Jess Gillam with... Laura Mvula
Jess Gillam swaps favourite music with singer-songwriter and composer Laura Mvula, including music by Shostakovich, Ravel, Rachmaninov and Jill Scott.
Jess Gillam swaps favourite music with singer-songwriter and composer Laura Mvula. Laura grew up in Birmingham and studied at Birmingham Conservatoire before releasing her Mercury Prize-nominated debut album 'Sing to the Moon'. Her 2016 album The Dreaming Room and her 2021 album Pink Noise both received critical acclaim. She has worked with Jules Buckley and the Metropole Orchestre, and performed at the BBC Proms in 2014. She has written a new score to Inua Ellam's show An Evening with an Immigrant, which will be performed by Chineke! Orchestra at the Southbank Centre on 26th April.
Laura brings along music from Shostakovich, Rachmaninov, Jill Scott, and Minnie Riperton, whilst Jess's choices include pieces by Luise Adolpha Le Beau and Ravel, as well as a fun bluegrass track from Yo-Yo Ma.
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Music Played
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Joseph Haydn
Sonata in D major H.16.37 for piano I. Allegro con brio
Performer: Marc‐André Hamelin.- Hyperion.
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Laura Mvula
Sing to the Moon
Singer: Laura Mvula. Orchestra: Metropole Orkest. Conductor: Jules Buckley.- RCA.
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Johann Heinrich Schmelzer
Sonatae unarum fidim: Sonata V
Performer: Andrew Manze. Performer: Nigel North. Performer: John Toll. Ensemble: Romanesca Chamber ensemble.- Harmonia Mundi.
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Jill Scott
The Math
- Blue Babe Records.
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Luise Adolpha Le Beau
Cello Sonata in D maj 2nd mvt
Performer: Plínio Fernandes. Music Arranger: Sérgio Assad.- Decca.
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Dmitry Shostakovich
Concerto no. 1 in E flat major Op.107 for cello and orch: 1st mvt; Allegretto
Performer: Alban Gerhardt. Orchestra: WDR Symphony Orchestra. Orchestra: Jukka‐Pekka Saraste.- Hyperion.
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Laura Mvula
Like the morning dew
Music Arranger: Jules Buckley. Singer: Laura Mvula. Choir: Electric Vocals. Orchestra: Metropole Orkest. Conductor: Jules Buckley.![]()
Sergey Rachmaninov
Concerto for piano and orch no.2 (Op.18) in C minor, 2nd mvt; Adagio sostenuto
Performer: Khatia Buniatishvili. Orchestra: Czech Philharmonic. Conductor: Paavo Järvi.- Sony.
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Maurice Ravel
3 Poèmes de Stéphane Mallarmé, M. 64: No. 1, Soupir
Performer: Peter Rydstroem. Performer: Lars Paulsson. Performer: Per Billman. Performer: Bengt Forsberg. Performer: Nils‐Erik Sparf. Performer: Matti Hirvikangas. Performer: Mats Lidström. Singer: Anne Sofie von Otter.- Deutsche Grammophon.
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Minnie Riperton & Ramsey's Group
Oh, By The Way
- Selector Series.
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Joseph Haydn
Symphony No. 3 in A Minor, Op. 56 "Scottish": II. Vivace non troppo
Composer: Felix Mendelssohn. Performer: Marc‐André Hamelin. Orchestra: Gewandhausorchester Leipzig. Conductor: Andris Nelsons.- Deutsche Grammophon.
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Igor Stravinsky
Duo Concertante: II Eglogue I
Performer: Jennifer Frautschi. Performer: Jeremy Denk.- Naxos.
Broadcast
- Today17:00BBC Radio 3
Why are more young people listening to classical music?
Podcast
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This Classical Life
Jess Gillam hosts the music show for people who like classical and other stuff too.



