ggzl)
Samara Joy - Chris McGregor - Younee - Jacques Loussier
Alyn Shipton presents jazz records of all styles as requested by you including music by Samara Joy, Chris McGregor, Younee, Jacques Loussier 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 (m002ggzn)
Heaven and Hell. Helen Charlston and Toby Carr at the York Early Music Festival - Part 2: HELL
Hannah French presents the second of two programmes from mezzo-soprano Helen Charlston and lutenist Toby Carr at the recent York Early Music Festival, in which they explore music associated with Heaven and Hell.
Today, Hannah chats to Toby about all things hellish, and we'll hear music by Charpentier, Purcell, Kapsperger, Carissimi, Monteverdi and Pelham Humfrey. There's also the world premiere of a new piece by Anna Disley-Simpson, called "Purgatory: A Waiting Room".
SUN 18:00 Words and Music (m0018yl3)
Courtroom Drama
Readings about lawyers and courtrooms, from Harper Lee's crusading lawyer Atticus Finch, Dickens's Jarndyce v Jarndyce case from Bleak House that gets stuck in the Court of Chancery for decades, and part of Arthur Miller's witch-hunt drama The Crucible. Music includes Jocelyn Pook's score for The Merchant of Venice, Philip Glass's music for The Crucible, Woody Guthrie's tale of the Philadelphia Lawyer, and court scenes from Benjamin Britten's Peter Grimes and Gilbert and Sullivan's Trial by Jury. And there's classic archive from an episode called Twelve Angry Men, which was part of Tony Hancock's TV series.
Our readers are Paterson Joseph and Emily Pithon.
Producer: Nick Holmes
SUN 19:30 BBC Proms (m002ggzr)
2025
Soul Revolution
Live at the BBC Proms: BBC Concert Orchestra & conductor Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser plus soloists Beverley Knight, Jacob Lusk, Reginald Mobley, Tony Momrelle, James Emmanuel & Annahstasia and the LJ Singers present a Soul Revolution.
Presented by Trevor Nelson, live from the Royal Albert Hall, London.
Kyle Gordon: Soul Overture
Sam Cooke arr. Kyle Gordon: A Change is Gonna Come
Aretha Franklin arr. Kyle Gordon: Think
Temptations arr. Kyle Gordon: Ball of Confusion (That’s What the World is Today)
Curtis Mayfield arr. Scarlet Halton): Superfly
Baby Huey arr. Kyle Gordon: Hard Times
Trad arr. Simon Cochard: Were You There?
Marvin Gaye arr. Scarlet Halton: Abraham, Martin and John
Trad/Mahalia Jackson arr. Kyle Gordon: Take My Hand Precious Lord
Wilson Picket arr. Scarlet Halton: Don’t Let the Green Grass Fool You
Curtis Mayfield arr. Troy Miller: Move On Up
Aretha Franklin arr. Jules Buckley: Respect
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8.05pm Interval: Diana Evans, author of novels including 26a, The Wonder and A House for Alice joins Jumoké Fashola to talk about music, revolution and her own writing.
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8.25pm
Edwin Starr arr. Kyle Gordon: War
Stevie Wonder arr. Jules Buckley: Living for the City
Nina Simone: Mississippi Goddam
Aretha Franklin arr. Kyle Gordon: How I Got Over
Trad arr. Kyle Gordon: O Happy Day
Trad arr. Kyle Gordon: Save Me Lord, Save Me
James Brown arr. Kyle Gordon: Say It Loud – I’m Black and I’m Proud
Nina Simone arr. Kyle Gordon: To Be Young, Gifted and Black
Gil Scott-Heron arr. Kyle Gordon: The Revolution Will Not Be Televised
Stevie Wonder arr. Jules Buckley: Higher Ground
Mavis Staples arr. Kyle Gordon: We Shall Not Be Moved
Marvin Gaye arr. Troy Miller: What’s Going On
Beverley Knight, singer
Jacob Lusk, singer
Reginald Mobley, singer
Tony Momrelle, singer
James Emmanuel, singer
Annahstasia, singer
LJ Singers, Choir
BBC Concert Orchestra
Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser, conductor
With guest vocalists, a gospel choir and renowned Radio 2 presenter Trevor Nelson, the BBC Concert Orchestra and Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser trace a path from spirituals through gospel to soul, revealing the role of these genres in supporting the Civil Rights movement. Inspirational tracks made famous by Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Nina Simone and Aretha Franklin rub shoulders with hidden gems in a celebration of music that gave a voice to disenfranchised people, fostered a sense of community – and jumped with an infectious groove.
SUN 22:00 Night Tracks (m002ggzt)
Immersive music for moonlight
Sara Mohr-Pietsch presents an adventurous, immersive soundtrack for late-night listening, from classical to contemporary and everything in between.
SUN 23:30 Unclassified (m002c2q1)
Fractured Harmonics
Join Elizabeth Alker with a selection of fresh music from genre-defying artists as we journey through landscapes of ambient and experimental sounds. Along the way, we'll hear from emerging independent producers whose work plays with orchestral textures and classical form as well as the latest sounds from a new generation of contemporary composers who look to embrace the spirit of rock, pop and electronica.
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 04 AUGUST 2025
MON 00:30 Through the Night (m002ggzy)
The Fortuny Piano Trio plays Amy Beach at the Klassisk Sommer Festival in Denmark
Champions of lesser-known and contemporary composers, the Fortuny Piano Trio present a programme of music by Amy Beach and Joaquín Turina. They conclude the concert with Tchaikovsky's Piano Trio, an emotional dedication to his mentor Artur Rubinstein. Penny Gore presents.
12:31 AM
Amy Beach (1867-1944)
Piano Trio in A minor, Op 150
Trio Fortuny
12:46 AM
Joaquin Turina (1882-1949)
Piano Quartet in A minor, Op 67
Trio Fortuny, Michel Camille (viola)
01:03 AM
Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840-1893)
Piano Trio in A minor, Op 50
Trio Fortuny
01:49 AM
Josef Suk (1949-2011)
Elegy in D flat major, Op 23
Trio Fortuny
01:55 AM
Joaquin Turina (1882-1949)
Danzas Fantasticas, Op 22
West Australian Symphony Orchestra, Jorge Mester (conductor)
02:11 AM
Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840-1893), Alexei Tolstoy (author)
4 songs to texts by Alexei Tolstoy: Op 38 nos 1-3 & Op 47 no 5
Mikael Axelsson (bass), Niklas Sivelov (piano)
02:25 AM
Anton Rubinstein (1829-1894)
Melody in F major, Op 3 no 1
Dennis Hennig (piano)
02:31 AM
Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958)
Job - a masque for dancing
BBC Symphony Orchestra, Sakari Oramo (conductor)
03:19 AM
Domenico Scarlatti (1685-1757)
3 Keyboard Sonatas (Kk.443; Kk.208; Kk.29)
Claire Huangci (piano)
03:30 AM
Per Gunnar Petersson (b.1954)
Aftonland (Evening Land) for choir and solo horn
Soren Hermansson (horn), Jutland Chamber Choir, Mogens Dahl (director)
03:44 AM
Stanislaw Moniuszko (1819-1872)
Ballet Music for the Merry Wives of Windsor by Otto Nicolai
Polish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Lukasz Borowicz (conductor)
03:54 AM
Barbara Strozzi (1619-1677)
Hor che Apollo - Serenade for soprano, 2 violins & continuo
Susanne Ryden (soprano), Musica Fiorita, Daniela Dolci (director)
04:07 AM
Darius Milhaud (1892-1974)
4 Visages for viola and piano, Op 238
Silvia Simionescu (viola), Alice Burla (piano)
04:17 AM
Anton Webern (1883-1945), arr. G. Schwarz
Langsamer Satz
St Gallen Symphony Orchestra, Modestas Pitrenas (conductor)
04:31 AM
Leokadiya Kashperova (1872-1940)
Two Roses: No 1, from Au sein de la nature
Mengjie Han (piano)
04:33 AM
Leokadiya Kashperova (1872-1940)
Two Roses: No 2, from Au sein de la nature
Mengjie Han (piano)
04:36 AM
Louise Farrenc (1804-1875)
Overture no 2, Op 24
BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Anja Bihlmaier (conductor)
04:43 AM
Maurice Durufle (1902-1986)
Quatre motets sur des themes gregoriens, Op 10
Tallinn Music High School Chamber Choir, Evi Eespere (director)
04:52 AM
Alexander Glazunov (1865-1936)
Alto Saxophone Concerto in E flat major, Op 109
Virgo Veldi (saxophone), Tallinn Chamber Orchestra, Tarmo Leinatamm (conductor)
05:05 AM
William Byrd (1543-1623)
The woods so wild - variations for keyboard (MB.
