This month we are featuring J.S. Bach’s four violin concertos, and next week (available 12/3/10) Stephen Johnson has chosen a 1953 recording of the popular Concerto No. 2 in E major, BWV1042. It’s played by the superb French violinist Zino Francescatti (1902-91), famous both for his formidable technique and lovely singing tone, with the Cleveland Orchestra conducted by George Szell .

Only a short excerpt is available on the free podcast: subscribers can access the complete work.

Spring is officially here, and Stephen opens next week’s podcast with Delius’s orchestral rhapsody `On Hearing the First Cuckoo in Spring’. This recording, by the London Symphony Orchestra under Anthony Collins, also dates from 1953.

Also on the theme of spring  - a famous 1936 recording of one of Beethoven’s most popular chamber works – the `Spring’ Sonata for violin and piano in F, Op.24, played by the great Fritz Kreisler with Franz Rupp at the piano.

And in between comes Schumann’s Novelette in F sharp minor, Op.21 No.8, played in a 1951 recording by the British pianist Kathleen Long (1896-1968), a noted interpreter of the classic repertoire.

Bonus track for subscribers only:

• Elgar’s great `Enigma’ Variations, recorded live at Arturo Toscanini’s memorial concert on 3 February 1957. The Symphony of the Air is conducted by Pierre Monteux.