1antimuzak
Saturday 25th June 2022
Time: 09:00 to 11:45 (2 hours and 45 minutes long)
Rachmaninov: Symphony No 2.
Edward Seckerson compares recordings of Rachmaninov's Symphony No 2 in E minor and chooses his favourite in Building a Library, while Natasha Loges reviews new concerto recordings.
Time: 09:00 to 11:45 (2 hours and 45 minutes long)
Rachmaninov: Symphony No 2.
Edward Seckerson compares recordings of Rachmaninov's Symphony No 2 in E minor and chooses his favourite in Building a Library, while Natasha Loges reviews new concerto recordings.
2antimuzak
Saturday 2nd July 2022 (starting in 2 hours and 11 minutes)
Time: 09:00 to 11:45 (2 hours and 45 minutes long)
Beethoven's Missa Solemnis in Building a Library with Elin Manahan Thomas and Andrew McGregor.
Elin Manahan Thomas compares recordings of Beethoven's Missa solemnis and picks her favourite. Iain Burnside reviews new releases of chamber music.
Time: 09:00 to 11:45 (2 hours and 45 minutes long)
Beethoven's Missa Solemnis in Building a Library with Elin Manahan Thomas and Andrew McGregor.
Elin Manahan Thomas compares recordings of Beethoven's Missa solemnis and picks her favourite. Iain Burnside reviews new releases of chamber music.
3antimuzak
Saturday 9th July 2022 (starting in 2 hours and 11 minutes)
Time: 09:00 to 11:45
Walton's First Symphony.
With Andrew McGregor. 9.30 Building a Library. Tom Service chooses his favourite recording of William Walton: Symphony No 1 in B flat minor. In 1932, with the spectacular success of Belshazzar's Feast, as well as concertos for violin and viola behind him, Walton began his first symphony. But, always a slow worker, it took him two painful years to complete - painful because what lay behind most of the symphony was the emotional upheaval that came with the end of a relationship. The result was the greatest English symphony of its time, its darkly menacing first movement bursting with seemingly elemental power, is followed by a bitter scherzo marked Presto con malizia (with malice), a melancholic slow movement and a joyful major key finale. 10.45 Kate Kennedy reviews a new 23-CD box set featuring all the recordings cellist Jacqueline du Pré made for EMI. 11.20 Record of the Week. An exceptional new release.
Time: 09:00 to 11:45
Walton's First Symphony.
With Andrew McGregor. 9.30 Building a Library. Tom Service chooses his favourite recording of William Walton: Symphony No 1 in B flat minor. In 1932, with the spectacular success of Belshazzar's Feast, as well as concertos for violin and viola behind him, Walton began his first symphony. But, always a slow worker, it took him two painful years to complete - painful because what lay behind most of the symphony was the emotional upheaval that came with the end of a relationship. The result was the greatest English symphony of its time, its darkly menacing first movement bursting with seemingly elemental power, is followed by a bitter scherzo marked Presto con malizia (with malice), a melancholic slow movement and a joyful major key finale. 10.45 Kate Kennedy reviews a new 23-CD box set featuring all the recordings cellist Jacqueline du Pré made for EMI. 11.20 Record of the Week. An exceptional new release.
4antimuzak
Saturday 16th July 2022
Time: 09:00 to 11:45 (2 hours and 45 minutes long)
BBC Proms Composer - Edward Elgar with David Owen Norris.
Andrew McGregor presents a selection of the best new classical releases. 9.30 Proms Composer: Edward Elgar David Owen Norris chooses five indispensable recordings of pieces by Elgar and explains explains why they need to be heard. 11.25 Record of the Week.
Time: 09:00 to 11:45 (2 hours and 45 minutes long)
BBC Proms Composer - Edward Elgar with David Owen Norris.
Andrew McGregor presents a selection of the best new classical releases. 9.30 Proms Composer: Edward Elgar David Owen Norris chooses five indispensable recordings of pieces by Elgar and explains explains why they need to be heard. 11.25 Record of the Week.
5antimuzak
Saturday 17th September 2022 (starting in 2 hours and 20 minutes)
Time: 09:00 to 11:45 (2 hours and 45 minutes long)
Schubert: Piano Trio No 1 in B flat.
Andrew McGregor presents the best new recordings of classical music. 9.30 Violinist Tasmin Little discusses new releases that have caught her attention, including chamber music by Vaughan Williams, Ravel, Brahms and Rachmaninov, and shares a special track that means a lot to her for On Repeat. 10.30 Building a Library. Allyson Devenish chooses her favourite recording of Schubert's Piano Trio No 1 in B flat, D 898. Schubert began composing this masterpiece in 1827, the year before his death, at the same time as working on his famous song cycle Die Winterreise. It was a period in his life of illness and melancholy. But this work is brimming with lyricism and life-force. The work has attracted all the great performers of chamber music from Alfred Cortot, Jacques Thibaud and Pablo Casals to the Beaux Arts Trio to the best musicians of today. 11.20 Record of the Week. An exceptional new release.
