LISTEN to former goalkeeper David James Scala Radio show 'Football Scores'

Discover the best classical music inspired by the beautiful game

Author: Jon JacobPublished 21st May 2021
Last updated 7th Jun 2021

With the 16th UEFA European Championship kicking off on 11th June, Scala Radio is getting prepared for the tournament by celebrating the long-standing partnership between football and classical music in a special programme 'Scala Radio presents Football Scores'.

Who is David James?

Goalkeeper David James earned 53 caps playing for England between 1997-2010 and is also an enthusiastic fan of classical music.

In ‘Scala Radio presents Football Scores’, David brings together two of his passions as he shares stories and songs connected to ‘the beautiful game’.

From fan chants on the terraces to World Cup opening ceremonies, classical music and football have a surprisingly entwined relationship, which David uncovers in this special programme ahead of the Euros.

David will play some of the most recognisable classical compositions, sharing how and when his love of classical music began. He'll recal how some of his earliest memories were connected to his grandmother playing piano at church.

He also explored how learning to play the cello as a young boy influenced his musical tastes and why a solitary moment in the England team dressing room had such a powerful connection to Beethoven’s 9th Symphony.

During the show David went on a voyage of discovery exploring classical music and memorable moments from both his own career and football history, and looked ahead to the 16th UEFA European Championship.

Listen to 'Scala Radio presents Football Scores' with David James on-demand NOW

Listen to an entire station dedicated to 'Classical Music Bangers' uninterrupted via Scala Radio Premium

We have over 20 exclusive online music stations through your Scala Radio Premium account. And one of our online music stations - Classical Bangers - is dedicated to exactly the kind of uplifting music you need to handle any life-defining tournament or challenge.

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What music did David James play in 'Football Scores'?

Lerner & Loewe - Main Title from Paint Your Wagon American West Orchestra / Nelson Liddle

Handel - Zadok the Priest

Royal Choral Society / London Philharmonic Orchestra / Andrew Davies

Verdi - La Donna e Mobile from Rigoletto

Jonas Kaufmann (Tenor) / Orchestra of The Welsh National Opera / Carlo Rizzi (Conductor)

Francis Poulenc – Gloria from Poulenc's Gloria Boston Symphony Orchestra / Tanglewood Festival Chorus / Seji Ozawa (Conductor)

Saint-Saens – Danse Macabre

Beethoven - Symphony No. 9, 4th movement

London Symphony Orchestra / Bernard Haitink (Conductor)

Rodgers and Hammerstein - You'll Never Walk Alone from Carousel

Alfie Boe (Tenor) / Crouch End Festival Chorus / Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra / John Owen Edwards (Conductor)

Elgar - Pomp and Circumstance No. 1 (Land of Hope and Glory)

Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra / Vasily Petrenko (Conductor)

Jerry Livingston & Ray Evans – Que Sera Sera

Andre Rieu (Violin) / Johann Strauss Orchestra

Klaus Badelt - Pirates of The Caribbean: Suite

Royal Philharmonic Orchestra / Tolga Kashif (Conductor)

Parry – Jerusalem

Leeds Festival Chorus / English Northern Philharmonia / Paul Daniel (Conductor)

Puccini - Nessun Dorma from Turandot

Luciano Pavarotti (Tenor) / John Aldis Choir / Wandsworth School Boys Choir / London Philharmonic Orchestra / Zubin Mehta (Conductor)

Barry Stoller – Off Side (Match of the Day Theme)

John Rutter – Lord of the Dance

Cambridge Singers / City of London Sinfonia / John Rutter (Conductor)

Karl Jenkins - Palladio**, first movement**

London Philharmonic Strings

Holst - The Planets Jupiter (The Bringer of Jollity)

London Symphony Orchestra / Colin Davis (Cond)

John Hughes & William Williams - Guide Me O Thou Great Redeemer (Cwm Rhondda)

Fron Male Voice Choir / Czech Film Orchestra / Cliff Masterson (Cond)

Eric Coates – The Dambusters

Central Band of The Royal Air Force / Duncan Stubbs (Conductor)

Monty Python Always Look on The Bright Side of Life****

Monty Python