JEAN SIBELIUS
Sibelius: Symphonies Nos 1-7, Kullervo, Pohjola's Daughter, The Oceanides Monica Groop (mezzo), Peter Mattei (baritone) / London Symphony Chorus & London Symphony Orchestra, Sir Colin Davis [ LSO Live SACD + Blu-ray audio / 6 CD/Blu-ray Disc - released 14/Oct/2016 ] This digibox set of classic LSO Live recordings also features a Pure Audio Blu-ray, containing HD master audio, allowing listeners to experience this award-winning cycle in a whole new way. |
OFFENBACH
Tales of Hoffmann (complete opera) Monica Sinclair, Robert Helpmann, Margherita Grandi, Robert Rounseville, Owen Brannign, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra / Sir Thomas Beecham [ Pearl / 2 CD - released 1/Jan/2005 ] This recording was used for the film, famous for its balletic pairing of Monica Sinclair and Robert Helpmann. Cast and conductor provide a freshness and magic to the score perhaps unequalled since. |
FELIX MENDELSSOHN
Mendelssohn: A Midsummer Night's Dream - Overture & Incidental Music Ceri-lyn Cissone (Hermia/Fairy/Titania); Alexander Knox (Lysander/Puck) / Monteverdi Choir, London Symphony Orchestra, Sir John Eliot Gardiner [ LSO Live SACD + BLU-RAY AUDIO / 2 CD/Blu-ray Disc - released 1/Mar/2017 ] Continuing his award-winning cycle of works by Felix Mendelssohn, Sir John Eliot Gardiner leads the LSO, his Monteverdi Choir and three talented young actors from the Guildhall in a landmark performance of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'. |
CLAUDIO MONTEVERDI
Monteverdi: Vespro della beata Vergine (1610) DVD/Blu-ray Monteverdi Choir & The English Baroque Soloists, Sir John Eliot Gardiner [ Alpha DVD + Blu-ray / 2 Blu-ray Disc/DVD - released 10/Jul/2015 ] "there are exquisite solos too, especially from soprano Silvia Frigato and tenor Nicholas Mulroy." (Gramophone) |
Sir Howard Morrison
Once in a Lifetime [ Rajon Music Group / DVD - released 17/Aug/2009 ] On this DVD, Sir Howard reflects on his life... Beginnings, Going Solo & Later Years. Episode One - Beginnings In this first episode Sir Howard takes us through his Whakapapa, his upbringing & early life. He also discusses those early years with... |
W.A. MOZART
Requiem in D minor Marie Arnet (soprano) Anna Stephany (mezzo) Andrew Kennedy (tenor), Darren Jeffrey (bass) / London Symphony Orchestra & Chorus / Sir Colin Davis [ LSO Live / CD - released 9/Jun/2008 ] 'Davis's approach to the Requiem...contained both tragic grandeur and high drama, with the Dies Irae pointing the way towards the theatrical vividness of some 19th-century settings, but nothing was remotely sentimental of self-pitying' The Guardian |
BEETHOVEN
Piano Concertos Nos. 1-5 (complete) (recorded in 1988) Murray Perahia (piano) / Academy of St Martin in the Fields / Sir Neville Marriner [ EuroArts Medici Arts DVD / 2 DVD - released 10/Oct/2011 ] "Murray Perahia… is undoubtedly on tremendous form. He displays limitless reserves of strength for the bravura passages and a huge strong tenderness in, for instance, the opening of the slow movement of the Third Concerto." (BBC Music) |
EDWARD GRIEG / ROBERT SCHUMANN
Grieg / Schumann: Piano Concertos (Rec 1989) Murray Perahia (piano) / Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, Sir Colin Davis [ Sony Classical Masters / CD - released 20/May/2011 ] "Murray Perahia's 1987 Schumann and Grieg concertos with Colin Davis remain the most recommendable digitally recorded pairing of these war-horses, and they bloom even more via Sony's Expanded Edition remastering." (ClassicsToday) |
SMETANA
The Bartered Bride (Complete Opera) Neal Davies / Yvonne Howard / Susan Gritton / Geoffrey Moses / Philharmonia Orchestra / Royal Opera Chorus / Sir Charles Mackerras [ Chandos / 2 CD - released 1/Oct/2005 ] "A crisp, witty translation gives added sparkle to a terrific performance" - Editor's Choice Gramophoen Magazine November 2005 |
