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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鈾 major, Op. 81a, known as Les Adieux ("The Farewell"), was written around 1810. The French attack on Vienna, led by Napol茅on 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鈥檚 top pick.

Send us your On Repeat recommendations at recordreview@bbc.co.uk or tweet us @成人快手Radio3

2 hours, 47 minutes

Music Played

  • Erwin Schulhoff

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

    Performer: Daniel Hope. Orchestra: Z眉rcher Kammerorchester.
    • Deutsche Grammophon.
  • Jean Sibelius

    Lemmink盲inen Suite, Op. 22 iv) Lemmink盲inen's Return

    Orchestra: Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra. Conductor: Susanna M盲lkki.
    • BIS.
  • Dora Peja膷evi膰

    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 G眉nst. Performer: Jen艖 Lisztes. Performer: Omar Massa. Performer: Joscho Stephan. Singer: St茅phane 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 脿 4

    Performer: Jean-Fran莽ois 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 Jan谩膷ek

    Pt谩膷ci p艡ilet铆 na mohylu (Katya Kabanova, act iii)

    Singer: Amanda Majeski. Singer: Magdalena Ko啪en谩. Singer: Claire Barnett-Jones. Singer: Ladislav Elgr. Singer: Simon O鈥橬eill. Singer: Andrew Staples. Singer: Luk谩拧 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.
  • Anton铆n Dvo艡谩k

    Slavonic Dance in E minor, Op.72 no 2

    Orchestra: Czech Philharmonic. Conductor: Ji艡铆 B臎lohl谩vek.
    • DECCA.
  • C茅cile 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-Andr茅 Hamelin

    Variations on a theme of Paganini

    Performer: Marc-Andr茅 Hamelin.
    • Hyperion.
  • Jean鈥怋aptiste 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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