SATURDAY 11 JULY 2026
SAT 00:30 Through the Night (m002y6cq)
Works by Jonathan Keren, Beethoven and Zemlinsky
From the Mizmorim Festival in Switzerland, the Gringolts Quartet and friends perform Beethoven's String Quartet no 11, Zemlinsky's Clarinet Trio and Jonathan Keren's Four Spanish Homages for clarinet, guitar and cello. Penny Gore presents.
12:31 AM
Jonathan Keren (b.1978)
Four Spanish Homages for clarinet, guitar and cello
Chen Halevi (clarinet), Szymon Barczak (cello), Yite Chang (guitar)
12:43 AM
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
String Quartet no 11 in F minor, Op 95 'Serioso'
Gringolts Quartet
01:06 AM
Alexander von Zemlinsky (1871-1942)
Clarinet Trio in D minor, Op 3
Chen Halevi (clarinet), Christophe Coin (cello), Benedek Horváth (piano)
01:35 AM
Alexander von Zemlinsky (1871-1942)
Symphonische Gesange for voice and orchestra, Op 20
Willard White (baritone), Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Riccardo Chailly (conductor)
01:54 AM
Joseph Haydn (1732-1809)
Symphony no.103 in E flat major, Hob.I:103 (Drumroll)
Swiss National Youth Orchestra, Kai Bumann (conductor)
02:24 AM
Domenico Scarlatti (1685-1757), Mauricio Sotelo (arr.)
Sonata in F, K.107
Chen Halevi (clarinet), Daniel Borovitzky (piano), Gringolts Quartet
02:31 AM
Antonín Dvořák (1841-1904)
Sonatina in G major, Op 100 (arr. flute and piano)
Elizaveta Ivanova (flute), Sanja Bizjak (piano)
02:51 AM
Zoltán Kodály (1882-1967)
Missa brevis (... tempore belli)
Danish Radio Choir, Frederik Hedelin (organ), Stefan Parkman (director)
03:26 AM
Fryderyk Chopin (1810-1849)
Nocturne in E flat, Op 55 no 2
Piotr Alexewicz (piano)
03:31 AM
François Couperin (1668-1733)
La Francoise, Trio Sonata from 'Les Nations'
Les Ambassadeurs, Alexis Kossenko (director)
03:38 AM
Fernando Sor (1778-1839)
Introduction, Theme and Variations on Marlborough s'en va-t-en guerre, Op 28
Xavier Díaz-Latorre (guitar)
03:48 AM
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791)
Bella mia fiamma - Resta, o cara, K.528
Andrea Rost (soprano), Hungarian National Philharmonic Orchestra, Tamás Vásáry (conductor)
04:00 AM
Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958)
The Lark Ascending
Pekka Kuusisto (violin), Basel Symphony Orchestra, Ivor Bolton (conductor)
04:15 AM
Improvisation
Improvisation on 'Guardame las vacas'
Labyrinto
04:19 AM
Maddalena Laura Lombardini Sirmen (1745-1818)
String Quartet no 1 in E flat major, Op 3
Eos Quartet
04:31 AM
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)
Keyboard Concerto no 5 in F minor, BWV.1056
Leif Ove Andsnes (piano), Risør Festival Strings
04:41 AM
Orlande de Lassus (1532-1594)
Gratia sola Dei (motet)
Currende, Erik van Nevel (conductor)
04:48 AM
Giuseppe Martucci (1856-1909)
Noveletta for orchestra, Op 82 no 2
Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra, Nello Santi (conductor)
04:55 AM
Charles Villiers Stanford (1852-1924)
3 Intermezzi, Op 13
Oleg Shebeta-Dragan (clarinet), Dominic Degavino (piano)
05:04 AM
Dora Pejačević (1885-1923), Rainer Maria Rilke (lyricist)
Mädchengestalten, Op 42
Franziska Heinzen (soprano), Benjamin Mead (piano)
05:13 AM
Lodewijk Mortelmans (1868-1952)
Lyrisch gedicht voor klein orkest
Vlaams Radio Orkest [Flemish Radio Orchestra], Bjarte Engeset (conductor)
05:26 AM
Joseph Haydn (1732-1809)
Keyboard Trio no 27 in A flat, Hob.XV:14
Esther Hoppe (violin), Christian Poltéra (cello), Hiroko Sakagami (piano)
05:48 AM
Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741)
Nisi Dominus (Psalm 127) for voice and orchestra (RV.608)
Matthew White (counter tenor), Arte dei Suonatori, Eduardo Lopez Banzo (conductor)
06:08 AM
Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges (c.1739-1799)
Violin Concerto in D major, Op 3 no 1
Linda Melsted (violin), Tafelmusik Orchestra, Jeanne Lamon (conductor)
SAT 06:30 Radio 3 Breakfast (m002ynl8)
Ease into the day 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 (m002ynlb)
Cécile McLorin Salvant
Sara Mohr-Pietsch introduces the best classical music and stories from the arts world.
Sara chats to the Grammy Award-winning vocalist and composer Cécile McLorin Salvant about her life in music and her new album of jazz standards "With Every Breath I Take", featuring the Metropole Orkest conducted by Jules Buckley. And players from the Sphinx Organisation in the US visit the studio to perform music by Florence Price and Ralph Vaughan Williams. They talk to Sara about how being part of Sphinx has shaped their musical paths.
To listen on most smart speakers, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Saturday Morning”.
SAT 12:00 Earlier... with Jools Holland (m002ynld)
Jools and guests share their musical favourites
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 Berlioz, Aretha Franklin and Anna Meredith, with performances by the Ligeti Quartet, the Academy of St Martin in the Fields and Ars Antiqua Austria. His guest is the chef, restaurateur and podcaster Ruth Rogers, who introduces music she loves by Bach, Donizetti, Mozart and Haydn.
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 (m002ynlg)
1727: Season of the Violin
1727, Cremona. In a quiet workshop in northern Italy, Antonio Stradivari completes one of the final instruments of his long career. Even in old age, his violins set a standard that players and makers will pursue for centuries.
This programme traces the rise of the violin from modest dance instrument to the defining voice of classical music. Alongside makers such as Stradivari, composer‑performers including Corelli, Tartini and Vivaldi develop new techniques and new forms, shaping the evolution of the concerto. As instruments improve and virtuosity increases, the solo violinist emerges as a commanding musical presence.
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 Episodes 9 to 16, Gillian welcomes Suzannah Lipscomb to help her explore the fascinating stories and rich sound worlds of the Late Renaissance and Baroque.
Producer: Zerlina Vulliamy
Contributor: Joshua Bell
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
Antonio Vivaldi: Violin Concerto in E major, RV269 “Spring” – iii. Allegro
Rachel Podger (violin)
Brecon Baroque
Antonio Vivaldi: Violin Concerto in G minor, RV315 “Summer” – iii. Presto
Théotime Langlois de Swarte (violin)
Le Consort
Giuseppe Tartini: Violin Sonata in G minor “Devil’s Trill”
Joshua Bell (violin)
John Constable (harpsichord)
Arcangelo Corelli: Concerto Grosso No. 8 “Christmas Concerto”
Amandine Beyer (violin)
Gli Incogniti
Giuseppe Torelli: Trumpet Concerto in D major – i. Allegro
Alison Balsom (trumpet)
Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen
Thomas Klug (conductor)
Caroline Shaw: Entr’acte for Strings
Chaos String Quartet
BBC recording
Antonio Vivaldi: The Four Seasons – Winter (RV297)
Adrian Chandler (violin)
La Serenissima
Max Bruch: Violin Concerto No. 1 in G minor – iii. Finale
Nicola Benedetti (violin)
BBC Symphony Orchestra
Jiří Bělohlávek (conductor)
To listen to this programme using most smart speakers, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Key Changes."
SAT 14:00 Record Review (m002ynlj)
Mendelssohn's 'Scottish' Symphony in Building a Library with Katy Hamilton and Andrew McGregor
2.10 The Spectator's Chief Classical Music Critic Richard Bratby talks presenter Andrew McGregor through his pick of the week's new releases.
3.00 Building a Library: Dr Katy Hamilton recommends a top recording of Mendelssohn's Third Symphony, known as the 'Scottish'. The sombre opening theme came to him after he visited the chapel in the ruins of Holyrood Abbey in 1829, although his love of the Scottish landscape was also an inspiration for movements in the symphony. Mendelssohn didn't complete the symphony until 1842.
3.50 Record of the Week: Andrew McGregor chooses the recording that has impressed him the most this week.
SAT 16:00 Sound of Cinema (m002ynll)
Edith speaks to Oscar winning director Christopher Nolan
Immerse yourself in the very best cinematic soundtracks each week with Edith Bowman. In this episode, Edith talks to Oscar winning director Sir Christopher Nolan about his new film The Odyssey - a big screen adaptation of Homer's ancient Greek epic poem staring Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway, Tom Holland and Zendaya.
Also, we're welcoming back composer Anna Meredith, who explores Ludwig Göransson’s score for Nolan’s 2020 sci-fi action film Tenet in Harmonising Hollywood. Meanwhile, acclaimed writer Patrick Radden Keefe shares his Pick of the Flicks, highlighting a film from director Jonathan Glazer.
And, as always, expect a curated blend of brand-new movie music and timeless Hollywood scores.
SAT 17:00 This Classical Life (m00224g4)
Jess Gillam with... Dalia Stasevska
Jess's guest this week is the Finnish conductor Dalia Stasevska.
Dalia is a musical force to be reckoned with, her charisma on the podium has established her as a conductor of exceptional versatility and popularity. She is Chief Conductor of Lahti Symphony Orchestra, Artistic Director of the International Sibelius Festival and Principal Guest Conductor of BBC Symphony Orchestra (who she's conducting at this year's BBC Proms).
She's also known for her fearless musical curiosity - her 'Dalia's Mixtape' project takes some of the freshest sounds in contemporary music to imagine what a symphony orchestra might sound like in the future.
Dalia and Jess talk about her life and work and swap favourite music, from music by Walton and Bach, to tracks by Sigur Ros and Cosmo Sheldrake, Dalia's favourite Sibelius symphony and her organ-flavoured guilty pleasure.
SAT 18:00 Opera on 3 (m002ynlq)
Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro
The Marriage of Figaro from the Royal Opera House: Alex Esposito, Louise Alder, Andrey Zhilikhovsky and Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha star as Figaro, Susanna, the Count and the Countess in David McVicar’s classic staging of Le nozze di Figaro, the work that confirmed Mozart’s status as the premier opera composer of his day.
From the bustling Overture to its poignant conclusion, The Marriage of Figaro is brimful of wonderful music. The bouncing tune of Figaro's ironic farewell to Cherubino in 'Non più andrai' (You shall go no more), as he packs the amorous teenager off to war, and Cherubino’s lovestruck aria to the Countess, ‘Voi che sapete’ (You who know what love is), combines a sweet, pleading melody with an entertaining account of the first pangs of teenage lust became so famous that they were whistled on the streets of Vienna. Meanwhile, the Countess’ aria 'Dove sono' (Where are they [those happy moments]) eloquently conveys her pain and heartbreak as she longs for past happiness. Mozart’s opera also contains entertaining ensemble pieces, such as the closing scene of Act II, in which Figaro's plans unravel at breakneck speed. As so often with Mozart, forgiveness is a key theme, and the Count's Act IV plea to his wife, 'Contessa, perdono' (Countess, forgive me), is another highlight of Mozart's genius.
Aside from its miraculous musical qualities, the work has exceptional emotional range. Sex farce jostles with deep psychological predicaments, buffoonery with the most complex of human feelings, and an ending tinged with melancholy.
