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Walton's Viola Concerto in Building a Library with David Owen Norris and Andrew McGregor

David Owen Norris chooses his favourite recording of Walton's Viola Concerto in Building a Library, and celebrated trumpeter Alison Balsom shares some remarkable new releases.

Andrew McGregor with the best new recordings of classical music.

9.30 am
Leading trumpeter Alison Balsom shares some new releases which have caught her ear and shares her 'On Repeat' track – a recording which she is currently listening to again and again.

10.30 am
David Owen Norris chooses his favourite recording of William Walton's Viola Concerto.

It was conductor Sir Thomas Beecham's suggestion that Walton should write a viola concerto for the virtuoso Lionel Tertis. But things did not go according to plan when Tertis sent back the music by return of post saying it was 'too modern'. So the 1929 premiere was given by Paul Hindemith (who had been sent the concerto by the tv's Edward Clark) at the Queen's Hall, just around the corner from Broadcasting House. It was a success and Tertis, in the audience, relented. But although he subsequently played the concerto, Tertis continued to disparage it and was heard to say that Walton had 'murdered' the viola.

Despite its inauspicious beginning, Walton's Viola Concerto has long been recognised as one of his most important early works and is well established a cornerstone of an albeit limited repertoire. Perhaps the root of its appeal is to be found in its dedication 'to Christabel', the lyrical melancholy and poetic longing at the concerto's heart reflecting Walton's unrequited passion for Christabel, Lady Aberconway.

11.20 am
Record of the Week
An exceptional new release.

Send us your On Repeat recommendations at recordreview@bbc.co.uk or tweet us @tvRadio3

2 hours, 47 minutes

Music Played

  • Christoph Graupner

    Cantata GWV1113 / 23b 'Lobet den Herrn alle Heiden': Chorus - Lobet den Herrn

    Ensemble: Æܳ. Choir: Capella Jenensis.
    • Leipzig 1723 - Telemann; Graupner; Bach.
    • Accentus Music.
    • 6.
  • Sergey Prokofiev

    Symphony No 5 in B flat major, Op 100: II. Allegro marcato

    Performer: The Cleveland Orchestra.
    • Prokofiev: Symphony No. 5.
    • Cleveland Orchestra.
    • 2.
  • Franz Schubert

    Piano Sonata No 20 in A major, D959: III. Schero: Allegra vivace

    Performer: Garrick Ohlsson.
    • Schubert: Piano Sonatas D537 & 959.
    • Hyperion.
    • 6.
  • Missy Mazzoli

    Dark with Excessive Bright (Arr. For solo violin and string quintet)

    Performer: Peter Herresthal. Orchestra: Arctic Philharmonic. Conductor: Tim Weiss.
    • Missy Mazzoli: Dark with Excessive Bright.
    • BIS.
    • 106.
  • Francis Poulenc

    Trio for piano, oboe and bassoon: III. Rondo

    Performer: Emmanuel Strosser. Performer: David Walter. Performer: Giorgio Mandolesi.
    • Poulenc: Sextuor, Trio, Abade, Suite Francaise.
    • Indesens.
    • 6.
  • Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

    Requiem: VII. Confutatis; VIII. Lacrimosa

    Choir: Choeur de Chambre de Namur. Orchestra: Le Concert de la Loge. Conductor: Julien Chauvin.
    • Alpha.
  • Igor Stravinsky

    Apollo, 2nd tableau: II. Variation of Apollo (Apollo and the Three Muses)

    Performer: Isabelle Faust. Orchestra: Les Siècles. Conductor: François‐Xavier Roth.
    • Harmonia Mundi.
  • Igor Stravinsky

    Violin Concerto in D major (1st mvt)

    Performer: Isabelle Faust. Orchestra: Les Siècles. Conductor: François‐Xavier Roth.
    • Harmonia Mundi.
  • Ralph Vaughan Williams

    Symphony No. 7 'Sinfonia antartica': III. Landscape. Lento

    Conductor: Martyn Brabbins. Orchestra: tv Symphony Orchestra.
    • Vaughan Williams: Sinfonia antartica & Symphony No 9.
    • Hyperion.
    • 3.
  • Frédéric Chopin

    Piano Sonata No. 3 in B minor, Op. 58: IV. Finale

    Performer: Rafał Blechacz.
    • DG.
  • Niel Gow

    Niel Gow's lament for the death of his second wife

    Music Arranger: Bjarte Eike. Ensemble: Barokksolistene. Director: Bjarte Eike.
    • The Image Of Melancholy.
    • BIS.
    • 20.
  • Eugène Reuchsel

    Promenades en Provence, Book 1: IV. Nuages ensoleillées sur le Cap Nègre

    Performer: Simon Niemiński.
    • PO7112.
  • Nino Rota

    Prova d'orchestra (Film Music): Galop

    Conductor: Felix Bender.
    • Film Music; Concertos.
    • CapriccioNR.
    • 503.
  • Gustav Mahler

    Symphony No 5 in C-sharp Minor: IV. Adagietto. Sehr langsam.

