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Episode details

Radio 3,08 Sep 2026,110 mins

Series2026

Rachmaninov, Bartók and Varèse

BBC Proms

Available for 33 days

Live at the BBC Proms: the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra are joined by chief conductor Ryan Wigglesworth and principal flute Matthew Higham to perform Rachmaninov's Third Symphony plus music by Bartók and Varèse. Presented by Andrew McGregor, live from the Royal Albert Hall, London. Varèse: Density 21.5 Bartók: Music for Strings, Percussion and Celesta c.7.10pm Interval: Gillian Moore joins Andrew McGregor live at the Royal Albert Hall to look back to the year 1936, focusing on significant historical as well as musical events. c.7.30pm Rachmaninov: Symphony No. 3 in A minor Matthew Higham, flute BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra Ryan Wigglesworth, conductor The BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra and Ryan Wigglesworth celebrate the orchestra’s 90th anniversary with a snapshot of a golden year in musical history: 1936 was a turning point, producing not only Rachmaninov’s final symphony – the Romantic, death-haunted No. 3 – but also Bartók’s electrifying fusion of folk and modernity, his Music for Strings, Percussion and Celesta, with its two duelling string orchestras and barrage of percussion forces. Varèse tests the limits of sound and space in Density 21.5 – named for the density of platinum – for solo flute, performed by the orchestra’s Principal Flute Matthew Higham.

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Tracklist

  1. Track
    Artist
  2. 1.
    Density 21.5
    Density 21.5
    Edgard Varèse
  3. 2.
    Music For Strings, Percussion And Celesta Sz.106
    Music For Strings, Percussion And Celesta Sz.106
    Béla Bartók
  4. 3.
    Cello Suite no.1 in G Major BWV.1007 (Prelude)
    Cello Suite no.1 in G Major BWV.1007 (Prelude)
    Johann Sebastian Bach