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

BBC Radio 3

Breakfast

Radio 3's breakfast show, waking the UK up with the finest classical music in the best performances

Breakfast: Sara Mohr-Pietsch

23/04/2009

Sara Mohr-Pietsch

BBC Radio 3 - Breakfast, Sara Mohr-PietschSearch BBC

Sara Mohr-Pietsch presents music to discover, rediscover and lift the spirits.

The complete Breakfast playlist is posted online after the programme has been broadcast.

7.03	

VAUGHAN WILLIAMS 									
 Orpheus with his Lute (text by Shakespeare)
 Anthony Rolfe-Johnson, tenor
 Graham Johnson, piano
 Hyperion HYP30    T7


7.11	

BRAHMS orch. Fischer
Hungarian Dance No 4 in F sharp minor 
Budapest Festival Orchestra
Ivan Fischer
PHILIPS462589   T4


7.19	

KREISLER arr Rachmaninov
Liebesfreud
Yevgeny Sudbin, piano
BIS1518   T10


7.24

VIVALDI
Spring from The Four Seasons
Gil Shaham, violin
Orpheus Chamber Orchestra
DG439933   T1-3


7.31

TCHAIKOVSKY
Waltz from Eugene Onegin
Kirov Orchestra
Valery Gergiev
PHILIPS442775   CD1   T4


7.40	

BYRD
Laudibus in sanctis from Cantiones Sacrae
Choir of Trinity College Cambridge
Richard Marlow
CHANDOS0733   T7-9



7.46	

VAUGHAN WILLIAMS arr Ralph Greaves
Fantasia on Greensleeves
Academy of St-Martin-in-the-Fields
Neville Marriner
DECCA417778   T1


7.51	

GERMAN
Two Orchestral Pieces from Henry VIII
Northern Sinfonia of England
Richard Hickox
EMI566542   T15-16	


7.56

Arthur YOUNG
It Was a Lover and his Lass
Cleo Laine, vocals
John Dankworth and his Orchestra
PHILIPS830461	T5


8.03

MOZART
Overture to Cosi Fan Tutte
Staatskapelle Dresden
Colin Davis
RCA56698	T7


8.09	

BRAHMS
Ballade in B minor Op 10/4
Glenn Gould, piano
CBS37800  T4


8.19	

Haydn WOOD
The Bandstand, Hyde Park
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Barry Wordsworth
WARNER CLASSICS 61438    T5


8.23	

ARNE
When Daisies Pied
Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, soprano
Karl Hudes, piano
TESTAMENT 2172   CD2   T1


8.25	

MENDELSSOHN
Scherzo from A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Ensemble Wien-Berlin
SONY42175   T1


8.31

HANDEL
Tamerlano: Vuo dar pace a un’alma
Monica Bacelli, contralto
English Concert
Trevor Pinnock
AVIE 001   CD 1   T8	


8.37	

ELGAR
Aubade from the Nursery Suite
Ulster Orchestra
Bryden Thompson
CHANDOS8318   T14


8.43

HAYDN
String Quartet in G minor Op74/3 “The Rider”
Hagen Quartet
DG423622   T13


8.48

WARLOCK
Pretty Ring-Time
Kathleen Ferrier, contralto
Frederick Stone, piano
NAXOS111081   T28	


8.49

RAVEL
Pavanne pour une infante defunte
Orchestre de L’Opera National De Lyon
Kent Nagano
ERATO14331	  T5


9.00

GIBBONS
Lord of Salisbury’s Pavane
Phantasm
AVIE0032   T10


9.07

JS BACH
Sinfonia from Kantate BWV 174
Taverner Consort
Andrew Parrott
EMI 69853   T18


9.13

Amy BEACH
3 Shakespeare Songs
Emma Kirkby, soprano
James Lisney, piano
BIS1245   T10-12	


9.19	

GOUNOD
Symphony No 1 in D – Finale: Allegretto
Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra
Christopher Hogwood
DECCA430231   T4


9.30	

WHITACRE
A Boy and a Girl
Polyphony
Stephen Layton
HYPERION67543   T12


9.35	

JS BACH
Praeludium and Fuge in C minor BWV549
Jacques van Oortmerssen, organ
CHALLENGE2175	  T1-2


9.42	

BEETHOVEN
Choral Fantasy Op 80
Robert Levin, fortepiano
Monteverdi Choir
Orchestre Revolutionnaire et Romantique
John Eliot Gardiner
ARCHIV447771   T4-5

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.

A selection of music to discover, rediscover and lift the spirits, introduced by Sara Mohr-Pietsch .

Classical Collection

Programme presenting a sequence of great music in classic recordings

Classical Collection: Sarah Walker

Sarah Walker

BBC Radio 3 - Classical Collection, Sarah Walker

Sarah Walker presents music by Tchaikovsky, Mozart, Lindberg, Ellington, Weber and Dvorak.

