Episode details

Radio 3,11 Mar 2026,117 mins
Haydn’s last symphony live from the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra
Classical LiveAvailable for 16 days
Linton Stephens brings you an afternoon of exclusive music-making, including a live concert from the BBC Philharmonic and conductor Nicholas Carter from the Philharmonic Studio at Media City Salford. This is part of the orchestra series of live Wednesday concerts that will take us into Spring. The orchestra begin their programme with Haydn's final symphony, No. 104, his ‘London Symphony’, which first dazzled audiences in 1795. To follow, Schubert’s Symphony No. 8, his ‘Unfinished Symphony'. With only two movements, this piece takes the listener on an emotional journey that feels altogether complete. Elsewhere in the programme, there is a continuation of the week-long focus on music performed by the Royal Scottish National Orchestra. Today, Wagner's Overture to Tannhauser is conducted by David Nieman. There is also chamber music composed by Ravel and Haydn, the Leonkoro Quartet perform Haydn's ‘Dream’ Quartet, and pianist Alim Beisembayev plays Ravel's ‘Ondine’. Plus, the artists in focus are renowned Dutch piano duo, Lucas and Arthur Jussen who perform music by Felix Mendelssohn. Joseph Haydn String Quartet in F Major Op. 50 No 5, "The Dream" Leonkoro Quartet Maurice Ravel Gaspard De La Nuit ; No.1; Ondine Alim Beisembayev (piano) *** Live concert with the BBC Philharmonic Joseph Haydn Symphony No. 104 I Da Major ‘London’ Franz Schubert Symphony No. 8 'Unfinished' BBC Philharmonic Nicholas Carter (conductor) *** Felix Mendelssohn Allegro Brillant, Op. 92 Jussen Piano Duo Richard Wagner Tannhäuser Overture Royal Scottish National Orchestra David Nieman (conductor) To listen to this programme (using most smart speakers), just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Classical Live".
Programme WebsiteTracklist
- TrackArtist
- 1.String Quartet in F Major Op 50 No 5, "The Dream"String Quartet in F Major Op 50 No 5, "The Dream"Joseph Haydn
- 2.Valses nobles et sentimentales arr for orchestra (No 5)Valses nobles et sentimentales arr for orchestra (No 5)Maurice Ravel
- 3.Ondine (Gaspard de la nuit)Ondine (Gaspard de la nuit)Maurice Ravel