Time: 09:00 to 11:45 (2 hours and 45 minutes long)
Schubert: Piano Trio No 1 in B flat.
Andrew McGregor presents the best new recordings of classical music. 9.30 Violinist Tasmin Little discusses new releases that have caught her attention, including chamber music by Vaughan Williams, Ravel, Brahms and Rachmaninov, and shares a special track that means a lot to her for On Repeat. 10.30 Building a Library. Allyson Devenish chooses her favourite recording of Schubert's Piano Trio No 1 in B flat, D 898. Schubert began composing this masterpiece in 1827, the year before his death, at the same time as working on his famous song cycle Die Winterreise. It was a period in his life of illness and melancholy. But this work is brimming with lyricism and life-force. The work has attracted all the great performers of chamber music from Alfred Cortot, Jacques Thibaud and Pablo Casals to the Beaux Arts Trio to the best musicians of today. 11.20 Record of the Week. An exceptional new release.
6antimuzak
Saturday 24th September 2022
Time: 09:00 to 11:45 (2 hours and 45 minutes long)
Johann Strauss II's Die Fledermaus.
Andrew McGregor presemts the best new releases of classical music. 9.30 Pianist Yshani Perinpanayagam chooses her pick of new releases, as well as the track which she has regularly On Repeat 10.30 Building a Library. Nigel Simeone presents his pick of recordings of Johann Strauss II's Die Fledermaus. The operetta was premiered in 1874 and has been delighting audiences and listeners ever since. It has been fortunate on record, and Nigel discusses with Andrew a huge range of performances and styles. 11.20 Record of the Week. Andrew's pick of the best of the best this week.
Time: 09:00 to 11:45 (2 hours and 45 minutes long)
Johann Strauss II's Die Fledermaus.
Andrew McGregor presemts the best new releases of classical music. 9.30 Pianist Yshani Perinpanayagam chooses her pick of new releases, as well as the track which she has regularly On Repeat 10.30 Building a Library. Nigel Simeone presents his pick of recordings of Johann Strauss II's Die Fledermaus. The operetta was premiered in 1874 and has been delighting audiences and listeners ever since. It has been fortunate on record, and Nigel discusses with Andrew a huge range of performances and styles. 11.20 Record of the Week. Andrew's pick of the best of the best this week.
7antimuzak
Saturday 1st October 2022
Time: 09:00 to 11:45 (2 hours and 45 minutes long)
Brahms Double Concerto in A minor.
With Andrew McGregor. 9.30 On Repeat: Laura Tunbridge discusses new releases that have caught her attention and shares a recording of personal significance. 10.30 Building a Library. Roger Parker chooses his favourite recording of Brahms' Double Concerto in A minor. 11.20 Record of the Week. A fine new release.
Time: 09:00 to 11:45 (2 hours and 45 minutes long)
Brahms Double Concerto in A minor.
With Andrew McGregor. 9.30 On Repeat: Laura Tunbridge discusses new releases that have caught her attention and shares a recording of personal significance. 10.30 Building a Library. Roger Parker chooses his favourite recording of Brahms' Double Concerto in A minor. 11.20 Record of the Week. A fine new release.
8antimuzak
Saturday 8th October 2022
Time: 09:00 to 11:45 (2 hours and 45 minutes long)
Bach: St Matthew Passion.
Andrew McGregor presents the best new recordings of classical music 9.30 Joanna MacGregor picks some exciting new releases to review, including music by Scriabin and Mahler, as well as the track that she has On Repeat. 10.30 Building a Library. Joseph McHardy recommends a recording of Bach's St Matthew Passion, which is is one of the most profound and popular choral works with many diverse interpretations to choose from. 11.20 Record of the Week. Andrew's pick of the past seven days.
Time: 09:00 to 11:45 (2 hours and 45 minutes long)
Bach: St Matthew Passion.
Andrew McGregor presents the best new recordings of classical music 9.30 Joanna MacGregor picks some exciting new releases to review, including music by Scriabin and Mahler, as well as the track that she has On Repeat. 10.30 Building a Library. Joseph McHardy recommends a recording of Bach's St Matthew Passion, which is is one of the most profound and popular choral works with many diverse interpretations to choose from. 11.20 Record of the Week. Andrew's pick of the past seven days.
9antimuzak
Saturday 15th October 2022
Time: 09:00 to 11:45 (2 hours and 45 minutes long)
Andrew McGregor with the best new recordings of classical music. 9.30 Violinist, musicologist, and writer Mark Seow brings a selection of new releases to the studio including the latest from pianist Víkingur Ólafsson and cellist Abel Selaocoe, and in On Repeat he shares a track with Andrew and explains his current preoccupation with it. 10.30 Building a Library. Kate Kennedy chooses her favourite recording of Ralph Vaughan Williams's The Lark Ascending. In Vaughan Williams's modal and folk music-inflected The Lark Ascending a solo violin takes flight above the orchestra evoking for many the very essence of an idealised English countryside. But this popular work, written on the eve of the First World War, has perhaps inevitably become freighted with nostalgia for both a lost generation and a rural way of life which was soon to vanish forever. 11.20 Record of the Week. An exceptional new release.
