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Naxos International (Far East) Limited REPRESENTING TODAY’S GREAT LAbELS 8.572294 5b, blue box Factory building, 25 Hing Wo Street, Tin Wan, Aberdeen, Hong Kong Tel: 2951 9557 Email: [email protected] Symphony No. 2 ‘Lobgesang’ (Hymn of Praise) Ruth Ziesak (soprano), Mojca Erdmann (soprano), Christian Elsner (tenor) MDR Radio Choir, MDR Symphony Orchestra, Jun Märkl “Ziesak has a very pleasing light soprano” Classics Today on 8.557900-01 (Mozart: Complete Songs).
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CD OF THE MONTH THIS MONTH’S HIGHLIGHTS: Felix MENDELSSOHN (1809-1847) Symphony No. 2 ‘Lobgesang’ (Hymn of Praise) I. Sinfonia: Maestoso con moto – Allegro – Maestoso con moto come I - I. Allegretto un poco agitato - I. Adagio religioso II. Alles, was Odem hat - II. Lobe den Herrn, meine Seele III. Recitative: Saget es, die ihr erlöst seid – Er zählet unsre Tränen IV. Sagt es, die ihr erlöset seid V. Ich harrete des Herrn VI. Stricke des Todes hatten uns umfangen – Wir riefen in der Finsternis – Die Nacht ist vergangen VII. Die Nacht ist vergangen VIII. Chorale: Nun danket alle Gott IX. Drum sing ich mit meinem Liede X. Ihr Völker! bringet her dem Herrn Ruth Ziesak (soprano), Mojca Erdmann (soprano), Christian Elsner (tenor) MDR Radio Choir, MDR Symphony Orchestra, Jun Märkl Hot on the heels of October’s release of Elijah, comes a new recording of Mendelssohn’s opulent Symphony No. 2 ‘Lobgesang’. Composed to celebrate the 400 th anniversary of Gutenberg’s invention of the printing press, it enjoyed great success following its 1840 première in Leipzig. Principal Conductor and Artistic Director of the MDR Leipzig Radio Symphony, and Music Director of the Orchestre National de Lyon, Jun Märkl is one of the most notable conductors of his generation. Soloists include Ruth Ziesak, Mojca Erdmann and Christian Elsner whose previous Naxos recordings have been highly praised. “Ziesak has a very pleasing light soprano” Classics Today on 8.557900-01 (Mozart: Complete Songs). “Sung in German and with a fine line-up of soloists in Ruth Ziesak, Claudia Mahnke, Christoph Genz and Ralf Lukas, this excellent performance of Mendelssohn’s great Biblical oratorio thrills both in the surges of choral glory and in the moments of tender reflection.” The Daily Telegraph on 8.572228-29 (Mendelessohn: Elijah) DECEMbER 2010 REPRESENTING TODAY’S GREAT LAbELS NEW RELEASE GUIDE Naxos International (Far East) Limited 5b, blue box Factory building, 25 Hing Wo Street, Tin Wan, Aberdeen, Hong Kong Tel: 2951 9557 Email: [email protected] 8.572294
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Page 1: CDs New Release Guide

C D O F T H E M O N T H

THIS MONTH’S HIGHLIGHTS:

Felix MENDELSSOHN (1809-1847)Symphony No. 2 ‘Lobgesang’ (Hymn of Praise)

I. Sinfonia: Maestoso con moto – Allegro – Maestoso con moto come I - I. Allegretto un poco agitato -I. Adagio religioso II. Alles, was Odem hat -II. Lobe den Herrn, meine Seele III. Recitative: Saget es, die ihr erlöst seid – Er zählet unsre TränenIV. Sagt es, die ihr erlöset seid V. Ich harrete des Herrn VI. Stricke des Todes hatten uns umfangen – Wir riefen in der Finsternis – Die Nacht ist vergangen VII. Die Nacht ist vergangenVIII. Chorale: Nun danket alle Gott IX. Drum sing ich mit meinem Liede X. Ihr Völker! bringet her dem Herrn

Ruth Ziesak (soprano), Mojca Erdmann (soprano), Christian Elsner (tenor)MDR Radio Choir, MDR Symphony Orchestra, Jun Märkl

Hot on the heels of October’s release of Elijah, comes a new recording of Mendelssohn’s opulent Symphony No. 2 ‘Lobgesang’. Composed to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Gutenberg’s invention of the printing press, it enjoyed great success following its 1840 première in Leipzig. Principal Conductor and Artistic Director of the MDR Leipzig Radio Symphony, and Music Director of the Orchestre National de Lyon, Jun Märkl is one of the most notable conductors of his generation. Soloists include Ruth Ziesak, Mojca Erdmann and Christian Elsner whose previous Naxos recordings have been highly praised.

“Ziesak has a very pleasing light soprano” Classics Today on 8.557900-01 (Mozart: Complete Songs).

“Sung in German and with a fine line-up of soloists in Ruth Ziesak, Claudia Mahnke, Christoph Genz and Ralf Lukas, this excellent performance of Mendelssohn’s great Biblical oratorio thrills both in the surges of choral glory and in the moments of tender reflection.” The Daily Telegraph on 8.572228-29 (Mendelessohn: Elijah)

DECEMbER 2010REPRESENTING

TODAY’SGREAT LAbELS

NEW RELEASE GUIDE

Naxos International (Far East) Limited5b, blue box Factory building, 25 Hing Wo Street, Tin Wan, Aberdeen, Hong Kong Tel: 2951 9557 Email: [email protected]

8.572294

Page 2: CDs New Release Guide

Sergey Mikhaylovich LYAPUNOV(1859–1924)

Piano Concertos Nos. 1 & 2

Piano Concerto No. 1 in E flat minor, Op. 4; Piano Concerto No. 2 in E major, Op. 38;Rhapsody on Ukrainian Themes, Op. 28

Shorena Tsintsabadze (piano), Russian Philharmonic Orchestra, Dmitry Yablonsky

Sergey Lyapunov’s Piano Concerto No. 2 deserves a place among the great Romantic piano concertos, while the Rhapsody on Ukrainian Themes bears the imprint of Liszt’s virtuosic pianistic style. As a Russian Nationalist composer, Lyapunov was strongly influenced by Mily balakirev, leader of the ‘Mighty Handful’ of composers, to whom he dedicated his Glinka Prize-winning Piano Concerto No. 1.

The young Georgian pianist Shorena Tsintsabadze, a graduate of Moscow’s Tchaikovsky Conservatory, joins the Russian Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Dmitry Yablonsky, whose Naxos discography includes many acclaimed albums of Russian and Romantic repertoire.