28.85)
Colin Tilney (harpsichord)
05:09 AM
Paul Constantinescu (1909-1963)
Free Variations on Byzantine theme for cello and orchestra
Catalin Ilea (cello), Romanian National Radio Orchestra, Carol Litvin (conductor)
05:20 AM
Jacobus Gallus Carniolus (1550-1591)
Missa super Adesto dolori meo a 5 (SQM III/9)
Madrigal Quintett Brno, Roman Valek (director)
05:42 AM
Henriette Bosmans (1895-1952)
Piano Trio
Leonore Piano Trio
06:07 AM
Joaquin Rodrigo (1901-1999)
Concierto de Aranjuez
Norbert Kraft (guitar), Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, Kazuhiro Koizumi (conductor)
MON 06:30 Breakfast (m002ggf0)
Roll out of bed into classical music
Linton Stephens 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 (m002ggf2)
The very best of classical music
Ian Skelly plays the best classical music for your morning, with discoveries and surprises rubbing shoulders with familiar favourites. Including the Playlister challenge: our regular listener-created sequence inspired by a different piece of music each day. Plus a new classical release in focus for Album of the Week.
1000 Playlister starter: listen and send us your ideas for the next step in today's musical journey. Text 83111 or email essentialclassics@bbc.co.uk.
1030 Album of the Week: an exciting new classical release in focus throughout the week.
1115 Playlister reveal: an uninterrupted sequence of music suggested by you in response to today's starter piece.
1200 Feast of a Piece: indulge your ears with an orchestral masterpiece.
To listen on most smart speakers say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Essential Classics”
MON 13:00 Classical Live (m002ggf4)
Rachmaninov from the Royal Albert Hall
Elizabeth Alker showcases the best performances by BBC orchestras, choirs, ensembles and other great performing groups from Europe and around the globe.
Throughout the summer season we’ll be offering another chance to hear some of the best music-making at this year’s BBC Proms. Today’s highlights include pianist Vadym Kholodenko performing Rachmaninov’s much-loved Piano Concerto No. 2 with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales and conductor Tadaaki Otaka, who also combine in another concerto - Lutoslawski's Concerto for Orchestra.
Plus we shine a light on the former Radio 3 New Generation Artists performing this week at the Proms. Today, pianist Beatrice Rana plays a selection of Mendelssohn's Songs without Words from a recent solo recital in Paris, and baritone James Newby sings Finzi's cycle Earth and Air and Rain.
But it's not all about the Proms - we’re also visiting other summer music festivals, across Europe and beyond. All this week we’ll hear from the MUSIQ3 festival in Brussels, including Hervé Niquet conducting Le Concert Spirituel in Handel’s Coronation Anthems.
From the MUSIQ3 Festival in Brussels:
George Frideric Handel
Zadok the Priest
Le Concert Spirituel
Hervé Niquet (conductor)
From the BBC Proms in London:
Sergei Rachmaninov
Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor
Vadym Kholodenko (piano)
BBC National Orchestra of Wales
Tadaaki Otaka (conductor)
Witold Lutosławski
Concerto for Orchestra
BBC National Orchestra of Wales
Tadaaki Otaka (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 (m002ggf6)
Dmitry Shostakovich (1906-1975)
Outbreak
Donald Macleod explores Dmitri Shostakovich’s life during the great terror in Russia in the lead up to World War II.
Donald Macleod explores Dmitri Shostakovich’s life during the years of World War II, a period indelibly linked to his most famous work – the ‘Leningrad’ symphony - which became an international symbol of resistance against the Nazis when it was performed by an orchestra suffering from the effects of starvation during the siege of the city.
In Monday’s episode, Donald explores Shostakovich’s life in the lead up to the war. It was the time of the “great terror” - a period of cultural censorship and oppression where many composers, Shostakovich included, became enemies of the state. Donald also examines how Shostakovich heard of the German forces invasion of Russia in 1941, and how it led to the conception of the 7th Symphony.
Funeral march in Memory of Victims of the Revolution
Nicolas Stavy, piano
Piano Concerto No 2 in F Major, Op 102 (2nd mvt, Andante)
Yuja Wang, piano
Boston Symphony Orchestra
Andris Nelsons, conductor
Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk District (Act IV, Vstaváy! Po mestám! Zívo!)
Sergei Larin, tenor (Sergei)
Orchestre et choeurs de l’Opera Bastille
Myung-Whun Chung, conductor
Symphony No 5 in D minor, Op 47 (4th mvt, Allegro non troppo)
London Symphony Orchestra
Gianandrea Noseda, conductor
Piano Quintet in G minor, Op 57 (1st mvt, Prelude – Lento)
Martha Argerich, piano
Renaud Capucon, violin
Alissa Margulis, violin
Lyda Chen, viola
Misha Maisky, cello
Symphony no 7, Op.60 “Leningrad” (2nd mvt, Moderato)
Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra
Vasily Petrenko, conductor
King Lear - the fool’s 10 songs (excerpt)
City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Mark Elder, conductor
Produced by Sam Phillips for BBC Audio Wales & West
MON 17:00 In Tune (m002ggf8)
Live from the Edinburgh International Festival
Petroc Trelawny presents a special edition of In Tune live from The Hub – a towering Gothic Revival building at the top of the Royal Mile, and the home of the Edinburgh International Festival.
He speaks to Festival Director Nicola Benedetti, and there’s live music from some of the star performers taking part this year: members of the Dunedin Consort, pianists Pavel Kolesnikov and Samson Tsoy, and virtuoso Hungarian fiddler Roby Lakatos. Petroc introduces music reflecting the city and its landmarks – and takes a walk down the Royal Mile to Holyrood Abbey.
MON 19:00 Classical Mixtape (m002ggfb)
Switch up your listening with classical music
Take time out with a 30-minute soundscape of classical music.
MON 19:30 BBC Proms (m002ggfd)
2025
Mahler and Boulez
Live at the BBC Proms: the BBC Symphony Orchestra & Chorus conducted by Hannu Lintu in Mahler's rarely-heard Das klagende Lied, and Boulez's Rituel in memoriam Bruno Maderna.
Presented by Andrew McGregor at the Royal Albert Hall, London.
Pierre Boulez: Rituel in memoriam Bruno Maderna
c.
20.00
Interval: Jonathan Cross joins Andrew McGregor to reflect on Pierre Boulez's legacy in his centenary year, and to look forward to the highlights of the Proms week ahead.
c.
20.20
Gustav Mahler: Das klagende Lied (original version, 1880)
Natalya Romaniw (soprano)
Jennifer Johnston (mezzo-soprano)
Russell Thomas (tenor)
James Newby (baritone)
Constanza Chorus
BBC Symphony Chorus
BBC Symphony Orchestra
Hannu Lintu (conductor)
Das klagende Lied, Mahler’s musical coming-of- age, is a chilling fable of jealousy, murder and magic. An eerie woodland and a lively wedding ceremony are the centrepieces of a cantata of vast sonic imagination – a foretaste of the symphonies to come, heard here in its original three-part version. Mahler’s sonic scope meets its match in the musical spectacle of Pierre Boulez’s ‘majestic processional’ Rituel in memoriam Bruno Maderna. Dedicated to the composer’s long-time colleague and friend, the work transforms the concert hall into a temple, in which the audience is immersed in the sounds created by eight groups of musicians.
