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Tchaikovsky's First Piano Concerto in Building a Library with Joanna MacGregor and Andrew McGregor

Pianist Joanna MacGregor picks her ultimate recording of Tchaikovsky's First Piano Concerto, and conductor Ben Gernon discusses some of the best recent releases.

Andrew McGregor with the best new recordings of classical music

9.30 am
The conductor Ben Gernon discusses some of the best recent releases, including a new set of Schumann's symphonies with the Staatskapelle Berlin under Daniel Barenboim. And he plays the track which he has regularly "On Repeat".

10.30 am
Building a Library
The pianist Joanna MacGregor's pick of the ultimate recording of Tchaikovsky's First Piano Concerto in B flat minor, Op. 23

Tchaikovsky's famous piano concerto is one of the most popular concertos in the repertoire - full of swaggering great tunes and still, soulful melodies. And many of the piano titans of the past and present have recorded it. Joanna will cut a swathe through the available recordings and come up with a suggestion for your library. And there should be plenty of fireworks along the way.

11.20 am
Record of the Week
Andrew's pick of the best of the best this week

Send us your On Repeat recommendations at recordreview@bbc.co.uk, or tweet us @ѿýRadio3.

2 hours, 47 minutes

Music Played

  • Max Bruch

    8 Pieces Op.83 (no.7 in B major)

    Performer: Michael Collins. Performer: Michael McHale. Performer: Isabelle van Keulen.
    • Mozart, Schumann & Others: Clarinet Trios.
    • BIS.
    • 10.
  • Francis Poulenc

    Les Animaux modeles Suite: I. Le petit jour - II. II. L'Ours et les deux compagnons

    Orchestra: ѿý Concert Orchestra. Conductor: Bramwell Tovey.
    • Francis Poulenc: Orchestral Works.
    • Chandos.
    • 8.
  • Felix Mendelssohn

    String Quartet no.2 in A minor Op.13 (3rd mvt)

    Ensemble: Van Kuijk Quartet.
    • Mendelssohn: Complete String Quartets, Vol. 1.
    • Alpha.
    • 3.
  • Robert Parsons

    When I look back

    Ensemble: Ensemble Pro Victoria. Conductor: Toby Ward.
    • Tudor Music Afterlives.
    • Delphian.
    • 20.
  • Igor Stravinsky

    Champs-Elysees - Danse Sacrale (From 'Sacre du Printemps')

    Performer: Félicien Brut. Performer: Adam Laloum.
    • J’ai deux amours - The Paris Album.
    • Erato.
    • 7.
  • Johann Christian Bach

    Sonata no 5 in A Major, Op.17 Allegro

    Ensemble: Daniil Trifonov.
    • Bach: The Art Of Life.
    • DG.
    • 1.
  • Johann Sebastian Bach

    The Art Of Fugue, BWV 1080: Contrapunctus 9 alla Duodecima

    Performer: Daniil Trifonov.
    • Bach: The Art Of Life.
    • DG.
    • 4.
  • Robert Schumann

    Symphony No 4 in D minor, Op 120, IV. Langsam - Lebhaft - Presto

    Orchestra: Staatskapelle Berlin. Conductor: Daniel Barenboim.
    • Schumann: The Symphonies.
    • DG.
    • 9.
  • Robert Schumann

    Symphony no.3 in E flat major Op.97 'Rhenish' (2nd mvt)

    Orchestra: Staatskapelle Berlin. Conductor: Daniel Barenboim.
    • Schumann: The Symphonies.
    • DG.
    • 2.
  • Clara Schumann

    Piano Trio in G minor Op.17 (4th mvt)

    Performer: Anne‐Sophie Mutter. Performer: Pablo Ferrández. Performer: Lambert Orkis.
    • Brahms: Double Concerto & Clara Schumann: Piano Trio.
    • Sony.
    • 7.
  • Johannes Brahms

    Double Concerto for Violin & Cello in A minor, Op 102: I. Allegro

    Performer: Anne‐Sophie Mutter. Performer: Pablo Ferrández. Orchestra: Czech Philharmonic.
    • Brahms: Double Concerto & Clara Schumann: Piano Trio.
    • Sony.
    • 1.
  • Franz Schubert

    Impromptu in A flat major, D.935 no.2

    Performer: Mitsuko Uchida.
    • Schubert: Impromptus.
    • Philips.
    • 6.
  • George Frideric Handel

    Partenope, HWV 27, Act 1: 'Io seguo sol fiero' (Rosmira)

    Orchestra: Il Pomo d’Oro. Conductor: Riccardo Minasi.
    • Handel: Partenope.
    • Erato/Warner Classics.
    • 135.
  • Hans Rott

