Today 14:00 - 16:30
Arnold Schoenberg's romantic take on the Pelleas and Melisande story, with the Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra, plus more from Los Temperamentos.
Today 14:00 - 16:30
Arnold Schoenberg's romantic take on the Pelleas and Melisande story, with the Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra, plus more from Los Temperamentos.
Today 16:30 - 17:00
Tom Service sets out to understand how the often overlooked viola can unlock music's secret fire.
Today 17:00 - 19:00
Violin prodigy Leia Zhu talks to Katie Derham and performs live, before we are joined by conductor and musician Tom Cohen, director of the Jerusalem Orchestra East & West.
Today 19:00 - 19:30
Take time out with a 30-minute soundscape of classical favourites mixed with jazz, folk and music from around the world.
Today 19:30 - 22:00
Leslie Suganandarajah conducts the BBC Philharmonic in a programme of favourites by Mozart, Beethoven and Saint-Säens.
Today 22:00 - 22:45
Ian McMillan is joined by poet Don Paterson and author Sally Bayley to explore how we remember childhood and youth, and what happens when we write about it.
Today 22:45 - 23:00
Perhaps above all, the artistic quality we prize most is imagination. Psychologist Professor Victoria Tischler explores the enigmatic work of ceramicist Shinichi Sawada.
Today 23:00 - 01:00
Engineer and producer Marta Salogni joins Verity Sharp to unpick the art of mixing and producing. Plus Irish folk, swan necks and circling drones.
Tomorrow 01:00 - 02:00
Emeli Sandé explores music to invigorate the mind and inspire creativity. The selection covers classical, pop and more, with Billie Eilish, Nils Frahm and Anoushka Shankar.
Tomorrow 02:00 - 03:00
Tokio Myers covers love and heartbreak with a playlist of romantic piano pieces. Featuring music from Alexander Scriabin, Alicia Keys and Stephen Moccio.
Tomorrow 03:00 - 07:00
Kerson Leong, Marc-Andre Hamelin and friends perform chamber works by Glazunov and Brahms. Presented by John Shea.
Tomorrow 07:00 - 09:00
Shari Vahl with a Breakfast melange of classical music, folk and found sounds. Start your weekend right.
Tomorrow 09:00 - 11:45
Nicholas Kenyon's recommendation for Purcell's most ambitious stage work, The Fairy Queen, plus the best of this week's new releases with organist and conductor Anna Lapwood.
Tomorrow 11:45 - 12:30
The latest news and features from the classical music world.
Tomorrow 12:30 - 13:00
Jess Gillam swaps favourite music with singer, rock sitarist and composer Bishi, including a Shankar and Glass collaboration, Holst in space and Cosmo Sheldrake's cuckoos.
Tomorrow 13:00 - 15:00
Claire Wickes reveals familiar and unfamiliar works in a new light, including music for the Estonian kannel and a few favourite moments from operas.
Tomorrow 15:00 - 16:00
Louise Blain focuses on VR - Virtual Reality - in gaming through the music these types of game have inspired and is joined by Jason Graves, the composer of Lone Echo and Moss.
Tomorrow 16:00 - 17:00
Lopa Kothari presents a specially recorded studio session from award-winning Indian sitarist Gaurav Mazumdar.
Tomorrow 17:00 - 18:30
US piano virtuoso James Francies shares some of the music that inspires him, plus concert highlights from saxophonist Emma Rawicz.
Tomorrow 18:30 - 22:00
...tutte. From Bavarian State Opera, a comedy of manners that plumbs the depths of human emotion, starring Louise Alder, Sandrine Piau, Christian Gerhaher and Konstantin Krimmel.
Tomorrow 22:00 - 00:00
Kate Molleson presents a Norwegian focus, including GÅOLOGI by Alwynne Pritchard and Eva Pfitzenmaier - a piece about walking in Bergen.
Sunday 00:00 - 01:00
Corey Mwamba presents new music from pianists inspired by poetry, games and studies in human perception.
Sunday 01:00 - 07:00
The Orchestra della Svizzera italiana and conductor Heinz Holliger perform Schubert symphonies and Bartók's First Violin Concerto with soloist Sebastian Bohren. John Shea presents.
Sunday 07:00 - 09:00
Martin Handley presents Breakfast, including a Sounds of the Earth slow radio soundscape.
Sunday 09:00 - 12:00
Sarah Walker chooses three hours of attractive and uplifting music to complement your morning, whether you're going for a walk or doing some gardening.
