SATURDAY 04 APRIL 2026

SAT 00:30 Through the Night (m002t0j2)
Music and Poetry of the Spanish Golden Age

The Spanish vocal ensemble Qvinta Essençia showcase the polyphonic musical tradition and poetry that flourished in the Iberian peninsula of the 16th century. They sing beautifully shaped works by Guerrero, Morales and other less well known composers with texts by the pre-eminent poets of the age. John Shea presents.

12:31 AM
Pedro Guerrero (fl. c.1520-?), Garcilaso de la Vega (lyricist)
¡O más dura que mármol a mis quexas!
Qvinta Essençia

12:34 AM
Friar Juan Díaz (?-1651), Garcilaso de la Vega (lyricist)
¡Quién me dixera, Elisa, vida mía!
Qvinta Essençia

12:38 AM
Francisco Guerrero (1528-1599), Lope de Vega y Carpio, Félix (lyricist)
Si tus penas no pruevo
Qvinta Essençia

12:40 AM
Anon
Yntolerable rrayo
Qvinta Essençia

12:44 AM
Ginés de Morata (16th century)
Ninpha gentil
Qvinta Essençia

12:48 AM
Ginés de Morata (16th century), Jorge de Montemayor (lyricist)
Ojos que ya no véis
Qvinta Essençia

12:50 AM
Ginés de Morata (16th century), Jorge de Montemayor (lyricist)
Aquí me declaro
Qvinta Essençia

12:54 AM
Antonio Cebrián (16th Century), Garci Sánchez de Badajoz (lyricist)
Lagrimas de mi consuelo
Qvinta Essençia

12:57 AM
Anon
Hermosa Cathalina
Qvinta Essençia

01:00 AM
Rodrigo de Cevallos (c.1534-1581), Garcilaso de la Vega (lyricist)
¡Quán bienaventurado!
Qvinta Essençia

01:02 AM
Cristóbal de Morales (1500-1553), Juan Boscán (lyricist)
Si no os uviera mirado
Qvinta Essençia

01:07 AM
Juan Vásquez (1500-1560), Luís de Vivero (lyricist)
Si no os uviera mirado
Qvinta Essençia

01:08 AM
Juan Vásquez (1500-1560)
¡O dulce contemplación!
Qvinta Essençia

01:11 AM
Juan Vásquez (1500-1560), Comendador Escrivá (lyricist)
¿Qué sentís, coraçón mío?
Qvinta Essençia

01:15 AM
Rodrigo de Cevallos (c.1534-1581), Barrionuevo (lyricist)
Ojos hermosos
Qvinta Essençia

01:17 AM
Antonio Cebrián (16th Century)
Socórreme pastora
Qvinta Essençia

01:21 AM
Juan Vásquez (1500-1560)
Por vida de mis ojos (encore)
Qvinta Essençia

01:23 AM
Sebastián Iradier (1809-1865)
La Paloma
Victoria de los Ángeles (soprano), Sinfonia of London, Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos (conductor)

01:28 AM
Joaquín Rodrigo (1901-1999)
3 Piezas espanolas for guitar
Goran Listes (guitar)

01:42 AM
Franz Schubert (1797-1828)
Symphony no 9 in C major, D.944 "Great"
Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, Juanjo Mena (conductor)

02:31 AM
Luciano Berio (1925-2003)
Folk Songs for mezzo-soprano and 7 players
Jean Stilwell (mezzo soprano), Canadian Chamber Ensemble, Raffi Armenian (conductor)

02:54 AM
Alberto Ginastera (1916-1983)
Variaciones concertantes, Op 23
Berner Kammerorchester, Kaspar Zehnder (conductor)

03:19 AM
Clara Schumann (1819-1896)
Piano Trio in G minor, Op 17
Erika Radermacher (piano), Eva Zurbrugg (violin), Angela Schwartz (cello)

03:47 AM
Gabriel Fauré (1845 - 1924)
Pelleas et Melisande suite, Op 80
BBC Philharmonic, Yan Pascal Tortelier (conductor)

04:04 AM
Pierre-Gabriel Buffardin (c.1690-1768)
Concerto a 5 for flute and strings in E minor
Ernst-Burghard Hilse (flute), Musica Antiqua Köln

04:16 AM
Peter Philips (1560-1628)
Pavan Dolorosa
Concordia, Mark Levy (conductor)

04:21 AM
Alexander Scriabin (1871-1915)
Piano Sonata no 4 in F sharp major, Op 30
Jayson Gillham (piano)

04:31 AM
Louise Farrenc (1804-1875)
Overture no 2, Op 24
BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Anja Bihlmaier (conductor)

04:38 AM
Georg Philipp Telemann (1681-1767)
Fantasia No 8 in E minor from 12 Fantasies for flute
Lise Daoust (flute)

04:42 AM
Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber (1644-1704)
Sonata no 12 a 8 from sonatae tam aris, quam aulis servientes
Collegium Aureum, Georg Ratzinger (conductor)

04:47 AM
Eugen Suchoň (1908-1993)
Nocturne
Ján Slávik (cello), Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra, Mário Košik (conductor)

05:03 AM
Ruth Gipps (1921-1999)
Wind Sinfonietta, Op 73
BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Jonathan Bloxham (conductor)

05:21 AM
Max Bruch (1838-1920)
Scottish fantasy, Op 46
James Ehnes (violin), Orchestre symphonique de Montreal, Mario Bernardi (conductor)

05:51 AM
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
Piano Sonata no 18 in E flat, Op 31 no 3
Annie Fischer (piano)

06:14 AM
Hans Gál (1890-1987)
Serenade for string orchestra, Op 46
Symphony Nova Scotia, Georg Tintner (conductor)


SAT 06:30 Breakfast (m002t99q)
Wake up with classical music

Hannah French presents Radio 3’s Breakfast show. 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 (m002t99v)
Music and conversation for Holy Saturday morning

Tom Service soundtracks Easter Saturday morning with the best classical music, in new and landmark recordings, with one or two surprise guests introducing their own releases.

This week, Tom also meets the French conductor Raphaël Pichon. With his ensemble Pygmalion, Pichon has produced a string of innovative and critically acclaimed recordings and concerts. His latest release, of Bach’s St John Passion, has continued that run, and Tom finds out more about how Pygmalion manages to inject something fresh into such familiar works.

As the London Soundtrack Festival celebrates film composer Bernard Herrmann with a performance of his clarinet quintet 'Souvenirs de Voyage', Tom hears from the performers about their love for Herrmann's concert music, and also meets the composer's widow Norma to hear about the years Herrmann spent living and working in London.

And in The Creators this week, Tom talks to video game composer Lorien Testard about the eight hours of music he wrote for the hit game 'Clair Obscur: Expedition 33', an award-winning endeavour which topped the Billboard Classical Chart.

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


SAT 12:00 Earlier... with Jools Holland (m002f77v)
Jools with music for Saturday lunchtime

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 Kapsberger, Beethoven and Jimmie Lunceford, with performances by Maria Joao Pires and the Scottish Chamber Orchestra. His guest is the poet and podcaster Pádraig Ó Tuama who introduces music he loves by The Bonny Men, Max Richter and Sibelius arranged for uileann pipes.

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


SAT 13:00 Key Changes: Radio 3's Essential History of Classical Music (m002tdbt)
1026: As simple as do-re-mi

The year is 1026, Italy. A monk called Guido d'Arezzo causes a musical revolution when he designs a way to notate and share music. His invention of the stave - and the notion of do-re-mi-fa-soh - allows music to be written down and shared. It also ensures the survival of the transcendent music of abbess and polymath Hildegard of Bingen, one of the first composers whose name we know.

Gillian Moore is joined by a roster of distinguished historians for this major new BBC Radio 3 series, charting a course through 1000 years of classical music history. For the first eight programmes, historian Michael Wood is in the chair, as together they explore the bold new sound worlds of the Middle Ages and Renaissance.

Producer: David Fay
Academic Consultant: Professor Laura Tunbridge, University of Oxford
Story Consultant: Kate Leys
Series Editor for BBC Audio: Emma Harding

Key Changes theme tune composed by Joseph Howard and performed by the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, conducted by Kerem Hasan.

MUSIC DETAILS

Anonymous: Ut queant laxis
BBC Singers
Sofi Jeannin (conductor)

Richard Rodgers: Do-Re-Mi (The Sound of Music)
Julie Andrews (voice)
Studio Orchestra and Cast

Anonymous: Vexilla Regis
BBC Singers
Sofi Jeannin (conductor)

Anonymous: In dies resurrectionis (Old Roman Chant)
Ensemble Organum
Marcel Pérès (director)

Gustav Holst: The Hymn of Jesus (Prelude)
Hallé Choir
Hallé Youth Choir
Hallé
Mark Elder (conductor)

James MacMillan: Miserere
Marian Consort
Rory McCleary (conductor)

James MacMillan: Gaude, Gaude (Veni, Veni Emanuel)
Evelyn Glennie (percussion)
Scottish Chamber Orchestra
Jukka-Pekka Sarasate (conductor)

James MacMillan: Sedebit domnius rex (The Strathclyde Motets)
The Sixteen
Harry Christophers (conductor)

James MacMillan: Since it was the day of preparation… (Conclusion and Postlude)
Hebrides Ensemble
Synergy Vocals

Anonymous: Dies Irae chant
BBC Singers
Owain Park (conductor)

Hector Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique (5th mvt)
BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra
Ryan Wigglesworth (conductor)

Hildegard of Bingen: Ave generosa, gloriosa
Margaret Philpot (alto)

Hildegard of Bingen: Ordo virtutem (excerpt)
Sequentia

Hildegard of Bingen: O magne Pater
Sabine Lutzenberger (soprano and bells)

Hildegard of Bingen arr. Sarah Kirkland Snider: O virtus Sapientiae
Emily d’Angelo (mezzo soprano)
Kuss Quartet


SAT 14:00 Record Review (m002t9b3)
Mascagni's Cavalleria Rusticana in Building a Library with Iain Burnside and Andrew McGregor

Andrew McGregor with the week's best new classical releases.

2.10pm
Andrew is joined by guest reviewer Flora Willson, who picks four new releases that have caught her ear.

3pm
Building a Library: Iain Burnside surveys some of the many recordings of Pietro Mascagni's Cavalleria rusticana, and makes a personal top recommendation. Widely considered to be one of the classic verismo operas, Cavalleria rusticana premiered in Rome in 1890 to rapturous applause. Taking place in a Sicilian village on Easter Sunday, the one-act opera is a passionate tale of love and betrayal.

Top choice:
Renata Scotto (soprano)
Placido Domingo (tenor)
Pablo Elvira (baritone)
National Philharmonic Orchestra
James Levine (conductor)
RCA 74321395002

3.50pm
Record of the Week: Andrew picks a new release that has most impressed him this week.


