BBC Orchestras and Choirs

BBC Orchestras and Choirs

Published: 22 November 2016

Funny man David Sedaris will be on stage with the BBC Symphony Orchestra for a one-off evening of wit, words and music. Titled Death Knows No Season, in this sold out event Sedaris will read his original tales about Christmas between pieces such as Rachmaninov’s Red Riding Hood and the Wolf and well-known Christmas songs Santa Baby and Sleigh Ride.

  • BBC Symphony Orchestra
  • Giancarlo Guerrero (conductor)
  • David Sedaris
  • Tuesday 20 December, 7.30pm, Barbican
  • Broadcast 23 December, 8pm on BBC Radio 3 and 31 December, 9pm on BBC Radio 4
  • Producer: Ann McKay for the BBC

BBC Singers: Live Twitter Request Carols In Concert

In the first ever Radio 3 Twitter request concert, the BBC Singers (pictured) are giving the audience the opportunity to take over the programme. Throughout this live, on-demand concert, the audience and listeners will vote via Twitter polls for their preferred carols to be performed live on Afternoon on 3. Not just a challenge for the BBC Singers, but their librarian who will be tearing around the studio ensuring music is ready on time for this reactive and audience influenced concert.

  • BBC Singers
  • Bob Chilcott (conductor)
  • Petroc Trelawney (presenter)
  • Wednesday 14 December, 2pm, St Giles’ Cathedral
  • Broadcast live 2pm on BBC Radio 3
  • Producer: Jonathan Manners for the BBC

Søndergård At Christmas

Conductor Thomas Søndergård and the BBC National Orchestra of Wales will be joined by pianist Gabriele Leporatti, baritone David Kempster and the children’s choir Côr Heol y March to celebrate the festive period with the music of Prokofiev, including the atmospheric Winter Bonfire and the seasonal Lieutenant Kije Suite.

  • BBC National Orchestra of Wales
  • Thomas Søndergård (conductor)
  • Côr Heol y March (choir)
  • David Kempster (baritone)
  • Gabriele Leporatti (piano)
  • Monday 12 December, 2pm, BBC Hoddinott Hall
  • Broadcast live 2pm on BBC Radio 3
  • Producer: Tim Thorne for the BBC

Messiah

BBC National Chorus of Wales and the orchestra of Welsh National Opera come together for the first time to collaborate on a work firmly established as a Christmas tradition for audiences across the globe, Handel’s Messiah. One of the best-known and most-loved choral works in Western music, it is a true celebration of the nativity; exhilarating, yet deeply emotional and resonant.

  • BBC National Chorus of Wales
  • Adrian Partington (conductor)
  • Ben Johnson (tenor)
  • James Platt (bass)
  • Patricia Bardon (mezzo soprano)
  • Tuesday 13 December, 7.30pm, St David’s Hall
  • Broadcast 19 December, 7.30pm on BBC Radio 3
  • Producer: Tim Thorne for the BBC

Christmas With The BBC Singers

A celebration of Christmas by three masters of writing for the voice from three different generations: Benjamin Britten, John Rutter and Bob Chilcott, who also conducts the BBC Singers. Chilcott unveils a new work, as well as provides a catchy new arrangement of Jingle Bells.

  • BBC Singers
  • Bob Chilcott (conductor)
  • Finchley Children’s Music Group
  • Tuesday 13 December, 7.30pm, Milton Court Concert Hall
  • Broadcast live 7.30pm on BBC Radio 3
  • Producer: Jonathan Manners for the BBC

Christmas At The Movies

BBC Radio Scotland’s Jamie MacDougall along with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra presents and sings some of the most famous, familiar and fantastic tunes written for the silver screen with Christmas at the Movies. There will be something for all ages: music from West Side Story, Casablanca and Citizen Kane for the adults, and some Disney and Pixar favourites for younger film fans.

  • BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra
  • Jamie MacDougall (presenter)
  • Clarke Rundell (conductor)
  • Sunday 18 December, 3pm, Glasgow City Halls
  • Recorded for broadcast on 25 December (time tbc) on BBC Radio Scotland
  • Producer: Andrew Trinick for the BBC

Christmas With The BBC SSO

Tenor and BBC Radio Scotland presenter Jamie MacDougall is joined by conductor Stephen Bell and vocalist Clare Teal for an evening of beautiful arrangements of classic festive songs and carols, including works by Tchaikovsky and Prokofiev.

  • BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra
  • Jamie MacDougall (singer and presenter)
  • Clare Teal (singer)
  • Stephen Bell (conductor)
  • Thursday 22 December, 7.30pm, Glasgow City Halls
  • Recorded for broadcast on 24 December (time tbc) on BBC Radio Scotland
  • Producer: Andrew Trinick for the BBC

The BBC Philharmonic Christmas Concert

In this special Christmas concert, conductor Richard Davies and the BBC Philharmonic orchestra are joined by BBC North Staff Choir and special guests Ian MacMillan and Craig Charles for a performance of seasonal music and classic festive favourites.

  • BBC Philharmonic
  • Richard Davis (conductor)
  • Craig Charles (special guest)
  • Ian MacMillan (special guest)
  • BBC North Staff Choir
  • Friday 16 December, 8pm, BBC Philharmonic Studio, MediaCityUK, Salford
  • Broadcast on 24 December and 25 December on BBC Radio Manchester
  • Producer: Mike George for the BBC