Andrew McGregor with Edward Seckerson and Alexandra Coghlan
The best new classical releases. In Building a Library, Edward Seckerson compares recordings of Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker and picks a favourite. Plus a round-up of Christmas discs.
9.30
Building a Library: Edward Seckerson compares recordings of Tchaikovsky's ballet music, The Nutcracker - and picks a favourite.
Tchaikovsky's ballet music, The Nutcracker, has become an annual Christmas crowd-pleaser around the World,. Particularly popular is the Suite that Tchaikovsky created from the second act of the ballet, which includes many of his most-loved tunes like the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy and the Waltz of the Flowers. The ballet is based on a highly simplified version of ETA Hoffmann's story 'The Nutcracker and the Mouse King', adapted for the ballet stage by Alexandre Dumas.
The ballet was originally premiered on 18th December 1892 at the Imperial Mariinsky Theatre in Saint Petersburg, and it was choreographed by Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov. Despite its popularity today, Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker was received with mixed views at its premiere, not least because critics didn't believe the libretto to be faithful to the Hoffmann tale. Whilst the dancing was criticised, Tchaikovsky's score was praised for its richness and melodic ingenuity throughout.
10.50
Music journalist and critic, and author of 'Carols from Kings', Alexandra Coghlan reviews this year's crop of new Christmas releases.
11.25
Andrew chooses an outstanding new release as his Recording of the Week.
Last on
Music Played
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Heinrich Sch眉tz
Hodie Christus natus est, SWV456
Singer: Haitham Haidar. Singer: James Reese. Choir: Yale Schola Cantorum. Conductor: David Hill.- Hyperion.
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Maurice Ravel
Miroirs: iv. Alborada del gracioso
Performer: Beatrice Rana.- Warner Classics.
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Johann Sebastian Bach
Sonata No. 3 in C major BWV1005 iv. Allegro assai
Performer: Thomas Zehetmair.- ECM.
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Hector Berlioz
Messe Solennelle: iii. Gratias, iv. Quoniam
Ensemble: Le Concert Spirituel. Conductor: Herv茅 Niquet.- Alpha.
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Johann Sebastian Bach
Christmas Oratorio, BWV248: i, Jauchzet, frohlocket, auf, preiset die
Choir: St. Thomas Choir of Leipzig. Orchestra: Gewandhausorchester Leipzig. Conductor: Gotthold Schwarz.- Accentus Music.
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Franz Schubert
Winterreise, Op. 89, D. 911: No. 15, Die Kr盲he [The Crow]
Performer: Matthew Gee. Performer: Christopher Glynn. Music Arranger: Matthew Gee.- Naxos.
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Franz Schubert
Winterreise, Op. 89, D. 911: No. 16, Lezte Hoffnung
Performer: Francisco Poyato. Singer: Xavier Sabata.- Berlin Classics.
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Franz Schubert
Winterreise, Op. 89, D. 911: No. 17, Im Dorfe
Performer: Lars David Nilsson. Singer: Peter Mattei.- BIS.
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Fernand de la Tombelle
Impressions matinales: I. Aurore
Orchestra: Brussels Philharmonic. Conductor: Herv茅 Niquet.- Bru Zane.
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Johann Kuhnau
Magnificat anima mea (Magnificat in C major)
Choir: Solomon's Knot. Director: Jonathan Sells.- Sony.
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Johann Sebastian Bach
Magnificat anima mea (Magnificat in E flat major, BWV243a)
Choir: Solomon's Knot. Director: Jonathan Sells.- Sony.
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Jonathan Harvey
The Annunciation
Music Arranger: Joseph Wicks. Choir: Gesualdo Six. Director: Owain Park.- Hyperion.
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Thomas Tallis
Videte miraculum
Choir: Gesualdo Six. Director: Owain Park.- Hyperion.
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Margaret Bonds
That Was a Christmas Long Ago (The Ballad Of The Brown King)
Choir: The Dessoff Choirs. Orchestra: The Dessoff Orchestra. Conductor: Malcolm Merriweather.- AVIE.
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Margaret Bonds
Alleluia (The Ballad Of The Brown King)
Choir: The Dessoff Choirs. Orchestra: The Dessoff Orchestra. Conductor: Malcolm Merriweather.- AVIE.
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Anon.
Antiphona Ave spes nostra
Ensemble: Tiburtina Ensemble. Director: Barbora Kab谩tkov谩.- Ricercar.
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Anon.
Lectio Consolamini
Ensemble: Tiburtina Ensemble. Director: Barbora Kab谩tkov谩.- Ricercar.
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Trad.
In Dulci Jubilo
Performer: Choir of King鈥檚 College, Cambridge. Performer: Stephen Cleobury.- King鈥檚 College.
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Trad.
P铆ae Cantiones: Unto us is born a Son
Choir: Choir of King鈥檚 College, Cambridge. Conductor: Stephen Cleobury.- King鈥檚 College.
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Ludwig van Beethoven
Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 61: II. Larghetto
Performer: Leonidas Kavakos. Orchestra: Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra.- Sony Classical.
