MOVIES AND MUSICALS WITH AEDÍN GORMLEY
Join Aedín for her annual, not to be missed, seasonal soundtrack of songs and festive film favourites. From Willy Wonka to It's a Wonderful Life, The Wizard of Oz to White Christmas, Elf to ET and Home Alone to How the Grinch stole Christmas. Hit songs from Frozen, Mary Poppins and The Polar Express. Your favourite things guaranteed!
RTÉ lyric fm, Saturday 21st December, 1pm-4pm
OPERA NIGHT WITH PAUL HERRIOTT
It's Opera Gala time and Paul Herriott bring us a wonderful evening's entertainment with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra and soloists Celine Byrne, Paolo Bordogna, Andrew Morstein and Anna Brady recorded in the Helix in Dublin on November 2nd.
Puccini La Tregenda (Le Villi)
Wagner Dich, teure Halle (Tannhäuser)
Mozart Catalogue Aria (Don Giovanni)
Mozart Soave sia il vento (Così fan tutte)
Gounod Ah leve-toi, soleil! (Roméo et Juliette)
Puccini Un bel dì (Madama Butterfly)
Puccini O soave fanciulla (La bohème)
Puccini Intermezzo Act III Manon Lescaut
Bellini Ah per sempre (I Puritani)
Puccini Vissi d'arte (Tosca)
Donizetti Ah! Mes amis (La fille du régiment)
Delibes Flower Duet (Lakmé)
Verdi Bella figlia dell'amore (Rigoletto)
RTÉ Concert Orchestra
Francesco Cilluffo (conductor)
Celine Byrne (soprano)
Paolo Bordogna (baritone)
Andrew Morstein (tenor)
Anna Brady (mezzo-soprano)
RTÉ lyric fm, Saturday 21st December, 7pm-10pm
VOX NOSTRA WITH VLAD SMISHKEWYCH
Lux in tenebris: the theme of 'light in the darkness' is a fitting one for the day after midwinter solstice. Vlad explores music from millennia ago on this Vox Nostra, including pre-Christian era music from Ireland and around the world (on historic instruments!), as well as music inspired by scientific and philosophical advancements that brought hope and light during troubled times. Plus, the music of Jean-Joseph Mouret brings a joyful touch to this Sunday's programme with his famous 'Suite de Symphonies' as well as pearls from his sacred and operatic works.
RTÉ lyric fm, Sunday 22nd December, 7am-10am
WEEKEND CLASSICS WITH CLAUDIA BOYLE
Soprano Claudia Boyle sets the mood for a relaxing weekend. Whether you are catching up on things, chilling out or enjoying leisure activities, unwind to some of the world's most beautiful classical music. Claudia promises lots of treats on the show including her Musical Menu where she looks at Classical Music connections with food and drink; she will have many musical greats on the show (excluding herself!) in Divas and Divos. There will be something for the little ones in the house in Claudia's Kids' Classics plus the show will be topped off with new releases and much loved melodies from across the genres. Join Claudia Saturday and Sunday from 4pm as she brings you the ultimate weekend playlist.
Drumroll...on today's show Claudia will be announcing the winners of the 2024 Choirs for Christmas Competition
RTÉ lyric fm, Sunday 22nd December, 4pm-6.00pm
THE LYRIC FEATURE
A Dream of Foreign Lands
A Dream of Foreign Lands commemorates the 40th anniversary of Rum Sodomy & The Lash, the groundbreaking album by The Pogues. Featuring exclusive contributions from James Fearnley and Jem Finer of the band, as well as Shane's sister Siobhan MacGowan, the programme delves into the album's enduring creative and cultural significance. It traces The Pogues' emergence in early 1980s London, examining how their music offered a sense of identity to London Irish audiences. For many young listeners, The Pogues provided a unique way to connect with Irish culture and tradition. Yet, for others, the band's engagement with traditional influences elicited confusion or even hostility.