Joseph HAYDN (1732-1809)

Missa brevis (1749); Harmoniemesse

Trinity Choir, REBEL Baroque Orchestra (Leader: Jörg Michael Schwarz), Jane Glover

The Missa brevis in F is Haydn’s earliest authenticated Mass and was written shortly before his departure from St Stephen’s in Vienna, where he had been recruited as a choirboy around 1740. Haydn himself, on rediscovering the work almost fifty years later, said he admired it for ‘the melody and a certain youthful fire’.

In contrast, the Harmoniemesse, written for the nameday festivities of Prince Nicolaus II’s wife in 1802, was to be Haydn’s last major composition. Using a full Harmonie (wind band), the work’s expressive intensity belies the end of its composer’s career.

“The choir sings with accuracy, musicality and fervour which it would be hard to beat. The orchestra, sometimes listed as the REBEL Baroque Orchestra are a period instrument group who play with real character.” Music Web International on 8.508009 (Haydn: The Complete Masses)

Luís de FREITAS BRANCO (1890-1955)Orchestral Works Vol. 4

Symphony No. 4; Vathek – Symphonic Poem in the form of variations on an Oriental Theme

RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra, Álvaro Cassuto

This fourth volume in Naxos’s critically acclaimed series of Portuguese composer Luís de Freitas branco’s orchestral music juxtaposes his magnificent Symphonic Poem in the form of variations on an Oriental Theme, Vathek, with Symphony No. 4. As his final symphony, it is an appealing masterpiece that combines Neo-classical stylishness with late Romantic richness.

¡lvaro Cassuto, Portugal’s finest living conductor and an authority on the classical music of his country, is an ideal interpreter of this eminently satisfying yet unaccountably neglected repertoire.

“Cassuto, an expert in his native repertoire, conducts fine and nuanced readings of these works, while the Irish musicians are recorded cleanly… A top recommendation.” Fanfare on 8.572059 (Freitas branco: Orchestral Works, Vol. 2)

Havergal BRIAN (1876-1972)

Symphonies Nos. 17 and 32

In Memoriam

Festal Dance

RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra, Adrian Leaper

Naxos continues its reissue of the Marco Polo recordings of Havergal brian symphonies, of which the Gothic (Naxos 8.557418-19) is the most famous. This CD includes the inventive, fantasia-like Symphony No. 17 (1960-61), and the composer’s last ever work, the dark and affirmative Symphony No. 32 (1968). It is a remarkable achievement for a man of 92.

Composed five decades earlier, the extended symphonic poem In Memoriam (1910), notable for the ‘advanced’ nature of its scoring, is contrasted with the exuberant Festal Dance (1908), once intended as the finale to an early work the composer had originally entitled Fantastic Symphony.

2 DECEMBER 2010

8.570783 8.572126

8.5720208.572624

Page 3: CDs New Release Guide

DECEMBER 2010 3

Charles TOURNEMIRE (1870–1939)

Sagesse, Op. 34; *Poème, Op. 32; *Triptyque, Op. 39; *3 Lieder, Op. 46; *Solitude; *Le désir qui palpite …;*Dialogue sacré, Op. 50

*WORLD PREMIÈRE RECORDINGS

Michael Bundy (baritone), Helen Crayford (piano)

French composer Charles Tournemire was a prolific composer, though much of his output remains unknown and unpublished. Michael R. bundy is an outstanding exponent of French mélodie. His Naxos recordings of the songs of Tournemire, Widor (8.572345) and Vierne (8.572346) are also available.

Gian Francesco MALIPIERO (1883 - 1973)

The Symphonies • 5

Symphony No. 9 “dell’ahimè”; Symphony No. 10 “Atropo”; Sinfonia dello zodiac

Moscow Symphony Orchestra, Antonio de Almeida

The final disc in the series of Gian Francesco Malipiero’s published symphonies, originally issued on Marco Polo. “A great symphonic cycle that is just waiting to be (re)discovered…. the playing by the Moscow Symphony Orchestra and their conductor Antonio de Almeida is stimulating.” MusicWeb International on 8.570878 (Malipiero: The Symphonies • 1)

Igor MARKEVITCH (1912-1983)

Complete Orchestral Works • 7

Piano Concerto; Cantate; Icare

Martyn van den Hoek (piano), Nienke Oostenrijk (soprano),Men’s Voices of the Netherlands Concert Choir, Arnhem Philharmonic Orchestra, Christopher Lyndon-Gee

Igor Markevitch’s extraordinary precocity as a composer is startlingly revealed in this seventh volume of his complete orchestral music.

“It was thrilling to discover that [Markevitch’s music] really is as good as all those amazed early commentators suggested.” Sunday Express

Camille SAINT-SAËNS (1835–1921)Music for Wind Instruments:

Caprice on Danish and Russian; Airs for Flute, Oboe, Clarinet and Piano Op. 79; Clarinet Sonata in E flat major; Oboe Sonata in D major Op. 166; bassoon Sonata in G major Op. 168; Romance in E major Op. 67 (arr. for horn and piano); Tarantella for Flute, Clarinet and Piano Op. 6

Canada’s National Arts Centre Wind Quintet, Stéphane Lemelin (piano)

This recording presents music from Saint-Saëns’ early days as the ‘bright young thing’ on the Parisian music scene to the last year of his life. Canada’s renowned National Arts Centre Wind Quintet joins Stéphane Lemelin, to interpret these assured and beautiful works which combine virtuosity, gentle wit and thoroughly French charm.

David POST (b. 1949)

String Quartet No. 2

Fantasia on a Virtual Choral; String Quartet No. 4 ‘Three Photographs of Abelardo Morell’; String Quartet No. 3

Hawthorne String Quartet

Whether inspired by the artistry of celebrated Massachusetts photographer Abelardo Morell or Josef Suk’s beloved Meditation on the Old Czech Chorale Saint Wenceslas, Post’s music is notable for its approachability, clarity and humanity.

ADRIANO DEL SAL Guitar Recital

Francisco TÁRREGA Alborada, Capricho arabe, Minueto, El Columpio, Rosita; Fernando SOR Fantaisie, Op. 7; Federico Moreno TORROBA Pièces caractéristiques; Joaquín RODRIGO Invocación y danza (Homenaje a Manuel de Falla); Ennio MORRICONE (arr. Carlo Marchione) Gabriel’s Oboe from ‘The Mission’

Winner of the 2009 Tárrega International Guitar Competition benecasim, Adriano Del Sal is one of the most significant young guitarists of recent years, whose extraordinary musical talent and total technical control make his performances truly unforgettable.

