Classics Unlocked with Graham Abbott

In this episode of Classics Unlocked, Graham Abbott unlocks the enormous orchestral output of Johannes Brahms – works which look simultaneously backwards and forwards, in the sense that they say something truly new for their times and in the sense that they provide a new foundation of their own for composers who followed.

This episode featured Decca recordings reissued on the Eloquence label:

BRAHMS: The Orchestral Music

Gewandhausorchester Leipzig

Kurt Masur, conductor

Decca Classics 484 0144 (8-CD)

DISCOVER: https://Eloquence.lnk.to/WwxARdcXID

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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

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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.lnk.to/zomHEe0QYP​

BACH: Goldberg Variations

George Malcolm, harpsichord

Decca Eloquence 482 8439

DISCOVER: https://Eloquence.lnk.to/000289482843...​

BACH: Goldberg Variations

Julian Rachlin, violin; Nobuko Imai, viola; Mischa Maisky, cello

DG 477 6378

DISCOVER: https://uma.lnk.to/0PYI5JJY​

BACH: Goldberg Variations

Catrin Finch, harp

DG 4778097

DISCOVER: https://uma.lnk.to/SYQjBjv0​

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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 485 0241

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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 featured in this episode of Classics Unlocked are:

Jessye Norman

https://uma.lnk.to/AQLglAiIID​

Karita Mattila

https://uma.lnk.to/6thkJvcSID​

Christine Schäfer

https://uma.lnk.to/KzUEkJ3CID​

Renée Fleming

https://uma.lnk.to/TaYhiQocID​

Lisa Della Casa

https://uma.lnk.to/uAW4T5jTID

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