Brahms Experience [Radio 3 Live In Concert]

Episode

Title

First
Broadcast

Comments

Robert Plane, Skampa Quartet

20141006

Tom Service presents the first in a week of events, in association with St. George's Bristol, for Radio 3's Brahms Experience.

Over the next five evenings, Tom introduces live performances from Daniel Hope (violin), Stephen Kovacevich (piano), the Skampa Quartet, BBC Singers and BBC National Orchestra of Wales. During the intervals, Tom discusses aspects of Brahms's life and music with performers and experts. Plus, there are more fascinating insights into Brahms's world in Radio 3's The Essay, delivered in front of our live Bristol audience and recorded for broadcast after the concerts.

The Brahms Experience continues across Radio 3, all this week, in Essential Classics, Composer of the Week, Afternoon on 3 and Through the Night.

Tonight, the Skampa Quartet pair Brahms's second quartet, whose tragic overtones are offset by its vigorous gypsy influences, with Dvorak's ebullient 'American' Quartet. After the interval, they are joined by Robert Plane in Brahms's late masterwork for clarinet and strings.

Brahms: String Quartet No 2 in A minor, op.51 no.2

Dvorak: String Quartet No.12 in F, op.96 'American

8.25pm INTERVAL

Robert Plane discusses Brahms's relationship with the clarinettist Richard Mühlfeld, whose playing inspired the composer to emerge from retirement.

They examine what it was about Mühlfeld's musicianship that so appealed to Brahms, how Mühlfeld's performance style influenced the works Brahms composed for him, and the lasting legacy they had on each other's lives.

8.45 PART 2

Brahms: Clarinet Quintet in B minor, op.115

Robert Plane (Clarinet).

Robert Plane (clarinet) and the Skampa Quartet in Brahms, including String Quartet No 2.

Presenting exciting live musical events from all over the world

Daniel Hope, Sebastian Knauer

20141007

Tom Service welcomes us back to St. George's Bristol for the second of this week's Brahms Experience concerts.

Daniel Hope (violin) and Sebastian Knauer (piano) present Brahms alongside two of his most significant champions: Joseph Joachim and Clara Schumann, with whom Brahms's life became so deeply intertwined.

Brahms: Scherzo from the F.A.E Sonata

Clara Schumann: Romance, op.22 no.1

Brahms: Violin Sonata No. 3 in D minor, op 108

8.10pm INTERVAL

Tom Service talks to tonight's soloist, Daniel Hope, about Brahms's relationship with Joseph Joachim and how their early partnership developed into an enduring friendship.

Brahms found a musical soul-mate in the Hungarian violin virtuoso, Joachim, who was just two years his elder. Tom and Daniel discuss how they collaborated and influenced each other's creative pursuits, and how Joachim remained an unstinting champion of Brahms despite their more troubled association in later years.

8.30pm PART 2

Mendelssohn: Two songs: Auf Flugeln des Gesanges; Hexenlied

Joachim: Romanze in C

Brahms: Violin Sonata No.1 in G, op 78

The Brahms Experience continues across Radio 3 all this week in Essential Classics, Composer of the Week, Afternoon on 3 and Through the Night.

Daniel Hope (violin), Sebastian Knauer (piano) in Brahms, including Scherzo (FAE Sonata).

Presenting exciting live musical events from all over the world

BBC National Orchestra Of Wales

20141008

Live from Colston Hall, Bristol

Presented by Tom Service

The BBC National Orchestra of Wales and Conductor Laureate Tadaaki Otaka perform great orchestral works by Brahms, as part of Radio 3's Brahms Experience in Bristol.

The Academic Festival Overture is a musical thank-you to a university that gave Brahms an honorary degree, but the piece is far from dry academia: Brahms described it as a 'boisterous potpourri of student songs'. Violinist Veronika Eberle and cellist Andreas Brantelid join the orchestra in the Double Concerto, Brahms's last orchestral composition, written as a gesture of reconciliation to violinist Joseph Joachim, who had once been the composer's closest friend but who had shunned his acquaintance. The concert ends with Symphony No 1, the work that builds on the foundations of Beethoven while allowing Brahms' distinct symphonic voice to emerge.

Brahms: Academic Festival Overture

Brahms: Concerto in A minor for violin, cello and orchestra

8.20 Interval: Tom Service discusses Brahms's musical manifesto

Brahms: Symphony No 1 in C minor

Veronika Eberle (violin)

Andreas Brantelid (cello)

Tadaaki Otaka (conductor).

BBC NOW performs Brahms's Academic Festival Overture, Double Concerto and Symphony No 1.

Presenting exciting live musical events from all over the world

BBC Singers

20141009

Live from St George's, Bristol

Presented by Tom Service

The BBC Singers, conducted by David Hill, perform Brahms' German Requiem and his beautiful

Geistliches Lied, with the famous set of Variations on a theme by Haydn completing the programme.

Johannes Brahms: Geistliches Lied (op 30)

Johannes Brahms: Variations on a Theme by J. Haydn (op 56a)

7.55 Interval:

Brahms' 'Requiem' examined: Tom Service and Canon Rosie Harper explore the theological, spiritual and musical landscape of the piece its composer wanted to call 'A Human Requiem' and consider its meaning for listeners today.

