Ten Little Pieces - Season 1
Season 1
Episodes
Wagner
Christopher Eccleston goes in search of the story behind Richard Wagner's dramatic Ride of the Valkyries, involving winged warriors on horseback and a mysterious ring. The BBC Philharmonic and members of the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain perform in an atmospheric Manchester warehouse, with young conductor Alpesh Chauhan.
Gabriel Prokofiev
The genre-bending Concerto for Turntables and Orchestra melds classical music with hiphop breakbeats courtesy of soloist DJ Mr Switch and the BBC Philharmonic. London-based composer Gabriel Prokofiev introduces his extraordinary piece, along with Radio 1's Clara Amfo.
Bizet
Naomi Wilkinson and actor Bobby Lockwood introduce two famous pieces from Georges Bizet's gypsy opera Carmen - a love triangle under the Spanish sun, transposed to a UK nightclub. The BBC Philharmonic perform the sultry Habanera and the Toreador Song.
Haydn
Former footballer Dion Dublin summarises Joseph Haydn's Trumpet Concerto, with the help of a football team and some MOTD-style graphics. Soloist Alison Balsom performs with the BBC Philharmonic under the baton of Alpesh Chauhan.
Shosatakovich
Accompanied by striking visuals, poet Lemn Sissay explores Dmitri Shostakovich's 10th Symphony. Written under Soviet dictator Stalin's rule of terror, the piece is performed by the BBC Philharmonic with young conductor Alpesh Chauhan
Bach
James May shows his sensitive side as he confesses his love for the music of JS Bach, with musical accompaniment from organist Wayne Marshall. The BBC Philharmonic play extracts from Bach's Toccata and Fugue, conducted by Alpesh Chauhan.
Vaughan Williams
Molly Rainford visits the English countryside to explore the tranquil piece The Lark Ascending, written by English composer Vaughan Williams at the time of World War I. Violin star Nicola Benedetti is the soloist with the BBC Philharmonic.
Anne Clyne
Rapper, comedian and actor Doc Brown enters a threatening, animated seascape via a giant wave, to introduce Night Ferry by living composer Anna Clyne. The BBC Philharmonic perform the piece in a Manchester warehouse.
Verdi
Comedian Vikki Stone fears the end of the world is nigh as she introduces part of Guiseppe Verdi's Requiem. The massed ranks of the Halle Choir join forces with the BBC Philharmonic to perform Dies Irae and Tuba Mirum.
Bernstein
Pixie Lott weaves her way through an animated 50s New York to the irresistible rhythms of Leonard Bernstein's Mambo from West Side Story. A dynamic performance of the symphonic dance by the BBC Philharmonic will get toes tapping and hips shaking.
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