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The very best of classical music

Ian Skelly plays the best in classical music, with discoveries and surprises rubbing shoulders with familiar favourites.

Ian Skelly plays the best classical music for your morning, with discoveries and surprises rubbing shoulders with familiar favourites. Including the Playlister challenge: our regular listener-created sequence inspired by a different piece of music each day. Plus a new classical release in focus for Album of the Week.

1000 Playlister starter: listen and send us your ideas for the next step in today's musical journey. Text 83111 or email essentialclassics@bbc.co.uk.

1030 Album of the Week: an exciting new classical release in focus throughout the week.

1115 Playlister reveal: an uninterrupted sequence of music suggested by you in response to today's starter piece.

1200 Feast of a Piece: indulge your ears with a masterpiece.

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24 days left to listen

3 hours, 30 minutes

Last on

Last Thursday09:30
BBC Radio 3

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Music Played

  • Hector Berlioz

    Symphonie fantastique, Op. 14: 2nd mvt. Un Bal (Valse)

    Orchestra: Orchestre symphonique de Montréal. Conductor: Rafael Payare.
    • Berlioz: Le carnaval romain & Symphonie fantastique.
    • Pentatone.
    • 03.

  • Edvard Grieg

    Violin Sonata No. 1 in F Major, Op. 8: III. Allegro molto vivace

    Performer: Vilde Frang. Performer: Michail Lifits.
    • Bartók, Strauss & Grieg: Violin Sonatas.
    • Warner Classics.
    • 3.

  • Johann Sebastian Bach

    Partita No.6 in E Minor, BWV 830: I. Toccata

    Performer: Víkingur Ólafsson.
    • Opus 109 (Beethoven _ Bach _ Schubert).
    • Deutsche Grammophon (DG).
    • 4.

  • Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

    Requiem, K. 626: I. Introitus

    Choir: Gächinger Kantorei Stuttgart. Ensemble: Bach‐Collegium Stuttgart. Conductor: Helmuth Rilling.
    • Mozart: Requiem.
    • Sony Classical.
    • 1.

  • Richard Arnell

    The Great Detective, Op.68: X. Dance of Deduction (Moderato)

    Orchestra: BBC Concert Orchestra. Conductor: Martin Yates.
    • Richard Arnell - Ballet Music.
    • Dutton Epoch.
    • 11.

  • Johanna Müller-Hermann

    String Quintet in A minor op. 7: II. Allegro vivace

    Ensemble: Ensemble Louise Farrenc.
    • Johanna Müller-Hermann: String Quintet op.7 - Cello Sonata op.17.
    • CPO.
    • 102.

  • Jan Dismas Zelenka

    Capriccio in A Major for 2 Corni da Caccia, 2 Oboes, Strings, Bassoon and B.C., ZWV 185: I Allegro assai

    Ensemble: Virtuosi Saxoniae.
    • Brilliant Classics.

  • Sergey Rachmaninov

    Rachmaninoff: Symphony No. 2 in E Minor, Op. 27 - Ib. Allegro moderato

    Orchestra: The Philadelphia Orchestra. Conductor: Yannick Nézet‐Séguin.
    • Rachmaninoff: Symphonies Nos. 2 & 3; Isle of the Dead.
    • Deutsche Grammophon (DG).
    • 2.

  • Louise Farrenc

    Scherzo in B-Flat Major, Op. 47

    Performer: Maria Stratigou.
    • Farrenc: Complete Piano Works, Vol. 5.
    • Grand Piano.
    • 104.

  • Ignacy Feliks Dobrzynski

    Symphony No. 2 in C Major, Op. 15: IV. Finale all Cracovienna.

    Orchestra: Orchestra of the Eighteenth Century. Conductor: José Maria Florêncio.
    • Frederick Chopin Institute.

  • Giuseppe Silvestri

    Lo sport

    Performer: Raffaele La Ragione. Performer: François Dumont.
    • Arcana.

  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Piano Concerto No. 3 in C minor, Op. 37: III. Rondo. Allegro

    Performer: Rafał Blechacz. Orchestra: Dresdner Philharmoniker. Conductor: Kent Nagano.
    • Deutsche Grammophon.

