Radio 3 in Concert: Mahler Symphony No 5

The BBC Symphony Orchestra, with composer conductor Ryan Wigglesworth, in Mahler's famed Fifth Symphony. Also music by Ryan Wigglesworth himself, inspired by poet George Herbert. Mahler's Fifth Symphony begins with a funeral march, but that's only the start of this particular story, with its tragedies, triumphs and distant horn-calls, plus, of course, the famous Adagietto, possibly the sweetest love-letter ever written in sound. Ryan Wigglesworth brings a composer's insight to Mahler's huge vision and conducts his own song-cycle Till Dawning. "Can there be any day but this/Though many suns to shine endeavour?" Like Mahler's symphony, Till Dawning tells a story of suffering, struggle and triumphant reawakening, and this new orchestral version only heightens its emotional intensity. Wigglesworth himself conducts, and it's sung by Elizabeth Watts. Live at the Barbican, London. Ryan Wigglesworth: Till Dawning (UK premiere). 19.50 Interval. 20.10 Mahler: Symphony No 5 in C sharp minor. Elizabeth Watts (soprano). BBC Symphony Orchestra. Ryan Wigglesworth (conductor)