The Christmas story narrated by Heather Harrison and produced for radio by Martin Clarke (with music from Tchaikovsky’s ballet).

Nutcracker Story set to music

Jaques Offenbach (composer) - Barcarolle from the Opera 'The Tales of Hoffman'
Taken from a 1973 double album 'Classics 100' released by K-tel Records. This is the first album I ever owned and started my lifelong love of classical music.
Martin Clarke - Classics Count

Classics 100

Bacarolle from 'The tales of Hoffman'

Classics Count show that went to air on Sunday 14th January. A great mix of music and information.

Classics Count Sunday 14 January 2024

Classics Count, presented by Martin Clarke and Heather Harrison for Wycombe Sound 106.6
On this show they share two interviews, the first with Stuart Dunlop (conductor of the Watford Symphony Orchestra) and the second with Sofia Piccoli (flautist from the Hemel Symphony Orchestra).
The show is live every Sunday from 10am to 12 noon on local radio station Wycombe Sound 106.6 www.wycombesound.org.uk

Classics Count Sunday 28 January 2024

New music this week from Blues Engine, Southbound, 24 Pesos, The Boom Band, Kat & Co, Marcus Bonfanti, Ian Siegal and Robin Trower.

Martin Clarke's Blues Session Episode 169 Part 1

Tch Violin Concerto in D

On this week's show, hear new music from King King, Rainbreakers, Micke Bjorklof, Tim Jones and Wily Bo Walker. Oh yes and two songs from Philipp Frankhauser's new album called 'Home' Why not join the Blues Session Facebook group and come and say hello to fellow listeners. I this week's picture, my hard working Producer Heather Harrison with harmonica and guitar legend Alan Glen.

Martin Clarke's Blues Session Episode 175 Part 1

The latest Classics Count show is full of captivating gems—from Mendelssohn’s lyrical Violin Concerto to Sibelius’ stirring Finlandia and Rossini’s joyful Barber of Seville.

13 April 25

The latest Classics Count is uplifting with a stirring melody from Sibelius’ Karelia Suite, John Barry’s sweeping Dances with Wolves film theme & soulful Massenet. One of these was used in a news programme. Find out which...

20 April 25

The latest Classics Count features Elgar’s moving Nimrod, Vivaldi’s sparkling concerto for four guitars, and Jenkins’ powerful The Armed Man. What’s the story behind Prokofiev’s Classical SymphonyNo.1? A relaxing coffee break with two piano concertos from Beethoven.

25 May 25

Missed the latest Classics Count musical journey? It featured 2 popular overtures from Verdi and Saint-Saëns, plus an emotionally charged Tchaikovsky Swan Lake Finale, Delibes, Gluck & more. Also a very informative interview with Barbara Eifler, CEO of Making Music

13 July 25

Classics Count transports you from Handel’s regal Water Music to Offenbach’s swaying Barcarole. Find out how did Haydn’s Symphony 100 got its nickname. Your scintillating Sunday soundtrack also includes the whole of Schubert's third Symphony written in 1815 when Franz was just 18 years old

27 July 25

Purcell : Trumpet Tune and Air – a rousing tune from Baroque composer Henry Purcell
Albinoni: Oboe Concerto in D minor No 2 1st movement Allegro e non presto and 2nd movement Adagio – from one of Tomaso Albinoni’s 12 concerti for oboe
Mozart: Flute and harp concerto in C major andantino with the Academy of St Martin in the Fields conducted by Sir Neville Mariner and with soloists Sir James Galway and Marisa Robles – listen to the musical phrasing which Craig Armstrong took as inspirations for his Portuguese Love Theme in the film Love Actually
Schubert: Symphony No 2 in B flat major 2nd movement Andante - written in just 3 months when he was 18 years old
Dvorak: Serenade in E for Strings 1st movement Moderato and 2nd movement Tempo di valse – rejoice in this stunning compostion
Rossini: The Thieving Magpie: La Gazza Ladra Overture – from the story where an innocent girl is saved when a magpie is discovered as the culprit


COFFEE BREAK features three evocative scores taken from the world of film music;  
Mozart: Piano Concerto No 21 in C 2nd movement Andante from Master and Commander The Far Side of the World
John Williams: Schindler’s List
Mascagni: Cavelleria Rusticana Intermezzo from American Beauty 


Haydn: Symphony No 101 in D major The Clock 2nd movement andante – pick out the rhythmic pulse sounds of the bassoons and strings
Mahler: Symphony No 5 in C sharp minor 4th movement Adagietto -  bridging 19th century Romanticism with 20th century Modernism
John Field : Piano Concerto No 6 in C major 2nd movement Larghetto – from the much travelled Irish composer
Camilleri: Concertino No 1 for clarinet and strings 1st movement Allegro moderato, 2nd movement Andante molto and 3rd movement Allegro vivace – from the Maltese composer which we will play in its entirity
Delibes: Sylvia Pizzacati – a memorable piece to end our show


