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Beethoven's Waldstein Sonata in Building a Library with Allyson Devenish and Andrew McGregor

Andrew McGregor with the best new classical releases, joined by guest reviewers Jeremy Sams and Allyson Devenish, who picks her favourite recording of Beethoven's Waldstein Sonata.

Andrew McGregor with the best new classical releases.

c2.10pm Andrew is joined by guest reviewer Jeremy Sams, theatre director, translator and composer, to consider some of his favourite new releases.

3pm Building a Library
Pianist Allyson Devenish surveys recordings of Beethoven's Piano Sonata in C, Op. 53 "Waldstein" and makes a top recommendation.
Described as "a heroic symphony for piano", Beethoven's "Waldstein" Sonata is among the most dazzlingly brilliant of Beethoven’s piano sonatas, exploiting the full range of effects on an extended early-19th century keyboard, and has been tackled by the great pianists of every generation since.

Top choice:
Igor Levit (piano)
Sony 19075843182

c3.50pm Record of the Week
Andrew's top classical new release of the week.

26 days left to listen

1 hour, 59 minutes

Music Played

  • François Couperin

    Nun. Vigilavit / Jerusalem (Troisième leçon de ténèbres)

    Ensemble: Le Concert Spirituel. Director: Hervé Niquet.
    • Couperin: Leçons de Ténèbres - Lalande: Miserere.
    • Alpha Classics.
    • 20.
  • Sergey Prokofiev

    Violin concerto no.2 in G minor Op.63 (2nd mvt)

    Performer: Nemanja Radulović. Orchestra: Philharmonia Orchestra. Conductor: Santtu-Matias Rouvali.
    • Prokofiev.
    • Warner Classics.
    • 2.
  • Joseph Haydn

    The Creation (Nos. 2 and 3)

    Singer: Julie Roset. Singer: Stanislas de Barbeyrac. Singer: Nahuel di Pierro. Choir: Namur Chamber Choir. Orchestra: Le Concert de la Loge. Conductor: Julien Chauvin.
    • Alpha.
  • Johannes Brahms

    Trio in A minor Op.114 (3rd mvt)

    Performer: Tabea Zimmermann. Performer: Jean‐Guihen Queyras. Performer: Javier Perianes.
    • Brahms: Trio Op. 114. Robert & Clara Schumann: Romances.
    • Harmonia Mundi.
    • 13.
  • John Ireland

    Song of the springtides (Sarnia)

    Performer: Aline Piboule.
    • Archipel (Debussy: La Mer - Ireland: Sarnia).
    • harmonia mundi.
    • 103.
  • Aftab Darvishi

    Likoo

    Performer: Anne‐Sophie Mutter.
    • Alpha.
  • Giacomo Puccini

    Doretta's dream (La rondine)

    Singer: Sondra Radvanovsky. Orchestra: Lyric Opera of Chicago. Conductor: Enrique Mazzola.
    • Puccini: Heroines.
    • Pentatone.
    • 114.
  • Tomaso Giovanni Albinoni

    Trio sonata in C major Op.6 no.1 (3rd mvt)

    Ensemble: Les Heures Bleues.
    • Cypres.
  • Tomaso Giovanni Albinoni

    Trio Sonata in C major Op.6 No.1 (4th mvt)

    Ensemble: Les Heures Bleues.
    • Cypres.
  • Patrick Leterme

    Zenith

    Ensemble: Les Heures Bleues.
    • Cypres.
  • Robert Kahn

    Das Glück (10 Songs Op.65)

    Singer: Florian Störtz. Performer: Aleksandra Myslek.
    • Harbingers of Exile: Songs from the In-Between.
    • Delphian Records.
    • 3.
  • Robert Kahn

    Am Schlehdorn (7 Songs Op.57)

    Singer: Florian Störtz. Performer: Aleksandra Myslek.
    • Harbingers of Exile: Songs from the In-Between.
    • Delphian Records.
    • 4.
  • Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber

    Mystery (Rosary) sonata no. 10 in G minor 'The Crucifixion of Jesus' (Praeludium)

    Performer: Leila Schayegh. Ensemble: La Centifolia.
    • Heinrich Ignaz Franz Biber: Rosary Sonatas (Rosenkranzonaten).
    • Glossa.
    • 134.
  • Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber

    Mystery (Rosary) sonata no. 10 in G minor 'The Crucifixion of Jesus' (Aria)

    Performer: Leila Schayegh. Ensemble: La Centifolia.
    • Heinrich Ignaz Franz Biber: Rosary Sonatas (Rosenkranzonaten).
    • Glossa.
  • Record of the Week

    • George Frideric Handel

      Messiah (Pt 2, nos 22-26)

      Singer: Guy Cutting. Choir: Irish Baroque Choir. Orchestra: Irish Baroque Orchestra. Conductor: Peter Whelan.
      • Linn.

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