Tchaikovsky's Pathétique Symphony from the BBC Symphony Orchestra

Elizabeth Alker brings you an afternoon of exclusive music-making including a performance of Tchaikovsky's passionate Symphony No. 6, the 'Pathétique'. This deeply emotional and unconventional work is performed by the BBC Symphony Orchestra and conductor Sakari Oramo as part of a week long celebration of the composer.

Elsewhere in the programme, we will hear exclusive chamber music recorded at London's Wigmore Hall. Today, clarinettist Martin Frost joins forces with the Leonkoro Quartet to play Brahms and the ORA Singers sing music by Bob Chilcott, Michael Cavendish and Thomas Morley. There is also an artist spotlight on the French soprano Veronique Gens as she sings music by Charles Gounod.

Johannes Brahms
Clarinet Quintet in B minor, Op. 115
Martin Frost (clarinet)
Leonkoro Quartet

Johann Sebastian Bach
Concerto for two harpsichords in C minor, BWV. 1060
Reluca Enea (harpsichord)
Alexander von Heisse (harpsichord)
SEMPRE Baroque Music Ensemble

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Symphony No. 6 in B minor, 'Pathétique', Op. 74
BBC Symphony Orchestra
Sakari Oramo (conductor)

Bob Chilcott
The Isle is Full of Noises
ORA Singers

Michael Cavendish
Come, gentle swains
ORA Singers

Thomas Morley (arr. Percy Grainger)
O mistress mine
ORA Singers

Charles Gounod
Où voulez-vous aller?
Viens, les gazons sont verts
Veronique Gens (soprano)
Susan Manoff (piano)

Joseph Haydn
Symphony No. 44 in E minor, Hob. 1:44 'Mourning'
Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra
Barbara Hannigan (conductor)

Grace WIlliams
Four Illustrations for The Legend of Rhiannon
BBC National Orchestra of Wales
Jac van Steen

To listen to this programme (using most smart speakers) just say, 'Ask BBC Sounds to play Classical Live'.