Chopin's Piano Concerto No 2 in Building a Library with Kenneth Hamilton and Andrew McGregor
Kenneth Hamilton chooses his favourite recording of Chopin's Piano Concerto No 2 in F minor in Building a Library, and pianist Charles Owen shares some remarkable new releases.
Andrew McGregor with the best new recordings of classical music.
9.30 am
Pianist Charles Owen shares some remarkable new releases which have caught his ear and shares his 'On Repeat' track – a recording which he is currently listening to again and again.
10.30 am
Building a Library: Kenneth Hamilton chooses his favourite recording of Chopin's Piano Concerto No 2 in F minor
Frédéric Chopin composed this glorious concerto in 1829 when he was 20 and before he had finished his formal education. It was first performed in Warsaw, with the composer as soloist. It was actually the first of his two piano concertos to be written. Like all Chopin's works, it is full of haunting melodies and thrilling piano writing. The nocturnal middle movement in particular is a golden moment, inspired by Chopin's romantic idolization of Konstancja Gładkowska.
11.20 am
Record of the Week: Andrew’s top pick.
Send us your On Repeat recommendations at recordreview@bbc.co.uk or tweet us @BBCRadio3
Last on
Music Played
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Gabriel Fauré
Apres un reve, Op 7 No 1
Ensemble: Brodsky Quartet.- Golden Oldies – More Favourite Encores.
- Chandos.
- 3.
-
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Dieterich Buxtehude
Befiehl dem Engel, dass er kommt, BuxWV 10
Ensemble: Ricercar Consort.- Buxtehude : Salvator Mundi.
- Mirare.
- 5.
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Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Clarinet Quintet, K 581: III. Menuetto
Performer: Jörg Widmann.- Mozart, Widmann: Clarinet Quintets.
- Myrios.
- 3.
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Henry Purcell
The Gordion Knot Untied, Z 597 (Arr. Montanari for Chamber Ensemble)
Performer: Stefano Rossi. Performer: Claudio Andriani. Performer: Francesco Galligioni. Performer: Luca Bandini. Performer: Emiliano Rodolfi. Performer: Pryska Comploi. Performer: Alberto Guerra. Performer: Riccardo Balbinutti. Music Arranger: Stefano Montanari.- Stravaganze consonanti.
- ECM Records.
- 8.
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Henry Purcell
Dido and Aeneas, Z 626: When I Am Laid in Earth (Arr. Trovesi for Chamber Ensemble)
Performer: Gianluigi Trovesi. Performer: Stefano Montanari. Performer: Stefano Rossi. Performer: Claudio Andriani. Performer: Francesco Galligioni. Performer: Luca Bandini. Performer: Riccardo Balbinutti. Performer: Ivano Zanenghi. Lyricist: Nahum Tate. Music Arranger: Gianluigi Trovesi.- Stravaganze consonanti.
- ECM Records.
- 7.
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Samuel Barber
Piano Sonata, Op 26: II. Allegro vivace e leggero
Performer: Konstantin Emelyanov.- Debussy, Prokofiev, Barber.
- Fuga Libera.
- 34.
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Carlo Gesualdo
Sacrarum cantionum quinque vocibus, Liber primus: Ave, dulcissima Maria
Ensemble: Il Pomo d’Oro. Conductor: Giuseppe Maletto.- Gesualdo: Sacræ Cantiones (liber Primus).
- Aparte.
- 3.
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Carlo Gesualdo
Sacrarum cantionum quinque vocibus, Liber primus: O vos omnes
Ensemble: Il Pomo d’Oro. Conductor: Giuseppe Maletto.- Gesualdo: Sacræ Cantiones (liber Primus).
- Aparte.
- 3.
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Joseph Haydn
Stabat Mater: Quando corpus morietur - Paradisi gloria
Singer: Birgitte Christensen. Singer: Kristina Hammarström. Singer: Steve Davislim. Singer: Christian Immler. Choir: Zürcher Sing-Akademie. Orchestra: Kammerorchester Basel. Conductor: René Jacobs.- Haydn: Stabat Mater.
