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Schumann's Cello Concerto in Building a Library with Laura Tunbridge and Andrew McGregor

In Building a Library, Laura Tunbridge chooses her favourite recording of Schumann's Cello Concerto and tenor Nicky Spence shares his selection of exciting new releases.

Andrew McGregor with the best new recordings of classical music.

9.30 am
Celebrated Scottish tenor Nicky Spence brings his selection of exciting new releases to the studio and shares his On Repeat track: music he has been listening to again and again.

10.30 am
Building a Library

Laura Tunbridge chooses her favourite recording of Schumann's Cello Concerto in A minor, Op. 129.

Schumann wrote his Cello Concerto in 1850 in just two weeks, shortly after moving from Dresden to Düsseldorf with his wife Clara and their six children to be music director of the local music society. Unsuited to the role, within a few years Schumann was asked to resign and in 1854, ever more mentally unstable, he attempted to kill himself by throwing himself into the Rhine. He died in an asylum two and a half years later.

Schumann struggled to find a performer and a publisher for the Cello Concerto and it was first played in 1860, four years after his death. With its impassioned and song-driven emotional depth, the concerto is more lyrical than virtuosic, but it nevertheless took the advocacy of some of the great cellists of the 20th Century to establish its place in the repertoire.

Laura's choice:
Stephen Isserlis (cello)
Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie
Christoph Eschenbach (conductor)
RCA 09026688002

11.20 am
Record of the Week: Andrew’s top pick.

Send us your On Repeat recommendations at recordreview@bbc.co.uk or tweet us @鶹ԼRadio3

2 hours, 47 minutes

Music Played

  • Johann Christoph Pepusch

    Rejoice in the Lord (Chandos Anthem)

    Choir: The Girl Choristers of Canterbury Cathedral. Ensemble: The Harmonious Society of Tickle‐Fiddle Gentlemen. Conductor: Robert Rawson.
    • Accent.
  • Édouard Lalo

    Valse de la cigarette (Namouna)

    Orchestra: Estonian National Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Neeme Järvi.
    • Chandos.
  • Felix Mendelssohn

    Variations concertantes, Op. 17

    Performer: Sol Gabetta. Performer: Bertrand Chamayou.
    • Sony.
  • Joseph Haydn

    Symphony No. 28 in A Major, Hob. I:28 i) Allegro di molto

    Orchestra: Heidelberger Sinfoniker. Conductor: Johannes Klumpp.
    • Haydn: Symphonies, Vols. 28-31.
    • haenssler CLASSIC.
    • 301.
  • Manuel de Falla

    Polo; Nana; El Paño Moruno

    Ensemble: Dumka.
    • Klarthe.
  • Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

    Die Entführung aus dem Serail, K. 384: Overture

    Orchestra: Kölner Akademie. Conductor: Michael Alexander Willens.
    • Mozart: Overtures.
    • BIS.
    • 104.
  • Anon.

    Big Bang

    Performer: Thierry Gomar. Music Arranger: Manon Cousin. Music Arranger: Élodie Pont. Music Arranger: Michael McGlynn. Ensemble: Les Itinérantes.
    • Mirare.
  • Johann Sebastian Bach

    Gloria in excelsis Deo (After J.S. Bach's Prelude in B-Flat Major, BWV 866)

    Performer: Natalya Pasichnyk. Music Arranger: Natalya Pasichnyk. Choir: Calmus Ensemble.
    • Navona Records.
  • Johann Sebastian Bach

    Ehre sei dir, Gott, gesungen (After J.S. Bach's Fugue in B-Flat Major, BWV 866)

    Performer: Natalya Pasichnyk. Music Arranger: Natalya Pasichnyk. Choir: Calmus Ensemble.
    • Navona Records.
  • հä

    Brose and Butter

    Performer: Eddi Reader.
    • Sings the Songs of Robert Burns.
    • Compass Records.
    • 5.
  • Claude Debussy

    Children's Corner: I. Doctor Gradus ad Parnassum (Arr. for Guitar by Johan Smith

    Music Arranger: Johan Smith.
    • Children's Corner.
    • Naxos.
    • 102.
  • Enrique Granados

    Cuentos de la juventud, Op. 1: No. 2, La mendiga

    Music Arranger: Johan Smith.
    • Children's Corner.
    • Naxos.
    • 125.
  • Valentin Silvestrov

    Fugitive Visions of Mozart

    Performer: Vadim Gluzman. Performer: Johannes Moser. Performer: Andrei Korobeinikov.
    • Platoon.
  • Noël Coward

    If love were all

    Performer: Nicky Spence. Performer: Joseph Middleton.
    • Signum.
    • SIGCD737.
    • 7.
  • Sergey Prokofiev

    Romeo and Juliet Suite (Arr. for Violin & Piano)

    Performer: Lana Trotovšek. Performer: Maria Canyigueral. Music Arranger: Lidia Baich. Music Arranger: Matthias Fletzberger.
    • Prokofiev Milestones, Vol. 1.
    • SOMM Recordings.
  • John Dowland

    2 Dowland Laments: No. 1, Go Crystal Tears

    Music Arranger: David Bruce. Singer: Ruby Hughes. Ensemble: Manchester Collective.
    • End of My Days.
    • BIS.
    • 107.
  • Franz Schubert

    Piano Sonata in A Major, D. 959 i) Allegro

    Performer: Adam Laloum.
    • Harmonia Mundi.

Broadcast

  • Sat 20 Jan 2024 09:00

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