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Ludwig van Beethoven
Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 61: III. Rondo - Allegro
Performer: Leonidas Kavakos. Orchestra: Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra.- Sony Classical.
Record Review
9.00am
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Sch眉tz: The Christmas story & other works
Yale Schola Cantorum
David Hill (conductor)
Hyperion CDA68315
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Stravinsky: Petrushka & The Firebird, Ravel: Miroirs & La Valse
Beatrice Rana (piano)
Warner Classics 9029541109
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Sei Solo - J S Bach: the Sonatas & Partitas For Violin Solo
Thomas Zehetmair (baroque violins)
ECM 4818558 (2 CDs)
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Berlioz: Messe Solennelle
Adriana Gonzalez (soprano)
Julien Behr (tenor)
Andreas Wolf (bass-baritone)
Le Concert Spirituel
Herv茅 Niquet (conductor)
Alpha ALPHA564
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9.30am 鈥� Building a Library 鈥� Edward Seckerson on Tchaikovsky's ballet music, The Nutcracker
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Composer: Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Reviewer: Edward Seckerson
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Recommended Recording:
Chorus of the Mariinsky Theatre
Mariinsky (Kirov) Orchestra
Val茅ry Gergiev (conductor)
Philips 4621142 (download only) and Decca 4784273 (6 CDs)
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Other Recommended Recordings:
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Sveshnikov Boys Choir of the Moscow Choral School
State Academic Symphony Orchestra of Russia "Evgeny Svetlanov"
Vladimir Jurowski (conductor)
Pentatone PTC5186761 (Hybrid SACD)
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10.20am 鈥� New Releases
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JS Bach: Christmas Oratorio
Jannes Arndt (soprano)
Dorothee Mields (soprano)
Clemens Sommerfeld (soprano)
Elvira Bill (alto)
Patrick Grahl (tenor)
Markus Sch盲fer (tenor)
Klaus H盲ger (bass)
Thomanerchor
Gewandhausorchester Leipzig
Gotthold Schwarz (conductor)
Accentus Music ACC30469 (2 CDs)
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Schubert: Winterreise (arranged for trombone and piano)
Matthew Gee (trombone)
Christopher Glynn (piano)
Naxos 8574093
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Schubert: Winterreise, D911
Xavier Sabata (countertenor)
Francisco Poyato (piano)
Berlin Classics 0301309BC
Schubert: Winterreise, D911
Peter Mattei (baritone)
Lars David Nilsson (piano)
BIS BIS2444 (Hybid SACD)
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Portraits, vol. 5: Fernand de La Tombelle - Musique De Chambre, Chorale et Symphonique
Yann Beuron (tenor)
Flemish Radio Choir
Adrien Bellom (cello)
Hermine Horiot (cello)
Fran莽ois Salque (cello)
Emmanuelle Bertrand (cello)
Nabila Chajai (harp)
Jeff Cohen (piano)
Pascal Amoyel (piano)
Hannes Minnaar (piano)
Fran莽ois Saint-Yves (organ)
I Giardini
Brussels Philharmonic
Herve Niquet (conductor)
Bru Zane BZ1038 (3 CDs)
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10.45am 鈥� New Releases 鈥� Alexandra Coghlan reviews this year's new Christmas releases
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Magnificat - Christmas in Leipzig: music by Schelle, Kuhnau and J.S. Bach
Solomon's Knot
Jonathan Sells (director)
Sony 19075992622
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Christmas: music by Tallis, Praetorius, Vaughan Williams, Holst, Rutter etc.
The Gesualdo Six
Owain Park (director)
Hyperion CDA68299
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Margaret Bonds: The Ballad Of The Brown King & Selected Songs
Laquita Mitchell (soprano)
Lucia Bradford (mezzo-soprano)
Noah Stewart (tenor)
Ashley Jackson (harp)
The Dessoff Choirs & Orchestra
Malcolm J. Merriweather (conductor/baritone)
Avie AV2413
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Cor Europae: Christmas in Medieval Prague
Hana Bla啪ikov谩 (soprano)
Daniela 膶erm谩kov谩 (contralto)
Tiburtina Ensemble
Barbora Kab谩tkov谩 (director)
Ricercar RIC410
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A Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols: The Centenary Service
Choir of King's College, Cambridge
Guy Johnston (cello)
Henry Websdale (organ)
D贸nal McCann (organ)
Stephen Cleobury (director)
Kings College KGS0036 (Hybrid SACD)
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11.15am 鈥� Record of the Week
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Beethoven: Violin Concerto & Septet
Leonidas Kavakos (violin/director)
Symphonie-Orchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks
Christopher Corbett (clarinet)
Marco Postinghel (bassoon)
Eric Terwilliger (horn)
Wen Xiao Zheng (viola)
Hanno Simons (cello)
Heinrich Braun (bass)
Enrico Pace (piano)
Sony 19075929882 (2 CDs)
Broadcast
- Sat 21 Dec 2019 09:00大象传媒 Radio 3
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