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The ideal mix of classical music

Georgia Mann plays the best in classical music, with discoveries and surprises rubbing shoulders with familiar favourites.

Georgia Mann plays the best classical music for your morning, with discoveries and surprises rubbing shoulders with familiar favourites. Including the Playlister challenge: our regular listener-created sequence inspired by a different piece of music each day. Plus a new classical release in focus for Album of the Week.

1000 Playlister starter: listen and send us your ideas for the next step in today's musical journey. Text 83111 or email essentialclassics@bbc.co.uk.

1030 Album of the Week: an exciting new classical release in focus throughout the week.

1115 Playlister reveal: an uninterrupted sequence of music suggested by you in response to today's starter piece.

1200 Feast of a Piece: indulge your ears with a masterpiece.

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28 days left to listen

3 hours, 30 minutes

Last on

Friday09:30
BBC Radio 3

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Music Played

  • Johann Strauss II

    Unter Donner und Blitz

    Orchestra: Oslo Philharmonic. Conductor: Mariss Jansons.
    • A New Year's Concert - Strauss: Famous Waltzes and Polkas.
    • Warner Classics.
    • 19.

  • Reinhold Moritzevich Glière

    String Octet in D Major, Op. 5: IV. Allegro assai

    Performer: Byol Kang. Performer: Gergana Gergova. Performer: Yura Lee. Performer: Tanja Tetzlaff. Performer: Florian Donderer. Performer: Hanna Weinmeister. Performer: Timothy Ridout. Performer: Alban Gerhardt.
    • Glière, Shostakovich & Hahn.
    • Cavi-Music.
    • 4.

  • Johann Sebastian Bach

    Motet BWV226 'Der Geist hilft unser Schwachheit auf'

    Choir: Gächinger Kantorei Stuttgart. Conductor: Hans-Christoph Rademann.
    • Accentus.

  • Frédéric Chopin

    Cello Sonata in G Minor, Op. 65: II. Scherzo. Allegro con brio

    Performer: Mischa Maisky. Performer: Martha Argerich.
    • The Complete Duo Recordings.
    • Deutsche Grammophon (DG).
    • 3.

  • Franz Schubert

    Symphony no.3 in D major D.200 (4th mvt)

    Orchestra: B’Rock Orchestra. Conductor: René Jacobs.
    • Pentatone.

  • John Foulds

    The Song of Ram Dass

    Orchestra: City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Sakari Oramo.
    • Foulds : Dynamic Triptych, Music-Pictures III & Orchestral Miniatures.
    • Warner Classics International.
    • 9.

  • Antonio Vivaldi

    Violin Concerto in E flat major RV.253 'La Tempesta di Mare'

    Performer: Patricia Kopatchinskaja. Ensemble: Il Giardino Armonico. Director: Giovanni Antonini.
    • Alpha.

  • Claude Debussy

    Préludes / Book 1, L. 117: No. 10. La cathédrale engloutie

    Performer: Yannick Nézet‐Séguin.
    • Introspection: Solo Piano Sessions.
    • Deutsche Grammophon (DG).
    • 1.

  • Max Bruch

    Kol Nidrei, Op. 47

    Performer: Astrig Siranossian. Orchestra: London Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: François‐Xavier Roth.
    • Sir!.
    • Alpha Classics.
    • 10.

  • Edvard Grieg

    Lyric Pieces, Book VIII, Op. 65: No. 1, Fra ungdomsdagene

    Performer: Peter Donohoe.
    • Grieg: Lyric Pieces, Vol. 2.
    • Chandos.
    • 206.

  • Arvo Pärt

    Pärt: In Principio: III. Erat Lux Vera

    Choir: Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir. Orchestra: Estonian National Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Tõnu Kaljuste.
    • Arvo Pärt: In Principio.
    • ECM New Series.
    • 3.

  • Joseph Haydn

    Symphony no.101 in D major 'The Clock' (2nd mvt)

    Orchestra: The Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen. Conductor: Paavo Järvi.
    • Sony/RCA Red Seal.

  • Benjamin Britten

    Cabaret Songs: No. 1 'O Tell Me the Truth About Love'

    Performer: Sir Antonio Pappano. Singer: Aigul Akhmetshina.
    • Decca.

  • Mieczysław Weinberg

    Chamber Symphony No. 3, Op. 151: II. Allegro molto

    Orchestra: Kremerata Baltica. Conductor: Gidon Kremer.
    • Weinberg: Chamber Symphonies, Piano Quintet.
    • ECM New Series.
    • 2.

  • Träd

    Prabhati (based on Raga Gunkali)

    Performer: Yehudi Menuhin. Performer: Nodu Mullick. Performer: Amiya Dasgupta.
    • Warner.

  • Maurice Ravel

    Ma mère l'oye, M. 62: 6. Laideronnette, Impératrice des pagodes

    Orchestra: London Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: André Previn.
    • Ravel: L'Enfant et les Sortilèges.
    • Deutsche Grammophon (DG).
    • 31.

  • Amy Woodforde-Finden

    4 Indian Love Lyrics: No. 3, Kashmiri Love Song

    Performer: Sir Stephen Hough. Music Arranger: Sir Stephen Hough.
    • The (Big) Piano Album.
    • Warner Classics.
    • 50.

  • Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

    Piano Concerto No. 9 in E Flat Major, "Jeunehomme" (Mvt.3 Rondeau. Presto)

    Performer: Lars Vogt. Ensemble: Orchestre de chambre de Paris.
    • Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 9 in E-Flat Major, K. 271 "Jeunehomme" & Piano Concer.
    • Ondine.
    • 103.

  • Amy Beach

    Romance for violin and piano Op 23

    Performer: Augustin Hadelich. Performer: Orion Weiss.
    • Warner Classics.

  • Erich Wolfgang Korngold

    Sinfonietta: II - Scherzo. Molto agitato, rasch und feurig

    Orchestra: Tonkunstler Orchestra. Conductor: Fabien Gabel.
    • Tonkunslter Orchestra.

  • Sergey Rachmaninov

    10 Preludes Op.23 (no.5 in G minor)

    Performer: Yuja Wang.
    • Yuja Wang - The Berlin Recital.
    • Deutsche Grammophon.

  • Dmitry Shostakovich

    Symphony no. 7 in C major Op.60 (Leningrad): I - Allegretto

    Orchestra: San Diego Symphony. Conductor: Rafael Payare.
    • Delos.

  • Richard Wagner

    Prelude to Act III of Lohengrin

    Performer: Grimethorpe Colliery Band. Conductor: Major Peter Parkes.
    • The Melody Shop.
    • Chandos.
    • 106.

  • Astor Piazzolla

    Bandoneon Concerto 'Aconcagua': II - moderato

    Performer: Ksenija Sidorova. Orchestra: North German Radio Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Thomas Hengelbrock.
    • Piazzolla Reflections.
    • Alpha Classics.
    • 6.

  • Herbert Howells

    King David

    Performer: Joseph Middleton. Singer: Iestyn Davies.
    • Divine Music – An English Songbook.
    • Signum Classics.
    • 109.

  • Cécile Chaminade

    Trio No 1 in G minor (3rd mvt)

    Ensemble: Neave Trio.
    • A Room Of Her Own.
    • Chandos.
    • 5.

  • Francis Poulenc

    Rondeau (Les biches)

    Orchestra: Orchestre de Paris – Philharmonie. Conductor: Semyon Bychkov.
    • Paris 1920.
    • Philips.
    • 2.

Broadcast

  • Friday09:30
    BBC Radio 3