At the heart of the documentary is a portrait of a young Shane MacGowan at the peak of his creative powers. The programme explores his remarkable intellect and his ability to fuse a reverence for tradition with a spirit of rebellion. Contributors unpack the literary, musical, historical, and cultural inspirations that informed MacGowan's songwriting. They reveal how his fusion of poetry, humour, observation, storytelling, and social critique created profoundly empathetic and insightful works that continue to resonate deeply with audiences worldwide.
Presented and produced by Mike Glennon
Series Producer Eoin O Kelly
Production Co-ordinator Michael O'Kane
RTÉ lyric fm, Sunday 22nd December 6pm-7pm
VESPERTINE WITH ELLEN CRANITCH
Wistful, jolly, and exuberant all at the same time on tonight's programme as we fill the Vespertine stocking with seasonal music from around the world. Heidi Skjerve makes tracks in the snow, Bob Dylan must be Santa, Anúna create sonic starlight, and George Shearing visits the famous Breton Carols. Not to mention Nigel Mooney's 20th Century Christmas Blues, and Kate Bush making December magic again. Peace to all in this Christmas season.
RTÉ lyric fm, Sunday 22nd December 9pm-12am
NIALL CARROLL'S CLASSICAL DAYTIME
Niall Carroll plays music from the heart of the classical repertoire with Sounds on Screen a piece from either the big or the small screen at 11am, and at midday each day Five of a Kind. On today's show Niall chooses a piece by the Italian baroque era composer and violinist Arcangelo Corelli whose works, including his so-called Christmas Concerto, had an enormous influence over the development of European classical music.
RTÉ lyric fm, Monday 23rd December, 10am-1pm
THE FULL SCORE WITH LIZ NOLAN
George Hamilton presents The Full Score today, including a special concert for our younger listeners which is called The Animals and the Orchestra. We'll hear from cats and mice, dogs, rats and swans with music from The Lion King, Ratatouille and The Pink Panther, all performed by the WDR Radio Orchestra.
RTÉ lyric fm, Monday 23rd December, 1pm-4pm
CHRISTMAS IN KILDARE
Spend Christmas Eve in the company of Marty Whelan and Celine Byrne, as they introduce RTÉ’s annual Christmas concert from St. Brigid’s Cathedral Kildare, marking her 1500th anniversary. This special seasonal programme features the RTÉ Concert Orchestra conducted by Gavin Maloney, with musical guests including Paul Noonan, Méav Ní Mhaolcatha with Colm Mac an Iomaire, Rhiannon Giddens and soprano Celine Byrne.
RTÉ lyric fm, Christmas Eve Tuesday 24th December, 7pm-8pm
OÍCHE CHIÚIN WITH AEDÍN GORMLEY
Aedín Gormley brings you an hour long special of her favourite mellow seasonal music. As we head towards the big day, Aedín will be playing favourites from classic movies and reflective, joyful tunes to make spirits bright. We know that this can be a challenging time of year for all sorts of reasons and so we offer this beautiful programme of music, hosted by Aedín Gormley, as a space for calm and reflection amid the flurry. We hope you can sit back and join Aedín as she guides us through her selection of alluring winter music to calm and soothe.
RTÉ lyric fm, Christmas Eve Tuesday 24th December, 8pm-9pm
MARTY IN THE MORNING
Wake up with Marty this Christmas morning, for a feast of festive tunes, carols and some of his best Christmas cracker jokes. We'll hear favourites from Leontyne Price, Frank Sinatra and Eimear Quinn, while Marty tells the magical story of Clara in Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker. It's a cool yule with Marty on this special morning.
RTÉ lyric fm, Christmas Day Wednesday 25th December, 8am-10am
CENTURIES OF CHRISTMAS WITH VLAD SMISHKEWYCH
Vlad's annual Christmas offering on RTÉ lyric fm with a millennium of music for this special festive day. He'll explore the roots and branches of the heartwarming musical traditions around the Christmas-celebrating world, with a magnificent musical accompaniment to your Christmas celebrations. New releases of seasonal music interweave with beloved favourites in a glorious garland of melodies.