John MACKEY (b. 1973) Strange Humors Michael DAUGHERTY (b. 1954) Raise the Roof (for timpani and wind band); Brooklyn Bridge James SYLER (b. 1961) The Hound of Heaven (1988)

Maureen Hurd (clarinet), Todd Quinlan (timpani), Rutgers Wind Ensemble, William Berz

Toshio HOSOKAWA (b. 1955)

Flute Music

Vertical Song I; Sen I; Lied; Fragmente II;Voyage V; Kuroda-bushi

Kolbeinn Bjarnason, Members of Caput Ensemble, Snorri Sigfus Birgisson

Mieczysław WEINBERG (1919-1996)

Complete Music for Solo Cello • 1

Twenty-Four Preludes, Op. 100; Solo Cello Sonata No. 1, Op. 72

WORLD PREMIÈRE RECORDINGS

Josef Feigelson (cello)

Arthur HONEGGER (1892-1955)

Complete Violin Sonatas

Sonata for Violin H. 3; Sonata No. 1 H. 17; Sonata No. 2 H. 24; Sonata for Solo Violin in D minor,H. 143

Laurence Kayaleh (violin), Paul Stewart (piano)

8.572347

8.572157

8.559661

8.572529

8.572280

8.570882

8.570964

8.572657

8.572479

8.572192

Page 4: CDs New Release Guide

Johann STRAUSS I (1804-1849)

Edition • Vol. 17

Volksgarten-Quadrille, Op. 157; Nur Leben!, Walzer, Op. 159; Redoute-Quadrille, Op. 158; Waldfräuleins Hochzeites-Tänze, Op. 160; Salon-Polka, Op. 161; Orpheus-Quadrille, Op. 162; Frohsinns-Salven, Walzer, Op. 163; Aurora-Festklänge, Walzer, Op. 164; Fest-Quadrille, Op. 165

Slovak Sinfonietta Žilina, Christian Pollack

This seventeenth volume in Marco Polo’s popular Johann Strauss I Edition celebrates the internationally adulated Viennese composer’s unflagging ability to create dance music for all occasions and to stimulate a public avid for ever-new entertainment.

Anthony Hope

Rupert of Hentzau

Read by Rufus Wright

Anthony Hope’s sequel to The Prisoner of Zenda offers a dramatic and action-packed conclusionto the long-running feud over the Ruriturian throne. The cast of The Prisoner of Zenda returns: the villainous Rupert of Hentzau, the king’s look-alike Rudolf Rassendyl and the beautiful Queen Flavia are all entangled in the plots and counter plots that abound in this fastpaced tale of intrigue. A classic of the adventure genre, Rupert of Hentzau transports us back to an age of chivalry where sword fights, dashing feats of heroism and death-defying exploits are commonplace.

Lucretius

On the Nature of Things

Read by Hugh Ross

The sheer ambition and scale of Roman philosopher Lucretius’ epic poem On the Nature of Things distinguishes it as belonging in a class of its own. Lucretius has a theory about everything from the origins of the universe to the occurrence of natural phenomena such as thunder and lightning. Lucretius was a bold and radical and freethinker within his own time, who questioned the sense and rationale of living life in fear of death and of upsetting the gods. His theories make for captivating listening.

H. Rider Haggard

She

Read by Bill Homewood

Rider Haggard’s novel about a supremely beautiful but vindictive African goddess by the name of She is one of the best-selling books of all time. This wonderful multi-layered novel is at once a disarming imaginative fantasy, a fastpaced adventure story and a fascinating examination of the themes of death, sexuality and power.

Naxos Catalogue 2011 The new Naxos Catalogue is now available.

Catalogue number: NAXCAT2011

4 DECEMBER 2010

Alexandre TANSMAN (1897-1986)

24 Intermezzi; Petite Suite; Valse-Impromptu

Eliane Reyes (piano)

Polish by birth, Alexandre Tansman settled in France in 1919 where he soon joined the ranks of the most prominent French and other European composers and musicians of the time. After many years of undeserved neglect, his vast catalogue of music is being rediscovered and enjoyed today.

Ferruccio BUSONI (1866-1924)

Piano Music • 7Wolf Harden (piano)

Concert Fantasy on motifs from the opera

Merlin by Goldmark; Fantasy on motifs from the comic opera; Der Barbier von Bagdad by Peter Cornelius; Variation-Study after Mozart, No. 1: Canzonetta from Don Giovanni; Wagner, arr. Busoni: Funeral March from Götterdämmerung; Sonatina No. 3: ‘Ad usum infantis Madeline M. Americanae; Sonatina No. 6: Chamber Fantasy on Bizet’s Carmen; Five Short Pieces for the Cultivation of Polyphonic

Ferdinand RIES (1784-1838)

Piano Sonatas and Sonatinas • 4

Sonata in D major, Op. 9, No. 1; Sonata in A flat major, Op. 141 Susan Kagan (piano)

Susan Kagan is an eloquent advocate and sympathetic interpreter of Ferdinand Ries’s piano sonatas and sonatinas, on which she is an acknowledged authority.

Franz LISZT (1811-1876)Sonata in B minor, S178/R21 Grandes Etudes de Paganini, S141/R3b

Idil Biret (piano)

“She played Liszt’s monumental B minor Sonata with enormous assurance… Relatively few pianists have the sense of architecture to organize this pianistic symphonic

poem. She marshalled the sustaining power to see the music through to the end, at which point her audience not surprisingly rose to its feet.” Toronto Star (Canada)

Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827)

Sonata No. 8 in C minor, Op. 13 ‘Pathétique’ Sonata No. 29 in B flat major, Op. 106 ‘Hammerklavier’

Idil Biret (piano)

“The Turkish pianist Idil Biret must rank as a virtuoso. With unflagging energy she produced a series of supercharged performances. In Beethoven’s Hammerklavier Sonata she revealed not only glittering fingerwork, but an unusually

powerful and clear-thinking musical mind. That Kempff has been among her mentors was obviously something to take into account.” The Daily Telegraph

8.572266 8.572299 8.572422

8.225337

8.5712838.571282

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Page 5: CDs New Release Guide

Jexper HOLMEN Oort Cloud Torben Snekkestad, soprano saxophone, Frode Andersen, accordion,Frode Haltli, accordion

World première recording of Holmen’s breakthrough work from Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival

DECEMBER 2010 5

8.226562

SCRIABIN: Sonatas for piano Nos. 1-10

Anatol Ugorski, piano

The composition of a piano sonata always was a unique intellectual act for Scriabin. And every sonata was a mirror of his personal experiences. The ten sonatas reveal the movement and the pace of a spiral. Along this spiral the life and the oeuvre of the composer enfolds to us.

