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: Elgar's Enigma Variations

Elgar's Enigma Variations

BBC Radio 3 - Radio 3 in Concert, Elgar's Enigma Variations

Elgar, Dvorák and Butterworth frame Stephen Hough as soloist in his own Piano Concerto.

Elgar, Dvorák and Butterworth frame Stephen Hough as soloist in the European premiere of his own Piano Concerto, performed by the Hallé Orchestra conducted by Sir Mark Elder.

"Edward, that's a good tune!"

So said Elgar's wife Alice after hearing him doodle some ideas at the piano one evening in 1898. After replying that "something might be made of it", Elgar's tune turned out to inspire arguably the greatest of all English works, the 'Enigma' Variations.  Sir Mark Elder has championed English music with the Hallé throughout his career, and tonight is no exception:  George Butterworth's poignant rhapsody A Shropshire Lad follows a celebration of 24 years of creative collaboration with "keyboard colossus" Stephen Hough.  He'll perform the European premiere of his Piano Concerto (The World of Yesterday): "think a cocktail of Korngold, Ginastera, Walton, Barber – but none of them exact."  And to start, the restless energy of Scherzo capriccioso by Dvorák.

Recorded at the Bridgewater Hall in Manchester on 16th May.
Presented by Tom McKinney.

Dvorák: Scherzo capriccioso
Stephen Hough:  Piano Concerto (The World of Yesterday) - Hallé Commission and European premiere
Butterworth: A Shropshire Lad - Rhapsody for Orchestra
Elgar: Variations on an Original Theme, ‘Enigma’

Sir Stephen Hough (piano)
The Hallé
Sir Mark Elder (conductor)

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