W. A. MOZART
Mozart: Cosi fan Tutte (complete opera recorded in 2009) BLU-RAY Zurich Opera / Malin Hartelius, Anna Bonitatibus, Martina Janková, Javier Camarena / Franz Welser-Most (conductor) [ Arthaus Blu-Ray / Blu-ray Disc - released 10/May/2010 ] "The singing is uniformly excellent. Malin Hartelius is a terrific Fiordiligi, her vibrato prominent but never bothersome, her inflections ideal, her sense of silliness sublime." 10/10 highest rating Classicstoday.com |
FRANZ LEHAR
Lehár: Das Land des Lächelns [The Land Of Smiles] (complete operetta recorded in 2017) Zurich Opera / Piotr Beczala, Julia Kleiter, Rebeca Olvera, Spencer Lang / Fabio Luisi (conductor) [ Accentus DVD / DVD - released 20/Nov/2018 ] "Fabio Luisi conducts with a subtle consciousness of the requisite style and the orchestra sounds marvellous" Opera |
ANTONIN DVOARK
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Dvorak: Stabat Mater Op 58 Zvetkova, Donose, Botha, Scandiuzzi, Johan Botha, Roberto Scandiuzzi / Staatskapelle Dresden, Sinopoli [ Deutsche Grammophon / 2 CD - released 17/May/2001 ] GRAMOPHONE AWARD NOMINATION 2002 - Choral |
TRADITIONAL
A Family Christmas Andrea Bocelli, Matteo Bocelli, Virginia Bocelli [ Classics & Jazz UK / CD - released 21/Oct/2022 ] This holiday season, internationally renowned tenor Andrea Bocelli is teaming up with his 24-year-old son Matteo Bocelli and 10-year-old daughter Virginia Bocelli for their first ever album together, A Family Christmas. A Family Christmas... |
Hailu Mergia
Hailu Mergia & His Classical Instrument (LP) [ Awesome Tapes From Africa / LP - released 1/Jul/2013 ] Hailu Mergia is an Ethiopian one-man-band accordion/keyboardist extraordinaire. Hailu made his name in Walias Band and later went on to do some visionary solo recordings. Hailu Mergia's beautiful and surprising 1985 foray into traditional Ethiopian... |
Ólafur Arnalds
Some Kind Of Peace - Piano Reworks (LP) [ Mercury KX / LP - released 28/Oct/2022 ] Creative reimaginings for piano of Ólafur Arnald's some kind of peace album (2020). The Icelandic modern classical composer, performer and producer brings together a diverse group of friends, collaborators, and musical kindred spirits from across... |
Michael Giacchino
Spider-Man: No Way Home (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) (Picture Disc LP) [ Sony Classical / LP - released 3/Jun/2022 ] For the first time in the cinematic history of Spider-Man, our friendly neighbourhood hero's identity is revealed, bringing his Superhero responsibilities into conflict with his normal life and putting those he cares about most at risk. When he... |
IGOR STRAVINSKY
Stravinsky: The Soldier's Tale Bridgehampton Chamber Music Festival Musicians / Roger Waters (narrator) [ Sony Classical / CD - released 16/Nov/2018 ] Rock legend Roger Waters has adapted the narration and recorded Igor Stravinsky's The Soldier's Tale where he narrates the whole of this harrowing modern fairy tale himself. |
The String Theory
The Los Angeles Suite (LP) [ ADA / Warner / LP - released 25/Sep/2020 ] Grammy-nominated neoclassical pop orchestra from Berlin/Gothenburg releases new album on newly founded label Project C/Clouds Hill. Maverick orchestra The String Theory may be known primarily for their long-term collaboration with the gentle... |
Various Artists
Andy Warhol And Music [ Sony Classical / 2 CD - released 11/Oct/2019 ] This is the first ever musical compilation dedicated to Andy Warhol. The compilation highlights the musical and artistic abundance of the 1960s/70s with leading artists like Lou Reed, Tina Turner, John Cale. Rarely has the existence and work of... |
Various Artists
The Best Ever: Christmas [ Rhino / 2 CD - released 15/Nov/2017 ] The Best Ever Christmas collection features 40 seasonal favourites in an amazing value package. It includes a selection of classic songs from huge artists such as Chris Rea, East 17, Frankie Valli and The Overtones. |