CAvi8553195

VERDI: La Traviata

Dessì, Armiliato, Sgura, vocal soloists Orchestra del Teatro

Regio, Parma / Coro del Teatro Municipale,

John Neschling, conductor

In January 2010 the protagonists entered the studio in Parma and John Neschling, the well known, but also

unknown great conductor from South America raised the baton commencing with a most colorful, lucent and highly musical and dramatic story. The artists had taken the challenge to perform this highly tricky piece in front of the microphones the first time, having sung it multi times on stage. CAvi8553203

Weber: Bliss Clarinet QuintetsWolfgang Meyer, clarinetEisler Quartett

On this CD, Weber’s Clarinet Quintet is preceded and followed by two different versions of Mozart’s Allegro Fragment K. Anh. 91 (=516c) for clarinet and string quartet. Mozart wrote the

beginning in 1787. Approximately half of the piece is in his own handwriting, but the manuscript breaks off towards the middle. Franz beyer and Robert D. Levin, probably the two greatest Mozart experts of our time, each wrote a version that completes Mozart’s original fragment with an approximation of what he might have written in the second half.

Dina Ugorskaja / SchumannSchumann: Songs of Early Morning /Seven Pieces in Fughetten Form op.126 / Kreisleriana op. 16Dina Ugorskaja, pianoRobert Schumann

Munich-based pianist Dina Ugorskaja has carefully selected this highly emotional, inwardly oriented programme with the purpose of fathoming and inwardly reflecting the moods of “late” Schumann. She also bridges the gap to an earlier work: Op. 16 shows clear first signs of inner dialogue (as attested in Schumann’s writings). In this selection, Dian Ugorskaja sees a way of breaking free from music history’s “linear development."

CAvi 8553216 CAvi 8553217

Michael NYMANVERTOV SOUNDS: The Composer’s Cut Vol. IVA Sixth Part of the World (1926)The Eleventh Year (1928)films by Dziga Vertov, music by Michael Nyman

Michael Nyman has now completed scores for the three major films that the pioneering Soviet filmmaker Dziga Vertov made in the late 1920s. To ‘Man with a Movie Camera’ he has added ‘The Eleventh Year’ and ‘A Sixth Part of the World’ and as a unique experiment for MN Records he has created a new Michael Nyman band work – by making a montage of material from both of the soundtracks into a single, continuous piece which runs for 77 minutes.

Michael NYMANCollections: Film, Music, PhotographyCollections is a unique combination of Michael Nyman’s work as a composer, filmmaker and photographer.

This box Set includes: Photo book: 52 Pages (Hard back); Cine Opera: CD; Portrait of a Label: DVD - 50000 Photos Can’t be Wrong

MNRCD118 MNRCD204

FELIX MENDELSSOHNTrio for Violin, Viola & Piano (1820)Sonata for Viola & Piano (1823/24)Sonata for Clarinet & Piano (1824)

Ana Chumachenco, ViolinHariolf Schlichtig, ViolaEduard Brunner, ClarinetAdrian Oetiker, Piano

TUD-7154

Camilla NylundTransfigurationWagner & Strauss - Arias & Scenes Tampere Philharmonic OrchestraHannu Lintu, conductorCamilla Nylund, soprano

Transfiguration is Camilla Nylund’s much-awaited first album of arias. It captures the soprano's multi-faceted art with famous arias and scenes from operas by Richard Strauss and Richard Wagner, including the grueling final scenes from Tristan und Isolde and from Salome. These arias reflect the lyrical and dramatic facets of the acclaimed singer's current roles at such venues as Staatsoper Dresden, Vienna State Opera, and bayreuther Festspiele. The Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra is here led by their chief conductor Hannu Lintu. ODE 1168-2

Leif SegerstamSymphonies Nos. 81, 162 & 181 Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra

This album profiles acclaimed Finnish conductor Leif Segerstam as an equally inspired composer who has written nearly 250 symphonies to this date.

Featured on this disc are three one-movement symphonies that form a kind of "bergen trilogy": No. 81 "After Eighty..." (2002), No. 162 "Doubling the Number for bergen..." (2006), and No. 181 "Names itself when played... = (raising the number with 100 for bergen)" (2007). Leif Segerstam has built a legend of its own through his creative usage of the English language. His genius as a composer deploys itself through a unique notation technique: the score leaves a lot of freedom to the performers and yet requires no conductor for the orchestra. Hence, each performance turns into a unique listening experience. ODE 1172-2

Page 6: CDs New Release Guide

Marc-Antoine CHARPENTIER (1643-1704) Baroque Operas Actéon; Orphée descendant aux Enfers; La Pierre Philosophale Aaron Sheehan, Teresa Wakim, Boston Early Music Festival, Vocal & Chamber Ensembles, Paul O’Dette, Stephen Stubbs 1 CD in a boxed-set with 92 page booklet

Previous recordings on CPO from the boston Early Music Festival have been received with great acclaim; Conradi’s Ariadne and Lully’s Thésée and Psyché have received Grammy nominations and Psyché was a finalist in the baroque Vocal category at the 2009 Gramophone Awards.

Johann MATTHESON (1681-1764) Christmas Oratorio “Die heilsame Geburt”; Magnificat

Nicki Kennedy, Anna Crookes, Ursula Eittinger, Andreas Post, Stephan MacLeod, Die Kölner Akademie, Michael Alexander Willens

“Willens achieves an impeccably stylish and enjoyable performance of an attractive obscurity. Hopefully more Mattheson of such quality will emerge.” Gramophone on Mattheson Christmas Oratorio Das grösste Kind (777455-2)

Christoph GRAUPNER (1683-1760) Christmas Cantatas

Frohlocke, werte Christenheit; Der Herr hat mich gehabt; Das Licht des Lebens scheinet hell; Das Licht scheinet in der Finsternis; Von Gott will ich nicht lassen

Veronika Winter, Franz Vitzthum, Jan Kobow, Markus Flaig, Das Kleine Konzert, Hermann Max

Baroque Christmas in Hamburg Includes works by Hieronymus Praetorius, Jacob Praetorius, Thomas Selle, Heinrich Scheidemann, Christoph Bernhard, Samuel Scheidt, Johann Philipp Förtsch and Matthias Weckmann Bremer Barock Consort, Manfred Cordes

The bremen barock Consort under Manfred Cordes has recorded a disc of Christmas music by composers of Hamburg. Composers on the disc include Hieronymus Praetorius and his father Jacob Praetorius as well as Thomas Selle and Johann Philipp Förtsch.

