Shostakovich's String Quartet No 8 in Building a Library with Emily MacGregor and Andrew McGregor
Emily MacGregor's must-have recording of the most popular of Shostakovich's 15 string quartets, plus the best of this week's new releases.
Emily MacGregor's must-have recording of the most popular of Shostakovich's 15 string quartets, plus the best of this week's new releases
Presented by Andrew McGregor
9.30am
New Releases
Cellist Natalie Clein's personal pick of four of the best new discs, plus the track she has "On Repeat".
10.30am
Building a Library: Shostakovich's String Quartet No 8
Written at white heat in just three days, Shostakovich's Eighth String Quartet is also his most personal - indeed, it opens with a form of the composer's own initials. Emily has been listening to recordings from throughout the quartet's life - from its first performers to young ensembles of the present day.
11.20am
Record of the Week
Andrew's pick of the best of the best this week.
Last on
Record Review
The link below each recording takes you directly to the label’s website. Please be aware that non-UK labels may be cheaper via a record store or an online retailer.
9.00am
Mozart: Piano Sonatas, Volume 6
Peter Donohoe (piano)
Somm SOMMCD0660
https://somm-recordings.com/recording/mozart-piano-sonatas-volume-6/
Grazyna Bacewicz: Symphonies Nos. 3 & 4
WDR Sinfonieorchester
Lukasz Borowicz
CPO 555556-2
https://www.jpc.de/jpcng/cpo/detail/-/art/grazyna-bacewicz-symphonien-vol-1/hnum/11056850
Altissima: Works For High Baroque Trumpet – music by Graupner, Rittler, Telemann, etc.
Josh Cohen (baroque trumpet)
Ensemble Sprezzatura
Daniel Abraham
Chandos CHAN0828
https://www.chandos.net/products/catalogue/CHAN%200828
Reinecke: Piano Concertos
Simon Callaghan (piano)
Sinfonieorchester St Gallen
Modestas Pitrėnas
Hyperion CDA68339
https://www.hyperion-records.co.uk/dc.asp?dc=D_CDA68339
Amadè – music by Mozart
Julie Fuchs (soprano)
Balthasar-Neumann-Orchestra
Thomas Hengelbrock
Sony 19658758952
https://www.sonyclassical.com/releases/releases-details/julie-fuchs
09.30am – Natalie Clein: New Releases
Janáček - Brahms - Bartók
Patricia Kopatchinskaja (violin)
Fazıl Say (piano)
Alpha ALPHA885
https://outhere-music.com/en/albums/janacek-brahms-bartok
Bohemian String Trios – music by Vanhal, Leistner-Mayer, Pichl, etc.
Deutsches Streichtrio
TYXArt TXA22168
https://www.tyxart.de/en/txa22168_bohemian-string-trios.html
Mompou: Musica Callada
Stephen Hough (piano)
Hyperion CDA68362
https://www.hyperion-records.co.uk/dc.asp?dc=D_CDA68362
TÁR – music by Mahler, Guðnadóttir, Elgar, etc.
Hildur Guðnadóttir (vocal / cello)
Cate Blanchett (piano / conductor / dialogue)
Sophie Kauer (cello)
Elisa Vargas Fernandez (vocals)
Al Kay (trombone)
New Trombone Collective & Friends
Dresden Philharmonie
London Contemporary Orchestra
London Symphony Orchestra
Robert Ames
Natalie Murray Beale
Martijn Sohier
DG 4863431
https://www.deutschegrammophon.com/en/catalogue/products/tar-hildur-gunadottir-12805
Natalie Clein: On Repeat (3 Intermezzi, Op. 117: No. 1 in E-Flat Major)
Brahms: 3 Intermezzi Op. 117 / Klavierstücke Op. 118 & Op. 119
Lars Vogt (piano)
Warner Classics 5419749879
https://www.warnerclassics.com/release/brahms-intermezzi-klavierstucke-vogt
Listener On Repeat
Rameau: Overtures
Les Talens Lyriques
Christophe Rousset
Decca 4552932
10.10am – New Releases
Shostakovich: Works Unveiled
Nicolas Stavy (piano)
Ekaterina Bakanova (soprano)
Alexandros Stavrakakis (bass)
Florent Jodelet (percussion)
Sueye Park (violin)
Cédric Tiberghien (piano)
BIS BIS2550 (Hybrid SACD)
https://bis.se/performers/stavy-nicolas/dmitri-shostakovich-works-unveiled
Lully: Psyché
Les Talens Lyriques
Christophe Rousset
Château de Versailles Spectacles CVS086 (2 CDs)
https://tickets.chateauversailles-spectacles.fr/uk/merchandising/42823/cvs086-2cd-psyche
10.30am – Building a Library: Emily MacGregor on Shostakovich’s String Quartet No 8
Recommended recording:
Pavel Haas Quartet
Supraphon SU42712
https://www.supraphon.com/album/509310-shostakovich-string-quartets-nos-2-7-8
Also recommended:
Fitzwilliam String Quartet
Decca 4214752
Borodin String Quartet (1962)
Mercury Living Presence 4788496
Hagen Quartett
DG E4776146
https://www.deutschegrammophon.com/en/catalogue/products/shostakovich-string-quart-3-7-8-hagen-148
Rosamunde Quartett
ECM New Series 4570672
11:15 am
Joseph Jongen: 13 Preludes; 24 Petits Preludes Dans Tous Les Tons
Ivan Ilić (piano)
Chandos CHAN20264
https://www.chandos.net/products/catalogue/CHAN%2020264
11.20am – Record of the Week
Legacy – music by Haydn, Mozart, Gluck, etc.
Christian-Pierre La Marca (cello)
Le Concert de La Loge
Julien Chauvin
Naive V7259
https://store.naiverecords.com/fr-fr/cd/legacy-cd-p-1790.htm?att_detailID=88
Broadcast
- Sat 21 Jan 2023 09:00BBC Radio 3
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