19 April 2008

Listen to this episode for up to 7 days after braodcast

Saturday 19 April 2008 (Radio 3)

Andrew McGregor introduces Radio 3's weekly programme devoted to all that's new in the world of recorded music.

In this week's programme:

WEISSENBERG: En Avril, a Paris (arrangement of Charles Trenet song) from disc Marc-Andre Hamelin in a state of jazz

SEE FULL LISTING UNDER DISC OF THE WEEK

Marc-Andre Hamelin (piano)

Hyperion CDA67656 (CD)


D'INDY: Jour d'ete a la montagne Op. 61 (first movement)



(c/w La Foret enchantee; Souvenirs)

Iceland Symphony Orchestra, Rumon Gamba (conductor)

Chandos 10464 (CD)


ROUSSEL: Symphony No. 2 (second movement)

(c/w Pour une fete de printemps; Suite in F)

Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Stephane Deneve (conductor)

Naxos 8.570529 (CD, Budget)

Building a Library Recommendation

VAUGHAN-WILLIAMS: Symphony No. 6

Reviewer - Stephen Johnson

This week's recommendation will be placed on the website on Monday 21st April

The Essential Tallis

Alexandra Buckle talks to Andrew McGregor about her must-have discs of Tallis' music. With extracts from the following:

TALLIS: Te lucis ante terminum; Salvator mundi; Spem in alium; In iejunio et fletu; O Salutaris hostia; Lamentations I; Lamentations II; Miserere; Mass for 4 voices

Magnificat, Philip Cave (conductor)

Linn Records CKD 233 (Hybrid SACD or digital download, Mid Price)


TALLIS: O salutaris hostia for five voices; In ieiunio et fletu for five voices; Salvator mundi (I) for five voices; In manus tuas Domine for five voices; Salvator mundi (II) for five voices; The Lamentations of Jeremiah (I) for five voices; O sacrum convivium for five voices; O nata lux de lumine for five voices ; Te lucis ante terminum for five voices; The Lamentations of Jeremiah (II) for five voices; Spem in alium for eight five-part choirs

Winchester Cathedral Choir (Winchester College Quiristers, Vocal Ars Chorus), David Hill (conductor)

Hyperion CDA66400 (CD)

TALLIS: Jesu salvator saeculi; Gaude gloriosa; Sermone blando angelus; Magnificat a5; Nunc dimittis a5; Mihi autem nimis; Absterge Domine; Derelinquat impius; Loquebantur variis linguis; Suscipe quaeso Domine; O nata lux

The Cardinalls Musick, Andrew Carwood (director)

Hyperion CDA67548 (CD)


TALLIS: Spem in alium; Sancte Deus; Salvator mundi, salva nos I; Salvator mundi, salva nos II; Gaude gloriosa; Miserere nostril; Loquebantur variis linguis; If ye love me; Hear the voice and prayer; A new commandment; O Lord, give thy Holy Spirit; Purge me, O Lord; Verily, verily I say unto you; Remember not, O Lord God; Tunes for Archbishop Parker's Psalter; O Lord, in thee is all my trust; Christ rising again; Blessed are those that be undefiled; Lamentations of Jeremiah I and II; Absterge Domine; O sacrum convivium; In manus tuas; Salve intemerata; Magnificat (4vv); Ave Dei patris filia from disc The Tallis Scholars Sing Thomas Tallis

The Tallis Scholars, Peter Phillips (conductor)

Gimell CDGIM 203 (2CDs, Budget))


TALLIS: Third Tune: Why fum'th in fight; Fifth Tune: E'en like the hunted hind; Second Tune: Let God arise; Sixth Tune: Expend, O Lord; Eighth Tune: God grant with grace; First Tune: Man blest no doubt; Veni creator: Come Holy Ghost; Seventh Tune: Why brag'st in malice; Fourth Tune: O come in one to praise the Lord
(c/w BYRD: Vigilate; Ne irascaris Domine (Cantiones sacrae I, 1589); Exsurge Domine (Cantiones sacrae II, 1591); Infelix ego (Cantiones sacrae II); Laetentur coeli (Cantiones sacrae I); Quis est homo (Cantiones sacrae II) ; Mass Propers for Pentecost ; Communion: Factus est repente (Gradualia II, 1607); Tribulationes civitatum (Cantiones sacrae I); Laudibus in sanctis) from disc Heavenly Harmonies
Stile Antico

Harmonia Mundi HMU 807463 (Hybrid SACD)


Played but not included:

Thomas Tallis: The Complete Works Volume 9 (Instrumental Music and Songs)

(c/w Instrumental - Consort: In Nomine I, In Nomine II, ASolfinge Song, Salvator Mundi (trio), Fantasia, Felix Namque II (for lute); Instrumental - Virginals: Felix Namque I, When shall my sorrowful sighing slake, Like as the doleful dove, O ye tender babes of England, Purge me (Fond Youth), Per haec nos (extract from Salve intermerata), Apoint, Lesson 2 in 1, Remember not, O Lord God; Instrumental - Organ: Per haec nos, Apoint, Lesson 2 in 1; Songs: Tu Nimirum, When shall my sorrowful sighing slake, Like as the doeful dove, O Ye tender babes of England, William Byrd: Ye sacred muses, Litany (for organ), Dubia I, Dubia II,

Felix Namque I (organ), Andrew Benson-Williams (organ); Laurence Cummings (virginals); Lynda Sayce (lute); Stephen Taylor (counter tenor); Charivari Agreable; Chapelle du Roi, Alistair Dixon (conductor)

Signum Classics SIGCD042 (CD)

BBC Legends and Wigmore Hall Live

BEETHOVEN*: Piano Concerto No. 5, "Emperor" (recorded 29th January 1992 Usher Hall, Edinburgh)

GERSHWIN **: Piano Concerto in F major (recorded 14th September 1985, Royal Albert Hall, London)

Shura Cherkassky (piano), BBC Symphony Orchestra**, Vernon Handley** (conductor), BBC* Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Ronald Zollman (conductor)*

BBC Legends BBCL4231-2 (CD, Mid Price)


CASALS: Prelude; CHOPIN: Piano Sonata No. 3 Op. 58 (recorded 9th June 1984, Aldeburgh); JS BACH arr. Liszt: Organ Prelude and Fugue BWV 543; MOZART: Piano Sonata in F K. 332; VILLA-LOBOS: A Mare Encheu; Passa, Passa Gaviao; CHOPIN: Mazurka in B flat minor Op. 24 No. 4; Mazurka in C major Op. 56 No. 2; MENDELSSOHN: Song Without Words in C Major, Op. 67 No. 4 (Spinning Song)

(recorded 21st June 1987, Aldeburgh)

Mieczyslaw Horszowski (piano)

BBC Legends BBCL 4230-2 (CD, Mid Price)


MOZART: Piano Sonata in B flat major K. 570; BEETHOVEN: Piano Sonata in D minor Op. 31 No. 2, 'The Tempest'; SCHUMANN: Arabeske Op. 18; CHOPIN: Mazurka in B minor Op. 33 No. 4; Nocturne in B major Op. 32 No. 1; Etude in F minor Op. 25 No. 2; Fantaisie-Impromptu in C sharp minor Op. 66; SCHUMANN: Traumerei Op. 15 No. 7

(recorded 4th June 1991, Wigmore Hall, London)

Mieczyslaw Horszowski (piano)

Wigmore Hall Live WHLive0023 (CD, Mid Price)

NB - this is to be released 28th April 2008


LOCKE: Musick for His Majesty's Sackbutts & Cornetts (recorded 15th February 1966, Royal Festival Hall, London); SCHUMANN: Symphony No. 1 in B flat major, Op. 38, "Spring" (recorded 30th November 1965, Royal Festival Hall, London); BRAHMS: Symphony No. 2 in D major Op. 73 (recorded 15th February 1966, Royal Festival Hall, London)

London Symphony Orchestra, Istvan Kertesz (conductor)

BBC Legends BBCL 4229-2 (CD, Mid Price)

Disc of the Week

Marc-Andre Hamelin in a state of jazz

(c/w FRIEDRICH GULDA: Exercise No 1 from Play Piano Play; NIKOLAI KAPUSTIN: Sonata No 2 Op 54; FRIEDRICH GULDA: Exercise No 4 from Play Piano Play; ALEXIS WEISSENBERG : Sonate en etat de jazz; FRIEDRICH GULDA: Exercise No 5 from Play Piano Play; Prelude and Fugue; ALEXIS WEISSENBERG: Six arrangements of songs sung by Charles Trenet - 1) Coin de rue, 2) Vous oubliez votre cheval, 3) En Avril, a Paris, 4) Boum! 5) Vous qui passez sans me voir, 6) Menilmontant; GEORGE ANTHEIL: Jazz Sonata)

Marc-Andre Hamelin (piano)

Hyperion CDA67656 (CD)

Next Week

.

