Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto No. 2 in Building a Library with Kathryn Stott and Andrew McGregor
Andrew McGregor with the best new classical releases, joined by pianists Lucy Parham and Kathryn Stott, who picks her favourite recording of Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto No. 2.
Andrew McGregor with the best new classical releases, joined by guest reviewers Lucy Parham and Kathryn Stott.
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Pianist Lucy Parham talks through her pick of the week's new releases.
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Building a Library: especially for Valentine's Day, pianist Kathryn Stott surveys recordings of Rachmaninov's lushly romantic Piano Concerto No. 2 and picks her favourite. The concerto symbolises both personal and artistic rebirth for the composer after years spent in deep depression. Its second movement inspired Eric Carmen鈥檚 pop ballad 鈥淎ll by Myself,鈥� and also features in film scores, most famously the 1945 romance Brief Encounter.
Top choice:
Vladimir Ashkenazy (piano), Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra, Kirill Kondrashin (cond.)
Decca Legends 4663752
c.1545
Record of the Week
Andrew picks his favourite new release of the week.
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Johann Sebastian Bach
Mache dich, mein Geist, bereit (Cantata BWV 115)
Ensemble: Le Banquet C茅leste.- J. S. Bach: Mein Geist.
- Alpha Classics.
- 1.
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Frank Martin
Piano Quintet in D minor (1st mvt)
Performer: Ilona Timchenko. Ensemble: Utrecht String Quartet.- Dabriunghaus und Grimm.
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Clara Schumann
3 Romances Op.22 (Nos. 2 & 3)
Music Arranger: Mark Thiel. Performer: Jean Johnson. Performer: Steven Osborne.- LINN.
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Johann Sebastian Bach
Goldberg Variations BWV.988 (Variation 30 & Aria da capo)
Ensemble: TrioFenix. Music Arranger: Dmitry Sitkovetsky.- EVIL PENGUIN.
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Sergey Rachmaninov
Romance in F sharp minor (4 Pieces)
Performer: Boris Giltburg.- Naxos.
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Sergey Rachmaninov
Polichinelle in F sharp minor (5 Morceaux de fantaisie Op.3)
Performer: Boris Giltburg.- NAXOS.
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Einojuhani Rautavaara
Cantus arcticus Op.61 (Melancholy)
Orchestra: Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Neeme J盲rvi.- CHANDOS.
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Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Piano Concerto no.8 in C major K.246 (3rd mvt)
Performer: Olga Pashchenko. Ensemble: Il Gardellino.- ALPHA.
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Pink Floyd
Breathe [in the air]
Singer: Clara Brunet. Performer: Bor Zuljan.- Ricercar.
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John Dowland
In darknesse let mee dwell
Singer: Clara Brunet. Performer: Bor Zuljan.- Ricercar.
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Nikolai Yakovlevich Myaskovsky
The Kremlin by night Op.75 (Chorus and Aria)
Singer: Albina Shaikhieva. Orchestra: Ural Youth Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Alexander Rudin.- FUGA LIBERA.
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Kevin Puts
Emily - no prisoner be (nos.24-26)
Singer: Joyce DiDonato. Ensemble: Time for Three.- PLATOON.
Broadcast
- Sat 14 Feb 2026 14:00麻豆社 Radio 3
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