Radio 3 in Concert: Late Works by Bach, Beethoven and Max Reger

The Aris Quartet and clarinettist Annelien Van Wauwe play late works by Bach, Beethoven and Max Reger at Turner Sims, Southampton. These current and recent Radio 3 New Generation Artists join forces at the University of Southampton's intimate concert hall for a programme which explores works which seem to sum up the composers' life-work. In the Art of Fugue, Bach explores the fugal possibilities of a single musical phrase whilst Beethoven develops a musical world which touches the spiritual. As Schumann remarked: "It seems to stand...on the extreme boundary of all that has hitherto been attained by human art and imagination." And the programme ends with Max Reger's masterful but seldom heard Clarinet Quintet, completed just a few days before his death. Presented by Andrew McGregor. Bach: Contrapuncti 1 and 2 from The Art of Fugue, BWV 1080. Beethoven: Quartet No 14 in C sharp minor, Op 131. Aris Quartet. 8.10pm Interval Music: the Agnus Dei from Beethoven's Missa solemnis, which seems to presage some of the musical and spiritual ideas behind his Opus 131, Quartet c. 8.25pm Reger: Clarinet Quintet in A major, Op 146. Aris Quartet with Annelien Van Wauwe (clarinet). Recorded at Turner Sims, Southampton on 14 May 2019