Music Lesson
Curtain Raiser: Beethoven - Symphony No 3, Eroica
Beethoven’s Third Symphony was criticised for being too long, but he’d already declared his intentions after finishing his second symphony, in 1802. The 'Eroica' is introduced by Peter Watts. Audio
Curtain Raiser: Rimsky-Korsakov - Scheherazade
Night by night, Scheherazade weaves a tapestry of stories, a shield against the crimson dawn.
Presented by Amber Read. Audio
Curtain Raiser: Beethoven - Symphony No 5
Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony has so indelibly entered our cultural consciousness that it is as much a part of our collective identity as chocolate fish and jandals. Introduced by Rachel Hyde. Audio
Curtain Raiser: Mozart - Clarinet Concerto
The sublime concerto for clarinet and orchestra is one of Mozart's most-loved works. Introduced by Murray Khouri. Audio
Curtain Raiser: Berg - Violin Concerto
This work is subtitled 'To the Memory of an Angel'. Matthew Crawford explains the story behind the dedication. Audio
Curtain Raiser: Berlioz - Symphonie Fantastique
Berlioz's opium-fuelled vision of an artist's life is introduced by Erica Challis. Audio
Curtain Raiser: Britten - War Requiem
The War Requiem premiered in 1962 at the opening of the new Coventry Cathedral built alongside the ruins of the bombed out medieval one. Britten's chosen texts and searing music make a powerful… Audio
Curtain Raiser: Shostakovich - Symphony No 7, Leningrad
This Symphony was famously given its Leningrad première in August 1942 by starving, yet defiant players, assembled under the banner of the Leningrad Radio Orchestra, during the Siege of Leningrad… Audio
Frente Cumbiero
Frente Cumbiero, a new generation of Colombian music makers, give Emma Smith a lesson in the rhythms of the Pacific and Carribean coasts of Colombia. Audio
Ukulele Classes at Hau Ariki Pa Martinborough
Learning the ukulele can be intense. Well, throw into the mix Te reo Māori and you have a 10 week REAP (Rural Education Activities Programme) taking place on Wednesdays at Hau Ariki Pa, Martinborough.
…Curtain Raiser: Mozart - Symphony No 40
This symphony was one of many projects Mozart undertook to raise money in the year 1788 when his financial situation was becoming desperate. Introduced by Erica Challis. Audio
Curtain Raiser: Messiaen - Quartet for the End of Time
Messiaen's work was written while he was a prisoner of the Nazis in 1941. Introduced by Roger Smith. Audio
Curtain Raiser: Nielsen - Symphony No 5
Nielsen’s Fifth Symphony is probably his masterpiece: a powerful, mysterious work whose themes are tightly woven into a stream of music that evolves organically from start to finish. Introduced by… Audio
Curtain Raiser: Mendelssohn - Elijah
Mendelssohn's oratorio tells the story of the Old Testament prophet and was first performed at the Birmingham Festival. Introduced by Brian Kay. Audio
Curtain Raiser: Verdi - Requiem
Like a great story-teller Verdi draws the listener in with every colourful phrase of his dramatic Requiem.
Introduced by Erica Challis. Audio
Curtain Raiser: Jenkins - The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace
The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace was composed in the year 2000 by Welshman Karl Jenkins. Our introduction to this popular modern work is by Brian Kay. Video, Audio
Curtain Raiser: Fauré - Requiem
Some of the most beautiful music in the choral repertoire is to be found in the pages of Fauré's score.
Introduced by Brian Kay. Audio
Curtain Raiser: Haydn - The Creation
Haydn's colourful oratorio uses texts from the book of Genesis and from Milton's Paradise Lost.
Introduced by Allan Badley. Audio
Curtain Raiser: Dvořák - Cello Concerto
Even critics, who don’t put Antonín Dvořák in the top echelon of composers, make an exception with this piece. Introduced by Murray Khouri. Audio
Curtain Raiser: Beethoven - Missa Solemnis
Composed between 1819 and 1823, the Missa Solemnis is one of Beethoven's supreme achievements. Introduced by Brian Kay. Audio