大象传媒

Donald Macleod explores the first visit Chopin made to Britain in 1837.

Chopin made just two trips to Britain, both in later life. These visits are often portrayed as a disaster - a calamitous mistake of no worth to Chopin which hastened the composer鈥檚 death. Over the course of this week, Donald Macleod explores these two trips in depth, during which the virtuoso pianist gave six of the thirty public concerts he gave during the whole of his life, and also made many private appearances meeting the great and the good of British society. In Monday鈥檚 episode, Donald explores the first time Chopin visited Britain in 1837 when the composer was in the midst of a heartbreaking romantic breakup. Chopin wanted to remain incognito, and so he travelled under a pseudonym, so that he could secretly accompany his friend - the pianist, piano maker, publisher and concert hall owner Camille Pleyel - on a trip to London.

Mazurka no. 47 in A minor, Op. 68 no.2 - Lento
Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli (piano)

Etudes in C sharp minor, Op.10 no.4 鈥淭orrent鈥�; in F major, Op. 25 no. 3 鈥淗orsemen鈥�; in B minor, Op. 25 no. 10 鈥淥ctave鈥�; and in C minor, Op. 25 no. 12 (Ocean)
Murray Perahia (piano)

Variations on 鈥淟a Ci Darem la mano鈥�, Op. 2 (version for piano and orchestra)
Jan Lisiecki (piano)
NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchester
Krzysztof Urba艅ski (conductor)

Impromptu no.1 in A flat, Op.29
Mikhail Pletnev (piano)

Scherzo no. 2 in B-flat minor, op.31
Janina Fialkowska (piano)

Producer: Sam Phillips