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Handel's Concerti Grossi, Op. 6, in Building a Library with Joseph McHardy and Sara Mohr-Pietsch

In Building a Library Joseph McHardy chooses his favourite recording of Handel's Concerti Grossi, Op. 6, and mezzo Jennifer Johnston brings her top new releases to the studio.

Sara Mohr-Pietsch with the best new recordings of classical music.

9.30 am
Internationally acclaimed British mezzo Jennifer Johnston shares a clutch of new releases she has been enjoying and shares her On Repeat track: music she has been listening to again and again.

10.30 am
Building a Library

Joseph McHardy chooses his favourite recording of George Frideric Handel's Concerti Grossi, Op. 6.

As an added extra to tempt London audiences to his 1739–1740 season of masques and oratorios, Handel wrote 'Twelve Grand Concertos' to be performed during the intervals. The concertos, full of memorable melodies, harmonic and rhythmic surprises, make a feature of the interplay between the main orchestral group and smaller groups of soloists. A handful of the concertos are wholly original but in most Handel recycles bits and bobs from his and others' older music, and two are reworkings of his organ concertos. Their movements encompass many different forms including diverse dances, intricate fugues, airs, and themes and variations – all of which delighted, and continue to delight Handel's audiences.

Joseph's choice:
Academy of Ancient Music
Andrew Manze (violin)
Harmonia Mundi HMU907228/29

11.20 am
Record of the Week: Sara’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

  • Carl Maria von Weber

    "Was gleicht wohl auf Erden": Jägerchor (Act 3, Der Freischütz)

    Choir: Bavarian Radio Symphony Choir. Orchestra: Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Mariss Jansons.
    • BR Klassik.
  • François Couperin

    Concert Royal No. 4 in E: Forlane en rondeau. Gaiement

    Performer: Pierre Gallon. Performer: Matthieu Boutineau. Performer: Thibaut Roussel.
    • Harmonia Mundi.
  • Antonio Vivaldi

    Bassoon Concerto, RV 474 in C major

    Performer: Sophie Dervaux. Orchestra: La Folia Barokorchester.
    • Berlin Classics.
  • Robert Schumann

    Symphony no.1 in B flat Major op.38 "Spring" iv) Allegro animato e grazioso

    Orchestra: Stavanger Symfoniorkester. Conductor: Jan Willem de Vriend.
    • Challenge Classics.
  • Paolo Tosti

    Sogno

    Performer: Raphaël Feuillâtre. Singer: Elīna Garanča.
    • Deutsche Grammophon.
  • Richard Strauss

    A Hero's Life: No. 5 'The Hero at Battle'

    Conductor: Rafael Payare. Orchestra: Orchestre symphonique de Montréal.
    • PENTATONE.
  • Daniel Elder

    The Yellow Wood

    Choir: Neuer Kammerchor Berlin. Conductor: Adrian Emans.
    • Rondeau.
  • Trad.

    Aghrab

    Music Arranger: Amir Amiri. Ensemble: Infusion Baroque.
    • Leaf Music.
  • Johann Sebastian Bach

    J.S. Bach: Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 26

    Performer: Víkingur Ólafsson.
    • J.S. Bach: Goldberg Variations.
    • Deutsche Grammophon (DG).
    • 27.
  • Pehr Henrik Nordgren

    Pictures of Rural Past: IV. The Youth's Farewell on Departing for America

    Orchestra: Ostrobothnian Chamber Orchestra. Conductor: Juha Kangas.
    • Alba.
  • Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

    Piano Concerto No. 6 in B flat major, K. 238: I. Allegro aperto

    Performer: Robert Levin. Orchestra: Academy of Ancient Music. Director: Bojan Čičić.
    • AAM Recordings.
  • Madeleine Dring

    7 Shakespeare Songs: No. 7, Take, O Take Those Lips Away

    Performer: Susie Allan. Singer: Roderick Williams.
    • SOMM Recordings.
  • George Frideric Handel

    Rinaldo, HWV 7: Lascia ch'io pianga

    Performer: Gianluca Littera. Music Arranger: Gianluca Littera.
    • Dynamic.
  • Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

    Dances from The Oprichnik, Act 4: Dances of Oprichniks & Women

    Conductor: Alpesh Chauhan. Orchestra: 鶹Լ Scottish Symphony Orchestra.
    • Tchaikovsky: Dances from The Oprichnik.
    • Chandos.
    • 101.
  • Johann Sebastian Bach

    (ré)invention No. 1 in C Major

    Performer: Yulia Vershinina-Mukhopadhyay. Performer: Chiahu Lee. Music Arranger: Chiahu Lee.
    • Divine Art.
  • Johann Sebastian Bach

    (ré)invention No. 11 in G Minor

    Performer: Yulia Vershinina-Mukhopadhyay. Performer: Chiahu Lee. Music Arranger: Chiahu Lee.
    • Divine Art.
  • Johann Sebastian Bach

    (ré)invention No. 14 in B-Flat Major

    Performer: Yulia Vershinina-Mukhopadhyay. Performer: Chiahu Lee. Music Arranger: Chiahu Lee.
    • Divine Art.
  • Johann Sebastian Bach

    (ré)invention No. 8 in F Major

    Performer: Yulia Vershinina-Mukhopadhyay. Performer: Chiahu Lee. Music Arranger: Chiahu Lee.
    • Divine Art.
  • Igor Stravinsky

    Petrushka

    Orchestra: Orchestre de Paris – Philharmonie. Conductor: Klaus Mäkelä.
    • Decca.

Broadcast

  • Sat 16 Mar 2024 09:00

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