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BBC Radio 3 is a radio channel that started transmitting on the 30th September 1967. It replaced Third Programme.

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Afternoon Concert

Music: Classical

Unique performances with BBC Orchestras, Choirs and other great orchestras

Unique performances with BBC Orchestras, Choirs and other great orchestras from around the world

Afternoon on 3: BBC National Orchestra of Wales

Afternoon Concert: BBC National Orchestra of Wales: Episode 2

Episode 2

BBC National Orchestra of Wales

BBC Radio 3 - Afternoon Concert, BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Episode 2

The BBC NOW performs music by Liszt, Shostakovich, Lyadov, Schumann and Debussy.

Including the BBC NOW in a live concert: Liszt: Von der Wiege bis zum Grabe. Shostakovich: Cello Concerto No 2. Schumann: Symphony No 2. Plus Lyadov: Baba-Yaga. Debussy: Printemps.

A week of programmes with the BBC National of Orchestra of Wales, featuring works by Schumann and music inspired by springtime.

Presented by Katie Derham.

This afternoon we join the BBC National Orchestra of Wales live in their home of Hoddinott Hall in Cardiff Bay. Dutch conductor Jurjen Hempel scored a great success when he stood in at short notice last year to conduct them in Tchaikovsky's Manfred Symphony. Today he's back with the orchestra, joined by New Generation Artist Leonard Elschenbroich for Shostakovich's dark and dramatic Second Cello Concerto. It complements the life-giving celebratory energy of Schumann's Second Symphony, hailed by the "Gothic" symphonist Havergal Brian as being Schumann's "most complete vision of the orchestra".

During the concert interval, Thierry Fischer conducts three Russian fairy tales by Anatoly Liadov, the composer who would have got the commission for Diaghilev's Firebird if he hadn't been quite so slow to get started. Baba-Yaga is a ferocious witch who lives in a hut perched on chicken's legs, and Kikimora is a demon who haunts every Russian household, disturbing children with her screeching, causing death to all who witness see her spinning flax. By contrast, the Enchanted Lake is serene and tranquil - on the surface, at least; but underneath nature is equally cold and malevolent despite the stillness.

Spring comes to life in Debussy's impressionist colours. Printemps, a sensuous tone poem, was conceived in Italy during the composer's stay at the Villa Medici, after winning the prestigious Prix de Rome at the Paris Conservatoire. Jac van Steen conducts this Proms performance from 2007. You can hear more Debussyan spring in the fruits of his labours for this coveted musical prize in tomorrow's programme.

LIVE
Liszt: Von der Wiege bis zum Grabe
Shostakovich: Cello Concerto no. 2 in G major, Op. 126
Leonard Elschenbroich (cello),
BBC National Orchestra of Wales,
Jurjen Hempel (conductor).

2.50pm
Lyadov: Baba-Yaga; Kikimora; The Enchanted lake
BBC National Orchestra of Wales,
Thierry Fischer (conductor).

3.15pm
LIVE
Schumann: Symphony no. 2 in C major, Op. 61
BBC National Orchestra of Wales,
Jurjen Hempel (conductor).

4pm
Debussy: Printemps (Spring)
BBC National Orchestra of Wales,
Jac van Steen (conductor).

Afternoon Concert: BBC National Orchestra of Wales

Live music and the arts: broadcasts more live music than any other radio network. Classical music is its core. Genres include world and new music, jazz, speech and drama.

The BBC National Orchestra of Wales in works by Schumann and music inspired by springtime.

Katie Derham presents a series programmes featuring the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, which performs works by Schumann and music inspired by springtime

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