Presented by Andrew McGregor with guest, Catriona Seth, Marshal Foch Professor of French Literature at Oxford University.
Mozart: The Marriage of Figaro - Le nozze di Figaro (Opera in Four Acts)
Libretto, Lorenzo da Ponte after Beaumarchais's La folle journée, ou Le mariage de Figaro
Figaro ..... Alex Esposito
Susanna ..... Louise Alder
Count Almaviva ..... Andrey Zhilikhovsky
Countess Almaviva ..... Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha
Cherubino ..... Svetlina Stoyanova
Bartolo ..... Carlo Lepore
Marcellina ..... Rosie Aldridge
Don Basilio ..... Gregory Bonfatti
Antonio .... Mark Saberton
Don Curzio ..... Colin Judson
Barbarina ..... Marianna Hovanisyan
First Bridesmaid ..... Caroline Modiba
Second Bridesmaid ..... Miranda Westcott
Chorus and Orchestra of the Royal Opera House
Bertrand de Billy (conductor)
Recorded Live at The Royal Opera House, Covent Garden.
SAT 21:30 Music Planet (m002ynls)
English folk and songs from Belize
Kathryn Tickell shares the best in global roots music including traditional English dance music from the South East London trio of Owen Spafford, Will Allen and Ben Filmer-Sankey. And founding editor of Songlines Magazine Simon Broughton profiles an iconic band from Belize, The Garifuna Collective, ahead of their appearance at this year's WOMAD festival.
Produced by Gabriel Francis
A Reduced Listening production for BBC Radio 3
SAT 22:30 New Music Show (m002ynlv)
Farewell to Maida Vale (2/2)
Tom Service presents the second of two final New Music Show concerts from London's Maida Vale recording studios, ahead of the BBC's departure from the building this Summer. Tonight, Jack Sheen conducts the BBC Symphony Orchestra in a thrilling programme of recently composed and brand-new works from Christian Drew, Tyshawn Sorey, Sky Macklay, Anton Lukoszevieze and Enno Poppe.
To listen on most smart speakers just say “Ask BBC Sounds to play New Music Show" and for more on the history of the BBC at Maida Vale visit: canvas-story.bbcrewind.co.uk/maidavalelegacy
SUNDAY 12 JULY 2026
SUN 00:30 Through the Night (m002ynlx)
Rachel Podger at London's Wigmore Hall
Rachel Podger plays violin sonatas by Biber and Froberger with lutenist Elizabeth Kenny and Marcin Świątkiewicz at the harpsichord. Penny Gore presents.
12:31 AM
Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber (1644-1704)
Violin Sonata no 1 in A major
Rachel Podger (violin), Elizabeth Kenny (lute), Marcin Świątkiewicz (harpsichord)
12:42 AM
Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber (1644-1704)
Violin Sonata no 5 in E minor
Rachel Podger (violin), Elizabeth Kenny (lute), Marcin Świątkiewicz (harpsichord)
12:55 AM
Johann Jakob Froberger (1616-1667)
Suite in A minor, FbWV 630
Marcin Świątkiewicz (harpsichord)
01:05 AM
Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber (1644-1704)
Violin Sonata no 6 in C minor (scordatura)
Rachel Podger (violin), Elizabeth Kenny (lute), Marcin Świątkiewicz (harpsichord)
01:19 AM
Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber (1644-1704)
Violin Sonata no 3 in F major
Rachel Podger (violin), Elizabeth Kenny (lute), Marcin Świątkiewicz (harpsichord)
01:32 AM
Marcin Świątkiewicz (b.1984)
Improvised Fantasia
Marcin Świątkiewicz (harpsichord)
01:34 AM
Maurice Ravel (1875-1937)
La Valse
Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra, Mário Košik (conductor)
01:47 AM
Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber (1644-1704)
Missa Salisburgensis
Collegium Vocale 1704, Collegium 1704, Václav Luks (conductor)
02:31 AM
George Gershwin (1898-1937), Bengt-Åke Lundin (arranger)
Rhapsody in Blue arr. Lundin for piano and string quintet
Bengt-Åke Lundin (piano), New Stenhammar String Quartet, Staffan Sjöholm (double bass)
02:48 AM
Joseph Haydn (1732-1809)
Symphony no 92 in G major, H.
1.92 'Oxford'
Estonian National Symphony Orchestra, Peeter Lilje (conductor)
03:16 AM
Sergey Prokofiev (1891-1953)
Piano Sonata no 5 in C major, Op 135 (version revised)
Boris Berman (piano)
03:33 AM
George Frideric Handel (1685-1759)
Gentle Morpheus, son of night (Calliope's song) from 'Alceste'
Emma Kirkby (soprano), Academy of Ancient Music, Andrew Manze (director)
03:42 AM
Thea Musgrave (b.1928)
Loch Ness - a postcard from Scotland for orchestra
BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Donald Runnicles (conductor)
03:53 AM
Anonymous
Psalm 116 From Lynar B7 (c.1610)
Jacques van Oortmerssen (organ)
04:00 AM
Francesco Scarlatti (1666-after 1741)
Concerto Grosso no 4 in E minor
Chiave d'Arco Baroque Orchestra, Sigiswald Kuijken (director)
04:06 AM
Claude Debussy (1862-1918)
Premiere Rhapsodie
Camerata Variabile Basel
04:15 AM
Dorothy Howell (1898-1982)
Two Pieces for Muted Strings
BBC Symphony Orchestra, Michael Collins (conductor)
04:24 AM
Richard Wagner (1813-1883)
"Mogst du, mein kind" (Daland's aria from Act II Die Fliegende Hollander)
Martti Talvela (bass), Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Jussi Jalas (conductor)
04:31 AM
Antonio Salieri (1750-1825)
La grotta di Trofonio (Overture)
Stavanger Symphony Orchestra, Fabio Biondi (conductor)
04:38 AM
Alexander Scriabin (1871-1915)
2 Poems for piano, Op 32
Jayson Gillham (piano)
04:43 AM
Susan Spain-Dunk (1880-1962)
Kentonia
BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Stephen Bell (conductor)
04:50 AM
Chiara Margarita Cozzolani (1602-c.1678)
Laudate pueri - psalm for 8 voices
Cappella Artemisia, Maria Christina Cleary (harp), Francesca Torelli (theorbo), Bettini Hoffmann (gamba), Miranda Aureli (organ), Candace Smith (director)
04:59 AM
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750), Arnold Schoenberg (orchestrator)
Chorale Prelude, BWV.654
Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Edo de Waart (conductor)
05:07 AM
John Tavener (1944-2013)
Funeral Ikos (The Greek funeral sentences) for chorus
Norwegian Soloists' Choir, Grete Helgerød (conductor)
05:13 AM
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791)
Adagio and fugue for strings in C minor, K.546
Risør Festival Strings
05:20 AM
Jean Sibelius (1865-1957)
Symphony no 5 in E flat major, Op 82
BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Thomas Søndergård (conductor)
05:52 AM
Johannes Brahms (1833-1897)
Sonata for clarinet and piano in E flat major, Op 120 no 2
Hans Christian Bræin (clarinet), Håvard Gimse (piano)
06:13 AM
Frederick Delius (1862-1934)
In a Summer Garden for orchestra
BBC Symphony Orchestra, Andrew Davis (conductor)
SUN 06:30 Radio 3 Breakfast (m002yl9t)
Wake up with classical music
Mark Forrest 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’.
SUN 09:00 Sunday Morning (m002yl9w)
Three hours of classical sparkle
This week, Sarah Walker's playlist travels across centuries and continents, featuring symphonic Beethoven at his most playful, a peaceful morning song by Elgar, and wedding celebrations in Scandinavia. There’s even an invitation to a glittering French house party…
Sarah’s Choral Reflection is the profoundly moving ‘In Paradisum’ by Ukrainian-born Estonian composer Galina Grigorjeva, blending mysticism with serenity. There’s also a chance to hear from one of music’s most ardent travellers, Saint-Saens, and his ‘Egyptian’ Piano Concerto in full.
Plus, with less than a week until the First Night of the Proms, Sarah looks ahead to the Proms she’s most looking forward to.
A Tandem Production for BBC Radio 3.
SUN 12:00 Private Passions (m002yl9y)
Carlos Acosta, dancer
In the world of dance, Carlos Acosta is a superstar. He grew up in a poor part of Havana, where he was the 11th child in his family, and began his training at the National Ballet School of Cuba.
At the age of just 18, he became the youngest principal dancer at the English National Ballet. After gaining further international experience, he joined the Royal Ballet in 1998 and made it his home for nearly two decades, dancing almost every major classical role.
He’s now Director of Birmingham Royal Ballet, where he’s fostered some unexpected collaborations, including a ballet danced to the music of local heavy rock legends Black Sabbath as well as productions of classics such as Swan Lake and the Nutcracker. And this summer, he returns to the stage of the Royal Ballet in London with a programme called Myths and Modern Masters.
Carlos' music choices include works by Prokofiev, Khachaturian, Massenet and Ennio Morricone.
SUN 13:30 Music Map (m002ylb2)
Samuel Coleridge-Taylor's Petite Suite
Sara Mohr-Pietsch maps the musical landscape of one of Samuel Coleridge-Taylor's most delightful works. The Petite Suite began life as a youthful piece, inspired by the mischief and romance of the commedia dell'arte. Sara follows all the fun of the fair with the high jinks of Schumann and Stravinsky, and the doomed love of Leoncavallo's clown.
The Suite is also packed with great tunes, including nods to a humorous Dvorak and a yearning Borodin. And there's time for a family romp with Schubert too, as well as music from other great black British composers - including the Master of the King’s Music, Errollyn Wallen.
To listen on most smart speakers, just say: “Ask BBC Sounds to play Music Map.”
SUN 15:00 Music Matters (m002ylb6)
How to Listen
with Sakari Oramo
Ahead of this year's BBC Proms, Sakari Oramo, chief conductor of the BBC Symphony Orchestra, opens a window into the art - and the joy - of attentive listening. Today, Sakari explores how listening over time can influence our relationship with the music that we hear.
He'll explain how he deals with the vast amount of music he works with, how nostalgia can affect how we experience music, and muses on whether we should try to train ourselves to listen better.
Also, Sakari explains the importance of occasionally listening to music we don't at first like and the joy of listening with an open mind.
Presenter: Sakari Oramo
Producer: Sam Phillips
A Tandem Production for BBC Radio 3
SUN 16:00 Jazz Record Requests (m002ylbb)
A celebration of jazz piano
Alyn Shipton presents a piano-focused edition of the programme, journeying from the hard-swinging stride of the big bands to contemporary British releases. The playlist highlights historical live sets, including Count Basie's legendary "Atomic" era line-up and a rare 1943 Hollywood recording of Fats Waller from the film Stormy Weather, alongside timeless trio dates from Sonny Rollins and Kirk Lightsey.
Listeners also share unique musical connections, featuring a request inspired by a jazz stamp collection tracking Michel Petrucciani, an overdue addition to the summer solstice playlist from trumpeter Fats Navarro, and new music from pianists Kate Williams and Zoe Rahman that explores deeply personal family histories.
SUN 17:00 The Early Music Show (m002ylbg)
Senesino - Handel's castrato
Hannah French traces the life of the Italian castrato Francesco Bernardi (otherwise known as Senesino), for whom Handel wrote many operatic roles during his time working in London.
Senesino was the superstar singer of his era. He was in demand all over Europe from a young age, but it was his association with Handel that catapulted him to stardom in England. Over a period of around ten years, Handel wrote thirteen roles for him, including the leading roles in his operas Giulio Cesare and Orlando.