Time: 09:00 to 11:45 (2 hours and 45 minutes long)
Andrew McGregor with the best new recordings of classical music. 9.30 Violinist, musicologist, and writer Mark Seow brings a selection of new releases to the studio including the latest from pianist Víkingur Ólafsson and cellist Abel Selaocoe, and in On Repeat he shares a track with Andrew and explains his current preoccupation with it. 10.30 Building a Library. Kate Kennedy chooses her favourite recording of Ralph Vaughan Williams's The Lark Ascending. In Vaughan Williams's modal and folk music-inflected The Lark Ascending a solo violin takes flight above the orchestra evoking for many the very essence of an idealised English countryside. But this popular work, written on the eve of the First World War, has perhaps inevitably become freighted with nostalgia for both a lost generation and a rural way of life which was soon to vanish forever. 11.20 Record of the Week. An exceptional new release.
10antimuzak
Saturday 22nd October 2022
Time: 09:00 to 11:45 (2 hours and 45 minutes long)
Andrew McGregor with the best new recordings of classical music. 9.30 Writer Gillian Moore chooses her pick of new releases, from Thomas Ades's Beethoven cycle to an invigorating new French recording of Rameau's opera Zoroastre, as well as the track that she has regularly On Repeat. 10.30 Building a Library. Simon Heighes with his pick of recordings of Mozart's sparkling and tuneful Symphony No 31 in D, nicknamed the Paris Symphony. 11.20 Record of the Week. Andrew's pick of the best of the best this week.
Time: 09:00 to 11:45 (2 hours and 45 minutes long)
Andrew McGregor with the best new recordings of classical music. 9.30 Writer Gillian Moore chooses her pick of new releases, from Thomas Ades's Beethoven cycle to an invigorating new French recording of Rameau's opera Zoroastre, as well as the track that she has regularly On Repeat. 10.30 Building a Library. Simon Heighes with his pick of recordings of Mozart's sparkling and tuneful Symphony No 31 in D, nicknamed the Paris Symphony. 11.20 Record of the Week. Andrew's pick of the best of the best this week.
11antimuzak
Saturday 29th October 2022
Time: 09:00 to 11:45 (2 hours and 45 minutes long)
Schumann's Myrthen.
Andrew McGregor presents the best new recordings of classical music. 9.30 Pianist, arranger and composer Allyson Devenish chooses her pick of new releases, as well as the track which she has regularly On Repeat. 10.30 Building a Library. Elin Manahan-Thomas chooses her favourite recording of Schumann's Myrthen. The 26 songs that Schumann published under the title Myrthen (Myrtles) were composed in 1840, the year in which great songs flowed out of him in a flood of inspiration. He gave a beautifully bound edition of the Myrthen songs to Clara on the eve of their wedding that year. This cycle contains some of Schumann's most popular songs such as Der Nussbaum and Die Lotosblume, while some of the greatest lieder singers from Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau to Christian Gerhaher have recorded their interpretations of these great songs. 11.20 Record of the Week. Andrew's pick of the best of the best this week.
Time: 09:00 to 11:45 (2 hours and 45 minutes long)
Schumann's Myrthen.
Andrew McGregor presents the best new recordings of classical music. 9.30 Pianist, arranger and composer Allyson Devenish chooses her pick of new releases, as well as the track which she has regularly On Repeat. 10.30 Building a Library. Elin Manahan-Thomas chooses her favourite recording of Schumann's Myrthen. The 26 songs that Schumann published under the title Myrthen (Myrtles) were composed in 1840, the year in which great songs flowed out of him in a flood of inspiration. He gave a beautifully bound edition of the Myrthen songs to Clara on the eve of their wedding that year. This cycle contains some of Schumann's most popular songs such as Der Nussbaum and Die Lotosblume, while some of the greatest lieder singers from Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau to Christian Gerhaher have recorded their interpretations of these great songs. 11.20 Record of the Week. Andrew's pick of the best of the best this week.
12antimuzak
Saturday 5th November 2022
Time: 09:00 to 11:45 (2 hours and 45 minutes long)
Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto No. 1.
Andrew McGregor presents the best new recordings of classical music. 9.30 Conductor Ben Gernon discusses some of the best recent releases, including a new set of Schumann's symphonies by the Staatskapelle Berlin under Daniel Barenboim. Plus, he plays the track which he has regularly On Repeat. 10.30 Building a Library. Pianist Joanna MacGregor picks her ultimate recording of Tchaikovsky's First Piano Concerto in B flat minor, Op 23, which is one of the most popular concertos in the repertoire - full of swaggering great tunes and still, soulful melodies. Many of the piano titans of the past and present have recorded it, so Joanna cuts a swathe through the available recordings. 11.20 Record of the Week. Andrew's pick of the best of the best this week.
