Main content

The Berlin Philharmonic perform Berlioz's Symphonie fantastique

Elizabeth Alker introduces an afternoon of specially made recordings including orchestral works from the Berlin Philharmonic and chamber music led by Sir Antonio Pappano.

Elizabeth Alker brings you an afternoon of great music-making including a focus on one of the finest orchestras in the world, the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. Today, they perform two works: Prokofiev's lyrical first Violin Concerto, with superstar violinist Janine Jansen, and Berlioz's groundbreaking Symphonie fantastique.
There is also chamber music recorded exclusively for Classical Live. Sir Antonio Pappano, Chief Conductor of the London Symphony Orchestra, is joined by cellist David Cohen to perform music by Shostakovich from LSO St Luke's.
Also featured is an inaugural recital given by organist Olivier Latry, recorded at St John’s College Chapel, Cambridge. Titular Organist at Notre-Dame de Paris, Olivier is one of the leading ambassadors for the organ. Today, he performs music by Bach, Litaize and Paulet.

Serge Prokofiev
Violin Concerto No. 1 in D, Op. 19
Janine Jansen (violin)
Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
Sir Simon Rattle (conductor)

Johann-Sebastian Bach
Sicilienne (Transcription pour orgue de Louis Vierne)
Olivier Latry (organ)

Gaston Litaize
Scherzo
Olivier Latry (organ)

Vincent Paulet
Élégie
Olivier Latry (organ)

Hector Berlioz
Symphonie fantastique, Op. 14
Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
Tugan Sokhiev (conductor)

Dmitri Shostakovich
Cello Sonata in D minor, Op. 40
David Cohen (cello)
Sir Antonio Pappano (piano)

To listen to this programme (using most smart speakers), just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Classical Live".

13 days left to listen

3 hours

Music Played

  • Sergey Prokofiev

    Violin Concerto No. 1 in D, Op. 19

    Performer: Janine Jansen. Orchestra: Berlin Philharmonic. Conductor: Sir Simon Rattle.
  • Felix Mendelssohn

    String Quartet in Eb Major (1823)

    Ensemble: Consone Quartet.
  • Hector Berlioz

    Symphonie fantastique, Op. 14

    Orchestra: Berlin Philharmonic. Conductor: Tugan Sokhiev.
  • Robert Schumann

    Sechs Lieder, Op. 33

    Choir: BBC Singers. Conductor: Grace Rossiter.
  • Dmitry Shostakovich

    Sonata in D minor Op.40

    Performer: David Cohen. Performer: Sir Antonio Pappano.
  • Johann Strauss II

    Acceleration Waltz, Op 234

    Orchestra: Berlin Philharmonic. Conductor: Herbert von Karajan.
    • Johann Strauss: Waltzes, Marches & Polkas, Berliner Phil, Herbert von Karajan.
    • Deutsche Grammophon.

Broadcast

  • Thu 21 May 2026 13:00