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Classical music for focus or relaxation

An eclectic mix featuring classical favourites, lesser-known gems and a few surprises.

Half an hour of uninterrupted music taking us down intriguing and unexpected musical avenues. Starting with a white-knuckle ride from John Adams and whizzing along the unpredictable flight path of a pair of musical bees, we'll break the journey in a cantina in a galaxy far, far away. There's also heavenly Mozart on the menu, before a visit to an over-protective farmer and his chickens, ending up in the company of a much more mythical bird, conjured up by Stravinsky.

Producer: David Fay

30 minutes

Last on

Tue 24 May 2022 19:00

Music Played

  • John Adams

    Short Ride in a Fast Machine

    Orchestra: Berliner Philharmoniker. Conductor: Alan Gilbert.
    • The John Adams Edition.
    • Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra.
    • 104.
  • Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber

    Violin Sonata No 5 in E minor (3rd mvt)

    Performer: Lina Tur Bonet. Ensemble: Musica Alchemica.
    • Glossa.
  • Claude Debussy

    Arabesque No 2 in G major

    Performer: Jean鈥怸ves Thibaudet.
    • Debussy, Preludes etc.: Jean-Yves Thibaudet.
    • Decca.
    • 17.
  • Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

    The Nutcracker - Trepak (Russian dance)

    Orchestra: Berliner Philharmoniker. Conductor: Sir Simon Rattle.
    • Tchaikovsky: The Nutcracker: Berliner Philharmoniker/Rattle.
    • EMI Classics.
    • 6.
  • Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

    Serenade No. 10 in B-Flat Major, K. 361 "Gran Partita": V. Romance

    Ensemble: Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra. Director: Alexei Ogrintchouk.
    • Mozart: Serenade No. 10 in B-Flat Major, K. 361 "Gran Partita".
    • BIS.
    • 5.
  • Frank Bridge

    The Bee

    Choir: Tenebrae. Director: Nigel Short.
    • SIGNUM.
  • Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov

    The Flight of the Bumblebee (The Tale of Tsar Saltan)

    Performer: Wynton Marsalis. Ensemble: Eastman Wind Ensemble. Conductor: Donald Hunsberger.
    • SONY.
  • Joan Whitney

    Ain't nobody here but us chickens

    Composer: Alex Kramer. Ensemble: Louis Jordan and His Tympany Five.
    • JSP Records.
  • John Williams

    Cantina Band (Star Wars)

    Orchestra: London Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: John Williams.
    • Star Wars: A New Hope.
    • Walt Disney Records.
    • 9.
  • Igor Stravinsky

    The Firebird - ballet: Sc.2; Finale (General thanksgiving)

    Orchestra: Les Si猫cles. Conductor: Fran莽ois鈥怷avier Roth.
    • HARMONIA MUNDI.

Broadcast

  • Tue 24 May 2022 19:00

Music to help you focus

Discover the best classical music for study, inspiration and relaxation.