    Symphony No 1 in E Major: III. Frisch und lebhaft

    Conductor: Jakub Hrůša. Orchestra: Bamberg Symphony Orchestra.
    • Hans Rott: Symphony No. 1 / Mahler: Blumine / Bruckner: Symphonisches Präludium.
    • Deutsche Grammophon (DG).
    • 3.
  • Franz Schubert

    Schwanengesang, D 957: No. 1, Liebesbotschaft

    Performer: Lars Vogt. Singer: Ian Bostridge.
    • Schubert: Schwanengesang.
    • PENTATONE.
    • 101.
  • Franz Schubert

    Ave Maria (No. 12 from Zwolf Lieder von Franz Schubert, S558)

    Performer: Barry Douglas.
    • Schubert: Piano Music, Vol. 6.
    • Chandos.
    • 9.
  • Jean‐Baptiste Lully

    Acis et Galatee, LWV 73 (excerpts)

    Performer: Les Talens Lyriques. Performer: Christophe Rousset.
    • Lully: Acis et Galatee.
    • Aparte.
    • 32.

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, Schumann & Others: Clarinet Trios

Michael Collins (clarinet)

Isabelle van Keulen (viola, violin)

Michael McHale (piano)

Wigmore Soloists

BIS BIS2535 (Hybrid SACD)

Francis Poulenc: Orchestral Works

ѿý Concert Orchestra

Bramwell Tovey

Chandos CHSA5260 (Hybrid SACD)

Mendelssohn: Complete String Quartets, Vol. 1

Quatuor van Kuijk

Alpha ALPHA873

Tudor Music Afterlives – music by Tallis, Taverner, Parsons, etc.

Toby Carr (lute)

Magnus Williamson (organ)

Ensemble Pro Victoria

Toby Ward

Delphian DCD34295

J’ai deux amours - The Paris Album – music by Chopin, Stravinsky, Gainsbourg, etc.

Félicien Brut (accordion)

Adam Laloum (piano)

Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine

Pierre Dumoussaud

Erato 5419719854

09.30am – Ben Gernon: New Releases

Bach: The Art of Life - Deluxe Edition

Daniil Trifonov (piano)

DG 736270 (2 CDs + Blu-ray)

Schumann: The Symphonies

Staatskapelle Berlin

Daniel Barenboim

DG 4862958 (2 CDs + Blu-ray)

Brahms: Double Concerto & Clara Schumann: Piano Trio

Anne-Sophie Mutter (violin)

Pablo Ferrández (cello)

Lambert Orkis (piano)

Czech Philharmonic Orchestra

Manfred Honeck

Sony 19658741102

Ben Gernon: On Repeat

Schubert: Impromptus

Mitsuko Uchida (piano)

Philips E4562452

10:10 am

Listener On Repeat

Handel: Partenope, HWV 27

Philippe Jaroussky (Arsace)

Karina Gauvin (Partenope)

John Mark Ainsley (Emilio)

Teresa Iervolino (Rosmira)

Emöke Barath (Armindo)

Luca Tittoto (Ormonte)

Il Pomo d'Oro

Riccardo Minasi

Erato 2564609007 (3 CDs)

Hans Rott: Symphony No. 1: Mahler: Blumine - Bruckner: Symphonisches Präludium

Bamberger Symphoniker

Jakub Hrůša

DG 4862932

Schubert: Schwanengesang

Ian Bostridge (tenor)

Lars Vogt (piano)

Pentatone PTC5186786

10.30am – Building a Library: Joanna MacGregor on Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No 1

Recommended recording:

Martha Argerich (piano)

Berliner Philharmoniker

Claudio Abbado

DG E4498162

Other recommendations:

Vladimir Horowitz (piano)

NBC Symphony Orchestra

Arturo Toscanini

Naxos E4498162

Stephen Hough (piano)

Minnesota Orchestra

Osmo Vänskä

Hyperion CDA67711/2

11:15 am

A Shropshire Lad: English Songs Orchestrated by Roderick Williams – music by Ireland, Butterworth, Vaughan Williams, etc.

Roderick Williams (baritone)

Hallé Orchestra

Mark Elder

Hallé CDHLL7559

Schubert: Piano Music, Vol. 6

Barry Douglas (piano)

Chandos CHAN20253

11.25am – Record of the Week

Lully: Acis et Galatée

Cyril Auvity (Acis/Apollon; tenor)

Ambroisine Bré (Galatée/Diane; mezzo-soprano)

Edwin Crossley-Mercer (Polyphème; baritone)

Les Talens Lyriques

Christophe Rousset

Aparté AP269 (2 CDs)

Broadcast

  • Sat 5 Nov 2022 09:00

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