MON 22:00 Night Tracks (m002ggfg)
Music for the still of night
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 (m0022sjf)
Jamz Supernova sits in
The broadcaster and DJ Jamz Supernova sits in for Soweto all this week.
From Monday to Thursday, the American producer, composer and multi-instrumentalist Sly5thAve, is picking treasured favourites from his record collection in 4/4. He begins with a lesser known piece from Frank Sinatra.
Plus, there's music from Zara McFarlane, NikNak and Les Vikings de la Guadeloupe.
TUESDAY 05 AUGUST 2025
TUE 00:30 Through the Night (m002ggfl)
Esmé Quartet: Papa Haydn
The young ensemble performs string quartets by Haydn, Kui Dong and Schumann in this concert from Barcelona. The programme includes Haydn's famously humorous quartet 'The Joke.' Penny Gore presents.
12:31 AM
Joseph Haydn (1732-1809)
String Quartet no 30 in E flat, Op 33 no 2 'The Joke'
Esme Quartet, Wonhee Bae (violin), Yuna Ha (violin), Dimitri Murrath (viola), Yeeun Heo (cello)
12:48 AM
Kui Dong
Spring
Esme Quartet
12:55 AM
Robert Schumann (1810-1856)
String Quartet no 3 in A, op 41 no 3
Esme Quartet
01:27 AM
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791)
Io ti lascio, K245
Bryn Terfel (bass baritone), Malcolm Martineau (piano)
01:32 AM
Christopher Simpson (c.1605-1669)
The Four Seasons - Spring
Les Voix Humaines, Arparla
01:50 AM
Johannes Brahms (1833-1897)
Symphony No 4 in E minor, Op 98
Sinfonia Varsovia, Robert Trevino (conductor)
02:31 AM
Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach (1714-1788)
Quartet for flute, viola and continuo in A minor, Wq 93, H537
Les Adieux, Andreas Staier (pianoforte), Wilbert Hazelzet (flute), Hajo Bass (viola)
02:48 AM
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)
Cantata: Ich habe genug, BWV.82a
Raphael Höhn (tenor), Café Zimmermann
03:11 AM
Richard Strauss (1864-1949)
Metamorphosen
Zagreb Philharmonic Orchestra, Lovro von Matacic (conductor)
03:42 AM
Doreen Carwithen (1922-2003)
Sonatina for cello and piano
Andrei Ionita (cello), Lilit Grigoryan (piano)
03:53 AM
Anonymous,Nicola Matteis Sr. (c. 1650-after 1713)
Passages in Imitation of the Trumpet; 5 Marches from Playford's New Tunes
Pedro Memelsdorff (recorder), Andreas Staier (harpsichord)
04:03 AM
Josquin des Prez (c1440 - 1521)
La deploration de Johan Okeghem
Netherlands Chamber Choir, Paul van Nevel (conductor)
04:08 AM
Alexander von Zemlinsky (1871-1942)
Introduzione (Yankee Doodle Dandy) - No.1 from 2 Movements for string quartet
Escher Quartet
04:15 AM
Uuno Klami (1900-1961)
Serenades joyeuses
Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Jussi Jalas (conductor)
04:22 AM
Igor Stravinsky (1882-1971)
4 Studies, Op 7
Nikita Magaloff (piano)
04:31 AM
George Frideric Handel (1685-1759)
'Agrippina'; overture
Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra, Ondrej Lenard (conductor)
04:38 AM
Leonel Power (1370-1445)
Salve Regina
Hilliard Ensemble
04:45 AM
Alexander Glazunov (1865-1936)
Saxophone Concerto, Op 109
Valentine Michaud (saxophone), CHAARTS Chamber Artists, Maximilian Hornung (conductor)
04:58 AM
Larisa Vrhunc (b.1967)
Between the Fingers Sound of Image ll
RTV Slovenia Symphony Orchestra, Rossen Milanov (conductor)
05:08 AM
Michael Praetorius (1571-1621)
Psalm 116, from 'Angst der Hellen und Friede der Seelen'
Cardinal Complex, Jonas Gassmann (conductor)
05:32 AM
Joseph Haydn (1732-1809)
Piano Sonata in D major, H.XVI.33
Bart van Oort (fortepiano)
05:46 AM
Dame Ethel Mary Smyth (1858-1944)
Concerto for violin and horn in A major
Agata Raatz (violin), Zora Slokar (horn), Bern Chamber Orchestra, Graziella Contratto (conductor)
06:15 AM
Santiago de Murcia (1673-1739)
2 pieces from 'Codex de Saldívar'
Xavier Diaz-Latorre (guitar), Pedro Estevan (percussion)
06:23 AM
Edvard Grieg (1843-1907)
Last Spring, Op 33 no 2
Camerata Bern, Thomas Furi (leader)
TUE 06:30 Breakfast (m002gdkr)
Breakfast with the best classical music
Linton Stephens 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 (m002gdkw)
Relax into the day with classical
Ian Skelly plays the best classical music for your morning, with discoveries and surprises rubbing shoulders with familiar favourites. Including the Playlister challenge: our regular listener-created sequence inspired by a different piece of music each day. Plus a new classical release in focus for Album of the Week.
1000 Playlister starter: listen and send us your ideas for the next step in today's musical journey. Text 83111 or email essentialclassics@bbc.co.uk.
1030 Album of the Week: an exciting new classical release in focus throughout the week.
1115 Playlister reveal: an uninterrupted sequence of music suggested by you in response to today's starter piece.
1200 Feast of a Piece: indulge your ears with an orchestral masterpiece.
To listen on most smart speakers say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Essential Classics”
TUE 13:00 Classical Live (m002gdl0)
Mahler's 'Resurrection' Symphony from the BBC Proms
Elizabeth Alker showcases the best performances by BBC orchestras, choirs, ensembles and other great performing groups from Europe and around the globe.
Throughout the summer season we’ll be offering another chance to hear some of the best music-making at this year’s BBC Proms. Today’s highlights include Mahler’s monumental ‘Resurrection’ Symphony – his second – performed by The Hallé and conductor Kahchun Wong.
Plus we shine a light on the former Radio 3 New Generation Artists performing this week at the Proms. Today, pianist Beatrice Rana plays Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1 with the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra.
But it's not all about the Proms - we’re also visiting other summer music festivals, across Europe and beyond. all this week we’ll hear from the MUSIQ3 festival in Brussels, including Hervé Niquet conducting Le Concert Spirituel in Handel’s Coronation Anthems.
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Piano Concerto No. 1 in B flat minor Op. 23
Beatrice Rana (piano)
Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra
Gianandrea Noseda (conductor)
From the MUSIQ3 Festival in Brussels:
George Frideric Handel
Let thy hand be strengthened
Le Concert Spirituel
Hervé Niquet (conductor)
From the BBC Proms in London:
Gustav Mahler
Symphony No. 2 ‘Resurrection’
Mari Eriksmoen (soprano)
Emily D’Angelo (mezzo-soprano)
Hallé Choir
Hallé Youth Choir
The Hallé
Kahchun Wong (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 (m002gdl4)
Dmitry Shostakovich (1906-1975)
Leningrad
Donald Macleod explores Shostakovich’s relationship with Leningrad, the city of his birth, and the music of his most famous and expansive score which relates to the time of the city’s greatest trial
Donald Macleod explores Dmitri Shostakovich’s life during the years of World War II, a period indelibly linked to his most famous work – the ‘Leningrad’ symphony - which became an international symbol of resistance against the Nazis when it was performed by an orchestra suffering from the effects of starvation during the siege of the city.
In Tuesday’s programme, Donald explores Shostakovich’s relationship with Leningrad, exploring his studies, his work teaching at the city’s conservatoire, the ups and downs of his turbulent marriage, and the music of his most famous and expansive score which relates to the time of the city’s greatest trial – the siege of Leningrad.