  • Heinrich Schütz

    Ich beuge meine Knie, SWV 319

    Singer: Guillaume Olry. Ensemble: Flam's Consort.
    • Raumklang.

  • Henry Mancini

    The Pink Panther Theme

    Performer: Henry Mancini & His Orchestra.
    • Ultimate Pink Panther.
    • SBME Strategic Marketing Group.
    • 1.

  • Carlo Gesualdo

    Illumina faciem tuam

    Lyricist: Anonymous. Choir: The Gesualdo Six. Conductor: Owain Park.
    • Fading: 9 Centuries of Choral Meditation & Reflection.
    • Hyperion.
    • 2.

  • Leoš Janáček

    Sinfonietta, Op. 60, JW VI/18 \"Sokol Festival\": IV. The Street Leading to the Castle.

    Orchestra: London Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Sir Simon Rattle.
    • Dvořák: Symphonies Nos 6-9.
    • LSO Live.
    • 8.

  • Arthur Sullivan

    Pirates of Penzance: Act II: When a felon's not engaged in his employment

    Lyricist: William Gilbert. Singer: Richard van Allan. Choir: Welsh National Opera Chorus. Orchestra: Welsh National Opera Orchestra. Conductor: Charles Mackerras.
    • Gilbert and Sullivan.
    • Telarc.
    • 88.

  • Gustav Holst

    Mercury, the Winged Messenger (The Planets)

    Orchestra: Berlin Philharmonic. Conductor: Sir Simon Rattle.
    • Sir Simon Rattle - Gustav Holst.
    • EMI Classics.
    • 3.

  • Gustav Mahler

    Lieder und Gesänge aus der Jugendzeit, Book 2: No. 2. Ich ging mit Lust

    Performer: Brian Zeger. Singer: Jamie Barton.
    • All Who Wander.
    • Delos.
    • 201.

  • Ruth Gipps

    Rhapsody for Clarinet & String Quartet in E flat major, Op 23

    Performer: Mark van de Wiel. Orchestra: Philharmonia Orchestra.
    • Strange Loops: Clarinet Quintets.
    • Signum Classics.
    • 102.

  • Josef Rheinberger

    Horn Sonata in E flat major Op.178: III. Con fuoco

    Performer: Felix Klieser. Performer: Christof Keymer.
    • Berlin Classics.

  • Heitor Villa‐Lobos

    Aria (Bachiana brasileira no.5)

    Singer: Renée Fleming. Orchestra: New World Symphony. Conductor: Michael Tilson Thomas.
    • Villa-Lobos: Bachianas Brasileiras: Michael Tilson Thomas.
    • RCA.
    • 5.

  • Antonín Dvořák

    The Wild Dove Symphonic Poem, Op. 110, B. 198

    Orchestra: Czech Philharmonic. Conductor: Jiří Bělohlávek.
    • Dvořák: Symphony No. 6 & The Wild Dove.
    • Chandos.
    • 101.

  • Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach

    Cello Concerto in A major (1st mvt)

    Performer: Nicolas Altstaedt. Orchestra: Arcangelo. Conductor: Jonathan Cohen.
    • C.P.E. Bach: 3 Cello Concertos.
    • Hyperion.

  • Edvard Grieg

    March of the Trolls (Lyric Pieces Op.54)

    Music Arranger: Jarle Storløkken. Ensemble: tenThing.
    • EMI.

  • Anton Bruckner

    Christus factus est, WAB 11

    Choir: Latvian Radio Choir. Conductor: Sigvards Kļava.
    • Bruckner: Latin Motets.
    • Ondine.
    • 2.

  • Franz Liszt

    Berceuse, S. 174 (1862 Version)

    Performer: Bertrand Chamayou.
    • Sweet Lullabies - Classical Music to Gently Fall to Sleep.
    • Warner Classics.
    • 129.

  • Nadia Boulanger

    Poème d'amour

    Performer: Tristan Raës. Singer: Cyrille Dubois.
    • Lili et Nadia Boulanger: Mélodies.
    • Aparté.
    • 2.

  • George Frideric Handel

    Arrival of the Queen of Sheba (Solomon)

    Orchestra: Il Giardino Armonico. Conductor: Giovanni Antonini.
    • Teldec.

Broadcast

  • Last Thursday09:30
    BBC Radio 3