On next week's programme Tess Knighton recommends a recording of Josquin's Missa Pange Lingua (Building a Library) and Andrew McGregor talks to Paul Lewis reflecting on his cycle of Beethoven piano sonatas for Harmonia Mundi as the last one is released.

CD Review on 17th May will be marking Radio 3's Chopin Experience weekend. We'd like you to send in suggestions of what you regard as the quintessential Chopin recordings. During the programme that day Andrew will be joined in the studio by performer and academic David Owen-Norris to play and discuss your suggestions.

You can contact the programme through the CD Review website, e-mail (cdreview@bbc.co.uk) or by calling the Radio 3 Audience Line 08700 100 300.

12 April 2008

Saturday 12 April 2008 (Radio 3)

Andrew McGregor introduces Radio 3's weekly programme devoted to all that's new in the world of recorded music.

CD Review

In this week's programme:


BEETHOVEN: Violin Concerto in D major Op. 61 (first movement); MOZART: Violin Concerto No. 4 in D K218 (1st movement cadenza by Nigel Kennedy)

(c/w HORACE SILVER arr. Kennedy: Creepin' In)

Nigel Kennedy (violin and conductor), Polish Chamber Orchestra

EMI 3953732 (CD)

Classic FM Magazine, April 2006
On "Inner Thoughts"
"There's no question about the calibre of these recordings... It's a tribute to his outstanding career"

Album Description
For over twenty-five years, Nigel Kennedy has been acknowledged as one of the world's leading violin virtuosos and is one of the most important violinists Britain has ever produced. His virtuosic technique, unique talent and mass appeal have brought fresh perspectives to both the classical and contemporary repertoire. He is the best selling classical violinist worldwide.

This album combines his first-ever Mozart recording with a fresh perspective on the Beethoven violin concerto he first recorded in 1992. He collaborates again with the Polish Chamber Orchestra of which he has been Artistic Director since 2002. He directs the orchestra from the violin in both concertos to achieve a more direct communication of the orchestra members and the cadenzas are very much his own.

Kennedy says the main reason for re-approaching the Beethoven concerto is that today, he hears the piece as having more rhythmic vitality which he wants to bring out in his new recording, despite still cherishing his first recording with Tennstedt, which he said had a more old-fashioned, romantic approach and was played slower.

Listen out for the Mozart cadenza which definitely gives the piece a contemporary edge. It was recorded with his electric violin and Kennedy expresses in it what the concerto means to him personally and wants to open listeners' minds to change their view of the piece. He has also introduced a harpsichord to the work which adds warmth and gives it even more life.




BEETHOVEN: Symphony No. 7 (2nd movement)

(c/w Symphony No. 4)

Kammerphilharmonie Bremen, Paavo Jarvi (conductor)

RCA Red Seal 88697129332 (Hybrid SACD)

The Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen - Trailer

This is a movie trailer about The Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen showing excerpts from Dvorak's New World Symphony and Richard Strauss' Metamorphosen for 23 solo strings conducted by Paavo Järvi. Also included are excerpts from Beethoven's 7th Symphony performed at the Proms in 2003 under Daniel Harding. Paavo Järvi provides comments about the orchestra. The DVD was produced in 2003.

For more information about The Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen visit:
http://www.kammerphilharmonie.com

Building a Library Recommendation

SCHUMANN: Piano Quintet in E flat Op. 44

Reviewer - David Fanning

This week's recommendations will be placed on the website on Monday 14th April.

Next week Stephen Johnson examines recordings of Vaughan-Williams' Symphony No. 6.


Jonathan Swain joins Andrew to pick out some highlights from the new EMI Triples reissues - 3 CDs for the price of one. With extracts from the following discs:

BERWALD: Overtures, Concertos and Symphonies (Overture to Drottningen av Golconda (The Queen of Golconda); Overture to Estrella de Soria; Overture to The Queen of Golconda; Concertos; Symphony No. 1 in G minor 'Sinfonie serieuse'; Symphony No. 2 in D major 'Sinfonie capricieuse'; Symphony No. 3 in C major 'Sinfonie singuliere'; Symphony No. 4 in E flat major 'Sinfonie naive')

Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Ulf Bjorlin (conductor)

EMI 5009202 (3CDs, Budget)


RACHMANINOV: Symphonies Nos. 1-3, Symphonic Dances, Isle of the Dead, Scherzo in D, Vocalise

St. Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra, Mariss Jansons (conductor)

EMI 5008852 (3CDs, Budget)


VILLA-LOBOS: Bachianas Brasileiras Nos. 1-9, Momoprecoce, Concerto for guitar & small orchestra

Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Enrique Batiz (conductor)

EMI 5008432 (3CDs, Budget)


BRAHMS: The Concerto Album

(Piano Concerto No. 1 in D minor, Op. 15; Piano Concerto No. 2 in B flat major, Op. 83; Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 77; Double Concerto for Violin & Cello in A minor, Op. 102; Tragic Overture, Op. 81; Variations on a theme by Haydn, Op. 56a 'St Anthony Variations')

Claudio Arrau, Pierre Fournier, Alceo Galliera, Carlo Maria Giulini, Otto Klemperer, David Oistrakh, Philharmonia Orchestra, Orchestre National de la Radiodiffusion Francaise

EMI 5094212 (3CDs, Budget)


BARTOK: The Concerto Album

(Concerto for Orchestra, Sz.116 - Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Rafael Kubelik; Violin Concerto No. 2, Sz 112 - Kyung-Wha Chung, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Sir Simon Rattle; Piano Concerto No. 2, BB 101, Sz. 95 - Sviatoslav Richter, Orchestre de Paris, Lorin Maazel; Piano Concerto No. 3, BB 127, Sz. 119 - Martha Argerich, Orchestre Symphonique de Montreal, Charles Dutoit; Violin Concerto No. 1, Sz 36 - Dmitry Sitkovetsky, Philharmonia Orchestra, Libor Pesek; Viola Concerto, Sz120 (Ed. Tibor Serly) - Tabea Zimmermann, Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks, David Shallon; The Miraculous Mandarin, Op. 19, Sz. 73 (Suite) - Philadelphia Orchestra, Eugene Ormandy; Music for Strings, Percussion and Celesta, Sz. 106 - Philadelphia Orchestra, Eugene Ormandy)

EMI 5094072 (3CDs, Budget)


RAVEL: Orchestral Works

(Valses nobles et sentimentales; Bolero; Sheherazade - Ouverture de feerie; Rapsodie Espagnole; Ma Mere l'Oye; Le Tombeau de Couperin; Daphnis et Chloe; Pavane pour une infante defunte; Alborada del gracioso (Miroirs No. 4); Une barque sur l'ocean; Menuet antique; La Valse)

Orchestre de Paris, Jean Martinon (conductor)

EMI 5008922 (3CDs, Budget)

Disc of the Week

BEETHOVEN: Bagatelles Op. 126; Fur Elise

(c/w Bagatelles Op. 33 and 119)

Linda Nicholson (Fritz Fortepiano of 1815)

Accent ACC24180 (CD)

Next Week

On next week's programme Stephen Johnson recommends a recording of Vaughan Williams' Symphony No 6 (Building a Library) and Alexandra Buckle talks about Tallis recordings.

