William Booker begins with the Roman Carnival Overture by Berlioz. It is a popular concert overture and a forerunner of the first orchestral tone poems. It is a masterpiece of imaginative orchestral writing which borrows themes from Berlioz’s failed opera ‘Benvenuto Cellini’; however, it is normally regarded as a stand-alone overture. The Montreal Symphony Orchestra is conducted by Charles Dutoit. In 1894 the twenty-three-year-old Swedish composer Wilhelm Stenhammar, as soloist, premiered his first published work, the four-movement Piano Concerto No 1 in B flat minor Op 1 with the Berlin Philharmonic under Richard Strauss, conductor in Berlin, the centre of the music universe. Like Brahms’ Second Piano Concerto, this work requires a heroic 45-minute performance from the pianist. The pianist, Seta Tanyel is accompanied by the Helsingborg Symphony Orchestra conducted by Andrew Manze. Next, a Swedish Symphony from the outer fringes of many people’s listening awareness. It is Allan Pettersson’s breakthrough work, his (1967) Symphony No 7 in one continuous movement: an accessible work consisting of a cohesive flow of dark shadows from the winds accompanied by lovely soothing strings. The Stockholm Symphony Orchestra is conducted by Antal Dorati. Finally, Vivaldi’s glorious Viola d’amore Concerto in D minor RV 395 will be performed by The Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment on their period instruments.

Michael Owen presents four monumental works tonight, beginning with an orchestration by the Hungarian composer, Leo Weiner, of Liszt’s Piano Sonata in B minor, which is one of the many guises that this popular work has appeared in over the years. The renowned Uruguayan music educator Nicolas Pasquet conducts the Franz Liszt Music School Orchestra. During his lifetime, Rachmaninov was regarded as a symbol of Russia’s old nationalistic identity. After its premiere, Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto No. 3 in D minor evoked nostalgia and was said to ‘speak directly to the Russian soul.’ It is a fiendishly difficult work to perform successfully, and we will hear it played by the pianist Boris Giltburg and the BBC Symphony Orchestra conducted by Sakari Oramo. Carl Nielsen has been a musical inspiration in Denmark on all fronts for more than 100 years. Like Mozart, he wrote music for many occasions. Nielsen composed his Overture ‘Cupid and the Poet’ Op 54 in 1930 in celebration of Hans Christian Andersen’s 125th anniversary. It is evidence of his ability to experiment with music and create something that resonates with classical and contemporary audiences. The final offering is Carl Nielsen’s exuberant Symphony no 1 Op. 7 which culminates in a thrilling conclusion. Recommended! Thomas Dausgaard conducts the Danish National Symphony Orchestra for both works by Nielsen.

Ian Johnston highlights C.P.E. Bach’s compositions in Hamburg. C.P.E. Bach served many years as kapellmeister in Hamburg. During this time he composed many works including cantatas and chamber works. He underwent a transition from the style of the late Baroque to early Classicism composing works that had a new and different impact on listeners. The galant style emphasized light accompaniment and pleasing melodies. The first work is the Hamburg Cantata Danket dem Herren H 824 which will be presented by soprano Simone Kermes, Wiener Kammerchor, Wiener Akademie conducted by Martin Haselbock. The other work is the Hamburg sonata for flute and basso continuo in G major Wq 133 played by Wilbert Hazelbert, flute, Andreas Staier,, fp, and Hajo Bass, viola.

Glen Quick presents a stunning opera tonight which does not deserve the neglect it has recently fallen into. Umberto Giordano is credited with being the father of the verismo style of opera. His opera ‘Fedora’, which premiered in 1898, was based on a naturalist play of the same name by the French writer Victorien Sardou, which was written for Sarah Bernhardt. The tenor aria ‘Amor ti Vieta’, which many people would be familiar with, stands out, but that is not the only memorable feature. There are many highlights to look forward to. The plot covers passion and drama. There is much to enjoy in this impactful opera. Magda Olivero, soprano Mario Del Monaco, tenor Tito Gobbi, baritone Chorus & Orchestra of Monte Carlo National Opera Lamberto Gardelli, conductor

William Booker launches into Baroque & Before with Luca Marenzio who was a prominent sixteenth century Italian composer whose influence extended well beyond Italy during his lifetime. A selection of madrigals composed by Marenzio will be presented by the vocal ensemble La Venexiana. Next William Croft’ engaging incidental music to George Farquahar’s comedy play ‘The Twin Rivals’ about two brothers who both fall in love with the same woman will be played by the Parley of Instruments. Alessandro Scarlatti’s Chamber Cantata ‘Quella gradits’, presented by Baccano, consists of a Sinfonia scored for all members of the ensemble and solo soprano arias with accompaniment by smaller instrumental ensembles. A selection of anonymous music from the time of Richard Iii will be played by The York Waits. Antonín Reichenauer, born around 1694, was a Czech Baroque composer who, since the recent revival of his works, has become a revelation. His Overture in B flat major will be played by Musica Florea. The final work is a ricercar by the sixteenth-century Venetian lutenist Marco Dall’Aquila. Other composers include the eminent English Viol players Christopher Simpson and William Lawes, and the Italian composer Francesco Manfredini, who has been noted for his contribution to the concerto grosso.

Michael Owen presents a stirring program beginning with the Concerto in B-flat major for cello, strings, and B.C. RV423 played by Yo Yo Ma, one of the best-known cellists of his generation, together with the Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra conducted by Ton Koopman. Mozart’s Symphony No 39 in E flat major, K. 543, with its grand introduction, is a masterpiece. It will be performed by the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Lang Lessing. And the program concludes with Beethoven’s String Quartet in D major Op 18 No. 3 performed by the Apollon Musagete Quartet. Other composers are Schubert and Klughardt. Great listening for the late evening!

Keith Hempton features the career of Graham O’Reilly. After studying musicology at Sydney University, Graham O’Reilly became a specialist in performance and research in sixteenth- and seventeenth-century vocal music and contemporary music. He acknowledges the importance of text in vocal music. Graham conducts the Ensemble William Byrd and has a special interest in that period at the cusp of the Renaissance and the Baroque Periods, bringing out its musical diversity and contrasts. In this program we will hear the Ensemble William Byrd conducted by Graham O’Reilly present works by three composers: Handel’s anthem ‘’As pants the heart’ HWV251a which was composed for ordinary services in the Chapel Royal. Lamentations of Jeremiah by Joao Rodrigues Esteves, and two anthems by Purcell.