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The ideal mix of classical music

Georgia Mann plays the best in classical music, with discoveries and surprises rubbing shoulders with familiar favourites.

Georgia Mann plays the best classical music for your morning, with discoveries and surprises rubbing shoulders with familiar favourites. Including the Playlister challenge: our regular listener-created sequence inspired by a different piece of music each day. Plus a new classical release in focus for Album of the Week.

1000 Playlister starter: listen and send us your ideas for the next step in today's musical journey. Text 83111 or email essentialclassics@bbc.co.uk.

1030 Album of the Week: an exciting new classical release in focus throughout the week.

1115 Playlister reveal: an uninterrupted sequence of music suggested by you in response to today's starter piece.

1200 Feast of a Piece: indulge your ears with an orchestral masterpiece.

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7 days left to listen

3 hours, 30 minutes

Last on

Thu 7 May 202609:30
BBC Radio 3

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Music Played

  • Emil Nikolaus von Reznicek

    Donna Diana: Overture

    Conductor: Leonard Bernstein. Orchestra: New York Philharmonic.
    • Overtures: Mozart - Nicolai - Strauss, Jr. - von Weber - Thomas.
    • Sony Classical.
    • 3.

  • Franz Schubert

    Piano Quintet in A major, D 667, 'Trout': 2nd mvt; Andante

    Performer: Emanuel Ax. Performer: Pamela Frank. Performer: Rebecca Young. Performer: Yo‐Yo Ma. Performer: Edgar Meyer.
    • Schubert: Trout Quintet/Arpeggione Sonata:Ax/Frank/Ma/Meyer/Bonney.
    • Sony Classical.
    • 2.

  • Charles Villiers Stanford

    3 Motets (Op.38), no.3; Beati quorum via

    Choir: The Sixteen. Director: Harry Christophers.
    • A New Heaven: The Sixteen.
    • UCJ.
    • 4.

  • Sergey Rachmaninov

    Moments musicaux Op.16 (no.6 in C major)

    Performer: Boris Giltburg.
    • Rachmaninoff: Études-tableaux, Op. 39 & 6 Moments musicaux, Op. 16.
    • Naxos.
    • 206.

  • Cécile Chaminade

    Concertino, Op.107

    Performer: Sharon Bezaly. Orchestra: Residentie Orkest. Conductor: Neeme Järvi.
    • Great works for flute and orchestra.
    • BIS.
    • 007.

  • Simon Jeffes

    Telephone and Rubber Band

    Ensemble: Penguin Cafe Orchestra.
    • ZOPF LTD.

  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Romance in G major

    Performer: Thomas Zehetmair. Orchestra: Orchestra of the Eighteenth Century. Conductor: Frans Brüggen.
    • Beethoven: Violin Concerto/Romances: Zehetmair/Bruggen.
    • Philips.
    • 2.

  • Maurice Ravel

    Toccata (Le tombeau de Couperin)

    Music Arranger: Kenneth Hesketh. Orchestra: Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra. Conductor: Sakari Oramo.
    • Ravel: La valse, M. 72 & Other Works.
    • BIS.
    • 6.

  • Richard Addinsell

    Warsaw Concerto

    Performer: Jean‐Yves Thibaudet. Orchestra: BBC Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Hugh Wolff.
    • Addinsell: Warsaw Concerto: Jean-Yves Thibaudet, BBCSO, Hugh Wolff.
    • Decca.

  • Oleg Troyanovsky

    Unknown Story (Wisdom)

    Performer: Andreas Graf. Conductor: Ben Palmer. Orchestra: London Symphony Orchestra.
    • Hope: 12 prayers for Cello & Orchesta.
    • Claves Records.
    • 5.

  • Patrick Kirst

    A-Dieu (Devotion)

    Performer: Andreas Graf. Conductor: Ben Palmer. Orchestra: London Symphony Orchestra.
    • Hope: 12 prayers for Cello & Orchesta.
    • Claves Records.
    • 8.

  • Domenico Scarlatti

    Sonata in G Major

    Performer: Alim Beisembayev.
    • The Leeds International Piano Competition 2021 – Gold Medal Winner.
    • Warner Classics.
    • 3.