21 Sept 25

Handel: Arrival of the Queen of Sheba – get in the mood with the pomp of this majestic piece
Chris Hopkins, Artistic Director of the Amersham Festival of Music - interview
Delius: On hearing the first cuckoo in Spring – based on an old Norwegian folk song
Mozart: Piano Concerto No 23 in A K488 2nd movement Adagio – Mozart seduced the public back into loving his piano concerti with this tantalising piece
Rachmaninov: Second Suite for 2 pianos – written in Italy in 1901 after a 4 year period of self doubt
Grieg: Peer Gynt Suite No 1 Anitra’s Dance – a seductive and bewitching dance
Vivaldi: Concerto in F Autumn Allegro – the feel of the onset of Autumn captured in this piece
Hilary McCann, Publicity Officer of the Amersham Festival of Music - interview
Borodin: Polovtsian Dance – from the opera Prince Igor


COFFEE BREAK 2 moving pieces written 100 years apart
Mahler: Symphony No 5 in C sharp minor 4th movement Adagietto 
Pheloung: Lewis Main Theme 


Puccini : Che gelida manina from La Boheme – from the tragic love story of poet Rodolfo and seamstress Mimi
Boccherini : Cello Concerto No 9 in B flat 3rd movement rondo allegro – one of talented cellist Boccherini’s 12 concerti for his favoured instrument 
John Dunnett, conductor of Wycombe Sinfonia - interview 
Wagner: Prelude to Die Meistersingers Mastersingers of Nuremburg Overture – a powerful piece from a story of competitive singing
 Von Suppe: Light Cavalry Overture – a favourite piece for bands and orchestras from this Austrian composer
Dvorak: Symphony No 8 in G major 3rd movement allegretto grazioso – composed in 1889 following his election to the Bohemiam Academy, listen out for the trumpet finale
Marcello: Oboe Concerto in D minor 3rd movement Vivace – a chirpy pice from this Venetian composer
Stradella: Sinfonia a Tres in D major Part 1 – some stately Baroque to draw the show to a close


28 September 25

Brahms: Hungarian Dance No 5 in G minor Allegro – one of 21 dances composed after meeting famous gypsy violinist Eduard Remenyi
Vivaldi: Concerto in D major for Four Guitars 1st movement Allegro – originally composed for the lute
Schumann: Symphony No 4 in D minor 2nd movement Allegro – from the German Romantic composer who lived between 1810 and 1856
Shostakovich: Jazz Suite No 2 Waltz 2 – famously used in the 1999 Stanley Kubrick film Eyes Wide Shut; listen to the swaying saxophone at the start
Interview with Martin Smith, violinist and conductor for Hertfordshire Philharmonia
Elgar: Enigma Variations GRS – hear Martin tell the story of why Elgar wrote this variation
Elgar: Enigma Variations Nimrod – another of the 14 variations; this moving piece is the most popular
(Edward Elgar pictured)
Interview with Angela Crispe, clarinettist and solo saxophonist for Hertfordshire Philharmonia
Binge: Concerto for Alto Saxophone 2nd and 3rd movement – one of the few concerti composed for this instrument
Handel: Water Music Suite No 1 in F A tempo di minuetto – written for King George 1’s water party on the River Thames in July 1771



COFFEE BREAK Three pieces composed for this beautiful single reed instrument 
Weber: Clarinet Concerto No 2 2nd movement Romance andante
Crusell: Concerto for Clarinet and Orchestra in F minor 2nd movement Andante pastorale
Mozart: Clarinet Quintet in A 2nd movement Larghetto

Mendelssohn: Symphony No 5 in D major Reformation 2nd movement Allegro vivace – written for a major religious event
Tchaikovsky : The Seasons October Autumn Song – listen to our customary seasonal offering accompanied by October’s piece from the book Everyday Nature
Rachmaninoff: Piano concerto No 2 1st movement sostentuto moderato – after the criticism of his first piano concerto, Rachmaninoff was unable to compose for 3 years and then … this masterpiece
Schubert: Symphony No 2 in B flat major 2nd movement Andante – featuring a theme and variations starting with the strings
Sibelius: Finlandia – a patriotic tone poem from 1899 which became a powerful symbol of Finnish identity


05 October 25

Charles Avison (pictured): Concerto Grosso No 5 in D minor Largo – a superb start from Newcastle born composer, conductor and organist considered to be the best English concerto composer of the 18th century

Beethoven: Symphony No 1 in C major 3rd movement Menuetto allegro molto e vivace – dedicated to a Dutch-born Austrian diplomat and patron