The tale of the priest and his servant Balda, Op 36 (Finale)
Leipzig MDR Symphony Orchestra
Dmitri Kitayenko, conductor
Symphony No 1 in F minor, Op 10 (2nd mvt, Allegro)
Russian National Orchestra
Vladimir Jurowski, conductor
Veniamin Fleishman/ Dmitri Shostakovich
Rothschild’s violin – Wedding Band; Ty chto igraesh
USSR ministry of Culture Orchestra
Gennady Rozhdestvensky, conductor
Piano Sonata No 1, Op 12
Yulianna Avdeeva, piano
Symphony No 7 in C Major, Op 60 “Leningrad” (1at mvt, Allegretto)
London Philharmonic Orchestra
Kurt Masur, conductor
Produced by Sam Phillips for BBC Audio Wales & West
TUE 17:00 In Tune (m002gdlb)
Live music and news from the world of classical
Petroc Trelawny with live music and interviews from the world's finest classical musicians
TUE 19:00 Classical Mixtape (m002gdlg)
Take time out with a 30-minute soundscape of classical music.
TUE 19:30 BBC Proms (m002gdll)
2025
Great British Classics
Live at the BBC Proms: The BBC National Orchestra of Wales, The BBC Singers & Nil Venditti perform a John Rutter premiere and violinist Liya Petrova joins for The Lark Ascending.
Presented by Katie Derham, live from the Royal Albert Hall, London
Walton, arr Tausky: Coronation March ‘Crown Imperial’
Vaughan Williams: The Lark Ascending
S Coleridge-Taylor: Isle of Beauty; The Evening Star
Britten: Four Sea Interludes from ‘Peter Grimes’, Op 33a
c.
8.30pm
Interval: The pianist and broadcaster David Owen Norris joins Katie Derham, live at the Royal Albert Hall, to discuss the components that makes music quintessentially British.
c.
8.50pm
Mathias: Dance Overture
John Rutter: Bird Songs (BBC commission, world premiere)
A Coleridge-Taylor: The Shepherd; A Rustling of Grass (arr. Zoë Birtwhistle)
G Williams: Elegy for Strings
Elgar: Variations on an Original Theme, ‘Enigma’
Liya Petrova, violin
The BBC National Orchestra of Wales
The BBC Singers
Nil Venditti, conductor
A celebration of Britain’s land- and sea-scapes. Hear the soaring flight of Vaughan Williams’s The Lark Ascending as well as the many moods of the North Sea as it meets Suffolk shingle in Britten’s Four Sea Interludes from ‘Peter Grimes’.
TUE 22:00 Night Tracks (m002gdlq)
Immersive music for after-hours
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 (m0022sn5)
Sly5thAve's 4/4
Jamz Supernova, 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.
Sly5thAve is a composer, producer and multi-instrumentalist who has released a string of acclaimed records, and can also boast of being Prince's saxophonist for a couple of years! He returns to pick another meaningful piece from his record collection in 4/4. Tonight he's chosen a song by Sonny Stitt.
Plus, there's music from Mulatu Astatke, Brown Penny and Flock.
WEDNESDAY 06 AUGUST 2025
WED 00:30 Through the Night (m002gdlz)
First Night of the BBC Proms 2023
Dalia Stasevska conducts the BBC Symphony Orchestra in a series of Nordic delights: from Grieg’s passionate Piano Concerto to Sibelius’s rousing statement of national identity, Finlandia. Plus, a world premiere from Ukrainian composer, Bohdana Frolyak and Britten’s The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra. Penny Gore presents.
12:31 AM
Jean Sibelius (1865-1957)
Finlandia, Op 26
BBC Singers, BBC Symphony Chorus, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Dalia Stasevska (conductor)
12:40 AM
Bohdana Frolyak (b.1968)
Let There Be Light
BBC Symphony Orchestra, Dalia Stasevska (conductor)
12:49 AM
Edvard Grieg (1843-1907)
Piano Concerto in A minor, Op 16
Paul Lewis (piano), BBC Symphony Orchestra, Dalia Stasevska (conductor)
01:17 AM
Jean Sibelius (1865-1957)
Snöfrid, Op 29, melodrama for narrator, mixed chorus and orchestra
Lesley Manville (narrator), BBC Singers, BBC Symphony Chorus, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Dalia Stasevska (conductor)
01:31 AM
Benjamin Britten (1913-1976)
The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra, Op 34
BBC Symphony Orchestra, Dalia Stasevska (conductor)
01:48 AM
Henry Purcell (1659-1695)
4 Dances from 'Abdelazer'
Tafelmusik, Jeanne Lamon (director)
01:52 AM
Benjamin Britten (1913-1976)
Piano Concerto, Op 13
Oliver Schnyder (piano), Argovia Philharmonic, Douglas Bostock (conductor)
02:31 AM
Francis Poulenc (1899-1963)
Sonata for Violin and Piano
Semmy Stahlhammer (violin), Roland Pontinen (piano)
02:52 AM
Georg Philipp Telemann (1681-1767)
Suite in G minor 'La Musette', TWV.55:g1
B'Rock, Jurgen Gross (conductor)
03:06 AM
Johann Hermann Schein (1586-1630)
Selection from Diletti Pastorali, Hirten Lust: madrigals for 5 voices & continuo
Cantus Colln, Konrad Junghanel (lute), Konrad Junghanel (director)
03:28 AM
Krasimir Kyurkchiyski (1936-2011)
Bulgarian Madonna (excerpts 'paintings of Vladimir Dimitrov - the Master')
Bulgarian National Radio Symphony Orchestra, Kamen Goleminov (conductor)
03:34 AM
Franz Schubert (1797-1828)
Impromptu no 3 in B flat major (from 4 Impromptus D 935)
Ilze Graubina (piano)
03:43 AM
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791)
Rivolgete a lui lo sguardo, K.584 (from 'Cosi fan tutte')
Russell Braun (baritone), Canadian Opera Company Orchestra, Richard Bradshaw (conductor)
03:48 AM
Frantisek Jiranek (1698-1778)
Flute Concerto in G major
Jana Semeradova (flute), Collegium Marianum, Jana Semeradova (artistic director)
04:00 AM
Gabriel Faure (1845 - 1924)
Dolly - Suite for piano duet, Op 56
Erzsebet Tusa (piano), Istvan Lantos (piano)
04:14 AM
Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840-1893), arr. Markus Theinert
The Nutcracker Suite, Op 71a
Brass Consort Koln
04:22 AM
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
2 Sonatinas for mandolin: C minor WoO 43/1 and C major WoO 44/1
Avi Avital (mandolin), Shalev Ad-El (harpsichord)
04:31 AM
Hildegard of Bingen (1098-1179)
O clarissima Mater (respond)
Rondellus
04:40 AM
Alice Mary Smith (1839-1884)
The Masque of Pandora (Two Intermezzi)
BBC Philharmonic, Ben Gernon (conductor)
04:49 AM
Arcangelo Corelli (1653-1713)
Sonata da chiesa in F major, Op 1 no 1
London Baroque
04:55 AM
Fryderyk Chopin (1810-1849)
Variations on 'Là ci darem la mano', Op 2
Bruce Liu (piano)
05:12 AM
George Frideric Handel (1685-1759)
Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion' (aria from "The Messiah")
Yvonne Kenny (soprano), Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Vladimir Kamirski (conductor)
05:17 AM
Renaat Veremans (1894-1969)
Nacht en Morgendontwaken aan de Nete
Flemish Radio Orchestra, Bjarte Engeset (conductor)
05:28 AM
Johann Nepomuk Hummel (1778-1837)
Piano Trio in F major, Op 22
Tobias Ringborg (violin), John Ehde (cello), Stefan Lindgren (piano)
05:42 AM
Michael Haydn (1737-1806)
Ave Regina for double choir, MH.140
Ex Tempore, Florian Heyerick (director)
05:53 AM
Percy Grainger (1882-1961)
Suite on Danish folk songs vers. orchestral
Claire Clements (piano), Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Geoffrey Simon (conductor)
06:12 AM
Gaspar Sanz (1640-1710)
4 pieces from "Instrucción de música sobre la guitara española"
Xavier Diaz-Latorre (guitar), Pedro Estevan (percussion)
WED 06:30 Breakfast (m002ghg0)
Birdsong and Bach to banish those morning blues
Linton Stephens 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 (m002ghg2)
Celebrating classical greats
Ian Skelly plays the best classical music for your morning, with discoveries and surprises rubbing shoulders with familiar favourites. Including the Playlister challenge: our regular listener-created sequence inspired by a different piece of music each day. Plus a new classical release in focus for Album of the Week.