8.15:

Johannes Brahms: Ein Deutsches Requiem (op 45)

Helen Neeves (soprano)

Jamie W Hall (baritone)

Charles Owen and Katya Apekisheva (pianos)

David Hill (conductor)

Johannes Brahms' German Requiem has often been described as a requiem for the living, rather than a liturgy for the dead. In tonight's concert for Radio 3's week of live Brahms performances from Bristol, the BBC Singers perform the work in the version accompanied by piano duet - a transcription which, through its gentle intimacy, sheds new light on a much-loved choral masterwork. Alongside it, a tiny sacred song which is an intricate gem of musical ingenuity, and the famous set of variations on a theme by Haydn - sometimes known as the 'St Anthony' variations - played in Brahms' adaptation of the work for two pianos.

BBC Singers: Brahms: Geistliches Lied; Variations on a Theme by Haydn; A German Requiem.

Presenting exciting live musical events from all over the world

Stephen Kovacevich

20141010

Stephen Kovacevich (piano) rounds off The Brahms Experience's week of concerts from St George's, Bristol. In the interval, presenter Tom Service will be debating YOUR thoughts, queries and ideas about Brahms and his music in: 'The Trouble With Brahms?'. Your can tweet your comments to @BBCradio3 - Tom and his panel of experts will be reading out and exploring the best of your comments live on air.

Bach: Partita No 4 in D, BWV.828

Brahms: Ballade No.1 in D minor, Op.10 No.1

Brahms: Intermezzo in A minor, Op.76 No.7

Brahms: Intermezzo in A flat, Op.76 No.3

Brahms: Capriccio in D minor, Op.116 No.7

8.10pm Interval: The Trouble With Brahms?

Tom Service is joined live by Caroline Rae and Katy Hamilton to examine why some people just don't get on with Brahms's music. They'll be discussing listener responses to Radio 3's Brahms Experience and suggesting ways for Brahms sceptics to discover his music afresh. Join the debate by emailing troublewithbrahms@BBC.co.uk and tell us whether you love Brahms or loathe him! Or tweet us @BBCRadio3 to share your #BrahmsExperience.

8.30pm Part 2

Brahms: Ballade No.4 in B major, Op.10 No.4

Brahms: Intermezzo in B minor, Op.119, No.1

Beethoven: Piano Sonata No.31 in A flat, Op.110

Stephen Kovacevich (piano).

Stephen Kovacevich performs piano works by Brahms for Radio 3's Brahms Experience.