SAT 16:00 Sound of Cinema (m002t9b5)
with Sheridan Tongue and Kathryn Tickell

Edith Bowman presents a weekly curation of the finest film scores and cinematic music. This week, she is joined by composer Sheridan Tongue, who discusses his work on the true‑crime series Amy Bradley Is Missing. Composer and musician Kathryn Tickell will also share her “Pick of the Flicks,” featuring music by a member of one of Britain’s most renowned rock bands.

We'll also have our usual blend of classic film scores and newly released soundtracks.


SAT 17:00 This Classical Life (m002t9b7)
Jess Gillam with... David Arnold

Jess Gillam swaps music choices with film composer David Arnold, the mind behind scores for films including Narnia, Hot Fuzz, Independence Day, and James Bond.

David's picks include the joyful Waltz from Tchaikovsky's Sleeping Beauty, Ennio Morricone's genre-defining score to The Good, The Bad And The Ugly, Queen's ambitious March of the Black Queen, and Mozart's Clarinet Quintet - reminding him of learning clarinet as a child. Jess brought along the iconic Also sprach Zarathustra by Richard Strauss, the timeless Stabat Mater by Poulenc, Luis Bacalov's score from Il Postino, and a track from jazz saxophonist and composer Emma Rawicz. David spoke about his approach to writing music for film, his upbringing, favourite collaborations and - of course - his work on 007.

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


SAT 18:00 Opera on 3 (m002t9b9)
Debussy's Pelléas et Mélisande

“She was such a quiet creature, wrapped in mystery as we all are…” In an ancient castle by a darkening sea, the princess Mélisande falls in love – and unlocks passions as deadly as they are beautiful. Moving, mysterious and heartbreakingly gorgeous, Debussy’s opera is woven from delicate emotions and violent rage; from sorrow entwined with wonder, and sounds so lovely that they can tear open your soul.

This concert performance with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra will bring out every shimmer and sigh of Debussy’s astonishing score. Sophie Bevan and Huw Montague Rendall play the tragic lovers, heading a cast of singers who know and love this music from the inside out.

Presented by Kate Molleson and recorded at Glasgow's City Halls on 26 March 2026.

Pelléas ..... Huw Montague Rendall (baritone)
Mélisande ..... Sophie Bevan (soprano)
Golaud ..... David Stout (baritone)
Geneviève ..... Karen Cargill (mezzo-soprano)
Arkel ..... Alastair Miles (bass)
Yniold ..... Beth Stirling (soprano)
Shepherd/Doctor ..... Richard Morrison (baritone)
RCS Chamber Choir
BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra
Ryan Wigglesworth (conductor)


SAT 21:30 Music Planet (m002t9bc)
Mongolian folk songs live in concert

Lopa Kothari curates a selection of roots-based music from across the globe, including a live performance of Inner Mongolian ensemble Anda Union recorded at 229, in London. Hailing from differing ethnic nomadic cultures in China, the nine-strong band unites tribal and music traditions from all over Inner Mongolia. Elsewhere in the show, new music from Ivorian balafon maestro Aly Keita and Diamond Fingers himself, Mama Sissoko.

Produced by Fatuma Khaireh 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 22:30 New Music Show (m002t9bf)
Easter: A Seasonal Journey... The Passion of Mary Magdalene

Presented by Tom Service, including the world premiere performance of The Passion of Mary Magdalene by British composer Tansy Davies.

Tansy Davies's radical reimagining of the Easter story is told from the perspective of Mary Magdalene, disturbing traditional Gospel narratives around Mary as a figure and bringing her spiritual significance into the light.

Drawing on the non-canonical Gospel of Mary and poetry by Ruth Fainlight, and by blending period instruments with electric guitar, the Dunedin Consort, Anna Dennis as Mary Magdalene and Marcus Farnsworth as Jesus present this intense three-part epic that recasts Mary as a powerful female presence – in the composer’s words, ‘a wise woman in the desert, this kind of raw oracle’. Davies’s dramatic Passion hints at unearthing buried truths and the hope of a world cleansed of its demons.

SUNDAY 05 APRIL 2026

SUN 00:30 Through the Night (m002t9bh)
Easter with Ars Nova Copenhagen

Sofi Jeannin directs the Copenhagen choir in a programme exploring Eastertide themes of sorrow and comfort. Spanning centuries of liturgical music, the ensemble perform music by Nico Muhly, Caroline Shaw, Byrd, Vagn Holmboe, Roderick Williams, Palestrina and Cardoso. John Shea presents.

12:31 AM
Caroline Shaw (b.1982)
and the swallow
Ars Nova Copenhagen, Sofi Jeannin (director)

12:35 AM
Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina (c.1525-1594)
Stabat Mater
Ars Nova Copenhagen, Sofi Jeannin (director)

12:43 AM
William Byrd (1543-1623)
Ave verum corpus
Ars Nova Copenhagen, Sofi Jeannin (director)

12:46 AM
Roderick Williams,William Byrd (1543-1623)
Ave verum corpus Re-imagined
Ars Nova Copenhagen, Sofi Jeannin (director)

12:51 AM
Vagn Holmboe (1909-1996)
Miserere
Ars Nova Copenhagen, Sofi Jeannin (director)

12:56 AM
Manuel Cardoso (1566-1650)
Excerpt from Lamentationes Ierimiae
Ars Nova Copenhagen, Sofi Jeannin (director)

01:02 AM
Nico Muhly (b.1981)
No Resting Place
Ars Nova Copenhagen, Sofi Jeannin (director)

01:28 AM
Maurice Duruflé (1902-1986)
Ubi caritas (encore)
Ars Nova Copenhagen, Sofi Jeannin (director)

01:30 AM
Artie Matthews (1888-1959)
Pastime Rags (1913-20): Slow Drags No.4
Donna Coleman (piano)

01:34 AM
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
Symphony no. 7 in A major Op.92
Danish National Chamber Orchestra, Ádám Fischer (conductor)

02:16 AM
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791)
Sonata for violin and keyboard in G major, K.301
Julie Eskaer (violin), Janjz Zapolsky (piano)

02:31 AM
Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach (1714-1788)
Concerto for flute and strings in G major, Wq.169
Robert Aitken (flute), CBC Vancouver Orchestra, Mario Bernardi (conductor)

02:56 AM
Philip Glass (b.1937)
Music in similar motion for ensemble
Ricercata Ensemble, Ivan Siller (director)

03:08 AM
Benjamin Britten (1913-1976)
Symphonic Suite from the Opera 'Gloriana'
Peter Pears (tenor), SWF Symphony Orchestra, Benjamin Britten (conductor)

03:34 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)

03:49 AM
Ernst von Dohnányi (1877-1960)
Symphonic Minutes, Op 36
West Australian Symphony Orchestra, Jorge Mester (conductor)

04:03 AM
Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741)
Trio sonata for 2 violins & continuo in D minor 'La Folia', RV.63 (Op 1 no 12)
Il Giardino Armonico, Giovanni Antonini (director)

04:13 AM
Edvard Grieg (1843-1907), Alan Civil (arranger)
Suite for Brass Quintet
Brass Consort Köln

04:24 AM
Johannes Ockeghem (1410-1497)
Salve Regina
Hilliard Ensemble

04:31 AM
Lili Boulanger (1893-1918)
Nocturne
Johan Dalene (violin), Nicola Eimer (piano)

04:34 AM
James Kimo Williams (b.1950)
Fanfare for Life
Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Tabita Berglund (conductor)

04:39 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)

04:44 AM
Franz Schubert (1797-1828)
Overture in D major D590 'in the Italian style'
Wroclaw Baroque Orchestra, Giovanni Antonini (conductor)

04:52 AM
Cecilia McDowall (b.1951)
Cavatina at Midnight
Mithras Trio

05:03 AM
Jean-Philippe Rameau (1683-1764)
Excerpts from the Suite from 'Les Indes galantes'
Vespres d'Arnadí, Dani Espasa (conductor), Dani Espasa (harpsichord)

05:17 AM
Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach (1714-1788)
6 Little sonatas for 2 flutes, 2 clarinets, 2 horns and bassoon (Wq.184)
Bratislavská komorná harmónia

05:37 AM
Alexander Scriabin (1871-1915)
Piano Concerto in F sharp minor, Op 20
Anatol Ugorski (piano), New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, Gunther Schuller (conductor)

06:08 AM
Joseph Rheinberger (1839-1901)
Horn Sonata in E flat major, Op 178
Martin Van der Merwe (horn), Huib Christiaanse (piano)


SUN 06:30 Breakfast (m002t9ms)
Start your day with classical music

Mark Forrest presents Radio 3’s Breakfast show live from Salford. With 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’.


SUN 09:00 Sunday Morning (m002t9mv)
Three hours of Easter classical sparkle

Today, Sarah’s choices include Gregorian chant for Easter Day, a Cantata by JS Bach that celebrates the Resurrection with a flurry of jubilant voices, and an interpretation of a spring morning by Lili Boulanger.

There’s also a chance to hear the whole of Mozart’s Mass in C major, and today’s Choral Reflection is a balm of Renaissance harmony which gives the impression of being in surround sound…

Also, this week’s Sunday Sequence heads around the globe to discover some Easter traditions - including the history of hunting for eggs…

A Tandem Production for BBC Radio 3.


SUN 12:00 Private Passions (m002t9mx)
Francis Spufford, writer

Francis Spufford is an award-winning writer who loves to inhabit different worlds and vividly bring them to life: Golden Hill, which won the Costa First Novel Award, takes place in Manhattan in 1746, Light Perpetual begins in a Woolworths in South London in 1944 and Francis’s latest novel ‘Nonesuch’ is a historical fantasy set during the Blitz.

But it wasn’t until he was 52 that Francis felt confident enough to write works of fiction, before that his books covered a wide variety of topics from polar expeditions to the economic optimism of post-Stalin Russia to an exploration of the role religion has played in his life. He became an atheist in his teens but turned back to the church after a 20 year hiatus.

When not penning his own work, Francis encourages other budding authors as Professor of Creative Writing at Goldsmiths, University of London.

His music choices include works by Byrd, Satie, Mozart and Ravel.


SUN 13:30 Music Map (m002t9mz)
Easter: A Seasonal Journey... Rimsky-Korsakov's Russian Easter Overture

Sara Mohr-Pietsch explores the musical paths leading to Rimsky-Korsakov's joyful Russian Easter Overture, including Shrovetide plainchant and his star student, Stravinsky. Along the way, Sara surveys pieces in the curiously lopsided count of five, which Tchaikovsky and Dave Brubeck made their own. And there's also a step back in time to the year 1888 in the company of Arthur Sullivan and Augusta Holmès.


SUN 15:00 Music Matters (m002t9n1)
Curtain Up: Classical Stories of Musical Theatre

From operetta to Oklahoma!

Tenor Nicky Spence explores the deep and often-overlooked connections between classical music and the world of musical theatre.

In episode 1, he tells the story of how musical theatre was born out of operetta in the early 20th century; from composers such as Offenbach and Arthur Sullivan to Noël Coward, Cole Porter, George Gershwin, and Richard Rodgers.

