Saturday Classics

Saturday 5th November 2011 (starting this afternoon)
Time: 15:00 to 17:00 (2 hours long)

Series of four programmes in which actor Simon Russell Beale explores the music connected to some of the cities he visited in BBC Four's Symphony series. 1. Simon focuses on Vienna, presenting great music from composers who lived, wrote in and travelled to Vienna, including Beethoven and Mozart, as well as Schubert's piano duet the Fantasia in F minor.

At 3.00 today, English music treats:

Journalist Simon Heffer presents the first of four programmes making a personal selection of music from the British Isles, including works by familiar composers, as well as attractive pieces by less well-known names. The programme features Arthur Bliss's Colour Symphony, choral music by Peter Warlock, orchestral works by Charles Stanford, EJ Moeran and Cyril Scott, a short piano sonata by Ethel Smyth, Vaughan Williams songs, and ends with Malcolm Arnold's lively brass quintet.

At 3.00 today:

The second of four programmes in which journalist Simon Heffer makes a personal selection of music from the British Isles, including works by familiar composers as well as some attractive pieces by less well-known names.

This programme features Patrick Hadley's complete symphonic ballad "The trees so high" as well as piano music by Alan Rawsthorne, orchestral works by Britten, Bax, Holst, Delius and Hamish MacCunn, some songs by Ivor Gurney, chamber music by Rebecca Clarke and ending with Constant Lamberts ballet score "Prize Fight".

Arnold Bax — Rogue's Comedy overture
Conductor: Vernon HANDLEY Performer: BBC Philharmonic
CHANDOS, CHAN-10122(5), 4-1
15:09

Gustav Holst — Hammersmith Prelude and Scherzo Op.52 vers. for orchestra
Conductor: Adrian BOULT Performer: London Philharmonic Orchestra
LYRITA, SRCD 2-22, 1-6
15:23

Frederick Delius — A Late lark RT.3.6 for tenor and small orchestra words: W E Henley
Conductor: Eric FENBY Performer: Anthony ROLFE JOHNSON - Tenor Performer: Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
UNICORN-KANCHANA, UKCD-2072, 1-4
15:29

Alan Rawsthorne
— 4 Bagatelles for piano
Performer: Stephen HOUGH - Piano
HYPERION, CDA-67267, 1-1
15:35

Hamish MacCunn — The Ship o' the Fiend - overture Op.5
Conductor: Martyn BRABBINS Performer: BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra
HYPERION, CDA-66815, -2
15:45

Ivor Gurney — Severn Meadows
Performer: Benjamin LUXON - Baritone (Baritone) Performer: David WILLISON - Piano (Piano)
CHANDOS, CHAN 88-31, -
15:47

Ivor Gurney — An Epitaph
Performer: Benjamin LUXON - Baritone Performer: David WILLISON - Piano
CHANDOS, CHAN 88-31, 1-28
15:50

Benjamin Britten — Concerto Op.15 for violin and orchestra - 1st movement; Moderato con moto
Conductor: Paul WATKINS Performer: Daniel HOPE - Violin Performer: BBC Symphony Orchestra
Warner Classics, 2564 60291-1, 1-3
16:01

Patrick Hadley — The Trees So High - symphonic ballad for baritone, chorus and orchestra
Conductor: Vernon HANDLEY Performer: Thomas ALLEN - Baritone Performer: Guildford Philharmonic Choir Performer: New Philharmonia Orchestra
LYRITA, SRCD-238, 1-1
16:35

Rebecca Clarke — Midsummer Moon for violin and piano
Performer: Jonathan REES - Violin Performer: Kathron STURROCK - Piano
Guild, GMCD 7208, 1-7
16:41

Constant Lambert — Prize fight - ballet 1924, rev.1927
Conductor: Barry WORDSWORTH Performer: BBC Concert Orchestra
ASV, ASV CD WHL 2122, 1-18

Today: The fourth and final programme in this series in which journalist Simon Heffer chooses some of his favourite music from the British Isles, including works by familiar composers as well as some attractive pieces by less well-known names.

This programme features orchestral works by Hubert Parry, John Ireland, Grace Williams, Frank Bridge and Lennox Berkeley, as well as songs by Edward Elgar and Roger Quilter, choral music by Michael Tippett, and it ends with George Dyson's cantata "Sweet Thames run softly".