    Conductor: Rafael Payare. Orchestra: Orchestre symphonique de Montréal.
    • Mahler Symphony No. 5.
    • PENTATONE.
    • 104.
  • György Ligeti

    String Quartet No 1, "metamorphoses nocturnes": VII. Tempo di Valse, moderato, con eleganza, un poco capriccioso

    Ensemble: Quatuor Diotima.
    • Metamorphosis Ligeti.
    • PENTATONE.
    • 107.
  • György Ligeti

    String Quartet No 1, "métamorphoses nocturnes": VIII. Subito prestissimo

    Ensemble: Quatuor Diotima.
    • Metamorphosis Ligeti.
    • PENTATONE.
    • 108.
  • György Ligeti

    String Quartet No 1, "métamorphoses nocturnes": IX. Allegretto, un poco giovale

    Ensemble: Quatuor Diotima.
    • Metamorphosis Ligeti.
    • PENTATONE.
    • 109.
  • William Byrd

    Arise Lord into thy rest

    Choir: The Sixteen. Conductor: Harry Christophers.
    • A Watchful Gaze.
    • Coro.
    • 1.
  • Dobrinka Tabakova

    Arise Lord into thy rest

    Choir: The Sixteen. Conductor: Harry Christophers.
    • A Watchful Gaze.
    • Coro.
    • 6.
  • Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

    Piano Concerto No 24 in C minor, K491: I. Allegro

    Performer: Robert Levin. Orchestra: Academy of Ancient Music. Conductor: Richard Egarr.
    • Mozart: Piano Concertos Nos. 21 & 24.
    • AAM Records.
    • 4.

Record Review

The link below each recording takes you directly to the label’s website. Please be aware that non-UK labels may be cheaper via a record store or an online retailer.

9.00am

Leipzig 1723 - Telemann; Graupner; Bach

Æܳ

Capella Jenensis

Accentus Music ACC30598

Prokofiev: Symphony No. 5

Cleveland Orchestra

Franz Welser-Möst

Cleveland Orchestra TCO0006

Schubert: Piano Sonatas D537 & D959

Garrick Ohlsson (piano)

Hyperion CDA68398

Missy Mazzoli: Dark with Excessive Bright

Peter Herresthal (violin)

Arctic Philharmonic

Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra

Tim Weiss

James Gaffigan

BIS BIS2572 (Download; Hybrid SACD on 7th April)

Poulenc: Sextuor, Trio, Abade, Suite Francaise

Quintette Moragues

Emmanuel Strosser (piano)

Indesens INDE167

09.30am – Alison Balsom: New Releases

Mozart: Requiem - Paisiello: Messe pour le sacre de Napoléon

Sandrine Piau (soprano)

Chantal Santon Jeffery (soprano)

Éléonore Pancrazi (mezzo)

Mathias Vidal (tenor)

Thomas Dolié (baritone)

Le Concert de la Loge

Chœur de Chambre de Namur

Julien Chauvin

Alpha ALPHA919

Stravinsky: Violin Concerto & Chamber Works

Isabelle Faust (violin)

François-Xavier Roth

Les Siècles

Harmonia Mundi HMM902718

Vaughan Williams: Sinfonia antartica & Symphony No 9

Elizabeth Watts (soprano)

tv Symphony Chorus

tv Symphony Orchestra

Martyn Brabbins

Hyperion CDA68405

Rafał Blechacz - Chopin

Rafał Blechacz (piano)

DG 4863438

Alison Balsom: On Repeat

The Image of Melancholy – music by Dowland, Byrd, Niel Gow, etc.

Jon Balke (organ / soundscapes)

Berit Norbakken Solset (soprano)

Milos Valent (viola)

Barokksolistene

Bjarte Eike (artistic director & violin)

BIS BIS2057 (Hybrid SACD)

Listener On Repeat

Promenades en Provence: Organ Music of Eugène Reuchsel

Simon Nieminski (organ)

Pro Organo PO7112

10.10am – New Releases

Metamorphosis – Ligeti

Quatuor Diotima

Pentatone PTC5187061

Mahler: Symphony No. 5

Orchestre symphonique de Montréal

Rafael Payare

Pentatone PTC5187067

10.30am – Building a Library: David Owen Norris on Walton’s Viola Concerto

Recommended recording:

Lawrence Power (viola)

tv Scottish Symphony Orchestra

Ilan Volkov

Hyperion CDA67587

Other recommendations:

Frederick Riddle (viola)

London Symphony Orchestra

William Walton

Dutton Epoch CDAX8003

Nigel Kennedy (viola)

Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

André Previn

Warner Classics 6805012 (5 CDs)

11:15 am

Nino Rota: War and Peace; Castel Del Monte; Orchestra Rehearsal; Harp Concerto; Concerto For Strings

Esther Peristerakis (harp)

Marcel Sobol (horn)

WDR Funkhausorchester Köln

Felix Bender

Michael Seal

Capriccio C5494

A Watchful Gaze – music by Byrd, Tabakova, Clemens, etc.

The Sixteen

Harry Christophers

Coro COR16195

11.25am – Record of the Week

Mozart: Piano Concertos Nos. 21 & 24

Robert Levin (fortepiano)

Academy of Ancient Music

Richard Egarr

AAM Records AAM041

Broadcast

  • Sat 4 Mar 2023 09:00

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