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Playing Second Fiddle (and Horn and Trumpet...)

Tom Service delves into the role of orchestral seconds and reveals a world of diplomacy, discretion and support. And even a few solos.

What's it like to play second fiddle in an orchestra? Or to sit beside the first horn or trumpet as they garner the limelight with their flashy solos and are stood up for a bow by the conductor at the end of the concert? Are orchestral seconds a tribe of self-effacing, embittered Eeyore-ish wannabees, or does it involve a set of skills and a personality just as musically vital as their more lauded colleagues?

Tom Service seeks answers with the help of London Symphony Orchestra principal second violin David Alberman, second trumpet with English National Opera and the Academy of St Martin in the Fields Will O'Sullivan and the Berlin Philharmonic's second horn, Sarah Willis.

David Papp (producer)

Available now

29 minutes

Last on

Fri 11 Jun 2021 16:30
BBC Radio 3

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Music Played

  • BARBARA JACKSON

    Second Best

    • ILM.
    • 253464-1.

  • Johannes Brahms

    Symphony no. 1 in C minor Op.68

    Performer: London Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Bernard Haitink.
    • LSO LIVE.
    • LSO- 0045.

  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Symphony no. 9 in D minor Op.125 (Choral)

    Performer: Berliner Philharmoniker. Conductor: Sir Simon Rattle.
    • BERLINER PHILHARMONIKER.
    • BPHR160091.

  • Richard Strauss

    Also sprach Zarathustra Op.30 [1895-6]

    Performer: Bavarian R S O. Conductor: Mariss Jansons.
    • BR KLASSIK.
    • 900808.

  • Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

    Symphony no. 41 in C major K.551 (Jupiter)

    Performer: Freiburg Baroque Orchestra. Conductor: René Jacobs.
    • HARMONIA MUNDI.
    • HMC-901958.

  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Symphony no. 5 in C minor Op.67

    Performer: BBC National Orchestra of Wales.

  • Franz Schubert

    Quartet in D minor D.810 (Death and the maiden) for strings

    Performer: Chiaroscuro.
    • BIS.
    • BIS2268.

  • György Ligeti

    Atmospheres

    Performer: Gustav Mahler Youth Orchestra. Conductor: David Afkham.
    • ORFEO.
    • C797111B.

  • Gustav Mahler

    Symphony no. 4 in G major for soprano and orchestra

    Performer: Bavarian R S O. Conductor: Bernard Haitink.
    • BR KLASSIK.
    • 900163.

  • Johannes Brahms

    Symphony no. 2 in D major Op.73

    Performer: London Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Bernard Haitink.
    • LSO LIVE.
    • LSO-0043.

  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Symphony no. 7 in A major Op.92

    Performer: London Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Bernard Haitink.
    • LSO LIVE.
    • LSO 0578.

  • Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

    Symphony no. 6 in B minor Op.74 (Pathetique)

    Performer: London Philharmonic Orchestra. Conductor: Vladimir Jurowski.
    • LPO.
    • LPO 0039.

  • Gustav Mahler

    Symphony no. 9

    Performer: Swedish R S O. Conductor: Daniel Harding.
    • HARMONIA MUNDI.
    • HMM 902258.

  • Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

    The Queen of spades [Pikovaya dama] - opera in 3 acts Op.68

    Performer: The English National Opera Orchestra. Conductor: Edward Gardner.

  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Concerto in D major Op.61 for violin and orchestra

    Performer: Joshua Bell. Performer: Salzburg Camerata. Conductor: Sir Roger Norrington.
    • SONY CLASSICAL.
    • SK 89505.

  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Symphony no. 9 in D minor Op.125 (Choral)

    Performer: Berliner Philharmoniker. Conductor: Sir Simon Rattle.
    • BERLINER PHILHARMONIKER.
    • BPHR160091.

  • Franz Schubert

    Symphony no. 9 in C major D.944 (Great)

    Performer: Berliner Philharmoniker. Conductor: Nikolaus Harnoncourt.
    • BERLINER PHILHARMONIKER.
    • BPHR150061.

  • Richard Strauss

    Don Juan Op.20

    Performer: Berliner Philharmoniker. Conductor: Sir Simon Rattle.
    • BERLINER PHILHARMONIKER.
    • BPHR180221.

  • Franz Schubert

    Symphony no. 9 in C major D.944 (Great)

    Performer: Berliner Philharmoniker. Conductor: Nikolaus Harnoncourt.
    • BERLINER PHILHARMONIKER.
    • BPHR150061.

Broadcasts

  • Sun 6 Jun 2021 17:00
    BBC Radio 3
  • Fri 11 Jun 2021 16:30
    BBC Radio 3

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