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In the first of three programmes about the natural world, Mark Radcliffe plays music inspired by birds. With works from Respighi, Vivaldi , Elgar, Sam Lee and The Unthanks.

In the first of a series of three programmes inspired by the natural world, Mark Radcliffe features musical works inspired by birds. Beginning with the Prelude from Respighi's The Birds, Mark's choices include Saint-Saëns's classic The Swan from The Carnival of the Animals, Elgar's quirky piece Owls and Rautavaara's Cantus Arcticus. He'll also bring us contemporary recordings, including Miranda Rutter, Sam Lee and The Unthanks.

Presenter: Mark Radcliffe
Producers: Elizabeth Foster & Ben Collingwood

24 days left to listen

59 minutes

Last on

Last Sunday 15:00
BBC Radio 3

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Music Played

  • Ottorino Respighi

    Prelude (The Dove)

    Orchestra: Academy of St Martin in the Fields. Conductor: Neville Marriner.
    • WARNER CLASSICS.

  • Camille Saint‐Saëns

    The Swan

    Performer: Yo‐Yo Ma. Performer: Kathryn Stott.
    • Sony.

  • Antonio Vivaldi

    The Little Goldfinch (Allegro)

    Performer: Lisa Beznosiuk. Ensemble: The English Concert. Conductor: Trevor Pinnock.
    • DG.

  • Davey Dodds

    The Magpie

    Ensemble: The Unthanks.
    • Rough Trade.

  • Edward Elgar

    Four Part-Songs, Op. 53: No. 4, Owls

    Choir: Tenebrae. Conductor: Nigel Short.
    • Music of the Spheres: Part Songs of the British Isles.
    • Signum Records.
    • 12.

  • Miranda Rutter

    Blackbird Schottische

    Performer: Miranda Rutter. Performer: Sam Sweeney. Performer: Rob Harbron.
    • Bird Tunes.
    • Digital / Self release.
    • 1.

  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Symphony no.6 in F major, Op.68 'Pastoral' (2nd mvt)

    Orchestra: Berlin Philharmonic. Conductor: Claudio Abbado.
    • Beethoven: 9 Symphonies: Abbado, Berliner Philharmoniker.
    • Deutsche Grammophon.
    • 6.

  • Trad.

    The Nightingale

    Performer: Sam Lee. Music Arranger: Sam Lee.
    • Cooking Vinyl Limited.

  • Einojuhani Rautavaara

    Cantus Arcticus (2nd mvt, 'Melancholy')

    Orchestra: Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra. Conductor: Leif Segerstam.
    • Finland 100: A Century of Finnish Classics.
    • Ondine.
    • 302.

  • Trad.

    The Cuckoo

    Singer: Anne Briggs.
    • An Introduction to Anne Briggs.
    • Topic.
    • 9.

  • Frederick Delius

    On Hearing the First Cuckoo in Spring

    Orchestra: BBC Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Sir Andrew Davis.
    • Delius: Paris/In a Summer Garden: BBC SO/Davis.
    • Teldec.
    • 5.

Broadcast

  • Last Sunday 15:00
    BBC Radio 3

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Podcast

  • Music Matters

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