GEORG FRIDERIC HANDEL
Handel: Oratorios: Messiah, Athalia, Esther and La Resurrezione [8 CD set] Academy of Ancient Music / Emma Kirkby / Joan Sutherland / Aled Jones / David Thomas et al [ Decca / 8 CD Box Set - released 7/Dec/2005 ] Now at budget price! Christopher Hogwood's pioneering period instrument recordings of 4 Handel oratorios. |
GEORG FRIDERIC HANDEL
Handel: Messiah (complete oratorio Live from the Chapel of King's College, Cambridge 2009) Ailish Tynan, Alice Coote, Allan Clayton & Matthew Rose / Choir of King's College, Academy of Ancient Music, Stephen Cleobury [ Warner Classics / 2 CD Box Set - released 10/Mar/2010 ] "The first choral concert transmitted live to 85 cinemas, Stephen Cleobury's interpretation ticks all the boxes, with choir and orchestra impeccably balanced, and soloists glowing." The Independent, 24th April 2009 **** |
ERIK SATIE
Erik Satie - Old Sequins and Ancient Breastplates [Historial Recordings 1926-1961] Aldo Ciccolini, Francis Poulenc, William Masselos, Manuel Rosenthal, Igor Markevitch, Pierre Bernac, etc [ Cherry Red Records / 4 CD Box Set - released 9/Dec/2022 ] A four disc Box set collection of historic Satie recordings, ranging from the 1920's onwards. Including such rarities as Henri Sauguet's 'Socrate' for solo voice and orchestra; piano sets by William Masselos and Aldo Ciccolini. |
MANUEL de FALLA
Manuel de Falla - The Spanish Soul Alicia de Larrocha (piano), Turibio Santos (guitar), Victoria de los Angeles (soprano), Jean-Claude Gérard (flute), Orquesta Nacional de España, etc [ Warner Classics / 11 CD Box Set - released 12/Nov/2021 ] Manuel de Falla is regarded as the greatest Spanish composer of the twentieth century. Established in Paris from 1907 to 1914, he met Debussy, Ravel and Dukas and steeped himself in their works. |
Andre Rieu
The Christmas I Love [ Universal / CD - released 17/Dec/2012 ] The Christmas I Love is a lovely collection of standard Christmas carols and holiday-themed classical pieces performed by "the Waltz King of PBS," Andre Rieu and the Johann Strauss Orchestra. It's an understated and enchanting collection of holiday... |
FREDERIC CHOPIN
Intimate Chopin (LP) Andrei Gavrilov, Alexandre Tharaud, Samson Francois, Nicholas Angelich, Nikolai Lugansky, Ingrid Fliter [ Warner Classics / LP - released 30/Sep/2022 ] Not very forthcoming as a person, Chopin invents a new type of touch, able to render the immaterial, to encompass absolute limpidity, and the full gamut of modern pianism...the versions collected here are all performed by Warner's greatest artists. |
LUDWIG van BEETHOVEN
Beethoven: Heroic Beethoven (LP) András Schiff, Stephen Kovacevich, Rudolf Buchbinder (piano) / Chamber Orchestra of Europe, Nikolaus Harnoncourt / Artemis Quartet / etc [ Warner Classics / 2 LP - released 22/May/2020 ] Ludwig van Beethoven is one of the towering heroes of music. As a composer, he became a transformational, sometimes revolutionary force. As a man of spirit and inspiration, he triumphed over deafness to produce a wealth of masterpieces. Over the... |
GIACOMO PUCCINI
Puccini: La Rondine (Complete opera recorded in 2009) Metropolitan Opera / Angela Gheorghiu, Roberto Alagna, Lisette Oropesa / Marco Armiliato (cond) [ Warner Classics DVD / DVD - released 4/Oct/2010 ] "I have never heard Alagna sing better, and Gheorghiu is at her sumptuous best. There are comparably beautiful performances by the younger couple, Marius Brenciu and Lisette Oropesa" New York Daily News |
GAETANO DONIZETTI
Donizetti: Anna Bolena [complete opera recorded in 2011] Vienna State Opera / Anna Netrebko, Elina Garanca, Ildebrando D'Arcangelo / Evelino Pido (cond) [ Deutsche Grammophon DVD / 2 DVD - released 16/Feb/2012 ] With her sensational role debut at the Vienna State Opera, superstar diva Anna Netrebko displays a performance of rare vocal and dramatic power. The Russian soprano sings the role of the unjustly accused second wife of British King Henry VIII,... |