Record Review

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Music: Classical

A thorough look at the week's classical music releases, plus news and recommendations.

A thorough look at the week's classical music releases, plus news and the Radio 3 Disc of the Week recommendation.

Record Review: Beethoven Symphony No. 8 in Building a Library with Richard Wigmore and Andrew McGregor

Beethoven Symphony No. 8 in Building a Library with Richard Wigmore and Andrew McGregor

BBC Radio 3 - Record Review, Beethoven Symphony No. 8 in Building a Library with Richard Wigmore and Andrew McGregor

Richard Wigmore chooses his favourite recording of Beethoven's Symphony No 8 in F.

In Building a Library, Richard Wigmore chooses his favourite recording of Beethoven's Symphony No 8 in F, and pianist Charles Owen shares a clutch of exciting new releases.

Andrew McGregor with the best new recordings of classical music.

9.30 am
Pianist Charles Owen is in the studio with a clutch of exciting new releases and shares his 'On Repeat' track – a recording which he is currently listening to again and again.

10.30 am
Richard Wigmore chooses his favourite recording of Beethoven's Symphony No. 8 in F, Op. 93.

Beethoven's Symphony No. 8 has often suffered in comparison to its immediate symphonic neighbours (when asked why people favoured the Seventh symphony over the Eighth, Beethoven replied “Because the Eighth is so much better”). In one sense the Eighth is just like all Beethoven's symphonies, each one of which is revolutionary and breaks new musical ground compared to its predecessor. This time, Beethoven's preoccupations were concision, formal subversion, ebullient energy and musical humour. Beethoven's instrumental writing is remarkable, too, and well over a century after its 1814 premiere, the Eighth impressed no less a judge than Igor Stravinsky, who knew a thing or two about orchestration.

Richard's recommended recording:
Kammerphilharmonie Bremen
Paavo Järvi (conductor)
RCA 88697006552

Recommended period instrument recording:
London Classical Players
Roger Norrington (conductor)
Erato 0834232

11.20 am
Record of the Week: Andrew’s top pick.

Send us your On Repeat recommendations at recordreview@bbc.co.uk or tweet us @BBCRadio3

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