With Sarah Walker. Including Tchaikovsky: Nutcracker Suite. Mozart: Sinfonia concertante. Christian Lindberg: Asa. Ellington: Fast and Furious. Stravinsky: Piano-rag-music.

With Sarah Walker.

10.00am
Tchaikovsky: Nutcracker Suite
Symphony of the Air
MUSIC & ARTS CD 1201

10.22am
Mozart: Sinfonia concertante
Roger Chase (viola)
London Chamber Orchestra 
Christopher Warren-Green (violin/director)
VIRGIN CLASSICS VCY 7908182

10.53am
Christian Lindberg: Asa
Richard Tognetti (electric violin)
Neal Peres da Costa (amplified harpsichord)
Amplified strings of the Australian Chamber Orchestra
Christian Lindberg (trombone/director)
BIS CD 1658

11.04am
Ellington: Fast and Furious
Daniel Barenboim (piano)
TELDEC 3984252522

11.07am
Stravinsky	: Piano-rag-music
Thomas Ades (piano)
EMI CDC 557051

11.11am
Gershwin: Fascinating Rhythm (Lady Be Good)
Andre Previn (piano)
David Finck (double bass)
DG 453 493 2

11.14am
Weber arr Rechtman: Andante and Rondo Ungarese, Op 35
Fibonacci Sequence
DEUX-ELLES DXL 1104

11.25am
Dvorak: Violin Concerto
Scottish Chamber Orchestra
Joseph Swenson (violin/conductor)
LINN CKD 241.

With Sarah Walker. 
Tchaikovsky Nutcracker Suite Symphony of the Air 
10.22 Mozart Sinfonia Concertante in E flat, K364 Roger Chase (viola), London Chamber Orchestra, director Christopher Warren-Green (violin) 
10.53 Christian Lindberq Asa 
Richard Tognetti (electric violin), Neal Peres Da 
Costa (amplified harpsichord), Australian Chamber Orchestra, director Christian Lindberg (trombone) 
11.04 Ellington Fasr and Furious Daniel Barenboim (piano) 
Stravinsky Piano-rag -music Thomas Ades (piano) Gershwin Fascinating Rhythm 
Andre Previn (piano), David Finck (double bass) 
11.14 Weber, arr Rechtman 
Andante and Rondo Ungarese, Op 35 Fibonacci Sequence 
11.25 Dvora Violin Concerto in A minor Scottish Chamber Orchestra, conductor Joseph Swenson (violin)

Composer of the Week

An informative guide to composers' lives and their music.

An informative and accessible guide to composers' lives and their music.

Composer of the Week: Edward Elgar (1857-1934)

Composer of the Week: Edward Elgar (1857-1934): Episode 4

Episode 4

Edward Elgar (1857-1934)

BBC Radio 3 - Composer of the Week, Edward Elgar (1857-1934), Episode 4

Elgar explored his melancholy in the eerie landscape of Longdon Marsh, west of Tewkesbury.

Donald Macleod and Stephen Johnson explore Longdon Marsh. Music includes Pomp and Circumstance March No 4 and The Ascension.

Stephen Johnson joins Donald Macleod to explore the landscapes of Herefordshire and Worcestershire that inspired much of the music of Edward Elgar.

Stephen and Donald visit the eerily desolate landscape of Longdon Marsh, a few miles west of Tewkesbury, where Elgar went to get away from it all and explore his well-developed sense of melancholy.

Pomp and Circumstance March No 4
Royal Scottish National Orchestra
Alexander Gibson (conductor)
Chandos CHAN 241-4, CD1 Tr 19

Andante (Violin Sonata)
Maxim Vengerov (violin)
Revital Chachamov (piano)
Teldec 4509-96300-2, Tr 5				

Interlude: Gloucestershire; Shallow's Orchard (Falstaff)
London Symphony Orchestra
Edward Elgar (conductor)
EMI Classics 545560, CD1 Tr 9

Moderato, Adagio (Piano Quintet)
Nash Ensemble
Hyperion CDA 66645, Tr 6		

The Ascension (The Apostles)
The Blessed Virgin/The Angel Gabriel ...... Alison Hargan (soprano)
Mary Magdalene ...... Alfreda Hodgson (contralto)
St John ...... David Rendall (tenor)
St Peter ...... Bryn Terfel (bass)
Jesus ...... Stephen Roberts (bass)
Judas ...... Robert Lloyd (bass)
London Symphony Chorus
London Symphony Orchestra
Richard Hickox (conductor)
CHAN 8875/6, CD2 Trs 9-10.

Stephen Johnson joins Donald Macleod to explore the landscapes that inspired Edward Elgar

Stephen Johnson joins Donald Macleod to explore the landscapes of Herefordshire and Worcestershire that inspired much of the music of anniversary composer Edward Elgar

Composer of the Week: Elgar

4/5. Stephen Johnson joins Donald Macleod to explore the eerily desolate landscape of Longdon Marsh, a few miles west of Tewkesbury, where Elgar used to get away from it all and explore his well-developed sense of melancholy.