5 April 2008

Listen to this episode for up to 7 days after broadcast

Saturday 5 April 2008 Radio 3)

Andrew McGregor introduces Radio 3's weekly programme devoted to all that's new in the world of recorded music.

On this week's programme:
09.05am

MOZART: Sonata in A KV 305 from disc Complete sonatas for keyboard and violin Vol 5

(c/w Sonata in C KV 403 (385c); Sonata in B flat KV31; Sonata in D KV 306)

Rachel Podger (violin); Gary Cooper (fortepiano)

Channel Classics CCS SA 25608 (Hybrid SACD)


MICHAEL NYMAN: In Re Don Giovanni




(c/w Revisiting the Don ; Trysting Fields; Not Knowing the Ropess, Wedding Tango; Wheelbarrow Walk; Fish Beach; Knowing the Ropes; O my Dear Papa; I am an unusual thing;
Profit and Loss)

Michael Nyman Band

Mn Records MNRCD 113 (CD)


MOZART: Cosi fan tutte or The School for Lovers

English version by Marmaduke Browne, adapted by John Cox
Fiordiligi, Janice Watson (soprano)
Dorabella, Diana Montague (mezzo soprano)
Guglielmo, Christopher Maltman (baritone)
Ferrando, Toby Spence (tenor)
Despina, Lesley Garrett (soprano)
Don Alfonso, Thomas Allen (baritone)
Geoffrey Mitchell Choir, Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, Gareth Hancock (assistant conductor), Sir Charles Mackerras (conductor)

Chandos Opera in English CHAN 3152(3) (3 CDs) (Mid Price)


MOZART: Vesperae Solennes de Confessore (K339)

(c/w MOZART Ave verum Corpus; FAURE: Requiem)

Elin Manahan Thomas (soprano); Ruth Massey (alto); Mark Dobell (tenor); Roderick Williams (baritone);
The Sixteen; Academy of St Martin in the Fields
Harry Christophers (conductor)

CORO Live COR 16057 (CD)

Building a Library Recommendation

SCRIABIN: Le Poeme de l'extase

Reviewer - William Mival

New Releases - Vaughan Williams and Finzi

VAUGHAN WILLIAMS: On Wenlock Edge - From far, from eve and morning

(c/w IVOR GURNEY: Ludlow and Teme; IAN VENABLES: Songs of Eternity and Sorrow, Op.36)

Andrew Kennedy (tenor), Simon Crawford-Phillips (piano), Dante Quartet

Signum Classics SIGCD112 (CD)


VAUGHAN WILLIAMS: On Wenlock Edge - Is my team ploughing?

(c/w Piano Quintet in C minor; Romance and Pastorale - two pieces for violin and piano)

Mark Padmore (tenor); Schubert Ensemble with Alison Dods (violin)

Chandos CHAN 10465 (CD)


VAUGHAN WILLIAMS: On Wenlock Edge - Clun

(c/w WARLOCK: The Curlew; BLISS: Elegiac Sonnet; IVOR GURNEY: Ludlow and Teme)

James Gilchrist (tenor); Anna Tilbrook (piano); Michael Cox (flute) Gareth Hulse (cor anglais)
The Fitzwilliam String Quartet

LINN CKD 296 (CD)


FINZI: Dies Natalis, Op.8 - The Rapture

(c/w FINZI: Romance for string orchestra Op.11; WALTON: Sonata for string orchestra (l972)

Toby Spence (tenor); Scottish Ensemble; Jonathan Morton (artistic director)

WIGMORE HALL WHLive0021 (CD)


FINZI: Dies Natalis, Op.8 - Wonder

(c/w Prelude for String Orchestra; The Fall of the Leaf (Elegy) (compl. Howard Ferguson); Two sonnets for Tenor and Orchestra; Nocturne (New Year Music); Farewell to Arms)

James Gilchrist (tenor), Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, David Hill (conductor)

NAXOS 8.570417 (CD)

New Recordings

Wiebke Thormahlen talks to Andrew about recent releases of Baroque violin and cello repertoire, on both period and modern instruments. With extracts from the following discs:

CPE BACH: Gamba Sonatas & Fantasias

Solo a Viola da Gamba e Basso in D major H 559
Fantasie in A major H.278; Fantasie in C minor H.75; La Stahl H.94; Solo a Viola da Gamba e Basso in C major H 558; Les Langueurs Tendres H.110

Lorenzo Ghielmi (fortepiano), Vittorio Ghielmi
(viola da gamba), Gianluca Buratto (bass-baritone)

WINTER & WINTER910 140-2 (CD)


CPE BACH: Viola da gamba Sonatas

Sonatas in C major, Wq.136, H.558; D major, Wq.137, H559; Trio sonata in G minor, Wq.88 H.510

Dmitry Kouzov (cello), Peter Laul (harpsichord and piano)

NAXOS 8.570740 (CD)


JS BACH: Unaccompanied Sonata No.2 in A minor;
BARTOK: Sonata No.1 for violin and piano Sz.75 BB84

Midori (violin), Robert McDonald (piano)

SONY 82796977452 (CD)


Boccherini : Sei Quartetti per Archi, Op.2
QuartettI Nos. I to VI
Alea Ensemble

STRADIVARIUS STR 33758 (CD)


BUXTEHUDE : Sonatas for violin, viola da gamba and cembalo Op.1 (buxWV 252-258)

L'Estravagante: Stefano Montanari (violin), Rodney Prada (viola da gamba), Maurizio Salerno (cembalo)

ARTS 47731-8 (SACD)


BUXTEHUDE: Six Sonatas (Complete Chamber Music 3)

Sonatas in G major, BuxWV 271; A minor, BuxWV 272; F major, BuxWV 269; D major BuxWV 267; B flat major BuxWV 273; C major BuxWV 266

John Holloway and Ursula Weiss (violins), Jaap ter Linden and Mogens Rasmussen (viola da gamba), Lars Ulrik Mortensen (harpsichord and organ)

Naxos 8.557250 (CD)


BIBER: Mensa Sonora, seu Musica instrumentalis' Pars I to VI

Purcell Quartet

CHAN 0784 (CD)

Disc of the Week

HAYDN: The Creation (Part 1 played)

Sandrine Piau (soprano),Miah Persson (soprano), Ruth Massey (contralto), Peter Harvey (baritone), Mark Padmore (tenor), Neal Davies (bass), Chetham's Chamber Choir, Gabrieli Consort & Players, Paul McCreesh (conductor)

Archiv 477 7361 (2 CDs, Mid Price)

Album Description
Acclaimed for their recordings of large-scale masterpieces including Bach's St Matthew Passion, Handel's Saul and Mozart's Mass in C Minor, Paul McCreesh and his Gabrieli Consort turn their attention to Haydn's greatest work: The Creation
Paul McCreesh has revised large parts of the text of the English-language version, also rewriting the recitatives "as Haydn might have done had he been more familiar with the English language"

Not only is this the world premiere recording of this newly revised version, it is also the first release of Die Schoepfung in its equally authentic English version in the Deutsche Grammophon catalogue

Employing a luxuriously large cast of five soloists, almost 100 singers and 113 players as used by Haydn for the premiere of the German version, this promises to be the English-language recording of The Creation

McCreesh and the Gabrieli Consort are regarded as highly acclaimed experts in recreating large-scale orchestral/choral works as they might have been performed historically; here they bring their unique insight to Haydn's well-loved masterwork

Next Week

On next week's programme David Fanning examines recordings of Schumann's Piano Quintet in E flat Op.44 and Jonathan Swain picks out some highlights from EMI's bumper set of re-issues of recordings from some of the leading musicians of the stereo age.

29 March 2008

Listen to this episode for up to 7 days after broadcast
Saturday 29 March 2008 (Radio 3)

Andrew McGregor introduces Radio 3's weekly programme devoted to all that's new in the world of recorded music.

