
Building a Library on the works of Jan Dismas Zelenka with Hannah French and Andrew McGregor
Hannah French surveys the works and recordings of Jan Dismas Zelenka and chooses her favourite, plus Joanna MacGregor reviews new discs of piano music with Andrew McGregor.
9.30 Building a Library
Hannah French surveys the key works works and recordings of Czech composer Jan Dismas Zelenka and chooses her favourite.
Zelenka was born in Central Bohemia in 1679 and, after his musical education in Prague and Vienna, he spent most of his professional life in Dresden. Much admired by Bach for the harmonic inventiveness of his counterpoint, and friends with Telemann, Pisendel and Weiss, Zelenka was considered one of the giants of the Baroque era. Zelenka's music is also inspired by Czech folk music and it was Smetana who is credited with rediscovering the music of his forebear during the 19th century.
10.45
Joanna MacGregor reviews new discs of piano music with Andrew McGregor.
11.20
Record of the Week
Andrew recommends an outstanding new release.
Last on
Music Played
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Johann Sebastian Bach
Violin Sonata in C minor, BWV 1024: I. Adagio
Performer: Chouchane Siranossian. Performer: Balázs Máté. Director: Leonardo García Alarcón.- Bach Before Bach.
- Alpha.
- 7.
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Alexander Gretchaninov
All-Night Vigil Op.59 (Bless the Lord, O My Soul)
Choir: Latvian Radio Choir. Conductor: Sigvards Kļava.- Grechaninov: All-Night Vigil, Op. 59.
- Ondine.
- 1.
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Astor Piazzolla
Concierto para bandoneon: II. Moderato
Performer: William Sabatier. Orchestra: Orchestre Dijon Bourgogne. Conductor: Leonardo García Alarcón.- Piazzolla: Concertos.
- Fuga Libera.
- 2.
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Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Concerto No. 4 in G major, Op. 58: III. Rondo. Vivace (1808 version)
Performer: Gianluca Cascioli. Ensemble: Ensemble Resonanz. Conductor: Riccardo Minasi.- Beethoven: Piano Concertos Nos. 4 & 6.
- Harmonia Mundi.
- 3.
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Ludwig van Beethoven
Apres un reve, op. 7 no. 1
Composer: Gabriel Fauré. Performer: Gianluca Cascioli. Performer: Christian-Pierre La Marca. Performer: Nathanaël Gouin. Music Arranger: Stephane Gassot. Music Arranger: Christian-Pierre La Marca. Orchestra: Orchestre de Paris – Philharmonie. Ensemble: Ensemble Resonanz. Conductor: Riccardo Minasi.- Wonderful World.
- Naive.
- 1.
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Sofia Gubaidulina
Dialog: Ich und Du
Performer: Vadim Repin. Orchestra: Gewandhausorchester Leipzig. Conductor: Andris Nelsons.- Sofia Gubaidulina: Dialog: Ich und Du.
- DG.
- 1.
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Gabriel Fauré
Theme & Variations, Op. 73
Performer: Imogen Cooper.- Le Temps Perdu.
- Chandos.
- 15.
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Franz Schubert
Fantasie in F minor for piano duet, D940: I. Allegro molto moderato
Performer: Martha Argerich. Performer: Gabriela Montero.- Rendez-Vous With Martha Argerich - Volume 2.
- Avanti.
- 5.
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Ludwig van Beethoven
Violin Sonata No. 9 in A major, Op. 47 'Kreutzer': III. Finale. Presto.
Performer: Tedi Papavrami. Performer: Martha Argerich.- Rendez-Vous With Martha Argerich - Volume 2.
- Avanti.
- 4.
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Federico Mompou
Musica callada: No. 1 Angelico & No. 25 (untitled)
Performer: Lilit Grigoryan.- Mompou: Musica Callada.
- Orchid Classics.
- 1.
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Anton Bruckner
Symphony No. 7 in E Major: I. Allegro Moderato
Orchestra: Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra.- Bruckner: Symphony No. 7.
- Challenge Classics.
- 1.