Pomp and Circumstance March No 4 in G Royal Scottish National Orchestra, conductor Alexander Gibson
Violin Sonata in E minor (2nd mvt)
Maxim Vengerov, Revital Chachamov (piano) Interlude: Gloucestershire - Shallow's Orchard (Falstaff) LSO, conducted by the composer Piano Quintet (1st mvt) Nash Ensemble The Ascension (The Apostles)
London Symphony Chorus and Orchestra, conductor Richard Hickox
Repeated at 10pm

Radio 3 Lunchtime Concert

Live and recorded concerts from all over the UK. Includes the Wigmore chamber music series

Live and recorded concerts from all over the United Kingdom. Also includes the flagship Wigmore chamber music series.

Radio 3 Lunchtime Concert: Violins

Radio 3 Lunchtime Concert: Violins: Episode 3

Episode 3

Violins

BBC Radio 3 - Radio 3 Lunchtime Concert, Violins, Episode 3Close menu

With Penny Gore. Ruth Palmer (violin), Sasha Grynyuk (piano) in Beethoven and Shostakovich

Penny Gore presents a recital given at LSO St Luke's, London. Beethoven: Sonata, Op 30 No 2. Shostakovich: Sonata, Op 134. Ruth Palmer (violin), Sasha Grynyuk (piano).

Penny Gore presents a recital given at LSO St Luke's, London, featuring young violinist Ruth Palmer.

Ruth Palmer (violin)
Sasha Grynyuk (piano)

Beethoven: Sonata for violin and piano, Op 30 No 2
Shostakovich: Sonata for violin and piano, Op 134.

Series in which leading young violinists perform recitals at LSO St Luke's in London

Afternoon on 3

With Penny Gore. 
Radio 3 Lunchtime Concert 
The third of this week's violin recitals from LSO St Luke's. Ruth Palmer (violin), Sasha Grynyuk (piano) 
Beethoven Violin Sonata in C minor, Op 30 No 2 Shostakovich Violin Sonata, Op 134  
2.00 Handel Opera Cycle 
The tragic tale of Bajazet and Asteria, an Ottoman Sultan and his beautiful daughter, captured by the vicious Tartar Emperor Tamerlano. It is Handel's deepest and darkest opera. 
Handel Tamerlano (Acts land2) 
The English Concert, director Trevor Pinnock For cast see tomorrow at 2pm 
4.10 Shakespeare and McCabe 
Mendelssohn Overture: A Midsummer Night's Dream BBCSSO, conductor Martyn Brabbins Vauqhan Williams Shakespeare Songs BBC Singers, conductor James Weeks Tchaikovsky Fantasy Overture: Hamlet 
BBC Philharmonic, conductor Vassily Sinaisky

Afternoon Concert

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: Shakesepeare and McCabe

Afternoon Concert: Shakesepeare and McCabe: Episode 4: Handel: Tamerlano, Acts 1 and 2

Episode 4: Handel: Tamerlano, Acts 1 and 2

Shakesepeare and McCabe

Handel: Tamerlano, Acts 1 and 2

BBC Radio 3 - Afternoon Concert, Shakesepeare and McCabe, Handel: Tamerlano, Acts 1 and 2

Acts 1 and 2 of Handel's opera Tamerlano. Plus music celebrating Shakespeare's birthday.

Penny Gore presents Acts 1 and 2 of Handel's Tamerlano. Plus Shakespeare and McCabe: Mendelssohn: Overture (A Midsummer Night's Dream). Vaughan Williams: Shakespeare Songs.

Handel Operas 2009

As part of BBC Radio 3's complete cycle of Handel operas, Penny Gore presents the tragic tale of Bajazet and Asteria, a proud Ottoman Sultan and his beautiful daughter, captured by the vicious Tartar Emperor Tamerlano. A work without the 'lieto fine' or happy ending, so beloved of Handel's London opera audiences, it is considered to be Handel's deepest, darkest and most 'Shakespearean' opera.

Handel: Tamerlano (Acts 1 and 2)

Tamerlano ...... Monica Bacelli (contralto)
Bajazet ...... Tom Randle (tenor)
Asteria ...... Elizabeth Norberg-Schulz (soprano)
Andronico, her lover ...... Graham Pushee (countertenor)
Irene, Princess betrothed to Tamerlano ...... Anna Bonitatibus (mezzo-soprano)
Leone, Andronico's sidekick ...... Antonio Abete (bass)
The English Concert
Trevor Pinnock (director)

4.10pm
Shakespeare and McCabe

Continuing a series to celebrate the birthdays of Shakespeare and composer John McCabe.

Mendelssohn: Overture (A Midsummer Night's Dream)
BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra
Martyn Brabbins (conductor)
		
Ralph Vaughan Williams: Shakespeare Songs
BBC Singers 
James Weeks (conductor)

Tchaikovsky: Hamlet, Op 67 - fantasy overture
BBC Philharmonic
Vassily Sinaisky (conductor).