Nicky speaks to the musicologist Dominic Broomfield-McHugh about the phenomenon of Gilbert and Sullivan, how Gershwin and Kurt Weill blurred genres on Broadway, and how Rodgers and Hammerstein created the template for the modern musical.

Nicky and his husband, the pianist Dylan Perez, also perform musical excerpts from Franz Lehár's The Merry Widow and Noël Coward's Bitter Sweet, drawing out hidden connections.

Produced by Rachel Gill for BBC Audio.


SUN 16:00 Jazz Record Requests (m002t9n4)
Jazz for Easter Sunday

Alyn Shipton has the perfect mix of jazz to soundtrack your Easter Sunday, including music from Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington, Colin Steele, Carmen McRae & more.

Join our community of jazz lovers. Alyn Shipton is waiting for your requests: email 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 (m002t9n6)
Easter: A Seasonal Journey... Paschal Plainchant

Hannah French explores the use of plainchant in today’s Early Music Show, whether we hear it in its original single line as a cantus firmus (the fixed song that anchors a lot of Renaissance polyphony) or whether composers have made a free setting of the plainchant text to carry the transition from the gloom of Lent to the joy of Easter.

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


SUN 18:00 Choral Evensong (m002t9n8)
Easter: A Seasonal Journey... King's College, Cambridge

From the Chapel of King’s College, Cambridge on Easter Day.

Introit: This joyful Eastertide (Wood)
Responses: Radcliffe
Office Hymn: Good Christian men rejoice and sing! (Vulpius)
Psalm 66 vv1-11 (Gray)
First Lesson: Song of Solomon 3 vv2-5, 8 vv6-7
Canticles: Collegium Regale (Wood)
Second Lesson: John 20 vv11-18
Anthem: Light out of darkness (Elgar)
Hymn: Jesus Christ is risen today (Easter Hymn)
Voluntary: Four Extemporizations No 4 (Fanfare) (Whitlock)

Daniel Hyde (Director of Music)
Harrison Cole (Assisting Organist)

Recorded 5 April.

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


SUN 19:00 Sunday Feature (m002dpr5)
The February House

For a year during World War II, an unremarkable residence in Brooklyn Heights became the epicentre of Western music and literature. 7 Middagh Street was home to a list of luminaries: novelist Carson McCullers, burlesque dancer Gypsy Rose Lee, as well as three young Englishmen who’d emigrated to America as conflict blasted Europe - composer Benjamin Britten, tenor Peter Pears, and poet W.H. Auden.

85 years on, poet and cultural historian Gregory Woods rebuilds this ramshackle house share, and invite the walls to talk ...

With contributions from:
Katherine Bucknell, scholar, author, and a founder of The W.H. Auden Society
Paul Kildea, Australian composer and Britten expert
Paul Muldoon, Pulitzer Prize-winning Irish poet
Hugh Ryan, historian and author of ‘When Brooklyn Was Queer’
Sherill Tippins, historian whose book “February House” won the LAMBDA Literary Award For Biography and the National Prize For Arts Writing

Presented by Gregory Woods
Produced by Jude Shapiro
Exec Produced by Jack Howson
Mixed by Louis Blatherwick
With additional production from Will Coley and extra research from Saskia Cookson & Joy Nkoyo

A Peanut & Crumb production for BBC Radio 3


SUN 19:45 Words and Music (m001pmzr)
Aspects of the Divine

Have you ever felt lost for words at the beauty of a sunset? Or watched the sunrise and been struck with a sense of awe and wonder? That’s what happens to Ratty and Mole in a magical passage in the children’s classic, Wind in the Willows. As with all literature and music that touches the heart, it’s the sense of something beyond the words or the notes that captures our imagination – something that points to the very mystery of our being – something numinous – what some people think of as God. In this programme, Aspects of the Divine, the actors Natalie Simpson and Ray Fearon explore texts which point to this feeling of something transcendent from different angles: for Wordsworth it was found in nature; for the Old Testament prophet, Isaiah, it was the potential for the parched desert to suddenly blossom abundantly; for mystics like Hildegard of Bingen and Julian of Norwich it was glimpsed in a life of contemplation; in the contemporary novels by Marilynne Robinson and Caleb Azumah Nelson it is found in the rituals of organised religion. The ancient Greeks developed the idea of balance, order and harmony as a semi-mystical property that could shape our lives. And the first words we hear are a speech from Shakespeare’s Troilus and Cressida about that. Many great composers, from Beethoven to Bruckner, caught this far-off melody in their music. And we start with Vaughan Williams’ glorious evocation of music as the divine resolution of discord in harmony.

Producer: Clive Portbury
READINGS:
Shakespeare/Troilus and Cressida
Donne/Batter my heart, three-person'd God
Julian of Norwich/Revelations of Divine Love Chapter 5
Dickinson/Some keep the Sabbath going to Church
Old Testament/Isaiah chapter 35
Benjamin Myers/Extract from the novel Cuddy
Beethoven/Letter to Dr Franz Wegeler
Michael Symmons Roberts/Jairus
Kenneth Grahame/Wind in the Willows: The Piper at the Gates of Dawn
Carol Ann Duffy/Prayer
Marilynne Robinson/Extract from the novel Lila
Milton/Extract from Paradise from Paradise Lost
Caleb Azumah Nelson/Extract from the novel Small Worlds
Wordsworth/Extract from Lines Written a Few Miles above Tintern Abbey
Herbert/Church Monuments
Larkin/Church going


SUN 21:00 Ultimate Calm (m002lb24)
Erland Cooper: Series 5

A sleepy soundtrack for sweet dreams ft. Ian Rankin

Scottish composer Erland Cooper sits at the helm for this new series of Ultimate Calm, steering us into calm waters with musical selections close to his heart, guided by the elemental, the natural world and his experiences growing up in Orkney. For this maiden voyage, he starts in the realm of sleep and dreams, with a selection of soporific sounds. There’ll be music by Satoshi Park, Ganavya and Cerys Hafana, as well as an exclusive unreleased piece by Erland himself, written for his dog, Mirage Morricone.

In every episode of Ultimate Calm, we travel to the musical safe haven of a special guest. We begin this series with the writer Ian Rankin, who transports us to a wharf on a misty early morning evoked by one of his favourite jazz records.

Produced by Kit Callin
A Reduced Listening production


SUN 22:00 Night Tracks (m002t9nf)
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.


SUN 23:30 Unclassified (m002t9nh)
Geometry of Sound

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, she shares the gorgeous new track Pearl Cloud Song from Norwegian artist Juni Habel; new work form Andrew Wasylyk featuring the unmistakable voice of Stuart Murdoch from Belle and Sebastian; and for dog lovers, a special treat - a track from Ann Eysermans built around the barks and whimpers of her own pet dog. Elsewhere, Elizabeth offers the most exciting new music 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 06 APRIL 2026

MON 00:30 Through the Night (m002t9nk)
Mahler's Resurrection Symphony

The Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra and conductor Daniel Harding are joined by Orfeó Català and soloists Johanna Wallroth and Avery Amereau in Mahler's Resurrection Symphony. John Shea presents.

12:31 AM
Gustav Mahler (1860-1911)
Symphony no 2 in C minor 'Resurrection'
Johanna Wallroth (soprano), Avery Amereau (mezzo soprano), Orfeó Català, Pablo Larraz (director), Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Daniel Harding (conductor)

01:52 AM
Traditional Swedish
Swedish Folk Dance
Andreas Borregaard (accordion)

01:54 AM
Carl Maria von Weber (1786-1826)
Piano Sonata No 4 in E minor, Op 70
Stanley Hoogland (fortepiano)

02:17 AM
Richard Strauss (1864-1949)
Prelude (Introduction) from Capriccio - opera in 1 act, Op 85
Henschel Quartett, Soo-Jin Hong (violin), Soo-Kyung Hong (cello)

02:31 AM
Sergey Rachmaninov (1873-1943), Konstantin Balmont (author)
The Bells (Kolokola) for soloists, chorus and orchestra, Op 35
Roumiana Bareva (soprano), Pavel Kourchoumov (tenor), Stoyan Popov (baritone), Sons de la mer Mixed Choir, Bulgarian National Radio Symphony Orchestra, Vassil Stefanov (conductor)

03:09 AM
Max Bruch (1838-1920)
Violin Concerto no 1 in G minor, Op 26
Roland Orlik (violin), Polish Radio National Symphony Orchestra Katowice, Marek Pijarowski (conductor)

03:35 AM
Josip Raffaelli (1767-1843)
Introduction and theme with variations in A major
Vladimir Krpan (piano)

03:45 AM
Jacob Obrecht (1457-1505)
Omnis spiritus laudet - offertory motet for 5 voices
Ensemble Daedalus

03:51 AM
Hugo Wolf (1860-1903)
Italian Serenade in G major for string quartet, Op 120
Kyoko Ogawa (violin), Clara Mesplé (violin), Anne Sophie Van Riel (viola), Zuzanna Szambelan (cello)

03:58 AM
Carl Nielsen (1865-1931)
Serenata in vano, FS.68
Kari Kriikku (clarinet), Jonathan Williams (horn), Per Hannisdahl (bassoon), Øystein Sonstad (cello), Katrine Öigaard (double bass)

04:05 AM
David Popper (1843-1913)
Hungarian rhapsody, Op 68
Shauna Rolston (cello), Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, Mario Bernardi (conductor)

04:14 AM
Fryderyk Chopin (1810-1849)
Preludes, Op 28 Nos 16-20
Krzysztof Jablonski (piano)

04:22 AM
Leopold Ebner (1769-1830)
Trio in B flat major
Zagreb Woodwind Trio

04:31 AM
Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741)
Violin Concerto in A minor, RV 357, Op 4 no 4
Fabio Biondi (violin), Europa Galante, Fabio Biondi (director)

04:39 AM
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791)
12 Variations for piano in B flat major K 500
Simon Crawford-Phillips (piano)

04:48 AM
Johannes Brahms (1833-1897)
3 Songs for chorus, Op 42
Danish National Radio Choir, Stefan Parkman (conductor)

04:59 AM
Alfonso Ferrabosco (1543-1588)
Pavan and Fantasie for lute
Nigel North (lute)

05:06 AM
Edvard Grieg (1843-1907)
Evening in the Mountains, Op 68 no 4; At the cradle, Op 68 no 5
CBC Vancouver Orchestra, Mario Bernardi (conductor)

05:14 AM
Witold Lutosławski (1913-1994)
Dance Preludes for clarinet and piano
Seraphin Maurice Lutz (clarinet), Eugen Burger-Yonov (piano)

05:25 AM
Maurice Ravel (1875-1937)
Piano Trio in A minor (1914)
Bernt Lysell (violin), Mats Rondin (cello), Bengt-Åke Lundin (piano)

05:52 AM
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)
Orchestral Suite no 2 in B minor, BWV.1067
Jan Dewinne (flute), Ensemble 415

06:13 AM
Anton Arensky (1861-1906)
Suite no 2 for 2 pianos, Op 23 'Silhouettes'
James Anagnoson (piano), Leslie Kinton (piano)


MON 06:30 Breakfast (m002t9pw)
Wake up your senses 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 (m002t9q2)
Your perfect classical playlist

Georgia Mann 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 (m002t9q8)
Santiago Sanchez live from Wigmore Hall

Mark Forrest introduces an afternoon of live music and specially recorded performances from around the world. In today’s programme, music from Perth Concert Hall in Scotland by Chopin - the Leonore Piano Trio perform his early G minor Trio. Also today, Mark begins a week featuring music that turns to the ancient expression of plainsong for inspiration, prompted by the opening theme of Radio 3’s new history of music series ‘Key Changes’ (See Saturday 4th April).
Plus, music for Easter Monday and Radio 3 New Generation Artist tenor Santiago Sanchez is live from Wigmore Hall.

