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The best classical morning music

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 a masterpiece.

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29 days left to listen

3 hours, 30 minutes

Last on

Yesterday 09:30
BBC Radio 3

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Music Played

  • Johann Strauss II

    Champagne Polka

    Orchestra: Wiener Johann Strauss Orchester. Conductor: Johannes Wildner.
    • Strauss Family: Favourite Dances: Johann Strauss Orchestra, Wildner.
    • Naxos.

  • Pyotr Tchaikovsky

    Pezzo Capriccioso, Op.62

    Performer: Sol Gabetta. Orchestra: Munich Radio Orchestra. Conductor: Ari Rasilainen.
    • RCA.

  • Felix Mendelssohn

    Song without words - book 1 Op.19 (no.1 in E major)

    Performer: Peter Donohoe.
    • CHANDOS.

  • Takashi Yoshimatsu

    Dream Colored Mobile II, Op. 58a

    Performer: Kyoko Tabe. Performer: Joe Houghton. Performer: Kate Wilson. Orchestra: Manchester Camerata. Conductor: Sachio Fujioka.
    • Yoshimatsu: Piano Concerto "Memo Flora".
    • Chandos.
    • 6.

  • Dmitry Shostakovich

    The Red Hill (The Unforgettable Year 1919, Op 89a)

    Performer: Martin Roscoe. Orchestra: BBC Philharmonic Orchestra. Conductor: Vassily Sinaisky.
    • The Film Music of Dmitri Shostakovich, Vol.3.
    • Chandos.
    • 8.

  • Peter Tranchell

    The Dog That Sat

    Choir: Imperial College Choir. Conductor: Patrick Allies.
    • This Place.
    • Convivium.

  • Marcel Dupré

    Prelude (Prelude and fugue in B major Op.7`1)

    Performer: Robert Quinney.
    • SIGNUM.

  • Sir Hamilton Harty

    In Ireland

    Performer: Colin Fleming. Performer: Denise Kelly. Orchestra: Ulster Orchestra. Conductor: Bryden Thomson.
    • CHANDOS.

  • Edvard Grieg

    Violin Sonata no.3 in C minor Op.45 (3rd mvt)

    Performer: Elena Urioste. Performer: Tom Poster.
    • To the Spring.
    • Orchid Classics.
    • 503.

  • Vivien Ellis

    Coronation Scot (Paul Temple)

    Orchestra: The New London Orchestra. Conductor: Ronald Corp.
    • British Light Music Classics: The New London Orchestra/Ronald Corp.
    • Hyperion.

  • Jehan Alain

    Messe modale en septuor: Sanctus

    Performer: Lloyd Hampton. Performer: Charles Maxtone-Smith. Choir: Buckfast Abbey Choir. Conductor: Matthew Searles.
    • Messe modale: Upper voices music for Mass by Alain, Fauré and Langlais.
    • Ad Fontes.
    • 111.

  • Jehan Alain

    Messe modale en septuor, JA 136, AWV 110: IV. Agnus Dei

    Performer: Lloyd Hampton. Performer: Charles Maxtone-Smith. Choir: Buckfast Abbey Choir. Conductor: Matthew Searles.
    • Messe modale: Upper voices music for Mass by Alain, Fauré and Langlais.
    • Ad Fontes.
    • 112.

  • Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

    Sinfonia concertante in E-Flat Major, K. 364: I. Allegro maestoso

    Performer: Frank Peter Zimmermann. Performer: Tabea Zimmermann. Conductor: Gianluigi Gelmetti. Orchestra: Stuttgart Radio Symphony Orchestra.
    • Mozart: Sinfonia concertante for Violin and Viola, K. 364 & Symphony No. 40, K..
    • Warner Classics.
    • 5.

  • Claude Debussy

    Jardins sous la pluie (Estampes)

    Performer: Víkingur Ólafsson.
    • Deutsche Grammophon.

