Liszt's Piano Concerto No.2

Available for 27 days

The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and its music director, Domingo Hindoyan, give a concert in their home city, which brims with the colour and flamboyance of Paul Hindemith, Franz Liszt and Richard Strauss. Tonight’s concert begins with the big-band swagger of Hindemith’s Concert Music, commissioned in 1930 for the 50th anniversary of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. It’s followed by a showstopping concerto by Franz Liszt – one of the greatest pianists who ever lived – played tonight by former Radio 3 New Generation Artist Mariam Batsashvili. After the interval, one of the most iconic openings in all classical music. But it doesn't stop there. The expansive Nietzsche-inspired Also sprach Zarathustra is far more than its celebrated beginning. Richard Strauss wanted his symphonic tone poem to tell the 'entire story of humanity'. In the primal darkness a trumpet sounds – and seconds later, the whole universe is ablaze with light. Joys and passions, dances and dirges - the music responds to and encapsulates some of life's highs and lows before melting into the dark of a peaceful night. Presented by Penny Gore. Recorded on 30 October 2025 *** Paul Hindemith: Concert Music for Strings and Brass Franz Liszt: Piano Concerto No.2 INTERVAL Richard Strauss: Also sprach Zarathustra Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra Mariam Batsashvili (piano) Domingo Hindoyan (conductor) *** To listen on most smart speakers just say 'ask BBC Sounds to play Radio 3 in Concert'.