Main content

Your perfect classical playlist

Georgia Mann plays the best in classical music, with discoveries and surprises rubbing shoulders with familiar favourites.

Georgia Mann plays the best classical music for your morning, with discoveries and surprises rubbing shoulders with familiar favourites. Including the Playlister challenge: our regular listener-created sequence inspired by a different piece of music each day. Plus a new classical release in focus for Album of the Week.

1000 Playlister starter: listen and send us your ideas for the next step in today's musical journey. Text 83111 or email essentialclassics@bbc.co.uk.

1030 Album of the Week: an exciting new classical release in focus throughout the week.

1115 Playlister reveal: an uninterrupted sequence of music suggested by you in response to today's starter piece.

1200 Feast of a Piece: indulge your ears with an orchestral masterpiece.

To listen on most smart speakers say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Essential Classics”

23 days left to listen

3 hours, 30 minutes

Last on

Last Monday09:30
BBC Radio 3

More episodes

Previous

A feast of great music

Next

Great classical music for your morning

See all episodes from Essential Classics

Music Played

  • Benjamin Britten

    Four Sea Interludes from Peter Grimes (Dawn)

    Orchestra: BBC Philharmonic Orchestra. Conductor: Edward Gardner.
    • Chandos.

  • Georg Philipp Telemann

    Concerto in A minor for recorder, 2 violins and continuo

    Ensemble: Florilegium.
    • Channel Classics.

  • Frederic Longàs i Torres

    Aragón

    Performer: Sir Stephen Hough.
    • Hyperion.

  • Cecilia McDowall

    O Oriens

    Choir: The Choir Of Trinity College, Cambridge. Conductor: Stephen Layton.
    • Hyperion.

  • Gustav Holst

    Venus, the Bringer of Peace (The Planets, Op.32)

    Orchestra: London Philharmonic Orchestra. Conductor: Vladimir Jurowski.
    • London Philharmonic Orchestra - Holst The Planets - Vladimir Jurowski Conductor.
    • LPO.

  • Jack Strachey

    In a party mood [Housewives' Choice theme tune]

    Orchestra: The New London Orchestra. Conductor: Ronald Corp.
    • HYPERION.

  • George Frideric Handel

    Largo (Trio sonata in G minor, HWV 393 "Dresden" arranged for 2 cellos & piano)

    Performer: Sheku Kanneh‐Mason. Performer: Mariatu Kanneh‐Mason. Performer: Isata Kanneh‐Mason.
    • Handel: Trio Sonata in G Minor, HWV 393: III. Largo (Transcr. Beyer 2 Cellos &am.
    • Decca Music Group Ltd..
    • 1.

  • Ludwig Minkus

    Pas de deux (Don Quixote)

    Orchestra: London Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Richard Bonynge.
    • The Art of the Prima Ballerina.
    • Australian Eloquence.
    • 9.

  • Roman Hoffstetter

    String Quartet in F major Op.3`5 (2nd mvt)

    Ensemble: Guildhall String Ensemble. Director: Robert Salter.
    • Pachelbel/Vivaldi/Handel/Haydn: Strings: Guildhall String Ensemble.
    • RCA.
    • 7.

  • Johann Sebastian Bach

    St John Passion: Part one conclusion

    Ensemble: Pygmalion. Singer: Julian Prégardien. Singer: Laurence Kilsby. Singer: Etienne Bazola. Conductor: Raphaël Pichon.
    • Harmonia Mundi.

  • Mel Bonis

    Gai printemps - impromptu Op.11

    Performer: Laurent Martin.
    • Bonis: Le diamant noir (Danses).
    • Ligia.

  • Ēriks Ešenvalds

    Stars

    Choir: Vasari Singers. Conductor: Jeremy Backhouse.
    • Heaven Full of Stars.
    • Naxos.
    • 1.

  • Charles Villiers Stanford

    Irish rhapsody no.6 Op.191

    Performer: Lydia Mordkovitch. Orchestra: Ulster Orchestra. Conductor: Vernon Handley.
    • CHANDOS.

  • Ruggero Leoncavallo

    Recitar!... Vesti la giubba'(I Pagliacci)

    Singer: Luciano Pavarotti. Orchestra: National Philharmonic Orchestra. Conductor: Giuseppe Patanè.
    • DECCA.

  • Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

    Clarinet Quintet in A major, K 581 (3rd mvt; Menuetto)

    Performer: Dame Thea King. Ensemble: Gabrieli String Quartet.
    • Mozart; Clarinet Quintet in A major, Jeffrey Tate and the ECO with Thea King.
    • Hyperion.
    • 6.

  • Frank Bridge

    Capriccio No 2 in F sharp minor

    Performer: Kathryn Stott.
    • Bridge - PIano Sonata etc Kathryn Stott.
    • Conifer.
    • 3.

  • Gabriel Fauré

    Berceuse (Dolly Suite, Op.56)

    Performer: Katia Labèque. Performer: Marielle Labèque.
    • Bizet, Ravel, Faure: Katia & Marielle Labeque.
    • Philips.
    • 13.

  • Leroy Anderson

    The Typewriter

    Performer: Alasdair Malloy. Orchestra: BBC Concert Orchestra. Conductor: Leonard Slatkin.
    • Leroy Anderson - Orchestral Works Volume 3.
    • NAXOS.
    • 16.

  • Trad.

    Dashing away with the smoothing iron

    Music Arranger: John Rutter. Choir: The Cambridge Singers. Conductor: John Rutter.
    • Collegium.

  • Edward White

    Puffin' Billy for orchestra

    Orchestra: The New London Orchestra. Conductor: Ronald Corp.
    • HYPERION.

  • Joe Hisaishi

    Merry-Go-Round of Life (Howl's Moving Castle)

    Orchestra: Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Conductor: Joe Hisaishi.
    • DG.

  • Johannes Brahms

    Symphony No 2 in D major, Op 73 (3rd mvt)

    Orchestra: Chamber Orchestra of Europe. Conductor: Yannick Nézet‐Séguin.
    • Deutsche Grammophon.

  • Francesco Geminiani

    Concerto Grosso no.11 in E major after Corelli

    Ensemble: Academy of Ancient Music. Conductor: Andrew Manze.
    • Geminiani: Concerti Grossi: Academy of Ancient Music.
    • Harmonia Mundi.
    • 18.

  • Nico Muhly

    BETH. Plorans ploravit (No resting place)

    Choir: Tallis Scholars. Conductor: Peter Phillips.
    • Nico Muhly: No Resting Place.
    • Linn Records.
    • 7.

  • Charles Gounod

    Judex (Mors et Vita)

    Orchestra: Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra. Conductor: Libor Pešek.
    • Adagio.
    • RCA Red Seal.
    • 4.

  • Dorothy Howell

    Piano Concerto in D minor

    Performer: Danny Driver. Orchestra: BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Rebecca Miller.
    • The Romantic Piano Concerto 70 - Beach, Chaminade & Howell.
    • Hyperion.
    • 001.

  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Serenade in D major for flute, violin and viola, Op 25 (4th mvt Andante with variations)

    Performer: Michel Debost. Performer: Gérard Jarry. Performer: Serge Collot.
    • Beethoven The Collector's Edition 50 CDs The Masterpieces The Greatest Artists.
    • EMI Classics.
    • 8.

  • John Barry

    Out of Africa (Main Title)

    Orchestra: Studio Orchestra. Conductor: John Barry.
    • MCA Records.

  • Johann Sebastian Bach

    Orchestral Suite No 1 in C major, BWV 1066 (Overture)

    Orchestra: Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra. Conductor: Ton Koopman.
    • J.S. Bach, Orchestral Suites, Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra / Ton Koopman.
    • RCA.
    • 6.

  • Thomas Tallis

    Videte miraculum for 6 voices

    Ensemble: Contrapunctus. Director: Owen Rees.
    • Virgin And Child.
    • SIGNUM CLASSICS.
    • 5.

  • Joseph Haydn

    Symphony No.92 in G major 'Oxford' (3rd mvt)

    Orchestra: Freiburg Baroque Orchestra. Conductor: René Jacobs.
    • Haydn - Symphonies Nos. 91 & 92: Rene Jacobs.
    • Harmonia Mundi.
    • 8.

Broadcast

  • Last Monday09:30
    BBC Radio 3