Afternoon Concert: Shakesepeare and McCabe

Penny Gore presents music marking the birthdays of Shakespeare and composer John McCabe

Penny Gore presents music celebrating the birthdays of William Shakespeare and prolific composer/pianist John McCabe

Handel Opera Cycle

Radio 3 marks the 250th anniversary of Handel's death with a complete cycle of his operas

In 2009, Radio 3 marks the 250th anniversary of the death of George Frideric Handel with a complete cycle of his operas, all broadcast in the order they were first performed

Handel Opera Cycle: Tamerlano

Handel Opera Cycle: Tamerlano: Tamerlano, Acts 1 and 2

Tamerlano, Acts 1 and 2

Tamerlano

BBC Radio 3 - Handel Opera Cycle, Tamerlano, Tamerlano, Acts 1 and 2

Penny Gore presents Acts 1 and 2 of Handel's opera Tamerlano.

Penny Gore presents Acts 1 and 2 of Handel's opera Tamerlano. Part of 2009's complete cycle of Handel operas on Radio 3.

As part of BBC Radio 3's complete cycle of Handel operas, Penny Gore presents the tragic tale of Bajazet and Asteria, a proud Ottoman Sultan and his beautiful daughter, captured by the vicious Tartar Emperor Tamerlano. A work without the 'lieto fine' or happy ending, so beloved of Handel's London opera audiences, it is considered to be Handel's deepest, darkest and most 'Shakespearean' opera.

Handel: Tamerlano (Acts 1 and 2)

Tamerlano ...... Monica Bacelli (contralto)
Bajazet ...... Tom Randle (tenor)
Asteria ...... Elizabeth Norberg-Schulz (soprano)
Andronico, her lover ...... Graham Pushee (countertenor)
Irene, Princess betrothed to Tamerlano ...... Anna Bonitatibus (mezzo-soprano)
Leone, Andronico's sidekick ...... Antonio Abete (bass)
The English Concert
Trevor Pinnock (director).

The tale of Bajazet and Asteria, a proud Ottoman Sultan and his beautiful daughter

Penny Gore presents the tragic tale of Bajazet and Asteria, a proud Ottoman Sultan and his beautiful daughter, captured by the vicious Tartar Emperor Tamerlano

In Tune

Live music and interviews from the world's finest classical musicians.

Radio 3's drivetime show brings you incredible live music and interviews from the world's finest classical, jazz, folk and world musicians.

Radio 3's drivetime show brings you incredible live music and interviews from the world's finest classical, jazz, folk and world musicians. If it's happening in the world of music, you'll hear it first on In Tune.

In Tune: 23/04/2009 Simon Mulligan and John Suchet

23/04/2009 Simon Mulligan and John Suchet

BBC Radio 3 - In Tune, 23/04/2009 Simon Mulligan and John Suchet

Presented by Sean Rafferty. With pianist Simon Mulligan and presenter John Suchet.

Presented by Sean Rafferty. Performances and conversation featuring pianist Simon Mulligan, presenter John Suchet, cellist Tatjana Vassiljeva and conductor Yoel Levi.

Sean Rafferty presents a selection of music and guests from the arts world.

Pianist Simon Mulligan and presenter John Suchet talk to Sean about their Beethoven-themed show called The Last Master, which is performed at festivals during the summer of 2009. Simon also performs in the studio.

Plus performances by cellist Tatjana Vassiljeva, who is joined by conductor Yoel Levi to talk about their upcoming concert with the Orchestre nationale d'Ile de France at Cadogan Hall.


17:02		
CD	
GERMAN
Three Dances from ‘Henry VIII’ (Morris Dance)
Northern Sinfonia
Richard Hickox (conductor)
EMI 7 49933 2			
Track 14		
2’27

17:05	
CD	
BEETHOVEN
Egmont (Overture) Op 84
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
Yoel Levi (conductor)
TELARC CD-80358		
Track 1			
7’56

17:20		
LIVE	
BEETHOVEN
Piano Sonata No. 8 in C minor Op. 13 No. 8 ‘Pathetique’
Simon Mulligan (piano)								
4’29

17:30	
LIVE
BEETHOVEN
Piano Sonata No. 14 in C sharp minor Op. 27 No. 2 ‘Moonlight’ 				
(Presto agitato)
Simon Mulligan (piano)
7’00

17:38		
CD	
VAUGHAN WILLIAMS
Five Variants of ‘Dives and Lazarus’
London Philharmonic Orchestra
Vernon Handley (conductor)
EMI CDM 7 62018 2		
Track 2			
11’25
	
17:50
CD	
SCHUBERT	
Moments Musicaux D.780 (Allegro Moderato)
Imogen Cooper (piano)
OTTAVO OTRC128715		
Tr.3			
1’45		
		