Shostakovitch: Piano Concerto No 2 in F major 2nd movement Andante – listen to the violins, violas and cellos starting the movement in a meditative mood

Brahms: Symphony No 4 in E minor 1st movement Allegro non troppo and 3rd movement Allegro giocoso poco meno presto – hear what Brahms said to his friends about this piece

Grieg: Peer Gynt Suite No 2 Arabian Dance – commissioned after meeting the playwright Henrik Ibsen; this is one of the 33 incidental pieces Grieg composed

Crusell: Concerto for Clarinet and Orchestra in E flat 3rd movement Rondo allegretto – including some incredibly fast finger work

Binge: Elizabethan Serenade – from a contemporary Derby-born composed and used by the BBC in the 1950s for the popular series Music Tapestry

Bach: Brandenburg Concerto No 3 in G Allegro – find out how the 6 concertos got their name

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COFFEE BREAK Three Adagios composed for the cello in a Boccherini sandwich

Boccherini: Concerto in D for Cello and Strings

Elgar: Cello Concerto in E minor

Boccherini: Cello Concerto No 9 in B flat

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Delibes: Lakme Duo des fleurs- Flower duet – the story of the daughter of a Brahmin priest and her maid gathering flowers by the river

Mendelssohn: Symphony No 4 in A Italian 1st movement Allegro vivace and 3rd movement Con moto moderato – written following a 10 month tour of Italy

Mozart: Symphony No 40 in G minor K550 4th movement Finale allegro assai – first conducted by Antonio Salieri in 1791 and part of this month’s programme from the Amersham Festival of Music (hear Artistic Director Chris Hopkins speak via listen again in Classics Count from 28th September)

Dvorak: Symphony No 8 in G major 3rd movement allegretto grazioso – the ideas for this symphony came so fast to Dvorak in 1889 that he struggled to write them down

Debussy: Preludes Book 1 No 8 The Girl with Flaxen Hair – a short piece for solo piano from this French composer

12 October 25

Elgar: Pomp and Circumstance March in G major No 4 – listen in to find out how Elgar’s Marches got their name
Hummel: Trumpet Concerto in E flat major 2nd movement Andante - composed for a Viennese trumpeter who developed a keyed trumpet
Chopin: Berceuse in D flat major – meaning lullaby and written in summer 1843 for Louisette but who was she?
Binge: Sailing By – played before the 00:45 shipping forecast every night on BBC Radio 4
Haydn: Symphony No 94 in G Surprise 2nd movement Andante and 3rd movement Menuetto – allegro molto  - beware there is a loud and sudden chord in the second movement! What was Haydn thinking? 
Mozart: Piano Concerto No 23 in A  K488 3rd movement Allegro assai – a beautifully seductive piece
Delius: On hearing the first cuckoo in Spring – a tone poem where the clarinet represents the cuckoo’s call 
Tchaikovsky: Marche Slave – composed for a benefit concert to raise funds for wounded soldiers
Ennio Morricone: Gabriel’s Oboe – from the 1986 movie The Mission


COFFEE BREAK Two beautiful pieces from the remarkable and determined 19th century French composer 
Louise Farrenc: Sextet in C minor Andante sostenuto 
Louise Farrenc: Symphony No 3 in G minor Adagio cantabile


Finzi: Forlana – one of the 5 Bagatelles which Finzi started composing in 1941 before he was drafted into the war

Interview with Rowena Cutting and Hannah Stephens from the Audentior Symphony Orchestra who will be telling us about their special Hallowe’en Concert on Saturday 25th October

Saint Saens: Danse Macabre – listen out for the xylophone denoting the rattling of the skeletons’ bones
Mussorgsky: Night on the Bare Mountain – written to depict the witches’ wild dancing party
Grieg: Peer Gynt Suite No 1 In the Hall of the Mountain King – hear how the music changes as Peer is chased by the Trolls
Prokofiev: Dance of the Knights – a fabulously dramatic and iconic piece for the Montagues and Capulets
Faure: Pelleas and Melisande Sicilienne – from an opera with the story of a love triangle


19 October 25

Punto: Horn Concerto No 11 in E major 2nd movement – a stately start from the Czech horn player and composer of the classical era
Elgar: Enigma Variation No 9 – Nimrod, composed for one of Elgar’s closest friends AJ Jaegar
Mozart: Sinfonia Concertante for Violin, Viola and Orchestra in E flat major K364 – written to showcase equality between the two stringed instruments

A Musical Journey Through the Woodwind Section of the Orchestra
Vivaldi: Clarinet Concerto No 1 1st movement – with limited Baroque pieces written for this instrument, this is an excellent example
Telemann: Flute Concerto in D 4th movement Allegro – from this German composer who taught himself to play so many instruments
Weber: Bassoon Concerto in F major 1st movement – a theatrical flair is evident in this piece from a composer known for his operas
Haydn: Oboe Concerto in C major 2nd movement Andante – commonly attributed to Haydn but with some doubt over its authorship

