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Great classical music for your morning

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 a masterpiece.

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3 hours, 30 minutes

On radio

Today09:30
BBC Radio 3

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Music Played

  • Franz Schubert

    Schubert: Ave Maria, D.839 - Arr. Hazell

    Performer: Sheku Kanneh-Mason. Music Arranger: Chris Hazell. Conductor: Christopher Warren‐Green. Orchestra: BBC National Orchestra of Wales. Orchestra: English Chamber Orchestra. Orchestra: Philharmonia Orchestra.
    • Ave Maria - Christmas Classic Songs.
    • UME - Global Clearing House.
    • 1.

  • Georg Philipp Telemann

    Concerto in D for 3 horns and violin (1st mvt)

    Performer: Simon Standage. Performer: Anthony Halstead. Performer: Christian Rutherford. Performer: Raúl Díaz. Orchestra: Collegium Musicum 90.
    • Telemann: Alster-Overture, Concerto in D etc.: CM90, Standage.
    • Chandos.

  • Margaret Hubicki

    From the Isles of the Sea

    Performer: Daniel Pailthorpe. Performer: James Kirby.
    • Hubicki: Chamber Music.
    • CHANDOS.
    • 1.

  • Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

    Symphony no.34 in C major, K.338 (3rd mvt)

    Orchestra: London Mozart Players. Conductor: Jane Glover.
    • ASV.

  • 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.

  • Herbert Howells

    Magnificat (Gloucester)

    Performer: Mark Blatchly. Choir: Choir of Gloucester Cathedral. Conductor: John Sanders.
    • Priory.

  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Symphony No 8 in F major, Op. 93: II. Allegretto scherzando

    Orchestra: Chamber Orchestra of Europe. Conductor: Yannick Nézet‐Séguin.
    • Beethoven: The Symphonies.
    • DG.
    • 31.

  • Germaine Tailleferre

    Trio for violin, cello and piano

    Ensemble: Trio Karénine.
    • Fauré, Ravel & Tailleferre.
    • Mirare.
    • 8-11.

  • Giacomo Puccini

    O mio babbino caro (Gianni Schicchi)

    Singer: Renée Fleming. Orchestra: London Philharmonic Orchestra. Conductor: Charles Mackerras.
    • Decca.

  • Edvard Grieg

    Valse-Impromptu (Lyric Pieces, Book IV, Op. 47)

    Performer: Peter Donohoe.
    • Grieg: Lyric Pieces, Vol. 2.
    • Chandos.
    • 209.

  • Edvard Grieg

    Melodi (Lyric Pieces, Book IV, Op. 47)

    Performer: Peter Donohoe.
    • Grieg: Lyric Pieces, Vol. 2.
    • Chandos.
    • 107.

  • Johann Sebastian Bach

    Cantata BWV.118 'O Jesu Christ, meins Lebens Licht'

    Choir: Monteverdi Choir. Orchestra: English Baroque Soloists. Conductor: Sir John Eliot Gardiner.
    • J.S. Bach: Cantatas BWV 106; 118/231; 198.
    • Archiv Produktion.
    • 5.

  • Herbert Howells

    Magnificat (Gloucester)

    Performer: Mark Blatchly. Choir: Choir of Gloucester Cathedral. Conductor: John Sanders.
    • Priory.

  • Frank Bridge

    Rosemary

    Orchestra: BBC National Orchestra of Wales. Conductor: Richard Hickox.
    • Chandos.

  • Craig Armstrong

    Romeo and Juliet (Balcony Scene)

    Music Arranger: Paul Bateman. Orchestra: Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Conductor: Paul Bateman.
    • Pure... Movies.
    • Sony Music Entertainment.
    • 16.

  • Frédéric Chopin

    Grande valse brillante no.2 in A flat major, Op.34 no.1

    Performer: Lang Lang.
    • Lang Lang - Live in Vienna.
    • Sony Classical.
    • 9.

  • Albert Ketèlbey

    Bells across the Meadows

    Orchestra: The New London Orchestra. Conductor: Ronald Corp.
    • British Light Music Classics, Vol. 1.
    • Hyperion.
    • 12.

  • Leonard Bernstein

    Chichester Psalms (Urah, hanevel, v'chinor!)

    Choir: Tenebrae. Orchestra: BBC Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Nigel Short.
    • Symphonic Psalms & Prayers.
    • Signum Classics.
    • 301.

  • Anthony Hedges

    Humber Keel Hornpipe (Scenes from the Humber)

    Orchestra: RTÉ Sinfonietta. Conductor: Anthony Hedges.
    • Hedges: British Light Music: RTE Sinfonietta/Hedges.
    • Naxos.
    • 14.

  • Geoffrey Burgon

    Nunc Dimittis (Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis)

    Singer: Paul Phoenix. Performer: James Watson. Ensemble: Instrumental Ensemble.
    • Guild.

  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 61: III. Rondo. Allegro

    Performer: Nicola Benedetti. Orchestra: Aurora Orchestra. Conductor: Nicholas Collon.
    • Beethoven: Violin Concerto.
    • Decca.

  • Dora Pejačević

    Piano Quintet in B minor Op.40 (2nd mvt)

    Performer: Oliver Triendl. Ensemble: Quatuor Sine Nomine.
    • Pejacevic: Chamber Works.
    • CPO.
    • 2.

  • Anders Hillborg

    Sound Atlas, for Orchestra: IV. Vortex

    Conductor: Brad Lubman. Orchestra: Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra.
    • Lost Landscapes.
    • Alpha Classics.
    • 12.

  • Ottorino Respighi

    Bergamasca (Ancient Airs and Dances - Suite no.2)

    Orchestra: Academy of St Martin in the Fields. Conductor: Neville Marriner.
    • Respighi: Ancient Airs and Dances.
    • HMV.
    • 8.

  • Camille Saint‐Saëns

    Piano Concerto No 2 in G minor, Op 22

    Performer: Sir Stephen Hough. Orchestra: City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Sakari Oramo.
    • Saint-Saëns: Piano Concertos Nos. 1-5 etc. (Hyperion Romantic Piano Concerto 27).
    • Hyperion.
    • 4-6.

  • Monty Norman

    James Bond Theme

    Music Arranger: S Black. Orchestra: BBC Concert Orchestra. Conductor: Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser.
    • BBC Proms 2026.

  • Karl Jenkins

    The Armed Man - A Mass For Peace: X. Agnus Dei

    Conductor: Karl Jenkins. Orchestra: London Philharmonic Orchestra. Choir: National Youth Choir.
    • The Armed Man: A Mass For Peace.
    • Decca (UMO) (Classics).
    • 10.

  • Dolly Parton

    Love Is Like A Butterfly

    • The Very Best Of Dolly Parton.
    • RLG/Legacy.
    • 9.

  • George Frideric Handel

    Concerto in B flat major Op.4`6 vers. for harp and orchestra

    Performer: Frances Kelly. Orchestra: The Brandenburg Consort. Director: Roy Goodman.
    • Handel organ concertos.
    • Hyperion.

  • William Grant Still

    Symphony No. 1 "Afro-American" (1st movement)

    Orchestra: Royal Scottish National Orchestra. Conductor: Kellen Gray.
    • African American Voices.
    • Linn Records.
    • 1.

Broadcast

  • Today09:30
    BBC Radio 3