LUDWIG van BEETHOVEN
Beethoven: Symphony No. 9 "Choral" The New Company / Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment / Sir Charles Mackerras [ Signum / CD - released 20/Nov/2011 ] "No passage from darkness to light here, but a pervasive exaltation even in the first movement...However many Ninths you own, add this to your treasury." (Five Stars BBC Music) |
ERIC COATES
The Merrymakers Overture / Summer Days Suite / From Meadow to Mayfair Suite / The Three Elizabeths Suite / The Three Bears Phantasy / etc New Philharmonia Orchestra / London Philharmonic Orchestra / Sir Adrian Boult (conductor) [ Lyrita / CD - released 1/Apr/2007 ] “This is one of those albums for when one is depressed. It cannot help but lift the spirits and bring a smile to the face. What made Boult’s conducting so convincing in lighter English music is that he was affectionate but not sentimental. He always... |
VARIOUS COMPOSERS
Soprano (Aria Recital) Nicole Cabell (soprano) / London Philharmonic Orchestra / Sir Andrew Davis [ Decca / CD - released 12/Mar/2007 ] "For pure singing she is full-fledged already. Indeed it is a remarkable voice and I am already longing to hear more from her – why not a complete opera?" (Recording of the Month MusicWeb April 2007) |
W.A. MOZART
Works for flute (Incls the Flute Concertos and Flute Quartets) Nicolet / Bennett / Ellis / Holliger etc./ Sir Colin Davis / Academy of St.Martin [ Philips Duo / 2 CD - released 1/Jan/2001 ] A specially priced double |
W. A. MOZART
Mozart: Serenade in B flat Major 'Gran Partita' Orchestra of St. Luke's / Sir Charles Mackerras [ Telarc Classics / CD - released 14/Sep/2007 ] "...the playing is beautifully neat, blended and elegant..." -Gramophone |
JOSEF HAYDN
Symphonies Nos 100 Military 101 "Clock" 104 "London" & 103 "Drum Roll""" Orchestra of St Luke's / Sir Charles MacKerras [ 2 CD - released 20/May/2009 ] |
JOSEF HAYDN
Symphonies Nos 100 Military & 103 Drum Roll Orchestra of St Luke's / Sir Charles MacKerras [ Telarc Classics / CD - released 16/Apr/2002 ] "Brisk, spirited readings" - Billboard |
PETER ILYICH TCHAIKOVSKY
Ballet at the Opera (from Eugene Onegin, Oprichnik, The Maid of Orleans, etc) Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, Sir Colin Davis [ SBS Decca Australian Eloquence / CD - released 1/May/2009 ] "An unhackneyed sample of the operatic-balletic Tchaikovsky culled from the well known and the neglected operas - brilliant performed and recorded." (MusicWeb Aug 2007) |
JOAQUIN RODRIGO
Rodrigo: Concierto de Aranjuez / Fantasia para un gentilhombre / etc Pepe Romero (guitar) Augustin Leon Ara (violin) Christine Pendrill (cor anglais) / Academy of St Martin in the Fields, Sir Neville Marriner [ Decca Originals / CD - released 25/Mar/2007 ] A classic Rodrigo recording, featuring his two most popular concertante works - at mid-price for the first time. |
GLIERE
The Glière Orchestral Collection [5 CD set] Peter Dixon (cello) Richard Watkins (horn) / BBC Philharmonic, Sir Edward Downes [ Chandos Classics / 5 CD Box Set - released 8/Sep/2011 ] Sir Edward Downes enjoyed a long association with the BBC Philharmonic, serving as its Chief Guest Conductor, then Principal Conductor, and finally as Conductor Emeritus. His recording of Glière's Symphony No. 3 Ilya Muromets proved the beginning of... |
IGOR STRAVINSKY
Simon Rattle Edition: Stravinsky Peter Donohoe (piano) / London Sinfonetta, Berlin Philharmonic, City of Birmingham Symphony, Sir Simon Rattle [ EMI Simon Rattle Edition / 4 CD Box Set - released 9/Feb/2009 ] The box of Stravinsky contains works from all parts of Stravinsky's musical life including six ballets, Symphonies, Suites, the Ebony Concerto, and more. |