On this week's programme:

VENABLES: Songs of Eternity and Sorrow Op. 36 (Easter Hymn) from disc On Wenlock Edge

(c/w VAUGHAN WILLIAMS: On Wenlock Edge; GURNEY: Ludlow and Teme)

Andrew Kennedy (tenor), Simon Crawford-Philips (piano), Dante Quartet

Signum Classics SIGCD 112 (CD, Mid Price)


R. STRAUSS: Standchen (Op. 17 No. 2) from disc Richard Strauss: The Complete Songs Volume 3

(c/w Nichts Op 10 No 2; Die Zeitlose Op 10 No 7; Die Verschwiegenen Op 10 No 6; Seitdem dein Aug' in meines schaute Op 17 No 1; Das Geheimnis Op 17 No 3; Aus den Liedern der Trauer Op 17 No 4; Nur Mut! Op 17 No 5; Barkarole Op 17 No 6; Wozu noch, Madchen, soll es frommen Op 19 No 1; Schon sind, doch kalt die Himmelssterne Op 19 No 3; Hoffen und wieder verzagen Op 19 No 5; Ach weh mir ungluckhaftem Mann Op 21 No 4; Die Frauen sind oft fromm und still Op 21 No 5; Heimliche Aufforderung Op 27 No 3; Ich trage meine Minne Op 32 No 1; Sehnsucht Op 32 No 2; Liebeshymnus Op 32 No 3; O su?er Mai! Op 32 No 4; Himmelsboten Op 32 No 5; Fur funfzehn Pfennige Op 36 No 2; Anbetung Op 36 No 4; Winterweihe Op 48 No 4; Winterliebe Op 48 No 5; Freundliche Vision Op 48 No 1)

Andrew Kennedy (tenor), Roger Vignoles (piano)

Hyperion CDA67602 (CD)


RACHMANINOV: Khristos Voskres (Christ is Risen)

(c/w My otdokhnyom Op. 26/3 ; Noch ; Koltso Op. 26/14 ; Ya zhdu tebya Op. 14/1 ; Duma Op. 8/3 ; O net, molyu, ne ukhodi! Op. 4/1 ; O ne grusti Op. 14/8 ; Prokhodit vsyo Op. 26/15 ; Kak mne bolno Op. 21/12 ; V moyei dushe Op. 14/10 ; Utro Op. 4/2; Son Op. 8/5 ; V molchanii nochi tainoi Op. 4/3 ; SHOSTAKOVICH : Spanish Songs Op. 100)

Iris Oja (mezzo-soprano), Roger Vignoles (piano)

Harmonia Mundi HMU907449 (CD)


SCHUBERT: Das Weinen D. 926

(c/w Fahrt zum Hades D526; Freiwilliges Versinken D700; Des Fischers Liebesgluck D933; Der Winterabend D938; Memnon D541; Lied eines Schiffers an die Dioskuren D360; Der Schiffer D536;
Sehnsucht D636; Der Jungling am Bache D638; An Emma D113; Der Pilgrim D794; Gruppe aus dem Tartarus D583; Hoffnung D295; Grenzen der Menschenheit D716)

Matthias Goerne (baritone), Elisabeth Leonskaja (piano)

Harmonia Mundi HMC901988 (CD)


SCHUBERT: Die schone Mullerin D795 (Das Wandern)

Christoph Pregardien (tenor), Michael Gees (piano)

Challenge Classics CC72292 (Hybrid SACD)

Building a Library Recommendation

HAYDN: The Seasons

Reviewer - Simon Heighes

First Choice:

Marlis Petersen (soprano), Werner Gura (tenor), Dietrich Henschel (baritone), RIAS-Kammerchor,
Freiburger Barockorchester, Rene Jacobs (conductor)

Harmonia Mundi HMC901829-30 (2 CDs) or HMC801829-30 (2 Hybrid SACDs)

Listener Requests

MOZART: Piano Concerto in A K488*

(c/w Piano Concerto No. 20 in D minor K466; Piano Concerto No. 22 in E flat K482; Symphony No. 28 in C K200; Piano Concerto No. 21 in C K467)

Geza Anda (piano/director)*, Camerata Academica Salzburg*

Cologne Radio Symphony Orchestra, Constantin Silvestri (conductor), Joseph Keilberth (conductor)

Audite 23.407 (2CDs, Mid Price)

New Recordings

Andrew talks to Alyn Shipton about new recordings of American minimalist works. With extracts from the following discs:

GLASS: Booking of Longing (A Song Cycle based on the Poetry and Images of Leonard Cohen)

Leonard Cohen (spoken text), Dominique Plaisant, Tara Hugo, Will Erat & Daniel Keeling (singers); Philip Glass Ensemble (including Philip Glass keyboard); Michael Riesman (conductor)

Orange Mountain Music OMM0043 (2 CDs)


GLASS: Complete String Quartets

The Smith Quartet

Signum Classics SIGCD117 (2 CDs, Mid Price)


RILEY: The Cusp of Magic

Kronos Quartet, Wu Man (pipa)

Nonesuch 7559 79959 8 (CD, Mid Price)


GLASS: The Piano Music

(Opening (from "Glassworks") "Trilogy Sonata" (arranged by Paul Barnes); Knee Play no. 4 (from Einstein on the Beach); Satyagraha (conclusion Act 3); Dance (from Akhnaten scene 3); The Poet Acts; Morning Passages; Something She Has To Do; I'm Going to Make a Cake; An Unwelcome Friend; Dead Things; Why Does Someone Have to Die; Tearing Herself Away; Escapei; Choosing Life; The Hours)

John Lenehan (piano)

Sony 88697 119572 (CD)


Minimal Piano Collection, Volumes I-IX

Jeroen van Veen (piano)

Brilliant Classics 8551 (9 CDs, Budget)

Listener Requests

BEETHOVEN: Bagatelles Op. 126

(c/w Piano Concerto No. 1 Op. 15)

Piotr Anderszewski (piano/director), Die Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen

Virgin Classics 50211128 (CD, Mid Price)

Disc of the Week

JS BACH: Cantata BWV 30a 'Angenehmes Wiederau'

(c/w Vereinigte Zwietracht BWV207)

Monika Frimmer (soprano), Robin Blaze (counter tenor), Markus Schafer (tenor), Stephan MacLeod (bass), Les Chantres du Centre de Musique Baroque de Versailles, Cafe Zimmermann, Gustav Leonhardt (conductor)

Next Week

On next week's programme William Mival recommends a recording of Scriabin's Poeme de l'extase (Building a Library) and Wiebke Thormahlen discusses new Baroque releases with Andrew

Saturday 22 March 2008

Saturday 22 March 2008 (Radio 3)

Andrew McGregor introduces Radio 3's weekly programme devoted to all that's new in the world of recorded music.

On this week's programme:

BRAHMS: Violin Sonata No. 1 Op. 78 (first movement)

(c/w Violin Sonatas No. 2 Op. 100 and No. 3 Op. 108)
Ilia Korol (violin), Natalia Grigorieva (19th century Streicher piano)

Challenge Classics CC72194 (CD)

BRAHMS: Cello Sonata No. 2 (final movement)
(c/w Cello Sonata No. 1; SCHUMANN: Five Pieces in Folk Style)
Clive Greensmith (cello), Boris Berman (19th century Steinway piano)
Biddulph 80226-2 (CD)

FRANCK: Violin Sonata in A major

(c/w SHOSTAKOVICH: Violin Sonata Op. 134)
Sergey Khachatryan (violin), Lusine Khachatryan (piano)

Naive V 5122 (CD)

Album Description
This new CD presents two of the rising stars of instrumental performance, violinist Sergey Khachatryan and his pianist sister Lusine Khachatryan in recordings of the Violin Sonatas of Franck and Shostakovich. César Franck's Sonata in A was written in 1886, and like his symphony it is united by a cyclic use of thematic material that connects the movements. It has become one of the most popular chamber works in the repertoire. The Violin Sonata of Dmitri Shostakovich was written in 1969 and is a work of extraordinary intensity. The piano is often an equal partner in the piece and doesn't so much accompany the violin as echo and goad it. The snaking melody that opens the piece was one of Shostakovich's first forays into the 12-tone method of Schoenberg, and the restless and wry feeling it introduces is maintained throughout the piece.