Time: 09:00 to 11:45 (2 hours and 45 minutes long)
Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto No. 1.
Andrew McGregor presents the best new recordings of classical music. 9.30 Conductor Ben Gernon discusses some of the best recent releases, including a new set of Schumann's symphonies by the Staatskapelle Berlin under Daniel Barenboim. Plus, he plays the track which he has regularly On Repeat. 10.30 Building a Library. Pianist Joanna MacGregor picks her ultimate recording of Tchaikovsky's First Piano Concerto in B flat minor, Op 23, which is one of the most popular concertos in the repertoire - full of swaggering great tunes and still, soulful melodies. Many of the piano titans of the past and present have recorded it, so Joanna cuts a swathe through the available recordings. 11.20 Record of the Week. Andrew's pick of the best of the best this week.
13antimuzak
Saturday 12th November 2022
Time: 09:00 to 11:45 (2 hours and 45 minutes long)
Haydn's Harmoniemesse.
Andrew McGregor presents the best new recordings of classical music. 9.30 Emily MacGregor brings a selection of new releases to the studio, and in On Repeat she shares a track and explains her current preoccupation with it. 10.30 Building a Library. Richard Wigmore chooses his favourite recording of Joseph Haydn's Harmoniemesse in B flat. In 1802, when Haydn completed the Harmoniemesse, the 70-year-old was acknowledged as Europe's greatest living composer. The mass setting, Haydn's last major completed work, never gained the same popularity as his two late oratorios The Creation and The Seasons. But it has long been recognised as one of Haydn's supreme achievements into which, despite old age and failing health, he poured a lifetime of experience to create music both fresh and inspiring. The orchestra is the largest Haydn used for any of his six masses and its name comes from its large section of wind (harmonie) instruments. 11.20 Record of the Week. An exceptional new release.
Time: 09:00 to 11:45 (2 hours and 45 minutes long)
Haydn's Harmoniemesse.
Andrew McGregor presents the best new recordings of classical music. 9.30 Emily MacGregor brings a selection of new releases to the studio, and in On Repeat she shares a track and explains her current preoccupation with it. 10.30 Building a Library. Richard Wigmore chooses his favourite recording of Joseph Haydn's Harmoniemesse in B flat. In 1802, when Haydn completed the Harmoniemesse, the 70-year-old was acknowledged as Europe's greatest living composer. The mass setting, Haydn's last major completed work, never gained the same popularity as his two late oratorios The Creation and The Seasons. But it has long been recognised as one of Haydn's supreme achievements into which, despite old age and failing health, he poured a lifetime of experience to create music both fresh and inspiring. The orchestra is the largest Haydn used for any of his six masses and its name comes from its large section of wind (harmonie) instruments. 11.20 Record of the Week. An exceptional new release.
14antimuzak
Saturday 19th November 2022
Time: 09:00 to 11:45 (2 hours and 45 minutes long)
Grieg: Violin Sonata No 3.
Andrew McGregor presents the best new recordings of classical music. 9.30 Nicholas Kenyon chooses his favourite new releases, from Christophe Rousset's Couperin to historical Vaughan Williams, as well as the track which he has regularly On Repeat. 10.30 Building a Library. Katy Hamilton's selects her ultimate recording of Grieg's Violin Sonata No 3, written when the composer was living in Troldhaugen in 1886 and '87. 11.20 Record of the Week. Andrew's pick of the best of the best this week.
Time: 09:00 to 11:45 (2 hours and 45 minutes long)
Grieg: Violin Sonata No 3.
Andrew McGregor presents the best new recordings of classical music. 9.30 Nicholas Kenyon chooses his favourite new releases, from Christophe Rousset's Couperin to historical Vaughan Williams, as well as the track which he has regularly On Repeat. 10.30 Building a Library. Katy Hamilton's selects her ultimate recording of Grieg's Violin Sonata No 3, written when the composer was living in Troldhaugen in 1886 and '87. 11.20 Record of the Week. Andrew's pick of the best of the best this week.
15antimuzak
Saturday 26th November 2022
Time: 09:00 to 11:45 (2 hours and 45 minutes long)
Richard Strauss: Don Juan.
Andrew McGregor presents the best new recordings of classical music. 9.30 Flora Willson brings a selection of new releases to the studio, and in On Repeat she shares a track with Andrew and explains her current preoccupation with it. 10.30 Building a Library. William Mival chooses his favourite recording of Richard Strauss's symphonic poem Don Juan, in which the eponymous libertine bursts onto the stage with a dazzling flourish. The following 16 minutes are no less compelling, the irresistible, swaggering Don superbly evoked through sumptuous and virtuosic orchestration, including tender violin and oboe solos and heroic, triumphant horn calls. 11.20 Record of the Week. An exceptional new release.
