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Classical Icons

Are the icons of classical music born or made? And what factors are at play in the making of an icon, beyond pure talent and artistry?

As 91热爆 2's epic history series Icons is underway, Tom Service takes a closer look at four icons of the classical music world: Maria Callas, Nigel Kennedy, Jacqueline du Pr茅, and Luciano Pavarotti. With the help of opera critic Anna Picard Tom asks whether these icons are born or whether they're made, and what factors (beyond great artistry and talent) are at play in the making of an icon.

Available now

30 minutes

Music Played

  • Giacomo Puccini

    Vissi d'arte (Tosca)

    Performer: Maria Callas. Performer: Paris Conservatoire Orchestra. Performer: George Pretre.
    • EMI.
  • Jimi Hendrix

    Purple Haze

    Performer: Jimi Hendrix Experience.
    • Track.
  • GiacomoPuccini

    Nessun dorma

    Performer: Luciano Pavarotti. Performer: London Philharmonic Orchestra. Performer: Zubin Mehta.
    • DECCA.
  • Amy Winehouse

    Rehab

    • Island.
  • Edward Elgar

    Ist Movement: Adagio - Moderato (Cello Concerto in E minor)

    Performer: Jacqueline du Pr茅. Performer: LSO. Performer: John Barbirolli.
    • EMI.
  • Otis Blackwell

    All Shook Up

    Performer: Elvis Presley.
    • RCA Victor.
  • Antonio Vivaldi

    Allegro from La Primavera from Le quattro stagioni

    Performer: Nigel Kennedy. Performer: English Chamber Orchestra.
    • EMI.
  • Nirvana

    Smells Like Teen Spirit

    • DGC.
  • John Tavener

    Song for Athene

    Performer: Choir of St John鈥檚 College, Cambridge. Performer: Christopher Robinson.
    • NAXOS.
  • Gabriel Faur茅

    Apres Un Reve

    Performer: Sheku Kanneh鈥怣ason.
    • Decca.
  • Big Mama Thornton

    Ball and Chain

    Performer: Janis Joplin.
    • Columbia.
  • The Doors

    Break On Through

    • Elektra.
  • Amy Winehouse

    Back to Black

    • Island.
  • Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

    Requiem aeternam (Requiem (K.626) in D minor)

    Performer: Monteverdi Choir. Performer: English Baroque Soloists. Performer: Sir John Eliot Gardiner.
    • PHILIPS.
  • Franz Schubert

    2nd Movmement - Quartet for strings "Death and the maiden"

    Performer: Hagen Quartett.
    • DG.
  • Vincenzo Bellini

    Casta Diva (Norma)

    Performer: Maria Callas. Performer: Orchestra and Chorus of La Scala, Milan. Performer: Tullio Serafin.
    • Warner Classics.
  • Vera Matson

    Love Me Tender

    Performer: Elivis Presley.
    • RCA Victor.
  • Antonio Vivaldi

    Allegro from La Primavera from Le quattro stagioni

    Performer: Nigel Kennedy. Performer: English Chamber Orchestra.
    • EMI.
  • Antinio Vivaldi

    Allegro from L聮autunno聮 from Le quattro stagioni

    Performer: Nigel Kennedy. Performer: English Chamber Orchestra.
    • EMI.
  • Leonard Bernstein

    Maria (West Side Story)

    Performer: Luciano Pavarotti. Performer: Jos茅 Carreras. Performer: Pl谩cido Domingo.
    • DECCA.
  • Fr茅d茅ric Chopin

    Waltz in E flat major Op.18 'Grande valse brillante'

    Performer: Lang Lang.
    • SONY.

Broadcast

  • Sun 20 Jan 2019 17:00

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