1000 Playlister starter: listen and send us your ideas for the next step in today's musical journey. Text 83111 or email essentialclassics@bbc.co.uk.
1030 Album of the Week: an exciting new classical release in focus throughout the week.
1115 Playlister reveal: an uninterrupted sequence of music suggested by you in response to today's starter piece.
1200 Feast of a Piece: indulge your ears with an orchestral masterpiece.
To listen on most smart speakers say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Essential Classics"
WED 13:00 Classical Live (m002ghg4)
Adams and Bacewicz at the BBC Proms
Elizabeth Alker showcases the best performances by BBC orchestras, choirs, ensembles and other great performing groups from Europe and around the globe.
Throughout the summer season we’ll be offering another chance to hear some of the best music-making at this year’s BBC Proms. Today’s highlights include the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra playing The Chairman Dances by John Adams, and the Concerto for String Orchestra by Grazyna Bacewicz performed by the BBC National Orchestra of Wales.
But it's not all about the Proms - we’re also visiting other summer music festivals, across Europe and beyond. All this week we’ll hear from the MUSIQ3 festival in Brussels, including Hervé Niquet conducting Le Concert Spirituel in Handel’s Coronation Anthems, and today, pianist Yeol Eum Son joins the Brussels Philharmonic Orchestra for Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue.
From the BBC Proms in London:
The Chairman Dances (from Nixon in China)
City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Kazuki Yamada (conductor)
Grazyna Bacewicz
Concerto for String Orchestra
BBC National Orchestra of Wales
Tadaaki Otaka (conductor)
From the MUSIQ3 Festival in Brussels:
George Frideric Handel
The King Shall Rejoice
Le Concert Spirituel
Hervé Niquet (conductor)
George Gershwin
Rhapsody in Blue
Yeol Eum Son (piano)
Brussels Philharmonic Orchestra
Lio Kuokman (conductor)
To listen to this programme (using most smart speakers) just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Classical Live".
WED 15:00 Choral Evensong (m002ghg6)
Royal Holloway, University of London
From the Chapel of Royal Holloway, University of London, with the Rodolfus Choral Course on the Feast of the Transfiguration of Our Lord.
Introit: Beatitudes (Philip Stopford)
Responses: June Nixon
Office hymn: Caelestis gloriae (Plainsong)
Psalm 72 (Thalben Ball)
First Lesson: Luke 9 vv28-36
Canticles: Jesus College Service (Mathias)
Second Lesson: 2 Corinthians 3 vv1-18
Anthem: O nata lux (Rhiannon Randle)
Hymn: Lord enthroned in heavenly splendour (St Helen)
Voluntary: Toccata (Cheryl Frances-Hoad)
Katherine Dienes-Williams (Conductor)
Tom Winpenny (Organist)
Recorded 31 July.
To listen on most smart speakers just say “ask BBC Sounds to play Choral Evensong”.
WED 16:00 Composer of the Week (m002ghg8)
Dmitry Shostakovich (1906-1975)
Evacuation
Donald Macleod explores the time Shostakovich spent after being evacuated from the besieged Leningrad to the city of Kuibyshev.
Donald Macleod explores Dmitri Shostakovich’s life during the years of World War II, a period indelibly linked to his most famous work – the ‘Leningrad’ symphony - which became an international symbol of resistance against the Nazis when it was performed by an orchestra suffering from the effects of starvation during the siege of the city.
In Wednesday’s episode, Donald explores Shostakovich’s evacuation from the besieged city of Leningrad, and examines what life was like for the composer and his family in their temporary home in the city of Kuibyshev, and with their friends now scattered across the vast geography of Soviet Russia. In this period of uncertainty and dislocation, Shostakovich turned to an unlikely source of inspiration for the most deeply personal song cycle he would ever write.
Counterplan, Op 33 (Song of the Counterplan)
Alexander Kerr (violin)
Royal Concergebouw Orchestra
Riccardo Chailly, conductor
The Golden Age Suite, Op 22a (2nd, Adagio)
Bolshoi Theatre Orchestra
Maxim Shostakovich, conductor
Preludes, Op 34 (Nos 9-13)
Andrey Gugnin, piano
Romances on English poets, Op 62
Gerald Finley, baritone
Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra
Thomas Sanderling, conductor
Sonata No 2 in D minor, Op 61 (3rd mvt, Moderato)
Peter Donohoe, piano
Produced by Sam Phillips for BBC Audio Wales & West
WED 17:00 In Tune (m002ghgb)
In session with stellar classical artists
Petroc Trelawny with live music and interviews from the world's finest classical musicians
WED 19:00 Classical Mixtape (m002ghgd)
The eclectic classical mix
Take time out with a 30-minute soundscape of classical music.
WED 19:30 BBC Proms (m002ghgg)
2025
Beethoven and Bartók from Budapest
Live at the BBC Proms: Iván Fischer conducts the Budapest Festival Orchestra in Beethoven's Symphony No. 7 and Bartók's opera Duke Bluebeard's Castle.
Presented by Andrew McGregor, live from the Royal Albert Hall, London
Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No. 7 in A major
c
8.10pm
Interval
The writer Nigel Simeone joins Andrew to introduce Duke Bluebeard's Castle, which is Bartók's only opera.
c.
8.30pm
Béla Bartók: Duke Bluebeard’s Castle
Dorottya Láng (soprano) ... Judith
Krisztián Cser (bass) ... Duke Bluebeard
Budapest Festival Orchestra
Iván Fischer (conductor)
From light into darkness: Beethoven’s ebullient Symphony No. 7 – ‘glorious wine for the human spirit’ – gives way to the shadows and horrors of Bartók’s Duke Bluebeard’s Castle. Iván Fischer and the Budapest Festival Orchestra bring Hungary’s greatest opera to the Royal Albert Hall. The legend of Bluebeard and his young wife Judith – whose persistent curiosity forces the Duke to reveal the secrets hidden behind the locked doors of his castle – comes to idiomatic life in the hands of a Hungarian cast.
WED 22:00 Night Tracks (m002ghgj)
Reflective music for the day’s end
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 (m0022tdh)
New Finn Peters
Jamz Supernova continues her week sitting in for Soweto Kinch on 'Round Midnight.
Sly5thAve returns with another selection from his record collection in 4/4. Tonight he has gone for a piece by pianist Robert Glasper.
Plus, there's music from The Elephant, Contours and Gail Thompson.
THURSDAY 07 AUGUST 2025
THU 00:30 Through the Night (m002ghgn)
The Romantic Violin
Violinist Carolin Widmann and pianist Gabriele Carcano play sonatas by Schumann, Brahms and Fauré at the Pau Casals International Music Festival in Spain. Penny Gore presents.