Time: 09:00 to 11:45 (2 hours and 45 minutes long)
Richard Strauss: Don Juan.
Andrew McGregor presents the best new recordings of classical music. 9.30 Flora Willson brings a selection of new releases to the studio, and in On Repeat she shares a track with Andrew and explains her current preoccupation with it. 10.30 Building a Library. William Mival chooses his favourite recording of Richard Strauss's symphonic poem Don Juan, in which the eponymous libertine bursts onto the stage with a dazzling flourish. The following 16 minutes are no less compelling, the irresistible, swaggering Don superbly evoked through sumptuous and virtuosic orchestration, including tender violin and oboe solos and heroic, triumphant horn calls. 11.20 Record of the Week. An exceptional new release.
16antimuzak
Saturday 3rd December 2022
Time: 09:00 to 11:45 (2 hours and 45 minutes long)
Building an Essential Library of Great Recordings.
Andrew McGregor is joined by regular contributors to the programme Marina Frolova-Walker, Katy Hamilton and Simon Heighes to discuss and illustrate some of the great recordings with which to start buildng an essential library of classical music. For beginners they suggest some places to start - including a few personal enthusiasms as well as some classics - covering the full range from solo piano to opera, from medieval to modern, from Bach to Beethoven and from Hildegard of Bingen to Amy Beach.
Time: 09:00 to 11:45 (2 hours and 45 minutes long)
Building an Essential Library of Great Recordings.
Andrew McGregor is joined by regular contributors to the programme Marina Frolova-Walker, Katy Hamilton and Simon Heighes to discuss and illustrate some of the great recordings with which to start buildng an essential library of classical music. For beginners they suggest some places to start - including a few personal enthusiasms as well as some classics - covering the full range from solo piano to opera, from medieval to modern, from Bach to Beethoven and from Hildegard of Bingen to Amy Beach.
17antimuzak
Saturday 10th December 2022
Time: 09:00 to 11:45 (2 hours and 45 minutes long)
Mozart: Piano Concerto No 21.
Andrew McGregor presents the best new recordings of classical music. 9.30 Leah Broad brings a selection of new releases to the studio, and in On Repeat she shares a track with Andrew and explains her current preoccupation with it. 10.30 Building a Library. Natasha Loges chooses her favourite recording of Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 21 in C, K. 467, also known as Elvira Madigan. Perhaps the only piece of music to be named after a Swedish slack line dancer, the piece gained its soubriquet after its remarkable slow movement was used as part of the soundtrack to the 1967 film. But circus acts or no, this concerto from 1785 is Mozart at the absolute height of his powers, the foremost pianist-composer of his day, breaking new ground with a series of concertos whose musical depth, virtuosity, inventiveness, woodwind writing and symphonic scale were all unprecedented. There are literally hundreds of recordings of this great work, many made by the giants of 20th- and 21st-century piano-playing on modern pianos. But intriguingly, there is a much smaller, if growing number made by musicians who use instruments of the period, allowing us to hear the extraordinary range of colours and textures conjured up by Mozart and which he himself would have heard. 11.20 Record of the Week. An exceptional new release.
Time: 09:00 to 11:45 (2 hours and 45 minutes long)
Mozart: Piano Concerto No 21.
Andrew McGregor presents the best new recordings of classical music. 9.30 Leah Broad brings a selection of new releases to the studio, and in On Repeat she shares a track with Andrew and explains her current preoccupation with it. 10.30 Building a Library. Natasha Loges chooses her favourite recording of Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 21 in C, K. 467, also known as Elvira Madigan. Perhaps the only piece of music to be named after a Swedish slack line dancer, the piece gained its soubriquet after its remarkable slow movement was used as part of the soundtrack to the 1967 film. But circus acts or no, this concerto from 1785 is Mozart at the absolute height of his powers, the foremost pianist-composer of his day, breaking new ground with a series of concertos whose musical depth, virtuosity, inventiveness, woodwind writing and symphonic scale were all unprecedented. There are literally hundreds of recordings of this great work, many made by the giants of 20th- and 21st-century piano-playing on modern pianos. But intriguingly, there is a much smaller, if growing number made by musicians who use instruments of the period, allowing us to hear the extraordinary range of colours and textures conjured up by Mozart and which he himself would have heard. 11.20 Record of the Week. An exceptional new release.
18antimuzak
Saturday 31st December 2022
Time: 09:00 to 11:45 (2 hours and 45 minutes long)
Rachmaninov: 24 Preludes.
Hannah French presents the best new recordings of classical music. 9.30 Cellist Steven Isserlis brings a selection of new releases to the studio, and in On Repeat he shares a track with Hannah and explains his current preoccupation with it. 10.30 Building a Library. Lucy Parham chooses her favourite recording of Rachmaninov's piano preludes. The 24 pieces in all the 24 major and minor keys are a glorious treasure trove of different pianistic styles from lyrical to barn-storming. He wrote and published them at different times, and didn't regard them as a unified set. Unlike the keyboard preludes of Bach and Chopin they are not organized according to their keys either. But for a feast of piano playing, they are an essential . And some of the titans of the keyboard have recorded their interpretations, including the composer himself how recorded a selection of them. 11.20 Record of the Week. An exceptional new release.
