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Bach's Cello Suites in Building a Library with Joseph McHardy and Andrew McGregor

Andrew McGregor with the week's best new classical releases, joined by Sarah Lenton and Joseph McHardy, who surveys recordings of Bach's Cello Suites and makes a top recommendation.

Andrew McGregor with the week's best new classical releases, joined by guest reviewers Sarah Lenton and Joseph McHardy.

2.10pm Opera expert Sarah Lenton joins Andrew to showcase some new releases that have caught her ear.

3pm Building a Library: Harpsichordist and conductor Joseph McHardy joins Andrew to survey recordings of JS Bach's six Suites for solo cello, and make a top recommendation.

Bach probably wrote his six Suites for unaccompanied cello during his time as Kapellmeister in K枚then, 1717鈥�1723. The technically demanding music is all based on baroque dances. The Suites were little known and rarely publicly performed until they were recorded by Pablo Casals in the early 20th century. They have grown in popularity ever since, and have been performed and recorded by the world's greatest cellists.

Top choice:
David Watkin (cello)
Resonus Classics RES10147

c3.45pm Record of the Week. Andrew's top pick from the week's new releases.

23 days left to listen

1 hour, 59 minutes

Last on

Last Saturday 14:00
麻豆社 Radio 3

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Music Played

  • Edward Elgar

    Cello Concerto in E minor Op.85 (3rd mvt)

    Performer: Alban Gerhardt. Orchestra: WDR Symphony Orchestra Cologne. Director: Andrew Manze.
    • Elgar & Dvorak: Cello Concertos.
    • Hyperion.
    • 1.

  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Die Gesch枚pfe des Prometheus Op.43 (Act 1 sc.3)

    Performer: Naruhiko Kawaguchi.
    • A Journey with Beethoven.
    • Signum Classics.
    • 109.

  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    String quartet in D major Anh.2 No.5, attrib. (2nd mvt)

    Ensemble: Quartetto Alla Maniera Italiana.
    • Presumed Beethoven. The Six String Quartets, Anh. 2.
    • Arcana.
    • 6.

  • George Frideric Handel

    Nos plaisirs seront peu durables (Sans y penser HWV.155)

    Singer: Marie Lys. Orchestra: Orchestre de l鈥橭p茅ra Royal. Conductor: Ga茅tan Jarry.
    • Haendel. Inexorable amour: Cantates virtuoses.
    • Chateau de versailles.
    • 15.

  • George Frideric Handel

    Un pensiero voli in ciel (Delirio amoroso - Italian cantata no.12 HWV.99)

    Singer: Marie Lys. Orchestra: Orchestre de l鈥橭p茅ra Royal. Conductor: Ga茅tan Jarry.
    • Haendel. Inexorable amour: Cantates virtuoses.
    • Chateau de versailles.
    • 3.

  • Antonio Vivaldi

    Parto con questo speme - extract (La Costanza trionfante RV.706)

    Singer: Romina Basso. Ensemble: I Barocchisti. Conductor: Diego Fasolis.
    • Antonio Vivaldi: La costanza trionfante degl'amori e de gl'odii.
    • Da Vinci Classics.
    • 13.

  • Antonio Vivaldi

    Donna crudel spietata (La Costanza trionfante RV.706)

    Singer: Romina Basso. Ensemble: I Barocchisti. Conductor: Diego Fasolis.
    • Antonio Vivaldi: La costanza trionfante degl'amori e de gl'odii.
    • Da Vinci Classics.
    • 14.

  • Arthur Sullivan

    Ah, leave me not alone / We're called Gondolieri (The Gondoliers)

    Librettist: William Gilbert. Singer: Jennifer France. Singer: David Webb. Singer: Charles Rice. Orchestra: Academy of Ancient Music. Conductor: John Andrews.
    • Arthur Sullivan: Songs for Tenor.
    • Resonus Classics.
    • 3.

  • Erich Wolfgang Korngold

    Violin concerto in D major Op.35 (3rd mvt)

    Performer: Paul Huang. Orchestra: London Philharmonic Orchestra. Conductor: Jun M盲rkl.
    • Naive.

  • Johannes Brahms

    Sonatensatz (Violin Sonata [F.A.E.])

    Performer: James Ehnes. Performer: Andrew Armstrong.
    • Brahms: Violin Sonatas.
    • Seattle Chamber Music Society.
    • 1.

  • Franz Schubert

    Fantasy in C major S.366 'Wandererfantasie' (1st mvt)

    Performer: Lukas Geniu拧as. Music Arranger: Franz Liszt. Orchestra: Sinfonieorchester St. Gallen. Conductor: Modestas Pitr臈nas.
    • Alpha.

  • Claude Debussy

    Lindaraja

    Performer: H茅l猫ne Mercier. Performer: Louis Lortie.
    • Debussy: Piano Duets, Vol. 2.
    • Chandos.
    • 106.

  • Record of the Week

    • Orazio Benevoli

      Missa Dum Complerentur (Kyrie)

      Ensemble: I Fagiolini. Conductor: Robert Hollingworth.
      • CORO.

Broadcast

  • Last Saturday 14:00
    麻豆社 Radio 3

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