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Mendelssohn's 'Scottish' Symphony in Building a Library with Katy Hamilton and Andrew McGregor

Music critic Richard Bratby's pick of the week's new releases, and Dr Katy Hamilton recommends a top recording of Mendelssohn's 'Scottish' Symphony in Building a Library.

2.10 The Spectator's Chief Classical Music Critic Richard Bratby talks presenter Andrew McGregor through his pick of the week's new releases.

3.00 Building a Library: Dr Katy Hamilton recommends a top recording of Mendelssohn's Third Symphony, known as the 'Scottish'. The sombre opening theme came to him after he visited the chapel in the ruins of Holyrood Abbey in 1829 although his love of the Scottish landscape was also an inspiration for movements in the symphony. Mendelssohn didn't complete the symphony until 1842.

Top choice:
Chamber Orchestra of Europe
Nikolaus Harnoncourt (conductor)
Teldec 9031723086

3.50 Record of the Week: Andrew McGregor chooses the recording that has impressed him the most this week.

29 days left to listen

1 hour, 59 minutes

Last on

Yesterday14:00
BBC Radio 3

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Music Played

  • Carl Heinrich Biber

    Partita - 1712 no. 3 in A major (Praeludium)

    Performer: Florian Deuter. Performer: Mónica Waisman. Performer: James Johnstone. Ensemble: Harmonie Universelle.
    • Heinrich Ignaz Franz Biber: Harmonia artificioso-ariosa.
    • Accent.
    • 11.

  • Carl Heinrich Biber

    Partita - 1712 no. 3 in A major (Amener)

    Performer: Florian Deuter. Performer: Mónica Waisman. Performer: James Johnstone. Ensemble: Harmonie Universelle.
    • Heinrich Ignaz Franz Biber: Harmonia artificioso-ariosa.
    • Accent.
    • 13.

  • Felix Mendelssohn

    Fantasia (Sonate ecossaise) in F sharp minor Op.28 (3rd mvt)

    Performer: Jorge Bolet.
    • Jorge Bolet. The Ambassador Auditorium Recitals.
    • First Hand Records.
    • 1.

  • Ignace Joseph Pleyel

    String Quintet in G minor (3rd mvt)

    Ensemble: Pettman Ensemble.
    • NAXOS.

  • Gustav Mahler

    Zu Strassburg auf der Schanz (Lieder und Gesänge)

    Performer: Joseph Middleton. Singer: Mauro Peter.
    • Mahler: Lieder der Jugend. Songs of Youth and Awakening.
    • SIGNUM CLASSICS.
    • 6.

  • Jean Sibelius

    Suite Op.117 (Evening in Spring / In the Summer)

    Performer: Sueye Park. Orchestra: Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester Berlin. Conductor: Valentin Egel.
    • BIS.

  • Johannes Brahms

    Piano trio in A major (1st mvt)

    Ensemble: E.T.A. Trio.
    • Trio E.T.A. plays un /// known.
    • SWR MUSIC.

  • Edvard Grieg

    Lyric Pieces, Book V, Op. 54: No. 3, Trolltog

    Performer: Peter Donohoe.
    • Grieg: Lyric Pieces, Vol. 2.
    • Chandos.
    • 116.

  • Marc‐Antoine Charpentier

    Actéon (Allons, allons, marchons, courons)

    Performer: Nicolas Achten. Singer: Wei-Lian Huang. Singer: Morgane Heyse. Singer: Sojeong Im. Singer: Andrea Gavagnin. Singer: Emanuele Petracco. Singer: Andres Soler Castano. Ensemble: Scherzi Musicali.
    • Charpentier: Actéon.
    • Ricercar.
    • 21.

  • Marc‐Antoine Charpentier

    Actéon (Déesse par qui je respire)

    Performer: Nicolas Achten. Singer: Wei-Lian Huang. Ensemble: Scherzi Musicali.
    • Charpentier: Actéon.
    • Ricercar.
    • 22.

  • Marc‐Antoine Charpentier

    Actéon (Vos voeux sont exaucez)

    Performer: Nicolas Achten. Singer: Wei-Lian Huang. Singer: Morgane Heyse. Singer: Sojeong Im. Singer: Andrea Gavagnin. Singer: Emmanuele Petracco. Singer: Andres Soler Castano. Ensemble: Scherzi Musicali.
    • Charpentier: Actéon.
    • Ricercar.
    • 23.

  • Marc‐Antoine Charpentier

    Acteon (Sc.1 Air)

    Performer: Nicolas Achten. Singer: Wei-Lian Huang. Ensemble: Scherzi Musicali.
    • Charpentier: Actéon.
    • Ricercar.
    • 24.

  • Jane Mary Guest

    Violin sonata in B flat major Op.1 no.3 (2nd mvt)

    Performer: Yi-heng Yang. Performer: Aisslinn Nosky.
    • A Richness of Fancy: The Complete Sonatas Op. 1 of Jane Mary Guest.
    • Deux-Elles.
    • 6.

  • Antonio Vivaldi

    Violin concerto in D major RV.213a 'per Signora Anna Maria' (3rd mvt)

    Performer: Andrés Gabetta. Performer: Mario Stefano Pietrodarchi. Ensemble: Gabetta Consort.
    • From Venice to Buenos Aires.
    • Pentatone.
    • 3.

  • Astor Piazzolla

    Allegro dell'alba tangabile

    Performer: Andrés Gabetta. Performer: Mario Stefano Pietrodarchi. Music Arranger: Roberto Molinelli. Ensemble: Gabetta Consort.
    • From Venice to Buenos Aires.
    • Pentatone.
    • 4.

  • Luca Salvadori

    Ouverture Tango-Baroque

    Performer: Andrés Gabetta. Performer: Mario Stefano Pietrodarchi. Ensemble: Gabetta Consort.
    • From Venice to Buenos Aires.
    • Pentatone.
    • 5.

Broadcast

  • Yesterday14:00
    BBC Radio 3

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