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Classical music for your journey

Take time out with a 30-minute soundscape of classical favourites from composers such as Mendelssohn, Scarlatti and Mel Bonis.

Tonight’s mixtape opens in the Appalachian Mountains with the first movement of Appalachian Spring by Aaron Copland. From there, Camille Saint-Saëns’s Romance carries us forward with effortless grace, leading into the delicate glow of Alexander Scriabin’s Prelude No. 3 in E major.

A brief moment of stillness follows with In monte Oliveti by Orlande de Lassus, before a haunting arrangement of Scarlatti's Sonata in A minor for harp. We turn to song without words: Felix Mendelssohn’s Lieder ohne Worte No. 6, “Frühlingslied” in A major. Tonight's Classical Mixtape ends with Mel Bonis, who traces the poignant arc of Ophelia’s story in music.

Produced by Zara Siddiqi
To listen on most smart speakers, just say 'Ask BBC Sounds to play Radio 3'.

9 days left to listen

30 minutes

Last on

Thu 7 May 202619:00
BBC Radio 3

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Music Played

  • Aaron Copland

    Appalachian Spring (1st mvt, Very Slowly)

    Orchestra: Aurora Orchestra. Conductor: Nicholas Collon.
    • WARNER.

  • Camille Saint‐Saëns

    Romance, Op.67

    Performer: Steven Isserlis. Orchestra: North German Radio Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Christoph Eschenbach.
    • RCA.

  • Alexander Scriabin

    5 Preludes, Op. 15: Prelude No. 4 in E Major - Andantino

    Performer: Anthony Hewitt.
    • Alexander Scriabin: Complete Piano Preludes.
    • Champs Hill Records.
    • 36.

  • Orlande de Lassus

    In monte Oliveti

    Ensemble: Stile Antico.
    • Passion and Resurrection: Stile Antico.
    • Harmonia Mundi.
    • 4.

  • Domenico Scarlatti

    Sonata in A minor Kk.109

    Music Arranger: Anaïs Gaudemard. Performer: Anaïs Gaudemard.
    • Anaïs Gaudemard: Solo - harmonia nova #6.
    • harmonia mundi.
    • 2.

  • Felix Mendelssohn

    Frühlingslied (Lieder ohne Worte - book 5)

    Performer: Sir András Schiff.
    • Mendelssohn: Lieder ohne Worte (Andras Schiff).
    • Decca.
    • 021.

  • Mel Bonis

    Ophélie, Op.165'2

    Orchestra: WDR Symphony Orchestra Cologne. Conductor: Joseph Bastian.
    • Bonis: Orchestral Works.
    • CPO.
    • 102.

Broadcast

  • Thu 7 May 202619:00
    BBC Radio 3

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