Producer: Ben Collingwood.
SUN 18:00 Choral Evensong (m002y68s)
The Parish Church of St John-at-Hampstead, London
Live from the Parish Church of St John-at-Hampstead, London, with the choir of Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge.
Introit: O thou sweetest source (Wood)
Responses: Sarah MacDonald
Psalms 41, 42, 43 (Wesley, van den Heuvel ‘after Wood’)
First Lesson: Isaiah 26 vv1-9
Office Hymn: Christ who knows all his sheep (Cambridge)
Canticles: Wood in A flat
Second Lesson: Romans 8 vv12-27
Anthem: Expectans expectavi (Wood)
Hymn-Anthem: God omnipotenteth reigneth (Wood)
Voluntary: Chorale Fantasia on ‘The Old Hundredth’ (Parry)
Matthew Martin (Precentor)
Eben Eyres, Jack van den Heuvel (Organ Scholars)
To listen on most smart speakers, just say “ask BBC Sounds to play Choral Evensong”.
SUN 19:00 Sunday Feature (m002ylbl)
Whitman and Vaughan Williams
The composer Ralph Vaughan Williams was a lifelong devotee of the poet Walt Whitman, carrying a volume of his work to the First World War and setting his words across the course of three decades. Indeed Whitman featured heavily in two of Vaughan Williams’ most important choral works - ‘A Sea Symphony’ and ‘Dona Nobis Pacem’ - as well as numerous smaller pieces.
Laura Barton sets out to find out what it was about Whitman’s work that so appealed to the composer, exploring the various ways in which the poet’s expansive style and worldview both complemented and inspired Vaughan Williams’ approach. That exploration takes her to Bolton to attend the annual Whitman walk, which celebrates the poet’s relationship with a group of 19th-century workers in the town. There, she meets Whitman’s latest biographer Karen Karbiener - and also his pet canary. Laura speaks with members of the Choral Societies of Twickenham to find out what it’s like to perform the great works Vaughan Williams created using Whitman’s verse, and also Huddersfield, where Dona Nobis Pacem was premiered in 1936. She finds that this story of two extraordinary artistic figures who are so intimately connected to their own respective countries nonetheless offers a counter to the fierce nationalism of our present moment.
Readings by Gil Vernon
Contributors: Clinical Professor Karen Karbiener, Dr. Jacob Downs, Katrina Ledbetter, Howard Ionascu, Gloria Haliday, Joey Cain, Matthew Watson.
Presented by Laura Barton
Produced by Geoff Bird
A Falling Tree production for BBC Radio Three
SUN 19:45 Words and Music (m002ylbp)
Lazy Days
As summer progresses, we explore the passage of time and the various ways we can experience it, from relaxed, lazy days spent messing about in boats with Kenneth Grahame's Ratty and Mole, to the frustrated boredom of waiting for the school day to end, as expressed by D.H. Lawrence. Keats explores the complicated interplay of wanting to get on with a project whilst also being unable to stop procrastinating, whilst Laurie Lee evokes sun-kissed summers of childhood that feels as though they'll never end. Music ranges from Haydn's symphony 'Il Distratto', to the fat waddling duck from Prokofiev's Peter And The Wolf, to John Coltrane's Lazy Bird.
The readers are Laura Dos Santos and Ben Crowe.
Producer: Luke Mulhall
SUN 21:00 Sunday Selection (m002ylbr)
4. Róisín Ní Dhúill
In the first of two programmes, viola player Róisín Ní Dhúill chooses a selection of music for Sunday evening and shines a spotlight on baritone Andrew Hamilton. Roisin shares two of the recordings Andrew has made with the BBC during his time as a Radio 3 New Generation Artist.
SUN 22:00 Night Tracks (m002ylbw)
Music for the still of night
Hannah Peel presents an adventurous, immersive soundtrack for late-night listening, from classical to contemporary and everything in between.
SUN 23:30 Unclassified (m002ylc0)
Wordplay
Join Elizabeth Alker with a selection of fresh music from genre-defying artists. This week: a lyrical tribute to the great French Symbolist poet Stéphane Mallarmé from former Tangerine Dream member Paul Haslinger and Lightwave’s Christian Wittman; the schoolchildren of the Primitive Percussion Youth Orchestra revel in spooky tales of the mythical Gabble Ratchets; and a story of devotion and love opens the haunting track 'Amen' by Ibukun Sunday.
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 13 JULY 2026
MON 00:30 Through the Night (m002ylc2)
Louise Farrenc, Maria Herz and Ina Boyle
From Essen in Germany, the her:voice Festival focuses on three extraordinary women composers. Louise Farrenc's second symphony and Maria Herz's Cello Concerto feature alongside Ina Boyle's 'The Magic Harp'. Penny Gore presents.
12:31 AM
Ina Boyle (1889-1967)
The Magic Harp
Essen Philharmonic Orchestra, Nil Venditti (conductor)
12:41 AM
Maria Herz (1878-1950)
Cello Concerto, Op 10
Raphaela Gromes (cello), Essen Philharmonic Orchestra, Nil Venditti (conductor)
01:01 AM
Hanna Havrylets (1958-2022), Julian Riem (arranger)
Tropar, Prayer to the Holy Mother of God
Raphaela Gromes (cello), Essen Philharmonic Orchestra, Nil Venditti (conductor)
01:06 AM
Louise Dumont Farrenc (1804-1875)
Symphony no 2 in D major, Op 35
Essen Philharmonic Orchestra, Nil Venditti (conductor)
01:36 AM
Leokadiya Kashperova (1872-1940)
Piano Trio in A minor, Op posth
Gould Piano Trio
02:04 AM
Dora Pejačević (1885-1923)
Life of Flowers, Op 19
Ida Gamulin (piano)
02:25 AM
Grażyna Bacewicz (1909-1969)
Folk sketches for small orchestral ensemble
Polish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Jan Krenz (conductor)
02:31 AM
George Frideric Handel (1685-1759)
Agrippina condotta a morire: Dunque sara pur vero, HWV.110
Johanna Koslowsky (soprano), Musica Alta Ripa
02:55 AM
Claude Debussy (1862-1918)
3 Images for orchestra
Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra, Jukka-Pekka Saraste (conductor)
03:30 AM
Max Bruch (1838-1920), Unknown (arranger)
Allegro vivace ma non troppo in C major, Op 83 no 7
Moshe Hammer (violin), Tsuyoshi Tsutsumi (cello), William Tritt (piano)
03:34 AM
Johann Strauss II (1825-1899)
Overture (Die Fledermaus)
BBC Philharmonic, Vassily Sinaisky (conductor)
03:43 AM
Clara Schumann (1819-1896)
4 Pieces Fugitives for piano, Op 15
Angela Cheng (piano)
03:56 AM
Giuseppe Verdi (1813-1901), Dante (author)
Pater noster for chorus
Choeur de Radio France, Donald Palumbo (conductor)
04:05 AM
Pieter Hellendaal (1721-1799)
Solo (sonata) for cello and continuo in G major, Op 5 no 1 (1780)
Jaap ter Linden (cello), Ageet Zweistra (cello), Ton Koopman (harpsichord)
04:13 AM
Alexander Glazunov (1865-1936)
Lyric poem in D flat major, Op 12
West Australian Symphony Orchestra, Vladimir Verbitsky (conductor)
04:24 AM
Joseph Francis Lamb (1887-1960)
Ragtime Nightingale
Donna Coleman (piano)
04:31 AM
Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741)
Concerto in D minor, RV.128
Arte dei Suonatori, Eduardo Lopez Banzo (conductor)
04:37 AM
Johannes Brahms (1833-1897)
Intermezzo in E flat major, Op 117 no 1 "Schlummerlied"
Khatia Buniatishvili (piano)
04:43 AM
Zoltán Kodály (1882-1967), Sándor Weöres (lyricist)
Oregek (The Aged)
Hungarian Radio Choir, János Ferencsik (conductor)
04:51 AM
Eric Ewazen (b.1954)
Andante from Concerto for Marimba and Strings
Heigo Rosin (percussion), Tallinn Chamber Orchestra, Risto Joost (conductor)
05:02 AM
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791)
Constanze's aria "Martern aller Arten" from 'Die Entfuhrung aus dem Serail Act 2
Cyndia Sieden (soprano), Prima La Musica, Dirk Vermeulen (conductor)
05:11 AM
Carl Friedrich Abel (1723-1787)
Pieces for viola da gamba
Rainer Zipperling (viola da gamba)
05:27 AM
Ernst Linko (1889-1960)
Piano Concerto no 2, Op 10
Raija Kerppo (piano), Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Osmo Vänskä (conductor)
05:46 AM
Wilhelm Stenhammar (1871-1927)
String Quartet no 2 in C minor, Op 14
Yggdrasil String Quartet
06:17 AM
Fryderyk Chopin (1810-1849)
2 Nocturnes for piano, Op 62
Yulianna Avdeeva (piano)
MON 06:30 Radio 3 Breakfast (m002ymkw)
Start your day with classical music
Tom McKinney presents Radio 3’s Breakfast show live from Salford. With birdsong, Bach Before 7 and the best in classical music. You can contact the show by emailing 3breakfast@bbc.co.uk.
To listen on most smart speakers, just say 'Ask BBC Sounds to play 3 Breakfast’.
MON 09:30 Essential Classics (m002ymky)
A feast of great 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 a masterpiece.
To listen on most smart speakers, say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Essential Classics”.
MON 13:00 Classical Live (m002yml0)
The Gesualdo Six live at Wigmore Hall
The Gesualdo Six perform live from Wigmore Hall, with a collection of exquisite vocal consort pieces. And Mark Forrest introduces a week of specially recorded performances from the recent St. Magnus Festival in this, its 50th year. And throughout this week, Classical Live is shining a spotlight on the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and Music Director Vasily Petrenko with exclusive recordings. Today, you can tune in for Elgar's symphonic study Falstaff. Also, baritone Roderick Williams performs a new work from the Scottish composer Jay Capperauld with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and Chorus conducted by Andrew Manze.
LIVE FROM WIGMORE HALL: The Gesualdo Six
Introduced for Classical Live by Petroc Trelawny
Programme:
William Byrd: This sweet and merry month of May
David Bednall: Put out into the deep
Trad/English: Bushes and Briars (arranged by Ralph Vaughan Williams)
Alison Willis: The Wind's Warning
Joby Talbot: The Wishing Tree
Trad/Irish: The Lark in the Clear Air (arranged by James Whitbourn)
Anna Semple: My Bonnie Lies
Christen Holmes: Summer Shower
Josquin des Prez: El Grillo
Orlando Gibbons: The silver swan
Charles Villiers Stanford: 4 Poems by Mary E Coleridge Op. 119: The Blue Bird
Owain Park: When love speaks
Francis Poulenc: Petites voix
Trad/English: The Oak and the Ash (arranged by Gordon Langford)
c
2.00
Edward Elgar
Falstaff - Symphonic Study Op. 68
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Vasily Petrenko (conductor)
St Magnus @ 50:
Franz Schubert
Divertissement à la hongroise, D. 818
Pavel Kolesnikov/Samson Tsoy (piano duo)
Franz Joseph Haydn
The Creation -
'The Representation of Chaos'
Scottish Chamber Orchestra
Andrew Manze (conductor)
Jay Capperauld
The Language of Eden
Roderick Williams (baritone)
Scottish Chamber Orchestra & Chorus
Andrew Manze (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 (m001nnr6)
Samuel Barber (1910-1981)
Adagio for Strings
Donald Macleod explores Samuel Barber’s early beginnings as a composer during the 1930s.