RTÉ lyric fm, Christmas Day Wednesday 25th December, 10am-1pm
CHRISTMAS AROUND THE WORLD WITH PAUL HERRIOTT
Paul Herriott brings us a playlist of Christmas music from around the world with seasonal live music recordings from Iceland, Germany, Czech Republic, France, Portugal, Lithuania and Australia courtesy of the European Broadcasting Union.
RTÉ lyric fm, Christmas Day Wednesday 25th December, 7pm-9pm
THE FULL SCORE WITH LIZ NOLAN
Today's Full Score is presented by George Hamilton and our concert is the Christmas Concert from La Scala Orchestra and Chorus with Daniel Harding conducting Kirill Gerstein, piano for Beethoven's Choral Fantasy and we'll also hear Brahm's Symphony No. 2.
RTÉ lyric fm, Thursday 26th December, 1pm-4pm
RTÉ LYRIC LIVE: The Music of Bill Whelan with the National Symphony Orchestra
Aedin Gormley presents tonight's concert features a rich array of orchestral works by Grammy Award-winning composer Bill Whelan including two Eurovision-related pieces: Riverdance and Timedance. The thrilling Riverdance Symphonic Suite sets aside the traditional instruments and songs of the stage show in favour of the majestic sweep of a full symphony orchestra. Timedance, composed by Whelan and Donal Lunny for the 1981 Eurovision interval act is performed by orchestra and traditional soloists. Whelan's melodic, rhythmic and dramatic music is a melting pot of influences. The beautiful intertwining of classical violin and traditional fiddle in Inishlacken evokes the richness of life and nature on a deserted island off the Galway coast; a new version for orchestra of Stolen Hearts featuring Séamus and Caoimhe Uí Fhlatharta has its world premiere. Hymn to a Broken Marriage, which will be performed by Whelan, movingly sets to music Paul Durcan's elegiac poem to lost love. Flying Blind, a song written by Whelan in the early part of his career and also performed by the composer. Timedance highlights Whelan's uniquely vivid ability to treat classical and traditional music as equals.
National Symphony Orchestra
Gavin Maloney, conductor
Julieanne Forrest, violin
Athena Tergis, fiddle
Séamus Ó Flatharta, whistle, harp, voice and bodhrán
Caoimhe Uí Fhlatharta, fiddle and voice
Bill Whelan, piano
Tara Howley, uilleann pipes
Aedín Gormley, presenter
RTÉ lyric fm, Thursday 26th December, 7pm-9pm
RTÉ LYRIC LIVE: RTÉ lyric fm @ 25
Join us as we look back at celebration of RTÉ lyric fm's 25th birthday in Limerick, home of RTÉ lyric fm, with a gala concert featuring the music of Puccini, Rodgers & Hammerstein, Bizet, Morricone, Bernstein, John Williams, Strauss, Copland, Mascagni, Mancini, Alan Menken, Dvorak and more!
The evening was hosted by RTÉ lyric fm presenters who came together to celebrate the joy of music and its power to connect.
Along with a selection of favourites, three new works for orchestra which focussed on the themes of nostalgia, hope and rebirth were premiered. Limerick composer and the Cranberries drummer Fergal Lawler's The Curragower Falls reflected on memories of childhood by the River Shannon. Cork composer Paul Frost's A New Day Rising captured the feeling of waking up optimistically to a new day. Dundalk composer and fiddle player Zoë Conway Bualadh an cheoil, bualadh an chroí (Music playing, heart beating) demonstrates the powerful connection of Irish music to the body and dance.