Sergey Khachatryan was born in 1985 in Yerevan, Armenia. In December 2000 Sergey won the Eighth International Jean Sibelius competition, and in 2005 he claimed First Prize at the prestigious Queen Elisabeth Competition in Brussels. Sergey performs as soloist with an impressive list of the world's leading orchestras, including the Berlin Philharmonic, the London Philharmonic, the New York Philharmonic, Boston Symphony, San Francisco Symphony and the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra. He has worked with many of the world's great conductors, including Kurt Masur, Valery Gergiev, Bernard Haitink, Christoph von Dohnányi, Michael Tilson Thomas and Jukka-Pekka Saraste. Sergey and Lusine Khachatryan give recitals at international venues such as the Wigmore Hall, Carnegie Hall, and the Amsterdam Concertgebouw.

Sergey Khachatryan's debut recording for Naïve of the Violin Concertos of Khatchaturian and Sibelius was extremely well received by the press and was an Editor's Choice in the Gramophone. "His distinctive sound is one that I'm sure we'll be encountering often" - James Jolly, Gramophone. Last year's recording by Khachatryan of both Shostakovich Violin Concertos was similarly acclaimed.


HEINRICH WILHELM ERNST: Erlkonig: Grand Caprice for solo violin, after Schubert

(c/w Othello Fantasy; Six Polyphonic Studies for solo violin; Elegy)
Hyperion CDA67619 (CD)

Building a Library

STRAVINSKY: Rite of Spring

Reviewer - Rob Cowan

First Choice: Junge Deutsche Philharmonie, Peter Eotvos (conductor)
(c/w Mavra, with the Goteborgs Symfoniker)

BMC (Budapest Music Centre) BMC CD 118 (CD)


Next week Simon Heighes examines recordings of Haydn's The Seasons.

New Releases

Andrew talks to Berta Joncus about further releases in cantata cycles from Masaaki Suzuki and John Eliot Gardiner, as well as a new St. Matthew Passion from the Dunedin Consort & Players. With extracts from the following discs:


JS BACH: Matthew Passion (Last Performing version, 1742)

Nicholas Mulroy (The Evangelist), Matthew Brook (Jesus), Susan Hamilton (soprano), Cecilia Osmond (soprano), Clare Wilkinson (alto), Annie Gill (alto), Malcolm Bennett (tenor), Brian Bannatyne-Scott (bass), Dunedin Consort & Players, John Butt (conductor)
Linn CDK313 (3 SACDs or digital download, Budget)

JS BACH: Cantatas Volume 27

(Cantatas for Whit Tuesday
Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 BWV 1048
Erwunschtes Freudenlicht BWV 184
Er rufet seinen Schafen mit Namen BWV 175
Soloists: Lisa Larsson, Nathalie Stutzmann, Christoph Genz, Stephen Loges
Recorded: Holy Trinity, Blythburgh
Cantata for Trinity Sunday
Hochsterwunschtes Freudenfest BWV 194
Es ist ein trotzig und verzagt Ding BWV 176
O heil'ges Geist- und Wasserbad BWV 165
Gelobet sei der Herr, mein Gott BWV 129
Soloists: Ruth Holton, Daniel Taylor, Paul Agnew, Peter Harvey
Recorded: St Magnus Cathedral, Kirkwall)

The Monteverdi Choir, The English Baroque Soloists, John Eliot Gardiner (conductor)

Soli Deo Gloria SDG 138 (2 CDs)


JS BACH: Cantatas Volume 3

(Cantatas for the Fourth and Fifth Sundays after Trinity
Ein ungefarbt Gemute BWV 24
Barmherziges Herze der ewigen Liebe BWV 185
Ich ruf zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ BWV 177
Gott ist mein Konig BWV 71
Soloists: Magdalena Kozena, Nathalie Stutzmann, Paul Agnew, Nicolas Teste,
Joanne Lunn, William Towers, Kobie van Rensburg, Peter Harvey
Recorded: Tewkesbury Abbey (final cantata Blasiuskirche, Muhlhausen)
Cantata for the Fifth Sunday after Trinity
Aus der Tiefen rufe ich, Herr, zu dir BWV 131
Wer nur den lieben Gott lasst walten BWV 93
Siehe, ich will viel Fischer aussenden BWV 88
Soloists: Joanne Lunn, William Towers, Kobie van Rensburg, Peter Harvey
Recorded: Blasiuskirche, Muhlhausen)
The Monteverdi Choir, The English Baroque, John Eliot Gardiner (conductor)
Soli Deo Gloria SDG 141 (2 CDs)

JS BACH: Cantatas Volume 38 (Solo Cantatas)

(Falsche Welt, dir trau ich nicht, BWV52
Ich habe genung, BWV82
Ich armer Mensch, ich Sundenknecht, BWV55
Bekennen will ich seinen Namen, BWV58)
Carolyn Sampson (soprano), Peter Kooij (bass), Gerd Turk (tenor), Bach Collegium Japan, Masaaki Suzuki (conductor)
BIS SACD 1631 (SACD)

JS BACH: Cantatas Volume 37 (Solo Cantatas)

(Gott soll allein mein Herze haben, BWV 169
Vergnugte Ruh, beliebte Seelenlust, BWV 170
Geist und Seele wird verwirret, BWV 35
Bekennen will ich seinen Namen, BWV 200)
Robin Blaze (counter-tenor), Bach Collegium Japan Masaaki Suzuki (conductor)
BIS SACD 1621 (SACD)

JS BACH: Secular Cantatas

(Angenemes Wiederau BWV30a
Vereinigte Zwietracht BWV207)
Monika Frimmer (soprano), Robin Blaze (alto), Markus Schafer (tenor), Stephan MacLeod (bass),
Les Chantres du centre de Musique Baroque de Versailles, Olivier Schneebeli, Cafe Zimmermann, Gustav Leonhardt (conductor)

Alpha 118 (CD)

1. Angenehmes Wiederau BWV 30a
2. Angenehmes Wiederau BWV 30a
3. Angenehmes Wiederau BWV 30a
4. Angenehmes Wiederau BWV 30a
5. Angenehmes Wiederau BWV 30a
6. Angenehmes Wiederau BWV 30a
7. Angenehmes Wiederau BWV 30a
8. Angenehmes Wiederau BWV 30a
9. Angenehmes Wiederau BWV 30a
10. Angenehmes Wiederau BWV 30a
11. Angenehmes Wiederau BWV 30a
12. Angenehmes Wiederau BWV 30a
13. Angenehmes Wiederau BWV 30a
14. Vereinigte Zwietracht Der Wechselnden Saiten BWV 207
15. Vereinigte Zwietracht Der Wechselnden Saiten BWV 207
16. Vereinigte Zwietracht Der Wechselnden Saiten BWV 207
17. Vereinigte Zwietracht Der Wechselnden Saiten BWV 207
18. Vereinigte Zwietracht Der Wechselnden Saiten BWV 207
19. Vereinigte Zwietracht Der Wechselnden Saiten BWV 207
20. Vereinigte Zwietracht Der Wechselnden Saiten BWV 207
21. Vereinigte Zwietracht Der Wechselnden Saiten BWV 207
22. Vereinigte Zwietracht Der Wechselnden Saiten BWV 207
23. Vereinigte Zwietracht Der Wechselnden Saiten BWV 207

Disc of the Week

MOZART: Symphony 38 K. 504 ("Prague)

(c/w Symphonies 39-41)
Scottish Chamber Orchestra, Sir Charles Mackerras (conductor)

Linn CKD 308 (2 SACDS or digital download, Mid Price)

Review
Simply the excellent performance you would expect from the SCO under Sir Charles Mackerras. --The Sunday Herald

