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Episode details

Radio 3,21 May 2026,134 mins

Bruckner Symphony No. 4

Radio 3 in Concert

Available for 28 days

The air shimmers, and a horn calls softly in the distance. Is there a more magical beginning to any symphony than the vista that opens Bruckner’s Fourth? There's a reason he called it “Romantic”. Bruckner imagined a story of knights, forests and castles, but he preferred to let the music speak for itself, and in this closing concert to the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra’s 90th anniversary, Chief Conductor Ryan Wigglesworth will let it do exactly that. It’s a world away from the spiritual intimacy of Bruckner’s sacred music – sung tonight by the BBC Singers – and the bridge is a new version of Wigglesworth’s own powerful Magnificat. Featuring soprano Sophie Bevan, the BBC Singers and the BBC SSO, admire its “Heaven-meets-earth choral harmonies" (Bachtrack). Bruckner: Ave Maria (1861 setting) Ryan Wigglesworth: Magnificat - for solo soprano, chorus and orchestra (revised version, world premiere) Bruckner: Symphony No. 4 in E flat major, ‘Romantic’ Sophie Bevan, soprano Ryan Wigglesworth, conductor BBC Singers BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra To listen on most smart speakers, just say 'ask BBC Sounds to play Radio 3 in Concert'.

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Tracklist

  1. Track
    Artist
  2. 1.
    Ave Maria
    Ave Maria
    Anton Bruckner
  3. 2.
    Magnificat (revised version, world premiere)
    Magnificat (revised version, world premiere)
    Ryan Wigglesworth
  4. 3.
    String Sextet No. 1, Op. 18 (IV Rondo)
    String Sextet No. 1, Op. 18 (IV Rondo)
    Johannes Brahms
  5. 4.
    Symphony No. 4 in E flat major, 'Romantic'
    Symphony No. 4 in E flat major, 'Romantic'
    Anton Bruckner
  6. 5.
    Cafe 1930
    Cafe 1930
    Astor Piazzolla