Wigmore Hall Live

Santiago Sánchez (tenor)
Ian Tindale (piano)

Clara Schumann
Ich stand in dunkeln Träumen Op. 13 No. 1
Mein Stern

Robert Schumann
Liederkreis Op. 24

Gerald Finzi
Oh fair to see, Op. 13b - ‘Oh, fair to see’
As I lay in the early sun
Till Earth Outwears, Op. 19a - ‘At a Lunar Eclipse’
Life laughs onwards

Fernando Obradors
Canciones clásicas españolas: ‘Tres Morillas’

Carlos Guastavino
Canciones del alba: ‘El paso de las estrellas’

Enrique Granados
7 Canciónes amatorias: ‘Mañanica era’

Joaquín Turina
Rima, Op. 26 No. 3

Isaac Albéniz
To Nellie

Jesús Gurida
6 canciones castellanas - ‘No quiero tus avellanas’

Alberto Ginastera
2 Canciones, Op. 3 - No. 1 ‘Canción al arbol del olvido’

*****
c.14:00

Johann Sebastian Bach
Cantata - ‘Erfreut euch, ihr Herzen’, BWV. 66 (Rejoice, you hearts)
Anna El-Khashem (soprano)
Mari Askvik (mezzo-soprano)
Nick Pritchard (tenor)
Edwin Crossley-Mercer (bass)
Namur Chamber Choir
Christophe Rousset (conductor)

Perth Chopin Series:
Frederic Chopin
Piano Trio in G minor, Op. 8
Leonore Piano Trio

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Serenata Notturna in D major, K. 239
Freiburg Baroque Orchestra
Gottfried von der Goltz (conductor)

Arvo Pärt
Symphony No. 3
BBC Philharmonic Orchestra
John Storgards (conductor)


MON 16:00 Composer of the Week (m001n28m)
George Gershwin (1898-1937)

Melting Pot

Donald Macleod explores the early life of George Gershwin, the composer of the American ‘melting pot’.

Gershwin started working as a musician and songwriter in his teenage years and became one of the defining voices of a new America in the swinging 20s and the glory days of Hollywood in the 1930s.

This was a period when American writers, artists, advertisers, architects and film-makers were inviting audiences to see, hear and think about the world in ways that they never had before – in ways that made sense of, or at least gave them a way of looking at, the modern world.

Gershwin was one of these trailblazing modernists in part because of his effort to make music commensurate with the idea of American as a ‘melting pot’ – and his bridging the outmoded gulf between high and low culture.

Rhapsody in Blue
Jean Yves Thibaudet, piano
Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
Marin Alsop, conductor

Let’s Call the Whole Thing Off
Sarah Vaughan
Hal Mooney, piano

Swanee
Frank Braley, piano

Our Love is Here to Stay
Nigel Kennedy, violin

Lullaby
Cleveland Orchestra
Riccardo Chailly, conductor

Somebody Loves Me
Kiri Te Kanawa, soprano

Suite from Blue Monday (arr. Jeanneau)
Katia Labeque and Marielle Labeque (pianos)

Rhapsody in Blue
Jean Yves Thibaudet, piano
Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
Marin Alsop, conductor


MON 17:00 In Tune (m002t9qf)
Louise Alder and Nicholas McCarthy

Pianist Nicholas McCarthy plays live.
Petroc also welcomes soprano Louise Alder to In Tune who performs with Joseph Middleton ahead of the Leeds Song Festival.


MON 19:00 Classical Mixtape (m002t9qh)
The eclectic classical mix

An engaging mix of classical music for half an hour, featuring the music from the masques Purcell wrote to punctuate Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Tōru Takemitsu’s portrayal of a Long Island pond painted by Cornelia Foss, and the Desford Colliery Band ponder the shade cast by a plane tree, plus Pavel Chesnokov sets the liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom


MON 19:30 Radio 3 in Concert (m002t9qk)
Easter: A Seasonal Journey... Mysteries and Miracles from the Tallis Scholars

The world-renowned Tallis Scholars explore music ranging from the Renaissance to our own times inspired by miraculous events in the life of Jesus.
Amongst the works on the programme are a grand motet for double choir by the Venetian Giovanni Gabrieli and one of the greatest outpourings of the Spanish Renaissance, Tomás Luis de Victoria's Mass 'O magnum mysterium.' And, of course, Peter Phillips and his Tallis Scholars include a gem by Thomas Tallis himself.

Presented by Ian Skelly from London's Milton Court Concert Hall

Giovanni Gabrieli: O magnum mysterium
Tomás Luis de Victoria: Missa O magnum mysterium - Kyrie & Gloria
Giaches de Wert: Egressus Jesus
Tomás Luis de Victoria: Missa O magnum mysterium - Credo
Judith Weir: Ave Regina Caelorum
Tomás Luis de Victoria: Missa O magnum mysterium - Sanctus & Agnus

Interval

Thomas Tallis: Videte miraculum
Jacobus Gallus: Mirabile mysterium
Francisco Guerrero: Maria Magdalena
Arvo Pärt: Tribute to Caesar
Arvo Pärt: Virgencita

The Tallis Scholars' programme begins with Gabrieli and Victoria’s Missa O magnum mysterium, which depicts Christ’s birth. Other pieces explore miracles, such as Egressus Jesus, recounting Christ exorcising a demon, and Weir’s Ave Regina Caelorum, which reflects on the mystery of the Virgin birth.

The second half highlights Tallis’s Videte miraculum and Gallus’s Mirabile mysterium, both celebrating the Virgin birth. Guerrero’s Maria Magdalena narrates the discovery of Christ’s resurrection. The programme concludes with Arvo Pärt’s Tribute to Caesar, inspired by Christ’s wisdom, and Virgencita, honouring the Virgin of Guadalupe, written by Arvo Pärt as a present to the people of Mexico.


MON 21:45 The Essay (m0023nwt)
Healing Musicians

1. Julian Lloyd Webber

Kate Kennedy meets musicians who, like her, had to stop playing after injury and reshape their lives. What does being forced to fall silent mean for a musician's relationship with their instrument?

"My name is Julian Lloyd Webber and I am an ex-cellist". The internationally renowned performer, Julian Lloyd Webber talks for the first time in detail to Kate about the moment he realised his 40-year career could be over mid-recital: "Suddenly I lost power in my right arm - I thought I was going to drop the bow. I had never experienced anything like it - I didn't know what was wrong or what to do. I was genuinely frightened". Julian shares the sense of bereavement he felt after his prestigious career of four decades ended due to a herniated disc in his neck.

Over the next few weeks, Julian tried to pretend everything was normal. His manager was calling him with engagements he had always wanted to undertake, such as a performance of Shostakovich's First Cello Concerto in Moscow. But the wear and tear of Julian's performing career on his body was too much - he learned that the herniated disc was pressing on a nerve which was causing a loss of power in his arm. Doctors told him that he could have an operation, but with little guarantee of success, and with high risks attached. He had a young family at the time, so chose to sacrifice the cello.

He has never played since. Julian and Jiaxin, his wife and fellow cellist, reflect on the last fateful concert they played together and how they've found positives in silence.

Presenter: Kate Kennedy
Producer: Erika Wright
Production Coordinator: Elisabeth Tuohy
Executive Producer: Rami Tzabar
Healing Musicians is a TellTale Industries production for BBC Radio 3


MON 22:00 Night Tracks (m002t9qm)
Sublime sounds for nightfall

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 (m002t9qp)
Allexa Nava's Flowers

This week from Monday to Thursday, Soweto is joined by Peruvian London based saxophonist and flautist Allexa Nava. Since honing her craft as part of talent development organisation Tomorrow’s Warriors, and while studying at London’s Trinity Laban, Allexa is now making her way in the city’s jazz community. She is part of Latin-jazz ensemble COLECTIVA and is also a bandleader in her own right.

To start her week, Allexa chooses a fellow saxophonist who is widely revered and that she is influenced by.

There is also music from Hillarynx, Ingrid Jensen, and Cassie Kinoshi.

‘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.

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

TUESDAY 07 APRIL 2026

TUE 00:30 Through the Night (m002t9qr)
Szymanowski and Mahler from Berlin

The Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, conductor Edward Gardner and soloists perform Szymanowski's Stabat Mater and soprano Amanda Majeski joins the orchestra for Mahler's 4th Symphony. John Shea presents.

12:31 AM
Karol Szymanowski (1882-1937)
Stabat Mater, Op 53
Amanda Majeski (soprano), Agnieszka Rehlis (alto), Kostas Smoriginas (baritone), Berlin Radio Chorus, Gijs Leenaars (director), Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, Edward Gardner (conductor)

12:53 AM
Gustav Mahler (1860-1911)
Symphony no 4 in G major
Amanda Majeski (soprano), Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, Edward Gardner (conductor)

01:52 AM
Karol Szymanowski (1882-1937)
Valse Romantique (1925)
Jerzy Godziszewski (piano)

01:57 AM
Karol Szymanowski (1882-1937)
The Love Songs of Hafiz
Mauro Peter (tenor), Bern Symphony Orchestra, Duncan Ward (conductor)

02:17 AM
Gustav Mahler (1860-1911)
Piano Quartet in A minor
Marianna Shirinyan (piano), Nevena Tochev (violin), Alessandro D'Amico (viola), Rafael Rosenfeld (cello)

02:31 AM
Marin Marais (1656-1728)
Suite no 2 for two viols in G major from Pieces à une et deux violes, Paris
Susie Napper (viol), Margaret Little (viol), Violes Esgales

03:09 AM
Fryderyk Chopin (1810-1849)
24 Preludes, Op 28
David Kadouch (piano)

03:46 AM
Erkki Salmenhaara (1941-2002)
Adagietto for Orchestra (1981)
Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Ralf Sjöblom (conductor)

03:52 AM
Heitor Villa-Lobos (1887-1959)
Prelude for guitar no 3 in A minor
Norbert Kraft (guitar)

03:59 AM
Ruth Watson Henderson (b.1932)
In Memoriam and Kyrie Fugue, for SATB a capella choir
Elmer Iseler Singers, Lydia Adams (conductor)

04:06 AM
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
Die Geschopfe des Prometheus, Op 43
RTV Slovenia Symphony Orchestra, Günter Pichler (conductor)

