In this episode of 'Classics Unlocked', Graham Abbott discusses the wonder and mystery of Johann Sebastian Bach's Six Suites for Solo Cello. This episode of Classics Unlocked featured the following recording: J.S. BACH: The Six Cello Suites Pierre Fournier, cello Deutsche Grammophon 483 6385 (2-CD + BluRay Audio Disc set) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information ..read more

In this episode of 'Classics Unlocked', Graham Abbott explores the powerful and emotive symphonies of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. This episode of Classics Unlocked features the following recording: P. TCHAIKOVSKY: The Symphonies; Symphonic Poems Mikhail Pletnev, conductor Russian National Orchestra Deutsche Grammophon 477 8699 (7-CD) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information ..read more

In this episode of Classics Unlocked, Graham Abbott explores one of the landmarks of 20th century piano music in Claude Debussy's Preludes. Following the tradition laid down by JS Bach and Chopin (among others), Debussy wrote a set of 24 preludes (across two books of twelve), but the stress on them wasn't so much key as it was colour, expression and emotional impact. This episode of Classics Unlocked featured the following recording: DEBUSSY: Preludes I & II Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli, piano Deutsche Grammophon DISCOVER Book I: https://uma.lnk.to/UTg76M7nID DISCOVER Book II: https://u ..read more

In this episode of 'Classics Unlocked', Graham Abbott explores one of the last of the German Romantic composers, Richard Strauss, who is today remembered primarily for creating stunning works in two genres: orchestral tone poems and operas. Yet Strauss should be remembered just as much for his creation of music in another genre, because he took up the challenge of continuing and developing the German song tradition in a form usually known as Lieder. An extension of the form was the orchestral song, and Strauss composed more than 40 orchestral songs, spanning most of his life. The soloists fea ..read more

In this episode of 'Classics Unlocked', Graham Abbott explores one of the mightiest works for the keyboard: Johann Sebastian Bach's 'Goldberg Variations'. Today, it stands alongside the St Matthew Passion, the Mass in B minor, The Art of Fugue and the Musical Offering as an eternal musical monument. This episode features four different recordings, headed by Lang Lang's 2020 Deutsche Grammophon album: BACH: Goldberg Variations Lang Lang, piano DG 481 8971 DISCOVER: https://uma.lnk.to/usjMcRfFYP​ BACH: Goldberg Variations (Extended Edition) Lang Lang, piano DG 481 9701 DISCOVER: https://uma.l ..read more

This episode of Classics Unlocked delves into some rather recent piano music, from one of the most famous of all contemporary composers. Philip Glass is considered one of the founding fathers of the movement known as ‘Minimalism’. Graham Abbott explores one particular aspect of Glass’s canon – his Études for solo piano, using the 2017 Deutsche Grammophon album from Icelandic performer Víkingur Ólafsson. This episode features the 2017 Deutsche Grammophon recording: GLASS: Piano Works Víkingur Ólafsson, piano DG 479 6918 DISCOVER: https://uma.lnk.to/GlassPianoID Hosted on Acast. See acast.co ..read more

In this episode of Classics Unlocked, Graham Abbott looks at the solo piano music of Pyotr Ilich Tchaikovsky. Best known for his dramatic symphonies, ballets and concertos, Tchaikovsky wrote a plethora of smaller works which rarely see the light of day. Thanks to a recording project from Decca pianist Valentina Lisitsa, Graham shines the torch on the many beautiful pieces the Russian master composed for the solo piano. TCHAIKOVSKY: THE COMPLETE SOLO PIANO WORKS Valentina Lisitsa, piano Decca Classics LISTEN: https://uma.lnk.to/cJp46ZYOWE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more inform ..read more

In this episode of Classics Unlocked, Graham Abbott explores the piano music of Béla Bartók. His music was, by and large, influenced by his researches into folk music traditions, but he also wrote works with starkly modernist characteristics. He was not only one of the great composers and music educators of the 20th century, but also one of its great pianists. And a pianist who wrote an enormous amount of wonderful music for the piano. The music in this episode features: ANDOR FOLDES COMPLETE DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON RECORDINGS Andor Foldes, piano DG/Eloquence 484 1256 DISCOVER: https://Eloquenc ..read more

In this episode, Graham Abbott completes his journey dissecting the 32 published piano sonatas of Ludwig van Beethoven by examining those classified as being written in his 'late' period, with specific attention paid to the composer's use of harmony and fugal structures. This episode of Classics Unlocked featured the following recording: BEETHOVEN: Complete Piano Sonatas Wilhelm Kempff, piano Deutsche Grammophon 483 7429 (8-CD + Bluray) DISCOVER: https://UMA.lnk.to/sijPHID Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information ..read more

In this episode of 'Classics Unlocked', Graham Abbott provides an introduction to the two completed concertos by Sir Edward Elgar. Mention 'Elgar' and 'concerto' in the same sentence, and the chances are the piece that will come to mind will be his famous Cello Concerto from 1919; however Elgar also completed a magnificent, grand concerto for solo violin, composed a decade earlier. This episode of Classics Unlocked featured the following recordings: ALFREDO CAMPOLI: THE BEL CANTO VIOLIN - VOL 5 Alfredo, Campoli, violin Decca/Eloquence 482 5143 ELGAR Sheku Kanneh-Mason, cello Decca Classics ..read more