Main content
Sorry, this episode is not currently available

Walton's First Symphony with Tom Service and Andrew McGregor

Tom Service chooses his favourite recording of William Walton's First Symphony, the work which sealed his reputation as a major composer, plus the best new classical releases.

with Andrew McGregor.

9.30 am
Building a Library
Tom Service chooses his favourite recording of William Walton's Symphony No 1 in B flat minor.

In 1932, with the spectacular success of Belshazzar's Feast behind him, Walton began his Symphony No 1. But, always a slow worker, the symphony 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 am
Kate Kennedy reviews a new 23-CD box set featuring all the recordings legendary cellist Jacqueline du Pré made for EMI.

11.20 am
Record of the Week
An exceptional new release.

2 hours, 47 minutes

Music Played

  • Manuel de Falla

    Suite populaire espagnole: Cancion

    Performer: Jacqueline du Pré. Performer: Ernest Lush.
    • Jacqueline du Pre - The Complete Warner Recordings.
    • Warner Classics.
    • 19.
  • Johann Sebastian Sebastian

    Concerto for 2 harpsichords in C major BWV.1061 (1st mvt)

    Performer: Francesco Corti. Performer: Andrea Buccarella. Orchestra: Il Pomo d’Oro.
    • J.S. Bach: Harpsichord Concertos, Vol. 3.
    • PENTATONE.
    • 201.
  • Frédéric Chopin

    Trois Mazurkas, Op 63

    Performer: Louis Lortie.
    • Louis Lortie Plays Chopin, Vol. 7.
    • Chandos.
    • 16.
  • Florent Schmitt

    Suite for Trumpet & Piano, Op. 133 (Version for Trumpet & Orchestra): II. Lent sens exces

    Performer: HÃ¥kan Hardenberger. Orchestra: Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra. Conductor: Fabien Gabel.
    • Tomasi, Jolivet & Others: French Trumpet Concertos.
    • BIS.
    • 302.
  • Arthur Sullivan

    L'ile enchantee: Scene de jalousie - Andante maestoso

    Orchestra: ´óÏó´«Ã½ Concert Orchestra. Conductor: John Andrews.
    • Arthur Sullivan: L’ile Enchantee - complete ballet.
    • Dutton.
    • 15.
  • Trad.

    Une gente bergere

    Choir: The King’s Singers.
    • The Library Vol. 4.
    • Signum.
    • 5.
  • Benjamin Britten

    3 Divertimenti for String Quartet (1936 Version): March - Waltz - Burlesque

    Ensemble: Emperor Quartet.
    • Britten: The Music for String Quartet.
    • BIS.
    • 4.
  • Georg Philipp Telemann

    Gelobet sei der Herr, TWV 1:602/1216: Excerpts

    Singer: Mirko Ludwig. Conductor: Michael Alexander Willens. Ensemble: Die Kölner Akademie.
    • Telemann: Gelobet sei der Herr, TWV 1:602/1216 & Bequemliches Leben, gemächliche.
    • CPO.
    • 19.
  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Piano Concerto No. 6 in D Major, Hess 15

    Performer: Michael Korstick. Orchestra: Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Constantin Trinks.
    • Beethoven: Piano Concertos.
    • CPO.
    • 401.
  • Edward Elgar

    Cello Concerto in E minor, Op. 85 i: Adagio - Moderato

    Performer: Jacqueline du Pré. Orchestra: London Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: John Barbirolli.
    • Jacqueline du Pre - The Complete Warner Recordings.
    • Warner Classics.
    • 1.
  • Johannes Brahms

    Cello Sonata No. 2 in F major, Op. 99: iv Allegro molto

    Performer: Jacqueline du Pré. Performer: Ernest Lush.
    • Jacqueline Du Pre - The Complete Warner Recordings.
    • Warner Classics.
    • 4.
  • Felix Mendelssohn

    Song without words in D major, Op. 102

    Performer: Jacqueline du Pré. Performer: Gerald Moore.
    • Jacqueline du Pre - The Complete Warner Recordings.
    • Warner Classics.
    • 5.
  • Max Bruch

    Kol Nidrei, Op. 47 (ending)

    Performer: Jacqueline du Pré. Orchestra: Israel Philharmonic Orchestra. Conductor: Daniel Barenboim.
    • Jacqueline du Pre - The Complete Warner Recordings.
    • Warner Classics.
    • 8.
  • Frédéric Chopin

    Cello sonata in G minor, Op 65: I. Allegro moderato

    Performer: Jacqueline du Pré. Performer: Daniel Barenboim.
    • Jacqueline du Pre - The Complete Warner Recordings.
    • Warner Classics.
    • 22.
  • Franz Schubert

    Symphony No 9 in C major, D944 'The Great': Andante - Allegro ma non troppo

    Orchestra: Gewandhausorchester Leipzig. Conductor: Herbert Blomstedt.
    • Schubert: Symphonies Nos. 8 'unfinished' & 9 'the Great'.
    • DG.
    • 3.