Composer of the Week explores the life and music of Samuel Barber, who is only considered one of the most expressive representatives of the Romantic trend in 20th-century classical music, as well as one of the most frequently performed American composers. His most famous score is his early Adagio for Strings; some of his other breakthrough include his Piano Sonata, and the opera Vanessa.
Barber began studying piano from the age of six and started to compose from the age of seven. He went on to take composition lessons with Rosario Scalero at the Curtis Institute of Music and, from this point, he never looked back, quickly becoming one of America’s most famous composers. He wrote in many different genres, including chamber, vocal, orchestral and works for the stage, and often composed in response to significant and highly desirable commissions. He enjoyed close collaboration with the performers he wrote for, shaping his music to their individual styles and capabilities. Only towards the end of his life, when he was struggling with depression, alcoholism and also cancer, did his creative output slow.
In the early 1930s, Samuel Barber was studying at the Curtis Institute in Philadelphia. He’d originally auditioned as a pianist, and studied singing and composing too. As time went on, composing would prove to be the biggest attraction for him. One work he composed towards the end of his studies was Dover Beach, which has gone on to be regularly performed and recorded. During this period, Barber met fellow composer, Gian Carlo Menotti and they began a forty-year romantic relationship. It was whilst travelling around Italy with Menotti that Barber worked on his Cello Sonata. Another work composed on a European sojourn would become Barber’s most famous works, his Adagio for Strings. It became Barber’s calling card, and augured well for a composer at the start of his career.
Overture to The School for Scandal
New York Philharmonic
Thomas Schippers, conductor
Dover Beach, Op 3
Roderick Williams, baritone
Coull Quartet
Cello Sonata, Op 6 (Adagio - Presto)
Sheku Kanneh-Mason, cello
Isata Kanneh-Mason, piano
Sure on this shining night, Op 13 No 3
Samantha Clarke, soprano
Dylan Perez, piano
Nocturne, Op 13 No 4
Samantha Clarke, soprano
Dylan Perez, piano
Adagio for Strings, Op 11
Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
Simon Rattle, conductor
Violin Concerto, Op 14 (excerpt)
Johan Dalene, violin
Norrkoping Symphony Orchestra
Daniel Blendulf, conductor
Produced by Luke Whitlock
MON 17:00 In Tune (m002yml3)
Sean Shibe & Karim Sulayman in session
Petroc Trelawny welcomes guitarist Sean Shibe and tenor Karim Sulayman to 80A, as they perform live ahead of their recital at Wigmore Hall, in London on 14/07. Conductor Andrew Griffiths is also live in studio, with Bampton Classical Opera's Artistic Director Jeremy Gray, chatting to Petroc about the new, semi-staged production of a rarely-performed work by Grétry - Zemira and Azor, which will be presented at Cokethorpe School, Oxfordshire on 17/07 & 18/07, Westonbirt Orangery, Gloucestershire on 31/08 & Smith Square Hall, London on 18/09.
MON 19:00 Classical Mixtape (m002yml5)
Proms special: classical music and movies
A special Proms edition featuring music connected with the forthcoming 2026 season, curated by the Proms Director of Artistic Planning, Hannah Donat. Her choices demonstrate the wide range of music presented at the Proms, and recreate the excitement and sometimes surprising nature of the festival. Today’s mix focuses on connections between film and classical music, including works by Rodrigo, Lili Boulanger, Mozart, Ravel, and John Barry.
To listen on most smart speakers, just say 'Ask BBC Sounds to play Radio 3'.
MON 19:30 Radio 3 in Concert (m002yml7)
Mahler's 5th Symphony
Antonio Pappano conducts the London Symphony Orchestra in two turn-of-the-century works, separated by just three years. Elgar's Enigma Variations were an immediate success at their premiere in 1899, portraying his family and friends in a series of miniature portraits. Then, after the interval, Mahler's mighty 5th Symphony takes us on a journey from darkness to light and includes one of the most rapturous slow movements in all music.
Recorded last month at the Barbican and presented by Martin Handley.
Elgar: Variations on an Original Theme, ‘Enigma’
Interval
Mahler: Symphony No 5
London Symphony Orchestra
Antonio Pappano (conductor)
To listen on most smart speakers, just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Radio 3 in Concert."
MON 21:45 The Essay (m002yml9)
The Dawn of Music
A Secret Chord
When did we, as a species, first start to sing?
Archaeologist Dr Brenna Hassett takes us on a several-million-year-long journey to ask how we came to be the species that makes music. It is the story of noise. Purposeful, beautiful noise. And the unbelievable talent we have for adapting the material world we live in to make instruments that make noise. And from there, to make music.
But before reed whistles, wooden flutes, stone lithophones and clay drums, the first ever instrument was surely the human voice. When did we learn to sing with it?
Written and read by Dr Brenna Hassett
Produced and directed by Becky Ripley
This series of essays is part of Key Changes: Radio 3's Essential History of Classical Music.
MON 22:00 Night Tracks (m002ymld)
Immersive music for after-hours
Hannah Peel presents an adventurous, immersive soundtrack for late-night listening, from classical to contemporary and everything in between.
MON 23:30 'Round Midnight (m002ymlg)
China Moses’s Flowers
This week, Soweto is joined by formidable Paris-based American vocalist, producer and broadcaster China Moses as his guest. China is an internationally celebrated artist who has performed more than 800 shows over six continents, with small and large ensembles. In 2023 she received the French National Order of Merit for her contributions to cultural diplomacy and community building.
China comes from a lineage of deep creativity; she is the daughter of vocal icon Dee Dee Bridgewater, and her father was the late pioneering theatre, film and television director Gilbert Moses. Her latest album “its complicated…” is out now.
From Monday to Thursday, China is choosing some of the artists that inspire her for Flowers. To begin her week, China chooses a pioneering UK based vocalist and songwriter that she admires.
Also in the programme, there’s music from Yazmin Lacey, Floating Points and Lakecia Benjamin.
‘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 14 JULY 2026
TUE 00:30 Through the Night (m002ymlj)
Francesco Piemontesi plays piano sonatas by Schubert and Liszt
Swiss-Italian pianist Francesco Piemontesi performs Liszt's B minor sonata and Schubert's Sonata in D, D.850 at the Schubertiade Schwarzenberg in Austria. Penny Gore presents.
12:31 AM
Franz Schubert (1797-1828)
Piano Sonata no 17 in D major, D.850
Francesco Piemontesi (piano)
01:11 AM
Franz Liszt (1811-1886)
Piano Sonata in B minor, S.178
Francesco Piemontesi (piano)
01:43 AM
Franz Liszt (1811-1886)
Au lac de Wallenstadt, from 'Années de pèlerinage: première année: Suisse S.160'
Francesco Piemontesi (piano)
01:47 AM
Franz Schubert (1797-1828)
Allegretto, no 6 from 'Six Moments musicaux, D.780'
Francesco Piemontesi (piano)
01:53 AM
Franz Schubert (1797-1828), Friedrich Schiller (author)
Die Gotter Griechenlands, D.677b
Christoph Prégardien (tenor), Andreas Staier (pianoforte)
01:58 AM
Johannes Brahms (1833-1897)
Cello Sonata no 2 in F major, Op 99
Leonard Elschenbroich (cello), Alexei Grynyuk (piano)
02:31 AM
Gustav Holst (1874-1934)
The Planets - suite, Op 32
NFM Chorus, Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra, Katowice, José Maria Florêncio (conductor)
03:28 AM
Dario Castello (1602-1631)
Sonata XVII in ecco
Musica Fiata Köln
03:35 AM
Francis Poulenc (1899-1963)
Un Soir de neige - Cantata for 6 Voices
BBC Singers, Yan Pascal Tortelier (conductor)
03:42 AM
Hilda Sehested (1858-1936)
Tre Fantasistykker (3 Fantasy pieces)
Nina Reintoft (cello), Malene Thastum (piano)
03:53 AM
Eugen Suchoň (1908-1993)
Ballade for Horn and Orchestra
Peter Sivanic (horn), Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra, Mário Košik (conductor)
04:03 AM
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
Piano Sonata no 24 in F sharp major, Op 78
Cédric Tiberghien (piano)
04:11 AM
Antonín Dvořák (1841-1904)
'Song to the Moon' from 'Rusalka', Op 114
Yvonne Kenny (soprano), Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Vladimir Kamirski (conductor)
04:18 AM
Traditional, Eldbjørg Hemsing (arranger)
Traditional Homecoming
Eldbjørg Hemsing (violin)
04:22 AM
John Foulds (1880-1939)
Keltic Overture, Op 28
BBC Concert Orchestra, Ronald Corp (conductor)
04:31 AM
Giuseppe Torelli (1658-1709)
Sonata in D for Trumpet, Strings and Basso Continuo
Sebastian Philpott (trumpet), European Union Baroque Orchestra, Lars Ulrik Mortensen (conductor)
04:38 AM
Jean Sibelius (1865-1957)
The Swan of Tuonela (Lemminkainen suite, Op 22)
BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Thomas Søndergård (conductor)
04:49 AM
György Ligeti (1923-2006)
Studies for piano (selection)
Francesco Piemontesi (piano)
04:55 AM
Walter Piston (1894-1976)
Prelude and Allegro (for organ and orchestra) (1943)
David Schrader (organ), Grant Park Orchestra, Carlos Kalmar (conductor)
05:06 AM
Jocelyn Pook (b.1960), Andrew Motion (author)
Mobile
King's Singers
05:10 AM
Dinu Lipatti (1917-1950)
Piano Concertino, 'en style ancien', Op 3
Horia Mihail (piano), Romanian Radio Chamber Orchestra, Horia Andreescu (conductor)
05:27 AM
César Franck (1822-1890), Jean Pierre Rampal (arranger)
Sonata for flute and piano (orig. violin and piano)
Carlos Bruneel (flute), Levente Kende (piano)
05:53 AM
Claude Debussy (1862-1918), Henri Büsser (orchestrator)
Printemps – symphonic suite (orch. Busser)
Ukrainian Radio Symphony Orchestra, Volodymyr Sirenko (conductor)
06:09 AM
Hyacinthe Jadin (1776-1800)
Trio no 4 in E flat major, Op 2 no 1 (1797)
Trio AnPaPié
TUE 06:30 Radio 3 Breakfast (m002yn21)
Brighten your day with classical music
Tom McKinney presents Radio 3’s Breakfast show live from Salford. With birdsong, Bach Before 7 and the best in classical music. You can contact the show by emailing 3breakfast@bbc.co.uk.
To listen on most smart speakers, just say 'Ask BBC Sounds to play 3 Breakfast’.
TUE 09:30 Essential Classics (m002yn23)
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 a masterpiece.
To listen on most smart speakers, say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Essential Classics”.
TUE 13:00 Classical Live (m002yn25)
The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra perform Mahler's First Symphony
Mark Forrest presents an afternoon of exclusive music-making, with recordings from the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and vocal and chamber music from St. Magnus Festival on Orkney which this year marked its 50th anniversary.
At the centre of the programme, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Vasily Petrenko, perform Mahler’s breakthrough work into the world of the symphony, a work suffused with the sounds and ideas of nature.
The piano duo of Pavel Kolesnikov and Samson Tsoy perform The Rite of Spring from Kirkwall Cathedral on Orkney; and from the Queen’s Hall in Edinburgh, Roderick Williams performs his own orchestral arrangements of songs by Butterworth with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra conducted by Andrew Manze.