04:11 AM
Joseph Haydn (1732-1809)
Divertimento in G major, Hob.IV:4 (London Trio No.4)
Carol Wincenc (flute), Philip Setzer (violin), Carter Brey (cello)

04:15 AM
Maurice Ravel (1875-1937)
Alborada del gracioso - from the suite 'Miroirs' (1905)
Bengt-Åke Lundin (piano)

04:22 AM
Stanisław Moniuszko (1819-1872)
Polonaise de concert in A major (1867)
Polish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Zygmunt Rychert (conductor)

04:31 AM
Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741)
The Four Seasons - Spring
Davide Monti (violin), Il Tempio Armonico

04:41 AM
Jean Sibelius (1865-1957)
5 Esquisses for piano, Op 114
Raija Kerppo (piano)

04:50 AM
Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina (c.1525-1594)
Magnificat Primi Toni
Elmer Iseler Singers, Elmer Iseler (conductor)

04:58 AM
Pancho Vladigerov (1899-1978)
Aquarelles, for clarinet and piano, Op 37 (1942)
Dancho Radevski (clarinet), Mario Angelov (piano)

05:06 AM
Grażyna Bacewicz (1909-1969)
Suite for chamber orchestra (1946)
Polish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Jan Krenz (conductor)

05:14 AM
Giovanni Battista Viotti (1755-1824)
Duo concertante in D minor
Alexandar Avramov (violin), Ivan Peev (violin)

05:23 AM
Reinhold Glière (1875-1956)
Harp Concerto in E flat, Op 74
Emily Hoile (harp), Biel-Solothurn Symphony Orchestra, Kaspar Zehnder (conductor)

05:50 AM
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791)
Rondo in A minor, K.511 for piano
Kristian Bezuidenhout (fortepiano)

06:00 AM
Louis Spohr (1784-1859)
Nonet for wind quintet, string trio and double bass in F major, Op 31
Budapest Chamber Ensemble, András Mihaly (conductor)


TUE 06:30 Breakfast (m002t9v5)
The finest classical music to elevate your morning

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 (m002t9v8)
Great classical music for your morning

Georgia Mann 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 (m002t9vb)
Isle of the Dead

Specially recorded concert performances including Liszt and Rachmaninov with music that takes its inspiration in ancient plainsong. Stravinsky too looks to the past for his commedia del arte-infused Pulcinella - we feature a performance of music from his ballet performed by the Lausanne Chamber Orchestra - and the Spanish pianist Javier Perianes performs works by Chopin alongside the music of Manuel de Falla at the Perth Concert Hall in Scotland. And Radio 3 New Generation Artist, the tenor Santiago Sanchez, gives us recent studio recordings of songs by Franckenstein. Presented by Elizabeth Alker.

Including:

Franz Liszt
Totentanz, S. 126
Anton Gerzenberg (piano)
Zurich Tonhalle Orchestra
Gergely Madaras (conductor)

Johannes Brahms
Symphony No. 3 in F major, Op. 90
Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra
Alain Altinoglu (conductor)

Perth Chopin Series:
Manuel de Falla
Mazurka
Frederic Chopin
Mazurka in A minor, Op. 7 No. 2
Mazurka in G major Op. 67 No. 1
Mazurka in A minor Op. 17 No. 4
Javier Perianes (piano)

Igor Stravinsky
Pulcinella
Helene Walter (soprano)
Luca bernard (tenor)
Stephan MacLeod (bass)
Lausanne Chamber Orchestra
Thierry Fischer (conductor)

Maurice Ravel
Rapsodie espagnole
Orchestre National de France
Cristian Māceleru (conductor)

Radio 3 New Generation Artist - Santiago Sanchez:
Clemens von Franckenstein
3 Lieder Op. 11 - No. 1 ‘Saget Mir, Auf Welchem Pfade’
3 Lieder Op. 11 - No. 2 - ‘Heisst Es Viel Dich Bitten’
3 Lieder Op. 11 - No. 3 - ‘ Weissen Ara Haben Safrangelbe Kronen’
Santiago Sanchez (tenor)
Ian Tindale (piano)

Dorothy Howell
Two Pieces for muted strings
BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra
Teresa Riveiro Bohm (conductor)

Sergei Rachmaninov
Isle of the Dead, Op. 29
BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra
Alpesh Chauhan (conductor)


TUE 16:00 Composer of the Week (m001n2b4)
George Gershwin (1898-1937)

He Rhapsodises Blues

Donald Macleod explores the years after George Gershwin’s huge success with Rhapsody in Blue.

The cover of Time Magazine for the 20th of July 1925 consists of a photograph of George Gershwin. It’s a head and shoulders shot of the suave young composer, a few weeks short of his 27th birthday. It’s a testament to Gershwin’s status and popularity: the first American-born musician ever to be accorded that honour. The caption beneath Gershwin’s photo on the cover of Time is: “He Rhapsodises Blues”. Today, Donald takes us through the years after his huge success with Rhapsody in Blue.

A Foggy Day
Frank Sinatra

Overture from Primrose
New Princess Theatre Orchestra
John McGlinn, conductor

George Gershwin’s Songbook No.4: Fascinating Rhythm
Michael Endres, piano

Fascinating Rhythm
Yehudi Menuhin & Stephane Grappelli, violins

Piano Concerto in F
London Symphony Orchestra
Andre Previn, conductor

Three Preludes (arr Heifetz)
No. 1 in B-Flat Major
Matthew Trussler, violin
Wayne Marshall, piano

Three Preludes
No. 2 in C# minor
Herbie Hancock, piano

Three Preludes
No. 3in E-Flat minor
Evgeny Kissin, piano

Rhapsody in Blue
Britten Sinfonia
Scott Stroman, conductor
Alison Balsom, trumpet


TUE 17:00 In Tune (m002t9vd)
Tristan Hambleton and Simon Lepper perform from their new album

Tristan Hambleton and Simon Lepper perform from their new album Day of These Days: The British Isles Reflected in Song.


TUE 19:00 Classical Mixtape (m002t9vg)
Power through with classical music

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


TUE 19:30 Radio 3 in Concert (m002t9vj)
A German Requiem with BBC NOW

The BBC National Orchestra and Chorus of Wales are joined by conductor Thomas Zehetmair to perform Brahms's German Requiem, with Elizabeth Watts and Andrew Foster-Williams as soloists. In the first half, Zehetmair conducts Mozart's 40th Symphony.

Presented by Verity Sharp and recorded in BBC Hoddinott Hall on the 26th of March.

Mozart: Symphony No 40 in G minor, K 550

Interval

Brahms: A German Requiem, Op 45

Elizabeth Watts (soprano)
Andrew Foster-Williams (bass)
BBC National Orchestra and Chorus of Wales
Thomas Zehetmair (conductor)

Brahms was moved to write a requiem following the death of his mother, but rather than following the route of the Latin mass, he instead chose a much more humanist path. He selected verses from the German Bible and placed the focus of the work on the living that mourn, rather than the eternal rest of those that have died; while he called it a German requiem, it was meant for the whole of humankind. This towering work is paired in the first half of the concert with Mozart's penultimate symphony, his 40th. The Symphony was hugely influential on the development of the coming Romantic movement and remains one of his most popular to this day. Making his conducting debut with the BBC National Orchestra and Chorus of Wales for this concert is Thomas Zehetmair, who is fittingly an alumnus of the Salzburg Mozarteum,

To listen on most smart speakers, just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Radio 3 in Concert".


TUE 21:45 The Essay (m0023p6q)
Healing Musicians

2. Stephen Marquiss

Kate Kennedy meets musicians who, like her, had to stop playing after injury and rethink their lives. What does this mean for a musician's relationship with their instrument?

Aged 11, Stephen Marquiss was labelled an exemplary piano scholar. Gaining a music specialist place in 1990 Stephen promptly attained the highest ABRSM exam mark in the country and reached the televised semi-final of BBC Young Musicians. But then injury forced him to pull out. At 18, his career was all but over, having struggled with recurring RSI, musculo-skeletal issues, which destroyed his confidence and mental health. Ironically, this crisis forced him to address fundamental aspects of how piano is taught and played - and now at 45, Stephen has his own school of playing called Piano Portals, which seeks to rewrite how practice is approached. Kate takes him back to his practice rooms, to help us understand the intensity and the fear of failure that drove him to injury and we learn how his new approach to playing unfolded.

Presenter: Kate Kennedy
Producer: Erika Wright
Production Coordinator: Elisabeth Tuohy
Executive Producer: Rami Tzabar
Healing Musicians is a TellTale Industries production for BBC Radio 3


TUE 22:00 Night Tracks (m002t9vm)
Harmonious music for nighttime listening

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 (m002t9vr)
Souring Brazilian strings from Fabiano Do Nascimento and the Vittor Santos Orchestra

Saxophonist and flautist Allexa Nava has a second artist to spotlight for Flowers, and tonight she chooses a Grammy award-winning Puerto Rican musician who inspired her.

Also in the programme, there is music from Bennett and Knight, Tzumo Olah, and Stereolab.

‘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.

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

WEDNESDAY 08 APRIL 2026

WED 00:30 Through the Night (m002t9vw)
Ravel and Dutilleux from Poland

Angela Hewitt plays Ravel's Piano Concerto in G with the Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra, in a programme including Dutilleux's Métaboles and Ravel's Rapsodie espagnole. John Shea presents.

