The Symphony Sessions Episode Guide

Episode Guide

The Symphony Sessions: Season 3

• Season 3 Episode 4: Power

  Barry Douglas presents behind-the-scenes footage as soprano Katy Kelly from Dublin prepares for a performance of Mozart's Queen of the Night aria with the RTE National Symphony Orchestra. Last in series

• Season 3 Episode 3: Nature

  Barry Douglas presents as soprano Celine Byrne from Naas, Co Kildare, practises with the RTE National Symphony Orchestra for a performance of Dvorak's Song to the Moon from the opera Rusalka

• Season 3 Episode 2: Death

  Barry Douglas presents as mezzo Tara Erraught from Dundalk practises with the RTE National Symphony Orchestra in preparation for a performance of Dido's Lament from Purcell's Dido and Aeneas

• Season 3 Episode 1: EPISODE: 1

  New series of the documentary following the RTE National Symphony Orchestra through rehearsals, examining the daily routines of soloists, musicians and composers. The series follows Barry Douglas and sopranos Rebecca Ryan, Tara Erraught, Celine Byrne and Katy Kelly as they prepare to present pieces inspired by themes of love, death, power and nature

The Symphony Sessions: Season 2

• Season 2 Episode 4: EPISODE: 4

  David Brophy conducts the RTE National Symphony Orchestra in Haydn's Trumpet Concerto in E flat with soloist Mark O'Keefe, and a performance of Arvo Part's Fratres for violin, strings and percussion with violinist Alan Smale. Also featuring works by Mendelssohn, as well as more behind-the-scenes footage. Last in series

• Season 2 Episode 3: EPISODE: 3

  David Brophy conducts the RTE National Symphony Orchestra in Wagner's Lohengrin Act III Prelude with Emer McDonough on flute, and a performance of Shostakovich's Piano Concerto No 1, with pianist Barry Douglas and Mark O'Keefe playing trumpet. Also featuring works by Strauss, as well as an insight into what goes on behind the scenes

• Season 2 Episode 2: EPISODE: 2

  David Brophy conducts the RTE National Symphony Orchestra in Mozart's Andante in C with Emer McDonough on flute, and a performance of Weber's Clarinet Concerto, with soloist John Finucane. Also featuring works by Rimsky-Korsakov and Wagner, as well as an insight into what goes on behind the scenes. Barry Douglas presents

• Season 2 Episode 1: The Symphony Sessions

  New series of the documentary following the RTE National Symphony Orchestra through rehearsals and performances, examining the daily routines of soloists, musicians and composers. The first programme features Barry Douglas at the piano conducting Beethoven's Piano Concerto No 3, Emer McDonough playing flute in Chaminade's Concertino, and David Brophy leading Sarasate's Carmen Fantasie, with Elizabeth Cooney on violin

The Symphony Sessions: Season 1

• Season 1 Episode 4: Tchaikovsky and Dennehy

  Conductor Robert Houlihan leads the RTE National Symphony Orchestra in a performance of Tchaikovsky's Romeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture and the world premiere of Irish composer Donnacha Dennehy's latest work. Last in series

• Season 1 Episode 3: Mozart/Copland

  Principal guest conductor William Eddins leads the RTE National Symphony Orchestra in a performance of Copland's El Salon Mexico and Mozart's Clarinet Concerto in A major, featuring soloist Carol McGonnell

• Season 1 Episode 2: Beethoven and Bach

  Principal conductor Gerhard Markson leads the RTE National Symphony Orchestra through rehearsals for a concert including an extract from Beethoven's Symphony No 3, and Bach's Concerto No 2 in E major for violin, strings and continuo, featuring violinist Catherine Leonard

• Season 1 Episode 1: EPISODE: 1

  Documentary following the RTE National Symphony Orchestra through rehearsals and performances, examining the daily routine of soloists, musicians and composers. The first episode sees principal guest conductor William Eddins leading the ensemble through a recital of Bernstein's On the Town and Ravel's Piano Concerto in G major

The Symphony Sessions:

• The Full Score

  A chance to hear in full the concertos from such composers as Beethoven, Shostakovich and Hayden recorded as part of the recent documentary following the RTE National Symphony Orchestra through rehearsals and performances