Ludwig van Beethoven
Symphony No. 4 in B flat major, Op. 60
Ulster Orchestra
Sinéad Hayes (conductor)
St Magnus @ 50:
Johannes Lupi
Salve celeberrima virgo
Marian Consort
Gustav Mahler
Symphony No. 1 in D Major
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Vasily Petrenko (conductor)
George Butterworth (arr. R. Williams)
6 Songs from ‘A Shropshire Lad’
Roderick Williams (baritone)
Scottish Chamber Orchestra Andrew Manze (conductor)
St Magnus @ 50
Igor Stravinsky
The Rite of Spring
Pavel Kolesnikov/Samson Tsoy (piano duo)
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 (m001nnr7)
Samuel Barber (1910-1981)
Barber joins the Army
Donald Macleod explores a period in Barber’s life when he composed his iconic Piano Sonata.
Composer of the Week explores the life and music of Samuel Barber, who is only considered one of the most expressive representatives of the Romantic trend in 20th-century classical music, as well as one of the most frequently performed American composers. His most famous score is his early Adagio for Strings; some of his other breakthrough include his Piano Sonata, and the opera Vanessa.
Barber began studying piano from the age of six and started to compose from the age of seven. He went on to take composition lessons with Rosario Scalero at the Curtis Institute of Music and, from this point, he never looked back, quickly becoming one of America’s most famous composers. He wrote in many different genres, including chamber, vocal, orchestral and works for the stage, and often composed in response to significant and highly desirable commissions. He enjoyed close collaboration with the performers he wrote for, shaping his music to their individual styles and capabilities. Only towards the end of his life, when he was struggling with depression, alcoholism and also cancer, did his creative output slow.
The 1940s saw Samuel Barber compose a number of significant works, including his Piano Sonata. The premier of this landmark work was the first time a major piano work by an American composer had been performed by an internationally famous virtuoso. The pianist was Vladimir Horowitz, who collaborated with Barber on its creation. Also, during this decade, Barber served in the US armed forces who commissioned him to compose his Commando March and also his Second Symphony. After the war, the conductor Koussevitsky commissioned a Cello Concerto from Barber to be performed by Raya Garbousova. In 1946, Barber collaborated with the choreographer and dancer Martha Graham on the ballet Medea.
Monks and Raisins, Op 18 No 2
Fleur Barron, mezzo-soprano
Dylan Perez, piano
Commando March
Royal Scottish National Orchestra
Marin Alsop, conductor
Cello Concerto, Op 22 (Andante sostenuto)
Yo-Yo Ma, cello
Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
David Zinman, conductor
Medea Orchestral Suite, Op 23 (excerpt)
Royal Scottish National Orchestra
Marin Alsop, conductor
Knoxville: Summer of 1915, Op 24
Julia Bullock, soprano
Philharmonia Orchestra
Christian Reif, conductor
Piano Sonata, Op 26 (excerpt)
Isata Kanneh-Mason, piano
Produced by Luke Whitlock
TUE 17:00 In Tune (m002yn28)
Julian Joseph in session
Petroc Trelawny welcomes pianist Julian Joseph to 80A. Julian performs live ahead of his concert at London's World Heart Beat Embassy Gardens on 17/07, marking his 60th birthday. He also discusses his recent album Voyage of the Faithful (out in April 2026). Soprano Héloïse Werner also joins Petroc live in studio. They chat about Héloïse's upcoming performance at London's Wigmore Hall on 17/07, and the world premiere of her piece "The Wood Pigeon", which will be presented at the BBC Proms on 11/08.
TUE 19:00 Classical Mixtape (m002yn2b)
Proms special: orchestral favourites
A special Proms edition featuring music connected with the forthcoming 2026 season, curated by the Proms Director of Artistic Planning Hannah Donat. Her choices demonstrate the wide range of music that is presented at the Proms and recreate the excitement and sometimes surprising nature of the festival. Today’s mix includes orchestral favourites alongside a folk and jazz vibe, including works by Canteloube, Janacek, Caroline Shaw and Miles Davis.
To listen on most smart speakers, just say 'Ask BBC Sounds to play Radio 3'.
TUE 19:30 Radio 3 in Concert (m002yn2d)
The dazzling cosmos of Scriabin’s The Divine Poem
Vasily Petrenko conducts the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in a programme which opens in the half lit world of Rachmaninov's The Isle of the Dead and ends in the blazing light of Scriabin's Divine Poem. In between those Russian masterpieces comes a concerto for three horns by Joe Hisashi, the 'John Williams of Japanese music.'
Rachmaninov’s The Isle of the Dead was inspired by a black and white reproduction of Arnold Böcklin’s painting of the same name, a painting that was then so popular that prints of it were hanging up in the studies of Sigmund Freud and Vladimir Lenin. Böcklin himself described it as: ‘A dream picture, it must produce such a stillness that one would be awed by a knock on the door,’ and Rachmaninov captures its eerie atmosphere to perfection.
It takes a special sort of genius to create a whole new musical universe; everything about Scriabin’s Third Symphony (The Divine Poem) is larger than life, from the enormous orchestra to the galactic ambition of his inspiration. It's music that Scriabin described as ‘ecstatic’, ‘drunken’ and even ‘divine.’
And those two Russian works by composers who were both friends and rivals makes a brilliant counterpart to Joe Hisaishi (of Studio Ghibli fame) and his virtuosic new Concerto for 3 Horns.
Presented by Georgia Mann and recorded live at London's Royal Festival.
Rachmaninov: The Isle of the Dead Op.29
Joe Hisaishi: The Border (Concerto for 3 Horns and Orchestra)
Interval
Scriabin: Symphony no. 3 in C major Op.43 (The Divine Poem)
Alexander Edmundson, Ben Hulme and Katy Woolley (horns)
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Vasily Petrenko - Conductor
To listen on most smart speakers, just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Radio 3 in Concert."
TUE 21:45 The Essay (m002yn2g)
The Dawn of Music
Whispers of Wood
When did we learn to make music from green and growing things, like wood and reed?
Archaeologist Dr Brenna Hassett takes us on a several-million-year-long journey to ask how we came to be the species that makes music. It is the story of noise. Purposeful, beautiful noise. And the unbelievable talent we have for adapting the material world we live in to make instruments that make music.
The problem is, not all of our evidence for the past is created equal. Something with the solidity of stone, we can trace and time. But every-day, easy-use things that were our ancestors first taste of material culture? Gone. Rotted away millions of years ago, precisely because they were made of what we had to hand: grasses, reeds, woods. Will we ever know when the first wooden flute was played?
Written and read by Dr Brenna Hassett
Produced and directed by Becky Ripley
TUE 22:00 Night Tracks (m002yn2j)
Reflective music for the day’s end
Hannah Peel presents an adventurous, immersive soundtrack for late-night listening, from classical to contemporary and everything in between.
TUE 23:30 'Round Midnight (m002yn2l)
New from Chassol
Singer, songwriter, and broadcaster China Moses is back with her second Flowers pick of the week, and tonight she spotlights a leading virtuoso pianist and master of funk that inspires her.
There is also music from Immanuel Wilkins, Namaya, and Jason Yarde with Andrew McCormack.
‘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 15 JULY 2026
WED 00:30 Through the Night (m002yn2n)
Ligeti, Szymanowski and Stravinsky from Oslo
Violinist Fedor Rudin joins the Norwegian Radio Orchestra and conductor Petr Popelka in Szymanowski's 2nd violin concerto. The orchestra also plays music by Ligeti and Stravinsky. Penny Gore presents.
12:31 AM
György Ligeti (1923-2006)
Melodien (1971)
Norwegian Radio Orchestra, Petr Popelka (conductor)
12:43 AM
Karol Szymanowski (1882-1937)
Violin Concerto no 2, Op 61
Fedor Rudin (violin), Norwegian Radio Orchestra, Petr Popelka (conductor)
01:05 AM
Niccolò Paganini (1782-1840)
Caprice no 24 in A minor
Fedor Rudin (violin)
01:10 AM
Igor Stravinsky (1882-1971)
Four Norwegian Moods
Norwegian Radio Orchestra, Petr Popelka (conductor)
01:20 AM
Igor Stravinsky (1882-1971)
Jeu de cartes
Norwegian Radio Orchestra, Petr Popelka (conductor)
01:44 AM
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)
Nur ein wink von seinen Händchen, from Christmas Oratorio, part 6 (BWV.248)
Marita Kvarving Sølberg (soprano), Norwegian Radio Orchestra, Ketil Haugsand (conductor)
01:48 AM
Edvard Grieg (1843-1907)
Lyric Pieces (excerpts)
Leif Ove Andsnes (piano)
02:11 AM
Igor Stravinsky (1882-1971)
Mass for chorus and wind instruments
San Francisco Symphony, San Francisco Symphony Chorus, Michael Tilson Thomas (conductor)
02:31 AM
Johan Svendsen (1840-1911)
Octet for strings in A major, Op 3
Atle Sponberg (violin), Joakim Svenheden (violin), Aida-Carmen Soanea (viola), Adrian Brendel (cello), Vertavo String Quartet
03:08 AM
Modest Mussorgsky (1839-1881)
Pictures at an Exhibition
Teo Gheorghiu (piano)
03:39 AM
Dietrich Buxtehude (1637-1707)
Kantate No. 2 Ad genua - Ad ubera portabimini
La Cetra Vocalensemble Basel, La Cetra Barockorchester Basel, Carlos Federico Sepúlveda (conductor)
03:47 AM
Susan Spain-Dunk (1880-1962)
The Farmer's Boy
BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Stephen Bell (conductor)
03:55 AM
Domenico Scarlatti (1685-1757)
Sonata in E minor, K.81, arranged for recorder and harpsichord
Bolette Roed (recorder), Joanna Boślak-Górniok (harpsichord)
04:02 AM
Benjamin Britten (1913-1976)
Choral Dances from 'Gloriana' - Coronation opera for Elizabeth II, Op 53
David Hurley (counter tenor), King's Singers
04:08 AM
Stanisław Moniuszko (1819-1872)
Polonaise de concert in A major (1867)
Polish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Zygmunt Rychert (conductor)
04:16 AM
Robert Schumann (1810-1856)
Toccata in C major Op.7 for piano
Francesco Piemontesi (piano)
04:22 AM
Willem De Fesch (1687-1761)
Concerto in D major, Op 5 no 1
Musica ad Rhenum
04:31 AM
Toivo Kuula (1883-1918)
Festive March, Op 13
Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, George de Godzinsky (conductor)
04:40 AM
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791), Edvard Grieg (arranger)
Piano Sonata in C major, K.545
Julie Adam (piano), Daniel Herscovitch (piano)
04:49 AM
Francesco Cavalli (1602-1676)
Salve Regina (Hail, Holy Queen)
Monteverdi Choir, English Baroque Soloists, John Eliot Gardiner (conductor)
04:58 AM
Zoltán Kodály (1882-1967)
Adagio for clarinet and piano
Kálmán Berkes (clarinet), Zóltan Kocsis (piano)
05:06 AM
Fernando Sor (1778-1839)
Introduction and variations on Mozart's 'O cara armonia' for guitar, Op 9
Xavier Díaz-Latorre (guitar)
05:15 AM
Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov (1844-1908)
The Three Wonders from The tale of Tsar Saltan Suite, Op 57
BBC Philharmonic, Vassily Sinaisky (conductor)
05:23 AM
Carl Nielsen (1865-1931)
Wind Quintet, Op.43
Ariart Woodwind Quintet
05:50 AM
Fryderyk Chopin (1810-1849)
Barcarolle in F sharp major, Op 60
Anastasia Vorotnaya (piano)
05:59 AM
Johannes Brahms (1833-1897)
String Quintet no 2 in G major, Op 111
Amaryllis Quartett, Lena Eckels (viola)
WED 06:30 Radio 3 Breakfast (m002yn63)
The best classical music wake-up call
Tom McKinney presents Radio 3’s Breakfast show live from Salford. With birdsong, Bach Before 7 and the best in classical music. You can contact the show by emailing 3breakfast@bbc.co.uk.
