Record Review Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Building a Library: Mahler's Second Symphony Apr 25, 2017

Show notes

William Mival assesses recordings of Mahler's epic Symphony No. 2 'Resurrection' and makes a recommendation. A journey from the darkness of a funeral march via the terror of the Last Judgement through to the light of redemption and, finally, resurrection is not to be undertaken lightly.

Andrew McGregor celebrates Record Store Day 2017 and 60 years of Record Review with a special programme broadcast live from Spiritland, a listening café just north of King's Cross in London.

Building a Library: Rachmaninov's Cello Sonata Apr 15, 2017

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Rachmaninov's Cello Sonata was overshadowed by the success of his Piano Concerto No. 2.

Building a Library: Kodaly's Dances of Galanta Apr 08, 2017

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Kodaly's joyful work is based on the Hungarian dances of Galanta where he lived as a boy.

Building a Library: Verdi's Aida Apr 01, 2017

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Set in the Egypt of the Pharaohs, Verdi's Aida premiered at the Cairo opera house in 1871

Building a Library: Mozart's Clarinet Concerto Mar 25, 2017

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Mozart's final instrumental work was written for his friend, clarinettist Anton Stadler.

Building a Library: Messiaen's Quartet for the End of Time Mar 21, 2017

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Messaien's piece was premiered at a prisoner of war camp, outdoors in the rain, in 1941.

Building a Library: Schoenberg's Gurrelieder Mar 11, 2017

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Building a Library on Schoenberg's epic cantata Gurrelieder. Nicholas Baragwanath guides us through this gargantuan late flowering of 19th-century Romanticism in which Schoenberg wove together a sumptuous score that can be surprising to people accustomed to the more astringent sound world of his later works.

Building a Library: Survey of Ethel Smyth recordings Mar 04, 2017

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Kate Kennedy explores the music of an underrated English composer and a member of the women's suffrage movement.

Building a Library: Ives's Second Symphony Feb 27, 2017

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Edward Seckerson joins Andrew McGregor to assess recordings of Ives Symphony No. 2.

Building a Library: Rodrigo's Concierto de Aranjuez Feb 18, 2017

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Tom McKinney heads to Spain with the ever-popular Rodrigo Guitar Concerto.