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The best classical morning music

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

Georgia Mann 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 an orchestral masterpiece.

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12 days left to listen

3 hours, 30 minutes

Last on

Wed 20 May 2026 09:30
BBC Radio 3

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Music Played

  • Johann Sebastian Bach

    Concerto for 2 Violins in D Minor, BWV 1043 (2nd mvt)

    Performer: Hilary Hahn. Performer: Margaret Batjer. Orchestra: Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra. Conductor: Jeffrey Kahane.
    • J.S.Bach: Violin Concertos.
    • DG.

  • Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

    Sonata in D Major for 2 Pianos, K 448 (1st mvt)

    Performer: Daniel Barenboim. Performer: Martha Argerich.
    • Mozart, Schubert & Stravinsky Piano Duos.
    • DG.
    • 1.

  • Carl Maria von Weber

    Der Freischütz (Overture)

    Orchestra: Berlin Philharmonic. Conductor: Nikolaus Harnoncourt.
    • Weber: Der Freischutz: Berliner Philharmoniker/Harnoncourt.
    • Teldec.
    • 1.

  • Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov

    The Flight of the Bumblebee (The Tale of Tsar Saltan)

    Orchestra: Royal Scottish National Orchestra. Conductor: Neeme Järvi.
    • Rimsky-Korsakov: Overture and Suites from the Operas: Scottish National Orch/Jar.
    • Chandos.
    • 4.

  • Jean‐Philippe Rameau

    La Poule (Concert en sextuor No 6 in G minor)

    Ensemble: Les Talens Lyriques. Director: Christophe Rousset.
    • Decca.

  • Ney Rosauro

    Concerto for marimba and strings (3rd mvt)

    Performer: Evelyn Glennie. Orchestra: Scottish Chamber Orchestra. Conductor: Paul Daniel.
    • Rebounds Concertos for Percussion.
    • RCA.
    • 8.

  • Hildegard von Bingen

    O viridissima Virga, Ave

    Ensemble: Sequentia. Director: Barbara Thornton.
    • Canticles of Ecstasy.
    • deutsche harmonia mundi.
    • 011.

  • George Frideric Handel

    Sarabande from Suite HWV.437 (Main title to film Barry Lyndon)

    Music Arranger: Leonard Rosenman. Orchestra: National Philharmonic Orchestra. Conductor: Leonard Rosenman.
    • WARNER BROS.

  • Carl Nielsen

    Symphony No 2, Op 16 (FS29) 'The Four temperaments': IV. Allegro sanguineo

    Orchestra: Danish National Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Fabio Luisi.
    • Nielsen: Symphonies Nos. 2 & 6.
    • DG.
    • 4.

  • Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber

    Harmonia artificiosa ariosa Partia I - Gigue. Variatio I – Variatio II

    Performer: Florian Deuter. Performer: Mónica Waisman.
    • ACCENT.

  • Hector Berlioz

    Serenade (Harold en Italie, Op 16)

    Performer: Timothy Ridout. Performer: Hamadi Ferjani. Orchestra: Orchestre philharmonique de Strasbourg. Conductor: John Nelson.
    • Berlioz Les nuits d’été; Harold en Italie.
    • Warner Classics.
    • 9.

  • Chiquinha Gonzaga

    Cananea

    Performer: Hiroko Ishimoto.
    • Pioneers: Piano Works by Female Composers.
    • Grand Piano.
    • 1201.

  • Louis Spohr

    Fantasia and Variations on a Theme by Danzi

    Performer: Christoffer Sundqvist. Orchestra: NDR Radio Philharmonic Orchestra. Conductor: Simon Gaudenz.
    • Spohr: The Complete Works for Clarinet & Orchestra.
    • CPO.
    • 201.

  • Gustav Holst

    St Paul's Suite, Op 29 no 2

    Orchestra: Orchestral Ensemble Seoul. Conductor: Yong-Yun Kim.
    • Chandos.

  • William Alwyn

    Jig (7 Irish Tunes for string quartet)

    Ensemble: Villiers Quartet.
    • Lyrita.

  • Charlie Parker

    Ornithology

    Composer: Benny Harris. Performer: Charlie Parker. Performer: Miles Davis.
    • Top Tracks.

  • Joseph Haydn

    Symphony No 83 in G minor, 'The Hen' (1st mvt)

    Ensemble: Tafelmusik. Conductor: Bruno Weil.
    • Haydn: Paris Symphonies Nos. 82, 83 & 84: Tafelmusik/Weil.
    • Sony Classical.
    • 5.

  • John Powell

    Chicken Run (Main Titles)

    Composer: Harry Gregson‐Williams. Orchestra: Uncredited orchestra. Conductor: Gavin Greenaway. Conductor: Nick Ingman. Conductor: Harry Gregson‐Williams.
    • Chicken Run.
    • RCA Victor.
    • 2.

  • Franz Liszt

    Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2, S. 244 after Vladimir Horowitz

    Performer: Arcadi Volodos. Music Arranger: Vladimir Horowitz.
    • Absolute Masterworks - Virtuoso.
    • Sony Classical.
    • 29.

  • Johann Sebastian Bach

    Brandenburgisches Konzert No.5, BWV 1050: III. Allegro

    • Bach: Köthen, A life in music, vol. 3.
    • harmonia mundi.
    • 11.

  • Giacomo Puccini

    Preludio Sinfonico

    Orchestra: London Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Sir Antonio Pappano.
    • Warner Classics.

  • John Williams

    Princess Leia's Theme (Star Wars IV)

    Music Arranger: Julian Riem. Performer: Raphaela Gromes. Performer: Julian Riem.
    • Imagination.
    • Sony Classical/Sony Music.
    • 19.

  • Alan Hovhaness

    Symphony No. 2, Op. 132, "Mysterious Mountain":

    Orchestra: Seattle Symphony. Conductor: Gerard Schwarz.
    • American Mystic.
    • Delos.
    • 401.

  • Vittorio Monti

    Czardas

    Performer: Avi Avital. Performer: Richard Galliano.
    • Avi Avital - Between Worlds.
    • Deutsche Grammophon.
    • 18.

  • Benjamin Britten

    Simple Symphony, Op. 4: III. Sentimental Sarabande (Version for string quartet)

    Conductor: Antonio Anselmi. Ensemble: I Musici.
    • Vivaldi: Le Quattro Stagioni.
    • Dynamic.
    • 15.

  • Giuseppe Tartini

    Trumpet Concerto in D major

    Music Arranger: John Wallace. Music Arranger: Simon Wright. Performer: Alison Balsom. Ensemble: Scottish Ensemble.
    • EMI.

  • Giovanni Gabrieli

    Jubilate deo for 8 voices

    Choir: The London Oratory School Schola. Conductor: Charles Cole.
    • HYPERION.

  • Richard Wagner

    Tristan und Isolde, Act 3: Liebestod (Orchestral Version)

    Conductor: Herbert von Karajan. Orchestra: Berlin Philharmonic.
    • Karajan conducts Wagner.
    • Warner Classics.
    • 2.

Broadcast

  • Wed 20 May 2026 09:30
    BBC Radio 3