Michael Owen begins with Monteverdi’s opening Sinfonia to his Seventh Book of Madrigals: Tempro la Cetra. Next, Catherine Bott and the Academy of Ancient Music present a sequence of Theatre Music pieces by Purcell: The Double Dealer Overture, ‘Fairest Isle’ from King Arthur and Sonata No 9 in F major. After that, in this music pageant we will experience the joy of life from the musical imagination of the Red Priest: the Violin Concerto in A major RV552 by Vivaldi will be played for us by the Academy of Ancient Music. Domenico Scarlatti’s Sonata in A minor K90, on this occasion, is played, interestingly, by the ensemble, Il Giardino Armonico rather than by a keyboard, alone, as it usually is. Three music items by the Elizabethan consort music composer, Anthony Holborne, will be presented by The Kings Noyse and lutenist, Paul O’Dette. And there still remains, in this program, a large trove of priceless musical gems from the distant past for your enjoyment.

In this program Keith Hempton presents the recording which Glenn Gould made in 1981 of the Goldberg Variations BWV988 by JS Bach. In 1956 Gould recorded the Goldberg Variations for the first time. It was his debut commercial recording. At the time The Goldberg Variations was considered to be an esoteric work. It consists of a set of 30 contrapuntal variations beginning and ending with an aria. It is technically demanding. For example it requires awkward hand-crossing. In this program we will listen to the recording made in 1981, a year before Glenn Gould’s death. In 1983 this second recording won the Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Soloist Performance. So place this program in your diary for some essential listening.

John Pederson begins his program with the Ali Baba Overture by Bottesini, an attractive prelude to a comedy opera which still keeps the audience laughing whenever it is revived. The London Symphony Orchestra is conducted by Franco Petracchi. Due to its lyrical qualities and virtuosic piano part Chopin’s Piano Concerto No 2 in F minor Op 21 never fails to moves audiences today. Pianists can display their technical prowess and the work often connects to the emotions of its listeners. It is a testament to Frederic Chopin’s genius. You will never tire of listening to it. Vladimir Ashkenazy, piano is accompanied by the London Symphony Orchestra conducted by David Zinman. Kiri Te Kanawa, soprano with the London Symphony Orchestra conducted by Colin Davis presents two great favourites by Mozart: ‘Nehmt meinen dank’ K383 and ‘Rune sanft mein holdesLeben’ from Zaide K344 – wonderful feasts for the ears! Following a performance of an interesting, early Symphony by Dvorak, ‘The Bells of Zlioice’ in C minor Op 3 we conclude with Elgar’s Cocaigne – In London Town Op 40. It is a lively and colourful portrait of Edwardian London. The London Symphony Orchestra is conducted by Andre Previn. This program is filled with wonderful works to suit every listener.

Merryn Brose and Arlene Matheson begin with three Waltzes by Chopin which are warmly interpreted by the pianist, Stephen Kovacevich. Pleyel’s String Quartet in G minor Op 2 no 3 is a small-scale 3-movement work and it is very enjoyable in this performance by the Enso Quartet which plays it with confidence and verve. Recommended listening! Next, we revisit Stephen Kovacevich who has teamed up with the flautist, Emanuelle Pahud, to play ‘a wonderful flute and piano arrangement of ‘Bilitis’ by Debussy. Finally, the pianist, Benjamin Frith will play Nocturne No 17 in E minor by Field. This so-called ‘Nocturne Pastorale’ stands as a bridge between the Classical and Romantic eras.

Suzanne Pederson begins her Christmas Eve Discovery Program with the Christmas Oratorio Op 12 (1858) by Saint-Saens, a quiet and lyrical work in the style of Bach. Lilia Sile, soprano with the Australian National Orchestra and Choir conducted by Christopher Bowen. Bartok’s Romanian Christmas Carols SZ57 comprise a set of typical Christmas songs from small villages usually sung by small groups of children. They were adapted for the piano by Bartok and played by Geoffrey Tozer. Both the composer and the performer excel. Dies Natalis Op 8 is 5-movement solo-voice Cantata set to seventeenth century mystical texts by Gerald Finzi. The tenor, Mart Padmore, who definitely has a feeling for the words, is accompanied by the Britten Sinfonia directed by Jacqueline Shave. And that is not all. Other composers featured in this joyful program include Liszt and Honegger.

William Booker’s Sound Classical is off to a lively start with ‘La Calamita de Cuon’ Overture by J.C. Bach played by the Hanover Band conducted by Anthony Halsteady. Henry Litolff’s energetic Concerto Symphonique No 3 in E flat Op 45 possesses the 4-movement structure of a symphony. A sprightly, fresh and fiery performance is provided with zeal by the pianist, Peter Donohoe with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra conducted by Andrew Litton. Vagn Holmboe’s Symphony No 3 Op 25 ‘Sinfonia Rustica’ begins with the confident sound of trumpets together with Judish melodies. It concludes, in the final movement, with a joyful series of captivating, vigorous folk-dance episodes. Not to be missed. You will not be disappointed! The Aarhus Symphony Orchestra is conducted by Owain Arwel Hughes. Next, Georg Benda was one of the foremost composers of the galant style. Born in 1722 his compositions weren’t really Baroque or Classical. His concertos are transitional and they are too good to be forgotten. The Harpsichord Concerto in G major by Benda will be played by the harpsichordist, Sabine Bauer with the La Stagione Frankfurt directed by Michael Schneider. Finally, we have a fairly unusual bright, lively performance of a tragic, emotional work, a classic of 20th century music. It is Alban Berg’s ‘Lyric Suite’ (1926). The Kronos Quartet is superb and soprano, Dawn Upshaw appears in the last movement. This is a work which is well worth listening to, investigating and becoming acquainted with for this and future listening enjoyment.