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The perfect classical half hour

Take time out with a 30-minute soundscape of classical favourites, including music by Bach, Schubert and Percy Grainger.

Today's mixtape opens with nostalgic brass, melting into a Bach prelude arranged for percussion. A solo tenor takes the baton in a folk song arranged for chorus by Percy Grainger, followed by Schubert's highly emotive Impromptu in G flat. The second half features some magical Mel Bonis, a Mozart string quintet and whimsical clarinet with orchestra. The mixtape closes with Copland's pastoral Down a Country Lane.

26 days left to listen

30 minutes

Music Played

  • John Ireland

    A Downland Suite - no.2; Elegy

    Ensemble: London Collegiate Brass. Conductor: James Stobart.
    • Walton/Tippett/Britten/Ireland: London Collegiate Brass/Stobart.
    • CRD.
  • Johann Sebastian Bach

    Prelude and Fugue in C sharp minor

    Music Arranger: Trio SR8. Ensemble: Trio SR8.
    • Naive.
  • Trad.

    Brigg Fair, arr. for tenor and chorus

    Music Arranger: Percy Grainger. Ensemble: The Queen’s Six.
    • The Last Rose of Summer: Folk Songs of the British Isles.
    • Signum Classics.
    • 1401.
  • Franz Schubert

    4 Impromptus D.899 (no.3 in G flat major)

    Performer: Maria João Pires.
    • Le Voyage Magnifique, Schubert: Impromptus; Maria Joao Pires.
    • Deutsche Grammophon.
    • 3.
  • Mel Bonis

    Ophélie (Trois femmes de legende)

    Orchestra: BBC Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Rumon Gamba.
  • Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

    String Quintet in E flat major, K 614 (3rd mvt)

    Performer: Philip Dukes. Ensemble: Nash Ensemble.
    • Mozart: String Quintets; Nash Ensemble, Philip Dukes.
    • Hyperion.
    • 7.
  • Gabriel Pierné

    Canzonetta Op.19

    Music Arranger: Jelle Tassyns. Performer: Annelien Van Wauwe. Orchestra: Orchestre national de Lille. Conductor: Alexandre Bloch.
    • Belle époque.
    • PENTATONE.
    • 301.
  • Aaron Copland

    Down a Country Lane

    Orchestra: London Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Aaron Copland.
    • A Copland Celebration/Vol.1/Famous Orchestra and Chamber Works.
    • Sony Classical.
    • 16.

Broadcast

  • Thursday19:00

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Music to help you focus

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