Episode details

Radio 3,18 May 2026,134 mins
Tchaikovsky's Pathétique symphony from the London Symphony Orchestra
Radio 3 in ConcertAvailable for 28 days
The London Symphony Orchestra is conducted by its Chief Conductor, Sir Antonio Pappano in Tchaikovsky's Pathétique symphony, Benjamin Britten's Sinfonia da Requiem and Leonard Bernstein's The Age of Anxiety. Composed by the young Benjamin Britten in the midst of global conflict, his 1940 Sinfonia da Requiem is a grief-stricken cry, its turbulent music finally giving way to Mahlerian tenderness – and hope. Bernstein’s post-war symphony The Age of Anxiety, based on W H Auden’s poem, is a piano concerto in all but name, full of snatches of Broadway. And Tchaikovsky’s Sixth Symphony, the 'Pathétique’, is one of the most famous journeys to the depths of the soul; despite ending on a note of utter despair, the ‘Pathétique’ is among the composer’s most beautiful works. The LSO is sure to draw high emotion from Britten and Tchaikovsky, while pianist Denis Kozhukhin joins them for Bernstein’s fizzing symphonic concerto. Presented by Ian Skelly and recorded Live at the Barbican Hall. Britten: Sinfonia da Requiem Op.20 Bernstein: The Age of Anxiety (Symphony no.2) Tchaikovsky: Symphony No 6 in B minor, ‘Pathétique’ Denis Kozhukhin (piano) London Symphony Orchestra Sir Antonio Pappano (conductor)
Programme WebsiteTracklist
- TrackArtist
- 1.Sinfonia da RequiemSinfonia da RequiemBenjamin Britten
- 2.The Age of Anxiety - Symphony no. 2 for Piano and OrchestraThe Age of Anxiety - Symphony no. 2 for Piano and OrchestraLeonard Bernstein
- 3.In the Church from Album for the Young Op.39In the Church from Album for the Young Op.39Pyotr Tchaikovsky
- 4.Souvenir de Florence Op.70 (4th mvt)Souvenir de Florence Op.70 (4th mvt)Pyotr Tchaikovsky
- 5.Symphony No.6 in B minor - 'Pathétique'Symphony No.6 in B minor - 'Pathétique'Pyotr Tchaikovsky
- 6.Softly the Spirit Flew Up to HeavenSoftly the Spirit Flew Up to HeavenNikolai Rimsky-Korsakov