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The Pathétique

Soul Music Series 3

Biographer Anthony Holden and conductor Vassily Sinaisky explore the cultural impact of Tchaikovsky’s final symphony. From 2002

Biographer Anthony Holden and conductor Vassily Sinaisky explore the cultural impact of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s final symphony.

Series about music that makes the hairs stand up on the back of our necks.

Taking part:

Anthony Holden
Gianandrea Noseda
Vassily Sinaisky
David Gregory

Producer: Lucy Lunt

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2002.

Available now

30 minutes

Last on

Sat 21 Feb 2026 00:00
BBC Radio 4 Extra

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Barber's Adagio for StringsSeries 3

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Credit

Composer Pyotr Tchaikovsky

Broadcasts

  • Fri 8 Jan 2016 18:30
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Sat 9 Jan 2016 00:30
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Tue 25 Aug 2020 18:30
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Wed 26 Aug 2020 00:30
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Fri 20 Feb 2026 10:00
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Fri 20 Feb 2026 16:00
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Sat 21 Feb 2026 00:00
    BBC Radio 4 Extra

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Watch the animation - Professor Mary King describes how the song became a symbol of hope.

Podcast

  • Soul Music

    Series about pieces of music with a powerful emotional impact