Main content
Sorry, this episode is not currently available

John Eliot Gardiner conducts Mendelssohn, Elgar and Dvořák

John Eliot Gardiner conducts the Philharmonia in Mendelssohn's Hebrides Overture and Dvořák's Symphony No 5. Celebrated mezzo-soprano Alice Coote sings Elgar's Sea Pictures.

John Eliot Gardiner conducts the Philharmonia in Mendelssohn, Elgar and Dvořák, recorded earlier this month at London's Royal Festival Hall.

The sea provides the theme for the first half of the concert. Mendelssohn's Hebrides Overture, the thrilling evocation of his journey through the crashing waves to the awesome Fingal's Cave, provides a dramatic upbeat to Elgar's Sea Pictures. Celebrated mezzo-soprano Alice Coote is the soloist in this lushly orchestrated song-cycle which sets five poems by different authors (including Elgar's wife, Alice) dealing with contrasting aspects of the sea: its dangers, beauty, temptations and symbolism.

After the interval, we're transported to the Czech countryside. In Dvořák's Symphony No. 5, the composer at last fused his symphonic writing with his fresh and original personal style, so intrinsically rooted in the dance rhythms and modal inflections of his native Bohemian folk music.

Introduced by Martin Handley.

Mendelssohn: Overture: The Hebrides (Fingal's Cave), Op. 26
Elgar: Sea Pictures, Op. 37

8.10 pm
Interval Music (from CD)
Jan Dismas Zelenka: Sonata No. 5 in F for 2 oboes, bassoon and continuo
Ensemble Zefiro

8.30 pm
Dvořák: Symphony No. 5 in F major, Op. 76

Alice Coote (mezzo-soprano)
Philharmonia Orchestra
John Eliot Gardiner (conductor)

2 hours, 28 minutes

Last on

Tue 28 Feb 2023 19:30
BBC Radio 3

More episodes

Previous

Prokofiev from the Elbphilharmonie

Next

The Triumph of Time

See all episodes from Radio 3 in Concert

Recipes

See all recipes from John Eliot Gardiner conducts Mendelssohn, Elgar and Dvořák

Music Played

  • Felix Mendelssohn

    The Hebrides (Fingal's Cave) - overture Op.26

    Orchestra: Philharmonia Orchestra. Conductor: Sir John Eliot Gardiner.

  • Edward Elgar

    Sea pictures Op.37 for mezzo-soprano and orchestra

    Singer: Alice Coote. Orchestra: Philharmonia Orchestra. Conductor: Sir John Eliot Gardiner.

  • Jan Dismas Zelenka

    Trio sonata no. 5 in F major

    Ensemble: Zefiro Ensemble.
    • ASTREE - E 8511.
    • ASTREE.
    • 1.

  • Antonín Dvořák

    Symphony no. 5 in F major Op.76

    Orchestra: Philharmonia Orchestra. Conductor: Sir John Eliot Gardiner.

  • Antonín Dvořák

    Serenade for Wind

    Orchestra: Orpheus Chamber Orchestra.
    • DG.

  • Antonín Dvořák

    Bagatelles, Op. 47

    Performer: Gábor Takács‐Nagy. Performer: Károly Schranz. Performer: Gábor Ormai. Performer: András Fejér. Ensemble: Takács Quartet.
    • DECCA.

Broadcast

  • Tue 28 Feb 2023 19:30
    BBC Radio 3