6 DECEMBER 2010

Peter von WINTER (1754-1825) Symphonies • Entr’ActesSinfonie à grand Orchestre No. 1; Ouverture à grand Orchestre op. 24; Entr’Actes 3, 5 & 6; Sinfonia “Schweriner”

Münchner Rundfunkorchester, Johannes Moesus

The music of Peter von Winter has disappeared into obscurity. His catalogue of works focus predominantly on operas, but this new recording includes Symphonies and Entr’Actes performed by the Munich Radio Orchestra under Johannes Moesus.

Julius WEISMANN (1879-1950) String Quartets arr.for OrchestraString Quartet op. 133, arr. for Orchestra;String Quartet op. 148, arr. for Orchestra

Südwestdeutsches Kammerorchester Pforzheim, Georg Mais

Julius Weismann made a significant contribution to the music of the twentieth century. His catalogue of over 150 works include eleven String Quartets, two of which Georg Mais, the conductor of this new recording has arranged for chamber orchestra. Weismann’s style is difficult to classify; it exhibits influences from German romanticism, especially the music of Schubert, Schumann and brahms, as well as impressionistic echoes.

Egon WELLESZ (1885-1974) Works for Chamber Orchestra: Persisches Ballett / Four Songs of Return

Christine Whittlesey (soprano), Adrian Eröd (baritone), Josef Hell (violin), Ensemble Kontrapunkte, Peter Keuschnig

On this new recording CPO release some of Wellesz’s earlier music of the interwar period. All are World Première Recordings! His one-act Persian ballet from the 1920s is an absolute listening must!

777 613-2 777 274-2

777 572-2 777 553-2

777 530-2 777 575-2 777 596-2

John Gardner: Music for Brass and Organ Paul Archibald, trumpetHelen Sanger, trumpetStephen Peneycad, trumpetKate Hainsworth, hornAlex Hambleton, hornCraig Beattie, tromboneFabian Schmidt, tromboneYao Cong Tan, tubaStephen King, organCosmopolitan BrassChris Gardner, conductor

The british composer John Gardner (b. 1917) has been astonishingly prolific, writing 249 opus numbers in his sixty-year career as composer, conductor and teacher. His music – basically tonal and always impeccably crafted – is characterised by charm, grace and humour. Gardner’s musical fingerprints come from his love of jazz, Renaissance and baroque procedures and his mastery of imitative counterpoint. He generally uses established musical forms but invests them with a quirky and distinctive harmonic idiom. This CD explores his rich output for brass and organ, from the elegant Theme and Variations, Op. 7, of 1951 to the lusty Five Dances for Organ, Op. 179, written in 1988.

Rachmaninov/Liszt

Piano concerto no. 2 & piano piecesNobuyuki Tsujii, pianoDSO BerlinYutaka Sado, conductor

There is no piano concerto more beloved than the Second Piano Concerto by Rachmaninoff. When Nobuyuki Tsujii was in the Van Cliburn Competition this masterwork was one of the pieces

he played and the audience loved it and love him! In 2009 James Conlon and the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra played it together with Nobuyuki. In this magnificent recording the blind pianist joins conductor Yutaka Sado and the Deutsches Symphonie Orchester berlin. It is unbelievable that the pianist learned the formidable scores of the Second Piano Concerto by Rachmaninoff by ear and it is not a surprise that Nobuyuki Tsujii has become a worldwide sensation since after the Van Cliburn Competition and his winning of the Gold medal!

Rachmaninoff just had a rough and hard time before he composed the Second Piano Concerto:"...after having spent three years of creative hardship, without composing anything, but composing the concerto not only finally got him out of his depression but also lifted his spirits and restored his confidence in his creative abilities. Even more, the first complete performance in October/November 1901 brought him great and lasting success. No wonder, as most in this romantic work comes down to the overwhelming powers of great and passionate melodies, searching harmonies and a clear demonstration of his flawless craftsmanship."(source: liner notes Aart van der Wal)TOCC0048 CC72371

Page 7: CDs New Release Guide

DECEMBER 2010 7

Christmas Variations

Wolfgang Plagge, pianist

Christmas is a season of expectation, peace and joy. However, joy can easily be overrun by stress and hurry and turn peace into loneliness. At this point give yourself a break, sit down with pianist Wolfgang Plagge and let

your mind come to rest while the sweetest sounds of Christmas fill your room.

The Inspiration of the Moment is of fundamental significance to any type of connection between human beings, in music as well as in speech. All tracks on this CD are results of spontaneously improvised variations over the Season’s most beloved songs and tunes.

NIDAROS Nidaros Cathedral ChoirVivianne Sydnes, conductor String Quartet from the Trondheim SoloistsTorbjørn Dyrud, organ

Nidaros Cathedral Choir invites you to enjoy the wonderful ambience of the Nidaros Cathedral. This is

the first ever surround sound recording of music performed in the cathedral, allowing you to experience the reverberations of this magnificent space.

The choir has commissioned a number of new choral works during the last decade. This recording gives you samples of this, of which the majority have not previously been recorded. The repertoire spans from music composed for national events, to music composed for concerts or services.

2L032SACD 2L072SACD

KINDEnsemble 96Kjetil Almenning, conductorNidaros String Quartet

The word KIND embraces concepts of childlikeness and childishness in different languages, as well as suggesting friendliness and consolation. The project's subtitle was "about children, for adults". In keeping with Ensemble 96's main focus, KIND presents modern Norwegian and Nordic

choral music. Per Nørgård and Jaakko Mäntyjärvi are already considered classics by a rapidly increasing audience, while Marcus Paus represents a younger generation of Norwegian composers with a growing interest in the choral medium.

Sigmund Groven & Iver Kleive: harmOrganSigmund Groven & Iver Kleive: harmOrgan

Sigmund Groven and Iver Kleive have collaborated for more than 30 years and have built a repertoire consisting mainly of baroque pieces and Norwegian music, most of which they have composed and arranged themselves. Even though they have chosen very different instruments,

and are also quite different personalities in many ways, they have a fundamental musical rapport and understanding and also have many other things in common.

2L076SAbD (Pure Audio blu-ray + SACD) 2L077SAbD (Pure Audio blu-ray + SACD)

Edition Hans Knappertsbusch & Berliner Philharmoniker–The complete RIAS recordings

Berlin, 1950 - 1952Berliner PhilharmonikerHans Knappertsbusch, conductor

This production is of high documentary value and is definitely one of Audite priority productions in 2010.

During the early 1950s, before Karajan’s era, the conductor Hans Knappertsbusch (1888-1965) worked intensively with the berlin Philharmonic. The core-period of this cooperation from 1950 until 1952 in particular is documented by high-quality recordings made by the RIAS berlin, both of live concerts and of studio productions.

