Inside Classical

The BBC National Orchestra of Wales perform from their home, Hoddinott Hall in the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff, under the baton of one of the world's most exciting young conductors, Marta Gardolinska. The concert opens fittingly with Polish composer Grazyna Bacewicz's Overture for orchestra. Bacewicz was a trailblazer in early 20th-century music, a celebrated female composer who wrote the work in 1943 when her country was under Nazi occupation. The sense of struggle and combat is heard within the piece with the opening rumble of the timpani, the beat of the snare drum and the brass instruments playing fanfares. The work also contains a musical message of hope, with the Morse code for the letter V, dot-dot-dot-dash, beaten out on the timpani, symbolising victory.

The BBC National Orchestra of Wales performs from its home at Hoddinott Concert Hall in the Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff, under the baton of one of the world's most exciting young conductors, Marta Gardolinska. The concert fittingly opens with the Overture by Polish composer Grazyna Bacewicz. Bacewicz was a trailblazer in early 20th-century music, a celebrated female composer who wrote this work in 1943 when her country was under Nazi occupation. The sense of struggle and combat is heard within the piece with the opening rumble of the timpani, the beat of the snare drum and the brass section playing fanfares. The work also contains a musical message of hope, with the Morse code for ‘V' (dot dot dot dash), beaten out on the timpani during the piece, symbolising victory.

A showcase of music and spoken word celebrating Birmingham and the West Midlands. Featuring the BBC Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Principal Guest Conductor Dalia Stasevska, the concert is an emotional and energetic fusion of world-class musicians alongside some of the most exciting vocal talent from the city and area.

Some of the hottest Afrobeats artists join forces with the BBC Philharmonic for this special one-off concert from BBC Radio 1Xtra.  Presented by 1Xtra’s Remi Burgz, Eddie Kadi and DJ Edu, the concert will feature exclusive live performances by Nigerian singer-songwriter CKay, London-born and double Mobo nominee Maleek Berry, Kenyan singer-songwriter Nikita Kering, one of the biggest hip-hop acts on the African continent, Sarkodie, and Finesse singer-songwriter Pheelz.  This will be the first time a full orchestra in the UK has staged a dedicated concert to Afrobeats, which has seen a sharp rise in popularity, crossing over into music charts across the globe and enjoying worldwide commercial success. Filmed at the BBC Philharmonic’s recording home in Salford, and also featuring The Compozers, this first-of-its-kind concert marks 20 years of 1Xtra, the BBC’s radio network dedicated to amplifying Black music and culture.

From St David's Hall in Cardiff, Ryan Bancroft conducts the BBC National Orchestra of Wales to kick off their recent season with a pair of works from the turn of the 20th century. Starting with Sergey Rachmaninov's vivaciously virtuosic Third Piano Concerto, with its melancholic but dignified opening theme and rhythmically ferocious and hammering finale, you cannot fail to fall in love with the lush orchestral texture and variety of emotional intensities. Originally premiered in 1909 with the composer at the piano, this great and challenging work is played by the versatile and thrilling young pianist, Yeol Eum Son.

A performance of Ravel's choreographic symphony, Daphnis et Chloé, by the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra.

The BBC Symphony Orchestra and their guest principal conductor Dalia Stasevska bring you an evening of stirring and poignant music from the Barbican in London. Starting with Elgar’s hauntingly beautiful Cello Concerto, performed by multi-award-winning Argentine cellist Sol Gabetta, the evening culminates in Sibelius’s electrifyingly stormy First Symphony. In between, there’s a surprise in store. The orchestra performs A Party with Auntie, a piece written by Iain Farrington to celebrate the BBC’s 100th anniversary that features no less than 15 BBC theme tunes hidden within Iain’s own original music.

Vaughan Williams’ pastoral masterpiece is stunningly performed by the BBC Philharmonic and soloist Zoë Beyers, alongside works by Elgar and Wagner.