RTÉ Concert Orchestra
Celine Byrne, soprano
Emmet Cahill, tenor
Juliette Crosbie
Berginald Rash (clarinet)
Zoë Conway (violin)
Edwina Guckian (dancer)
Our Lady Queen of Peace Choir, Janesboro, Limerick
Conductor: David Brophy
RTÉ lyric fm, Friday 27th December, 7pm-10pm
MOVIES AND MUSICALS WITH AEDÍN GORMLEY
Curtain up, light the lights! It's Movies and Musicals live at the National Concert Hall with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra, conducted by Stephen Bell with star vocalists Louise Dearman and Matt Ford. Aedín leaves the radio studio and brings her much loved radio show to life, with a fantastic selection of scores including Lawrence of Arabia, Atonement Oppenheimer, Jane Eyre, Witness, The Shawshank Redemption and Jurassic Park. Plus, sensational songs from Wicked, South Pacific, Chicago, High Society, Mary Poppins, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and more!
(Recorded at the National Concert Hall - 3rd October 2024)
RTÉ lyric fm, Saturday 28th December, 1pm-4pm
OPERA NIGHT WITH PAUL HERRIOTT
The Critic by Charles Villiers Stanford
As we conclude the Stanford 100 year Paul Herriott looks back at The Critic which was recorded at Wexford Festival Opera 2024. The action takes place on the stage of a theatre, where a new opera, The Spanish Armada, is in rehearsal. The composer, Mr. Dangle (performed by Jonathan White) and the librettist and impresario, Mr. Puff, have invited the eponymous critic, Mr. Sneer performed by Arthur Riordan, to attend. Mr. Puff launches into a discussion of his profession, the theatre and the many merits of his new piece. The rehearsal begins, and we are transported to the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. The cast conducted by Ciaran McAuley includes Rory Lynch, Rory Dunne, Ben McAteer and Ava Dodd
(First broadcast 19th October 2024)
RTÉ lyric fm, Saturday 28th December, 7pm-10pm
VESPERTINE WITH ELLEN CRANITCH
As the year winds down, a reflection tonight of the past Vespertine year, some of the very fine new releases and live recordings, and a farewell to the musicians who left the world in 2024. Music from Danish String Quartet, Toumani Diabate, Quincy Jones, Teresa Bright, Misia, John Mayall and more. A wistful, reflective mix, but also a looking forward to brighter days, and new beginnings.
RTÉ lyric fm, Saturday 28th December, 10pm-1am
VOX NOSTRA WITH VLAD SMISHKEWYCH
A look back at 2024: Vlad has a boxful of the finest early music recordings of 2024 from the world's top historically-informed artists and will treat listeners to what's been new this year, with a look at what's coming up for release in the first months of 2025. Clavisymbalum, theorbo, colascione, buttafuoco, psalterion and other fun to pronounce instruments will be part of the mix as Vox Nostra closes another year filled with gorgeous music from centuries past.
RTÉ lyric fm, Sunday 29th December, 7am-10am
SUNDAY AFTERNOON WITH SIMON DELANEY
Join stage and screen actor Simon Delaney every Sunday afternoon and indulge in a perfect musical blend for weekend listening. Whether you're a swingin' cat with an ear for jazz or a lover of classical favourites, Simon will keep the great tunes and easy chat flowing.
RTÉ lyric fm, Sunday 29th December, 1pm-4pm
THE FULL SCORE WITH LIZ NOLAN
In today's Full Score, Evelyn Grant presents a concert featuring violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter as she joins the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra for a performance of Mozart's Sinfonia Concertante in E flat.
Mozart: Sinfonia Concertante in E flat, K. 364,
Beethoven: Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Op. 67
Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
Lahav Shani, conductor
Anne-Sophie Mutter, violin
Michael Barenboim, viola
RTÉ lyric fm, Monday 30th December, 1pm-4pm
MYSTERY TRAIN WITH JOHN KELLY
Mystery Train is a nightly journey through the many wonders of recorded music - from its vintage glories to the latest sounds. Essential listening for the discerning music fan. Presented by Donal Dineen.
RTÉ lyric fm, Monday 30th December, 7pm-9pm
THE FULL SCORE WITH LIZ NOLAN
Evelyn Grant presents The Full Score and today we'll hear a special concert as we celebrate Puccini at 100. Recorded earlier this year at the National Concert Hall, Dublin, two extraordinary singers Celine Byrne and Noah Stewart join the RTÉ Concert Orchestra to mark the centenary with this performance of glorious music.