John Ireland — Satyricon overture

Conductor: Richard HICKOX Performer: London Symphony Orchestra
CHANDOS, 8994, 1-5

15:12
Grace Williams — Fantasia on Welsh Nursery Tunes

Conductor: Charles GROVES Performer: London Symphony Orchestra
Lyrita, SRCD 323, 1-1

15:24
Roger Quilter — 3 Shakespeare Songs Op.6 - O mistress mine; Come away, Death

Performer: Ernest LUSH - Piano Performer: John Heddle NASH - Baritone
Dutton Vocalion, CDLX 7104, 1-24

15:28
Roger Quilter — 5 Shakespeare Songs Op.23 - No.3: It was a lover and his lass

Performer: Ernest LUSH - Piano Performer: John Heddle NASH - Baritone
Dutton Vocalion, CDLX 7104, 1-26

15:31
Sir Hubert Parry Sir Hubert Parry — Symphonic Variations

Conductor: Adrian BOULT Performer: London Philharmonic Orchestra
EMI, CDC7 49022-2, 1-6

15:44
Sir Michael Tippett Sir Michael Tippett — 4 Songs from the British Isles, arr. for chorus - No.1: Early one morning; No.3: Lilliburlero; No.4: Gwenllian

Conductor: Paul SPICER Performer: Finzi Singers
CHANDOS, 9265, 1-8

15:51
Frank Bridge Frank Bridge — Summer - tone poem

Conductor: Neville MARRINER Performer: Academy Of St Martin In The Fields
decca, 470 189-2, 1-2

16:01
Sir Edward Elgar Sir Edward Elgar — Pleading Op.48, arr. for voice and orchestra orig. for voice and piano

Conductor: Sakari ORAMO Performer: Robert TEAR - Tenor Performer: City Of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
EMI, CDM7 64731-2, 1-16

16:04
Sir Edward Elgar Sir Edward Elgar — Song cycle Op.59 for voice and orchestra

Conductor: Sakari ORAMO Performer: Robert TEAR - Tenor Performer: City Of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
EMI, CDM7 64731-2, 1-17

16:16
Sir Edward Elgar Sir Edward Elgar — 2 Songs Op.60, arr. for voice and orchestra orig. for voice and piano

Conductor: Sakari ORAMO Performer: Robert TEAR - Tenor Performer: City Of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
EMI, CDM7 64731-2, 1-20

16:23
Sir Lennox Berkeley — Concerto Op.88 for guitar and orchestra

Conductor: Richard HICKOX Performer: Craig OGDEN - Guitar Performer: Northern Sinfonia
Chandos, 9963, 1-9

16:31
Sir George Dyson — Sweet Thames Run Softly for baritone, chorus and orchestra

Conductor: David WILLCOCKS Performer: Stephen ROBERTS - Baritone Performer: Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Unicorn Kanchana, UKCD 2013, 1-3

Saturday 10th March 2012 (starting this afternoon)
Time: 15:00 to 17:00 (2 hours long)

James Jolly presents the first of two programmes about what makes a great conductor, focusing on the music-making of some of the giants of the art who have thrived in an age of mass media. With a choice of outstanding recordings by conductors from the East and West, who were at their height during the period of the Cold War. Including three Hungarians based in America: Fritz Reiner, George Szell and Eugene Ormandy, as well as veterans such as Pierre Monteux and Bruno Walter, the European-based Carlo Maria Giulini and John Barbirolli in Europe, and Yevgeny Mravinsky in the Soviet Union.

Saturday 17th March 2012 (starting this afternoon)
Time: 14:00 to 16:00 (2 hours long)

James Jolly presents the second of two programmes about what makes a great conductor, focusing on the music-making of some of the giants of the art who have thrived in an age of mass media. He explores the work of Leonard Bernstein, Herbert von Karajan and Hungarian Georg Solti, who during the 1960s, 70s and 80s - not only captured the public imagination with their music-making but quickly grasped the potential for imparting their musical personalities within the rapidly expanding media world. James introduces recordings of music by Haydn, Puccini, Strauss, Beethoven, Sibelius, Wagner and Bernstein himself.

Saturday 28th April 2012 (starting this afternoon)
Time: 14:00 to 16:00 (2 hours long)

A personal view of classical music from a range of presenters continues with a diverse selection of music by actress and cellist Brigit Forsyth, illustrating her love of the cello. The programme includes works by Bach, Faure, Shostakovich, Vivaldi, Moeranand Philip Glass, and features performances from some of Brigit's favourite cellists, including Jacqueline du Pre, Pablo Casals, Mstislav Rostropovich and Beatrice Harrison.

Saturday 5th May 2012 (starting this afternoon)
Time: 15:00 to 16:30 (1 hour and 30 minutes long)

Broadcaster James Jolly chooses some of his favourite recordings from the legacy of Finnish conductor and celebrated Sibelius exponent Paavo Berglund, who died earlier this year. Berglund's 60-year career saw him take the helm of some of Europe's best ensembles, including the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, the Dresden Staatskapelle and the Oslo Philharmonic. James's selection features recordings from each of these great orchestras, including music by Sibelius, Nielsen, Brahms, Rachmaninov, Smetana, Vaughan Williams and Walton.

Saturday, June 23rd, 2012 on BBC Radio Three from 3:00pm to 5:00pm

In the first of two programmes on the class of 1912, James Jolly explores two of the star conductors who celebrate their centenaries this year: Leinsdorf and Markevitch.

