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Elgar鈥檚 Enigma Variations

Mark Forrest showcases the best performances from the UK and beyond, including the 麻豆社 Concert Orchestra playing Elgar鈥檚 Enigma Variations in Brno.

Mark Forrest showcases the best performances by 麻豆社 orchestras, choirs, ensembles and other great performing groups from Europe and around the globe.

In the wake of Radio 3鈥檚 celebrations on Monday, all this week on Classical Live we鈥檙e marking the 100th anniversary of the birth of the great conductor Charles Mackerras, with the help of the 麻豆社 Concert Orchestra and a tribute concert they gave recently in Brno, Czech Republic. On the programme were several of his favourite works, including beloved British repertoire like Elgar鈥檚 Enigma Variations, which we open with today.

Our ensemble in focus this week is the 麻豆社 Philharmonic Orchestra 鈥� we hear them play Beethoven鈥檚 Pastoral Symphony at a concert given earlier this year in Malvern.

We continue our exploration of the music Robert Schumann wrote in 1842, his extraordinarily productive 鈥榶ear of chamber music鈥�, in which he composed all three of his string quartets (plus the piano quartet and quintet). Today we hear former Radio 3 New Generation Artists the Arod Quartet perform the String Quartet No. 3.

And we return to the 2025 Glenarm Festival of Voice in County Antrim, Northern Ireland, to hear a current member of the New Generation Artist scheme, baritone James Atkinson, singing music by Schubert.

1pm
Edward Elgar
Variations on an original theme for orchestra, 'Enigma', Op. 36
麻豆社 Concert Orchestra
Anne-Maria Helsing (conductor)

Franz Schubert
5 Songs: Der Wanderer; Der Wanderer an den Mond; Der Wegweiser; Im Fr眉hling; Wilkommen und Abschied
James Atkinson (baritone)
Simon Lepper (piano)

Ludwig van Beethoven
Symphony No. 6 in F major, Op. 68 鈥楶astoral鈥�
麻豆社 Philharmonic Orchestra
Nicholas Carter (conductor)

Robert Schumann
String Quartet No. 3 in A major, Op. 41 No. 3
Arod Quartet

Maurice Ravel
Gaspard de la Nuit
Bertrand Chamayou (piano)

Grace Williams
Hen Walia - Overture
麻豆社 NOW
Jac van Steen (conductor)

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

2 hours, 56 minutes

Last on

Thu 20 Nov 2025 13:00
麻豆社 Radio 3

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Music Played

  • Edward Elgar

    Variations on an original theme ('Enigma') Op.36 for orchestra

    Orchestra: 麻豆社 Concert Orchestra. Orchestra: Music of the Castle Guard and the Police of the Czech Republic. Conductor: Anna-Maria Helsing.

  • Franz Schubert

    Der Wanderer

    Performer: Simon Lepper. Singer: James Atkinson.

  • Franz Schubert

    Der Wegweiser

    Performer: Simon Lepper. Singer: James Atkinson.

  • Franz Schubert

    Der Wanderer an den Mond

    Performer: Simon Lepper. Singer: James Atkinson.

  • Franz Schubert

    Im Fr眉hling

    Performer: Simon Lepper. Singer: James Atkinson.

  • Christian Sinding

    The Rustle of spring Op.32 no.3

    Orchestra: Iceland Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Bjarte Engeset.
    • Norwegian Classical Favourites: Iceland Symphony Orchestra/Engeset.
    • Naxos.
    • 3.

  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Symphony No. 6 in F major, Op. 68 'Pastoral'

    Orchestra: 麻豆社 Philharmonic Orchestra. Conductor: Nicholas Carter.

  • Robert Schumann

    String Quartet in A major, Op.41 No.3

    Ensemble: Quatuor Arod.

  • Maurice Ravel

    Gaspard de la nuit

    Performer: Bertrand Chamayou.

  • Gabriel Faur茅

    Allegretto moderato for 2 cellos

    Performer: Steven Isserlis. Performer: David Waterman.
    • RCA.

  • Grace Williams

    Hen Walia

    Orchestra: 麻豆社 National Orchestra of Wales. Conductor: Jac van Steen.

Broadcast

  • Thu 20 Nov 2025 13:00
    麻豆社 Radio 3