Saint Saens: Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso – originally a finale to a violin concerto but after a stunning premiere it was published separately
Binge: The Watermill – listen out for the oboe portraying flowing water

COFFEE BREAK We will be playing vintage recordings from the Abbey Road Studios
Mozart: Piano Concerto No 23 in A 2nd movement Adagio – played with such a light touch
Mozart: Piano Concerto No 26 In D Coronation 2nd movement Larghetto – given the name despite Mozart being overlooked in the official ceremony for the Holy Roman Emperor

Elgar: Enigma Variation No 6 – composed for a member of a musical family well known to the Elgars - Isobel Fitton 
Bach: Toccata and Fugue in D minor BWV 565 – used in the opening sequence of Disney’s Fantasia
J Strauss II: Die Fledermaus: The Bat Overture – from the musical story of a New Year’s Eve Ball
Rossini: La Scala di Seta The Silken Ladder – possibly the most brilliant of his 39 operas
Beethoven: Piano Concerto No 5  in E flat major Emperor 2nd movement Adagio un poco molto – listen in to find out who this was dedicated to
Mascagni: Cavelleria Rusticana Intermezzo – including a stunning organ section from this Tuscan born composer
Mahler: Symphony No 5 in C sharp major 4th movement Adagietto – listen to the tenderness of the strings and harp


26 October 25

Bach: Orchestral Suite No 2 in B minor Badinerie – instead of using scherzo Bach used badinerie, the French for jesting, for this piece
Michael Nyman: The Piano The heart asks for pleasure first – from the contemporary composer and filmmaker 
Avril Coleridge Taylor (pictured): Piano Concerto in F major 2nd movement Adagio – a piece from the daughter of Samuel, tune in to find out how she proved herself to her critics and who has made it their ‘tune of the week’
Tchaikovsky: The Seasons November Troika – listen to the poetic epigraph for this month’s offering
Mozart: Concerto for Three Pianos and Orchestra No 7 in F major 2nd movement Adagio – dedicated to a Countess and composed for her to play with her two daughters
Crusell: Concerto for Clarinet and Orchestra in E flat No 1 2nd movement Adagio – performed by himself as a virtuoso clarinettist around Europe during the classical period
Saint Saens: Air et Danse Bacchanale – a dance historically dedicated to Bacchus God of Wine and Feasts
Borodin : String Quartet No 2 in D major 3rd movement Notturno andante – thought to be composed as a 20th wedding anniversary gift to his wife
Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique Un Bal – from a story about an artist in love with an unattainable woman
Beethoven: Bagatelle No 25 in A minor Fur Elise – listen in to find out which two women this might have been composed for


COFFEE BREAK We will be playing two pieces from the lesser known symphonies by the man Mozart referred to as Papa
Haydn: Symphony No 51 in B flat major 2nd movement Adagio
Haydn: Symphony No 54 in G major 2nd movement Adagio assai

Mendelssohn: Symphony No 4 in A Italian 2nd movement Andante con moto – close your eyes and imagine Mendelssohn watching the impressive processions during his visit to Rome

A Musical Journey Through the String Section of the Orchestra
Bach: Violin Concerto in E major 1st movement Allegro – with its recognisable three opening chords
Bruch: Romance for Viola and Orchestra in F major Andante con moto – written by this German Romantic composer in 1911
Saint Saens: Carnival of the Animals The Swan – the penultimate and 13th piece which showcases the cello
Johann Baptist Vanhal: Double Bass Concerto in D major 2nd movement Adagio – composed in 1773 by this Czech composer

Vivaldi: The Four Seasons Concerto in F minor Winter 2nd movement Largo - listen to the corresponding sonnet which describes the scene 
Mozart: Requiem Lacrimosa – a stunningly beautiful choral piece

02 November 25

Barber: Adagio for Strings – originally the slow movement of a string quartet written in Rome in 1936
Albinoni: Adagio in G minor for strings and organ – listen in to found out who the real composer is thought to be
Faure: Pavane – based on a 16th century court dance performed in pairs
Elgar: Nimrod – the 9th of his 14 Enigma Variations and synonymous with Remembrance
Mascagni: Cavelleria Rusticana Intermezzo – an evocative piece with luscious, sweeping melodies
Dvorak: Serenade for Strings 2nd movement – written in just 2 weeks in the summer of 1875
Brahms: Symphony No 3 in F major 3rd movement Poco allegretto – hear what Dvorak said about this symphony
Mozart: Piano concerto No 21 in C K467 2nd movement Andante – Mozart’s autographed manuscript for this well known concerto is on display in a library in New York City
John Barry: The Beyondness of Things – from a Yorkshireman and  one of the greatest composers of film music

