Before 12pm, Classical

German singer Andreas Scholl is one of classical music’s superstars, and has introduced countless listeners to the irresistible beauty of his countertenor voice. His acclaimed performances match exquisite grace in his singing with a charismatic stage presence, packed full of passion and an arresting freedom of expression.

Australian clarinettist Nicola Boud and fortepianist Kristian Bezuidenhout discuss their Queen’s Hall recital with Richard Morrison, chief music critic of The Times.

Philip Glass is joined by Patti Smith to discuss their cross-art form collaboration The Poet Speaks with writer and broadcaster Richard Coles.

SUNDAY 27 OCTOBER Weekend events from 10am The Pill. Rebellion. Experimentation. Protest. Civil Rights. This weekend we look at the Vietnam protests, pop art, social change, the anti-nuclear movement, civil rights, the Profumo affair, Skiffle, the Beatles and maverick composers including Frank Zappa, Stockhausen…

SATURDAY 26 – SUNDAY 27 OCTOBER Weekend events from 10am The Pill. Rebellion. Experimentation. Protest. Civil Rights. This weekend we look at the Vietnam protests, pop art, social change, the anti-nuclear movement, civil rights, the Profumo affair, Skiffle, the Beatles and maverick composers including Frank…

• Written by: Chopin

The two pianists perform Mozart's Piano Sonata No 3 In B Flat, Chopin's Fantaisie In F Minor, Schubert's Allegretto from Divertissement A La Hongroise and Brahms's Two Hungarian Dances.

Two titans of the piano repertoire are performed by the formidable Swiss pianist Andreas Haefliger, whose combination of luxuriant richness and steely control in his impeccable playing have earnt him worldwide acclaim. Although his earlier works had been conceived for the wooden fortepiano, Beethoven needed the modern…

A solo performance by the vocalist.

Widely celebrated as one of the world’s preeminent contemporary music ensembles, the Arditti Quartet is famed for its spellbinding performances that combine authority and passion. Yet its players are also respected for their perceptive readings of classic repertoire, including Janáček’s First String Quartet, whose…

Wind quintet formed in 2010, with a repertoire from Haydn to MacMillan.

The soprano performs various works.

Johann Sebastian Bach: St Matthew Passion .: (complete, performed in English) The Bach Choir's annual tradition of performing Bach's St Matthew Passion in English dates back to 1930. Today's audiences continue to appreciate the relevance and immediacy of the performances. Joining The Bach Choir is a ripieno choir…

Johann Sebastian Bach: Prelude in C minor for lute, BWV.999 Johann Sebastian Bach: Fugue in G minor for lute, BWV.1000 Johann Sebastian Bach: Prelude, Fugue & Allegro in E flat for lute, BWV.998 Interval Johann Sebastian Bach: Partita in C minor for lute, BWV.997 As with all his works for solo…

Johann Sebastian Bach: The Well-Tempered Clavier Book II, Part 1, BWV.870-881 The first book of Well Tempered Clavier was an extraordinary achievement - 24 preludes and fugues written in every major and minor key. But the second book exceeds even the first in its scale and variety. In this unique event, harpsichord…

Eloquence and elegance characterise Argentinian-born mezzo soprano Bernarda Fink’s raptuorously received recitals. Acclaimed both for her golden-toned voice and for her subtle characterisations, Fink offers vivid, deeply expressive song performances. With her regular recital partner, US-born pianist Anthony Spiri, she…

SATURDAY 28 SEPTEMBER Weekend events from 10am In the fraught atmosphere of the Cold War, Benjamin Britten’s pacifism, socialist leanings and homosexuality cast him as an outsider. Likewise, his tonal, communicative music was viewed as suspicious by his avant-garde contemporaries. We look at his remarkable work in…

SUNDAY 29 SEPTEMBER Weekend events from 10am In the fraught atmosphere of the Cold War, Benjamin Britten’s pacifism, socialist leanings and homosexuality cast him as an outsider. Likewise, his tonal, communicative music was viewed as suspicious by his avant-garde contemporaries. We look at his remarkable work in the…

SATURDAY 28 – SUNDAY 29 SEPTEMBER Weekend events from 10am In the fraught atmosphere of the Cold War, Benjamin Britten’s pacifism, socialist leanings and homosexuality cast him as an outsider. Likewise, his tonal, communicative music was viewed as suspicious by his avant-garde contemporaries. We look at his…

A solo performance by the violinist.

• Written by: Charles Timberlake

The pianist-composer performs a selection of his own works.

Formed in London in 2005, the young Chiaroscuro Quartet has already garnered widespread praise for its invigorating, sharply focused performances. Led by acclaimed violin soloist Alina Ibragimova, the Quartet specialises in music from the string quartet’s early years, using period instruments in subtle yet incisive…

The 2013 Queen’s Hall concerts open in style with one of the finest Lieder singers of his generation. German baritone Christian Gerhaher has been widely celebrated for the remarkable sincerity and glorious naturalness of his singing, which holds emotional truth and intellectual rigour in perfect balance. Joined by regular…