L. Janáček: Complete String Quartets

Mandelring Quartet

Originally, Janáček composed the viola part of the second string quartet for viola d’amore. For practical reasons, however, he had to adapt the work for conventional viola. For this recording, Gunter Teuffel and the Mandelring Quartet have reconstructed the original version, offering the second string quartet in both versions, for viola and viola d’amore.

AUD 21.405 (5 CD box) AUD 92.545 (SACD)

Solomon plays Beethoven, Schumann, Bach, Chopin & Brahms

Ludwig van beethoven, Robert Schumann, bach, Johann Sebastian, Frédéric Chopin, Johannes brahms

Solomon, piano

The 1956 RIAS recordings of Solomon, made shortly before the tragic end of his career, are benchmark interpretations even today thanks to their sonorous lucidity and structural transparency.

Trombone & Organ

Klemens Schnorr, organAbbie Conant, trombone

The soloist of the reissue Abbie Conant is one of the leading trombonists of our times. Her choice of repertoire for this CD includes 400 years of stylistic variety from baroque to modern times. In her successful interpretations she presents the trombone as a diverse solo-instrument.

AUD 23.422 AUD 97.410

GREGORIAN CHRISTMAS – Advent & Christmas ChantsCD 1: Advent Hymnus / Erster bis Vierter Adventsonntag1st to 4th SUNDAY IN ADVENT

CD 2: Christmas Hymnus25th December – Highfeast of Christi birth1st January – The Eight Day After Christmas6th January – The Manifestation of the Lord

Christmas Meditation Handel: Pastoral Symphonie · Bach / Gounod: Ave MariaPraetorius: Schlaf mein Kindelein · Mozart: Laudate Dominum u.a.

Vienna Boy's Choir, Jochen Kowalski, Concerto Köln, Dresdner Kreuzchor, Reinhold Friedrich, Academy of London etc.

Angel Voices:THE BOYS’ CHOIRS CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONWiener Sängerknaben, Vienna Boy's Choir, Regensburger Domsptzen, Dresdner

Kreuzchor, Thomanerchor Leipzig, Tölzer Knabenchor

C7066 C7069 C7073

Page 8: CDs New Release Guide

8 DECEMBER 2010

Carl DavisGive Me A SmileSongs and Music from World War II

Claire Sweeney, Mary Carewe, Frances McCafferty,Richard Suart & Sarah Eyden

BBC Concert Orchestra & Brighton Festival Chorus, Carl Davis

70 years ago, from June to October, the German Luftwaffe tried to bomb Great britain into submission. It never happened. british courage and resourcefulness triumphed. These events are celebrated in music and song on the latest release of The Carl Davis Collection. Here are the songs people sang, the film scores they loved and heard on the radio. A brilliant cast of soloists together with the bbC-CO and The brighton Festival Chorus play and sing their hearts out just as people did in 1940.

Carl DavisCarl’s War

Auryn Quartett, Andy Miles (clarinet)

The internationally famous composer and conductor, Carl Davis, C.b.E. (Hon.) has written some of the most memorable and moving scores for films and documentary series about World War II. This CD re-works five of these into Concert Suites. The World at War, the ground-breaking Emmy Award winning twenty-six part series introduced by Carl Davis’s stirring theme is hailed as definitive. Digitally re-mastered on blue-ray, the series will be actively advertised and promoted over the coming months.

CDC008 CDC009

Beethoven: Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125 'Choral'

Live-Recording: Aula Paolo VI, Vatikan (Rome), 27th October 2007 Krassimira Stoyanova (soprano), Lioba Braun (alto), Michael Schade (tenor) & Michael Volle (baritone)

Chorund Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks, Mariss Jansons

Hollow pathos is not his thing. From an artist like Mariss Jansons Friedrich Schiller’s Ode: “An die Freude” must receive a far deeper significance, which also fully encompasses the doubt and profound hope embodied in this text. And thus, in Jansons’s recording of the Ninth Symphony, the choral finale does not degenerate to mere superficial orgy of jubilation, but rather becomes a delicately balanced, wisely developed drama.

BRUCKNER: 10 Symphonies Live-Recording: Philharmonie im Gasteig, January-March 1999, Munich

Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks,Lorin Maazel

In a spectacular concert cycle from January to March 1999, the Symphonieorchester des bayerischen Rundfunks under the direction of Lorin Maazel played the complete symphonies of bruckner in Munich’s Philharmonie in the Gasteig. Maazel had at his disposal an ensemble with a long, impressive bruckner tradition dating back to Eugen Jochum. The founding father and first Chief Conductor of the orchestra ranks as one of the most significant bruckner conductors in the interpretive history of these works.

Mariss Jansons conducts Tchaikovsky Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks, Mariss Jansons

The symphonic poem “Francesca da Rimini” stands opposite one of Tchaikovsky’s most popular works on this SACD – the Symphony No. 5 in E minor. The poetic-dramatic work “Francesca da Rimini”, based on an episode from Dante’s “Inferno”, which unfolds a splendid and captivating tableau ranging from lyrical passages with a beguiling wealth of colour all the way to dramatic-theatrical outbursts. No question about it: Mariss Jansons has just the right pinch of “Russian soul” to bring out both these works in their full power: the recordings in October 2009 and July 2010 reveal the conductor in perfect unity with his orchestra, a combination capable of bringing ecstasy and control into perfect balance here.

Hybrid SACD

900108 900105 900711

Ildebrando Pizzetti Sonata in A for piano and violin - Sonata in F for piano and cello

Not even three years stand between the two Sonatas presented together in this CD. In this short period of time the

composer’s personal life was turned completely upside down by the sudden and unexpected death of his wife.

Dramatic tension animates the Sonata in A from beginning to end; “Tempestoso”, a dialogue between two characters – the piano and the violin – opens the first movement and the dramatic tension, riddled with a suffering humanity.

Hoffmann & Giuliani: Divertimenti e Quartetti per Mandolino, Violino e Basso Ensemble Baschenis

The Violin and the Mandolin, accomplices and rivals: in the field of musical literature of XVIII and XIX centuries, many violinists and composers who knew the mandolin transposed their knowledge from one instrument to the other: the bow’s beats turned into strokes of the plectrum, while arpeggios, double string chords and virtuosities began to be used very frequently. Giuliani was a violinist, a harpist, master of harpsichord and singing; what is clearly evident is that the composer had a particular skill and a rich inspiration in making the instruments talk together, thus obtaining the most of their timbre’s variety and their technical and expressive possibilities. The Ensemble baschenis took the manuscripts of the Quartets directly from Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde in Vienna and edited them directly from the microfilm.

