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.
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