- Pentatone.
- 13.
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Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
String Quintet No 3 in C major, K515: I. Allegro
Performer: Antoine Tamestit. Ensemble: Quatuor Ébène.- Mozart: String Quintets K515 & K516.
- Erato.
- 1.
-
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Richard Strauss
Sinfonia Domestica: VI. Adagio
Orchestra: Munich Philharmonic Orchestra. Conductor: Zubin Mehta.- Strauss: Sinfonia Domestica.
- Munchner Philharmoniker.
- 6.
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César Franck
Cello Sonata in A major: I. Allegretto ben moderato
- Rachmaninov & Franck: Cello Sonatas.
- Hyperion Records.
- 8.
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Miklós Rózsa
Overture to a Symphony Concert, Op 26a
Conductor: Rumon Gamba. Orchestra: BBC Philharmonic Orchestra.- Rózsa: Overture to a Symphony Concert, Three Hungarian Sketches, Tripartita, Hun.
- Chandos.
- 1.
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Clara Schumann
Variations sur un theme de Robert Schumann, Op 20
Performer: Benjamin Grosvenor.- Schumann & Brahms.
- Decca.
- 17.
-
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Herbert Howells
Magnificat & Nunc Dimittis: Nunc Dimittis - St Paul's Service
Performer: George Herbert. Choir: Choir of St John’s College, Cambridge. Conductor: Andrew Nethsingha.- Magnificat 3.
- Signum Classics.
- 103.
-
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George Gershwin
Rhapsody In Blue (opening)
Music Arranger: Raaf Hekkema. Ensemble: Calefax Reed Quintet.- An American Rhapsody.
- PENTATONE.
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Johann Sebastian Bach
Contrapunctus inversus a 4, BWV 1080 / 1. 12
Ensemble: New Collegium. Conductor: Claudio Ribeiro.- Lemniscate - Bach: The Art of Fugue.
- Ramee.
- 13.
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Johann Sebastian Bach
Contrapunctus IX a 4 alla Duodecima, BWV 1080 / 9
Ensemble: New Collegium. Conductor: Claudio Ribeiro.- Lemniscate - Bach: The Art of Fugue.
- Ramee.
- 5.
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Johann Sebastian Bach
Contrapunctus II, BWV 1080 / 2
Ensemble: New Collegium. Conductor: Claudio Ribeiro.- Lemniscate - Bach: The Art of Fugue.
- Ramee.
- 3.
-
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Giacomo Puccini
Turandot: Act 3 (ending)
Singer: Sondra Radvanovsky. Singer: Jonas Kaufmann. Choir: Chorus of the National Academy of Santa Cecilia. Orchestra: Orchestra dell' Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia, Roma. Conductor: Sir Antonio Pappano.- Puccini: Turandot.
- Warner Classics.
- 12.
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
Golden Oldies – More Favourite Encores – music by Debussy, Fauré, Elgar, etc.
