Colours of Autumn: A feast of great music

Available for 29 days

Georgia Mann plays the best classical music for your morning, continuing a special week in which she celebrates the sounds and colours of autumn. Including the Playlister challenge: our regular listener-created sequence inspired by a different piece of music each day, and a new classical release is in focus for Album of the Week. Plus at midday, a special 20 minutes sequence of words and music on autumnal themes, with poetry and prose read by Anton Lesser and Josette Simon. 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 Colours of Autumn: an indulgent selection of words and music on autumnal themes, with poetry and prose read by Anton Lesser and Josette Simon. Today's sequence continues painting with Autumn colours, explores the seasonal migration of birds, and celebrates enduring human love into autumnal old age. Archibald Joyce: Autumn Song (Autumn Dream) RTÉ Concert Orchestra Andrew Penny (conductors) Melissa Harrison: All among the barley (extract) Read by Josette Simon Robert Louis Stevenson: Autumn Fires Read by Anton Lesser Ray Noble: By the Fireside Al Bowlly (vocalist) Ray Noble Orchestra William Shakespeare: Sonnet 73 Read by Anton Lesser Richard Strauss: September (Four Last Songs) Felicity Lott (soprano) Royal Scottish National Orchestra Neeme Järvi (conductor) Einojuhani Rautavaara: Swans migrating (Cantus Arcticus) Lahti Symphony Orchestra Osmo Vänskä (conductor) Ellen P. Allerton: Indian Summer Read by Josette Simon Seamus Heaney: Postscript Read by Anton Lesser George Butterworth: The Banks of Green Willow Hallé Orchestra Mark Elder (conductor) Kenneth Grahame: The Wind in the Willows (extract) Read by Anton Lesser To listen on most smart speakers say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Essential Classics”