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Beethoven's Les Adieux Sonata in Building a Library with Lucy Parham and Andrew McGregor

In Building a Library, pianist Lucy Parham chooses her favourite version of Beethoven's Piano Sonata, 'Les Adieux', and Nigel Simeone discusses his selection of exciting new releases.

Andrew McGregor with the best new recordings of classical music.

9.30 am
Nigel Simeone 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

Lucy Parham chooses her favourite version of Beethoven's Piano Sonata "Les Adieux".

Beethoven's Piano Sonata No. 26 in E♭ major, Op. 81a, known as Les Adieux ("The Farewell"), was written around 1810. The French attack on Vienna, led by Napoléon Bonaparte in 1809, had forced Beethoven's patron, Archduke Rudolph, to leave the city. He titled the three movements 'farewell', 'absence', and 'reunion'. The sonata has a dedication that reads "On the departure of his Imperial Highness, for the Archduke Rudolph in admiration". Beethoven's works are traditionally divided into three periods and this sonata is often thought of as one of the very best from his middle period.

Recommended version:
Emil Gilels (piano)
Deutsche Grammophon 4191622

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

  • Erwin Schulhoff

    5 Pieces for String Quartet: No. 5, Alla tarantella

    Performer: Daniel Hope. Orchestra: Zürcher Kammerorchester.
    • Deutsche Grammophon.
  • Jean Sibelius

    Lemminkäinen Suite, Op. 22 iv) Lemminkäinen's Return

    Orchestra: Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra. Conductor: Susanna Mälkki.
    • BIS.
  • Dora Pejačević

    Piano Trio in C Major, Op.29 ii) Scherzo

    Ensemble: Trio RoVerde.
    • Brilliant Classics.
  • Matthew Locke

    The Flat Consort for My Cousin Kemble, Suite No. 4 in B-Flat Major

    Performer: Elizabeth Kenny. Ensemble: Phantasm.
    • Linn.
  • Traditional (Bulgaria)

    Odessa Bulgar

    Performer: Daniel Hope. Performer: Benjamin Günst. Performer: Jenő Lisztes. Performer: Omar Massa. Performer: Joscho Stephan. Singer: Stéphane Logerot.
    • Deutsche Grammophon.
  • Giacomo Puccini

    Capriccio Sinfonico

    Conductor: Carlo Rizzi. Orchestra: Welsh National Opera Orchestra.
    • Puccini: Symphonic Suites.
    • Signum Classics.
    • 105.
  • Johann Heinrich Schmelzer

    Sonata à 4

    Performer: Jean-François Madeuf. Performer: Julian Zimmermann. Ensemble: The Rossetti Players. Director: Barbara Konrad.
    • Accent.
  • Benjamin Britten

    Violin Concerto in D Minor, Op. 15 i) Moderato con moto - Agitato - Tempo primo

    Performer: Baiba Skride. Orchestra: Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Marin Alsop.
    • Britten: Violin Concerto in D Minor, Op. 15 & Double Concerto for Violin, Viola.
    • Orfeo.
    • 101.
  • Leos Janáček

    Ptáčci přiletí na mohylu (Katya Kabanova, act iii)

    Singer: Amanda Majeski. Singer: Magdalena Kožená. Singer: Claire Barnett-Jones. Singer: Ladislav Elgr. Singer: Simon O’Neill. Singer: Andrew Staples. Singer: Lukáš Zeman. Singer: Pavlo Hunka. Choir: London Symphony Chorus. Orchestra: London Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Sir Simon Rattle.
    • LSO Live.
  • Claude Debussy

    L'Isle joyeuse, L.106

    Performer: Vladimir Ashkenazy.
    • Ashkenazy plays Chopin, Ravel & Debussy.
    • Decca Music Group Ltd..
    • 3.
  • Antonín Dvořák

    Slavonic Dance in E minor, Op.72 no 2

    Orchestra: Czech Philharmonic. Conductor: Jiří Bělohlávek.
    • DECCA.
  • Cécile Chaminade

    Piano trio No. 1 in G minor Op. 11 iii) Presto leggiero

    Ensemble: Neave Trio.
    • Chandos.
  • Unsuk Chin

    Violin Concerto No. 1 ii)

    Orchestra: Berliner Philharmoniker. Conductor: Sir Simon Rattle.
    • The Unsuk Chin Edition.
    • Berliner Philharmoniker Recordings.
    • 102.
  • Edvard Grieg

    Symphonic Dances, Op. 64; No.3 Allegro giocoso

    Orchestra: Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra. Conductor: Edward Gardner.
    • Chandos.
  • Marc-André Hamelin

    Variations on a theme of Paganini

    Performer: Marc-André Hamelin.
    • Hyperion.
  • Jean‐Baptiste Lully

    Atys (Act 3)

    Singer: Reinoud Van Mechelen. Choir: Namur Chamber Choir. Orchestra: Les Talens Lyriques. Conductor: Christophe Rousset.
    • Chateau de Versailles.

Broadcast

  • Sat 3 Feb 2024 09:00

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