12:31 AM
Fanny Mendelssohn (1805-1847)
Overture in C major
Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra, Katowice, Lionel Bringuier (conductor)

12:41 AM
Maurice Ravel (1875-1937)
Piano Concerto in G major
Angela Hewitt (piano), Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra, Katowice, Lionel Bringuier (conductor)

01:04 AM
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)
Gigue, from French Suite no 5 in G major, BWV.816
Angela Hewitt (piano)

01:08 AM
Henri Dutilleux (1916-2013)
Métaboles
Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra, Katowice, Lionel Bringuier (conductor)

01:24 AM
Maurice Ravel (1875-1937)
Rapsodie espagnole
Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra, Katowice, Lionel Bringuier (conductor)

01:39 AM
Isaac Albéniz (1860-1909)
Cordoba from 'Cantos de Espana' for piano, Op 232 no 4
Jin-Ho Kim (piano)

01:44 AM
Maurice Ravel (1875-1937)
String Quartet in F major, Op 35
Gringolts Quartet

02:14 AM
Franz Liszt (1811-1886)
Rhapsodie espagnole (Folies d'Espagne et jota aragonesa) for piano (S.254)
Martin Helmchen (piano)

02:31 AM
George Frideric Handel (1685-1759), Cardinal Benedetto Pamphili (author)
Cantata Delirio amoroso: "Da quel giorno fatale" (HWV.99)
Monique Zanetti (soprano), Musica Alta Ripa

03:04 AM
Bernhard Henrik Crusell (1775-1838)
Clarinet Concerto no 1 in E flat major, Op 1
Kullervo Kojo (clarinet), Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Ulf Söderblom (conductor)

03:26 AM
Dag Wiren (1905-1986)
Sonatina for piano, Op 25
Niklas Sivelöv (piano)

03:33 AM
Samuel Barber (1910-1981)
Agnus Dei for chorus
BBC Singers, Stephen Cleobury (conductor)

03:42 AM
Johann Strauss II (1825-1899)
Roses from the South - waltz, Op 388
RTV Slovenia Symphony Orchestra, Rossen Milanov (conductor)

03:52 AM
Gaspar Sanz (1640-1710)
Tarantella
Eduardo Egüez (guitar)

04:00 AM
Camille Saint-Saëns (1835-1921)
Introduction and rondo capriccioso, Op 28 (arr. for violin & piano)
Taik-Ju Lee (violin), Young-Lan Han (piano)

04:09 AM
Wilhelm Kienzl (1857-1941)
Selig sind, die Verfolgung leiden (from Act 2 of 'Der Evangelimann')
Benjamin Butterfield (tenor), Peter Neelands (treble), Canadian Children's Opera Chorus, Canadian Opera Company Orchestra, Richard Bradshaw (conductor)

04:16 AM
Anonymous, Christian Gregor (orchestrator)
2 Moravian Chorales: Sleepers Wake; Covenant
American Brass Quintet

04:19 AM
Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach (1714-1788)
Sinfonia in D major, Wq.176
Arte dei Suonatori, Marcin Świątkiewicz (harpsichord)

04:31 AM
Enrique Granados (1867-1916)
Quejas o la maja y el ruisenor (The Maiden and the Nightingale)
Angela Hewitt (piano)

04:37 AM
Fritz Kreisler (1875-1962)
Chanson Louis XIII et Pavane in the Style of Couperin
Barnabas Kelemen (violin), Zóltan Kocsis (piano)

04:43 AM
Josef Mysliveček (1737-1781), Unknown (arranger)
String Quintet no 2 in E flat major
Netherlands Chamber Orchestra, Rudolf Werthen (conductor)

04:54 AM
Franz Schubert (1797-1828), Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (author)
Gesang der Geistern über den Wassern, Op 167
Eesti Rahvusmeeskoor [Estonian National Male Choir], Estonian National Symphony Orchestra, Juri Alperten (director)

05:04 AM
John Stanley (1712-1786)
Concerto for organ in C minor
John Toll (organ), London Baroque

05:16 AM
Edvard Grieg (1843-1907)
4 Piano Pieces, Op 1
Christian Ihle Hadland (piano)

05:28 AM
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
Symphony no 2 in D major, Op 36
Swiss National Youth Orchestra, Kai Bumann (conductor)

06:02 AM
Gabriel Fauré (1845 - 1924), Paul Verlaine (author)
En Sourdine, Op 58 no 2 (1891)
Paula Hoffman (mezzo soprano), Bengt-Åke Lundin (piano)

06:06 AM
Johannes Brahms (1833-1897)
Intermezzo in E flat major, Op 117 no 1 "Schlummerlied"
Khatia Buniatishvili (piano)

06:12 AM
Joseph Haydn (1732-1809)
String Quartet in B minor, Op 33 no 1
Quatuor Ysaÿe


WED 06:30 Breakfast (m002tcbm)
Kickstart your day with the best 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 (m002tcbp)
The best classical morning music

Georgia Mann 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 (m002tcbr)
Chopin and Falla from Perth

The plainsong-inspired theme continues today with specially recorded performances from Voces8 in Germany and from the WDR Symphony Orchestra, Cologne playing music by Respighi. From Scotland, the Perth Chopin Chamber Series brings us a sonata for cello by the great Polish composer, plus colourful evocations of Spain by Isaac Albeniz featuring the Spanish pianist Javier Perianes. Presented by Elizabeth Alker.

Gregorio Allegri
Miserere mei Deus (Psalm 51) for 9 voices
Voces8
Barnaby Smith (director)

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Sinfonia Concertante in Eb for violin and viola, K. 364
James Ehnes (violin)
Antoine Tamestit (viola)
NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra
Louis Langrée (conductor)

Perth Chopin Series:
Isaac Albeniz
Iberia -
Book 1 No. 1 Evocation
Book 2 No. 3 Triana
Javier Perianes (piano)

Frederic Chopin
Sonata for cello and piano in G minor, Op. 65
Philip Higham (cello)
Alastair Beatson (piano)

Ottorino Respighi
Tritico botticelliano (Three Boticelli Pictures)
WDR symphony Orchestra, Cologne
Cristian Māceleru (conductor)

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


WED 15:00 Choral Evensong (m002tcbt)
Christ Church Moss Side, Manchester

From Christ Church Moss Side, Manchester, with the Choral Scholars of St Martin-in-the-Fields and Diocese of Manchester Choral Scholars.

Introit: Christ the Lord is ris’n today (Eleanor Daley)
Responses: Sumsion
Psalms 41, 42, 43 (Crotch, Rogers)
First Lesson: Isaiah 26 vv1-19
Canticles: Noble in B minor
Second Lesson: John 20 vv1-10
Anthem: Ye choirs of new Jerusalem (Stanford)
Hymn: Loves redeeming work is done (Savannah)
Voluntary: Offertoire ‘O Filii et Filiae’ (Guilmant)

Andrew Earis (Director of Music)
John Hosking (Organist)

Recorded 21 March.

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


WED 16:00 Composer of the Week (m001n2c9)
George Gershwin (1898-1937)

An American in Paris

Donald Macleod explores George Gershwin’s orchestral work An American in Paris, inspired by the time he spent in the French capital on a visit in the spring of 1928.

After an earlier visit to Paris, in 1926, Gershwin sent a thank-you note embellished with two musical quotations: one was a short section from Rhapsody in Blue; the other was labelled 'An American Paris'. A couple of years later, when he began to work on what was to be an “orchestral ballet” with that title, he returned to that little fragment and the challenge of evoking the experience of an American visitor in the French capital.

S’Wonderful
Frank Braley, piano

The Man I Love (arr. Percy Grainger)
Isata Kanneh-Mason, piano

Nice Work If You Can Get It
London Symphony Orchestra
John Williams, conductor
Joshua Bell, violin

How Long Has This Been Going On
Keith Jarrett, piano
Gary Peacock, double bass
Jack DeJohnette, drums

American in Paris
Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra
Antal Dorati, conductor

Rhapsody in Blue
London Symphony Orchestra
Andre Previn, conductor


WED 17:00 In Tune (m002tcbw)
Cellist Julian Lloyd Webber

Cellist Julian Lloyd Webber chats to Petroc Trelawny about his autobiography, Bows and Arrows. Julian is also joined by cellist Jiaxin Lloyd Webber and pianist Rebeca Omordia, who play live ahead of performing at Julian's 75th birthday concert at Wigmore Hall.
And Michael Beek, Artistic Director of the London Soundtrack Festival, talks to Petroc about this year's line-up.


WED 19:00 Classical Mixtape (m002lcs0)
A chilled half hour of classical music

Take time out with a 30-minute soundscape of classical music, including part of Fauré's Requiem, Mozart and a clarinet concerto movement by pioneering British composer Ruth Gipps.


WED 19:30 Radio 3 in Concert (m002tcc0)
Beethoven's Pastoral Symphony

Martin Handley presents the London Philharmonic Orchestra performing live in a programme imbued with musical reflections on the natural world, from Anna Thorvaldsdottir's CATAMORPHOSIS, which is inspired by the fragile relationship with have to our planet, to Beethoven's Pastoral Symphony. Plus Bruch's ever-popular violin concerto, played by the star Danish violinist, Nikolaj Szeps-Znaider.

Anna Thorvaldsdóttir
CATAMORPHOSIS

Bruch
Violin Concerto No.1 in G minor

Interval

Beethoven
Symphony No.6 in F major, Op.68 (Pastoral)

Nikolaj Szeps-Znaider (violin)
London Philharmonic Orchestra
Kirill Karabits (conductor)

Broadcast live from the Royal Festival Hall in London, and presented by Martin Handley.

Anna Thorvaldsdottir's CATAMORPHOSIS, a reflection on our fragile relationship with our planet, is a dramatic work that is also full of hope. It revolves around a distinct sense of urgency, driven by the shift and pull between various polar forces - power and fragility, hope and despair, preservation and destruction.

Max Bruch wrote his Violin Concerto in 1866 and dedicated it to the great violinist, Joseph Joachim. It has since become one of the most popular works in the concerto repertoire.

Tonight's programme ends with Beethoven's 6th Symphony, the 'Pastoral', which was composed in the rural outskirts of modern-day Vienna and reflects Beethoven's deep affection for the countryside. Beethoven paints bucolic pictures of rustic calm, birdsong, flowing brooks and a thunder store, before the finale, a Shepherd's Song of thanskgiving.

To listen on most smart speakers, just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Radio 3 in Concert".


WED 21:45 The Essay (m0023qcj)
Healing Musicians

3. Robin Graham

Kate Kennedy meets musicians who, like her, had to stop playing after injury and rethink their lives. What does being forced to fall silent mean for a musician's relationship with their instrument?

Robin Graham reached her dream as the first woman to earn a principal French horn position in a major American orchestra by audition. She shares her story of how painful injury caused her to leave in 2003 and the grief at being unable to play in the centre of a big orchestral sound.

Presenter: Kate Kennedy
Producer: Erika Wright
Production Coordinator: Elisabeth Tuohy
Executive Producer: Rami Tzabar
Healing Musicians is a TellTale Industries production for BBC Radio 3


WED 22:00 Night Tracks (m002tcc2)
Blissful sounds for night owls

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 (m002tcc4)
A classic from Beryl Bryden

Allexa Nava returns with a third bouquet of Flowers to give to a contemporary artist that has helped to shape her musical journey so far. Tonight, it’s the turn of a master bassist and friend of the show.

There is also music from the Eddie Thompson Trio, GENA, Julianna Barwick and Mary Lattimore.

‘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.

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

THURSDAY 09 APRIL 2026

THU 00:30 Through the Night (m002tcc6)
Mozart and Tchaikovsky from Switzerland

Nelson Goerner performs Mozart's Piano Concerto no 23 with the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, conducted by Jonathan Nott. Tchaikovsky's rarely performed Third Symphony and a prayer for strings by Roxanna and Andrzej Panufnik complete the programme. John Shea presents.