COFFEE BREAK We will be playing the adagios from two much loved concerti 
Bruch: Violin Concerto No 1 in G minor 2nd movement 
Mozart: Clarinet Concerto in A 2nd movement

Interview with Claudio Di Meo, conductor with Hemel Symphony Orchestra
Saint Saens: Danse Macabre – hear how Saint Saens uses the instruments to tell the story of dancing skeletons
Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition Bydlo – the fourth movement entitled Bydlo meaning cattle in Polish and refers to an oxcart
Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition The Great Gate of Kiev – a majestic, solemn finale
Interview with piano soloist Mario Miralle Garcia 
Grieg: Piano Concerto in A minor 2nd movement Adagio – the middle movement of Grieg’s much-loved but only piano concerto 
Beethoven: Symphony No 6 in F major Pastoral 4th movement Allegro – entitled Thunderstorm , listen out for the fearful cries of the piccolo and the trombones depicting a lightning strike 


09 November 25

Handel: Music for the Royal Fireworks in D Bourree – a lively French dance to start our show
Borodin : String Quartet No 2 in D major 3rd movement Notturno andante – a passionate melody from the illegitimate son of a Russian prince 
Dvorak: Symphony No 8 in G major 3rd movement allegretto grazioso – composed on holiday and demonstrating the joy he found when inspired by his surroundings
Mozart:The Magic Flute Overture – hear the story of Prince Tamino and Princess Pamina
Beethoven: Piano Concerto No 4 in G 3rd movement Rondo vivace – listen to the hushed strings and the dancing answer from the piano 
Brahms: Symphony No 2 in D major 3rd movement Allegretto grazioso – the oboe is in the spotlight with the opening delicate solo
Tchaikovsky: Serenade for Strings in C 1st movement Andante non troppo-allegro moderato – composed after an extended trip to Italy under doctor’s orders; find out why
Bach: Sheep may safely graze – a pastoral musical picture


COFFEE BREAK We will be playing two well known and much loved piano sonatas 
Beethoven: Piano Sonata No 8 Pathetique 2nd movement Adagio cantabile
Beethoven: Piano Sonata No 14 in C sharp Moonlight 2nd movement Adagio sostenuto

Rossini: The Barber of Seville Overture – from the comic opera where love wins the day
Shostakovitch: Piano Concerto No 2 in F major 2nd movement Andante – dedicated to his son Maxim who performed the concerto at its premier in Moscow in 1957
Mendelssohn: Symphony No 3 in A minor Scottish 2nd movement Vivace non troppo – started on a walking trip in 1829 and completed 13 years later; a piece worth waiting for
Prokofiev: Symphony No 1 in D major  Classical 4th movement – given the nickname by Prokofiev and composed in the style of Haydn and Mozart
Vivaldi: Concerto in D major for Four Guitars 3rd movement Allegro – listen in to find out what instrument this piece was originally composed for
Beethoven: Symphony No 3 in E flat major Eroica 1st movement Allegro con brio – hear where this mighty symphony received its premier


16 November 25

In our first hour, we will be playing music from three different composers all with the first name Charles

Tchaikovsky : Serenade for Strings in C major  2nd movement Waltz moderato – a piece Tchaikovsky said came from the heart
Avison: Concerto Grosso No 5 in D minor Largo – Baroque music from a composer born in Newcastle in 1709
Gounod: Mors et Vita – Judex – an oratorio piece premiered in Birmingham but composed by a Frenchman 
Interview with Edward Longstaff (pictured), conductor with Herts Philharmonia
Beethoven: Symphony No 3 in E flat major Eroica 3rd movement Scherzo allegro vivace – a lively movement from this magnificent symphony
Haydn: Symphony No 101 in D major The Clock 2nd movement Andante – listen for the ticking clock in this movement
Interview with Giovanni Re solo trumpeter with Herts Philharmonia
Hummel: Trumpet Concerto in E flat major 2nd movement Andante – one of the few concertos composed specifically for trumpet; hear its soulful sound
Camilleri: Concerto No 1 for Clarinet and Strings 2nd movement Andante molto – a piece from a much-travelled Maltese composer of the 20th century

COFFEE BREAK 
We will be playing three horn concertos with a common thread – listen to find out the connection 
Leopald Mozart: Horn Concerto in D 2nd movement Andante
Wolfgang Mozart: Concerto for Horn and Orchestra No 3 2nd movement Romance Larghetto
Haydn: Horn Concerto No 1 in D and movement Andante

