Radio 3 Requests - 19/07/2009

Fiona Talkington introduces this week's pick of listeners' choices, including an evocative archive tribute to John Betjeman in both words and music. Featuring excerpts from a stunning disc of Monteverdi by the group L'Arpeggiata and a chance to hear an electrifying performance of Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring given by the BBC National Orchestra of Wales. Harpsichordist Gary Cooper explains why a rare, vintage performance of chamber music by Tchaikovsky is his perfect evening's listening. Gershwin I don’t Think I’ll Fall in Love today Dawn Upshaw & David Garrison (voice), Orchestra of St Luke’s, Eric Stern (conductor) NONESUCH 7559 79498-2 t3 Haydn Variations in F minor Hob XVII/6 Sarah Beth Briggs (piano) SML MP14 t1 Respighi arr. Snell March - The Pines of Rome Brighouse and Rastrick Band, David Hirst (conductor) GRASMERE GRCD99 t18 Dring A Bay in Anglesey Robert Tear (tenor), Philip Ledger (piano) MERIDIAN CDE84386 t11 Lucas Ruiz de Ribayaz y Foncea Xácaras Andrew Lawrence King and the Harp Consort DEUTSCHE HARMONIA MUNDI 0547277810 2 -1 t2 Mendelssohn War March of the Priests (from Athalie) Wayne Marshall (organ of Peterborough cathedral) VIRGIN VM5617032 t10 Stravinsky arr Crabb and Draugsvoll Petrushka Scene 1 James Crabb and Geir Draugsvoll (accordions) EMI CDZ5697052 tr 1 Tchaikovsky Piano Trio – I Pezzo elegiaco David Oistrakh (violin), Sviatoslav Knushevitsky (cello), Lev Oborin (piano) ARCHIPEL ARPCD0204 t4 Kodaly Missa Brevis – Gloria Danish National Radio Choir, Niels Henrik Nielsen (organ), Stefan Parkman (conductor) CHANDOS CHAN 9754 t3 Monteverdi Oblivion soave Philippe Jaroussky (counter-tenor), L’Arpeggiata VIRGIN 2361402 t10 Stravinsky The Rite of Spring BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Jac van Steen (conductor) BBC recording – not commercially available