Folias Italianas

Ruggero Lagani (harpsichord)

In music, the term folia refers to a melodic pattern derived from a very old Carnevale dance, very likely originated in Portugal. Leaving its Lusitanian

origins, the so called Follia di Spagna became particularly successful thanks to its the melody and the naive simplicity of its harmony, as can be clearly heard in the many anonymous folia taken from collections dating to the early 1700’s by the biblioteca Nacional in Madrid. Organists and harpsichordists of various nationalities have been inspired by the Folia, but this CD focuses on its use in Italian music, in particular, from Rome and Naples. The performer and composer relives the theme of madness - a splendid obsession throughout the ages of music from the West - giving a passionate, richly creative and inventive interpretation in the best baroque tradition.

CD2057 CD2058 CD2059

Pillow BookThe CuriosOn Pillow book, The Curios create a quirky and beautifully complex musical universe. Others have described this music as freak-folk-funk-psychedelic-cabaret, a juicy blend of mystery-rich, textural grooves and cliche-free lyrics, alternately abstract and narrative!

15 original songs in a style that Northern California Songwriter Magazine called “a beautiful and quirky musical universe.”

The Human HolidayThe CuriosThe revelations in this comedy may change your life!* This amazingly quirky radio play in the british style was a smash success on public radio in the 1980s.* Mind-bending sonic effects and processing by RR’s own Prof. Keith O. Johnson.* Newly available for the first time on compact disc, The

Human Holiday is a perfect antidote to the stresses and worries of our world!

FR-701 FR-702

Page 9: CDs New Release Guide

DECEMBER 2010 9

Verdi: RequiemBarbara Frittoli (soprano), Olga Borodina (mezzo), Mario Zeffiri (tenor), Ildar Abdrazakov (bass)

Chicago Symphony Chorus & Orchestra, Riccardo Muti

Chicago inaugurates Riccardo Muti’s tenure as music director with their most anticipated release of the year. Recorded live in

January 2009, from sold-out, electrifying concerts, this stunning performance brilliantly captures both the pathos and passion of Verdi’s masterpiece. Something of a marker in Muti’s career, who can forget his groundbreaking account for EMI? 'Chicago's new boss' features on the cover of September bbC Music Magazine and in a six-page feature/interview inside the magazine.

Bernard Haitink conductsStrauss & WebernRecorded live at Symphony Center,December 4, 5, 6, 2008 (Strauss),and April 23-28 2009 (Webern)Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Bernard Haitink

Hot on the heels of an Editor’s Choice for his Alpine Symphony, bernard Haitink conducts the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, one of the world’s greatest Strauss ensembles, in Ein Heldenleben (A Hero's Life) whose US première it gave in 1900. The CSO pours out a lush interpretation of Richard Strauss’s large and complex tone poem in their newest live recording. Principal Conductor bernard Haitink leads with restraint and allows the strings and woodwinds to sing.

Mahler: Symphony No. 2 in C minor 'Resurrection'Miah Persson & Christianne Stotijn

Chicago Symphony Chorus & Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Bernard Haitink

CSO principal conductor bernard Haitink leads a moving and noble performance of Mahler's immense Second Symphony, continuing his and the orchestra's successful exploration of Mahler's symphonies. The legendary CSO brass are at their finest, with stellar solos and ensemble playing from the woodwinds, strings and percussion.The Chicago Symphony Chorus sounds glorious in Mahler's triumphant finale, singing with sumptuous sound and immaculate diction.

Stravinsky - Pulcinella, Symphony in Three Movements & Four ÉtudesRoxana Constantinescu (mezzo soprano), Nicholas Phan (tenor) & Kyle Ketelsen (bass-baritone)

Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Pierre Boulez

The Chicago Symphony Orchestra gets a head start on the March 2009 celebration of Pierre boulez’s 85th birthday with a true rarity: a recording of Igor Stravinsky’s complete ballet Pulcinella. Showcasing a stripped-down CSO and three endearing young vocal soloists, boulez’s clean aesthetic brings this neo-Classical masterpiece to life. Also included are Stravinsky’s brash Symphony in Three Movements and jaunty Four Études, which demonstrate theorchestra’s astonishing variety of colours.

CSOR9011008 (SACD)

CSOR901916 (SACD)CSOR901914 (CD)

CSOR9011004 (SACD)

CSOR901920 (SACD)CSOR901918 (CD)

Claude Frank: 85th Birthday Celebration

Join us in celebrating the 85th birthday of world renowned pianist Claude Frank with this 2 disc set of new recordings of spectacular piano repertoire by some of the worlds most beloved composers. Though Celebrating his 85th year, Frank brings the music to life with all of the passion and vigor of his youth.

Claude Frank is a German-born American pianist, and his amazing career spans decades as well as continents. born in Nuremberg, Germany in 1925, he studied at the Paris Conservatoire, and has worked with Artur Schnabel, Maria Curcio and Serge Koussevitzky. He also studied composition and conducting at Columbia University.

Prayers & AlleluiasKenneth Dake, Organ of Marble Collegiate Church,New York City

Organ music soars to heavenly heights with the release of Prayers & Alleluias from Dorian Sono Luminus. This recording marks Kenneth Dake’s debut organ CD, as well as the first commercially-released recording of the 84-rank Austin Organ (1984) of Marble Collegiate Church.

Organist, pianist and conductor KENNETH DAKE has served as director of music of New York City’s historic Marble Collegiate Church since 1996. There he oversees a multi-choir program known for its extraordinary diversity and musical excellence.

The Great American FolksongChildren's Chorus of WashingtonCathy Fink-banjo, guitar, vocalsMarcy Marxer-mandolin, 6 string, 12 string and electric guitars, drum, vocalsKim Harris-vocalsReggie Harris-guitar, vocalsChristina Wheeler-fiddleRalph Gordon-bass

Folk music tells the story of America, of its settlement and Western expansion "from sea to shining sea." It chronicles the struggles of those who migrated here, often reflecting the cultures from which they came. Folk songs are especially suitable for children for their authenticity, strong narrative, and simple and infectious melodies.

Nutcracker SuiteDana Rath, mandolinMatt Flinner, mandolinPaul Binkley, mandola and guitarGyan Riley, mandocello and guitar

The Modern Mandolin Quartet presents a delightful alternative to a Christmas classic with the Dorian Sono Luminus release of Nutcracker Suite, an enchanting collection of music reinvisioned with instruments from the mandolin family: two mandolins, a mandola and mandocello.

