BBC Concert Orchestra and Singers, Shakespeare

Presented by Petroc Trelawny

The BBC Concert Orchestra and BBC Singers join forces for a concert exploring British composers' settings of works by the great English bard William Shakespeare.

The programme includes suites by William Walton for the classic films Richard III and Henry V, and Ralph Vaughan Williams' much-loved setting of words from The Merchant of Venice. Also there's Frank Bridge's miniature gem of a tone poem and Shakespeare Songs by Cyril Rootham and Giles Swayne. With readings by Simon Paisley Day.

William Walton arr. Mathieson: Richard III - A Shakespeare Suite

John Gardner: nos 1, 2, 4, 5 from Seven Songs

Frank Bridge: There is a willow grows aslant a brook

Ralph Vaughan Williams: Richard II (extracts)
Ralph Vaughan Williams: Three Shakespeare Songs
Ralph Vaughan Williams: Henry IV

Cyril Rootham: 2 Shakespeare Songs

Giles Swayne: 3 Shakespeare Songs
William Walton (arr. Muir Mathieson): Suite: Henry V

Ralph Vaughan Williams: Serenade to Music

BBC Singers
BBC Concert Orchestra
David Hill conductor

Followed by performances by students at the Royal Academy of Music

Handel Semele Act I Scene I Chorus - Avert these omens, all ye pow'rs
Royal Academy Opera and Baroque Orchestra
Sir Charles Mackerras conductor
(CD of live recording from 2009 performance)

Live performance -
Telemann Sonata in E minor for oboe and continuo - "Essercizii Musici" TWV 44:e6
Laurence Cummings harpsichord and Leo Duarte baroque oboe

JS Bach Cantata BWV45 'Es ist dir Gesagt' (opening chorus)
Royal Academy of Music Baroque Orchestra & Chorus
Iain Ledingham conductor
(CD of Live recording from Royal Academy of Music / Kohn Foundation Bach Cantata Series)

Rameau Dardanus - Lieux funestes, où tout respire; L'Air de triomphe
Allan Clayton Dardanus
Royal Academy Opera and Sinfonia
Laurence Cummings conductor
(CD of live recording November 2006).