The Full Works Concert - Wednesday 7 May 2014
There's been some great new recordings in the last couple of months, and tonight Anne-Marie selects some of the best and plays them in full.
Tonight Anne-Marie Minhall features some of the superb new classical music releases from the past few months.
The concert opens with Chopin's Piano Concerto No.2 in F minor played by Nikolai Lugansky in a brilliant new version with the Sinfonia Varsovia under Russian conductor Alexander Vedernikov. Together, they enhance both the immediacy and sophistication of this sensitive and breathtaking work.
When it comes to authentic performance, the Swedish conductor Thomas Dausgaard and his 30-or-so handpicked players refrain from using original musical instruments. But they do draw on elements of the historical approach - with much faster tempos than might be expected and an energetic, straightforward sound. For the recording of Schubert's fourth symphonies which we hear tonight, expect impressively fine and precise string playing and exuberant energy.
Jean Sibelius's The Swan of Tuonela comes from the suite of four Lemminkäinen Legends, inspired by traditional Finnish myths. In it the majestic motion of the swan is evoked by the arching phrases of the cor anglais. In this new recording, Sir Andrew Davis continues his relationship with the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra to produce a robust, inspiring performance.
English composer Paul Carr has recently produced his second choral disc with the Bath Philharmonia, following on from his highly successful Requiem For An Angel. Tonight we hear his breathtaking a cappella setting of Yeats' The Cloths of Heaven, which aspires to lift the listeners' thoughts and souls to Christ's ultimate destination in paradise.
The young Spanish cellist Pablo Ferrandez has already been marked out for the very top of his profession. After winning the prestigious Prix Edmond de Rothschild at the 2013 Sommets Musicaux de Gstaad in Switzerland, he went on to record his concerto debut CD: Dvorak's masterpiece for the instrument, plus Schumann's intimate concerto from his last years. It's the Schumann we hear tonight.
Frederic Chopin: Piano Concerto No.2 in F minor Opus 21
Piano: Nikolai Lugansky
Alexander Vedernikov conducts Sinfonia Varsovia
Franz Schubert: Symphony No.4 in C minor D.417
Thomas Dausgaard conducts the Swedish Chamber Orchestra
Jean Sibelius: The Swan of Tuonela Opus 22 No.3
Cor anglais: Hege Sellevag
Andrew Davis conducts the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra
Paul Carr: The Cloths of Heaven
Gavin Carr directs Chorus Angelorum
Robert Schumann: Cello Concerto in A minor Opus 129
Cello: Pablo Ferrandez
Radoslaw Szulc conducts the Stuttgart Philharmonic Orchestra