Presenting exciting live musical events from all over the world

Episodes

Episode	Title	First Broadcast	Comments
01	Robert Plane, Skampa Quartet	20141006	Tom Service presents the first in a week of events, in association with St. George's Bristol, for Radio 3's Brahms Experience. Over the next five evenings, Tom introduces live performances from Daniel Hope (violin), Stephen Kovacevich (piano), the Skampa Quartet, BBC Singers and BBC National Orchestra of Wales. During the intervals, Tom discusses aspects of Brahms's life and music with performers and experts. Plus, there are more fascinating insights into Brahms's world in Radio 3's The Essay, delivered in front of our live Bristol audience and recorded for broadcast after the concerts. The Brahms Experience continues across Radio 3, all this week, in Essential Classics, Composer of the Week, Afternoon on 3 and Through the Night. Tonight, the Skampa Quartet pair Brahms's second quartet, whose tragic overtones are offset by its vigorous gypsy influences, with Dvorak's ebullient 'American' Quartet. After the interval, they are joined by Robert Plane in Brahms's late masterwork for clarinet and strings. Brahms: String Quartet No 2 in A minor, op.51 no.2 Dvorak: String Quartet No.12 in F, op.96 'American 8.25pm INTERVAL Robert Plane discusses Brahms's relationship with the clarinettist Richard Mühlfeld, whose playing inspired the composer to emerge from retirement. They examine what it was about Mühlfeld's musicianship that so appealed to Brahms, how Mühlfeld's performance style influenced the works Brahms composed for him, and the lasting legacy they had on each other's lives. 8.45 PART 2 Brahms: Clarinet Quintet in B minor, op.115 Robert Plane (Clarinet). Robert Plane (clarinet) and the Skampa Quartet in Brahms, including String Quartet No 2. Presenting exciting live musical events from all over the world
02	Daniel Hope, Sebastian Knauer	20141007	Tom Service welcomes us back to St. George's Bristol for the second of this week's Brahms Experience concerts. Daniel Hope (violin) and Sebastian Knauer (piano) present Brahms alongside two of his most significant champions: Joseph Joachim and Clara Schumann, with whom Brahms's life became so deeply intertwined. Brahms: Scherzo from the F.A.E Sonata Clara Schumann: Romance, op.22 no.1 Brahms: Violin Sonata No. 3 in D minor, op 108 8.10pm INTERVAL Tom Service talks to tonight's soloist, Daniel Hope, about Brahms's relationship with Joseph Joachim and how their early partnership developed into an enduring friendship. Brahms found a musical soul-mate in the Hungarian violin virtuoso, Joachim, who was just two years his elder. Tom and Daniel discuss how they collaborated and influenced each other's creative pursuits, and how Joachim remained an unstinting champion of Brahms despite their more troubled association in later years. 8.30pm PART 2 Mendelssohn: Two songs: Auf Flugeln des Gesanges; Hexenlied Joachim: Romanze in C Brahms: Violin Sonata No.1 in G, op 78 The Brahms Experience continues across Radio 3 all this week in Essential Classics, Composer of the Week, Afternoon on 3 and Through the Night. Daniel Hope (violin), Sebastian Knauer (piano) in Brahms, including Scherzo (FAE Sonata). Presenting exciting live musical events from all over the world
03	BBC National Orchestra Of Wales	20141008	Live from Colston Hall, Bristol Presented by Tom Service The BBC National Orchestra of Wales and Conductor Laureate Tadaaki Otaka perform great orchestral works by Brahms, as part of Radio 3's Brahms Experience in Bristol. The Academic Festival Overture is a musical thank-you to a university that gave Brahms an honorary degree, but the piece is far from dry academia: Brahms described it as a 'boisterous potpourri of student songs'. Violinist Veronika Eberle and cellist Andreas Brantelid join the orchestra in the Double Concerto, Brahms's last orchestral composition, written as a gesture of reconciliation to violinist Joseph Joachim, who had once been the composer's closest friend but who had shunned his acquaintance. The concert ends with Symphony No 1, the work that builds on the foundations of Beethoven while allowing Brahms' distinct symphonic voice to emerge. Brahms: Academic Festival Overture Brahms: Concerto in A minor for violin, cello and orchestra 8.20 Interval: Tom Service discusses Brahms's musical manifesto Brahms: Symphony No 1 in C minor Veronika Eberle (violin) Andreas Brantelid (cello) Tadaaki Otaka (conductor). BBC NOW performs Brahms's Academic Festival Overture, Double Concerto and Symphony No 1. Presenting exciting live musical events from all over the world
04	BBC Singers	20141009	Live from St George's, Bristol Presented by Tom Service The BBC Singers, conducted by David Hill, perform Brahms' German Requiem and his beautiful Geistliches Lied, with the famous set of Variations on a theme by Haydn completing the programme. Johannes Brahms: Geistliches Lied (op 30) Johannes Brahms: Variations on a Theme by J. Haydn (op 56a) 7.55 Interval: Brahms' 'Requiem' examined: Tom Service and Canon Rosie Harper explore the theological, spiritual and musical landscape of the piece its composer wanted to call 'A Human Requiem' and consider its meaning for listeners today. 8.15: Johannes Brahms: Ein Deutsches Requiem (op 45) Helen Neeves (soprano) Jamie W Hall (baritone) Charles Owen and Katya Apekisheva (pianos) David Hill (conductor) Johannes Brahms' German Requiem has often been described as a requiem for the living, rather than a liturgy for the dead. In tonight's concert for Radio 3's week of live Brahms performances from Bristol, the BBC Singers perform the work in the version accompanied by piano duet - a transcription which, through its gentle intimacy, sheds new light on a much-loved choral masterwork. Alongside it, a tiny sacred song which is an intricate gem of musical ingenuity, and the famous set of variations on a theme by Haydn - sometimes known as the 'St Anthony' variations - played in Brahms' adaptation of the work for two pianos. BBC Singers: Brahms: Geistliches Lied; Variations on a Theme by Haydn; A German Requiem. Presenting exciting live musical events from all over the world
05	Stephen Kovacevich	20141010	Stephen Kovacevich (piano) rounds off The Brahms Experience's week of concerts from St George's, Bristol. In the interval, presenter Tom Service will be debating YOUR thoughts, queries and ideas about Brahms and his music in: 'The Trouble With Brahms?'. Your can tweet your comments to @BBCradio3 - Tom and his panel of experts will be reading out and exploring the best of your comments live on air. Bach: Partita No 4 in D, BWV.828 Brahms: Ballade No.1 in D minor, Op.10 No.1 Brahms: Intermezzo in A minor, Op.76 No.7 Brahms: Intermezzo in A flat, Op.76 No.3 Brahms: Capriccio in D minor, Op.116 No.7 8.10pm Interval: The Trouble With Brahms? Tom Service is joined live by Caroline Rae and Katy Hamilton to examine why some people just don't get on with Brahms's music. They'll be discussing listener responses to Radio 3's Brahms Experience and suggesting ways for Brahms sceptics to discover his music afresh. Join the debate by emailing troublewithbrahms@BBC.co.uk and tell us whether you love Brahms or loathe him! Or tweet us @BBCRadio3 to share your #BrahmsExperience. 8.30pm Part 2 Brahms: Ballade No.4 in B major, Op.10 No.4 Brahms: Intermezzo in B minor, Op.119, No.1 Beethoven: Piano Sonata No.31 in A flat, Op.110 Stephen Kovacevich (piano). Stephen Kovacevich performs piano works by Brahms for Radio 3's Brahms Experience. Presenting exciting live musical events from all over the world