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Three hours of classical sparkle

Sarah Walker with three hours of classical music to reflect, restore and refresh whether you’re making a big breakfast, or venturing out for a winter walk.

Today, Manuel de Falla’s Nights in the Gardens of Spain transports us to warmer climes, and there’s some glorious music by JS Bach arranged for brass band.

There’s also time to sit back and enjoy the whole of Samuel Coleridge-Taylor’s shining violin concerto, and Angela Morley’s Snowride takes us to a whirling, waltzing festive scene.

Plus, today’s Choral Reflection might spark some Christmas nostalgia…

A Tandem Production for BBC Radio 3

3 hours

Last on

Sun 7 Dec 202509:00
BBC Radio 3

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Music Played

  • Johann Christoph Pezel

    Concerto pastorale (6th mvt, Passacaglia)

    Conductor: Bernard Labadie. Ensemble: Les Violons du Roy.
    • Sono Luminus.

  • John Rutter

    Angels' Carol (arr for brass band)

    Performer: Black Dyke Band. Music Arranger: Luc Vertommen. Conductor: Nicholas Childs.
    • Brass at Christmas.
    • Naxos Music UK Ltd.
    • 2.

  • Johannes Brahms

    Academic Festival Overture Op.80

    Orchestra: London Philharmonic Orchestra. Conductor: Marin Alsop.
    • Naxos.

  • Dora Pejačević

    Blumenleben [Life of Flowers], Op 19 (No 2, 'Violets')

    Performer: Ekaterina Litvintseva.
    • PIANO CLASSICS.

  • Hugo Alfvén

    Symphony No 3 in E major, Op 23 (3rd mvt)

    Conductor: Neeme Järvi. Orchestra: Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra.
    • BIS.

  • Joseph Haydn

    String Quartet in B flat major, Op.76`4 'Sunrise' (1st mvt)

    Ensemble: Schumann Quartett.
    • BERLIN CLASSICS.

  • Franz Xaver Gruber

    Stille Nacht

    Choir: Choir of St John’s College, Cambridge. Conductor: Christopher Gray.
    • O Holy Night: Christmas Carols from St John's.
    • Signum Classics.
    • 113.

  • Ottorino Respighi

    6 Pieces for Piano, P 44, version for harp (No 3, Notturno)

    Performer: Magdalena Hoffmann.
    • Deutsche Grammophon (DG).

  • Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

    The Nutcracker, Op 71( Act 2: No 12e, 'Dance of the Reed-Flutes')

    Conductor: Sir Simon Rattle. Orchestra: Berliner Philharmoniker.
    • Warner Classics.

  • Manuel de Falla

    Nights in the Gardens of Spain

    Performer: Javier Perianes. Conductor: Josep Pons. Orchestra: BBC Symphony Orchestra.
    • harmonia mundi.

  • Vince Guaraldi

    Christmas Is Coming

    Ensemble: Vince Guaraldi Trio.
    • A Charlie Brown Christmas.
    • Craft Recordings.
    • 9.

  • Giacomo Puccini

    O, mio babbino caro (Gianni Schicchi)

    Lyricist: Giovacchino Forzano. Lyricist: Dante Alighieri. Singer: Kiri Te Kanawa. Conductor: Stephen Barlow. Orchestra: London Symphony Orchestra.
    • Kiri! A 50th Birthday Celebration of her Greatest Hits Live.
    • Decca Music Group Ltd.
    • 15.

  • Gabriel Fauré

    Papillon, Op 77

    Performer: Yo‐Yo Ma. Performer: Kathryn Stott.
    • Songs from the Arc of Life.
    • Masterworks.
    • 4.

  • Helena Munktell

    Bränningar, Symfonisk Bild, Op 19 (Breaking Waves, Symphonic Picture)

    Conductor: Tobias Ringborg. Orchestra: Gävle symfoniorkester.
    • STERLING.

  • Robert Schumann

    Kinderszenen, Op 15 (No 7, 'Träumerei')

    Performer: Martha Argerich.
    • Deutsche Grammophon (DG).

  • Samuel Coleridge-Taylor

    Violin Concerto in G minor, Op 80

    Performer: Elena Urioste. Conductor: Kevin John Edusei. Orchestra: Chineke! Orchestra.
    • Decca Music Group Ltd.

  • Arcangelo Corelli

    Trio Sonata in G major, Op 2 No 12 (Ciaccona)

    Ensemble: Ensemble Augelletti.

  • Ottorino Respighi

    The Birds, P. 154 (1st mvt, Preludio)

    Conductor: John Neschling. Orchestra: Orchestre Philharmonique Royal de Liège.
    • The Birds & Ancient Dances and Airs.
    • BIS.
    • 101.

  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Piano Sonata No 25 in G major, Op 79

    Performer: Stephen Kovacevich.
    • Warner Classics.

  • Johann Sebastian Bach

    Ich freue mich in dir, BWV 133 (arr for brass)

    Music Arranger: Matthew Knight. Ensemble: Septura.
    • Christmas with Septura.
    • Naxos.
    • 301.

  • Angela Morley

    Snowride

    Conductor: Gavin Sutherland. Orchestra: RTÉ Concert Orchestra.
    • Another Night Before Christmas & Scrooge.
    • Naxos.
    • 1.

  • Claude Debussy

    Bruyères (Preludes, Book 2)

    Performer: Jean‐Efflam Bavouzet.
    • Debussy: Complete works for piano vol.1: Bavouzet.
    • Chandos.
    • 17.

  • Antonio Vivaldi

    Nulla in mundo pax, RV 630: 1. Nulla in mundo pax

    Lyricist: Anon.. Orchestra: Academy of Ancient Music.
    • The Pure Voice of Emma Kirkby.
    • Decca Music Group Ltd.
    • 3.

Broadcast

  • Sun 7 Dec 202509:00
    BBC Radio 3