Main content

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.

To listen on most smart speakers say, "Ask BBC Sounds to play Essential Classics”.

9 days left to listen

3 hours, 30 minutes

Last on

Wed 11 Mar 202609:30
BBC Radio 3

More episodes

Previous

Great classical music for your morning

Next

The ideal mix of classical music

See all episodes from Essential Classics

Music Played

  • Francis Poulenc

    Rondeau (Les Biches)

    Orchestra: BBC National Orchestra of Wales. Conductor: Thierry Fischer.
    • Signum.

  • Sergei Rachmaninov

    Suite no.2 Op.17 (Romance)

    Performer: Martha Argerich. Performer: Nelson Freire.
    • Philips.

  • Reena Esmail

    A Winter Breviary: I. We Look for You (Evensong) [Raag Hamsadhwani]

    Composer: Rebecca Gayle Howell. Ensemble: The Sixteen. Conductor: Harry Christophers.
    • CORO.

  • Franz Waxman

    Carmen Fantasy

    Composer: Georges Bizet. Performer: Bomsori. Orchestra: Wroclaw Philharmonic Orchestra. Conductor: Giancarlo Guerrero.
    • DG.

  • Antonio Vivaldi

    Stabat mater, RV 621 (1st mvt)

    Singer: Andreas Scholl. Ensemble: Ensemble 415. Director: Chiara Banchini.
    • HARMONIA MUNDI.

  • Catrin Finch

    Listen to the Grass Grow

    Performer: Catrin Finch & Seckou Keita.
    • SOAR.
    • bendigedig.
    • 6.

  • Antonín Dvořák

    Wind Serenade in D Minor Op.44 (4th mvt)

    Ensemble: Vienna Philharmonic. Conductor: Myung-Whun Chung.
    • Dvorák: Serenades for Strings and Winds.
    • Deutsche Grammophon (DG).
    • 9.

  • Henriette Renié

    Concerto in C Minor for Harp and Orchestra: III. Allegro con fuoco

    Performer: Xavier de Maistre. Orchestra: Deutsche Staatsphilharmonie Rheinland‐Pfalz. Conductor: Lü Shao-chia.
    • Romantic French Concertos & Pieces for Harp & Orchestra.
    • Claves Records.
    • 8.

  • William Walton

    Concert Suite from "Henry V": Touch her soft lips, and part

    Music Arranger: Muir Mathieson. Orchestra: Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Andrew Litton.
    • DECCA.

  • William Byrd

    Nunc dimittis servum tuum

    Ensemble: Stile Antico.
    • Tallis/Byrd/Sheppard: Music for Compline: Stile Antico.
    • Harmonia Mundi.
    • 15.

  • Robert Schumann

    5 Pieces in Folk Style, Op. 102: III. Nicht schnell, mit viel Ton zu spielen

    Performer: Midori. Performer: Özgür Aydin.
    • Schumann: Violin Concerto & Works for Violin and Piano by Clara and Robert Schum.
    • Pentatone.
    • 6.

  • Johann Friedrich Fasch

    Concerto in F major for Recorder, Strings and Continuo FaWV LF6 [complete]

    Performer: Thomas Triesschijn. Ensemble: The Counterpoints.
    • Thomascantors in Dialogue.
    • Challenge Classics.
    • 14-16.

  • Richard Wagner

    The Flying Dutchman (Overture)

    Orchestra: Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Daniel Harding.
    • The Wagner Project.
    • HARMONIA MUNDI.
    • 201.

  • Caroline Shaw

    And So

    Singer: Caroline Shaw. Ensemble: Attacca Quartet.
    • Evergreen.
    • Nonesuch Records.
    • 4.

  • Frédéric Chopin

    Barcarolle in F sharp major, Op.60

    Performer: Sir Stephen Hough.
    • Chopin - Late Masterpieces.
    • Hyperion.
    • 1.

  • Frank Bridge

    Cherry ripe

    Ensemble: Nash Ensemble.
    • HYPERION.

  • Dmitry Shostakovich

    In the Garden (Hamlet)

    Orchestra: Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra. Conductor: Riccardo Chailly.
    • Decca.

  • Ralph Vaughan Williams

    Silent Noon (The House of Life)

    Orchestrator: Roderick Williams. Singer: Roderick Williams. Orchestra: Hallé. Conductor: Mark Elder.
    • A Shropshire Lad: English Songs Orchestrated by Roderick Williams.
    • Halle Concerts Society.
    • 13.

  • Fergus McCreadie

    Glade

    Performer: Fergus McCreadie. Performer: David Bowden. Performer: Stephen Henderson.
    • Forest Floor.
    • Edition Records.
    • 8.

  • Camille Saint‐Saëns

    Introduction and rondo capriccioso

    Music Arranger: Mikhail Nakariakov. Performer: Sergei Nakariakov. Orchestra: Philharmonia Orchestra. Conductor: Vladimir Ashkenazy.
    • No Limit: Sergei Nakariakov/Philharmonia/Ashkenazy.
    • Teldec.
    • 1.

  • Felix Mendelssohn

    Frühlingslied (Lieder ohne Worte - book 5)

    Performer: Sir András Schiff.
    • Mendelssohn: Lieder ohne Worte (Andras Schiff).
    • Decca.
    • 021.

  • Anthony Willis

    Wounded Swallow

    • Wuthering Heights (Original Motion Picture Score).
    • Milan Records.
    • 15.

  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    String Quartet in A major Op.18`5 (2nd mvt)

    Ensemble: Artemis Quartet.
    • Artemis Quartet: Beethoven - String quartets op.18/3, op.18/5 and op.135.
    • Virgin Classics.
    • 2.

  • Michael Tippett

    Steal away (5 Spirituals from A Child of Our Time)

    Ensemble: The Sixteen. Conductor: Harry Christophers.
    • a la Gloire de Dieu: The Sixteen.
    • Coro.
    • 6.

  • Marie Jaëll

    Cello Concerto in F Major

    Performer: Raphaela Gromes. Orchestra: German Symphony Orchestra Berlin. Conductor: Anna Rakitina.
    • Fortissima.
    • Sony Classical.

  • Charles Avison

    Concerto Grosso in B flat major, Op.9 No.8

    Performer: Pavlo Beznosiuk. Ensemble: Avison Ensemble.
    • The Avison Ensemble: Avison: Concerti Grossi, op. 9 & op. 10.
    • Divine Art.
    • 29.

  • John Williams

    Schindler's List (Theme)

    Performer: Nicola Benedetti. Orchestra: Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Kirill Karabits.
    • Nicola Benedetti: The Silver Violin.
    • Decca.
    • 1.

  • Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

    Litaniae Lauretanae K.109

    Singer: Kaia Urb. Singer: Ave Moor. Singer: Tiit Kogerman. Singer: Uku Joller. Choir: Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir. Orchestra: Tallinna Kammerorkester. Conductor: Tõnu Kaljuste.
    • Carus.

  • Franz Schubert

    Piano Sonata No 20 (3rd mvt)

    Performer: Murray Perahia.
    • Murray Perahia Plays Brahms and Schubert.
    • Sony Classical.
    • 7.

  • Claude Debussy

    En bateau (Petite Suite)

    Music Arranger: Emmanuel François. Ensemble: Van Kuijk Quartet.
    • ALPHA CLASSICS.

Broadcast

  • Wed 11 Mar 202609:30
    BBC Radio 3