  • William Grant Still

    Ennanga: II

    Performer: Ashley Jackson. Music Arranger: Ashley Jackson. Ensemble: Harlem Chamber Players.
    • Ennanga.
    • Bright Shiny Things.
    • 5.

  • Johann Sebastian Bach

    Brandenburg Concerto no.4 (1st mvt)

    Performer: Giovanni Antonini. Performer: Petr Zejfart. Performer: Enrico Onofri. Ensemble: Il Giardino Armonico. Conductor: Giovanni Antonini.
    • J.S. Bach: The Brandenburg Concertos; Il Giardino Armonico.
    • Warner Classics.
    • 1.

  • Claude Debussy

    Rhapsodie for clarinet and orchestra

    Performer: George Pieterson. Orchestra: Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra. Conductor: Bernard Haitink.
    • PHILIPS.

  • George Frideric Handel

    La Speranza e giunta (Ottone, re di Germania)

    Music Arranger: Sir Arthur Somervell. Singer: Kathleen Ferrier. Performer: Gerald Moore.
    • Kathleen Ferrier: The Complete EMI Recordings.
    • EMI.
    • 7.

  • Francisco Tárrega

    Gran Vals

    Performer: Fernando Espi.
    • Francisco Tarrega: Obras Para Guitarra.
    • VERSO.
    • 28.

  • Philip Glass

    Knee Play 1 (Einstein on the Beach)

    Ensemble: Philip Glass Ensemble. Conductor: Michael Riesman.
    • SONY.

  • John Cage

    Sonatas and Interludes (Sonata no.5)

    Performer: David Greilsammer.
    • naive.

  • Elmer Bernstein

    The Magnificent Seven (Main theme)

    Orchestra: Cincinnati Pops Orchestra. Conductor: Erich Kunzel.
    • Epics.
    • Telarc.
    • 14.

  • Fanny Mendelssohn

    Nocturne in G minor

    Performer: David Kadouch.
    • Mirare.

  • Luigi Cherubini

    Ali-Baba (Overture: Allegro molto)

    Orchestra: City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Lawrence Foster.
    • Claves.

  • Ralph Vaughan Williams

    5 Mystical Songs (Version for Voice, Piano & String Quartet): No. 4, The Call

    Performer: William Vann. Singer: Roderick Williams. Ensemble: Sacconi Quartet.
    • Rise, Heart.
    • Albion Records.
    • 4.

  • Ralph Vaughan Williams

    5 Mystical Songs (Version for Voice, Piano & String Quartet): No. 5, Antiphon

    Performer: William Vann. Singer: Roderick Williams. Ensemble: Sacconi Quartet.
    • Rise, Heart.
    • Albion Records.
    • 5.

  • Edvard Grieg

    Solveig's Song (Peer Gynt Suite no.2)

    Orchestra: Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra. Conductor: Ole Kristian Ruud.
    • Grieg: Orchestral Music: Ruud.
    • BIS.

  • Francis Poulenc

    Concerto for Organ, Strings and Timpani in G Minor

    Performer: Gillian Weir. Orchestra: City of London Sinfonia. Conductor: Richard Hickox.
    • Poulenc: Piano, Harpsichord & Organ Concertos.
    • Warner Classics.
    • 7.

  • Dmitry Shostakovich

    Suite for jazz band (Waltz 2)

    Orchestra: Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra. Conductor: Riccardo Chailly.
    • Shostakovich: The Jazz Album - Brautigam, Masseurs.
    • Decca.
    • 13.

  • Cecilia McDowall

    Adoro Te Devote

    Choir: Pembroke College Chapel Choir. Conductor: Anna Lapwood.
    • Adoro Te Devote & Miserere.
    • Sony Classical.
    • 1.

  • Malcolm Arnold

    Fantasy Op.114

    Ensemble: Grimethorpe Colliery Band. Conductor: Elgar Howarth.
    • CONIFER.

  • John Jenkins

    Fantasia Suite in D Major No. 8

    Performer: Silas Wollston. Ensemble: Fretwork.
    • DIVISION: The Virtuoso Consort.
    • Signum Classics.
    • 101.

  • George Gershwin

    Piano Concerto in F major (3rd mvt)

    Performer: Wayne Marshall. Orchestra: Aalborg Symfoniorkester.
    • VIRGIN.

Broadcast

  • Thu 7 May 202609:30
    BBC Radio 3