  • Richard Wagner

    Siegfried's Funeral March (Gotterdammerung)

    Orchestra: Gewandhausorchester Leipzig. Conductor: Andris Nelsons.
    • Bruckner: Symphony No. 7 / Wagner: Siegfried's Funeral March.
    • DG.
    • 1.

  • Antonín Dvořák

    Piano Trio No. 4 in E Minor, Op. 90 "Dumky": VI. Lento maestoso - Vivace

    Ensemble: Trio Wanderer.
    • Dvořák: Piano Trios, Op. 65 & 90.
    • harmonia mundi.
    • 106.

  • Duke Ellington

    Sophisticated Lady

    Music Arranger: Luther Henderson. Orchestra: City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Sir Simon Rattle.
    • American Music.
    • Warner Classics.
    • 303.

  • Francis Chagrin

    Greyfriars Bobby: I. Main Titles and Opening Scene

    Conductor: Rumon Gamba. Orchestra: BBC Philharmonic Orchestra.
    • The Film Music of Francis Chagrin.
    • Chandos.
    • 105.

  • Jonathan Dove

    Stargazer: III. Arcturus and Canis Chasing Ursa Major and Minor with Lyra

    Performer: Peter Moore. Orchestra: BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Timothy Redmond.
    • Beyond.
    • Orchid Classics.
    • 106.

  • Edvard Grieg

    Peer Gynt: Solveig's Song

    Singer: Camilla Tilling. Orchestra: Estonian National Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Paavo Järvi.
    • Grieg: Peer Gynt, Op. 23.
    • ERATO.
    • 14.

  • Henry Purcell

    Fantazia upon one note in F, Z.745

    Ensemble: Ricercar Consort. Director: Philippe Pierlot.
    • MIRARE.

  • Johannes Brahms

    Piano Concerto No.2 in B flat (4th mvt)

    Performer: Lars Vogt. Orchestra: Royal Northern Sinfonia.
    • Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 2 & Handel Variations.
    • Ondine.
    • 104.

  • Peter Fenyes

    Merci, mon ami, es war wunderschön

    Singer: Anne Sofie von Otter. Ensemble: Salon Orchestra of the Komische Oper Berlin. Director: Adam Benzwi.
    • Berlin! Berlin! Berlin! Kabarett und Exil.
    • BIS.
    • 12.

  • Thomas Tallis

    Spem in alium

    Choir: Tallis Scholars. Conductor: Peter Phillips.
    • Gimell.

  • Johann Sebastian Bach

    Concerto in A minor for flute, violin and keyboard, BWV 1044

    Performer: Christophe Rousset. Performer: Rachel Brown. Performer: Simon Standage. Orchestra: Academy of Ancient Music. Conductor: Christopher Hogwood.
    • Bach: Harpsichord Concertos: Rousset/AAM/Hogwood.
    • L'Oiseau-Lyre.
    • 10.

  • William Walton

    Battle in the Air (Battle of Britain Suite)

    Orchestra: Academy of St Martin in the Fields. Conductor: Neville Marriner.
    • Walton: Battle of Britain Suite etc.: ASMF/Marriner.
    • Chandos.
    • 17.

  • Madeleine Dring

    Trio for flute, oboe and piano

    Performer: Nicholas Daniel. Performer: Adam Walker. Performer: Antonio Oyarzabal.
    • Madeleine Dring: Complete Works for Oboe.
    • Chandos.

  • Franz Schubert

    Die schöne Müllerin D. 795 "the Fair Maid of the Mill": Ix. Des Müllers Blumen "

    Performer: Christopher Glynn. Singer: Nicky Spence.
    • Schubert: The Fair Maid of the Mill.
    • Signum Classics.
    • 109.

  • Ralph Vaughan Williams

    English folk song suite for military band (arr for orchestra)

    Music Arranger: Gordon Jacob. Orchestra: Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra. Conductor: Andrew Manze.
    • ONYX.

Broadcast

  • Yesterday 09:30
    BBC Radio 3