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.

Ìý

9.00am

Ìý

Jacqueline du Pré: The Complete Warner Recordings – music by Falla, Elgar, Brahms, etc.

Jacqueline du Pré (cello) and others

Warner ClassicsÌý 9029661138 (23 CDs)

Ìý

Ìý

Bach Harpsichord Concertos Part III

Francesco Corti (harpsichord)

Andrea Buccarella (harpsichord)

Il Pomo d'Oro

PentatoneÌý PTC5186966

Ìý

Ìý

Louis Lortie Plays Chopin, Vol. 7

Louis Lortie (piano)

Chandos ÌýCHAN 20241

Ìý

Ìý

Tomasi, Jolivet & Others: French Trumpet Concertos

HÃ¥kan Hardenberger (trumpet)

Roland Pöntinen (piano)

Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra

Fabien Gabel

BISÌý BIS2523 (Hybrid SACD)

Ìý

Ìý

Arthur Sullivan: L’ile Enchantée - complete ballet

´óÏó´«Ã½ Concert Orchestra

John Andrews

DuttonÌý CDLX7404 (Hybrid SACD)

Ìý

Ìý

9.30am - Building A Library: Tom Service on Walton’s First Symphony

Ìý

Ìý

Recommended Recording:

Ìý

City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra

Sir Simon Rattle

Warner ClassicsÌý 5565922

Ìý

Ìý

Other recommendations:

Ìý

Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra

Kirill Karabits

OnyxÌý ONYX4168

Ìý

Ìý

´óÏó´«Ã½ Symphony Orchestra

Edward Gardner

ChandosÌý CHSA5136 (Hybrid SACD)

Ìý

Ìý

London Symphony Orchestra

Hamilton Harty

London EnterpriseÌý 414 659-1

Ìý

Ìý

Ìý

Ìý

10.15am – new releases

Ìý

The Library Vol. 4 – music by Dylan, Newman, traditional, etc.

King's Singers

Signum ÌýSIGCD718

Ìý

Ìý

Britten: The Music for String Quartet

Emperor Quartet

BIS ÌýBIS2640 (3 Hybrid SACDs)

Ìý

Ìý

Georg Philipp Telemann: Oratorium Zum Johannisfest

Rahel Maas (Christliche Vorsicht, Das Vertrauen: soprano)

Elena Harsányi (Miriam: soprano)

Elvira Bill (Glaube: alto)

Mirko Ludwig (Moses: tenor)

Klaus Mertens (Pharao: baritone)

Mauro Borgioni (Gottselige Erwägung: bass)

André Morsch (Gott: baritone)

Kölner Akademie

Michael Alexander Willens

CPO Ìý555271-2

Ìý

Ìý

Ludwig van Beethoven: Piano Concertos 0-7; Rondo in B Flat Woo 6

Michael Korstick (piano)

Orf Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra

Constantin Trinks

CPOÌý 555447-2 (4 CDs)

Ìý

Ìý

Ìý

10.40am – New Releases: Kate Kennedy on new Jacqueline du Pre box set

Ìý

Jacqueline du Pré: The Complete Warner Recordings – music by Falla, Elgar, Brahms, etc.

Jacqueline du Pré (cello) and others

Warner ClassicsÌý 9029661138 (23 CDs)

Ìý

Ìý

11.20am – Record of the Week

Ìý

Schubert: Symphonies Nos. 8 'unfinished' & 9 'the Great'

Gewandhausorchester Leipzig

Herbert Blomstedt

DGÌý 4863045 (2 CDs)

Ìý

Broadcast

  • Sat 9 Jul 2022 09:00

Composers A to Z

Composers A to Z

Visit the extensive Radio 3 audio archive of programmes about composers and their works.

Browse previous episodes of the Record Review Podcast

Browse previous episodes of the Record Review Podcast

All episodes since 2010, listed alphabetically by composer surname.

Why the music we love as teens stays with us for life

Cognitive neuropyschology can explain why we return to old favourites again and again.