To listen on most smart speakers, just say 'Ask BBC Sounds to play 3 Breakfast’.
WED 09:30 Essential Classics (m002yn67)
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 a masterpiece.
To listen on most smart speakers, say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Essential Classics”.
WED 13:00 Classical Live (m002yn6b)
The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra performs Rachmaninoff's choral symphony, ‘The Bells’
Elizabeth Alker presents an afternoon of exclusive music-making, with recordings from the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and chamber and vocal music from the St. Magnus Festival on Orkney.
Today, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra perform with the Philharmonia Chorus Rachmaninoff's choral symphony 'The Bells,' inspired by Edgar Allan Poe, conducted by Vasily Petrenko.
Elsewhere, the Scottish Chamber Orchestra performs Edward Elgar's Serenade for Strings, a wedding anniversary present for his wife Alice; and Elizabeth introduces highlights from the recent St. Magnus Festival on Orkne, including Grieg and Janacek from the Icelandic cellist Geirþrúður Guðmundsdóttir, with pianist Antoine Préat and medieval vocal music from the Marian Consort.
Edward Elgar
Serenade for Strings in E minor, Op. 20
Scottish Chamber Orchestra
Andrew Manze (conductor)
St Magnus @ 50:
Edvard Grieg
Cello Sonata in A minor, Op. 36
Geirþrúður Guðmundsdóttir (cello)
Antoine Préat (piano)
St Magnus @ 50:
Pierre Certon
Inviolata, integra et casta es
Marian Consort
Sergei Rachmaninoff
The Bells, Op. 35
Mirjam Mesak (soprano)
Pavel Petrov (tenor)
Andrii Kymach (baritone)
Philharmonia Chorus
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Vasily Petrenko (conductor)
St Magnus @ 50:
Leoš Janáček
Pohádka (Fairytale)
Geirþrúður Anna Guðmundsdóttir (cello)
Antoine Préat (piano)
To listen to this programme (using most smart speakers), just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Classical Live".
WED 15:00 Choral Evensong (m002yn6d)
Norwich Cathedral
From Norwich Cathedral.
Responses: Rose
Psalm 78 (Mann, Cooke, Nares, Stanford)
First Lesson: Esther 6 vv1-13
Canticles: Bairstow in D
Second Lesson: 2 Corinthians 8 vv1-15
Anthem: For lo, I raise up (Stanford)
Voluntary: Sonata No 1 in C sharp minor (Allegro appassionato) (Harwood)
Ashley Grote (Organist & Master of Music)
Graham Thorpe (Assistant Master of Music & Sub-Organist)
Recorded 8 July.
To listen on most smart speakers, just say “ask BBC Sounds to play Choral Evensong”.
WED 16:00 Composer of the Week (m001nnw8)
Samuel Barber (1910-1981)
Barber’s operatic failure
Donald Macleod delves into a period when Samuel Barber starts looking to old compositions as inspiration for new ones.
Composer of the Week explores the life and music of Samuel Barber, who is only considered one of the most expressive representatives of the Romantic trend in 20th-century classical music, as well as one of the most frequently performed American composers. His most famous score is his early Adagio for Strings; some of his other breakthrough include his Piano Sonata, and the opera Vanessa.
Barber began studying piano from the age of six and started to compose from the age of seven. He went on to take composition lessons with Rosario Scalero at the Curtis Institute of Music and, from this point, he never looked back, quickly becoming one of America’s most famous composers. He wrote in many different genres, including chamber, vocal, orchestral and works for the stage, and often composed in response to significant and highly desirable commissions. He enjoyed close collaboration with the performers he wrote for, shaping his music to their individual styles and capabilities. Only towards the end of his life, when he was struggling with depression, alcoholism and also cancer, did his creative output slow.
During the 1960s, Samuel Barber looked to many of his older works as inspiration for new ones. In 1967 he took his famed Adagio for Strings and adapted it to create a choral setting of the Agnus Dei from the Latin Mass. His work Night Flight derived from his earlier work, the Symphony No 2, and Barber adapted his Canzone for flute and piano into the middle movement of his Piano Concerto. The decade also saw a significant failure for Barber, with his opera Antony and Cleopatra. He wrote the libretto himself, and in collaboration with Franco Zeffirelli who directed and staged the opera, and also designed the costumes and sets. The overall response was not good. The first performance was plagued with problems: Leontyne Price, who performed the lead role of Cleopatra, became stuck in a pyramid and was forced to sing louder in order to be heard by the audience.
My Lizard, Op 41 No 2 (Despite and Still)
Eric Cutler, tenor
Bradley Moore, piano
Canzone, Op 38a
Adam Walker, flute
James Baillieu, piano
Piano Concerto, Op 38 (Allegro appassionato)
Elizabeth Joy Roe, piano
London Symphony Orchestra
Emil Tabakov, conductor
Night Flight, Op 19a
London Symphony Orchestra
David Maesham, conductor
Antony and Cleopatra, Op 40 (Give Me Some Music)
Leontyne Price (Cleopatre), soprano
New Philharmonia Orchestra
Thomas Schippers, conductor
Agnus Dei, Op 11
Accentus Chamber Choir
Laurence Equilbey, director
In the Wilderness, Op 41 No 3 (Despite and Still)
Eric Cutler, tenor
Bradley Moore, piano
Produced by Luke Whitlock
WED 17:00 In Tune (m002yn6h)
Live music from Cellophonics
Cello quartet Cellophonics (Cellists Christopher Allan, Adrian Bradbury, Ian Burdge, and Ben Rogerson) join Petroc Trelawny in 80A for a live performance ahead of their concert Upstairs at Ronnie Scott's, London, on 20/07. Trumpeter Guy Barker is also in studio with them, discussing music he wrote for the ensemble. Live from BBC Cymru Wales, in Cardiff, professor and musicologist Trevor Herbert talks with Petroc about his now book The Brass Band Story, out on Yale University Press on 14/07.
WED 19:00 Classical Mixtape (m002yn6k)
Proms special: 2000 years of music
A special Proms edition featuring music connected with the forthcoming 2026 season, curated by the Proms Director of Artistic Planning Hannah Donat. Her choices demonstrate the wide range of music that is presented at the Proms and recreate the excitement and sometimes surprising nature of the festival. Today's mix includes works by Messiaen, Hildegard of Bingen, Prokofiev, and Mahler.
To listen on most smart speakers, just say 'Ask BBC Sounds to play Radio 3'.
WED 19:30 Radio 3 in Concert (m002yn6m)
BBC Singers at Norwich Cathedral
The BBC Singers, conducted by Ashley Grote and joined by renowned British cellist Guy Johnston, make a welcome return to the magnificent surroundings of Norwich Cathedral for a special concert as part of the Cathedral’s Summer Music Festival. The programme features works themed around two women central to the history of the city – Mother Julian of Norwich and Edith Cavell. Joanna Marsh and Roxanna Panufnik were both inspired by medieval mystic Mother Julian of Norwich and the BBC Singers perform their settings of her text All Shall Be Well. In Standing as I do before God, Cecilia McDowall sets words spoken by nurse Edith Cavell the night before her execution on 12 October 1915. Edith Cavell is buried at Norwich Cathedral. The Cathedral’s magnificent organ played by David Dunnett take centre stage in works by McDowall, MacMillan and Parry, and cellist Guy Johnston performs alongside the BBC Singers in Ola Gjeilo’s lush and poignant O Magnum Mysterium. The concert is brought to a close by Hubert Parry's poignant and reflective Songs of Farewell completed in 1915.
Recorded on 9 July 2026 and presented by Ian Skelly.
Joanna Marsh: All Shall Be Well
Ola Gjeilo: O Magnum Mysterium
Cecilia McDowall: Standing as I do before God
Cecilia McDowall: Church Bells beyond the stars
Roxanna Panufnik: All Shall Be Well
Sir James MacMillan: A New Song
Parry: Fantasia and Fugue in G
Parry: Songs of Farewell
Guy Johnston (cello)
David Dunnett (organ)
BBC Singers
Ashley Grote (conductor)
To listen on most smart speakers, just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Radio 3 in Concert".
WED 21:45 The Essay (m002yn6p)
The Dawn of Music
Echoes of Stone and Bone
When did we learn to make melody from stone and bone?
Archaeologist Dr Brenna Hassett takes us on a several-million-year-long journey to ask how we came to be the species that makes music. It is the story of noise. Purposeful, beautiful noise. And the unbelievable talent we have for adapting the material world we live in to make instruments that make music.
We have so far looked at the evolution of the human singing voice, and at the very first instruments we would have grafted from grasses, reeds and wood - long since rotted away. It is now time to get to some hard evidence. Evidence that has survived down many millennia: evidence in solid stone and bone.
Written and read by Dr Brenna Hassett
Produced and directed by Becky Ripley
WED 22:00 Night Tracks (m002yn6r)
A bewitching night time soundtrack
Hannah Peel presents an adventurous, immersive soundtrack for late-night listening, from classical to contemporary and everything in between.
WED 23:30 'Round Midnight (m002yn6t)
Fresh from Gretchan Parlato
China Moses returns with a third bouquet to give to an artist that she is influenced by, for Flowers. Tonight it’s the turn of a vocalist who is a core part of the UK jazz community, first call singer for Robert Glasper, and a dear friend of China’s.
Plus there is music from Hill Collective, Sharada Shashidhar, and Robin Katz.
‘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 16 JULY 2026
THU 00:30 Through the Night (m002yn6w)
Brahms from Budapest
The pianist Simon Trpčeski performs Brahms' second piano concerto with the Hungarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Riccardo Frizza. After, more Brahms: his symphony no 4. Penny Gore presents.