Sunday 12:00 - 13:00
Michael Berkeley's guest is textile designer Kaffe Fassett. With The Beatles, Arvo Pärt, and West Side Story.
Sunday 13:00 - 14:00
Live from Wigmore Hall, mezzo-soprano Lea Desandre sings Baroque rarities in a programme taken from her multi-awarding-winning 2021 album Amazone.
Sunday 14:00 - 15:00
Lucie Skeaping on the life and career of the famous 18th-century castrato Caffarelli, for whom many composers created roles, including Handel, Porpora and Hasse.
Sunday 15:00 - 16:00
From the Chapel of Pembroke College, Cambridge, to mark the 300th anniversary of the death of Sir Christopher Wren.
Sunday 16:00 - 17:00
Alyn Shipton presents jazz records of all styles as requested by you, including music by Norma Winstone, Jo Lawry and Sidney Bechet.
Sunday 17:00 - 17:30
Tom Service dissects Camille Saint-Saëns's Third Symphony, his 'Organ Symphony', famously featured in the Disney film Babe. With organist Anna Lapwood.
Sunday 17:30 - 18:45
Audre Lorde described herself as 'black, lesbian, mother, warrior, poet'. Her words are set alongside recordings by Chineke!, the Kanneh-Masons, Sarah Vaughan and Miriam Makeba.
Sunday 18:45 - 19:30
How has metalworking affected the culture of Birmingham? Gregory Leadbetter's poem traces this story from the discovery of ore in the dark ages to the birth of heavy metal music.
Sunday 19:30 - 21:00
By Josh Azouz, a new play about a marriage break up, with Paul Chahidi and Dorothea Myer Bennett. Contains strong language.
Sunday 21:00 - 23:00
Hannah French presents more from the freshest recordings in classical music, including the recommended version of the Building a Library work, Purcell's opera The Fairy Queen.
Sunday 23:00 - 00:00
...That Goes Ping!. Richard Egarr traces the development of the harpsichord from instruments plucked by the hand, to the psaltery and the virginal, charting its unstoppable rise in popularity.
Monday 00:00 - 00:30
Linton Stephens makes a classical playlist for comedian Sarah Keyworth.
Monday 00:30 - 06:30
The London Symphony Orchestra and Sir Simon Rattle perform Schubert's Ninth Symphony and are joined by Leonidas Kavakos for Berg's Violin Concerto. With John Shea.
Monday 06:30 - 09:00
Petroc Trelawny presents Radio 3's classical breakfast show, featuring listener requests. Email 3breakfast@bbc.co.uk.
Monday 09:00 - 12:00
Georgia Mann plays the best in classical music, with familiar favourites alongside new discoveries and musical surprises.
Monday 12:00 - 13:00
1/5. Young Smetana's musical talent was obvious, but would that be enough to get his life on track? Presented by Donald Macleod.
Monday 13:00 - 14:00
Live from Wigmore Hall, baritone Konstantin Krimmel sings Schumann's Liederkreis, Op 39, songs by Brahms and a set of Romanian songs by Brahms's friend, Eusebius Mandyczewski.
Monday 14:00 - 16:30
Penny Gore introduces a performance of Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto No 3, plus medieval music from Ensemble Celadon and pieces by Holst, Messiaen, Haydn, Schütz and Scriabin.
Monday 16:30 - 17:00
Chamber music from Radio 3's New Generation Artists: Helen Charlston sings Schubert, and Elisabeth Brauss plays Mozart's charming set of variations on a French nursery song.
Monday 17:00 - 19:00
Sean Rafferty is joined in the studio for live music and chat with the Boston-based Balourdet Quartet ahead of their concerts at Kettle's Yard, Cambridge and Wigmore Hall, London.
Monday 19:00 - 19:30
Take time out with a 30-minute soundscape of classical favourites mixed with jazz, folk and music from around the world.
Monday 19:30 - 22:00
Herbert Blomstedt conducts the Danish National Symphony Orchestra in Schubert's Symphony No 6 in C and Franz Berwald's Symphony No 2 in D. 'Capricieuse'.
Monday 22:00 - 22:45
The latest news and features from the classical music world.
Monday 22:45 - 23:00
...Space for on the Bookshelves. Sarah Dillon tells us about the nuclear short story by atomic energy adviser Philip Wylie.
Monday 23:00 - 00:30
Hannah Peel presents an adventurous, immersive soundtrack for late-night listening, from classical to contemporary and everything in between.
