Radio 3 in Concert

Original version

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

BBC Radio 3

Radio 3

Music: Classical

The best concerts from across the UK and Europe. Available to listen online for 30 days

Experience the best concerts from across the UK and Europe. Available to listen online for 30 days

Radio 3 in Concert: Max Richter’s VOICES

Max Richter’s VOICES

BBC Radio 3 - Radio 3 in Concert, Max Richter’s VOICES

Marking Human Rights Day with the first broadcast performance of Max Richter’s new work.

Marking Human Rights Day 2020 with a special performance of Max Richter’s moving new work, VOICES, in a broadcast shared by 40 radio stations around the world.

BBC Radio 3 marks Human Rights Day 2020 with the first broadcast performance of Max Richter’s new work, VOICES. 

VOICES incorporates words from the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights, including its powerful opening statement: "All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights." These words, spoken in languages by contributors from across the globe, are woven into a moving musical reflection on the state of the world today.

Elizabeth Alker presents this special arrangement, which was conceived during the Covid-19 lockdown and recorded with social distancing measures in the BBC’s Maida Vale studios. We'll hear the Max Richter Ensemble joined by narrator Sheila Atim, soprano Grace Davidson, violinist Viktoria Mullova plus members of Tenebrae and conductor Robert Ziegler. The broadcast opens with a performance of Infra, the composer’s musical response to the London 7/7 terror attacks. 

This broadcast, made in partnership with the European Broadcasting Union, will be heard on 40 radio stations from across Europe and by global audiences in Australia, Canada and the United States.

Max Richter: Infra (2010)

Elizabeth Alker interviews Max Richter and his creative partner Yulia Mahr.

Max Richter: VOICES (2020)

Max Richter piano, synthesizer
Grace Davidson soprano
Viktoria Mullova violin
Sheila Atim narrator
Tenebrae choir
Max Richter Ensemble 
Robert Ziegler conductor

Following the performance, Max Richter introduces his own playlist of pieces which have inspired him, including Bob Dylan's 'The Times they are a-Changin'; the 40-part motet 'Spem in Alium' by Thomas Tallis in the version by the Kronos Quartet; 'Soweto' by South African jazz pianist Abdullah Ibrahim;  Kraftwerk's classic track 'Computer World';  ending with Charles Ives' orchestral work 'The Unanswered Question'.

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.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Radio 3 in Concert

Max Richter’s VOICES

Genres

Brand

BBC Radio 3

About BBC Radio 3