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Tonight's live programme focuses on Hands Across The Sea following American Independence Day, with a mixture of the very best of American and British popular music. Ken Bruce presents the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Concert Orchestra, conducted by Roderick Dunk, with special guest artists - British pianist James Pearson playing George Gershwin's sparkling Variations for piano and orchestra of I Got Rhythm; British crooner Michael Dore treats us to a feast of Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley songs in a spellbinding medley, as well as American singer songwriter Nell Bryden, one of Radio 2's favourite vocalists of recent times, performing some of her best hits live.

The programme also includes orchestral favourites from both sides of the pond - for example Robert Farnon's Great Songs of Great Britain; William Walton's Spitfire Prelude and Fugue, and Jimmy Webb's MacArthur Park.