Product Description
2 SACD DISCS Mozart Symphonies 38 Through 41 Scottish Chamber Orchestra Sir Charles Mackerass This eagerly anticipated addition to the Scottish Chamber Orchestra series sees Mozart specialist Sir Charles Mackerras deliver a truly memorable recording of Mozart s four last symphonies. Sir Charles s fruitful partnership with the SCO has been evident since their highly successful recording of Mozart Requiem (CKD 211) was received to wide critical acclaim in 2003. Their special relationship and musical synchronicity makes Mozart Symphonies Nos 38 41 equally exhilarating. The Vienna Symphonies show Mozart at his most diverse, both in musical content and in orchestral colouration. Notable firsts include Mozart s use of clarinets rather then traditional oboes as the main woodwind instrument in Symphony No 39 and the introduction of a new orchestral colour in the form of muted violins in the Jupiter . Sir Charles Mackerras, the SCO s Conductor Laureate, has produced numerous award- winning recordings, performed fifty times at the Edinburgh Festival and in 2005 was the first recipient of the Queen s Medal for Music . The Orchestra has a large international fan base following recent performances in Spain, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Spain, the USA, Portugal and the Netherlands. The SCO s previous Mozart recordings have been critically acclaimed; Mozart Serenades and Mozart Wind Concertos each consistently received four and five star reviews and BBC Music Magazine named Sir Charles Mackerras s Mozart Requiem a Benchmark Recording in January 2007. Recommended track: Disc 2, track 1 -Mackerras and the Scottish Chamber Orchestra demonstrate their Mozartean flair in a sparkling performance of the opening movement of Symphony No 40

Next Week

On next week's CD Review Simon Heighes recommends a recording of Haydn's oratorio The Seasons (Building a Library) and Alyn Shipton discusses some recent Philip Glass recordings with Andrew McGregor.

Saturday 15 March 2008

Listen to this episode for up to 7 days after broadcast

Andrew McGregor introduces Radio 3's weekly programme devoted to all that's new in the world of recorded music.

On this week's programme:

HANDEL: Concerto Grosso in F major Op. 6 No. 9 (movements 1 and 2) from disc Handel Concerti Grossi Op. 6 Nos. 7-12, Volume 2

(c/w Concerto Grosso in B-flat major, Op. 6, No. 7; Concert Grosso in C minor, Op. 6, No. 8; Concerto Grosso in F major, Op. 6, No. 9; Concerto Grosso in D minor, Op. 6, No. 10; Concerto Grosso in A major, Op. 6, No. 11; Concerto Grosso in B minor, Op. 6, No. 12)

Boston Baroque, Martin Pearlman (director)
Telarc CD 80688 (CD)

Album Description
The first half of Handel's Concerto Grossi Op. 6 Nos. 1 - 6 marked Boston Baroque's debut release with Telarc in 1992. American Record Guide hailed the debut recording as "...full of imagination and resourcefulness, bringing pungent new personality to these pieces." Gramophone wrote "...meticulously prepared...enlivened by spirited and warmly coloured playing. I shall look forward to the sequel." And CD Review welcomed Boston Baroque as "a world class member of the original instruments club."
In the fall of 1739, immediately after finishing his Ode for St. Cecilia's Day, Handel began composing twelve concerti grossi, completing the entire set within the astonishing space of one month. The dates of completion written at the ends of the concertos range from September 29 to October 30, meaning that Handel composed on average one concerto every two-and-a-half to three days.

Martin Pearlman is one of the US's leading interpreters of Baroque and Classical music on both period and modern instruments. Hailed for his "fresh, buoyant interpretations," and his "vivid realizations teeming with life," Pearlman has been acclaimed for more than thirty years in the orchestral, choral, and operatic repertoire from Monteverdi to Beethoven. Boston Baroque is the resident professional ensemble for Boston University's Historical Performance Program.

1. I. Largo
2. II. Allegro
3. III. Largo, E Piano
4. IV. Andante
5. V. Hornpipe
6. I. Allemande
7. II. Grave
8. III. Andante Allegro
9. IV. Adagio
10. V. Siciliana (Andante)
11. VI. Allegro
12. I. Largo
13. II. Allegro
14. III. Larghetto
15. IV. Allegro
16. V. Menuet
17. VI. Gigue
18. I. Overture: (Grave)/Allegro
19. II. Air (Lento)
20. III. Allegro
21. IV. Allegro
22. V. Allegro Moderato
23. I. Andante Larghetto
24. II. Allegro
25. III. Largo
26. IV. Andante
27. V. Allegro
28. I. Largo
29. II. Allegro
30. III. Larghetto, E Piano
31. IV. Largo
32. V. Allegro


HANDEL: Organ Concerto in F major Op. 4 No. 5 from disc Organ Concertos Op. 4

(c/w Organ Concerto in G minor Op. 4 No. 1; Organ Concerto in B flat major Op. 4 No. 2; Organ Concerto in G minor Op. 4 No. 3; Organ Concerto in F major Op. 4 No. 5; Concerto in B flat major Op. 4 No. 6)
Academy of Ancient Music, Richard Egarr (organ and direction)

Harmonia Mundi HMU807446 (Hybrid SACD)

1. Larghetto, E Staccato
2. Allegro
3. Adagio
4. Andante
5. A Tempo Ordinario, E Staccato
6. Allegro
7. Adagio, E Staccato
8. Allegro, Ma Non Presto
9. Adagio
10. Allegro
11. Adagio
12. Allegro
13. Allegro
14. Andante
15. Adagio
16. Allegro
17. Larghetto
18. Allegro
19. Alla Siciliana
20. Presto
21. Andante Allegro
22. Larghetto
23. Allegro Moderato


PAUL AYRES after Handel: 'The Departure of the Queen of Sheba' from disc Handel-inspired

(c/w HANDEL: Sinfonia from Solomon ('The Arrival of the Queen of Sheba'); JOHN HAWKINS: Footnote; HANDEL: Voluntary in C; ALAN SMITH: Scherzo on 'Gopsal'; HANDEL: Air and Bourree, from Water Music; SATORU IKEDA: Water Bubbling; HANDEL: Overture to 'Esther'; Siciliano and Minuet, from Fireworks Music; JOHN ELLIS: Overture and Gigue, from Handel-Inspired Suite. HANDEL: Fugue in A minor; Krzysztof Aleksander Janczak: Le Tombeau d'Handel; HANDEL: Two Pieces for Mechanical Clock; William Wolstenholme: Introduction and Allegro, from Sonata in the style of Handel; Jos Martens: Little Prelude; Akmal Parwez: In Handel's Name; Alexandre Guilmant: Paraphrase; Thomas Neal: Lednah Loblied; Samuel Wesley: Variations on a theme in Handel's Otto)
Paul Ayres (organ) playing Goetze and Gwynn's 'Handel House' organ at the St. George's Church, Hannover Square (London)

Priory PRCD 894 (CD)

HANDEL: Act 3, Scene 6 from Tolomeo

Ann Hallenberg (Tolomeo)*, Karina Gauvin (Seleuce), Petro Spagnoli (Araspe), Anna Bonitatibus (Elisa), Romina Basso (Alessandro), Il Complesso Barocco, Alan Curtis (conductor)

Archiv Produktion 477 7106 (3 CDs, Mid Price)

Building a Library Recommendation

BIBER: 'Rosary' or 'Mystery' Sonatas

Reviewer - Francis Knights

First Choice:



John Holloway (violin), Tragicomedia: Davitt Moroney (harpsichord/organ), Stephen Stubbs (lute/chitarrone), Andrew Lawrence-King (harp/regal), Erin Headley (gamba/lirone)

Virgin Veritas 0724356206229 (2CDs, Budget)

Other Recommendations:

Andrew Manze (violin), Richard Egarr (harpsichord/organ), Alison McGillivray (cello [Sonata XII])

Harmonia Mundi HMU 907321.22 (2CDs, Mid Price)