Mendelssohn: Symphony No 4 Italian 1st movement Allegro vivace – called ‘A blue sky in A major’ by the composer
Berlioz: Harold in Italy 3rd movement – listen to find out what encouragement was given to Berlioz from Paganini
Verdi: La Forza del Destino – from an opera about love, honour and revenge; listen in and we’ll tell you more
Grieg: Peer Gynt Suite No 1 Morning, Ase’s Death, Anitra’s Dance and In the Hall of the Mountain King – follow the musical story of a Norwegian peasant on his travels




Promoting live music locally



Listen again via the Latest Shows page

23 November 25

Albinoni: Concerto in B flat Allegro moderato – an upbeat start from this Italian Baroque composer 
Bach: Air on a G String Orchestral Suite No 3 in D – listen in to find out why the piece was given this title
Binge: Elizabethan Serenade – originally published as Andante Cantabile but changed when Elizabeth came to the throne
Tchaikovsky (pictured): The Seasons Suite December Christmas – our seasonal offering bringing a festive feel to the show
Avril Coleridge Taylor: Piano Concerto in F major 2nd movement Adagio – stepping out of her father’s shadow

The next three pieces will be from the concert programme for 30th November putting the spotlight on the Abbots Langley Orchestra
Weber: Der Freischutz Overture –from this German composer and a turning point in opera previously dominated by Italians
Vanhal: Concerto for Double Bassoon 1st movement Allegro moderato – a beautiful piece from an underrated instrument
Dvorak: Symphony No 7 in D minor 3rd movement Scherzo vivace – inspired by Dvorak’s Czech patriotism and his personal struggles

COFFEE BREAK 
Beethoven: Symphony No 6 2nd movement Andante – in the Scene by the Brook listen out for the bird calls played by 3 different instruments

Delibes: Sylvia Pizzicato Polka – from the ballet, a story of a sword-wielding nymph
Glinka: Overture to Ruslan and Ludmila – a knight’s quest to rescue his wife from a sorceror
Haydn: Symphony No 94 in G Surprise 3rd movement Menuetto allegro molto and 4th movement Finale allegro molto – from the 2nd of his 12 London symphonies
Federigo Fiorillo: Concerto No 2 in B flat major for violin and orchestra Adagio – composed by a Venetian born in 1755
Massenet: Meditation from Thais – the intermezzo from this Romantic French composer
Mozart: Concertone for 2 Violins and Orchestra in C major K190 1st movement Allegro spiritoso – composed in May 1774 for more than one soloist
Avison: Concerto No 8 in E minor 4th movement Vivace and Concerto No 11 in G major 4th movement Vivacemente – two pieces composed by Charles Avison who was taught by his father in their home town of Newcastle before studying in London with a virtuoso Italian violinist


30 November 25

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen – a festive start to today’s show
Tchaikovsky: Nutcracker Suite Waltz of the Flowers – listen in to hear what Tchaikovsky told fellow musicians
Rossini: La Cenerentola Overture – an astonishingly good piece from the story of Cinderella where values replace the features of the traditional fairy tale 

Raffaele Pagano violinist and Goncalo Pires cellist (pictured) play the following 3 pieces in the studio
Handel: Passacaglia – a piece originally composed for piano 
Pagano: Sweet Insights – a composition from our visiting violinist 
Silent Night – a pre Christmas treat from our performers
Interview with Raffaele Pagano and Goncalo Pires

Carlos Seixas: Harpsichord Concerto in G minor 1st movement Allegro – a Baroque piece from a Portuguese composer - a new discovery
Rimsky Korsakov: The Snow Maiden Suite – listen to the story of Snegurochka and listen to the brilliantly named Danse des Bouffons The Dance of the Tumblers


COFFEE BREAK Two relaxing pieces; one from a well known German composer and the other from a pioneer who was the first British woman to compose a symphony 
Weber: Clarinet Concerto No 2 2nd movement Romanza andante
Alice Mary Smith: Andante for Clarinet and Orchestra

Ding Dong Merrily on High – another cheerful seasonal piece

Interview John and Ange Brennan the conductor and the principal cellist from Audentior Symphony Orchestra followed by some of the pieces from their concert on Saturday 13th December classicscount.org/live-events 
Beethoven: Symphony No 5 in C minor Fate 4th movement allegro – a symphony with an iconic 4 note start but with stunning music throughout and to the last note 
Brahms: Symphony No 1 4th movement – Brahms started writing this in 1855 and was still tinkering with it in 1877