12:31 AM
Andrzej Panufnik (1914-1991),Roxanna Panufnik (b.1968)
Modlitwa
Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, Jonathan Nott (conductor)

12:38 AM
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791)
Piano Concerto no 23 in A major, K.488
Nelson Goerner (piano), Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, Jonathan Nott (conductor)

01:03 AM
Fryderyk Chopin (1810-1849)
Nocturne no 20 in C sharp minor, Op posth.
Nelson Goerner (piano)

01:08 AM
Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840-1893)
Symphony no 3 in D major, Op 29
Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, Jonathan Nott (conductor)

01:56 AM
Andrzej Panufnik (1914-1991)
String Quartet no 2 (Messages)
Silesian Quartet

02:14 AM
Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840-1893), Alexei Tolstoy (author), Heinrich Heine (author), Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (author)
3 Songs from Op 6: nos 4-6
Mikael Axelsson (bass), Niklas Sivelöv (piano)

02:25 AM
Igor Stravinsky (1882-1971)
Tango
Apollon Musagète Quartet

02:31 AM
Richard Strauss (1864-1949)
Oboe Concerto in D major
Hristo Kasmetski (oboe), Bulgarian National Radio Symphony Orchestra, Alexander Vladigerov (conductor)

02:58 AM
Fryderyk Chopin (1810-1849)
Piano Sonata no 2 in B flat minor, Op 35 'Funeral March'
Eric Lu (piano)

03:27 AM
Johann Heinrich Schmelzer (c.1620-1680)
Die Fechtschule
La Scintilla Orchestra, Riccardo Minasi (conductor)

03:35 AM
Johann Bach (1604-1673)
Unser Leben ist ein Schatten, motet
Voces Suaves, Cafebaum

03:43 AM
Franz von Suppe (1819-1895)
Overture from Poet and Peasant
RTV Slovenia Symphony Orchestra, Marko Munih (conductor)

03:54 AM
Alberta Suriani (1920-1977)
Partita for harp
Branka Janjanin-Magdalenič (harp)

04:04 AM
Gabriel Fauré (1845 - 1924)
Elegie, Op 24 arr. for cello and orchestra
Shauna Rolston (cello), Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, Uri Mayer (conductor)

04:11 AM
Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741)
Concerto da Camera in D major, RV.95
Camerata Köln

04:20 AM
Franz Schubert (1797-1828)
Piano Trio in E flat major, D.897 'Notturno'
Vadim Repin (violin), Jan-Erik Gustafsson (cello), Leif Ove Andsnes (piano)

04:31 AM
Rene Eespere (b.1953)
Sub specie quietatis - for percussion and choir
Tallinn Music High School Chamber Choir, Evi Eespere (director), Unknown (percussion)

04:40 AM
Charles Tomlinson Griffes (1884-1920)
Three Tone Pictures, Op 5
David Allen Wehr (piano)

04:49 AM
Johann Wenzel Kalliwoda (1801-1866)
Morceau de salon for oboe and piano, Op 228
Alexei Ogrintchouk (oboe), Cédric Tiberghien (piano)

04:58 AM
Herbert Howells (1892-1983)
Rhapsody no 1 in D flat major, Op 17 no 1
Ian Sadler (organ)

05:04 AM
Henry Purcell (1659-1695)
See, see, even Night herself is here (Z.62/11) from 'The Fairy Queen'
Nancy Argenta (soprano), CBC Vancouver Orchestra, Monica Huggett (conductor)

05:10 AM
Antonín Dvořák (1841-1904)
String Serenade in E major, Op 22
Festival Strings Lucerne, Daniel Dodds (conductor)

05:38 AM
Mel Bonis (1858-1938)
Flute Sonata in C sharp minor, Op 64
Elizaveta Ivanova (flute), Sanja Bizjak (piano)

05:56 AM
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750), orch. Arnold Schoenberg
Prelude and fugue in E flat major BWV.552 (St Anne)
Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Edo de Waart (conductor)

06:13 AM
František Jiránek (1698-1778)
Violin Concerto in D minor
Marina Katarzhnova (baroque violin), Collegium Marianum


THU 06:30 Breakfast (m002tb0q)
Embrace the morning calm of classical music and birdsong

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 (m002tb0s)
The ideal mix of classical music

Georgia Mann 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 (m002tb0v)
Monteverdi Vespers from Monaco

Throughout the week on Classical Live we have been featuring specially made recordings of music inspired by ancient plainsong. Today, the theme continues with highlights from the Monteverdi Vespers of 1610 from a performance given in Monaco Cathedral last year. Also in today's programme, chamber music by Chopin, Schumann and Falla recorded especially for the programme at Perth Concert Hall in Scotland, and Yuja Wang performs the much loved Tchaikovsky 1st Piano Concerto. Presented by Mark Forrest.

Jacques Ibert
Divertissement
WDR symphony Orchestra, Cologne
Cristian Māceleru (conductor)

Perth Chopin Series:
Frederic Chopin
Waltz in A minor Op. 34 No. 2
Manuel de Falla
Canción
Frederic Chopin
Berceuse, Op. 57
Javier Perianes (piano)

Joseph Haydn
Symphony No. 101 in D major (Clock)
Verbier Festival Chamber Orchestra
Gábor Takács-Nagy (conductor)

Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No 1 in Bb minor, Op. 23
Mahler Chamber Orchestra
Yuja Wang (piano/conductor)

Perth Chopin Series:
Robert Schumann
Piano Trio No. 2 in F major, Op. 80
Leonore Piano Trio

Radio 3 New Generation Artist - Santiago Sanchez
Franz Schubert
Nachtstück D.672
Santiago Sanchez (tenor)
Ian Tindale (piano)

Claudio Monteverdi
Vespro della Beata Virgine (1610) -
Sonata sopra 'Sancta Maria'
Ave maris stella
Magnificat
Il canto di Orfeo
Les Musiciens du Prince, Monaco
Gianluca Capuano (conductor)


THU 16:00 Composer of the Week (m001n27q)
George Gershwin (1898-1937)

Gershwin in Hollywood

Donald Macleod tells the story of George Gershwin’s first experience of working in Hollywood.

In the spring of 1930, it was announced that Fox Studios had signed George Gershwin for a large sum of money for to provide the music for a film called Delicious.

Sound in films was still relatively new and Gershwin was sceptical. At first he enjoyed the Californian sunshine, but he quickly tired of the endless “picture talk” and all the distraction while trying to work in his bungalow at Fox’s Movietone City. He gave it up and worked from his home in Beverly Hills, relaxing by swimming, hiking and playing tennis and golf.

It was a lucrative exercise for Gershwin, but not a good time to experience Hollywood. But he did use his time fruitfully. As he told a friend: “nearly everybody comes back from California with a western tan and a pocketful of motion picture money. I decided to come back with both these things and a serious composition.”

But Not For Me
Benny Goodman Trio

Blah Blah Blah
Lukas Huisman, piano

Embraceable You
Andre Previn, piano
David Finck, double bass

Second Rhapsody
Los Angeles Philharmonic
Michael Tilson Thomas, conductor

I Got Rhythm
Ethel Merman

Variations on I Got Rhythm
St Louis Symphony Orchestra
Leonard Slatkin, conductor
Jeffrey Siegel, piano

Rhapsody in Blue
Glen Miller and his Orchestra


THU 17:00 In Tune (m002tb0x)
Pianist Edward Leung performs live and director Mark Ravenhill on Richard Strauss' Salome

Regents Opera is staging a new production of Richard Strauss' Salome in London's York Hall. Mark Ravenhill chats to Petroc about directing the opera in the historic East End home of British Boxing. And pianist Edward Leung performs live in the studio.


THU 19:00 Classical Mixtape (m002tb0z)
Classical music for your journey

The night, and the moon, provide the backdrop for this seamless half-hour soundscape of classical music. Starting with a song of the night by Elgar, we also hear a wanderer speaking to the moon as Schubert sets a poem by Johann Gabriel Seidl, and Dvorak's song to the moon from his opera Rusalka. Plus music by John Barry, Mel Bonis and Domenico Scarlatti, and the sequence ends in the light, with Ravel setting words by Victor Hugo.

To listen on most smart speakers, just say 'Ask BBC Sounds to play Radio 3'.


THU 19:30 Radio 3 in Concert (m002tb11)
Rachmaninov's Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini

Take a time-trip with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and conductor Kazuki Yamada as three composers transplant music from the past into new, radical environments.

In Hindemith’s Metamorphosis, the nineteenth century sounds of Weber are hurled, kicking and sometimes howling, into the modern era. Rachmaninov riffs on a beautiful melody from the 1800s, examining it from 24 angles, with renowned Argentine pianist Nelson Goerner as the soloist. Bartók’s exhilarating Concerto for Orchestra honours the folk music of his native Hungary while giving the spotlight to almost every instrument of the modern orchestra.

Paul Hindemith
Symphonic Metamorphosis of themes by Carl Maria von Weber

Sergei Rachmaninov
Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini

Interval

Béla Bartók
Concerto for Orchestra

Nelson Goerner (piano)
City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Kazuki Yamada (conductor)

Broadcast live from Symphony Hall in Birmingham and presented by Linton Stephens.

To listen on most smart speakers, just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Radio 3 in Concert".


THU 21:45 The Essay (m0023p3r)
Healing Musicians

4. Ludwig Quandt

Kate Kennedy meets musicians who, like her, had to stop playing after injury and rethink their lives.

As principal cellist of the Berlin Philharmonic for three decades, Ludwig Quandt performed with conductors Claudio Abbado and Sir Simon Rattle until an injury unrelated to performing nearly ended his career. He reveals what being forced to confront silence means for a musician's relationship with their instrument and the innovative solution he found on the other side of the world from an unlikely source.

Presenter: Kate Kennedy
Producer: Erika Wright
Production Coordinator: Elisabeth Tuohy
Executive Producer: Rami Tzabar
Healing Musicians is a TellTale Industries production for BBC Radio 3


THU 22:00 Night Tracks (m002tb13)
Meditative music for late night solace

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 (m002tb15)
Melodic music from Julie Dexter

All this week Soweto has been joined by saxophonist and flautist Allexa Nava as his Flowers guest. To conclude her week, Allexa spotlights a Cuban jazz pianist that inspires her.

Also in the programme, there is music from Abdullah Ibrahim, Taupe, and The Tubby Hayes Quartet.

‘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.

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

FRIDAY 10 APRIL 2026

FRI 00:30 Through the Night (m002tb17)
Wagner, Liszt and Schumann

The French pianist Alexandre Kantorow performs Liszt's second piano concerto, a work of contrasts with both stunning lyricism and high drama. Kantorow is joined by the WDR Symphony Orchestra, who also perform Schumann's Rhenish Symphony and Wagner's Faust Overture. John Shea presents.

