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The very best of classical music

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

Ian Skelly 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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3 hours, 30 minutes

On air

Today09:30
BBC Radio 3

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Relax into the day with classical Celebrating classical greats

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Music Played

  • Johannes Brahms

    Hungarian Dance no.6 in B flat major

    Orchestrator: Albert Parlow. Orchestra: Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra. Conductor: Bernard Haitink.
    • Brahms: Hungarian Dances &Dvorak: Slavonic Dances: Haitink.
    • Philips.
    • 6.

  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Symphony No. 2 in D Major, Op. 36: IV. Allegro molto

    Performer: Leonidas Kavakos. Performer: Yo‐Yo Ma. Performer: Emanuel Ax. Music Arranger: Ferdinand Ries.
    • Beethoven for Three: Symphonies Nos. 2 and 5.
    • Sony Classical.
    • 4.

  • Johann Sebastian Bach

    Mass in G minor, BWV235: I - Kyrie

    Ensemble: Kölner Akademie. Conductor: Michael Alexander Willens.
    • Pentatone.

  • Louise Farrenc

    Sextet in C minor Op.40 (3rd mvt)

    Performer: Eric Le Sage. Ensemble: Les Vents Français.
    • Les Vents Français - Winds & Piano.
    • Warner Classics.
    • 106.

  • Georges Bizet

    L'amour est un oiseau rebelle (Carmen)

    Singer: Marianne Crebassa. Choir: Chœur du Capitole de Toulouse. Orchestra: Orchestre national du Capitole de Toulouse. Conductor: Ben Glassberg.
    • Erato.

  • Francis Poulenc

    Les Animaux modèles, FP 111: III. La Cigale et la fourmi

    Orchestra: BBC Concert Orchestra. Conductor: Bramwell Tovey.
    • Poulenc: Orchestral Works.
    • Chandos.
    • 403.

  • Alexander Glazunov

    3 Miniatures for Piano, Op. 42: Valse - Allegretto

    Performer: Alexander Malofeev.
    • Forgotten Melodies.
    • Sony Classical.
    • 14.

  • George Frideric Handel

    Concerto (No. 14) in A major HHA 296a : V. Allegro

    Performer: Bob van Asperen. Orchestra: Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment.
    • Handel Organ Concertos Op.7.
    • Warner Classics.
    • 14.

  • Charles‐Valentin Alkan

    Cello Sonata in E major, Op.47 (4th mvt)

    Performer: Alban Gerhardt. Performer: Steven Osborne.
    • Chopin: Cello Sonatas.
    • Hyperion.
    • 4.

  • Joseph Haydn

    Symphony No. 59 in A Major, Hob.I:59 "Feuersinfonie": IV. Allegro assai

    Orchestra: Il Giardino Armonico. Conductor: Giovanni Antonini.
    • Haydn 2032, Vol. 13: Horn Signal.
    • Alpha Classics.
    • 8.

  • Innocentius Dammonis

    Peccatori, perchè seti

    Ensemble: Le Miroir de Musique. Conductor: Baptiste Romain.
    • Ubi caritas. Italian Laude in Early Renaissance.
    • Ricercar.
    • 18.

Broadcast

  • Today09:30
    BBC Radio 3