Radio 3 in Concert

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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: Paul Lewis Fiftieth Birthday Concert

Paul Lewis Fiftieth Birthday Concert

BBC Radio 3 - Radio 3 in Concert, Paul Lewis Fiftieth Birthday Concert

Pianist Paul Lewis plays Beethoven, Mendelssohn, Sibelius and Chopin at the Barbican.

Paul Lewis performs Beethoven's Pathétique and Appassionata Sonatas, Mendelssohn's Songs without Words, Sibelius's Six Bagatelles and Chopin's Polonaise-fantaisie.

Internationally acclaimed pianist Paul Lewis celebrates his fiftieth birthday with his debut solo recital at the Barbican Hall in London. Beethoven is a composer central to Lewis's life, and he bookends his recital with two of the most popular of the Sonatas. In between comes perhaps less expected repertoire. Sibelius's Six Bagatelles are Lewis's lockdown discovery and he pairs them with another set of miniatures: Mendelssohn's Songs without Words are, says Lewis, 'perfect, lyrical miniatures – how can you not want to play them?’ Chopin's Polonaise-fantaisie, at once anguished, desperate and introspective, completes the programme.

Recorded in May and introduced by Martin Handley, including comments from Paul Lewis.

Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 8 in C minor (Pathétique)
Mendelssohn: Songs without Words 
No. 1 in E major, Op. 19
No. 3 in G minor, Op. 53
No. 2 in E flat major, Op. 53
No. 2 in A minor, Op. 19
No. 3 in E major, Op. 30
Sibelius: Six Bagatelles

8.20 pm
Interval Music (from CD)
Mark Padmore (tenor) 
Richard Watkins (horn)
Paul Lewis (piano)

8.30 pm
Chopin: Polonaise No. 7 in A-flat major (Polonaise-fantaisie)
Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 23 in F minor, Appassionata

Paul Lewis (piano)

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.

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