Saturday, September 22nd, 2012 on BBC Radio Three from 3:00pm to 5:00pm

As part of the BBC's piano season, pianists Katia and Marielle Labeque, introduce pieces of music and performers that have inspired them since their childhood. Including part of a recording by their mother - who was also a pianist - of Ravel's Piano Concerto, made in 1932. There is also music from other pianists, including Samson Francois, Robert Levin, Radu Lupu, Krystian Zimerman and Alicia de Larrocha. Plus music performed by Miles Davis and Reinhard Goebel, and some of the Labeques' own recordings including Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue.

A personal view of classical music from a range of presenters continues with a selection of music chosen by acclaimed pianist Noriko Ogawa to illustrate her life in music. Includes works by Debussy, Mozart, Bach and Liszt.

Claude Debussy Images - set 1 for piano - No.1; Reflets dans l'eau

Performer: Noriko OGAWA - Piano

BIS, CD1105BIS, 1-1
15:05
Image for Felix Mendelssohn
Felix Mendelssohn Symphony no. 4 in A major Op.90 (Italian) - 1st movement; Allegro vivace

Conductor: Herbert von KARAJAN Performer: Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra

DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON, 4691572DG, 1-5
15:13
Image for Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Sonata in B flat major K.281 for piano - 3rd movement; Rondeau

Performer: Alfred BRENDEL - Piano

PHILIPS, 5756199, 1-3
15:18
Image for Dmitry SHOSTAKOVICH
Dmitry SHOSTAKOVICH Symphony no. 5 in D minor Op.47 - 3rd movement; Largo

Conductor: Kirill KONDRASHIN Performer: Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra

MELODIYA, MELCD1001065, 11-3
15:30
Image for Franz Liszt
Franz Liszt Mephisto waltz no. 1 S.514, transc. for piano orig. for orchestra (S.110`2)

Performer: Yevgeni KISSIN - Piano

RCA, 82876584622, 1-9
15:42
Image for Johann Sebastian Bach
Johann Sebastian Bach Suite no. 1 in G major BWV.1007 for cello solo

Performer: Pablo CASALS - Cello

EMI, CHS7610272, 1-1
15:58
Image for Benjamin Britten
Benjamin Britten Peter Grimes - opera in 3 acts Op.33 - Act 3 sc.1; Embroidery in childhood Ellen's aria

Conductor: Bernard HAITINK Performer: Felicity LOTT - Soprano Performer: Thomas ALLEN - Baritone Performer: Royal Opera House Orchestra

EMI, CDS7548322, 2-15
16:03
Image for Frederick Delius
Frederick Delius On hearing the first cuckoo in spring RT.6.19 (arranged for two pianos)

Performer: Kathryn STOTT - Piano Performer: Noriko OGAWA - Piano

BIS, BISCD1347, 1-1
16:09
Image for Sir William Walton
Sir William Walton Concerto for viola and orchestra

Performer: Yuri BASHMET - Viola Performer: London Symphony Orchestra Performer: Andre PREVIN - Conductor

RCA, 74321925752, 2-4
16:35
Image for Toru Takemitsu
Toru Takemitsu Uta - songs for chorus - i. No.1: Sakura Cherry blossoms trad.arr.Takemitsu; ii. No.8: Shima e To the island Mitsuru Izawa; iii. No.12: Tsubasa Wings Takemitsu

Conductor: Shin SEKIYA Performer: Shin-yu Choir

Phillips, 4381352, 1-1
16:44
Image for Ludwig van Beethoven
Ludwig van Beethoven Sonata no. 7 in D major Op.10`3 for piano - 4th movement; Rondo

Performer: Martin ROSCOE - Piano

DEUX ELLES, DXL 11614, 1-10

Saturday 2nd February 2013 (starting this afternoon)
Time: 15:00 to 17:00 (2 hours long)

In the first of four programmes in which prominent historians offer a personal musical narrative inspired by a chosen historical period, Simon Schama considers the years 1913-1938. This was a period of enormous artistic variety and the intense political and social turmoil prompted by the two world wars is reflected in the music that appeared. Simon's selection begins with the ground-breaking and controversial first performance of Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring and continues with music by Gershwin, Kurt Weill, Bela Bartok and Shostakovich among others.

Saturday 9th March 2013 (starting this afternoon)
Time: 14:00 to 16:00 (2 hours long)

As part of Radio 3's Baroque Spring season, conductor John Eliot Gardiner introduces a selection of music closely linked to his career. Including William Byrd, Beethoven, Mozart and Berlioz.

Saturday 20th April 2013 (starting this afternoon)
Time: 14:00 to 16:00 (2 hours long)

A Fiddler's Tale.

First of two programmes in which violinist Daniel Hope offers a selection of recordings that reflect his life in music so far - and also which follow the story of his priceless violin - a 1742 Guarneri, known as the 'Ex-Lipinski'. 1. Daniel introduces music charting his musical life, including perfomances on disc by Pinchas Zukerman, whom Daniel heard perform in London at the age of five, and who inspired him to take up the violin. There are performances by his mentor and teacher Yehudi Menuhin and music from his adopted home city of Vienna. Also in his choice is music, the original 1950s line up of the celebrated Beaux Arts Trio, for whom Daniel is now a performing member; and a recording from his violin hero David Oistrakh.