17:53		
CD	
WILLIAM MUNDY
Adolescentulus sum ego
The Sixteen
Harry Christophers (conductor)
HELIOS CDH55086		
Track 12		
6’24

18:03		
LIVE	
BACH
Suite for cello No 1 BWV 1007 (Prelude)
Tatjana Vassilijeva (cello)
2’17									
	
18:05		
CD	
CENTRAL PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY OF CHINA
Yellow River Piano Concerto (The Song of the Yellow River Boatmen)
Lang Lang (piano)
China Philharmonic Orchestra
Wu Yuxia (conductor)
DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 442 9484	
Track 11	
3’24
									

18:09		
CD	
PURCELL
King Arthur (Trumpet tune / Saint George, the patron of our Isle)
Julia Gooding, Honour (soprano)
The English Concert & Choir
Trevor Pinnock (director)
ARCHIV 435 490 2	
CD2	
Tracks 12-13		
4’07

18:17	
LIVE	
BACH
Suite for cello No 4 BWV 1010 (Bouree 1 & 2)
Tatjana Vassilijeva (cello)
3’36

18:25		
CD	
HOLST
The Planets (Mars)
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
Yoel Levi (conductor)
TELARC CD-80466		
Track 1			
6’26
			
18:33
CD	
SHEARING
Songs and Sonnets from Shakespeare (Live with me and be my love)
Cambridge Singers
Malcolm Creese (double bass)
Wayne Marshall (piano)
John Rutter (conductor)
COLLEGIUM COLCD 128	
Track 8			
3’00



18:37	
CD	
HANDEL
Trio Sonata in G Major, Op. 5 No. 4
The Brook Street Band
AVIE AV2068			
Tracks 16-18		
13’59
				
18:51
CD	
GRIEG
Lyric Pieces op.54 no 2 (Gangar – Norwegian March)
Leif Ove Andsnes (piano)
EMI 50999 26816128		
CD3	
Tr25		
3’35	

18:55		
CD	
HANDEL
Ombra Mai Fu
Placido Domingo (tenor)
Orchestra & Coro Sinfonica di Milano Giuseppe Verdi
DG 4711 575-2			
CD1 Tr1		
3’47

Performance on 3

Performance on 3 has been replaced by Radio 3 Live in Concert.

Performance on 3: LSO/Tan Dun

LSO/Tan Dun

BBC Radio 3 - Performance on 3, LSO/Tan Dun

LSO in Tan Dun: Internet Symphony; Piano Concerto (with Lang Lang). Mahler: Symphony No 1.

LSO under Tan Dun perform Tan's Internet Symphony and his Piano Concerto with soloist Lang Lang. Daniel Harding conducts Mahler's Symphony No 1 in D. Plus Youth Orchestras: NYOW.

Presented by Ian Skelly.

In a concert given at the Barbican, London, Tan Dun conducts the London Symphony Orchestra in a performance of his Internet Symphony (Eroica), a work specially composed for his own YouTube Symphony Orchestra.

Chinese piano superstar Lang Lang gives the UK premiere of Tan's Piano Concerto - the second major work the composer has written for him - before Daniel Harding takes the baton to conduct Mahler's First Symphony.

Lang Lang (piano)
London Symphony Orchestra
Tan Dun (conductor)
Daniel Harding (conductor)

Tan Dun: Internet Symphony (Eroica); Piano Concerto (UK premiere)
Mahler: Symphony No 1 in D

Followed by a focus on youth orchestras from Britain and abroad:

Mathias: Celtic Dances, Op 60
National Youth Orchestra of Wales
Owain Arwel Hughes (conductor).
CD: Diversions DDV 24135 tracks 5-8

Hoddinot: Investiture Dances Op.66
National Youth Orchestra of Wales
Owain Arwel Hughes (conductor)
CD: Divine Art 25045 tracks 5-7

Tan Dun 's Internet Symphony (Eroica), written L for his YouTube Symphony Orchestra, and the first performance of his Piano Concerto, with Lang Lang as soloist. Plus Mahler's First Symphony conducted by Daniel Harding. With Ian Skelly. 
Lang Lang (piano), London Symphony Orchestra, conductors Tan Dun and Daniel Harding Tan Dun Internet Symphony (Eroica): Piano Concerto (first UK performance) Mahler Symphony No 1 
Followed by more from a week-long focus on youth orchestras. 
National Youth Orchestra of Wales, conductor Owain Arwel Hughes Mathias Celtic Dances , Op 60

Night Waves

Radio 3’s flagship arts programme until 2013. Over 350 editions available in the archive.

Radio 3’s flagship arts programme until 2013. Search the extensive archive for interviews, debates and reviews. Go to Free Thinking for the new home of arts and ideas on Radio 3.

Night Waves: The Future of A Levels

The Future of A Levels

BBC Radio 3 - Night Waves, The Future of A Levels

Matthew Sweet chairs a debate about the future of A levels.

