Classic FM Live: the programme

1. Handel: Zadok the Priest

The first piece we ever played on Classic FM at 6am on 7 September 1992, the first piece we played on our birthday this year, and the first piece we'll hear at Classic FM live! What a great way to set the tone for the evening of the best classical music and the greatest performers.

2. The Crouch End Festival Chorus

Ahead of their tour with Andrea Bocelli, the esteemed Crouch End Festival Chorus are joining us to celebrate our 20th Birthday at Classic FM Live. This isn't the first time they have performed on the Royal Albert Hall stage - they sang at Classic FM Live in 2011 as well!

3. Monti: Czardas

A lot of Vittorio Monti's compositions aren't so well known, but you're bound to recognise his brilliant 'Czardas' dance. We defy you not to tap your feet along to the music!

4. Tasmin Little

Our glamourous soloist, Tasmin Little, will be playing Vittorio Monti's lively Czardas. It's based on a Hungarian folk tune.

5. Puccini: Nessun dorma

A tenor favourite, 'Nessun dorma' is a beautiful addition to any programme, especially our celebratory 20th birthday Classic FM Live concert. Wynne Evans is the soloist.

6. Leoncavallo: Mattinata

Wynne Evans is our soloist in Leoncavallo's lilting 'Mattinata'. It was first dedicated to Enrico Caruso, who recorded it back in 1904.

7. Rachmaninov: Prelude in G minor

Young pianist Sarah Gardner will treat us to a performance of Rachmaninov's Prelude. She won the Classical 'Next Brit Thing' Award, and now she's on stage at the Royal Albert Hall.

8. Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No. 2

The beautiful Classic FM Hall of Fame favourite can only be improved in a live performance, and where better to hear it than the Royal Albert Hall?

9. HJ Lim

Soloist extraordinaire HJ Lim will take to the stage to tackle the musical mountain that is Rachmaninov's second piano concerto. It's sure to be an emotional roller-coaster.

10. Royal Scottish National Orchestra

You can't have a concerto without an orchestra, who definitely deserve a mention. The Royal Scottish National Orchestra, conduct by Douglas Boyd are performing all the orchestral music, and accompanying the soloists.

11. Parry: Jerusalem

"Bring me my chariots of fire!" In this patriotic year, and the year of our 20th birthday, we couldn't resist adding Parry's rousing hymn to the programme.

12. Vaughan Williams: The Lark Ascending

A moment of relaxation in the form of Vaughan WIlliams' beautiful pastoral piece. Drift away with the flowing melodies from the solo violin, played by Tamsin Little, and the lush orchestral strings.

13. Mendelssohn: Hebrides Overture

Mendelssohn passed through here on his first visit to Scotland in 1829, and was inspired to write his wonderful 'Hebrides Overture'. The rich melodies are inspired by the gorgeous Scottish natural landscape.

14. Jenkins: Benedictus from The Armed Man

Karl Jenkins not only composed this piece, but he'll be conducting it too at our special 20th anniversary Classic FM live performance. The piece was premiered at the Royal Albert Hall back in 2000, so it's a privilege to hear it once more in the prestigious concert hall.