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Mendelssohn’s Octet

Linton Stephens showcases the best performances from the UK and beyond, including the Academy of St Martin in the Fields and pianist Jan Lisiecki playing Beethoven in Bucharest.

Linton Stephens showcases an afternoon of specially recorded performances from the UK and from around the globe.

The Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra are our ensemble in focus this week, with music stretching from music Haydn to Prokofiev. The programme opens with Richard Strauss’s extravagant tone poem depicting the folk prankster Till Eulenspiegel, and later in the programme we’ll also hear Rachmaninov’s trio of Symphonic Dances.

We’re also spending time all week at this year’s East Neuk Festival, which took place in June on the picturesque Fife coast. Two superb string groups – the Belcea and Castalian Quartets – join forces for Mendelssohn’s ebullient Octet.

And there’s a highlight from this year’s George Enescu International Festival in Bucharest, with Polish pianist Jan Lisiecki joining the Academy of St Martin in the Fields for Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 3.

Richard Strauss
Till Eulenspiegel’s Merry Pranks, Op. 28
Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra
Sebastian Weigle (conductor)

Felix Mendelssohn
Octet, Op. 20
Belcea Quartet
Castalian Quartet

Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Concerto No. 3 in C minor, Op. 37
Jan Lisiecki (piano)
Academy of St-Martin-in-the-Fields

Leokadiya Kashperova
Night
ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Singers
Hilary Campbell (conductor)

Gustave Samazeuilh
Prelude (Suite in G Minor)
Chiyan Wong (piano)

Sergei Rachmaninov
Symphonic Dances, Op. 45
Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra
Petr Popelka (conductor)

Jean Sibelius
Andante Festivo
Belcea Quartet
Castalian Quartet
Elias Quartet
Pavel Haas Quartet

To listen to this programme (using most smart speakers) just say "Ask ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Sounds to play Classical Live".

17 days left to listen

2 hours, 56 minutes

Last on

Tue 21 Oct 2025 13:00
ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Radio 3

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Music Played

  • Richard Strauss

    Till Eulenspiegels lustige Streiche, Op. 28

    Orchestra: Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Sebastian Weigle.

  • Felix Mendelssohn

    Octet in E flat major, Op. 20

    Ensemble: Belcea Quartet. Ensemble: Castalian String Quartet.

  • Niccolò Paganini

    Caprice in A Minor, Op.1 No. 24

    Performer: Johan Dalene.

  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Piano Concerto No. 3 in C minor, Op. 37

    Performer: Jan Lisiecki. Orchestra: Academy of St Martin in the Fields.

  • Leokadiya Kashperova

    Night

    Choir: ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Singers. Conductor: Hilary Campbell.

  • Francesco Geminiani

    Cello Sonata in C major, Op. 5 No. 3

    Performer: Victor Julien-Laferrière. Performer: Justin Taylor.

  • Gustave Samazeuilh

    Prelude (Suite in G Minor)

    Performer: Chiyan Wong.

  • Sergey Rachmaninov

    Symphonic Dances, Op. 45

    Orchestra: Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Petr Popelka.

  • Johannes Brahms

    Intermezzo in A major (6 Pieces Op.118)

    Performer: Eric Lu.

  • Giacomo Puccini

    Kyrie (Messa di Gloria)

    Choir: Sequenza 9.3. Orchestra: K. Conductor: Simone Menezes.
    • Accentus.

  • Jean Sibelius

    Andante Festivo

    Ensemble: Belcea Quartet. Ensemble: Castalian String Quartet. Ensemble: Elias String Quartet. Ensemble: Pavel Haas Quartet.

Broadcast

  • Tue 21 Oct 2025 13:00
    ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Radio 3