Mozart's Clarinet Concerto

Driven by brilliance, flair and sheer orchestral athleticism, this concert celebrates virtuosity in all its forms. Exiled from his homeland, jobless and gravely ill, Bartók responded to adversity by writing one of the most exhilarating showpieces in twentieth-century music. His Concerto for Orchestra transforms every section of the orchestra into a soloist, demanding dazzling technique, razor-sharp ensemble playing and spectacular colour at every turn. Beneath the brilliance lies a work of profound humanity, fuelled by the vibrant rhythms and folk traditions of Bartók’s native Hungary.

Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto reveals a different kind of virtuosity: elegance, poise and expressive freedom. BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artist Oleg Shebeta-Dragan brings his own distinctive voice to this timeless masterpiece, combining technical finesse with lyrical warmth. Conductor Kalena Bovell launches the evening with Rimsky-Korsakov’s glittering Capriccio espagnol - a whirlwind of orchestral showmanship overflowing with colour, sparkle and Iberian sunshine.

This concert links to Key Changes: Radio 3's Essential History of Classical Music. The themes covered in this evening's concert - superstar performers, virtuosi and impresarios - are explored across the series, presented by Gillian Moore, as musical history is charted alongside key historical events and societal changes.

Recorded earlier this month at Glasgow’s City Halls, and presented by Gillian Moore.

Rimsky-Korsakov: Capriccio espagnol, Op 34
Mozart: Clarinet Concerto in A major
Bartók: Concerto for Orchestra

Oleg Shebeta-Dragan (clarinet)
BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra
Kalena Bovell (conductor)

To listen on most smart speakers, just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Radio 3 In Concert."