Main content
Sorry, this episode is not currently available

Boulez at 100

Tom McKinney presents Radio 3’s classical breakfast show and begins a day of tributes to the French composer and conductor Pierre Boulez. Email 3breakfast@bbc.co.uk

Tom McKinney presents Radio 3’s classical breakfast show and begins a day of tributes to the French composer and conductor Pierre Boulez on his centenary. Email 3breakfast@bbc.co.uk

Today, Tom plays Debussy and Ravel in outstanding recordings from Boulez's 50 year partnership with the Cleveland Orchestra and Boulez's Mozart with Ensemble Intercontemporain. He's also got some intriguing tasters of Boulez's own music, and a glorious choral work from one of his students - music that captures the mood of Sunday morning.

To listen on most smart speakers, just say "Ask ѿý Sounds to play Breakfast."

2 hours, 30 minutes

Music Played

  • Richard Wagner

    Tristan und Isolde (Prelude)

    Orchestra: Gustav Mahler Youth Orchestra. Conductor: Pierre Boulez.
    • DG.
  • Clément Janequin

    Le rossignol

    Conductor: Joël Suhubiette. Ensemble: Ensemble Jacques Moderne.
    • Au Long de la Loire.
    • Mirare.
    • 8.
  • Anon.

    Le rappel des oiseaux (Suite in E minor)

    Composer: Jean‐Philippe Rameau. Performer: Agnès Clément.
    • Le rossignol en amour.
    • Genuin.
  • Camille Saint‐Saëns

    Carnival of the Animals: Aviary

    Performer: Martha Argerich. Orchestra: Orchestra of the Academy of Santa Cecilia. Conductor: Sir Antonio Pappano.
    • Saint-Saëns: Carnival of the Animals & Symphony No. 3, "Organ Symphony".
    • Warner Classics.
    • 14.
  • Joseph Haydn

    Symphony No 92 in G major, 'Oxford' (2nd mvt)

    Conductor: René Jacobs. Orchestra: Freiburg Baroque Orchestra.
    • Haydn - Symphonies Nos. 91 & 92: Rene Jacobs.
    • Harmonia Mundi.
  • Maurice Ravel

    Concerto for piano and orchestra in G major, 2nd mvt; Adagio assai

    Performer: Krystian Zimerman. Orchestra: The Cleveland Orchestra. Conductor: Pierre Boulez.
    • Ravel: Piano Concertos; Valses nobles et sentimentales.
    • DG.
    • 2.
  • Elfrida Andrée

    String Quartet in D minor (3rd mvt)

    Ensemble: The Stockholm Quartet.
    • Caprice.
  • William Byrd

    Mass for 4 voices (Agnus Dei)

    Choir: Stile Antico.
    • The Golden Renaissance: William Byrd.
    • DECCA.
    • 19.
  • Franz Schubert

    6 German Dances orch. Webern

    Orchestrator: Anton Webern. Ensemble: Lucerne Festival Strings. Conductor: Achim Fiedler.
    • OEHMS.
  • Pierre Boulez

    Piano Sonata No. 3 / Formant 3 - Miroir: Points 3

    • Boulez: Piano Sonatas Nos. 1-3.
    • Deutsche Grammophon (DG).
    • 12.
  • Johannes Brahms

    Intermezzo in B minor, Op 119 No 1

    Performer: Murray Perahia.
    • Brahms Handel Variations - Murray Perahia.
    • Sony Classical.
    • 10.
  • Franz Lehár

    Gold and silver - waltz Op.79

    Orchestra: Wiener Johann Strauss Orchester. Conductor: Martin Sieghart.
    • Wien, Weib Und Gesang.
    • ARTE NOVA.
    • 7.
  • Trad.

    Ar Lan y Môr [By the Sea-Shore]

    Singer: Bryn Terfel. Orchestra: Orchestra of the Welsh National Opera. Conductor: Gareth Jones.
    • Deutsche Grammophon.
  • Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

    Serenade in B Flat Major, K. 361 "Gran Partita" - 3. Adagio

    Conductor: Pierre Boulez. Orchestra: Ensemble intercontemporain.
    • Mozart: Gran Partita / Berg: Kammerkonzert.
    • Decca Music Group Ltd..
    • 3.
  • Emmanuel Chabrier

    Habanera

    Orchestra: Orchestre national du Capitole de Toulouse. Conductor: Michel Plasson.
    • EMI.
  • Hélène de Montgeroult

    Violin Sonata in A minor Op.2 no.3 (2nd mvt)

    Performer: Sophie Rosa. Performer: Ian Buckle.
    • Montgeroult, Viotti, Weber & Mendelssohn: Violin Sonatas.
    • Rubicon.
    • 5.
  • Richard Rodney Bennett

    Sermons and Devotions: A Flower at Sun-rising

    Lyricist: Trad..
    • Sermons & Devotions.
    • RCA Red Seal.
    • 12.
  • George Gershwin

    Walking the Dog (From "Shall We Dance?")

    Music Arranger: Hal Borne.
    • Gershwin: Songs.
    • Warner Classics.
    • 7.
  • Niccolò Paganini

    Quartet No. 1 in A Minor, Op. 4 No. 1, MS 28: IV. Tema con variazioni. Adagietto

    Ensemble: Paganini Ensemble.
    • Paganini: Quartets for Strings & Guitar Nos. 1, 2 & 9.
    • Dynamic.
    • 103.
  • Gerald Finzi

    Forlana (5 Bagatelles Op.23)

    Music Arranger: Lawrence Ashmore. Performer: Robert Plane. Orchestra: Royal Northern Sinfonia. Conductor: Howard Griffiths.
    • Finzi: Clarinet Concerto, Five Bagatelles: Robert Plane, Northern Sinfonia.
    • Naxos.
  • Claude Debussy

    Jeux de vagues (La Mer)

    Orchestra: The Cleveland Orchestra. Conductor: Pierre Boulez.
    • Debussy: Nocturnes/La Mer/Jeux: Boulez.
    • Deutsche Grammophon.
    • 7.
  • Robert Schumann

    Davidsbündlertänze, Op 6 (No 6, Sehr rasch)

    Performer: Mitsuko Uchida.
    • Schumann: Davidsbundlertanze / Fantasie : Mitsuko Uchida.
    • Decca.
    • 6.
  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Symphony no. 6 in F major, Op.68 'Pastoral' (2nd mvt)

    Orchestra: WDR Symphony Orchestra Cologne. Conductor: Marek Janowski.
    • Beethoven: Symphonies Nos. 5 & 6, Opp. 67 & 68.
    • PENTATONE.
    • 2.

Broadcast

  • Sun 30 Mar 2025 06:30