Disc: 1
1. Praeludium
2. Aria, Variato
3. Finale
4. Sonata
5. Allamanda
6. Finale
7. Sonata
8. Courette, Double
9. Finale
10. Ciacona
11. Praeludium
12. Alamanda
13. Giugue
14. Sarabanda, Double
15. Lamento
16. Allamanda
17. Sarabanda, Variatio
18. Sonata
19. Guigue, Double 1, Double 2
20. Sonata
21. Courente, Double
22. Finale

Disc: 2
1. Praeludium
2. Aria
3. Variatio, Cont.
4. Sonata
5. Surexit Christus Hodie
6. Adagio
7. Intrada
8. Aria Tubicinum
9. Allamanda
10. Courente, Double
11. Sonata
12. Gavotta
13. Guigue
14. Sarabanda
15. Sonata
16. Aria
17. Sonata
18. Aria, Variatio
19. Canzona
20. Sarabanda, Double
21. Passangalia For Unaccompanied Violin
22. Scordatura Briefly Explained




Maya Homburger (violin), Camerata Kilkenny: Malcolm Proud (harpsichord/organ), Brian Feehan (theorbo), Siobhan Armstrong (harp), Sarah Cunningham (gamba), Barry Guy (double bass)

Maya Recordings MCD0603 (2CDs)

1. Praeludium of Mystery Sonata No. 1: Annunciation
2. For Violin: Celebration
3. Four Songs for Baroque violin and double-bass: Immeasurable Sky
4. For Baroque Violins: Ceremony
5. For Double Bass: Still
6. Foer Baroque Violin and Double Bass: Breathing Earth


Next week Rob Cowan examines recordings of Stravinsky's Rite of Spring.

New Releases

Conductor and performance practice specialist John Traill joins Andrew for a round up of recent releases of Beethoven symphonies. Includes extracts from the following discs:

BEETHOVEN: Symphony No. 7

(c/w Weber: Adagio from the Clarinet Concerto No. 1; Rossini: L'Italiana in Algeri - Sinfonia; Johan Wilhelm Wilms: Rondo from Sinfonia a grand orchestre)

Budapest Festival Orchestra, Ivan Fischer (conductor)

Channel Classics CCS SA 25207 (Hybrid SACD)


BEETHOVEN: Symphonies Nos. 1 and 6 (from disc Beethoven Symphonies)

Minnesota Orchestra, Osmo Vanska (conductor)

BIS-SACD-1716 (Hybrid SACD)

BEETHOVEN: Symphony No. 5

(c/w DVORAK: Symphonic Variations Op. 78; MARTINU: Incantation (Piano Concerto No. 4))
Philharmonia Orchestra, Rudolf Firkusny (piano), Rafael Kubelik (conductor)

Testament SBT 1421 (CD, Mid Price)


BEETHOVEN: Symphonies Nos. 5 and 7

Philharmonia Orchestra, Otto Klemperer (conductor)
Naxos Historical 8.111248 (CD, Budget)


BEETHOVEN: Symphonies Nos. 5 and 8

Royal Flemish Philharmonic Orchestra, Philippe Herreweghe (conductor)
PentaTone Classics PTC 5186 316 (Hybrid SACD)

BEETHOVEN: Symphonies Nos. 3 and 8

The Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen, Paavo Jarvi (conductor)

RCA Red Seal 88697 006552 (Hybrid SACD)

Disc of the Week

HANDEL: Amadigi di Gaula

Maria Riccarda Wesseling (mezzo), Elena de la Merced (soprano), Sharon Rostorf-Zamir (soprano), Jordi Domenech (countertenor), Al Ayre Espanol, Eduardo Lopez Banzo (harpsichord and conductor)

Ambroisie AM133 (2CDs, Mid Price)

Album Description
'Amadigi di Gaula' was inspired by a text written by the French writer Antoine Houdar de la Motte entitled "Amadis de Grèce". Destouches had already composed music around this text sixteen years before Handel. It was the composer's fifth London opera and received its first performance in London at the Haymarket Theatre on 25 May 1715. The original cast included the celebrated castrato Nicolo Grimaldi. It was a great success and received a known minimum of 17 further performances in London through 1717, and a similar number in Hamburg from 1717-1720, with a different title, 'Oriana'. It then fell into neglect until a revival performance in 1968 at the Abbey Hall, Abingdon, by the English based "Unicorn Opera Group".
Although the plot of 'Amadigi di Gaula' is convoluted, it has at its centre a fairly simple premise. Amagigi, "a famous hero", and Dardano, Prince of Thrace, are rivals for the love of Oriana, daughter of the King of the Fortune Islands. Oriana is in love with Amadigi, as is the sorceress Melissa who throughout the opera tries to captivate him with potions and spells. Needless to say after various twists, true love conquers all and Amadigi and Oriana end up in each others arms.

Eduardo Lopez Banzo second album for Ambroise, featuring another of Handel's operas "Rodrigo", will be released later in the year.

Next Week

On next week's programme Rob Cowan recommends a recording of Stravinsky's ballet 'Rite of Spring' (Building a Library) and performer and academic Berta Joncus discusses new Bach Passions and Cantata recordings

Debussy: Preludes, Book 2

Saturday 8 March 2008

Listen to this episode for up to 7 days after broadcast

Andrew McGregor introduces Radio 3's weekly programme devoted to all that's new in the world of recorded music.

On this week's programme:

VILLA-LOBOS: Symphony No. 10 Amerindia (3rd movement)

Lothar Odinius (tenor), Henryk Bohm (baritone), Jurgen Linn (bass-baritone), Members of the Staatsopernchor Stuttgart, SWR Vokalensemble Stuttgart, Radio-Sinfonieorchester Stuttgart des SWR, Carl St. Clair (conductor)

CPO 999 786-2 (CD, Mid Price)


SCHMIDT: Das Buch Mit Sieben Siegeln ('Und als das Lamm der Siegel drittes auftat'; Und als das Lamm der Siegel viertes auftat)

Johannes Chum (tenor - St. John), Robert Holl (bass baritone - Voice of the Lord), Sandra Trattnigg (soprano), Michelle Breedt (mezzo-soprano), Nikolai Schukoff (tenor), Manfred Hemm (bass), Robert Kovacs (organ), Wiener Singverein, Tonkunstler orchester Niederosterreich, Kristjan Jarvi (conductor)

Chandos CHSA 50612 (2 Hybrid SACDs, Mid Price)

RONTGEN: Aus Goethes Faust ('Vor dem Tor')

Machteld Baumans (soprano), Marcel Beekman (tenor), Andre Morsch (baritone), Andre Post (tenor), Mark Richardson (baritone), Dennis Wilgenhof (bass), Gijs van Schoonhoven (organ), Kooir van de Nationale Reisopera Enschede, Netherlands Symphony Orchestra, David Porcelijn (conductor)

CPO 777 311-2 (CD, Mid Price)

Building a Library Recommendation

DEBUSSY: Piano Preludes Book II

Reviewer - Stephen Plaistow

First Choice:

(c/w Preludes Book 1, 'Les soirs illumines par l'ardeur du charbon') from disc Debussy Complete Works for Solo Piano, Volume 1
Jean-Efflam Bavouzet (piano)

Chandos CHAN10421 (CD)

1. Lent Et Grave
2. Modere (Dans Un Rythme Sans Rigeur Et Caressant)
3. Anime
4. Modere (Harmonieux Et Souple)
5. Tres Modere
6. Triste Et Lent
7. Anime Et Tumultueux
8. Tres Calme Et Doucement Expressif
9. Moderement Anime
10. Profondement Calme (Dans Une Brume Doucement Sonore)
11. Capricieux Et Leger
12. Modere (Nerveux Et Avec Humor)
13. Modere (Extrement Egal Et Leger)
14. Lent Et Melancolique
15. Mouvement De 'Habanera' (Avec De Brusque Oppositions D'Extreme Violence Et De Passionnee Douceur)
16. Rapide Et Leger
17. Calme (Doucement Expressif)
18. (Dans Le Style Et Le Mouvement D'Un Cake-Walk)
19. Lent
20. Scherzando
21. Grave
22. Tres Calme Et Doucement Triste
23. Moderement Anime
24. Moderement Anime
25. Lent Et Reveur - Plus Lent Jusqu'a La Fin


