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The very best of classical music

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

Ian Skelly 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.

To listen on most smart speakers say "Ask 蜜芽传媒 Sounds to play Essential Classics鈥�

3 hours, 30 minutes

Last on

Mon 18 Aug 2025 09:30
蜜芽传媒 Radio 3

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Music Played

  • Carl Maria von Weber

    Invitation to the dance - rondo brillant

    Orchestrator: Hector Berlioz. Orchestra: Academy of St Martin in the Fields. Conductor: Neville Marriner.
    • With Love from Vienna.
    • Philips.
    • 3.

  • Louise Farrenc

    Nonet in E flat major, Op.38 (3rd mvt)

    Ensemble: Consortium Classicum.
    • Farrenc: Nonet & Clarinet Trio.
    • DIVOX.
    • 3.

  • Antonio Vivaldi

    Concerto in C major for 2 oboes, 2 clarinets & strings, RV559

    Performer: Paolo Grazzi. Performer: Alfredo Bernardini. Performer: Lorenzo Coppola. Performer: Daniele Latini. Orchestra: Zefiro. Director: Alfredo Bernardini.
    • 狈础脧痴贰.

  • Maria Theresia von Paradis

    Sicilienne

    Music Arranger: Samuel Dushkin. Performer: Elena Urioste. Performer: Tom Poster.
    • BIS.

  • Leos Jan谩膷ek

    Jealousy Overture

    Orchestra: Czech Philharmonic. Conductor: Charles Mackerras.
    • Janacek: Sir Charles Mackerras Conducts.
    • Supraphon.
    • 1.

  • William Byrd

    O magnum mysterium

    Choir: ORA Singers. Conductor: Suzi Digby.
    • The Mystery of Christmas.
    • harmonia mundi.
    • 101.

  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Piano Concerto no.2 in B flat major Op.19 (3rd mvt)

    Performer: Leif Ove Andsnes. Orchestra: Mahler Chamber Orchestra.
    • Beethoven - The Complete Piano Concertos.
    • Nonesuch.
    • 6.

  • Heitor Villa鈥怢obos

    Bachiana brasileira no. 5: 1st mvt

    Performer: Craig Ogden.
    • FIRST HAND RECORDS.

  • Johanna M眉ller-Hermann

    String Quartet in E-Flat Major, Op.6 arr String Orchestra

    Music Arranger: Ingvar Karkoff. Orchestra: Ostrobothnian Chamber Orchestra. Conductor: Malin Broman.
    • Breaking Waves.
    • BIS.
    • 109.

  • Jean Sibelius

    The Bard, Op 64

    Orchestra: Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Paavo Berglund.
    • EMI.

  • Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

    String Quartet in B flat major, K 458, 'Hunt' (1st mvt)

    Ensemble: Melos Quartett.
    • Mozart: Six Haydn Quartets: Melos Quartet.
    • Deutsche Grammophon.
    • 1.

  • Edvard Grieg

    Solveig's Song (Peer Gynt Suite No 2, Op 55 No 4)

    Orchestra: Malm枚 SymfoniOrkester. Conductor: Bjarte Engeset.
    • Naxos.

  • Gustav Holst

    Suite no.1 in E flat major Op.28`1

    Ensemble: Central Band of the Royal Air Force. Conductor: Duncan Stubbs.
    • British Classics.
    • Chandos.
    • 4.

  • Antonio Salieri

    La scuola de' gelosi (Sinfonia)

    Orchestra: l鈥檃rte del mondo. Conductor: Werner Ehrhardt.
    • Liaisons.
    • ONYX.
    • 9.

  • Franz Schubert

    Die b枚se Farbe, D 795 No 17 (Die sch枚ne M眉llerin)

    Performer: Justus Zeyen. Singer: Thomas Quasthoff.
    • 111 Years Of Deutsche Grammophon The Collector's Edition Vol.2.
    • Deutshe Grammophon.
    • 17.

  • Jacob Gade

    Jealousy

    Orchestra: Orquestra Simf貌nica de Barcelona i Nacional de Catalunya. Conductor: Jos茅 Serebrier.
    • Tango in Blue: Barcelona SO, Serebrier.
    • Bis.

  • Fr茅d茅ric Chopin

    Grande valse brillante in E major

    Music Arranger: Igor Stravinsky. Orchestra: Philadelphia Orchestra. Conductor: Eugene Ormandy.
    • CBS.

  • Frederick Delius

    American Rhapsody

    Performer: Royal Scottish National Orchestra. Conductor: David Lloyd-Jones.
    • NAXOS.

  • Samuel Barber

    Four Songs, Op. 13: III. Sure On This Shining Night

    Performer: Dylan Perez. Singer: Samantha Clarke.
    • Barber: The Complete Songs.
    • Resonus Classics.
    • 9.

  • Laura Netzel

    Piano Concerto in E minor, Op. 84 - mov. 2

    Performer: Peter Friis Johansson. Performer: Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Ryan Bancroft.
    • BIS.

  • George Frideric Handel

    Prelude & Alla Hornpipe (Water Music Suite in F, HWV.348)

    Orchestra: Le Concert des Nations. Conductor: Jordi Savall.
    • Handel: Water Music, Music For The Royal Fireworks.
    • ALIA VOX.
    • 001.

  • Camille Saint鈥怱a毛ns

    Carnival of the Animals

    Performer: Louis Lortie. Performer: H茅l猫ne Mercier. Orchestra: Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra. Conductor: Neeme J盲rvi.
    • CHANDOS : CHSA 5162.
    • CHANDOS.
    • 6.

  • Franz Danzi

    Wind Quintet in A minor, Op 68 No1 (4th mvt)

    Ensemble: Michael Thompson Wind Ensemble.
    • Danzi: Wind Quintet Op.68: Michael Thompson Wind Quintet.
    • Naxos.
    • 4.

  • Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

    Symphony no.4 in F minor Op.36 (4th mvt)

    Orchestra: Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra. Conductor: Mariss Jansons.
    • Tchaikovsky: Symphonies 1, 2, 3 & 4: Oslo PO, Mariss Jansons.
    • Chandos.
    • 4.

  • Barbara Strozzi

    Salve sancta caro (Sacri musicali affetti, Libro 1)

    Singer: Mar铆a Cristina Kiehr. Ensemble: Concerto Soave.
    • Barbara Strozzi.
    • HARMONIA MUNDI l'empreinte digitale.
    • 14.

  • Carl Nielsen

    Piano Trio in G Major (1st mvt)

    Ensemble: Trio Ondine.
    • Nielsen: The Masterworks Vol. 2 - Chamber and Instrumental Works.
    • Dacapo.
    • 1.

  • Maurice Ravel

    Menuet antique

    Orchestra: London Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Claudio Abbado.
    • Deutsche Grammophon.

Broadcast

  • Mon 18 Aug 2025 09:30
    蜜芽传媒 Radio 3