Record Review
9.00am
Bach Before Bach – Music by Bach, Farina, Muffat, Walther & Westhoff
Chouchane Siranossian
Leonardo García Alarcón
Balazs Maté
Alpha Alpha758
https://outhere-music.com/en/albums/Bach-Before-Bach-ALPHA758
Alexander Grechaninov: All-Night Vigil
Latvian Radio Chorus
Sigvards Klava (conductor)
Ondine ODE 1397-2
https://www.ondine.net/?lid=en&cid=998&oid=6796
Piazzolla: Concertos
William Sabatier
Emilie Aridon-Kociolek
Orchestre Dijon Bourgogne
Leonardo García Alarcón
Fuga Libera FUG790
https://outhere-music.com/en/albums/Piazzolla-Concertos-FUG790
Beethoven: Piano Concertos Nos. 4 & 6
Gianluca Cascioli (piano)
Ensemble Resonanz
Riccardo Minasi (conductor)
Harmonia Mundi HMM902422
https://store.harmoniamundi.com/format/853794-beethoven-piano-concertos-nos-4-op-58-6-op-61a
9.30am – Building a Library – Hannah French’s Zelenka Survey
Recommended Recording:
Zelenka: Officium defunctorum & Requiem
Hana Blažíková (soprano), Markéta Cukrová (alto), Sebastian Monti (tenor), Tomáš Král (bass), Marian Krejcik (bass)
Collegium 1704 & Collegium Vocale 1704
Václav Luks (director)
Accent ACC24244
Other recommendations:
Thomas Hengelbrock conducts Zelenka, Bach & Lotti
Balthasar Neumann Ensemble & Choir,
Thomas Hengelbrock (director)
Deutsche HM 88697594232
Anima Aeterna
Jakub Józef Orliński (countertenor)
Il Pomo d’Oro
Francesco Corti (director)
Erato 9029674390
Zelenka: Solo Motets
Alex Potter (counter-tenor)
Capriccio Basel Baroque Orchestra
Dominik Kiefer (director)
Pan Classics PC10274
Zelenka: Capriccios Nos. 1-5 & other orchestra works
Camerata Bern
Alexander van Wijnkoop (director)
DG Archiv 4698422
Zelenka: Trio Sonatas Nos. 1-6
Zefiro
Arcana A394
Zelenka: Sonatas
Monica Huggett (baroque violin)
Ensemble Marsyas
Linn CKD415
Zelenka: Hipocondrie à 7 concertanti in A major, ZWV187, etc.
Freiburger Barockorchester
Deutsche HM 74321935532
Zelenka: Italian Arias, ZWV176
Hana Blazíková (soprano)
Markéta Cukrová (alto) & Tomás Selc (bass-baritone)
Ensemble Tourbillon
Petr Wagner (director)
Accent ACC24306
Zelenka: De Profundis/Miserere/Requiem
Il Fondamento Choir
Peter De Groot
Peter Kooij
Ian Honeyman
Il Fondamento
Griet Cornelies
Paul Dombrecht (director)
PAS9528
Zelenka: Psalmi Vespertini III
Prague Baroque Soloists
Ensemble Inegal
Adam Viktora (director)
Nibiru 01642231
Zelenka: Missa Nativitatis Domini
Barbora Sojková (soprano)
Markéta Cukrová (alto)
Tomáš Král (bass)
Musica Florea (on period instruments)
Marek Štryncl (director)
Supraphon SU41112
10.15am – New Releases
Wonderful World – Music byFauré, Gershwin, Glass, Say, Strauss, etc.
Christian-Pierre La Marca (cello)
Naive V7362 (2 CDs)
https://www.naiverecords.com/christianpierre-la-marca
Monteverdi: Daylight. Stories of Songs, Dances and Loves
Concerto Italiano
Rinaldo Alessandrini (director)
Naive OP7366
https://www.naiverecords.com/concerto-italiano?rq=Concerto%20Italiano
Bryars & Pitts: Burden of Truth
The Song Company, Gavin Bryars & Antony Pitts (conductors)
1EqualMusic 1EMBOT (download only)
https://www.hyperion-records.co.uk/dc.asp?dc=D_1EMBOT
Sofia Gubaidulina: Dialog: Ich und Du, The Wrath of God & The Light of the End
Vadim Repin (violin)
Gewandhausorchester Leipzig
Andris Nelsons (conductor)
DG 4861457
https://www.deutschegrammophon.com/en/catalogue/products/gubaidulina-nelsons-repin-12472
10.40am Joanna McGregor’s Pianists
Rendez-Vous
With Martha Argerich - Volume 2
Martha Argerich
(piano)
Avanti AVA10632 (6 CDs)
https://www.avanticlassic.com/releases/317a5a0c-47d9-4f93-bbb2-c3bbd14b6d03
Le Temps Perdu
Imogen Cooper (piano)
Chandos CHAN 20235
https://www.chandos.net/products/catalogue/CHAN%2020235
Mompou: Musica Callada
Lilit Grigoryan (piano)
Orchid Classics ORC100178
https://www.orchidclassics.com/releases/orc100178-lilit-grigoryan-plays-mompou/
Cziffra: Complete Studio Recordings
Georges Cziffra (piano)
Erato 9029672924 (41CDs)
https://www.warnerclassics.com/release/georges-cziffra
Chansons Populaires – Music by Bartok, Desyatnikov & Tchaikovsky
Lukas Geniušas (piano)
Mirare MIR440
11.20am – Record of the Week
Bruckner: Symphony No. 7
Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra
Bernard Haitink (conductor)
Challenge Classics CC72895
https://www.challengerecords.com/products/16268803040781
Broadcast
- Sat 6 Nov 202109:00BBC Radio 3



