WHAT’S ON

The Sage, Gateshead, hosts the Mitsuko Uchida Piano Recital at 7.30pm, today.

Works by Mozart, Bert, Beethoven and Schumann. 0191-443-4661.

REVIEWS

Bach: The Well-Tempered Clavier, Angela Hewitt 4 CDs (Hyperion CDA67741/4)

Angela Hewitt entranced a North-East audience with a magical recital when she appeared in Gateshead, last year as part of her Bach World tour. After performing in 58 cities, Hewitt has made a new recording. Simply not to be missed.

Rubinstein: Cello Sonatas (Hyperion CDA67660)

Remembered today as one of the greatest of all 19th Century piano virtuosos, Anton Rubinstein was also a celebrated composer. His two Cello Sonatas are recorded here by Czech cellist Jiri Barta and Romantic specialist Hamish Milne.

The English Stage Jig (Hyperion CDA67754)

Expect belching, swearing, nudity and tomfoolery in a hilariously bawdy offering from Lucie Skeaping and The City Waites. The English Stage Jig presents works from Shakespeare’s London in their first ever recordings – and offers a glimpse into an almost forgotten area of our theatrical past. Fun and informative.

Clementi: The Complete Piano Sonatas Volume 3 (Hyperion, CDA67729)

Howard Shelley's series of Clementi's piano sonatas continues with sonatas dating from the period just after the composer’s adventures in Europe, that included an unfortunate and well-known confrontation with Mozart. Clementi, has been much maligned, but his music was praised during his lifetime for its novel freedoms in tempo and dynamics. Shelley has done this neglected composer full justice.

Mozart: Piano Concertos Nos 11, 12 & 13 (CDH55333) )

This recording gives intimate versions of three of the composer's masterpieces, that have scarcely been played, let alone set to disc, in the modern concert era. Pianist Susan Tomes brings out their full splendour. Well worthwhile.