RTÉ lyric fm, New Year’s Eve Tuesday 31st December, 1pm-4pm
RTÉ LYRIC LIVE WITH PAUL HERRIOTT
Swing into '25 with the Jive
Following on from last year's successful dive into the '20s with 'Gatsby and Beyond', this New Year's Eve celebration with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra and Guy Barker's Big Band will move into the '30s and '40s - the swing era.
Swing, Swing, Swing in the new year with the music of the King of Swing Benny Goodman, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, Nat King Cole, Lionel Hampton, Cab Calloway, Tommy Dorsey and more!
With a nod to the musical explosion that happened in the mid '40s - bebop - we'll celebrate the music of Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker and Thelonius Monk, plus new arrangements by jazz genius Guy Barker, Associate Artist with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra.
RTÉ Concert Orchestra
Guy Barker, conductor
Giacomo Smith, clarinet/saxophone
Vanessa Haynes, Joe Stilgoe, Tommy Blaize vocalists
RTÉ lyric fm, New Year’s Eve Tuesday 31st December, 10pm-1am
THE FULL SCORE WITH LIZ NOLAN
Join Evelyn Grant for the Full Score as the National Ballet of China Symphony Orchestra, led by conductor Yi Zhang and featuring bass-baritone Yang Shen, presents a captivating New Year's Concert at the prestigious National Centre for the Performing Arts Concert Hall in Beijing, China.
Experience the timeless melodies of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake, including the mesmerizing Odette Variation and the graceful Danse des petits cygnes, alongside Johann Strauss II's vibrant Tik-Tak Polka and Franz Liszt's spirited Hungarian Rhapsodies.
RTÉ lyric fm, Wednesday 1st January, 1pm-4pm
LORCAN MURRAY’S CLASSIC DRIVE
Join Elspeth Hanson on Classic Drive for a fresh New Year sound, with a playlist of seasonal, uplifting favourites. Elspeth brings you the perfect musical soundtrack, wherever you are in the early days of January, sharing a feast of music with both the curious and the knowledgeable. Elspeth presents a sprinkling of Irish contemporary folk music from Aoife Ní Bhríain and Catrin Finch, and Ravel's beautiful piano concerto, inspired by the music of George Gershwin. Included in this musical feast are the latest news and sports updates and tips for what's on where you are.
RTÉ lyric fm, Thursday 2nd January 4pm-7pm
AEDÍN IN THE AFTERNOON
On her first show of the new year, Aedín includes some very fine French music from the pen of Claude Debussy, Gabriel Fauré and Maurice Ravel played by Alex Petcu, vibraphone, Yo-Yo Ma cello, and French pianist Hélène Grimaud. American soprano Dawn Upshaw is in the spotlight with three wonderful recordings. A fantastic live performance from the Wynton Marsalis Septet and sensational songs from Tori Amos, Curtis Stigers and Stacey Kent.
RTÉ lyric fm, Friday 3rd January, 1pm-4pm
RTÉ LYRIC LIVE WITH PAUL HERRIOTT
From the jubilant opening chorus Jauchzet, frohlocket to the serene and tender arias, every note of Bach's Christmas Oratorio BWV 248 celebrates the nativity story with reverence and exuberance. In this performance the Irish Baroque Orchestra and Chorus present all six cantatas, for an immersive and enriching audience experience full of joy and peace. Tonight's broadcast was recorded in St Patrick's Cathedral on 13th December 2024.
Irish Baroque Orchestra & Chorus
Peter Whelan (director)
Rowan Pierce, Aisling Kenny (sopranos)
James Hall, Francesco Giusti (altos)
Jonathan Hanley, Christopher Bowen (tenors)
Frederick Long, William Gaunt (basses)
RTÉ lyric fm, Friday 3rd January, 7pm-10pm
