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Celebrating classical greats

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

Ian Skelly 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.

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3 hours, 30 minutes

On air

Today09:30
BBC Radio 3

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Relax into the day with classical Celebrating classical greats

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A feast of great music

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Music Played

  • Edward Elgar

    Salut d'amour

    Orchestra: Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra. Conductor: John Wilson.

  • Robert Schumann

    Konzertstück in F major, Op 86 (1st mvt)

    Performer: Nigel Black. Performer: Laurence Davies. Performer: Laurence Rogers. Performer: Peter Blake. Orchestra: Philharmonia Orchestra. Conductor: Christian Thielemann.
    • Schumann Symphony no.2 / 'Manfred' Overture etc..
    • DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON.
    • 002.

  • Fanny Mendelssohn

    No.1 from Four Songs for Piano, Op.8

    Performer: Giorgi Gigashvili.

  • Carl Nielsen

    Serenata in vano

    Ensemble: Athena Ensemble.
    • Nielsen: Wind Music.
    • CHANDOS.
    • 4.

  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Piano Concerto No 4 in G Major (3rd mvt)

    Orchestra: London Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Sir Simon Rattle.
    • Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 4 in G Major, Op. 58: III. Rondo. Vivace.
    • Deutsche Grammophon (DG).
    • 1.

  • Elena Kats‐Chernin

    Wild Swans - Concert Suite, 7. Knitting Needle

    Singer: Jane Sheldon. Conductor: Ola Rudner. Orchestra: Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra.
    • Wild Swans.
    • Decca Music Group Ltd..
    • 7.

  • Jean‐Baptiste Lully

    Phaeton (Chaconne)

    Ensemble: Les Talens Lyriques. Director: Christophe Rousset.
    • APARTE.

  • Anton Stepanovich Arensky

    Piano Quintet in D major, Op 51 (3rd mvt)

    Performer: Piers Lane. Ensemble: Goldner String Quartet.
    • Taneyev; Arensky - Piano Quintets.
    • Hyperion.
    • 7.

  • Camille Saint‐Saëns

    Danse macabre, Op. 40

    Orchestra: Royal Scottish National Orchestra. Conductor: Neeme Järvi.
    • Saint-Saëns: Orchestral Works.
    • Chandos.
    • 104.

  • Innocentius Dammonis

    Amor Jesù divino

    Ensemble: Le Miroir de Musique. Conductor: Baptiste Romain.
    • Ubi caritas. Italian Laude in Early Renaissance.
    • Ricercar.
    • 7.

  • Frédéric Chopin

    Piano Sonata No. 3 in B Minor: IV. FInale

    Performer: Ingrid Fliter.
    • Ingrid Fliter Plays Chopin & Beethoven.
    • Parlophone Records Limited.
    • 26.

  • Frederick Delius

    A Dance Rhapsody No. 2

    Orchestra: Welsh National Opera Orchestra. Conductor: Charles Mackerras.
    • Delius: Orchestral Works.
    • Decca Music Group Ltd..
    • 9.

  • Hugo Alfvén

    Swedish Rhapsody No 1, Op 19 (Midsummer Vigil)

    Orchestra: Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Stig Westerberg.
    • The Swedish Orchestra.
    • Naxos Sweden - Caprice.
    • 6.

  • Dora Pejačević

    Cello sonata in E minor, Op.35 (2nd mvt)

    Performer: Christian Poltéra. Performer: Oliver Triendl.
    • Pejacevic: Trio & Sonata.
    • CPO.
    • 6.

Broadcast

  • Today09:30
    BBC Radio 3