Historic Choice:

(c/w 10 Preludes from Book 1; L'isle joyeuse; Cloches a travers les feuilles; La Serenade interrompue; CHOPIN: Ballade No. 3 in A flat major Op. 47; Scherzo No. 4 in E major, Op. 54; 4 Mazurkas Op. 24; Barcarolle in F sharp major Op. 60; excerpts from Etudes Op. 10; PROKOFIEV: Dance, Op. 32 No. 1)
Sviatoslav Richter (piano)

BBC Legends BBCL 4021-2 (2 CDs, Mid Price)

Disc: 1
1. Ballade No. 3 In A Flat Major, Op. 47
2. Scherzo No.4 In E Major, Op.54: Presto
3. 4 Mazurkas, Op. 24: No. 1 In G Minor. Lento
4. 4 Mazurkas, Op. 24: No.2 In C Major. Allegro Non Troppo
5. 4 Mazurkas, Op. 24: No.3 In A Flat Major. Moderato
6. 4 Mazurkas, Op. 24: No.4 In B Flat Minor. Moderato
7. Barcarolle In F Sharp Major, op.60: Allegretto
8. 10 Preludes From Book 1: 1. Danseuses De Delphes
9. 10 Preludes From Book 1: 2. Violes
10. 10 Preludes From Book 1: 3. Le Vent Dans La Plaine
See all 17 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2
1. L'Isle Joyeuse
2. Cloches A Travers Les Feuilles Lent
3. Dance, Op.32 No.1
4. Etudes, Op. 10: No.12 In C Minor. Allegro Con Fuoco
5. Etudes, Op. 10: No.3 In E Major. Vivace Ma Non Troppo
6. Etudes, Op. 10: No.1 In C Major.
7. Etudes, Op. 10: No.4 In C Sharp Minor. Presto
8. Etudes, Op. 10: No.6 In E Flat Minor.
9. Etudes, Op. 10: No.10 In A Flat Major. Vivace Assai
10. Etudes, Op. 10: No.12 In C Minor. Allegro Con Fuoco
See all 23 tracks on this disc




Budget Choice:

(c/w Preludes Book 1)
Martino Tirimo (piano)
Regis RRC1111 (CD, Budget)


Next week Francis Knights examines recordings of Biber's Mystery or Rosary Sonatas.

Listener Requests

SCHOENBERG: Violin Concerto (second movement)
(c/w SIBELIUS: Violin Concerto Op. 47)
Hilary Hahn, Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Esa-Pekka Salonen (conductor)
Deutsche Grammophon 477 7346 (CD)


LISZT: Piano Concerto No.1 (fourth movement)

(c/w SHOSTAKOVICH: Concerto No. 1 for piano, trumpet and strings in C minor, Op. 35; PROKOFIEV: Piano Concerto No. 1 in D flat major, Op. 10)
Lise de la Salle (piano); Lisbon Gulbenkian Foundation Orchestra, Gabor Baldocki (trumpet), Lawrence Foster (conductor)
Naive V5053 (CD)

New Releases

Richard Morrison has been watching three new opera DVDs: Eugene Onegin from the New York Met starring Renee Fleming; Mussorgsky's epic drama Khovanshchina from Barcelona's Liceu; and a real rarity - Thomas Hampson as Busoni's anti-hero Doktor Faust.


TCHAIKOVSKY: Eugene Onegin



Renee Fleming (Tatiana), Elena Zaremba (Olga), Svetlana Volkova (Madame Larina), Larisa Shevchenko (Filippyevna), Ramon Vargas (Lenski), Dmitri Hvorostovsky (Eugene Onegin), Keith Miller (A Captain), Jean-Paul Fouchecourt (Triquet), Richard Bernstein (Zaretski), Sergei Aleksashkin (Prince Gremin), Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Chorus and Ballet, Valery Gergiev (conductor)

Decca 074 32489 (2 DVDs, Mid Price)

Opera Review | 'Eugene Onegin'
Star Power, Charisma and Ardor in ‘Onegin’

The Metropolitan Opera’s affecting revival of its 1997 production of Tchaikovsky’s “Eugene Onegin,” which opened on Friday night, is all the more impressive because it might have turned out so differently. In a risky move, the production brought major Russian artists steeped in their national operatic heritage together with two Met stars making brave forays into far-afield repertory.

The Russian maestro Valery Gergiev conducted, in his first Met performance of this work, Tchaikovsky’s best-known operatic masterpiece. It is an adaptation of Pushkin’s novel in verse about the dashing, worldly and aloof Onegin, who learns too late from a bookish, love-struck young woman that life will pass him by unless he dares to be emotionally vulnerable. In addition this was the first Met Onegin for the baritone Dmitri Hvorostovsky, who was born to play the role.

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Renee Fleming - Eugene Onegin - Letter Scene (part 1)



Renee Fleming - Eugene Onegin - Letter Scene (part 2)



Ramon Vargas as Lensky "Kuda, kuda vy udalilis" Eugen Onegin



Hvorostovsky & Vargas - Eugene Onegin - Duel Scene




BUSONI: Doktor Faust

Thomas Hampson (Doktor Faust), Gunther Groissbock (Wagner, his medical student and Master of Ceremonies), Gregory Kunde (Mephistopheles), Reinaldo Macias (The Duke of Parma), Sandra Trattnigg (The Duchess of Parma), Martin Zysset (a lieutenant), Chorus and Orchestra of the Zurich Opera House, Philippe Jordan (conductor)

Arthaus Musik NTSC101283 (2 DVDs)




MUSSORGSKY: Khovanshchina

Vladimir Ognovenko (Pricne Ivan Khovansky), Vladimir Galouzine (Prince Andrei Khovansky), Robert Brubaker (Prince Vasily Golitsyn), Nikolai Putilin (Shaklovity), Vladimir Vaneev (Dosifei), Elena Zaremba (Marfa), Graham Clark (Scribe), Nataliya Tymchenko (Emma), Symphony Orchestra and Chorus of the Gran Teatre del Liceu, Michael Boder (conductor)

Opus Arte OA0989 D (2 DVDs)

Listener Requests

MONTEVERDI: Lagrime d'amante al sepolcro dell'amata (Sestina from Il sesto libro de madrigali 1614) from disc Fire and Ashes

(c/w allo - Tirsi e Clori, Chiome d'oro, Vorrei baciarti, Ardo avvampo, Ogni amante (Book VIII), Con dolce tormento, E cosi a poco a poco, Batto qui pianse, Che dar piu, Si ch'io vorrei (Book IV), Rimante in pace (Book III))
I Fagiolini, Robert Hollingworth (director)
Chandos CHAN 0749 (CD)


ROUSSEL: Symphony No.3 Op.42 (2nd movement)

(c/w Le Festin de l'araignee, Op. 17)
Orchestre de Paris, Christoph Eschenbach (conductor)

Ondine ODE 11072 (CD)


BARTOK: The Wooden Prince: "The Prince builds a wooden prince"

Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, Marin Alsop (conductor)

Naxos 8.570534 (CD, Budget)

Disc of the Week

SCHUMANN: Symphony No. 1 in B flat Major Op. 38 ('Spring Symphony')

(c/w Overture to Schiller's 'Braut von Messina', Op. 100, Overture to the opera 'Genoveva', Op. 81; Symphony in G minor, 'Zwickau Symphony';
Overture, Scherzo and Finale, Op. 52)
Swedish Chamber Orchestra, Thomas Dausgaard

BIS SACD 1569 (Hybrid SACD)

Next Week

On next week's programme Francis Knights recommends a recording of Biber's Mystery or Rosary Sonatas and conductor John Traill discusses new releases of Beethoven Symphonies.