12:31 AM
Robert Schumann (1810-1856)
Violin Sonata no 1 in A minor, Op 105
Carolin Widmann (violin), Gabriele Carcano (piano)
12:49 AM
Johannes Brahms (1833-1897)
Violin Sonata no 2 in A major, Op 100
Carolin Widmann (violin), Gabriele Carcano (piano)
01:11 AM
Gabriel Faure (1845 - 1924)
Violin Sonata no 1 in A major, Op 13
Carolin Widmann (violin), Gabriele Carcano (piano)
01:38 AM
Maurice Ravel (1875-1937)
Berceuse sur le nom de Gabriel Fauré, M.74
Carolin Widmann (violin), Gabriele Carcano (piano)
01:41 AM
Georg Philipp Telemann (1681-1767)
Overture (Suite) in D major, TWV.55:D18
Musica Florea, Marek Stryncl (conductor)
02:04 AM
Francisco Guerau (1649-1722)
Mariona, 'Poema Harmonico'
Xavier Diaz-Latorre (guitar)
02:10 AM
Isaac Albeniz (1860-1909)
Iberia - book 1
Benjamin Grosvenor (piano)
02:31 AM
Bohuslav Martinu (1890-1959)
Symphony no 5 (H.310)
Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra, Vladimir Valek (conductor)
03:05 AM
Krzysztof Penderecki (1933-2020)
Missa Brevis
Hover State Chamber Chorus of Armenia, Sona Hovhannisyan (conductor)
03:25 AM
Domenico Scarlatti (1685-1757)
Sonata in F minor, K.69
Joanna Boslak-Gorniok (harpsichord)
03:29 AM
Frederick Delius (1862-1934)
On hearing the first cuckoo in spring for orchestra (RT.
6.19) (1911/12)
Symphony Nova Scotia, Georg Tintner (conductor)
03:37 AM
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
Piano Sonata no 24 in F sharp major, Op 78
Cedric Tiberghien (piano)
03:46 AM
Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach (1714-1788)
Trio sonata in A major for flute, violin and continuo (Wq.146/H.570)
Les Adieux
03:59 AM
Antonin Dvorak (1841-1904)
Song to the Moon from Rusalka, Op 114
Yvonne Kenny (soprano), Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Vladimir Kamirski (conductor)
04:05 AM
Maurice Ravel (1875-1937)
Tzigane - rapsodie de concert for violin and piano
Vineta Sareika (violin), Ventis Zilberts (piano)
04:16 AM
John Alden Carpenter (1876-1951)
Krazy Kat: A Jazz Pantomime (1921)
BBC Concert Orchestra, Keith Lockhart (conductor)
04:31 AM
Ignacy Jan Paderewski (1860-1941)
Menuet célèbre in G major, 'à l'antique', Op.14'1
Kyung-Sook Lee (piano)
04:35 AM
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791)
Divertimento in F major, K.138
Camerata Zurich
04:46 AM
Gunnar de Frumerie (1908-1987), Par Lagerkvist (lyricist)
Klagosangen (The Lament)
Christina Billing (soprano), Carina Morling (soprano), Aslog Rosen (soprano), Swedish Radio Choir, Eric Ericson (conductor)
04:49 AM
Gunnar de Frumerie (1908-1987)
Pastoral Suite, Op 13b
Kathleen Rudolph (flute), CBC Vancouver Orchestra, Mario Bernardi (conductor)
05:03 AM
Anonymous, arr. Pedro Memelsdorff/Andreas Staier
Three tunes to John Playford's 'Dancing Master'
Pedro Memelsdorff (recorder), Andreas Staier (harpsichord)
05:07 AM
Jay Capperauld (b.1989)
Circadian Refrains (172 Days Until Dawn)
BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Alpesh Chauhan (conductor)
05:18 AM
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)
Capriccio in B flat BWV.992, 'Sopra la lontananza del suo fratello dilettissimo'
David Kadouch (piano)
05:28 AM
Antonin Kraft (1749-1820)
Cello Concerto in C major, Op 4
Michal Kanka (cello), Prague Chamber Orchestra, Pavel Safarik (conductor)
05:52 AM
Arcangelo Corelli (1653-1713)
Sonata da chiesa in D minor, Op 3 no 5
Camerata Tallinn
06:00 AM
Herbert Howells (1892-1983)
Requiem
Gabrieli Consort, Paul McCreesh (director)
06:22 AM
Anatol Lyadov (1855-1914)
The Enchanted Lake, Op 62
Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, Dmitri Kitaenko (conductor)
THU 06:30 Breakfast (m002gdwt)
Launch the day with classical music
Linton Stephens 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 (m002gdww)
A feast of great music
Ian Skelly plays the best classical music for your morning, with discoveries and surprises rubbing shoulders with familiar favourites. Including the Playlister challenge: our regular listener-created sequence inspired by a different piece of music each day. Plus a new classical release in focus for Album of the Week.
1000 Playlister starter: listen and send us your ideas for the next step in today's musical journey. Text 83111 or email essentialclassics@bbc.co.uk.
1030 Album of the Week: an exciting new classical release in focus throughout the week.
1115 Playlister reveal: an uninterrupted sequence of music suggested by you in response to today's starter piece.
1200 Feast of a Piece: indulge your ears with an orchestral masterpiece.
To listen on most smart speakers say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Essential Classics”
THU 13:00 Classical Live (m002gdwy)
Pianist Yunchan Lim plays Rachmaninov at the Proms
Elizabeth Alker showcases the best performances by BBC orchestras, choirs, ensembles and other great performing groups from Europe and around the globe.
Throughout the summer season we’ll be offering another chance to hear some of the best music-making at this year’s BBC Proms. Today’s highlights include superstar pianist Yunchan Lim joining the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra for Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto No. 4.
Plus we shine a light on the former Radio 3 New Generation Artists performing this week at the Proms. Today, baritone James Newby sings Robert Schumann's Dichterliebe cycle.
But it's not all about the Proms - we’re also visiting other summer music festivals, across Europe and beyond. Across this week we’ll hear from the MUSIQ3 festival in Brussels, including Hervé Niquet conducting Le Concert Spirituel in Handel’s Coronation Anthems.
From the MUSIQ3 Festival in Brussels:
George Frideric Handel
My heart is inditing
Le Concert Spirituel
Hervé Niquet (conductor)
From the BBC Proms in London:
Sergei Rachmaninov
Piano Concerto No. 4 in G minor, Op. 40
Yunchan Lim (piano)
City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Kazuki Yamada (conductor)
Plus:
Robert Schumann
Dichterliebe, Op. 48
James Newby (baritone)
Joseph Middleton (piano)
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 (m002gdx0)
Dmitry Shostakovich (1906-1975)
Moscow
Donald Macleod explores Shostakovich’s move to Moscow in the midst of the second World War
Donald Macleod explores Dmitri Shostakovich’s life during the years of World War II, a period indelibly linked to his most famous work – the ‘Leningrad’ symphony - which became an international symbol of resistance against the Nazis when it was performed by an orchestra suffering from the effects of starvation during the siege of the city.
With Leningrad still under siege from Hitler’s forces, in 1943 Shostakovich decided to move from his evacuation home of Kuibyshev to Moscow. Donald Macleod explores Shostakovich’s move and his life in Russia’s capital city, examining how the composer’s new work in the city led to musical contacts which would inspire him to write brilliant new music.
Despite the more invigorating cultural climate of Moscow, Shostakovich is also devastated by the death of close friends, and as the war begins to turn, he writes a new symphony – a requiem for the dead.
Moscow-Chryomushki, Op 105 (1st mvt, A Spin through Moscow)
Philadelphia Orchestra
Riccardo Chailly, conductor
Zoya Suite, Op 64a (1st mvt, Song about Zoya)
Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra
Vladimir Ashkenazy, conductor
Cello Concerto No 1 in E flat major, Op 107 (2nd mvt, Moderato)
Sheku Kanneh-Mason, cello
City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Mirga Grazinyte-Tyla, conductor
Symphony No 8, Op 65 (4th mvt, Largo)
London Symphony Orchestra
Mstislav Rostropovich, conductor
Piano Trio No 2 in E minor, Op 67 (4th mvt, Allegretto)
Isaac Stern, violin
Emanuel Ax, piano
Yo-Yo Ma, cello
Produced by Sam Phillips for BBC Audio Wales & West
THU 17:00 In Tune (m002gdx2)
World-class classical music live
Petroc Trelawny with live music and interviews from the world's finest classical musicians
THU 19:00 Classical Mixtape (m002gdx4)
Your daily classical soundtrack
Take time out with a 30-minute soundscape of classical music.