Time: 09:00 to 11:45 (2 hours and 45 minutes long)
Rachmaninov: 24 Preludes.
Hannah French presents the best new recordings of classical music. 9.30 Cellist Steven Isserlis brings a selection of new releases to the studio, and in On Repeat he shares a track with Hannah and explains his current preoccupation with it. 10.30 Building a Library. Lucy Parham chooses her favourite recording of Rachmaninov's piano preludes. The 24 pieces in all the 24 major and minor keys are a glorious treasure trove of different pianistic styles from lyrical to barn-storming. He wrote and published them at different times, and didn't regard them as a unified set. Unlike the keyboard preludes of Bach and Chopin they are not organized according to their keys either. But for a feast of piano playing, they are an essential . And some of the titans of the keyboard have recorded their interpretations, including the composer himself how recorded a selection of them. 11.20 Record of the Week. An exceptional new release.
19antimuzak
Saturday 7th January 2023
Time: 09:00 to 11:45 (2 hours and 45 minutes long)
Mahler: Symphony No 6.
Andrew McGregor presents the best new recordings of classical music. 9.30 Kate Kennedy shares new releases that have caught her attention, and reveals her On Repeat choice and explains her current preoccupation with it. 10.30 Building a Library. Edward Seckerson chooses his favourite recording of Mahler's Symphony No 6 in A minor. More often than not, Mahler's symphonies end positively, whether in triumph, exaltation, joyful exuberance, quiet bliss, or resignation and acceptance. But the Sixth is unique in its tragic, minor-key conclusion and this Symphony as a whole is among his darkest music. Intriguingly, he wrote it during one of the happiest periods of his life, the summers of 1903 and 1904. Mahler was convinced that, in his music, he had the ability to foresee and even predict events and, painful though it might be, as an artist he could not avoid doing so. And in 1907, when he looked back on the Sixth Symphony's finale with its 'three hammer blows of fate' he could point to the death of his daughter Maria, the diagnosis of the severe heart disease which would kill him, and the bitter end of his decade as director of the Vienna Opera. Closer to our own times, some have suggested that, as well as tragic autobiography, Mahler was predicting the tragedies of a whole century. 11.20 Record of the Week. An exceptional new release.
Time: 09:00 to 11:45 (2 hours and 45 minutes long)
Mahler: Symphony No 6.
Andrew McGregor presents the best new recordings of classical music. 9.30 Kate Kennedy shares new releases that have caught her attention, and reveals her On Repeat choice and explains her current preoccupation with it. 10.30 Building a Library. Edward Seckerson chooses his favourite recording of Mahler's Symphony No 6 in A minor. More often than not, Mahler's symphonies end positively, whether in triumph, exaltation, joyful exuberance, quiet bliss, or resignation and acceptance. But the Sixth is unique in its tragic, minor-key conclusion and this Symphony as a whole is among his darkest music. Intriguingly, he wrote it during one of the happiest periods of his life, the summers of 1903 and 1904. Mahler was convinced that, in his music, he had the ability to foresee and even predict events and, painful though it might be, as an artist he could not avoid doing so. And in 1907, when he looked back on the Sixth Symphony's finale with its 'three hammer blows of fate' he could point to the death of his daughter Maria, the diagnosis of the severe heart disease which would kill him, and the bitter end of his decade as director of the Vienna Opera. Closer to our own times, some have suggested that, as well as tragic autobiography, Mahler was predicting the tragedies of a whole century. 11.20 Record of the Week. An exceptional new release.
20antimuzak
Saturday 14th January 2023
Time: 09:00 to 11:45 (2 hours and 45 minutes long)
Prokofiev: Violin Concerto No 2 in G minor.
Andrew McGregor presents the best new recordings of classical music. 9.30 John Rutter shares new releases that have caught his attention with Andrew, and reveals his On Repeat choice, explaining his current preoccupation with it. John is particularly known for his popular arrangements of Christmas carols, and his choice of new releases features a selection of choral music from Telemann to Mozart. 10.30 Building a Library. Ben Gernon chooses his favourite recording of Prokofiev's Violin Concerto No 2 in G minor. This concerto is full of glorious melodies and deserves a place in everyone's collection. The main theme of the first movement was written in Paris, the first theme of the second movement at Voronezh, the orchestration was finished in Baku and the premiere was given in Madrid. The concerto is more conventional than Prokofiev's early experimental works and its romantic heart has made it a perennial favourite. 11.20 Record of the Week. An exceptional new release.
Time: 09:00 to 11:45 (2 hours and 45 minutes long)
Prokofiev: Violin Concerto No 2 in G minor.
