Denis Kozhukhin Live at Wigmore Hall

Mark Forrest showcases the best performances by BBC orchestras, choirs, ensembles and other great performing groups from Europe and around the globe.

The week begins with a live concert from London’s Wigmore Hall given by pianist Denis Kozhukhin, an artist who has cultivated a highly personal and persuasive brand of pianism, capable of jaw-dropping displays of virtuosity and as well as an abundance of tonal shades and nuances. His programme couples a pair of sonatas by Haydn with sublime late piano music by Brahms.

There’s more Brahms later in the programme too: all week we’ll be hearing our BBC Orchestras in some of his major symphonic works, starting today with First Symphony played by the BBC National Orchestra of Wales. And throughout the week we’ll be in Wales for music on a smaller scale, with visits to recent festivals at Cowbridge and Hay, where Radio 3 microphones captured some of the UK’s finest musicians in intimate chamber concerts. Today we hear the Carducci Quartet playing Fanny Mendelssohn's only String Quartet. Plus music by Bach and Vivaldi from our Ensemble in Focus, the superb Italian Baroque group Accademia Bizantina.

1pm
Live from Wigmore Hall, London. Presented by Hannah French.

Haydn: Piano Sonata in E HXVI/31
Haydn: Piano Sonata in C minor HXVI/20
Brahms: 6 Klavierstücke Op. 118

Denis Kozhukhin (piano)

2pm
Johann Sebastian Bach
Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 in D major, BWV1050
Marcello Gatti (flute)
Alessandro Tampieri (violin)
Ottavio Dantone (harpsichord and director)
Accademia Bizantina

Fanny Mendelssohn
String Quartet in E flat major
Carducci Quartet

Johannes Brahms
Symphony No. 1 in C minor, Op. 68
BBC National Orchestra of Wales
Thomas Sondergard (conductor)

Antonio Vivaldi
Concerto for 2 violins in A major, RV519
Alessandro Tampieri (viola d'amore)
Accademia Bizantina
Ottavio Dantone (harpsichord and director)

To listen to this programme (using most smart speakers), just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Classical Live".