Samuel Barber’s Symphony No 1 with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra

Elizabeth Alker reflects on some recent highlights from the BBC orchestras and choirs, as they begin their new 2026/7 seasons. Today, the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra play Samuel Barber’s Symphony No 1, and the BBC Symphony Orchestra - together with soloist Bertrand Chamayou - take on Camille Saint-Saëns’ Piano Concerto No 5.

Plus, there’s more music from BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artists the Astatine Trio, and NOVO Quartet.

Our featured artist this week is the Verità Baroque ensemble, who are on a mission to contextualise baroque chamber music in the 21st Century.

BBC Orchestra:
Camille Saint-Saens
Piano Concerto No 5 in F major (‘Egyptian), Op 103
Bertrand Chamayou (piano)
BBC Symphony Orchestra
Sakari Oramo (conductor)

Artist Feature:
Antonio Vivaldi
Flute Concerto in G minor, RV 439 ('La notte')
Taya König-Tarasevich (traverso)
Veritá Baroque

BBC Orchestra:
Samuel Barber
Symphony No 1 (in one movement), Op 9
BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra
Gemma New (conductor)

BBC New Generation Artist:
Maurice Ravel
Piano Trio in A minor
Astatine Trio

BBC Orchestra:
Jean-Baptiste Lully
Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme Suite
BBC Philharmonic Orchestra
Jonathan Cohen (conductor)

Artist Feature:
Antonio Vivaldi
Concerto for Two Violins and Cello in D minor, Op 3/11, RV 565
Verità Baroque
Taya König-Tarasevich (director)

BBC Orchestra:
Grace Williams
Sea Sketches
BBC National Orchestra of Wales
Jaime Martin (conductor)

BBC New Generation Artist:
Robert Schumann
Kreisleriana, Op 16
Julius Asal (piano)

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