12:31 AM
Johannes Brahms (1833-1897)
Piano Concerto no 2 in B flat, Op 83
Simon Trpčeski (piano), Hungarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, Budapest, Riccardo Frizza (conductor)
01:18 AM
MAKEDONISSIMO
Paprika Dance (encore)
Simon Trpčeski (piano)
01:19 AM
Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847)
Venetian Gondola Song, Op 19 no 6 (encore)
Simon Trpčeski (piano)
01:21 AM
Johannes Brahms (1833-1897)
Symphony no 4 in E minor, Op 98
Hungarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, Budapest, Riccardo Frizza (conductor)
02:02 AM
Franz Schubert (1797-1828), Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (author)
An Mignon from 3 Songs, D.161
Christoph Prégardien (tenor), Andreas Staier (pianoforte)
02:05 AM
Bernd Alois Zimmermann (1918-1970)
Prelude from Sonata for violin solo
Thomas Zehetmair (violin)
02:09 AM
Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847)
Three Psalms, Op 78
Chamber Choir AVE, Andraž Hauptman (conductor)
02:31 AM
Grażyna Bacewicz (1909-1969)
Piano Quintet no 1 arr. orchestra
Pavel Wakarecy (piano), 'Amadeus' Polish Radio Chamber Orchestra, Anna Duczmal-Mróz (conductor)
02:57 AM
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)
Concerto for violin and string orchestra no 1 in D minor, BWV.1052
Ars Barocca
03:19 AM
Franz Liszt (1811-1886)
Vallée d'Obermann, from 'Années de pèlerinage, première année: Suisse, S.160'
Piotr Alexewicz (piano)
03:33 AM
Frederick Delius (1862-1934)
The Walk to the Paradise Garden
BBC Concert Orchestra, Barry Wordsworth (conductor)
03:43 AM
Henry Purcell (1659-1695)
Awake, and with attention hear for bass and continuo, Z.181
Stephen Varcoe (bass), David Miller (theorbo), Peter Seymour (organ)
03:54 AM
Cécile Chaminade (1857-1944)
Flute Concertino, Op 107
Maria Filippova (flute), Ekaterina Mirzaeva (piano)
04:03 AM
Johann Gottfried Müthel (1728-1788)
Jesu, meine Freude, arr. for organ
Ludger Lohmann (organ)
04:11 AM
Antonín Dvořák (1841-1904)
Slavonic Dance no 10 in E minor, Op 72 no 2
Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, Juanjo Mena (conductor)
04:17 AM
Robert Schumann (1810-1856)
2 Fugues for piano, Op 72 nos 1 & 2
Tobias Koch (piano)
04:24 AM
Josquin des Prez (c1440 - 1521)
La deploration de Johan Okeghem
Netherlands Chamber Choir, Paul Van Nevel (conductor)
04:31 AM
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791)
Horn Concerto no 1 in D major, K412
Premysl Vojta (horn), Polish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Łukasz Borowicz (conductor)
04:39 AM
Marin Marais (1656-1728)
Tombeau pour Monsr. de Lully
Ricercar Consort
04:47 AM
Giuseppe Verdi (1813-1901)
Giovanna d'Arco - Sinfonia
Canadian Opera Company Orchestra, Richard Bradshaw (conductor)
04:55 AM
Chiara Margarita Cozzolani (1602-c.1678)
O quam bonus es - motet for 2 voices
Cappella Artemisia
05:05 AM
Joseph Haydn (1732-1809), Harold Perry (arranger)
Divertimento 'Feldpartita' in B flat major, Hob.
2.46
Galliard Ensemble
05:14 AM
Alexander Glazunov (1865-1936)
Concert waltz for orchestra no 1 in D major, Op 47
CBC Vancouver Orchestra, Kazuyoshi Akiyama (conductor)
05:23 AM
Willy Hess (1906-1997)
Suite in B flat major for piano solo, Op 45
Desmond Wright (piano)
05:33 AM
Alexina Louie (b.1949)
Songs of Paradise
Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, Kazuhiro Koizumi (conductor)
05:49 AM
Luigi Rossi (c. 1597-1653)
Oratorio per la Settimana Santa (in two parts)
Agnes Mellon (soprano), Jill Feldman (soprano), Marie-Claude Vallin (soprano), Dominique Visse (counter tenor), Vincent Darras (counter tenor), Ian Honeyman (tenor), Michel Laplénie (tenor), Philippe Cantor (bass), François Fauché (bass), Antoine Sicot (bass), Les Arts Florissants, William Christie (director)
THU 06:30 Radio 3 Breakfast (m002yn7x)
Start the day on the right note with classical music
Tom McKinney presents Radio 3’s Breakfast show live from Salford. With birdsong, Bach Before 7 and the best in classical music. You can contact the show by emailing 3breakfast@bbc.co.uk.
To listen on most smart speakers, just say 'Ask BBC Sounds to play 3 Breakfast’.
THU 09:30 Essential Classics (m002yn7z)
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 a masterpiece.
To listen on most smart speakers, say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Essential Classics”.
THU 13:00 Classical Live (m002yn81)
Strauss's ‘An Alpine Symphony’ from the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Elizabeth Alker presents an afternoon of exclusive music-making, with recordings from the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and chamber and choral music from the St. Magnus Festival on Orkney. Also from St. Magnus, a masterpiece by Schubert, his F minor Fantasie for piano duet from Pavel Kolesnikov and Samson Tsoy.
And Elizabeth rounds up Classical Live this week with another exclusive recording from the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and conductor Vasily Petrenko - a concert performance of Richard Strauss's musical mountain adventure, ‘An Alpine Symphony’.
St Magnus @ 50:
Plainchant
Felix namque
Anonymous
Missa Felix namque –
Kyrie & Gloria
Marian Consort
Edvard Grieg
Holberg Suite, Op. 40
Zurich Chamber Orchestra
Daniel Hope (conductor)
St Magnus @ 50:
Jón Nordal
Pictures on a Panel Wall
Geirþrúður Anna Guðmundsdóttir (cello)
Antoine Préat (piano)
Josquin des Prez
Benedicta es caelorum Regina
Marian Consort
Richard Strauss
Alpine Symphony, Op. 64
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Vasily Petrenko (conductor)
St Magnus @ 50:
Franz Schubert
Fantasie in F minor, D. 940
Pavel Kolesnikov/Samson Tsoy (piano duo)
Ronald Corp
Hail and Farewell
Roderick Williams (baritone)
BBC National Orchestra of Wales
Martyn Brabbins (conductor)
To listen to this programme (using most smart speakers), just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Classical Live".
THU 16:00 Composer of the Week (m001nnz2)
Samuel Barber (1910-1981)
Relationships under strain
Donald Macleod explores Barber’s final years when he was suffering from alcoholism, depression and cancer.
Composer of the Week explores the life and music of Samuel Barber, who is only considered one of the most expressive representatives of the Romantic trend in 20th-century classical music, as well as one of the most frequently performed American composers. His most famous score is his early Adagio for Strings; some of his other breakthrough include his Piano Sonata, and the opera Vanessa.
Barber began studying piano from the age of six and started to compose from the age of seven. He went on to take composition lessons with Rosario Scalero at the Curtis Institute of Music and, from this point, he never looked back, quickly becoming one of America’s most famous composers. He wrote in many different genres, including chamber, vocal, orchestral and works for the stage, and often composed in response to significant and highly desirable commissions. He enjoyed close collaboration with the performers he wrote for, shaping his music to their individual styles and capabilities. Only towards the end of his life, when he was struggling with depression, alcoholism and also cancer, did his creative output slow.
In Samuel Barber’s final decade, his relationship with his former partner, Gian Carlo Menotti, was under strain. Barber sold the house where he and Menotti had lived for nearly three decades and moved into an apartment in New York. He found a new companion during his final years. Valentin Herranz was Spanish and he became Barber’s cook and housekeeper, and from there things developed. Barber was now taking on fewer commissions and his output gradually slowed. He did accept a request to write for a piano competition, for which he composed his highly popular Ballade. He also agreed to compose an oboe concerto for an old friend of his from his college days, Harold Gomberg. Barber only completed one movement and renamed the work to Canzonetta for Oboe and String Orchestra. In 1978 he was diagnosed with cancer of the lymphatic system. He died in 1981 with Menotti at his bedside.
Third Essay, Op 47
Detroit Symphony Orchestra
Neeme Järvi, conductor
A Green Lowland of Pianos, Op 45 No 2
Thomas Allen, bass-baritone
Roger Vignoles, piano
Toccata festiva, Op 36
Olivier Latry, organ
The Philadelphia Orchestra
Christoph Eschenbach, conductor
The Lovers, Op 43 (excerpt)
David Farwig, baritone
Conspirare: A Company of Voices
Chamber Orchestra
Craig Hella Johnson, director
Ballade, Op 46
Eric Parkin, piano
Canzonetta, Op 48
Stéphane Rancourt, oboe
Royal Scottish National Orchestra,
Marin Alsop, conductor
Produced by Luke Whitlock
THU 17:00 In Tune (m002yn84)
Peter Donohoe live in session
Petroc Trelawny welcomes Peter Donohoe to the studio. The legendary pianist performs live, marking the release of his new album The Chopin I Love (out on SOMM on 17/07). Creative Producer Deborah Bankole is also live in 80A. She joins Petroc to discuss Steel Scenes, the upcoming celebration of 75 years of steel pan in the UK, at London's Southbank Centre (24- 26/07).
THU 19:00 Classical Mixtape (m002yn86)
Proms special: love stories and peaceful endings
A special Proms edition featuring music connected with the forthcoming 2026 season, curated by the Proms Director of Artistic Planning Hannah Donat. Her choices demonstrate the wide range of music that is presented at the Proms and recreate the excitement and sometimes surprising nature of the festival. Today’s mix focuses on love stories and peaceful endings, and includes works by Rossini, Haydn, Richard Strauss and Alan Menken’s score for the film “The Little Mermaid”.
To listen on most smart speakers, just say 'Ask BBC Sounds to play Radio 3'.
THU 19:30 Radio 3 in Concert (m002yn88)
Bernstein's Chichester Psalms
To celebrate the signing of the United States Declaration of Independence 250 years ago, the BBC National Orchestra and Chorus of Wales are joined by conductor Tomas Djupsjöbacka to perform a programme of Copland, Christopher Tin, Barber, and Bernstein. The scene is set with Aaron Copland's Appalachian Spring, a piece that conjures the celebration of settlers in a newly built farmhouse in Pennsylvania, before Christopher Tin also draws on American landscapes and experiences in his Piano Concerto, Pursuit of Happiness. Commissioned and performed for its UK premiere by pianist Lara Downes, the audaciously optimistic concerto celebrates the ideals pursued and deserved by every American. After the interval, the BBC National Chorus of Wales sing Samuel Barber's Agnus Dei — a choral reworking of his ever-popular Adagio for Strings — before they join forces with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales and treble Morris Bates to complete the celebrations with Leonard Bernstein's dramatic Chichester Psalms.
Presented by Alex Humphreys in BBC Hoddinott Hall, and recorded on the 5th July.
Copland: Appalachian Spring (Suite)
Christopher Tin: Pursuit of Happiness
Barber: Agnus Dei, Op 11
Bernstein: Chichester Psalms
Lara Downes (piano)
Morris Bates (Treble)
BBC National Orchestra and Chorus of Wales
Kellen Gray (conductor)
To listen on most smart speakers, just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Radio 3 in Concert."
THU 21:45 The Essay (m002yn8b)
The Dawn of Music
Clammers of Clay
How did the invention of clay change how we made instruments? Archaeologist Dr Brenna Hassett unearths the origins of human music.
Archaeologist Dr Brenna Hassett takes us on a several-million-year-long journey to ask how we came to be the species that makes music. It is the story of noise. Purposeful, beautiful noise. And the unbelievable talent we have for adapting the material world we live in to make instruments that make music.
We’ve already looked at how our ancestors found grasses to be whistled, reeds to be blown, wood and gourd to drum and rattle, bone and stone to chime. But we are also a making species. It took us hundreds of thousands of years, but eventually we did it - we made ourselves an entirely new material. A new medium to control, to carve, and, of course, to make music. This is the story of the sound of clay.
Written and read by Dr Brenna Hassett
Produced and directed by Becky Ripley
THU 22:00 Night Tracks (m002yn8d)
Sublime sounds for nightfall
Hannah Peel presents an adventurous, immersive soundtrack for late-night listening, from classical to contemporary and everything in between.
THU 23:30 'Round Midnight (m002yn8g)
Stratospheric sounds from Ferg’s Imaginary Big Band
All this week, Soweto has been joined by American vocalist, producer and broadcaster China Moses as his Flowers guest. Rounding off her week, China chooses an artist which another ‘Round Midnight guest recently also celebrated, meaning they have been given a double bunch.
Also in the programme, there is music from Dinosaur, Yazz Ahmed, and a chance to hear an additional highlight from saxophonist Jean Toussaint talking about the late great Sonny Rollins, following our recent Friday night focus.