Matthew Sweet chairs a round-table of teachers, academics, students and a former secretary of state for education for a debate about the future of A levels.

Matthew Sweet chairs a round-table of teachers, academics, students and a former secretary of state for education in a programme dedicated to answering the question: What is the future of A levels - and are they really still fit for purpose?

The Advanced Level General Certificate was introduced in 1951 and soon became accepted as the educational gold standard, considered to be the top-drawer qualification comparable with the French Baccalaureate and the German Abitur. But in recent times that gold standard is seen by some as being tarnished, with more pupils than ever achieving the top grade.

So have A level students become cleverer or are the exams getting easier? Does the qualification still provide a proper currency between schools and universities? And, more fundamentally, what is an exam at age 18 meant to test and if A levels aren't the answer any more, then what is? A diploma of some sort - or even the French baccalaureate?

Tackling these issues are, among others, former education secretary Estelle Morris, vice-chancellor of South Bank University Deian Hopkins, Prof Alan Smithers of Buckingham University, Prof Mary Beard of Cambridge University as well as A level students and teachers.

Matthew Sweet talks to teachers, academics, students and former Education Secretary Estelle Morris about the future of A-levels. Producer Peter Hanington

The Essay

Essays from leading writers on arts, history, philosophy, science, religion and beyond.

Leading writers on arts, history, philosophy, science, religion and beyond, themed across a week - insight, opinion and intellectual surprise.

The Essay: Henry, King of Kings

The Essay: Henry, King of Kings: Episode 4: Henry VIII and Drama

Episode 4: Henry VIII and Drama

Henry, King of Kings

Henry VIII and Drama

BBC Radio 3 - The Essay, Henry, King of Kings, Henry VIII and DramaClose menu

Dr Tom Betteridge examines the various depictions of Henry VIII in stage plays.

Dr Tom Betteridge, reader in modern English literature at Oxford Brookes University, examines the various depictions of Henry VIII in stage plays.

Dr Tom Betteridge, Reader in Early Modern English Literature at Oxford Brookes University, considers how Henry VIII provoked different responses from writers and commentators during his reign, dealing through their chosen metaphors with the issues of kingship.

Presenter: Dr Tom Betteridge
Producers: Neil Rosser

A LADBROKE RADIO PRODUCTION for BBC RADIO 3 (repeat).

Series detailing key aspects of Henry VIII's 38-year reign

The Essay: Henry - King of Kings

4/5. Dr Tom Betteridge , reader in early modern English literature at Oxford Brookes University, traces the connection between Henry VIII and drama.

Late Junction

Journeys in music, ancient to future. The home for adventurous listeners

Late Junction: Verity Sharp

Verity Sharp

BBC Radio 3 - Late Junction, Verity Sharp

Verity Sharp presents a special St George's Day edition. Includes music by Howard Skempton

Verity Sharp presents a St George's Day programme, with music from Howard Skempton, Davy Graham, Cornelius Cardew, PewPew, June Tabor and archive recordings of traditonal festivals.

Verity Sharp presents a special St George's Day English music edition of the programme, featuring music from Howard Skempton, Davy Graham, Cornelius Cardew, PewPew, June Tabor and archive recordings of traditonal festivals.

Track List:

23:15
Brian Peters (anglo-concertina): Kissing Stones – The Spud Spattered Piper – Go Away Miss Ashton
Album: Anglophilia
Pugwash PUGCD006

23:21
Tippett: Bonny at Morn
Performed By Michael Copley, Maurice Hodges, Evelyn Nallen (recorders); Christ Church Cathedral Choir, Oxford.
Album: Sir Michael Tippett
Nimbus NI1759

(Segue) 

23:24
Howard Skempton: Passing Fancy
Performed By John Tilbury
Album: Howard Skempton
Sony Classical SK66482

(Segue) 

23:25
Busby/Harries: Moth Wings For Lisa
Sleeps in Oysters
Album: We Kept The Memories Locked Away Like The Beetles Of Our Childhood, Or How To Appreciate Someone Who’s Always Around
Seed CD16

(Segue)

23:28
Bryars: Lauda 23 
Performed By Latvian Radio Choir
Album: Glorious Hill
GB Records BCGB CD09

23:32
Anne Briggs: The Cuckoo
Album: A Collection 
Topic TSCD 504

(Segue)

23:35
Trad: Tom Mellin’s Hornpipe
Becky Price (accordion) & Dave Shepherd (fiddle)
Album: Ashburnham
Beautiful Jo Records BEJO CD36

23:40
Speech: Account of the Padstow Hobby Horse Ceremony – Morning Song - Jack Collins – Night Song
Joe Channell, Jack Collins & Padstow Residents, recorded May 1st 1945

(Segue)

23:44
The A Lords: Summerhouse
Album: John Barleycorn Reborn - Dark Britannica
Cold Spring Records CSR84

(Segue)

