Afternoon on 3

As part of Radio 3's 40th anniversary season, Penny Gore introduces recordings of some of the works that have been commissioned by Radio 3 for the BBC performing groups.

The highlights include Anthony Payne's completion of Elgar's Symphony No.3 (itself a BBC commission),Colin Matthews Renewal, originally written for the BBC Symphony Orchestra to mark the 50th anniversary of the Third Programme, the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra in James MacMillan's The Confession of Isobel Gowdie, Edward Cowie's Lyre Bird Motet, written for the BBC Singers and inspired by the Australian wilderness, Django Bates' Priceless for saxophonist Iain Ballamy and the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, and Danish composer Poul Ruders' Concerto in Pieces, originally commissioned for the 300th anniversary of Purcell's death and intended as a "sequel" to Britten's Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra (also broadcast this week).