Tuesday 00:30 - 06:30
James Ehnes plays Britten's Violin Concerto with the Oslo Philharmonic, conducted by Juanjo Mena. John Shea presents.
Tuesday 06:30 - 09:00
Petroc Trelawny presents Radio 3's classical breakfast show, featuring listener requests. Email 3breakfast@bbc.co.uk.
Tuesday 09:00 - 12:00
Georgia Mann plays the best in classical music, with discoveries and surprises rubbing shoulders with familiar favourites.
Tuesday 12:00 - 13:00
2/5. Smetana decides to abandon his woes, his family and his homeland. What can he be thinking? Presented by Donald Macleod.
Tuesday 13:00 - 14:00
The Mithras Trio perform Haydn and viola player Eivind Ringstad joins them for Fauré's First Piano Quartet at the Belfast International Arts Festival 2021. Presented by John Toal.
Tuesday 14:00 - 17:00
Penny Gore introduces a performance of Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto by Janine Jansen plus Medieval music from Ensemble Celadon and pieces by Foulds, Bellini, Schein & Rachmaninov.
Tuesday 17:00 - 19:00
Klezmer ensemble She'Koyokh join Sean Rafferty in the studio to perform live ahead of their concert at Wigmore Hall, London.
Tuesday 19:00 - 19:30
Take time out with a 30-minute soundscape of classical favourites mixed with jazz, folk and music from around the world.
Tuesday 19:30 - 22:00
Kirill Karabits conducts the world premiere of Terricone by Ukrainian composer Anna Korsun alongside Glière's Horn Concerto, with Felix Klieser, and Scriabin's Symphony No 2.
Tuesday 22:00 - 22:45
A National Poetry Library exhibition, exploring fashion and poetry, includes a fabric adaptation of a poem by Gwendolyn Brooks. Shahihda Bari and guests look at her writing.
Tuesday 22:45 - 23:00
...Space for on the Bookshelves. Xine Yao reads the first novel by African American writer Frances EW Harper (1825-1911).
Tuesday 23:00 - 00:30
Hannah Peel presents an adventurous, immersive soundtrack for late-night listening, from classical to contemporary and everything in between.
Wednesday 00:30 - 06:30
Mattutino de' Morti brings five soloists, choir and orchestra together in a glorious work by Davide Perez, conducted by Giulio Prandi. John Shea presents.
Wednesday 06:30 - 09:00
Petroc Trelawny presents Radio 3's classical breakfast show, featuring listener requests. Email 3breakfast@bbc.co.uk.
Wednesday 09:00 - 12:00
Georgia Mann plays the best in classical music, with familiar favourites, new discoveries and the occasional musical surprise.
Wednesday 12:00 - 13:00
3/5. Smetana plans his conquest of Prague's new opera theatre. Presented by Donald Macleod.
Wednesday 13:00 - 14:00
The Mithras Trio perform Mendelssohn and viola player Eivind Ringstad plays Clara Schumann and Beethoven at the Belfast International Arts Festival 2021. Presented by John Toal.
Wednesday 14:00 - 16:00
Penny Gore introduces Schoenberg's arrangement of Brahms's Piano Quartet No 1, with soloist Kirill Gerstein, medieval music from Ensemble Celadon and pieces by Gipps and Schubert.
Wednesday 16:00 - 17:00
Live from the Chapel of New College, Oxford, with music by Weelkes and Byrd to mark the 400th anniversary of their deaths.
Wednesday 17:00 - 19:00
Sean Rafferty is joined by the James McVinnie Ensemble and soprano Fatma Said with pianist Harry Baker.
Wednesday 19:00 - 19:30
Take time out with a 30-minute soundscape of classical favourites mixed with jazz, folk and music from around the world.
Wednesday 19:30 - 22:00
Alpesh Chauhan conducts the Halle Orchestra in Grieg's Piano Concerto, with soloist Elizabeth Brauss, and Shostakovich's tumultuous Tenth Symphony.
Wednesday 22:00 - 22:45
Playwright Zinnie Harris, author Isabelle Schuyler and New Generation Thinker Emma Whipday have explored characters in Shakespeare's Scottish play. Chris Harding hosts.
Wednesday 22:45 - 23:00
...Space for on the Bookshelves. Sarah Jilani reads Latife Tekin's magical realist novel about 1960s Istanbul shanty towns.
Wednesday 23:00 - 00:30
Hannah Peel presents an adventurous, immersive soundtrack for late-night listening, from classical to contemporary and everything in between.
