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Episode details

Radio 3,15 May 2026,180 mins

The BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra plays Brahms' 4th Symphony

Classical Live

Available for 29 days

Mark Forrest showcases the best performances by BBC orchestras, choirs, ensembles and other great performing groups from Europe and around the globe. We end our week-long focus on our BBC Orchestras playing the music of Brahms with a double bill. First, the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra perform the Concerto for Violin and Cello, with principal players Zoe Beyers (violin) and Peter Dixon (cello) in the solo roles. And later, Elim Chan conducts the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra in the magnificent Symphony No. 4. We return to Wales to hear music recorded by Radio 3 at recent editions of the festivals at Hay on Wye and Cowbridge, including Trio Gaspard playing the Piano Trio by Bedřich Smetana. And there’s more music by Vivaldi courtesy of our Ensemble in Focus, the superb Italian Baroque group Accademia Bizantina. 1pm Johannes Brahms Concerto in A minor Op.102 for violin, cello and orchestra Zoe Beyers (violin) Peter Dixon (cello) BBC Philharmonic Orchestra Daniel Bjarnason (conductor) Antonio Vivaldi Concerto for Strings in F, RV 138 Accademia Bizantina Ottavio Dantone (harpsichord and director) Antonio Vivaldi Concerto for Viola d'amore and Strings in A minor, RV 397 Alessandro Tampieri (viola d'amore) Accademia Bizantina Ottavio Dantone (harpsichord and director) Mel Bonis Soir et Matin Mithras Trio Johannes Brahms Symphony No. 4 in E minor, Op. 98 BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra Elim Chan (conductor) Antonio Vivaldi Sinfonia in G, RV 149 ('Il coro delle muse') Accademia Bizantina Ottavio Dantone (harpsichord and director) Bedřich Smetana Piano Trio Trio Gaspard Johannes Brahms Academic Festival Overture BBC National Orchestra of Wales Jaime Martín (conductor) To listen to this programme (using most smart speakers), just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Classical Live".

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Tracklist

  1. Track
    Artist
  2. 1.
    Double Concerto in A minor, Op. 102
    Double Concerto in A minor, Op. 102
    Johannes Brahms
  3. 2.
    Basiez Moy
    Basiez Moy
    Josquin des Prez
  4. 3.
    Concerto for Viola d'amore and Strings in A minor, RV 397
    Concerto for Viola d'amore and Strings in A minor, RV 397
    Antonio Vivaldi