23:50
Bednall: Nunc Dimittis
Performed By Wells Cathedral Choir & David Bednall (organ)
Album: Hail, Gladdening Light
Regent REGCD 247

23:55
Andy May (Northumbrian smallpipes) & Ian Stephenson (guitar): Unknown – The Regular Climber
Album: Happy Hours 
Fellside FECD 224

23:59
James Fagan (voice & guitar); Nancy Kerr (fiddle); Robert Harbron (concertina): Alan Tyne of Harrow – Alvin’s 
Album: Station House
Fellside FECD 211

00:06
June Tabor: The Band Played Waltzing Matilda
Album: Always
Topic	TSFCD 4003

(Segue)

00:13
Cornelius Cardew: Four Principles on Ireland
Album: Cornelius Cardew - Piano Music
B&L BLCD 011

00:19
John Metcalfe: Curve of the Sand
Album: Scorching Bay
Black Box BBM 1082

(Segue)

00:22
Sieben: Ogham on the Hill
Album: John Barleycorn Reborn - Dark Britannica
Cold Spring Records CSR84

(Segue) 

00:26
Sharron Kraus: Horn Dance
Album: compilation John Barleycorn Reborn: Dark Britannica
Cold Spring Records CSR84 

00:30
Abbots Bromley players, Staffordshire, September: Abbots Bromley Horn Dance
Album: English Customs and Traditions
Saydisc CD SDL 425 

(Segue) 

00:36
Reigns: Take It Down
Album: The House on the Causeway
Monotreme Records Mono 37

00:42
Howard Skempton: The Voice of the Spirits
Performed By Exaudi
Album: Ben Somewhere
NMC D 135

00:50
Quickthorn: PewPew
Album: John Barleycorn Reborn - Dark Britannica
Cold Spring Records CSR84

(Segue)

00:52
Davy Graham : Ballad of the Sad Young Men
Album: Folk Blues and Beyond
Fledgling Records FLED 3050

00:56
John Metcalfe: 7 Days Later
Album: Scorching Bay
Black Box BBM1082

Verity Sharp presents an all-English edition for St George 's Day, with music by Howard Skempton , Davy Graham , Cornelius Cardew , PewPew and June Tabor.

Through the Night

Continuous broadcast of concert music and opera, recorded from locations throughout Europe

Through the Night: John Shea

24/04/2009

John Shea

BBC Radio 3 - Through the Night, John Shea

John Shea presents music by Vladigerov, Schumann, Liszt, Mendelssohn, Schafer and Rameau.

John Shea presents music, including Vladigerov, Schumann, Liszt, Mendelssohn, Schafer, Rameau, Parry, Raitio, Ravel, Gilson, Bach, Borodin, Czerny, Jadin, Stradella and Purcell.

With John Shea.

1.00am
Debussy, Claude (1862-1918): Clair de lune (Suite Bergamasque)
1.05am
Vladigerov, Pancho (1899-1978): Suite of Five Pieces, Op 51
1.19am
Schumann, Robert (1810-1856): Kinderszenen, Op 15
1.36am
Liszt, Franz (1811-1886): Mephisto Waltz No 1, S514
Lyuba Encheva (piano)

1.47am
Mendelssohn, Felix (1809-1847): Symphony No 1 in C minor, Op 11
Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra
Andrew Litton (conductor)

2.18am
Schafer, Dirk (1873-1931): Quintet in D flat for piano and strings, Op 5
Orpheus String Quartet
Jacob Bogaart (piano)

3.00am
Rameau, Jean-Philippe (1683-1764): Orchestral Suite (Dardanus)
European Union Baroque Orchestra
Roy Goodman (director)

3.19am
Parry, Charles Hubert Hastings (1848-1918), orch. Jacob: I was glad (Psalm 122)
Vancouver Bach Choir
Vancouver Symphony Orchestra
Bruce Pullan (conductor)

3.25am
Raitio, Vaino (1891-1945): The Swans, Op 15
Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra
Okko Kamu (conductor)

3.34am
Ravel, Maurice (1875-1937): La valse
Ouellet-Murray Piano Duo

3.46am
Lehar, Franz (1870-1948): Valse Boston: Wer hat die Liebe uns ins Herz gesenkt? (Das Land des Lachelns - Land of Smiles)
Lisa ...... Michelle Boucher (soprano)
Sou-Chong ...... Mark Dubois (tenor)
Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony Orchestra
Raffi Armenian (conductor)

3.51am
Rodgers, Richard (1902-1979): Something Wonderful (The King and I)
Yvonne Kenny (soprano)
Melbourne Symphony Orchestra
Vladimir Kamirski (conductor)

3.55am
Dvorak, Antonin (1841-1904): Allegro moderato; Allegro appassionato (Four Romantic pieces for violin and piano, Op 75, Nos 1 and 3)
Young-Zun Kim (violin)
Joon-Cha Kim (piano)