THU 19:30 BBC Proms (m002gdx6)
2025
Dvořák’s ‘New World’ Symphony
Live at the BBC Proms: The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra with conductor Domingo Hindoyan & trumpet player Pacho Flores perform Hailstork, Higdon, Márquez & Dvořák
Presented by Penny Gore, live from the Royal Albert Hall, London
Adolphus Hailstork: An American Port of Call (European premiere)
Jennifer Higdon: blue cathedral
Arturo Márquez: Concierto de otoño
c.
8.15pm
Interval: Liverpool poet Paul Farley discusses the literary connections between Liverpool and America from Nathaniel Hawthorne who acted as consul in 1853 and was already known for his novel The Scarlet Letter, to the Liverpool poets visited in the 1960s by Allan Ginsberg.
c.
8.35pm
Antonín Dvořák: Symphony No. 9 in E minor, ‘From the New World'
A musical postcard from America. Dvořák’s ‘New World’ Symphony is charged with nostalgia, its lyrical warmth offering a striking contrast to the zesty contemporary drama of Adolphus Hailstork’s An American Port of Call – a musical portrait of a busy port city – and the transcendent peace of Jennifer Higdon’s Blue Cathedral – ‘a symbolic doorway into and out of this world’. Venezuelan trumpet virtuoso Pacho Flores is the soloist in Arturo Márquez’s vibrant and tune-filled Concierto de otoño.
THU 22:00 Night Tracks (m002gdx8)
A bewitching night time soundtrack
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 (m0022sq7)
Balimaya Project session highlights
'Round Midnight celebrates jazz old and new, from across the spectrum, each weeknight on BBC Radio 3 - but with a special focus on contemporary UK artists. Jamz Supernova is sitting in for Soweto Kinch all this week.
Sly5thAve concludes his run on 4/4 - picking records that mean a lot to him each night on the programme. His final choice is by Nubya Garcia.
Sly's latest album, Liberation, is out now.
Plus, there's music from Joy Guidry, Julien Knowles and Maria Chiara Argirò.
FRIDAY 08 AUGUST 2025
FRI 00:30 Through the Night (m002gdxd)
Haydn and Beethoven from the Takács Quartet
Haydn's 'Sunrise' Quartet and Beethoven's 'Razumovsky' Op 59 no 1 Quartet performed by one of the world's most enduring quartets at the Barcelona String Quartet Biennale. Penny Gore presents.
12:31 AM
Joseph Haydn (1732-1809)
String Quartet no 63 in B flat major, Op 76 no 4, Hob III:78 'Sunrise'
Takacs Quartet
12:51 AM
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
String Quartet no 7 in F major, Op 59 no 1 'Razumovsky'
Takacs Quartet
01:29 AM
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
Vivace, from 'String Quartet no 16 in F major, Op 135'
Takacs Quartet
01:33 AM
Joseph Haydn (1732-1809)
Symphony no 6 in D, Hob. I:6 'Le matin'
Soundeum Chamber Ensemble, Yacin Elbay (conductor)
01:56 AM
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
Adagio in E flat (WoO.43 No.2) for mandolin and piano
Lajos Mayer (mandolin), Imre Rohmann (piano)
02:02 AM
Johannes Brahms (1833-1897)
Sonata for cello and piano no 2 in F major, Op 99
Christian Poltera (cello), Martin Helmchen (piano)
02:31 AM
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)
Cantata no 35 BWV.35 "Geist und Seele wird verwirret"
Jadwiga Rappe (alto), Concerto Avenna, Andrzej Mysinski (conductor)
02:55 AM
Franz Liszt (1811-1886)
Harmonies poetiques et religieuses - 10 pieces for piano (excerpts)
Steven Osborne (piano)
03:25 AM
Joel Martinson (b.1960)
Aria on a Chaconne for organ
Jan Bokszczanin (organ)
03:29 AM
Claude Debussy (1862-1918)
Gigues - from Images for Orchestra
BBC Philharmonic, Juanjo Mena (conductor)
03:37 AM
Francois Dufaut (1604-1672),Honore d'Ambruys (c. C17th)
Pièce pour harpe (Dufaut); Air de cour “Le doux silence de nos bois" (d'Ambruys)
Marc Mauillon (tenor), Etienne Galletier (theorbo)
03:44 AM
Johan Peter Emilius Hartmann (1805-1900)
4 Caprices, Op 18:I (1835)
Nina Gade (piano)
03:55 AM
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
Ah! perfido, Op 65
Rosamund Illing (soprano), Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Herbert Esser (conductor)
04:08 AM
Anonymous
Folias de Espana
Komale Akakpo (cimbalom)
04:16 AM
Pablo de Sarasate (1844-1908)
Concert fantasy on Carmen for violin and orchestra, Op 25
Julia Fischer (violin), Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, Christopher Warren-Green (conductor)
04:31 AM
Franz Schubert (1797-1828)
Hungarian Melody in B minor, D.817
Schaghajegh Nosrati (piano)
04:35 AM
Georg Philipp Telemann (1681-1767)
Quartet in D minor, TWV.43:d2
Ensemble of the Eighteenth Century, Susanne Regel (conductor)
04:45 AM
Victor Young (1899-1956)
My foolish heart - song
Gwilym Simcock (piano)
04:55 AM
Antonin Dvorak (1841-1904)
In Nature's Realm (Overture), Op 91
Radio Bratislava Symphony Orchestra, Ondrej Lenard (conductor)
05:10 AM
Benjamin Britten (1913-1976)
6 Metamorphoses after Ovid
Owen Dennis (oboe)
05:23 AM
Francisco Tarrega (1852-1909), arr. Ruggiero Ricci
Recuerdos de la Alhambra
Kerson Leong (violin)
05:28 AM
Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov (1844-1908)
Antar - symphonic suite, Op 9
National Polish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Lukasz Borowicz (conductor)
06:00 AM
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791)
Quintet in E flat major K.452 for piano, oboe, clarinet, bassoon and horn
Leif Ove Andsnes (piano), Albrecht Mayer (oboe), Kari Kriikku (clarinet), Per Hannisdahl (bassoon), Jonathan Williams (horn)
06:23 AM
Jacobus Clemens non Papa (c.1510-1556)
Carole magnus eras
Netherlands Chamber Choir, Paul van Nevel (conductor)
FRI 06:30 Breakfast (m002gf1r)
Boost your morning with classical music
Linton Stephens 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 (m002gf1t)
Your perfect classical playlist
Ian Skelly plays the best classical music for your morning, with discoveries and surprises rubbing shoulders with familiar favourites. Including the Playlister challenge: our regular listener-created sequence inspired by a different piece of music each day. Plus a new classical release in focus for Album of the Week.
1000 Playlister starter: listen and send us your ideas for the next step in today's musical journey. Text 83111 or email essentialclassics@bbc.co.uk.
1030 Album of the Week: an exciting new classical release in focus throughout the week.
1115 Playlister reveal: an uninterrupted sequence of music suggested by you in response to today's starter piece.
1200 Feast of a Piece: indulge your ears with an orchestral masterpiece.
To listen on most smart speakers say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Essential Classics”
FRI 13:00 Classical Live (m002gf1w)
The Budapest Festival Orchestra plays Beethoven at the BBC Proms
Elizabeth Alker showcases the best performances by BBC orchestras, choirs, ensembles and other great performing groups from Europe and around the globe.
Throughout the summer season we’ll be offering another chance to hear some of the best music-making at this year’s BBC Proms. Today’s highlights include the Budapest Festival Orchestra and conductor Ivan Fischer performing Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7, and Hannu Lintu conducting the BBC Symphony Orchestra and Chorus in Mahler’s Das Klagende Lied.
Plus we shine a light on the former Radio 3 New Generation Artists performing this week at the Proms. Today, pianist Beatrice Rana plays Mendelssohn's Piano Concerto No. 1 in Paris.
