Poster Downton Abbey
Downton Abbey
Image courtesy of Carnival Films
Performance Today®

The music of 'Downton Abbey'

The fourth season of "Downton Abbey" begins on Sunday, and in anticipation we'll hear from Scottish composer John Lunn, who has written music for the series. And since "Downton Abbey" is set in early 20th century England, we'll also sample some early 20th century English music on this weekend's Performance Today.

Episode Playlist

Hour 1

Hector Berlioz: The Damnation of Faust, Part I: Scene 3: Hungarian March, "Rakoczy March"
New York Philharmonic; Leonard Bernstein, conductor
Bernstein Favorite Marches
Sony 46709

Frederic Chopin: Etude No. 8 in F Major, Op. 10
Vladimir Horowitz, piano
Carnegie Hall, New York, NY
The Historic Return: Carnegie Hall 1965 - The 1966 Concerts
Sony

Moritz Moszkowski: Etude No. 11 in A-flat Major, Op. 72
Vladimir Horowitz, piano
Carnegie Hall, New York, NY
The Historic Return: Carnegie Hall 1965 - The 1966 Concerts
Sony

Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No. 9 in d minor, Op. 125: 4. Finale: Presto - Allegro assai
June Anderson, soprano; Sarah Walker, mezzo-soprano; Klaus Konig, tenor; Jan-Hendrik Rootering, bass; Members of Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra; Bavarian Radio Chorus; Staatskapelle Dresden; New Y
Ode to Freedom: Bernstein in Berlin
Deutsche Grammophon 429861

Johann Strauss II (arr. Shostakovich): Polka "Vergnugungszug"
National Symphony Orchestra USA; Mstislav Rostropovich, conductor
Grande of the Halls of Conservatory Moscow, Russia
Rostropovich - Return To Russia
Sony 45836

John Philip Sousa: Stars and Stripes Forever
National Symphony Orchestra USA; Mstislav Rostropovich, conductor
Grande of the Halls of Conservatory Moscow, Russia
Rostropovich - Return To Russia
Sony 45836

Hour 2

Edward Elgar: "Pomp and Circumstance", March No. 4
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra; Donald Runnicles, conductor
Britannia
Telarc 80677

John Lunn: Downton Abbey Main Theme
Mary Preston, organ; Dallas Wind Symphony, Jerry Junkin, conductor
Meyerson Symphony Center, Dallas, TX

Edward Elgar: Nimrod from Variations on an Original Theme
Mary Preston, organ; Dallas Wind Symphony, Jerry Junkin, conductor
Meyerson Symphony Center, Dallas, TX

Ralph Vaughan Williams: Overture to The Wasps
Mary Preston, organ; Dallas Wind Symphony, Jerry Junkin, Conductor
Meyerson Symphony Center, Dallas, TX

Frank Bridge: Quintet in D minor for Piano and Strings, H49A: 1. Adagio - allegro moderato; 3. allegro energico
Anne-Marie McDermott, piano; Ida Kavafian, violin; Benny Kim, violin: Steven Tenenbom, viola; Peter Wiley, cello
Music from Angel Fire, Angel Fire Community Center, Angel Fire, NM

Jean-Marie Leclair: Sonata for two violins in F Major, Op. 3 No. 4
Jasmine Lin, violin; Wayne Lee, violin
Levin Performance Studio - WFMT, Chicago, IL

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American Public Media’s Performance Today® is America’s most popular classical music radio program and a winner of the 2014 Gabriel Award for artistic achievement. The show is broadcast on hundreds of public radio stations across the country, including at 1 p.m. central weekdays on Minnesota Public Radio. More information about our stations can be found at APM Distribution.

Performance Today® features live concert recordings that can’t be heard anywhere else, highlights from new album releases, and in-studio performances and interviews. Performance Today® is based at the APM studios in St. Paul, Minnesota, but is frequently on the road, with special programs broadcast from festivals and public radio stations around the country. Also, each Wednesday, composer Bruce Adolphe joins host Fred Child for a classical musical game and listener favorite: the Piano Puzzler.

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