4.02am
Gilson, Paul (1865-1942): La mer
Flemish Radio Choir
Flemish Radio Orchestra
Brassband Buizingen
Martyn Brabbins (conductor)

4.38am
Anon arr Gregor, Christian (1723-1801): Two Moravian Chorales: Sleepers Wake; Covenant
American Brass Quintet

4.41am
Bach, Johann Sebastian (1685-1750): Improvised chorale harmonisation; Allein Gott in der Hoh' sei Her, BWV675
Handel, George Frideric (1685-1759): Fugue No 3 in B flat (Six Fugues or Voluntarys for organ or harpsichord, 1735)
Stef Tuinstra (organ)

4.50am
Telemann, Georg Philipp (1681-1767): Giovedi, TWV XLII Es2 (Pyrmonter Kurwoche)
Albrecht Rau (violin)
Heinrich Rau (viola)
Clemens Malich (cello)
Wolfgang Hochstein (harpsichord)

5.00am
Borodin, Alexander (1833-1887): Overture (Prince Igor)
Vancouver Symphony Orchestra
Bramwell Tovey (conductor)

5.12am
Dancla, Charles (1817-1907): Variations on a Theme by Bellini, Op 3
Valdis Zarins (violin)
Ieva Zarina (piano)

5.17am
Czerny, Carl (1791-1857): Brilliant polonaise for piano, Op 296 (for six hands)
Kestutis Grybauskas, Vilma Rindzeviciute, Irina Venkus (pianos)

5.31am
Bach, Johann Michael (1648-1694): Auf lasst uns den Herren loben (Come let us praise the Lord) - aria for contralto, violin, three violas da gamba and basso continuo
Ulla Groenewold (contralto)
Musica Antiqua Koln
Reinhard Goebel (conductor)

5.38am
Wassenaer, Unico Wilhelm van (1692-1766): Concerto No 5 in F minor (Sei concerti armonici, 1740)
Combattimento Consort Amsterdam
Jan Willem de Vriend (conductor)

5.48am
Parac, Frano (b.1948): Symphony
Croatian Radio and Television Symphony Orchestra
Niksa Bareza (conductor)

6.06am
Jadin, Hyacinthe (1776-1800): Sonata No 1 in E flat, Op 3
Patrick Cohen (fortepiano)

6.24am
Stradella, Alessandro (1639-1682): Quando mai vi stancherete
Emma Kirkby (soprano)
Alan Wilson (harpsichord)

6.32am
Purcell, Henry (1659-1695): Three Parts upon a Ground for three violins and continuo, Z731
Simon Standage (violin)
Il Tempo

6.37am
Forqueray, Antoine (1672-1745), arr. Jean Baptiste Forqueray: Harpsichord suites (Pieces de clavecin, 1747)
Kati Hamalainen (harpsichord)

6.53am
Porumbescu, Ciprian (1853-1883): Ballad for violin and orchestra
Ion Voicu (violin)
Bucharest Chamber Orchestra
Madalin Voicu (conductor).

With John Shea.

Debussy Clair de lune (Suite Bergamasque)

Vladiqerov Suite of five pieces, Op 51

Schumann Kinderszenen, Op 15

Liszt Mephisto Waltz No 1

1.47 Mendelssohn Symphony No 1 in C minor

2.18 Schafer Piano Quintet in D flat, Op 5

3.00 Rameau Orchestral Suite: Dardanus

3.19 Parry, orch Jacob I Was Glad (Psalm 122)

3.25 Raitio The Swans, Op 15

3.34 Ravel La Valse

3.46 Lehar Valse Boston: Wer hat die Liebe uns ins Herz gesenkt (Das Land des Lachelns)

3.51 Rodgers Something Wonderful (The King and I)

3.55 Dvorak Four Romantic pieces for violin and piano, Op 75 Nos 1 and 3

4.02 Gilson La Mer

4.38 Anon, arr Gregor Two Moravian Chorales: Sleepers Wake: Covenant

4.41 Bach Allein Gott in der Hoh' sei Her, BWV675

Handel Fugue No 3 in B flat, HWV607

Telemann Giovedi, TWV 42:Es2 (Pyrmonter Kurwoche)

5.00 Borodin Overture: Prince Igor

5.12 Dancia Variations on a theme by Bellini, Op 3

5.17 Czerny Brilliant polonaise, Op 296

5.31 JM Bach Auf last uns den Herren loben

5.38 Wassenaer Concerto No 5 in F minor (Sei concert! armonici)

5.48 Parac Symphony

6.06 Jadin Sonata in E flat, Op 3 No 1

6.24 Stradella Quando mai vi stancherete

6.32 Purcell Three Parts upon a Ground, Z731

6.37 Forqueray Harpsichord suites (Pieces de clavecin 1747, arr Jean Baptiste Forqueray)

6.53 Porumbescu Ballad

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Programme Index

Afternoon Concert

Shakesepeare and McCabe

Episode 4: Handel: Tamerlano, Acts 1 and 2

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