From the BBC Proms in London:
Ludwig van Beethoven
Symphony No. 7 in A major
Budapest Festival Orchestra
Ivan Fischer (conductor)
Gustav Mahler
Das Klagende Lied (Original 1880 version)
Natalya Romaniw (soprano)
Jennifer Johnston (mezzo)
Russell Thomas (tenor)
James Newby (baritone)
Constanza Chorus
BBC Symphony Chorus
BBC Symphony Orchestra
Hannu Lintu (conductor)
Plus:
Felix Mendelssohn
Piano Concerto No. 1 in G minor
French National Orchestra
Cristian Măcelaru (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 (m002gf1y)
Dmitry Shostakovich (1906-1975)
Victory?
Donald Macleod looks at the end of the second World War and explores how it changed life for Shostakovich
Donald Macleod explores Dmitri Shostakovich’s life during the years of World War II, a period indelibly linked to his most famous work – the ‘Leningrad’ symphony - which became an international symbol of resistance against the Nazis when it was performed by an orchestra suffering from the effects of starvation during the siege of the city.
In Friday’s programme, Donald explores the end of the second World War, and sees Russia celebrate with a lavish Red Square parade. For Shostakovich the end of the conflict is overshadowed by the horror of the atomic bomb, but nevertheless, he puts pen to a ‘victory’ symphony. It is music which will lead to the composer once again being censored as once again he finds himself blacklisted by the state. Donald also explores whether we can draw anything from his music to tell us what Shostakovich’s opinions of the war were.
Four Pushkin Romances (No 1, Rebirth)
Gareth Brynmor John, baritone
Jocelyn Freeman, piano
String Quartet No 2 in A major, Op 68 (3rd mvt, Valse Allegro)
Cuarteto Casals
Symphony No 9 in E-flat major, Op 70 (5th mvt, Allegretto)
WDR Sinfonieorchester
Rudolf Barshai
Violin Concerto No 1 in A minor, Op 99 (1st mvt, Nocturne)
Maxim Vengerov, violin
London Symphony Orchestra
Mstislav Rsotropovich, conductor
From Jewish Poetry (No 8, Winter)
Rodney Nolan, tenor
I Musici de Montreal
Yuli Turovsky, conductor
Symphony No 13 (1st mvt, Babi Yar. Adagio)
Arthur Eisen, bass
Male Group of Republican Russian Academic Choir Capella
Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra
Kirill Kondrashin, conductor
Produced by Sam Phillips for BBC Audio Wales & West
FRI 17:00 In Tune (m002gf20)
The classical soundtrack for your evening
Petroc Trelawny with live music and interviews from the world's finest classical musicians
FRI 18:00 BBC Proms (m002gf22)
2025
Rachmaninov’s ‘Paganini’ Variations
Live at the BBC Proms: the BBC Symphony Orchestra conducted by Joseph Pons in Rachmaninov's 'Paganini' Variations, with Beatrice Rana, and Bartok's knockout Miraculous Mandarin
Presented by Ian Skelly at the Royal Albert Hall, London.
Paul Dukas: La Péri – Poème dansé
Sergey Rachmaninov: Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini
c.
6.40
Interval: The writer and music historian Emily MacGregor joins Ian Skelly, live at the Royal Albert Hall, to discuss the controversy surrounding Bartok's Miraculous Mandarin, to examine the social attitudes of Hungary in the early 20th century, and to explore the story of censorship behind the re-versioning of the composer's pantomime ballet for the concert stage.
c.
7.00
Béla Bartók: The Miraculous Mandarin
Beatrice Rana (piano)
BBC Singers
BBC Symphony Orchestra
Josep Pons (conductor)
Desire, brutality and the supernatural are shaken together in the orchestral kaleidoscope of Bartók’s ballet The Miraculous Mandarin. Josep Pons conducts the BBC Symphony Orchestra in the last of Bartók’s three great music-theatre scores, an electrifying fusion of folk music and modernism. Angular brilliance gives way to exotic, Impressionistic colours in Dukas’s exotic ‘danced poem’ La Péri. ‘Remarkable’ Italian pianist Beatrice Rana is the soloist in Rachmaninov’s thrilling Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini.
FRI 20:15 New Generation Artists (m002gf24)
2025 Proms season showcase: Niamh O'Sullivan, Elizaveta Ivanova, Chaos Quartet and Emma Rawicz
As part of a special series showcasing current members of Radio 3's New Generation Artists scheme, presenter Emily Jeffery introduces specially recorded performances at the BBC's iconic studios in Maida Vale by the mezzo-soprano Niamh O'Sullivan, flautist Elizaveta Ivanova, and saxophonist Emma Rawicz, plus a concert from St Geroge's, Bristol, by the Chaos quartet.
Haydn: The Mermaid's Song
Niamh O'Sullivan (mezzo)
Gary Beecher (piano)
Schulhoff: Flute Sonata
Elizaveta Ivanova (flute)
Sanja Bizjak (piano)
Shaw: Entr'Acte
Chaos Quartet
Rawicz: A Wide, Wide Sea
Rasmus Sørensen (piano)
Freddie Jensen (double bass)
Asaf Sirkis (drums)
Harty: The Sea Wrack
Niamh O'Sullivan (mezzo)
Gary Beecher (piano)
The BBC New Generation Artists scheme was founded in 1999 to support some of the world’s finest young instrumentalists, singers and ensembles at the start of their international careers, through performance and broadcast opportunities. The distinguished list of alumni now numbers well over a hundred, among them many of the most exciting musicians working on the world stage today.
FRI 21:00 BBC Proms (m002gf26)
2025
100 Years of the Shipping Forecast
Live at the BBC Proms: Ulster Orchestra and Chloé van Soeterstède perform music to celebrate 100 years of the Shipping Forecast, including works by Benjamin Britten, Malcolm Arnold, María Huld Markan Sigfúsdóttir, composer and cellist Neil Martin and of course- Ronald Binge.
Live from the Ulster Hall in Belfast
Ronald Binge- Sailing By
Britten- Storm (Four Sea Interludes from ‘Peter Grimes’)
Sigfúsdóttir- Oceans
Neil Martin: Port na bPúcaí
LYR: Yonderland (BBC Commission- World Premiere)
Anna Clyne: Restless Ocean
Ravel: Une barque sur l'ocean
Arnold: The Padstow Lifeboat
Ulster Orchestra
Chloé van Soeterstède (conductor)
LYR
Presented by Caroline Nicholls and Al Ryan
Cromarty, Forth, Tyne ... The Proms celebrates the centenary of the Shipping Forecast, heard daily on BBC Radio 4, a lifeline to all those at sea and a poetic salve for countless others on land. With presenters from Radio 4’s Continuity team, music inspired by the oceans and the elements, and a new work by Poet Laureate Simon Armitage and his group LYR, this is an event that speaks to the heart of our island nation.
FRI 23:00 BBC Proms (m002gf28)
2025
From Dark Till Dawn
Live at the BBC Proms: Organist Anna Lapwood is joined by the Pembroke College Chapel Choir, as well as Barokksolistene and director Bjarte Eike, cellist Anastasia Kobekina, and pianist Hayato Sumino, in a musical journey that extends from the nocturnal hours to beyond the dawn chorus.
Presented by Hannah Peel and Tom McKinney live from the Royal Albert Hall, London
Anastasia Kobekina (cello)
Hayato Sumino (piano)
Anna Lapwood (organ/conductor)
Pembroke College Chapel Choir
Barokksolistene
Bjarte Eike (violin/director)
Experience the Royal Albert Hall at its most magical, with an intimate after-hours Prom amid the night stars and beneath the Hall’s grand dome. Celebrated organist and TikTok star Anna Lapwood is guest curator and brings choral classics with her choir from Pembroke College. Among the other boundary-crossing artists are dynamic Norwegian ensemble Barokksolistene and director Bjarte Eike, who create a tavern-like mood with traditional British and Scandinavian songs as part of their Nordic Alehouse Session. Following her Proms debut last year Russian cellist Anastasia Kobekina returns with a set of solo Bach; and Chopin Competition semi-finalist – and YouTube sensation – Hayato Sumino makes his Proms debut. A unique musical journey extending from the nocturnal hours to beyond the dawn chorus