Thursday 00:30 - 06:30
Pianist Simone Dinnerstein joins the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain and conductor Andrew Gourlay in Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue. John Shea presents.
Thursday 06:30 - 09:00
Petroc Trelawny presents Radio 3's classical breakfast show, featuring listener requests. Email 3breakfast@bbc.co.uk.
Thursday 09:00 - 12:00
Georgia Mann plays the best in classical music, featuring new discoveries, some musical surprises and plenty of familiar favourites.
Thursday 12:00 - 13:00
4/5. Smetana's campaign to save his prestigious conducting job is unexpectedly derailed. With Donald Macleod.
Thursday 13:00 - 14:00
The Mithras Trio perform Shostakovich and Boulanger and viola player Eivind Ringstad plays Martinu at the Belfast International Arts Festival 2021. Presented by John Toal.
Thursday 14:00 - 17:00
Penny Gore introduces a performance of Mahler's First Symphony, plus medieval music from Ensemble Celadon and works by Schütz, Berwald, Zemlinsky, Gershwin, Clyne and Samuel.
Thursday 17:00 - 19:00
Top-class live music from some of the world's finest musicians.
Thursday 19:00 - 19:30
The specially curated Classical Mixtape - including a contrast in seasons, from Gershwin's 'Summertime', to Geoff Lawson's arrangement of 'For Now I am Winter'.
Thursday 19:30 - 22:00
Sir Donald Runnicles conducts the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra in Mahler's Ninth Symphony.
Thursday 22:00 - 22:45
Matthew Sweet and Lisa Mullen discuss depictions of donkeys, from beasts of burden to asses, from classic literature to Shrek and Eeyore.
Thursday 22:45 - 23:00
...Space for on the Bookshelves. Clare Walker Gore revisits Charlotte M Yonge's first, best-selling novel from 1853.
Thursday 23:00 - 23:30
Hannah Peel with a magical sonic journey for late-night listening. Subscribe to receive your weekly mix on BBC Sounds.
Thursday 23:30 - 00:30
Elizabeth Alker selects new sounds from the latest ambient and experimental releases, and Mogwai's Stuart Braithwaite is in the Listening Chair.
Friday 00:30 - 06:30
Violinist Johan Dahlene and pianist Julien Quentin play Ravel and Prokofiev at Music in the Garden, an outdoor festival in the Botanical Garden of Uppsala University.
Friday 06:30 - 09:00
Petroc Trelawny presents Radio 3's classical breakfast show, featuring listener requests and the Friday poem. Email 3breakfast@bbc.co.uk.
Friday 09:00 - 12:00
Georgia Mann plays the best in classical music, with familiar favourites alongside new discoveries and musical surprises.
Friday 12:00 - 13:00
Forced to withdraw from public life, Smetana worries about his future and his legacy. With Donald Macleod.
Friday 13:00 - 14:00
The Mithras Trio and viola player Eivind Ringstad perform Bridge and Brahms at the Belfast International Arts Festival 2021. Presented by John Toal.
Friday 14:00 - 16:30
Penny Gore introduces a performance of Tchaikovsky's Second Symphony, plus medieval music from Ensemble Celadon and pieces by Beethoven, Auric, Piazzolla, Razaz and Kendall.
Friday 16:30 - 17:00
Tom Service dissects Camille Saint-Saëns's Third Symphony, his 'Organ Symphony', famously featured in the Disney film Babe. With organist Anna Lapwood.
Friday 17:00 - 19:00
Sean Rafferty is joined for live performances and chat by the cast and creatives behind new folk musical A Mother's Song ahead of its run at Macrobert Arts Centre, Stirling.
Friday 19:00 - 19:30
Take time out with a 30-minute soundscape of classical favourites mixed with jazz, folk and music from around the world.
Friday 19:30 - 22:00
Sakari Oramo conducts the BBC Symphony Orchestra, Chorus and Soloists in Szymanowski's Song of the Night, Bacewicz's Fourth Symphony and Mozart's Sinfonia Concertante.
Friday 22:00 - 22:45
Luke Wright's guests are Helen Mort, Kate Fox, Anita Sethi and Martin Rowson.
Friday 22:45 - 23:00
...Space for on the Bookshelves. Tom Smith reads Olivia Wenzel's novel, which was longlisted for 2020's German Book Prize.
Friday 23:00 - 01:00
After a long-overdue cataloguing of her record shelves, Jennifer Lucy Allan shares a selection of rediscovered treasures and new additions, from Throbbing Gristle to Judy Collins.