Vaughan Williams' 'A London Symphony' in Building a Library with Kate Kennedy and Andrew McGregor
A thorough look at the week's classical music releases, plus news and the Radio 3 Disc of the Week recommendation.
Andrew McGregor with the week's best new classical releases.
2.10pm
Andrew is joined by guest reviewer Chris O'Reilly, who picks four new releases that have caught his ear.
3pm
Building a Library: Kate Kennedy surveys recordings of Vaughan Williams' Symphony No. 2, 'A London Symphony', and makes her personal top recommendation.
Written shortly before the First World War, Vaughan Williams dedicated 'A London Symphony' to fellow composer George Butterworth, who lost his life in the war. Between the chimes of Big Ben, a busker's harmonica, and vibrant nightlife, it is a portrait of London as he knew it, capturing the hustle and bustle of the capital while finding peace and quiet in which to reflect.
Top choice:
BBC Symphony Orchestra, Martyn Brabbins (conductor)
Hyperion CDA68190 (recorded London 2016)
3.50pm
Record of the Week: Andrew picks a new release that has most impressed him this week.
Last on
Music Played
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Augusta Holmès
Noël d'Irlande
Performer: Jessie Ann Richardson. Ensemble: Piatti Quartet.- Phantasy.
- Rubicon.
- 9.
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Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Concerto in F major K.242 for 3 pianos and orchestra (3rd mvt)
Performer: Rose McLachlan. Performer: Jean‐Efflam Bavouzet. Performer: Andrea Nemecz. Orchestra: Manchester Camerata. Conductor: Gábor Takács‐Nagy.- Mozart: Piano Concertos, Vol. 12.
- Chandos.
- 5.
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Sergei Bortkiewicz
Piano concerto no.2 in C minor Op.28 'for the left hand' (1st mvt)
Performer: Illia Ovcharenko. Orchestra: MDR Sinfonieorchester. Conductor: Oksana Lyniv.- PENTATONE.
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Johann Sebastian Bach
St John Passion BWV.245 (Part 1; Herr, unser Herrscher)
Ensemble: Pygmalion. Conductor: Raphaël Pichon.- HARMONIA MUNDI.
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Madeleine Dring
Encouragements to a Lover / Melisande
Singer: Kitty Whately. Performer: Julius Drake.- CHANDOS.
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Gustav Holst
Jupiter, the bringer of jollity (The Planets Op.32)
Orchestra: London Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Sir Antonio Pappano.- LSO.
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Erich Wolfgang Korngold
String Quartet no.2 in E flat major Op.26 (2nd mvt)
Ensemble: Quatuor Hermès.- Echoes of Vienna.
- La Dolce Volta.
- 7.
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Gustav Mahler
Symphony no.7 (3rd mvt)
Orchestra: Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich. Conductor: Paavo Järvi.- Mahler: Symphony No. 7.
- Alpha Classics.
- 13.
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Alessandro Scarlatti
Veini, o notte (Notte ch'in carro d'ombre)
Singer: Francesca Aspromonte. Ensemble: Arsenale Sonoro. Conductor: Boris Begelman.- Alessandro Scarlatti: Vieni, o Notte.
- Aparté.
- 3.
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Johann Sebastian Bach
Chaconne and fugue in D minor BWV.1178
Performer: Benjamin Alard.- J. S. Bach: Chaconnes BWV 1178 & 1179.
- Harmonia Mundi.
- 1.
Record of the Week
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Francis Poulenc
Un Soir de neige (Le feu)
Ensemble: Ensemble vocal Aedes. Director: Mathieu Romano.- Poulenc: The Complete Works for A Cappella Choir.
- Aparté.
- 1.
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Francis Poulenc
Mass in G major (Kyrie)
Ensemble: Ensemble vocal Aedes. Director: Mathieu Romano.- Poulenc: The Complete Works for A Cappella Choir.
- Aparté.
- 17.
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Francis Poulenc
Chanson à boire
Ensemble: Ensemble vocal Aedes. Director: Mathieu Romano.- Poulenc: The Complete Works for A Cappella Choir.
- Aparté.
- 27.
Broadcast
- Saturday14:00BBC Radio 3
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