Brodsky Quartet
Laura van der Heijden (cello)
Julian Jacobson (piano)
Chandos CHAN20230
https://www.chandos.net/products/catalogue/CHAN%2020230
Buxtehude: Salvator Mundi
Ricercar Consort
Philippe Pierlot
Mirare MIR668
https://www.mirare.fr/en/albums/buxtehude-salvator-mundi/
Mozart, Widmann: Clarinet Quintets
Jörg Widmann (clarinet)
Hagen Quartett
Myrios MYR031
https://myriosmusic.com/products/myr031-mozart-widmann-clarinet-quintets
Stravaganze Consonanti – music by Purcell, Dufay
Gianluigi Trovesi (piccolo clarinet, alto clarinet, alto saxophone)
Stefano Montanari (concertmaster / violin)
Stefano Rossi (violin)
Claudio Andriani (viola)
Francesco Galligioni (cello)
Luca Bandini: (double bass)
Emiliano Rodolfi: (oboe)
Pryska Comploi: (oboé)
Alberto Guerra (bassoon, dulciana)
Riccardo Balbinutti (percussion)
Ivano Zanenghi (archlute)
Valeria Montanari (harpsichord)
Fulvio Maras (percussion / electronics)
ECM 4828600
https://ecmrecords.com/product/stravaganze-consonanti-gianluigi-trovesi-stefano-montanari/
Debussy, Prokofiev, Barber
Konstantin Emelyanov (piano)
Fuga Libera FUG812
https://outhere-music.com/en/albums/debussy-prokofiev-barber
09.30am – Charles Owen: New Releases
Gesualdo: Sacræ Cantiones (liber Primus)
Il Pomo d'Oro
Giuseppe Maletto
Aparté AP312
Haydn: Stabat Mater
Birgitte Christensen (soprano)
Kristina Hammarström (alto)
Steve Davislim (tenor)
Christian Immler (bass)
Zürcher Sing-Akademie
Kammerorchester Basel
René Jacobs
Pentatone PTC5186953
https://www.pentatonemusic.com/product/haydn-stabat-mater/
Mozart: String Quintets K515 & K516
Quatuor Ebène
Antoine Tamestit (viola)
Erato 5419721332
https://www.warnerclassics.com/release/mozart-string-quintets
Strauss: Sinfonia Domestica
Münchner Philharmoniker
Zubin Mehta
Münchner Philharmoniker 5452356035
https://www.mphil.de/label/zubin-mehta/mehta-strauss-sinfonia-domestica
Charles Owen: On Repeat
Rachmaninov & Franck: Cello Sonatas
Steven Isserlis (cello)
Stephen Hough (piano)
Rebecca Evans (soprano)
Hyperion CDA67376
Listener On Repeat
Miklós Rózsa: Orchestral Works Volume 1
BBC Philharmonic
Rumon Gamba
Chandos CHAN10488
https://www.hyperion-records.co.uk/dc.asp?dc=D_CDA67376
10.10am – New Releases
Schumann & Brahms
Benjamin Grosvenor (piano)
Decca 4853945
https://www.deccaclassics.com/en/catalogue/products/schumann-brahms-benjamin-grosvenor-12888
Magnificat 3
Choir of St John's College, Cambridge
Andrew Nethsingha
George Herbert (organ)
Signum SIGCD742
https://signumrecords.com/product/magnificat-vol-3/SIGCD742/
10.30am – Building a Library: Kenneth Hamilton on Chopin’s Piano Concerto No 2 in F minor
Recommended recording:
Martha Argerich (piano)
Montreal Symphony Orchestra
Charles Dutoit
Warner Classics 5567982
https://www.warnerclassics.com/release/martha-argerich-plays-chopin
Other recommendations:
Emanuel Ax (piano)
Orchestra Of The Age Of Enlightenment
Sir Charles Mackerras
Sony G010001222952P
Benjamin Grosvenor (piano)
Royal Scottish National Orchestra
Elim Chan
Decca 4850365
https://www.deccaclassics.com/en/catalogue/products/chopin-piano-concertos-grosvenor-11989
Chamber version:
Kevin Kenner (piano)
Apollon Musigete Quartett
Fryderyk Chopin Institute NIFCCD220
11:15 am
An American Rhapsody – music by Gershwin, Barber, Price, etc.
Calefax Reed Quintet
Pentatone PTC5187046 (Hybrid SACD)
https://www.pentatonemusic.com/product/an-american-rhapsody/
Lemniscate - Bach: The Art of Fugue
New Collegium
Claudio Ribeiro
Ramée RAM2208
https://outhere-music.com/en/albums/lemniscate-bach-art-fugue
11.25am – Record of the Week
Puccini: Turandot (as originally completed by Franco Alfano)
Sondra Radvanovsky (soprano; Turandot)
Jonas Kaufmann (tenor; Calaf)
Ermonela Jaho (soprano; Liù)
Mattia Olivieri (baritone; Ping)
Gregory Bonfatti (tenor; Pang)
Siyabonga Maqungo (tenor; Pong)
Michael Spyres (tenor; Altoum)
Michael Pertusi (bass; Timur)
Warner Classics 5419740659 (2 CDs)
https://www.warnerclassics.com/release/turandot
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