Sunday 07 December 25

Christmas: Leroy Anderson Sleigh Ride – sleigh bells at the ready for a festive start 
Brahms: Variations on a theme by Joseph Haydn Chorale St Anthony Andante – with 8 distinct variations before the glorious finale
Haydn: Symphony No 104 in D major 4th movement – one of 12 London symphonies composed during 2 spells of living in the capital
Interview with Chris Hartgroves – double bass player and publicity officer with the St Albans Symphony Orchestra
Copeland: Fanfare for the Common Man – written in 1942 for the Cincinatti Symphony Orchestra and famously used in 1977 by progressive rock band Emerson, Lake and Palmer
Interview with Bill Carslake – guest conductor for the SASO New Year’s Day concert when Copeland’s piece, among others, will be on the programme
Jean Michel Damase: Flute Concerto 2nd movement Andante – the son of a renowned French harpist who composed his first piece for the piano at the age of 9 years
Mahler (pictured): Symphony No 1 in D major Titan 2nd movement – it took Mahler 15 years to perfect this symphony from the first sketches in 1884 to its publication in 1899
Bach: Double Concerto for two violins in D minor 1st movement Vivace – a popular Baroque piece from 1730
Christmas: In the Bleak Midwinter – an alternative to the well known melody
Christmas: Star Carol – a lively Christmas song from John Rutter

COFFEE BREAK Two beautiful pieces – with the first from a little-known composer
Freidrich Kuhlau: Piano Concerto in C major 2nd movement Adagio – a Danish pianist and composer from a musical family of military band oboists; tune in to find out more
Elgar: Serenade for Strings in E minor 2nd movement Larghetto – a relaxing piece from this quintessential English composer

Christmas: It Came Upon A Midnight Clear – from an 1849 poem by Edmund Sears
Christmas: O Tannenbaum – a German ode to the Christmas tree
Dvorak: Slavonic Dances No 4 in F Sousedski – one of his 16 dances this being a calm, swaying Bohemian dance 
Mendelssohn: Symphony No 5 in D major Reformation 2nd movement Allegro vivace – hear which composer of a grand choral religious piece Mendelssohn admired; this is what he wrote instead
Hamish MacCunn: The Land of the Mountain and the Flood Overture – inspired by a Walter Scott poem and composed when MacCunn was just 19 years
Mozart: Clarinet Concerto in A 1st movement Allegro – originally written for the basset clarinet which has 4 semitones added to its lower range
Christmas: Deck the Halls – take some musical inspiration to get ready for the festive season


Sunday 14 December 25

Christmas: Jingle Bells – originally written in1857 for Thanksgiving
Christmas: Away in a Manger – written in America in the 1880s
Tchaikovsky: Nutcracker Suite Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy – listen to the celeste in this ethereal piece
Tchaikovsky: Nutcracker Suite Dance of the Mirlitons or Reed Pipes – find out what a mirliton actually is
Listen to The Nutcracker  
The story narrated by Heather and with Tchaikovsky’s ballet music produced for radio by Martin 
Christmas Day 10-11pm Mix 92.6
Boxing Day 1-2pm Wycombe Sound
Rimsky Korsakov: Scheherazade 3rd movement The young prince and the young princess – hear the clarinet representing the princess’ tender kisses
Emilie Waldteufel: Skaters’ Waltz Les Patineurs – a dreamy piece written in 1882 to sway along to
Smetana: Ma Vlast Vltava – one of 6 symphonic poems composed by this patriotic Czech 
Howard Goodall: The Lord is My Shepherd – the theme from the iconic comedy series The Vicar of Dibley 
Mozart: Requiem Lacrimosa – written but left incomplete in 1791 Mozart’s final year
Christmas: Once in Royal David’s City – written by an Irish poet
Christmas: O Come All Ye Faithful – also known as Adeste Fideles

COFFEE BREAK Two stress-relieving piano concerti
Shostakovitch: Piano Concerto No 2 in F major 2nd movement Andante – what picture does this paint for you?
Field: Piano Concerto No 6 in C major 2nd movement Larghetto – the 6th of 7 piano concerti from this lesser known 18th century Irish composer

Christmas: Hark the Herald Angels – based on Luke chapter 2
Christmas: O Little Town of Bethlehem – from a 19th century Episcopal priest from Philadelphia
Christmas: While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks – find out how this links to the Poet Laureate of 1700
J Strauss II: Blue Danube Waltz – one of the most famous classical waltzes
J Strauss II: Tritsch Tratsch Polka – listen in to what inspired Strauss to write this fun piece
Listen to A Viennese Concert with music from the Strauss family  
New Year’s Day 7-9pm Wycombe Sound
Three pieces of film music from contemporary composers: 
Michael Nyman: The heart asks for pleasure first – from The Piano
John Barry: John Dunbar Theme – from Dances with Wolves 
John Williams: Theme – from Schindler’s List
Christmas: Silent Night – an utter delight when sung in German
Christmas: O Holy Night – a spine-tingling carol to round off our show

Martin and Heather would like to wish you all a very Happy Christmas 
and they look forward to your company in 2026


