Tchaikovsky’s Fifth Symphony from Lucerne

Mark Forrest showcases superb performances from the UK and beyond.

Visits to two of the world’s leading classical music festivals form the bedrock of Classical Live this week: the Edinburgh International Festival and Lucerne Festival in the heart of Switzerland. From the banks of Lake Lucerne today, pianist Alexander Malofeev plays Gershwin’s famous Rhapsody in Blue, and Michael Sanderling conducts Tchaikovsky’s beloved Symphony No. 5. In Edinburgh, Alessio Bax joins four players from the Berlin Philharmonic for the Piano Quintet by Czech composer Zdenek Fibich. And we return once more to the International Sacred Music Festival in Fribourg, Switzerland, for more from French ensemble Les Kapsber’girls concert exploring the work of Italian Baroque women composers.

From Lucerne Festival 2026:
George Gershwin
Rhapsody in Blue
Alexander Malofeev (piano)
Lucerne Symphony Orchestra
Michael Sanderling (conductor)

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Symphony No. 5 in E minor, Op. 64
Lucerne Symphony Orchestra
Michael Sanderling (conductor)

From the 2026 International Sacred Music Festival, Fribourg:
Johannes Hieronymous Kapsberger
Gagliarda quarta

Barbara Strozzi
Godere e tacere

Antonia Bemba
Amor mio, facciam la pace
Les Kapsber’girls

From the Edinburgh International Festival 2026:
Zdenek Fibich
Quintet in D major, Op. 42
Alessio Bax (piano)
Members of the Berlin Philharmonic

Joseph Haydn
Double Concerto for Violin and Organ in F, Hob XVIII:6
Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra
Florin Iliescu (violin)
Ton Koopman (organ)

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