Andrew McGregor presents the best new recordings of classical music. 9.30 John Rutter shares new releases that have caught his attention with Andrew, and reveals his On Repeat choice, explaining his current preoccupation with it. John is particularly known for his popular arrangements of Christmas carols, and his choice of new releases features a selection of choral music from Telemann to Mozart. 10.30 Building a Library. Ben Gernon chooses his favourite recording of Prokofiev's Violin Concerto No 2 in G minor. This concerto is full of glorious melodies and deserves a place in everyone's collection. The main theme of the first movement was written in Paris, the first theme of the second movement at Voronezh, the orchestration was finished in Baku and the premiere was given in Madrid. The concerto is more conventional than Prokofiev's early experimental works and its romantic heart has made it a perennial favourite. 11.20 Record of the Week. An exceptional new release.
21antimuzak
Saturday 21st January 2023
Time: 09:00 to 11:45 (2 hours and 45 minutes long)
Shostakovich: String Quartet No 8.
Andrew McGregor presents. 9.30 Cellist Natalie Clein's personal pick of four of the best new discs, plus the track she has On Repeat. 10.30 Building a Library. Emily MacGregor picks her favourite recording of Shostakovich's String Quartet No 8. Written in just three days, the quartet is the composer's most personal, opening with a form of his 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. 11.20 Record of the Week. Andrew's pick of the best of the best.
Time: 09:00 to 11:45 (2 hours and 45 minutes long)
Shostakovich: String Quartet No 8.
Andrew McGregor presents. 9.30 Cellist Natalie Clein's personal pick of four of the best new discs, plus the track she has On Repeat. 10.30 Building a Library. Emily MacGregor picks her favourite recording of Shostakovich's String Quartet No 8. Written in just three days, the quartet is the composer's most personal, opening with a form of his 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. 11.20 Record of the Week. Andrew's pick of the best of the best.
22antimuzak
Saturday 28th January 2023
Time: 09:00 to 11:45 (2 hours and 45 minutes long)
Debussy's Images for Orchestra.
Andrew McGregor presents the best new recordings of classical music. 9.30 Harpsichordist, organist, conductor and Academy of Ancient Music director Laurence Cummings brings in a selection of new releases to the studio and shares a track with Andrew and explains his current preoccupation with it. 10.30 Building a Library. Yshani Perinpanayagam chooses her favourite recording of Debussy's Images for Orchestra. Composed between 1906 and 1912, Images is Debussy's final concert work for orchestra. Over its three sections it abundantly displays his customary sophistication and flair for orchestral sonorities and for painting pictures in sound. The first and last parts of the triptych are folk-inflected, with the enigmatic Gigues quoting The Keel Row from Northumberland, and two French folk tunes featuring in Rondes de printemps. The middle (and most often performed) section, Ibéria, is itself a triptych. Even though Debussy famously spent no more than an afternoon in Spain, Ibéria's three movements conjure up the sights, sounds and smells of Spain so evocatively that even his Spanish contemporaries were impressed. 11.20 Record of the Week. An exceptional new release.
Time: 09:00 to 11:45 (2 hours and 45 minutes long)
Debussy's Images for Orchestra.
Andrew McGregor presents the best new recordings of classical music. 9.30 Harpsichordist, organist, conductor and Academy of Ancient Music director Laurence Cummings brings in a selection of new releases to the studio and shares a track with Andrew and explains his current preoccupation with it. 10.30 Building a Library. Yshani Perinpanayagam chooses her favourite recording of Debussy's Images for Orchestra. Composed between 1906 and 1912, Images is Debussy's final concert work for orchestra. Over its three sections it abundantly displays his customary sophistication and flair for orchestral sonorities and for painting pictures in sound. The first and last parts of the triptych are folk-inflected, with the enigmatic Gigues quoting The Keel Row from Northumberland, and two French folk tunes featuring in Rondes de printemps. The middle (and most often performed) section, Ibéria, is itself a triptych. Even though Debussy famously spent no more than an afternoon in Spain, Ibéria's three movements conjure up the sights, sounds and smells of Spain so evocatively that even his Spanish contemporaries were impressed. 11.20 Record of the Week. An exceptional new release.
23antimuzak
Saturday 4th February 2023
Time: 09:00 to 11:45 (2 hours and 45 minutes long)
Purcell: The Fairy-Queen.
Presented by Andrew McGregor. 9.30 New Releases. Organist, conductor and TV presenter Anna Lapwood picks four of the best new releases, as well as the track she has On Repeat. 10.30 Building a Library. Nicholas Kenyon picks his favourite recording Purcell's The Fairy-Queen, which was written as a series of masques to be performed at the end of the acts of a special version of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. Arguably the greatest British composer before the 20th century, Purcell left us a tantalising array of music for use in theatrical productions, which shows what an unsurpassed gift he had for matchings words and mood with music. Written in a hybrid form of spoken drama and masque, it is notoriously difficult to bring off on the stage, but it is ideal for home listening. Nicholas sifts through a strong field of some of the greatest names in baroque performance. 11.20 Record of the Week. Andrew's pick of the best of the best this week.
