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Vaughan Williams' 'A London Symphony' in Building a Library with Kate Kennedy and Andrew McGregor

A thorough look at the week's classical music releases, plus news and the Radio 3 Disc of the Week recommendation.

Andrew McGregor with the week's best new classical releases.

2.10pm
Andrew is joined by guest reviewer Chris O'Reilly, who picks four new releases that have caught his ear.

3pm
Building a Library: Kate Kennedy surveys recordings of Vaughan Williams' Symphony No. 2, 'A London Symphony', and makes her personal top recommendation.
Written shortly before the First World War, Vaughan Williams dedicated 'A London Symphony' to fellow composer George Butterworth, who lost his life in the war. Between the chimes of Big Ben, a busker's harmonica, and vibrant nightlife, it is a portrait of London as he knew it, capturing the hustle and bustle of the capital while finding peace and quiet in which to reflect.

Top choice:
麻豆社 Symphony Orchestra, Martyn Brabbins (conductor)
Hyperion CDA68190 (recorded London 2016)

3.50pm
Record of the Week: Andrew picks a new release that has most impressed him this week.

13 days left to listen

1 hour, 59 minutes

Last on

Sat 21 Mar 2026 14:00
麻豆社 Radio 3

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Vaughan Williams' Symphony No. 2 'A London Symphony'

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Music Played

  • Augusta Holm猫s

    No毛l d'Irlande

    Performer: Jessie Ann Richardson. Ensemble: Piatti Quartet.
    • Phantasy.
    • Rubicon.
    • 9.

  • Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

    Concerto in F major K.242 for 3 pianos and orchestra (3rd mvt)

    Performer: Rose McLachlan. Performer: Jean鈥怑fflam Bavouzet. Performer: Andrea Nemecz. Orchestra: Manchester Camerata. Conductor: G谩bor Tak谩cs鈥怤agy.
    • Mozart: Piano Concertos, Vol. 12.
    • Chandos.
    • 5.

  • Sergei Bortkiewicz

    Piano concerto no.2 in C minor Op.28 'for the left hand' (1st mvt)

    Performer: Illia Ovcharenko. Orchestra: MDR Sinfonieorchester. Conductor: Oksana Lyniv.
    • PENTATONE.

  • Johann Sebastian Bach

    St John Passion BWV.245 (Part 1; Herr, unser Herrscher)

    Ensemble: Pygmalion. Conductor: Rapha毛l Pichon.
    • HARMONIA MUNDI.

  • Madeleine Dring

    Encouragements to a Lover / Melisande

    Singer: Kitty Whately. Performer: Julius Drake.
    • CHANDOS.

  • Gustav Holst

    Jupiter, the bringer of jollity (The Planets Op.32)

    Orchestra: London Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Sir Antonio Pappano.
    • LSO.

  • Erich Wolfgang Korngold

    String Quartet no.2 in E flat major Op.26 (2nd mvt)

    Ensemble: Quatuor Herm猫s.
    • Echoes of Vienna.
    • La Dolce Volta.
    • 7.

  • Gustav Mahler

    Symphony no.7 (3rd mvt)

    Orchestra: Tonhalle-Orchester Z眉rich. Conductor: Paavo J盲rvi.
    • Mahler: Symphony No. 7.
    • Alpha Classics.
    • 13.

  • Alessandro Scarlatti

    Veini, o notte (Notte ch'in carro d'ombre)

    Singer: Francesca Aspromonte. Ensemble: Arsenale Sonoro. Conductor: Boris Begelman.
    • Alessandro Scarlatti: Vieni, o Notte.
    • 础辫补谤迟茅.
    • 3.

  • Johann Sebastian Bach

    Chaconne and fugue in D minor BWV.1178

    Performer: Benjamin Alard.
    • J. S. Bach: Chaconnes BWV 1178 & 1179.
    • Harmonia Mundi.
    • 1.

  • Record of the Week

    • Francis Poulenc

      Un Soir de neige (Le feu)

      Ensemble: Ensemble vocal Aedes. Director: Mathieu Romano.
      • Poulenc: The Complete Works for A Cappella Choir.
      • 础辫补谤迟茅.
      • 1.

    • Francis Poulenc

      Mass in G major (Kyrie)

      Ensemble: Ensemble vocal Aedes. Director: Mathieu Romano.
      • Poulenc: The Complete Works for A Cappella Choir.
      • 础辫补谤迟茅.
      • 17.

    • Francis Poulenc

      Chanson 脿 boire

      Ensemble: Ensemble vocal Aedes. Director: Mathieu Romano.
      • Poulenc: The Complete Works for A Cappella Choir.
      • 础辫补谤迟茅.
      • 27.

Broadcast

  • Sat 21 Mar 2026 14:00
    麻豆社 Radio 3

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