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Episode details

Radio 3,04 Mar 2026,134 mins

Holst's Planets Suite from Manchester

Radio 3 in Concert

Available for 27 days

The Hallé Orchestra and Choirs, and its Principal Conductor Kahchun Wong perform a programme of celestial music by Gutsav Holst, Unsuk Chin and Colin Matthews. Unsuk Chin’s Le Chant des Enfants des Étoiles is an intensely atmospheric work which will take you on an exploration through the stars and the infinite reaches of space. Recently revised by the composer, this concert presents the exciting world première of this updated version. The orchestra then takes us on a more familiar journey through the solar system, from Mercury to Neptune with a performance of Gustav Holst’s “The Planets” Suite. And to conclude, Colin Matthews’s “Pluto”, the Renewer – a lightning-fast scherzo with its flurry of solar winds in the strings, provides an irresistible complementary movement to the Holst. Presented by Mark Forrest at Bridgewater Hall, Manchester, and recorded on 19th February 2026. Unsuk Chin: Le Chant des Enfants des Étoiles (Hallé Commission / World Premiere of Revision) Gustav Holst: The Planets Suite Colin Matthews: Pluto, The Renewer Hallé Choir Hallé Youth Choir Hallé Orchestra Kahchun Wong (conductor) To listen on most smart speakers just say, 'ask BBC Sounds to play Radio 3 in Concert'.

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Tracklist

  1. Track
    Artist
  2. 1.
    Le Chant des Enfants des Etoiles (newly revised version)
    Le Chant des Enfants des Etoiles (newly revised version)
    Unsuk Chin
  3. 2.
    Phantasy Quartet
    Phantasy Quartet
    Imogen Holst
  4. 3.
    The Planets Suite, Op.32
    The Planets Suite, Op.32
    Gustav Holst
  5. 4.
    Pluto, the renewer
    Pluto, the renewer
    Colin Matthews
  6. 5.
    Violin Sonata No 1 in A major
    Violin Sonata No 1 in A major
    Maurice Ravel
  7. 6.
    Waltz (2 Pieces for piano 6 hands)
    Waltz (2 Pieces for piano 6 hands)
    Sergey Rachmaninov