‘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 17 JULY 2026
FRI 00:30 Through the Night (m002yn8j)
Elgar's Cello Concerto from Lithuania
Cellist Stanislas Kim performs Elgar's concerto with the Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra and conductor David Geringas.
Lithuanian composer Vytautas Laurušas's Symphony of Prayers and Mendelssohn's 'Scottish' Symphony complete the programme. Penny Gore presents.
12:31 AM
Vytautas Laurušas (1930-2019)
Symphony of Prayers
Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra, David Geringas (conductor)
12:50 AM
Edward Elgar (1857-1934)
Cello Concerto in E minor, Op 85
Stanislas Kim (cello), Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra, David Geringas (conductor)
01:19 AM
Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847)
Symphony no 3 in A minor, Op 56 'Scottish'
Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra, David Geringas (conductor)
02:00 AM
Juozas Naujalis (1869-1934)
Motet: Tua Dova
Kaunas State Choir, Petras Bingelis (conductor)
02:04 AM
Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis (1875-1911)
De Profundis (cantata)
Kaunas State Choir, Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra, Petras Bingelis (conductor)
02:12 AM
Franz Schubert (1797-1828)
Allegretto in C minor, D.915
Halina Radvilaite (piano)
02:19 AM
Eugene Bozza (1905-1991)
Jour d'été à la montagne
Giedrius Gelgotas (flute), Albertas Stupakas (flute), Valentinas Kazlauskas (flute), Linas Gailiunas (flute)
02:31 AM
Gabriel Fauré (1845 - 1924)
Piano Quintet in C minor, Op 115
Sebastian Bohren (violin), Hyunjong Reents-Kang (violin), Hannes Bärtschi (viola), Patrick Demenga (cello), Bernd Glemser (piano)
03:05 AM
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791)
Partita in E flat, K.Anh.C 17`3
Festival Winds
03:29 AM
Anonymous, James Erb (arranger)
Shenandoah
Phoenix Chamber Choir, Ramona Luengen (conductor)
03:33 AM
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)
Sonata for flute, violin and continuo in G major, BWV.1038
Musica Petropolitana
03:41 AM
Claude Debussy (1862-1918)
Prelude à l'apres-midi d'un faune
Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, Simone Young (conductor)
03:52 AM
Leoš Janáček (1854-1928)
Pohadka (Fairy tale)
Jonathan Slaatto (cello), Martin Qvist Hansen (piano)
04:03 AM
Gioachino Rossini (1792-1868)
Lindoro's cavatina 'Languir per una bella' (from L' Italiana in Algeri)
Francisco Araiza (tenor), Cappella Coloniensis, Gabriele Ferro (conductor)
04:11 AM
Robert Schumann (1810-1856)
Arabeske, Op 18
Giorgi Gigashvili (piano)
04:18 AM
Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741)
Concerto for violin & orchestra RV.293 Op 8 No 3 in F major 'L'Autunno'
Elizabeth Wallfisch (baroque violin), Australian Brandenburg Orchestra, Paul Dyer (director)
04:31 AM
Tekla Bądarzewska-Baranowska (1838-1862)
The maiden's prayer, Op 4
Kyung-Sook Lee (piano)
04:35 AM
Antonín Dvořák (1841-1904)
Slavonic Dance in E minor, Op 72 no 2
BBC Symphony Orchestra, Jiří Bělohlávek (conductor)
04:42 AM
Giovanni Battista Vitali (1632-1692),Francesco Corbetta (1615-1681)
Toccata, Chiaccona (Vitali); Caprice de chaccone (Corbetta)
United Continuo Ensemble
04:51 AM
Jāzeps Vītols (1863-1948)
Romance for violin and piano
Valdis Zarins (violin), Ieva Zarina (piano)
04:58 AM
Daniel Auber (1782-1871)
Overture to 'Marco Spada'
Bratislava Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra, Ondrej Lenárd (conductor)
05:08 AM
Johannes Brahms (1833-1897)
Four Songs, Op 17
Davos Festival Women's Choir, Magdalena Hoffmann (harp), Nicolas Ramez (french horn), François Rieu (french horn)
05:24 AM
Franz Schubert (1797-1828)
Symphony no 1 in D major, D.82
Polish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Łukasz Borowicz (conductor)
05:49 AM
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
Sonata quasi una fantasia in C sharp minor for piano, Op 27 no 2 'Moonlight'
Louis Schwizgebel (piano)
06:05 AM
Pál Esterhazy (1635-1713)
Harmonia Caelestis (excerpts)
Mária Zádori (soprano), Monika Fers (soprano), Katalin Károlyi (alto), Savaria Vocal Ensemble, Capella Savaria, Pal Nemeth (conductor)
FRI 06:30 Radio 3's Proms Countdown (m002ynq0)
Tom McKinney live from the Royal Albert Hall
The sound of summer pours from your radio in Proms Countdown 2026. From first light to the very first note of the BBC Proms, Radio 3 broadcasts live from the Royal Albert Hall. Tom McKinney, Georgia Mann, Mark Forrest and Katie Derham take you behind the scenes as excitement builds for the opening night — from unlocking the doors to the moment the performers step on stage.
Proms Countdown is your access-all-areas pass, with exclusive interviews from Proms performers, backstage stories and live performance — a front-row seat to the sounds and stars of the world’s greatest classical music festival.
The day begins as the Royal Albert Hall awakens, with the first sounds drifting from the Grand Organ, performed live by organist Richard Pearce.
FRI 09:30 Radio 3's Proms Countdown (m002ynq2)
Georgia Mann live from the Royal Albert Hall
The sound of summer pours from your radio in Proms Countdown 2026. From first light to the very first note of the BBC Proms, Radio 3 broadcasts live from the Royal Albert Hall. Tom McKinney, Georgia Mann, Mark Forrest and Katie Derham take you behind the scenes as excitement builds for the opening night — from unlocking the doors to the moment the performers step on stage.
Proms Countdown is your access-all-areas pass, with exclusive interviews from Proms performers, backstage stories and live performance — a front-row seat to the sounds and stars of the world’s greatest classical music festival.
Mid-morning, and the Royal Albert Hall rings with the sound of brass as members of the Black Dyke Band rehearse for their weekend Prom — taking a break to perform live, especially for Proms Countdown.
FRI 13:00 Radio 3's Proms Countdown (m002ynq4)
Mark Forrest live from the Royal Albert Hall
The sound of summer pours from your radio in Proms Countdown 2026. From first light to the very first note of the BBC Proms, Radio 3 broadcasts live from the Royal Albert Hall. Tom McKinney, Georgia Mann, Mark Forrest and Katie Derham take you behind the scenes as excitement builds for the opening night — from unlocking the doors to the moment the performers step on stage.
Proms Countdown is your access-all-areas pass, with exclusive interviews from Proms performers, backstage stories and live performance — a front-row seat to the sounds and stars of the world’s greatest classical music festival.
Around 1 o’clock, as First Night rehearsals pause for lunch, the Gallery of the Royal Albert Hall becomes our stage. Violinist Alena Baeva joins Mark Forrest and performs live, exclusively for Proms Countdown. She returns to the Proms later in July with Korngold’s Violin Concerto. Also, composer Mark-Anthony Turnage drops by to tell Mark about the UK premiere of his Festen Suite, with music drawn from his acclaimed opera.
FRI 16:30 Radio 3's Proms Countdown (m002ynq6)
Katie Derham live from the Royal Albert Hall
The sound of summer pours from your radio in Proms Countdown 2026. From first light to the very first note of the BBC Proms, Radio 3 broadcasts live from the Royal Albert Hall. Tom McKinney, Georgia Mann, Mark Forrest and Katie Derham take you behind the scenes as excitement builds for the opening night — from unlocking the doors to the moment the first performers step on stage.
Proms Countdown is your access-all-areas pass, with exclusive interviews from Proms performers, backstage stories and live performance — a front-row seat to the sounds and stars of the world’s greatest classical music festival.
FRI 19:00 BBC Proms (m002ynq8)
2026
First Night of the Proms 2026
Live at the BBC Proms: piano superstar Yunchan Lim joins the BBC Symphony Chorus & Orchestra, the BBC Singers & conductor Dalia Stasevska in a concert of Copland, Gershwin & Ravel.
Presented by Petroc Trelawny & Georgia Mann, live from the Royal Albert Hall, London
Aaron Copland: Fanfare for the Common Man
George Gershwin: An American in Paris
Maurice Ravel: Piano Concerto in G major
c.
7.40pm
Interval: Georgia & Petroc chat to the artists in tonight's opening concert
c.
8.00pm
Josephine Stephenson: That the sunrise not leave us unmoved - BBC commission: world premiere
Gerald Finzi: For St Cecilia
Yunchan Lim, piano
Thomas Atkins, tenor
BBC Singers
BBC Symphony Chorus
BBC Symphony Orchestra
Dalia Stasevska, conductor
Dalia Stasevska and massed BBC forces launch the 2026 season with an American accent. The widescreen vision of Copland’s Fanfare for the Common Man zooms in to teeming city streets in Gershwin’s ‘rhapsodic ballet’ An American in Paris, before piano superstar Yunchan Lim performs Ravel’s bluesy Concerto in G major, a musical postcard inspired by the composer’s time in the States. The second half sees a world premiere from French-British composer Josephine Stephenson, before Finzi’s ode to the patron saint of music, premiered in this same Hall nearly 80 years ago.
FRI 21:45 The Essay (m002ynqc)
The Dawn of Music
The Sound of Skin and Sinew
How did the domestication of animals change our music-making?
Archaeologist Dr Brenna Hassett takes us on a several-million-year-long journey to ask how we came to be the species that makes music. It is the story of noise. Purposeful, beautiful noise. And the unbelievable talent we have for adapting the material world we live in to make musical instruments.
This final episode brings us into a much more recent world. One where we are not only masters of our own human voices, and makers of instruments from wood, reed, bone, stone and clay, but the point in time (about twelve thousand years ago) when we started to become entwined with the animals we once hunted. This Neolithic Revolution, also known as the First Agricultural Revolution, brought about many innovations. Including new and exciting ways to make melodies, from skin and sinew, hide and horn.
Written and read by Dr Brenna Hassett
Produced and directed by Becky Ripley
This series of essays is part of Key Changes: Radio 3's Essential History of Classical Music.
FRI 22:00 Late Junction (m002ynqf)
Stretched archives and harvests of sound
Join Verity Sharp to explore the latest and greatest in experimental music from around the world. There’s fragmented archive readings from Elena Colombi, partnering with Hastings Queer History Collective to deliver club listings, group notices and press releases stretched around a beguiling soundscape. Luke Cowan, meanwhile, presents a meditative yet unpredictable sound world via his new project ‘SPRiNG!’, with the music being overdubbed ‘blind’, without reference to the sounds already in place.
Elsewhere: Tenerife-based Lagoss open up their ‘petri dish’ of experimental archives to offer ‘music for plantains’; and YHWH Nailgun return with a punchy pummeller taken from their 11-minute sophomore album.
Produced by Alex Yates
A Reduced Listening production for BBC Radio 3
To listen on most smart speakers, just say “ask BBC Sounds to play Late Junction”.
FRI 23:30 'Round Midnight (m002ynqh)
Norman&Corrie in concert
Soweto presents concert highlights from Scottish experimental jazz and folk duo Norman&Corrie, recorded live at the Jazz Promotion Network back in November. Also known as Shetland-born saxophonist Norman Wilmore and Glasgow-born drummer Corrie Dick, they performed music from their latest album Twa Double Doubles, which blends traditional reels with jazz and electronic experimentations.
‘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".