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Charles Mackerras at 100

Mark Forrest with a selection of exclusive recordings as Radio 3 marks the centenary of conductor Charles Mackerras, plus the Meta4 string quartet live from Wigmore Hall.

Mark Forrest continues Radio 3’s day-long focus on the extraordinary musical legacy of Australian conductor Charles Mackerras, who was born 100 years ago today.

From what would be his final season performing at the Âé¶¹Éç Proms in 2009, we hear Mackerras conducting the Âé¶¹Éç Philharmonic Orchestra in Elgar’s Cockaigne Overture and Holst’s The Planets. Plus there’s music from a tribute concert to the great conductor (and Czech music champion) given by the Âé¶¹Éç Concert Orchestra in Brno.

And as ever, the week begins with a live concert from London’s Wigmore Hall given by Meta4, the Finnish string quartet and former Radio 3 New Generation Artists. They perform quartets by Robert Schumann and Sally Beamish.

1pm
Live from Wigmore Hall, London. Presented by Andrew McGregor.

Robert Schumann
String Quartet in A minor, Op. 41 No. 1

Sally Beamish
String Quartet No. 4, ‘Nine Fragments’

Meta4 (string quartet)

2pm
Edward Elgar
Cockaigne (In London Town) - Overture
Âé¶¹Éç Philharmonic Orchestra
Charles Mackerras (conductor)

Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 13 in E flat, Op. 27 No .1
Hisako Kawamura (piano)

Gustav Holst
The Planets
Âé¶¹Éç Philharmonic Orchestra
Charles Mackerras (conductor)

William Walton
Portsmouth Point Overture
Âé¶¹Éç Concert Orchestra
Anna-Maria Helsing (conductor)

To listen to this programme (using most smart speakers) just say "Ask Âé¶¹Éç Sounds to play Classical Live".

2 hours, 56 minutes

Last on

Mon 17 Nov 2025 13:00

Music Played

  • Robert Schumann

    String Quartet No. 1 in A minor, Op. 41 No. 1

    Ensemble: Meta4.
  • Sally Beamish

    Nine Fragments - String Quartet No. 4

    Ensemble: Meta4.
  • Edward Elgar

    Cockaigne (In London Town) - Overture

    Orchestra: Âé¶¹Éç Philharmonic Orchestra. Conductor: Charles Mackerras.
  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Piano Sonata No.13 in E flat, Op.27 No.1

    Performer: Hisako Kawamura.
  • Antonio Vivaldi

    Violin Concerto in D, RV 234 ('L'Inquietudine')

    Performer: Elisa Citterio. Ensemble: Zefiro Ensemble. Director: Elisa Citterio.
  • Gustav Holst

    The Planets

    Orchestra: Âé¶¹Éç Philharmonic Orchestra. Choir: Âé¶¹Éç Singers. Conductor: Charles Mackerras.
  • Georg Philipp Telemann

    Trio Sonata TWV 42:a4

    Ensemble: Forma Antiqva.
  • Ralph Vaughan Williams

    Linden Lea

    Performer: Simon Lepper. Singer: James Atkinson.
  • William Walton

    Portsmouth Point - Overture

    Orchestra: Âé¶¹Éç Concert Orchestra. Conductor: Anna-Maria Helsing.

Broadcast

  • Mon 17 Nov 2025 13:00