12:31 AM
Richard Wagner (1813-1883)
Faust Overture, WWV 59
WDR Symphony Orchestra, Cologne, Petr Popelka (conductor)

12:43 AM
Franz Liszt (1811-1886)
Piano Concerto no 2 in A major, S.125
Alexandre Kantorow (piano), WDR Symphony Orchestra, Cologne, Petr Popelka (conductor)

01:04 AM
Franz Liszt (1811-1886)
Liebestod, from Tristan und Isolde, S. 447 (encore)
Alexandre Kantorow (piano)

01:12 AM
Robert Schumann (1810-1856)
Symphony no 3 in E flat, Op 97 'Rhenish'
WDR Symphony Orchestra, Cologne, Petr Popelka (conductor)

01:43 AM
Clara Schumann (1819-1896)
Prelude and Fugue in B flat major, Op 16 no 2
Angela Cheng (piano)

01:48 AM
Richard Wagner (1813-1883), Mathilde Wesendonck (author)
Wesendonck-Lieder for voice and orchestra
Jane Eaglen (soprano), Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, Juanjo Mena (conductor)

02:10 AM
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)
Cello Suite no 2 in D minor, BWV.1008
Cameron Crozman (cello)

02:31 AM
Malcolm Forsyth (1936-2011)
Songs from the Qu'Appelle Valley
Hannaford Street Silver Band, Stephen Chenette (conductor)

02:48 AM
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791)
Symphony no 29 in A major, K.201
Norwegian Chamber Orchestra, Terje Tønnesen (conductor)

03:09 AM
Srul Irving Glick (1934-2002)
Sonata for oboe and piano
Senia Trubashnik (oboe), Valerie Tryon (piano)

03:27 AM
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)
Double Violin Concerto in D minor, BWV.1043
Sarah Christian (violin), Dmitri Smirnov (violin), CHAARTS Chamber Artists, Maximilian Hornung (conductor)

03:41 AM
Arthur Butterworth (1923-2014)
Romanza for horn and strings
Martin Hackleman (horn), CBC Vancouver Orchestra, Mario Bernardi (conductor)

03:51 AM
Claudio Monteverdi (1567-1643)
Beatus vir, SV 268
Collegium Vocale 1704, Collegium 1704, Václav Luks (conductor)

03:59 AM
Mayas Alyamani (b.1981)
Warda
Shaher Fawaz (tabla), Daria Zappa Matesic (violin), Avi Avital (mandolin), Zürcher Kammerorchester, Willi Zimmermann (conductor)

04:07 AM
Ruth Gipps (1921-1999)
Jane Grey Fantasy, Op 15
Scott Dickinson (viola), BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Teresa Riveiro Bohm (conductor)

04:19 AM
Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck (1562-1621)
Fantasia in D minor (3)
Freddy Eichelberger (organ)

04:31 AM
Jean Sibelius (1865-1957)
Serenade no 1 in D major, Op 69a
Judy Kang (violin), Orchestre Symphonique de Laval, Jean-François Rivest (conductor)

04:39 AM
Marianne Martines (1744-1812)
Two arias from 'Sant’Elena al Calvario'
Ilona Domnich (soprano), BBC Concert Orchestra, Jane Glover (conductor)

04:53 AM
Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958)
Fantasia on a theme by Thomas Tallis
Royal Academy Soloists, Clio Gould (conductor)

05:07 AM
Ethel Smyth (1858-1944)
Concerto for Violin and Horn in A major - 1st mvt
Anna Agafia Egholm (violin), Tillmann Höfs (horn), Alice Burla (piano)

05:18 AM
Louise Farrenc (1804-1875)
Symphony no 3 in G minor, Op 36
Berner Kammerorchester, Graziella Contratto (conductor)

05:53 AM
Heinrich Schütz (1585-1672)
4 sacred pieces (SWV.282, SWV.22, SWV.308, SWV.386)
Kölner Kammerchor, Collegium Cartusianum, Peter Neumann (conductor)

06:08 AM
Antoine Dauvergne (1713-1797)
Concert de simphonies à IV parties in F major, Op 3 no 2
Capella Coloniensis, William Christie (director)


FRI 06:30 Breakfast (m002t9xx)
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’.


FRI 09:30 Essential Classics (m002t9xz)
Refresh your morning with classical music

Georgia Mann 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 (m002t9y1)
Rachmaninov's 2nd Symphony from Prague

This week's series of recordings of music by Chopin and others from Perth in Scotland culminates today with some of Chopin's music evoking the night, alongside music in a similar vein by Robert Schumann and Manuel de Falla. Radio 3 New Generation Artist, the tenor Santiago Sanchez presents his interpretations of classic songs by Mozart; and the week long theme featuring performances of music inspired by the ancient religious expression of plainsong concludes with specially made recordings from Austria and Prague of masterpieces by Johann Sebastian Bach and Sergei Rachmaninov. Presented by Mark Forrest

Perth Chopin Series:
Manuel de Falla
Nocturno in F minor
Frédéric Chopin
Nocturne in Db major, Op. 27 No. 2
Nocturne in C# minor Op. Posth
Javier Perianes (piano)

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Violin Concerto No 3 in G major, K 216
Alina Ibragimova (violin)
German Chamber Philharmonic, Bremen
Maxim Emelyanychev (conductor)

Perth Chopin Series:
Robert Schumann
Fantasiestücke, Op. 73
Philip Higham (cello)
Alasdair Beatson (piano)

Johann Sebastian Bach
Magnificat in D, BWV. 243
Shira Patchornik, (soprano)
Núria Rial (soprano)
Sophie Harmsen (contralto)
Michael Schade (tenor)
Johannes Kammler (bass)
Collegium Vocale 1704
Concentus Musicus Wien
Pablo Heras-Casado, conductor

Perth Chopin Series:
Frederic Chopin/August Franchomme
Grand Duo Concertant in E major on themes from Meyerbeer's 'Robert le diable'
Philip Higham (cello)
Alasdair Beatson (piano)

Radio 3 New Generation Artist - Santiago Sanchez:
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
An Chloe K. 524
Das Traumbild K. 530
Wie unglücklich bin ich nit K. 147
Ridente la calma K. 152
Santiago Sanchez (tenor)
Victoria Guerrero (piano)

Sergei Rachmaninov
Symphony No. 2 in E minor, Op. 27
Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra
Jiří Habart (conductor)


FRI 16:00 Composer of the Week (m001n29p)
George Gershwin (1898-1937)

The First Great American Opera

Donald Macleod explores the origins and difficult evolution of George Gershwin’s long-awaited opera Porgy and Bess.

In 1926 friends gave George Gershwin a copy of a novel called Porgy by DuBose Heyward. It was set among the labourers and stevedores of Charleston, South Carolina. Gershwin sat up all night reading Porgy and in the morning wrote to Heyward to suggest they develop it into an opera together.

It would be almost ten years before that work came to the stage. But when it did, in the shape of Porgy and Bess – the story of the inhabitants of Catfish Row and the love affair between the beggar, Porgy, and a young prostitute, Bess – it became Gershwin’s final great work, lauded by many as the First Great American Opera.

They Can’t Take that Away From Me
Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong

Jasbo Brown Blues
Richard Rodney Bennett, piano

Summertime
London Philharmonic Orchestra
Simon Rattle, conductor
Glyndebourne Chorus
Harolyn Blackwell, soprano

It Ain't Necessarily So (arr. Heifetz)
Randall Goosby, violin
Zhu Wang, piano

Bess, You is my Woman Now
Charles Lloyd, alto sax
Jason Moran, piano

Catfish Row Suite
Gewandhausorchester Leipzig
Riccardo Chailly, conductor
Stefano Bollani, piano

Rhapsody in Blue
George Gershwin, piano roll recording


FRI 17:00 In Tune (m002t9y3)
Urban Folk Quartet and Pianist Hanni Liang live in session

Pianist Hanni Liang plays live on In Tune ahead of her concert at Kings Place.

Petroc also introduces live music from the Urban Folk Quartet.


FRI 19:00 Classical Mixtape (m002t9y5)
Half an hour of the finest classical music

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


FRI 19:30 Friday Night is Music Night (m002t9y7)
Chichester Festival Theatre

Jérôme Kuhn conducts the BBC Concert Orchestra in a typical Friday night eclectic mix of music, which also features American songs from soprano Alison Scherzer and film music by guest David Buckley.

Recorded at Chichester Festival Theatre in January.
Presented by Al Ryan.

Strauss: Die Fledermaus Overture
Léhar: Vilia (The Merry Widow)
Grappelli: Les Valseuses
Finzi: Prelude
Rodgers: Falling in Love with Love (The Boys from Syracuse)
Korngold arr Stanley Black: Sea Hawk

----INTERVAL----

Korngold, orch. Zemlinsky: Der Schneemann (Prelude & Serenade)
Bolcom: Blue
Gershwin: But not for me (Girl Crazy)
Judith Weir: Still, glowing
David Buckley: I should have died long ago (The Sandman)
Anderson: The Typewriter
Bernstein: Glitter and be Gay (Candide)
Rossini: William Tell Overture

Alison Scherzer (soprano)
Nathaniel Anderson-Frank (violin)
Stephen Whibley (typewriter)
BBC Concert Orchestra
Conductor Jérôme Kuhn


FRI 21:45 The Essay (m0023p7c)
Healing Musicians

5. Rebecca Toal and Hattie Butterworth

Kate Kennedy meets musicians who, like her, had to stop playing after injury and reconsider their relationship with their instruments.

We all know that listening to music can have a positive impact on wellbeing and mental health. But what about the performer? The truth is, for anyone wanting to turn professional, this is a highly competitive and pressurised environment often driven in part by fear and anxiety. It's a problem that can have a disproportionate effect on young people - which is why trumpeter Rebecca Toal and cellist Hattie Butterworth started their podcast, Things Musicians Don't Talk About, to try to break the taboo of not acknowledging the difficulties with mental illness that many musicians face. They talk to Kate about their personal experience of 'the system' for training musicians that can so easily break down, often resulting in crippling anxiety and burn-out. Obsessive behaviour and eating disorders are not uncommon as people try to gain some control over the endless cycle of practice and performance. By creating the podcast, Rebecca and Hattie have found a creative way to use their experiences to forge a new and less damaging path for themselves, but also to help others by sharing musicians' experiences honestly.

Presenter: Kate Kennedy
Producer: Erika Wright
Production Coordinator: Elisabeth Tuohy
Executive Producer: Rami Tzabar
Healing Musicians is a TellTale Industries production for BBC Radio 3


FRI 22:00 Late Junction (m002t9y9)
Fleeting epiphanies, reflective appliances

Verity Sharp presents our latest spin around the world of experimental music, providing a plethora of sounds to bend the ears. We bear witness to the deft and monumental organ playing of Jérôme Bouve & Delphine Dora in a new piece aptly titled ‘Le Vast’; and Owen Duff’s ‘The Meaning of Alexa’ is a duet performed with a virtual assistant in which the human in the room probes the technology’s code for answers to a variety of heartfelt and existential quandaries. Plus: Lucy Liyou returns with ‘MR COBRA’, a new project in which she poses the question, “Why not make death wait its turn?” Fusing theater, Korean folk-opera, free-jazz and musique-concrète, the results are a wild, scattered and heady brew.


FRI 23:30 'Round Midnight (m002t9yf)
Courtney Pine in conversation

Tonight, Soweto welcomes legendary British saxophonist and multi-instrumentalist, and core founder of the pioneering UK ensemble Jazz Warriors, Courtney Pine. Since emerging in the mid 1980s, Courtney has remained at the forefront of the UK jazz scene, and inspired generations of musicians to come.

In this conversation, Courtney and Soweto discuss everything from the 40th anniversary of his seminal debut album "Journey to the Urge Within", late night jams and reggae gigs, to the importance of mentorship and continuing the tradition, and much more.

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