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Jess Gillam with... Conor Mitchell

Jess Gillam swaps music choices with the multi-award-winning opera and music theatre composer Conor Mitchell.

Jess Gillam swaps music choices with the multi-award-winning opera and music theatre composer, librettist and stage director Conor Mitchell.

Conor's picks include Benjamin Britten, Igor Stravinsky, Amy Winehouse and Glenn Miller, while Jess chose Amy Beach, Jacob Alon, and music from one of Conor's favourite musicals - West Side Story by Leonard Bernstein.

Conor spoke with Jess about all sorts of topics, from Conor's Northern Irish identity having grown up during The Troubles, to how politics influences his art (and, sometimes, vice versa), to his dislike of nostalgia, his enduring love for the city of Belfast, and much more besides.

To listen on most smart speakers, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Radio 3”.

13 days left to listen

1 hour

Last on

Sat 14 Mar 202617:00
BBC Radio 3

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Music Played

  • Chevalier de Saint-Georges Joseph Bologne

    Violin Concerto in D major, Op 3 No 1 (3rd mvt, Rondeau)

    Performer: Zhou Qian. Orchestra: Toronto Chamber Orchestra. Conductor: Kevin Mallon.
    • NAXOS.

  • Conor Mitchell

    Riot Symphony (3rd mvt, Simplice)

    Orchestra: Ulster Orchestra. Ensemble: Belfast Ensemble. Conductor: Andrew Gourlay. Singer: Rebecca Murphy. Singer: Michael Bell.

  • Leonard Bernstein

    Mambo (from 'West Side Story')

    Lyricist: Stephen Sondheim. Orchestra: West Side Story Orchestra. Conductor: Johnny Green.
    • West Side Story (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack).
    • Masterworks Broadway.
    • 5.

  • Benjamin Britten

    Interlude 5 (from 'Peter Grimes', Op 33, Act 3)

    Orchestra: Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra. Conductor: Edward Gardner.
    • Peter Grimes.
    • CHANDOS.

  • Jacob Alon

    Fairy In A Bottle

    • Universal Music Operations Ltd.

  • Igor Stravinsky

    Concerto for Piano and Wind Instruments (2nd mvt, Larghissimo)

    Performer: Steven Osborne. Orchestra: BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Ilan Volkov.
    • Stravinsky: Complete Music for Piano & Orchestra.
    • Hyperion.

  • Conor Mitchell

    Democracy Dances

    Ensemble: Belfast Ensemble. Orchestra: Ulster Orchestra. Conductor: Conor Mitchell.

  • Amy Winehouse

    Rehab

    • Back to Black.
    • Island.
    • 1.

  • Amy Beach

    Dreaming Op.15 No. 3

    Performer: Eline Marlene.
    • Beach: Dreaming.
    • Télès Music.
    • 1.

  • Glenn Miller

    Moonlight Serenade

    Orchestra: Glenn Miller Orchestra.
    • In The Mood – The Definitive Moonlight Collection.
    • Bluebird.
    • 20.

  • Joseph Haydn

    Keyboard Concerto in D major, H.18.11 (1st mvt)

    Performer: Leif Ove Andsnes. Orchestra: Norwegian Chamber Orchestra.
    • EMI CLASSICS : CZS-574789 2.
    • EMI CLASSICS.
    • 7.

  • Rebecca Dale

    Morphation I - Evolutionary Etude

    Performer: Fenella Humphreys. Choir: Tenebrae. Orchestra: Philharmonia Orchestra. Conductor: Nigel Short.
    • Rebecca Dale: Morphation I - Evolutionary Etude.
    • Signum Records.
    • 1.

Broadcast

  • Sat 14 Mar 202617:00
    BBC Radio 3

Why are more young people listening to classical music?

Why are more young people listening to classical music?

20yo classical musician and presenter Jess Gillam is here to improve your playlist game.

Podcast

  • This Classical Life

    Jess Gillam hosts the music show for people who like classical and other stuff too.