Sunday 21 Dec 25

Bach: In Dulci Jubilo – popularised by John Mason Neale’s Good Christian Men Rejoice and by Mike Oldfield 
Adam: Giselle movement 5 – from the composer of the dearly oved Christmas carol O Holy Night
Good King Wenceslas – listen in to find out who Wencelas was 
Elgar: Pomp and Circumstance March in G major No 4 - a tune to bob up and down to as per the Last Night of the Proms

J Strauss II: Die Fledermaus The Bat Overture – let us transport you back to New Year’s Eve in Vienna 1899 
J Strauss II: Roses from the South – a beautiful waltz melody dedicated to King Umberto of Italy
Hear 2 hours of music from the Strauss family in the New Year’s Day special 7-9pm 

Delibes: Sylvia Pizzicati – from the Italian meaning pinch, here the strings are plucked
Khachaturian: Spartacus Suite No 2 Adagio of Spartacus and Phrygia – hear the story of the famous gladiator 
Jenkins: The Armed Man A Mass for Peace Benedictus – a commission piece from this 20th century Welshman
Schubert: Ave Maria – from a humble prayer comes this moving piece

COFFEE BREAK For ultimate relaxation, we have the 2nd movements, the larghetto, from two of Mozart’s piano concerti - Piano Concerto No 26 written in 1788 and Piano Concerto No 27 written 3 years later in Mozart’s final year

Prokofiev: Romeo and Juliet - Juliet as a Young Girl – listen to how the orchestra turns playful music to melancholy
Haydn: Horn Concerto No 1 in D 2nd movement Adagio – an elegant piece demonstrating the horn’s lowest notes 
Mendelssohn: The Hebrides Overture Fingal’s Cave – join us on our musical journey to the Island of Staffa
Mozart: Clarinet Concerto in A 2nd movement Adagio and 3rd movement Rondo allegro – chosen by our listeners; message us with what you’d like to hear via the contact page on classicscount.org 
Strauss: Champagne Polka – a celebratory piece for the last show of this year


Martin and Heather would like to wish you all a very Happy New Year 
and they look forward to your company in 2026


Sunday 28 Dec 25

Beethoven: Symphony No 1 in C major 3rd movement Menuetto allegro molto e vivace – a cheerful and playful piece coming away from the classical style of slower third movements
Faure: Pavane – taking its title and rhythm from a 16th century dance performed at weddings
Glazunov: The Seasons Winter – the 2026 Classics Count offering to mark the passing of the months in music
Mendelssohn: Symphony No 5 in D major Reformation 2nd movement Allegro vivace – a piece composed when Mendelssohn was 20 years old
Respighi: The Birds Prelude – from the Italian composer, the first of this 5 part suite
Bruch: Violin Concerto No 1 1st movement Vorspiel allegro moderato – listen in the hear why Max Bruch was persuaded not to give this piece the title ‘Fantasy’
Elgar: Cello Concerto in E minor 2nd movement Adagio – hear what Elgar was doing when he composed this
Mozart: Flute Concerto No 2 in D major 3rd movement Rondo allegro – the second of his two compositions written for flute

FOR OUR COFFEE BREAK THIS WEEK, from the most significant Finnish composer before Sibelius’ time, Bernhard Crusell, we have the slow movements from his three concerti for clarinet and orchestra 
Concerto for Clarinet and Orchestra No 1 2nd movement Adagio
Concerto for Clarinet and Orchestra No 2 2nd movement Andante pastorale 
Concerto for Clarinet and Orchestra No 3 2nd movement Andante moderato

Chopin: Waltz No 1 in E flat major – dedicated to his pupil Laura Horsford in 1833
Handel: Music for the Royal Fireworks in D Overture – a festive, jubilant piece to herald the new year
Dvorak: Slavonic Dance No 2 in E minor – the second of sixteen dances composed between 1878 and 1886
Ireland: A Downland Suite Minuet Allegretto grazioso – born in Manchester and passed in Sussex but where did John Ireland live for the 50 years in between? Listen in to find out
Holst: The Planet Suite 2nd movement Venus The Bringer of Peace – an uplifting piece from this much-loved suite
Saint Saens: Danse Macabre – listen out for the xylophone depicting the rattling bones and the solo violin as Death’s fiddle in a party that stops at dawn


Sunday 04 Jan 26

On this week's show we feature an interview with BBC Radio 2 award winner Ange Hardy in which we explore her roots and discovery of music. Plus a fine blend of music to refresh your soul... You can catch further shows via our Spreaker account. Just search for Martin Clarke.

The Roots Collective Episode 52 Part 1

Chantel McGregor - I'm no good for you www.chantelmcgregor.com

I'm No Good For You

Martin Clarke is a Freelance Journalist & Presenter:
Check out our web site www.classicscount.org

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