Elgar’s Enigma Variations

Elizabeth Alker reflects on some recent highlights from the BBC orchestras and choirs, as they begin their new 2026/7 seasons. We end our week with a concert performance of Elgar’s Enigma Variations from the BBC National Orchestra of Wales. The BBC Symphony Orchestra also perform Igor Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite, and the BBC Philharmonic play Johann Sebastian Bach’s Concerto for Oboe and Violin, BWV. 1060, with soloists Jennifer Galloway and Zoë Beyers.

Plus, our focus on the current roster of BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artists continues. Julius Asal opens today’s show with Johannes Brahms’ Piano Sonata No. 3, and we hear from the NOVO Quartet and violinist Hana Chang.

Our featured artist this week is the Verità Baroque ensemble, who are on a mission to contextualise baroque chamber music in the 21st Century.

BBC New Generation Artist:
Johannes Brahms
Piano Sonata No. 3 in F minor, Op. 5
Julius Asal (piano)

Artist Feature:
Arcangelo Corelli
Concerto grosso in D, Op. 6/4
Taya König-Tarasevich (traverso)
Veritá Baroque

BBC Orchestra:
Igor Stravinsky
The Firebird Suite (1945 version)
BBC Symphony Orchestra
Sakari Oramo (conductor)

BBC New Generation Artist:
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Violin Sonata in D major, K. 306
Hana Chang (violin)
Jonathan Ware (piano)

BBC New Generation Artist:
Caroline Shaw
Entr’acte
NOVO Quartet

BBC Orchestra:
Johann Sebastian Bach
Concerto for Oboe and Violin, BWV. 1060
Jennifer Galloway (oboe)
Zoë Beyers (violin)
BBC Philharmonic Orchestra
Jonathan Cohen (conductor)

BBC Orchestra:
Edward Elgar
Enigma Variations
BBC National Orchestra of Wales
Jaime Martin (conductor)

To listen to this programme (using most smart speakers) just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Classical Live".