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Beethoven's "Spring" Sonata in Building a Library with Kathryn Stott and Andrew McGregor

Andrew McGregor with the best new classical releases, joined by Nigel Simeone and pianist Kathryn Stott, who surveys Beethoven's "Spring" Sonata and makes a top choice.

Andrew McGregor with the best new classical releases, joined by Nigel Simeone and pianist Kathryn Stott, who surveys Beethoven's "Spring" Sonata and makes a top choice.

c. 2.10pm
Andrew is joined by critic Nigel Simeone who picks some of his favourite new releases of the week.

c.3pm
Building a Library. Andrew is joined by pianist Kathryn Stott to survey recordings of Beethoven's Violin Sonata Op. 24 "Spring" and make a top recommendation.
Published in 1801, Beethoven's "Spring" Sonata is the fifth of his sonatas for violin and piano. The title was not Beethoven's own, it was later bestowed owing to the work's bright, cheerful, and blossoming melodies which evoke the upbeat feel of the season.

Top choice:
Isabelle Faust (violin)
Alexander Melnikov (piano)
Harmonia Mundi HMC902025/27

c.3.45pm
Record of the Week: Andrew's top pick of this week's new releases.

27 days left to listen

1 hour, 59 minutes

Music Played

  • Leo Tolstoy

    Waltz in F major

    Music Arranger: Xandi van Dijk. Ensemble: Signum Quartett.
    • the earth trembled.
    • Pentatone.
    • 5.
  • Vítězslava Kaprálová

    String Quartet Op.8 (1st mvt)

    Ensemble: Signum Quartett.
    • the earth trembled.
    • Pentatone.
    • 13.
  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Symphony no.7 in A major (4th mvt)

    Orchestra: Insula Camerata. Orchestra: Insula Orchestra. Conductor: Laurence Equilbey.
    • 'Beethoven Extended': Symphonies Nos. 5 & 7.
    • Harmonia Mundi.
    • 4.
  • Anton Bruckner

    Symphony no.9 in D minor (1st mvt - opening)

    Orchestra: Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Herbert Blomstedt.
    • BR Klassik.
  • François‐Joseph Gossec

    Symphony in D major Op.6 no.1 (3rd mvt)

    Orchestra: Württembergisches Kammerorchester Heilbronn. Conductor: Simon Gaudenz.
    • François-Joseph Gossec: Symphonies op. VI.
    • CPO.
    • 3.
  • Francis Poulenc

    Cello Sonata (3rd mvt)

    Performer: Andreas Brantelid. Performer: Søren Rastogi.
    • Barber; Dohnányi; Poulenc: Cello Sonatas.
    • Naxos.
    • 3.
  • Bedrich Smetana

    Libuse (Libuse's prophecy; O Gods almighty - ending)

    Singer: Kateřina Kněžíková. Singer: Alžběta Poláčková. Conductor: Jakub Hrůša. Singer: Vaclava Krejci Houskova. Singer: Richard Samek. Singer: Martin Barta. Singer: Jiří Brückler. Singer: Adam Plachetka. Singer: Jan Strava. Choir: Prague Philharmonic Choir. Orchestra: Czech Philharmonic.
    • Supraphon.
  • Frank Loesser

    Guys and dolls (The Crapshooter's Dance)

    Orchestra: Sinfonia of London. Conductor: John Wilson.
    • Guys and Dolls.
    • Chandos.
    • 9.
  • Johannes Brahms

    Piano Concerto no.1 in D minor (3rd mvt)

    Performer: Francesco Piemontesi. Orchestra: Gewandhausorchester Leipzig. Conductor: Manfred Honeck.
    • Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 1 & Six Piano Pieces Op. 118.
    • Pentatone.
    • 3.
  • George Frideric Handel

    Who calls my parting soul from Death? (Esther)

    Singer: Giulia Semenzato. Singer: Carlo Vistoli. Orchestra: Le Concert d’Astrée. Conductor: Emmanuelle Haïm.
    • Harmonia Mundi.
  • Donnacha Dennehy

    Piano Concerto 'Limina' (1st mvt)

    Performer: Eliza McCarthy. Orchestra: National Symphony Orchestra Ireland. Conductor: Ryan McAdams.
    • Nonesuch.
  • Leoš Janáček

    The Excursion of Mr Brouček to the 15th Century (excerpt)

    Singer: Aleš Briscein. Singer: Peter Hoare. Choir: Tenebrae. Orchestra: London Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Sir Simon Rattle.
    • LSO Live.

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