Beethoven's 1st Piano Concerto in Building a Library with Joanna MacGregor and Andrew McGregor
Joanna MacGregor chooses her favourite version of Beethoven's 1st Piano Concerto; and Roger Parker reviews some exciting new releases.
Andrew McGregor with the best new recordings of classical music.
1405
Roger Parker reviews some exciting new releases
1500
Building a Library
Joanna MacGregor chooses her favourite version of Beethoven's 1st Piano Concerto.
When he first got to Vienna, Beethoven concentrated on studying composition with Haydn. But by 1795 he was confident enough to launch a career as a pianist-composer. He started his Piano Concerto No 1 in C major and probably performed it that year at the Burgtheater in Vienna. But in 1800 he revised the concerto and that is the version we know today. The concerto is full of the energy and life-force that roars through all Beethoven's greatest works and is a great favourite with pianists and audience alike.
Recommended version
Emil Gilels (piano)
Cleveland Orchestra
George Szell (conductor)
Warner Classics 9029589518
1545
Record of the Week: Andrew鈥檚 top pick.
To listen on most smart speakers just say 鈥渁sk 麻豆社 Sounds to play Record Review鈥�
Last on
Music Played
-
![]()
Johann Rosenm眉ller
Surgamus ad laudes
Ensemble: Ensemble 1684. Conductor: Gregor Meyer.- Johann Rosenm眉ller: Dixit Dominus 路 Sacred Concertos.
- CPO.
- 201.
-
![]()
Max Reger
Tr盲ume am Kamin Op.143 (Nos 2 and 4)
Performer: Luigi Palombi.- Dynamic.
-
![]()
Ludwig van Beethoven
Leonore Overture no.3 Op.72b
Orchestra: Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Leonard Bernstein.- BR Klassik.
- 5.
-
![]()
Johannes Brahms
Cello Sonata in E minor Op.38 (2nd mvt)
Performer: Emanuel Gruber. Performer: Arnon Erez.- Bridge Records.
-
![]()
Gaetano Donizetti
L'ajo nell'imbarzzo (Act 1 Trio)
Singer: Alex Esposito. Singer: Francesco Lucii. Singer: Marilena Ruta. Orchestra: Orchestra Donizetti Opera. Conductor: Vincenzo Milletar矛.- Naxos.
-
![]()
Ildebrando Pizzetti
Requiem mass (Agnus Dei)
Choir: Coro Euridice. Conductor: Pier Paolo Scattolin.- Tactus.
-
![]()
Giorgio Federico Ghedini
Maria lavava (2 Canti sacri)
Choir: Coro Euridice. Conductor: Maurizio Guernieri.- Tactus.
-
![]()
Giorgio Federico Ghedini
Dove vai, Madonna mia (2 Canti sacri)
Choir: Coro Euridice. Conductor: Maurizio Guernieri.- Tactus.
-
![]()
Franz Anton Hoffmeister
Concerto for 2 horns in E major (3rd mvt)
Performer: Stephan Schottst盲dt. Performer: Christoph E脽. Orchestra: South-West German Chamber Orchestra Pforzheim. Conductor: Johannes Moesus.- Hoffmeister: Orchestral Works.
- CPO.
- 107.
-
![]()
Karl Weigl
Symphony no.3 in B flat major (1st mvt)
Orchestra: Deutsche Staatsphilharmonie Rheinland鈥怭falz. Conductor: J眉rgen Bruns.- Weigl: Symphony No. 3 in B-Flat Major & Symphonic Prelude to a Tragedy.
- CapriccioNR.
- 101.
-
![]()
Paul Ignaz Liechtenauer
Missa II Purificationis B.V.M. Op.2 no.2 (Gloria)
Ensemble: Die K枚lner Akademie. Conductor: Michael Alexander Willens.- Paul Ignaz Liechtenauer: 4 Masses op. 2.
- CPO.
- 102.
-
![]()
Ruth Gipps
Symphony No. 1 in F Minor, Op. 22: II. Adagio
Orchestra: 麻豆社 Philharmonic. Conductor: Rumon Gamba.- Gipps: Orchestral Works Vol. 3.
- Chandos.
- 108.
Broadcast
- Saturday 14:00麻豆社 Radio 3
Composers A to Z
Visit the extensive Radio 3 audio archive of programmes about composers and their works.
Browse previous episodes of the Record Review Podcast
All episodes since 2010, listed alphabetically by composer surname.
Why the music we love as teens stays with us for life
Cognitive neuropyschology can explain why we return to old favourites again and again.