Time: 09:00 to 11:45 (2 hours and 45 minutes long)
Purcell: The Fairy-Queen.
Presented by Andrew McGregor. 9.30 New Releases. Organist, conductor and TV presenter Anna Lapwood picks four of the best new releases, as well as the track she has On Repeat. 10.30 Building a Library. Nicholas Kenyon picks his favourite recording Purcell's The Fairy-Queen, which was written as a series of masques to be performed at the end of the acts of a special version of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. Arguably the greatest British composer before the 20th century, Purcell left us a tantalising array of music for use in theatrical productions, which shows what an unsurpassed gift he had for matchings words and mood with music. Written in a hybrid form of spoken drama and masque, it is notoriously difficult to bring off on the stage, but it is ideal for home listening. Nicholas sifts through a strong field of some of the greatest names in baroque performance. 11.20 Record of the Week. Andrew's pick of the best of the best this week.
24antimuzak
Saturday 11th February 2023
Time: 09:00 to 11:45 (2 hours and 45 minutes long)
Beethoven: Piano Sonata No 23 - Appassionata.
Presented by Andrew McGregor 9.30 Tenor Nicky Spence joins Andrew to discusses his choice of the week's new releases, and reveals his On Repeat track. 10.30 Building a Library. Beethoven's Piano Sonata No 23 is stormy and intense, so earned the nickname Appassionata (passionate). Pianist Iain Burnside has been listening to a wide range of recordings, old and new, to pick the ultimate version to buy, download or stream. 11.15 Record of the Week. Andrew's pick of the best of the best this week.
Time: 09:00 to 11:45 (2 hours and 45 minutes long)
Beethoven: Piano Sonata No 23 - Appassionata.
Presented by Andrew McGregor 9.30 Tenor Nicky Spence joins Andrew to discusses his choice of the week's new releases, and reveals his On Repeat track. 10.30 Building a Library. Beethoven's Piano Sonata No 23 is stormy and intense, so earned the nickname Appassionata (passionate). Pianist Iain Burnside has been listening to a wide range of recordings, old and new, to pick the ultimate version to buy, download or stream. 11.15 Record of the Week. Andrew's pick of the best of the best this week.
25antimuzak
Saturday 18th February 2023
Time: 09:00 to 11:45 (2 hours and 45 minutes long)
Mozart: String Quartet in C - Dissonance.
Andrew McGregor with the best new recordings of classical music. 9.30 Flora Willson discusses her pick of the new releases and shares her On Repeat track. 10.30 Building a Library. Laura Tunbridge chooses her favourite recording of Mozart's String Quartet in C, K 465. Mozart's Dissonance quartet is the last of a set of six famously dedicated to his friend Joseph Haydn. Soon after he arrived in Vienna in 1781, Mozart came to know Haydn's recently published Op 33 set of innovatory string quartets which, said Haydn, had been composed in a new and special way. Not only more concentrated and sophisticated than any previous string quartet, the Op 33s also employed all four instruments in a more equal, conversational style than ever before. For Mozart, responding to these with his own set of quartets became a longer and more arduous compositional challenge than any other he ever undertook. The Dissonance got its nickname in the 19th-century, well after Mozart's death, on account of its mysterious slow introduction, with its complex and unsettling harmonies. It caps the set of six which impressed its dedicatee so much that, shortly after the 1785 premiere, Haydn declared to Leopold Mozart that `Before God and as an honest man, I tell you that your son is the greatest composer known to me either in person or by name." 11.20 Record of the Week. An exceptional new release..
Time: 09:00 to 11:45 (2 hours and 45 minutes long)
Mozart: String Quartet in C - Dissonance.
Andrew McGregor with the best new recordings of classical music. 9.30 Flora Willson discusses her pick of the new releases and shares her On Repeat track. 10.30 Building a Library. Laura Tunbridge chooses her favourite recording of Mozart's String Quartet in C, K 465. Mozart's Dissonance quartet is the last of a set of six famously dedicated to his friend Joseph Haydn. Soon after he arrived in Vienna in 1781, Mozart came to know Haydn's recently published Op 33 set of innovatory string quartets which, said Haydn, had been composed in a new and special way. Not only more concentrated and sophisticated than any previous string quartet, the Op 33s also employed all four instruments in a more equal, conversational style than ever before. For Mozart, responding to these with his own set of quartets became a longer and more arduous compositional challenge than any other he ever undertook. The Dissonance got its nickname in the 19th-century, well after Mozart's death, on account of its mysterious slow introduction, with its complex and unsettling harmonies. It caps the set of six which impressed its dedicatee so much that, shortly after the 1785 premiere, Haydn declared to Leopold Mozart that `Before God and as an honest man, I tell you that your son is the greatest composer known to me either in person or by name." 11.20 Record of the Week. An exceptional new release..
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