Bartok's Piano Concerto No 2 in Building a Library with Joanna MacGregor and Andrew McGregor

Available for 25 days

Andrew McGregor presents some of the week's best new classical releases. 2.10pm Andrew Matthews-Owen joins Andrew to discuss four new releases that have caught his attention, ranging from a new piano concerto by Polish pianist, composer and singer Hania Rani to Piano Trios by Fauré and Shostakovich. 3pm Building a Library. Pianist Joanna MacGregor assesses recordings of Bartok's Piano Concerto No 2 and makes a top recommendation. Composed in 1930-31, Bartok's Piano Concerto No 2 is one of the most notoriously difficult pieces for piano and orchestra. Responding to criticism that his first piano concerto had been too hard for pianists and audiences alike, Bartok attempted to simplify his musical style in his second concerto. But the virtuosity demanded of the soloist in the second is very high. Fellow Hungarian András Schiff has said that, "For the piano player, it's a finger-breaking piece ... probably the single most difficult piece that I have ever played, and I usually end up with a keyboard covered by blood." Top choice: Bartok Piano concerto no.2 Sz.95 Geza Anda (piano) Radio Symphony Orchestra Berlin Ferenc Fricsay (conductor) Deutsche Grammophon 4473992 3.45pm Record of the Week. Andrew picks the new recording that has most impressed him this week.