DSL-92122

DSL-92124

DSL-92123

DSL-92121

Sarasate - Virtuoso Violin WorksGil Shaham (violin), Adele Anthony (violin) &Akira Eguchi (piano)

Orquesta Sinfonica de Castilla y Leon, Alejandro Posada

This legendary violinist and composer’s inspired works are enormously entertaining and irresistibly appealing, eloquently summarised by Adele as ‘works being a culmination of melody, violinistic idiom and elegance, often evocative of his

native Spain’. Gil rates him ‘as one of my great personal heroes. He was a meticulous composer; his style was always full of imagination, full of melody, always perfectly clean and concise. I love this guy.’

CC07

Gil Shaham plays Haydn & MendelssohnHaydn:Violin Concerto No. 1 in C major, Hob.VIIa:1Violin Concerto No. 4 in G major, Hob.VIIa:4Mendelssohn:Octet in E flat major, Op. 20

Gil Shaham (violin and director)Sejong Soloists

Gil Shaham and Sejongs’ association extends back over ten years. Gil says performing the Mendelssohn Octet with Sejong is ‘like playing basketball with seven Michael Jordans as each musician is a staggering soloist in their own right’. CC08

Page 10: CDs New Release Guide

10 DECEMBER 2010

Ernest Chausson: Concert / chanson perpétuelle / QuatuorSandrine Piau, Soprano / Regis Pasquier, Violin /Philippe Bianconi, piano

The three works on this disc illustrate two significant moments in Ernest Chausson’s musical production. The Concert in D major, Op. 21 (for piano, violin and string quartet), written between May 1889 and July 1891, is emblematic of the mastery attained by

the composer at this precise point in his evolution: along with the Symphony in b flat, Op. 20 (September 1889-August 1890), it is the work that consecrated Chausson as a major musician of his time. The String Quartet, Op. 35 (left unfinished) and Chanson perpétuelle, Op. 37 mark the final term of the composer’s work and bear witness to the further progress made during the decade since the Concert.

Forgotten gems for fluteMichel Moragues, fluteKyoko Nojima, piano

Forgotten gems for flute… Whereas modern musicology has already explored so many areas, and editions have now made an immense repertoire for the instrument available, here is a title that indeed calls for a few explanations. Are there still masterpieces to be discovered? The probabilities are slight, but the likelihood

of finding little-known pieces of excellent craftsmanship is greater. And it is first of all in the Romantic literature that flautists will always be tempted to pursue their research. being the poor relation to their repertoire, this is a sphere to which musicologists and soloists have turned their attention over the past few decades, often successfully. […]. It is interesting to note that in the programme of the disc we are presenting here, two works saw the day at almost the same moment…

Franz & Karl Doppler: Music for 2 flutes and pianoClaudi Arimany & Shigenori Kudo, flute / Alan Branch, piano

The writing technique of course often calls on the customary variation form, always quite skillfully handled, with as much humour as brilliance and, above all, without ever going to excess. but more particularly, one will notice astute processes

such as the accompaniments in mormorendo (the melodic line being supported by elaborate, very fast figures in pianissimo) or octave unisons allowing for highlighting certain themes with the illusion of a richer flute sonority. Finally, the cadenzas offer the performers moments that must be spectacular!

de Kurt Weill à ParisEnikő Szilágyi

La Complainte de Mackie le surineur / Les Filles de bordeaux / Youkali / J’attends un navire / Le train du ciel / Le Grand Lustrucru / Je ne t’aime pas / La complainte de la Seine / Tschaikowsky and Other Russians / Klausenbourg / Mon mariage / Réapprendre / L’Éternité Picasso / Valse / Dans Paris

LVC1092

LVC1119

LVC1112

LVC1121

JS BACH

Cantatas Vol. 12The Monteverdi Choir, The English Baroque Soloists,John Eliot Gardiner

The highlight of this album is Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme (“Sleepers, wake”). It is described as “a cantata without weaknesses, without a dull bar, technically, emotionally and spiritually of the

highest order”. Ich armer Mensch, ich Sündenknecht (“I, wretched man, I slave to sin”) is bach’s only cantata for solo tenor still in existence. It is sung movingly by James Gilchrist. Of three cantatas on the parable of the unjust steward (bWV 55, 89, 115), Mache dich, mein Geist, bereit (“Prepare yourself, my soul”) is considered to stand out for its subtle instrumental writing and spellbinding arias, which evoke the yearning of the soul for divine mercy.

JS BACH Cantatas Vol. 18The Monteverdi Choir, The English Baroque Soloists, John Eliot Gardiner

SDG174 is the much awaited last volume of the bach Cantatas Pilgrimage, one of the most talked about musical events of the last decade. This is an anthology of the Christmas period, combining

cantatas for Christmas Day and the Epiphany. It features ten acclaimed soloists, including Magdalena Kožená, bernarda Fink, Michael Chance, James Gilchrist and Christopher Genz. This album was recorded at Weimar’s Herderkirche, Leipzig’s Nikolaikirche and Hamburg’s Hauptikirche St Jakobi.

SDG171 SDG174

Gustav HOLST (1874-1934)

The Planets London Philharmonic Orchestra, Vladimir Jurowski

Holst’s The Planets requires little introduction. His inspiration for the piece came from hearing live performances of Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring in 1913, and Schoenberg’s Five Pieces for Orchestra in 1914. These two seminal 20th Century works left

a strong impression on Holst. The London Philharmonic Orchestra has a long association with The Planets. The Orchestra has recorded it under Principal Conductors Adrian boult (twice in 1953 and 1978, with boult also giving the first ever performance in 1918) and Sir Georg Solti, then twice in 1970 with bernard Haitink and film composer bernard Hermann.

LPO-0047

Anton BRUCKNER (1824-1896)

Symphony No. 6 in A Major: Recorded live at Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall, London, on 4 November 2009

London Philharmonic Orchestra, Christoph Eschenbach

Anton bruckner began writing his Sixth Symphony after the Third had received a disappointing public reaction, and the

Fourth and Fifth symphonies still remained unheard. His indefatigable need to compose here results in a work of graceful unity; and one that contains some of the loveliest music he ever wrote.

Vladimir Jurowski conducts Bach, Mendelssohn and Vaughan Williams

Lisa Milne, soprano,Ruxandra Donose, mezzo soprano,Andrew Staples, tenorChristopher Maltman, baritoneLondon Philharmonic Orchestra and Choir, Vladimir Jurowski

This disc is a far cry from the typical fare we’ve come to expect on the shelves around the Christmas season. The inclusion of bach’s sublime Cantata 63 and Mendelssohn’s Vom Himmel hoch give the disc a year round appeal.

LPO-0049 LPO-0050

Giuseppe VERDI (1813-1901) Requiem London Philharmonic Orchestra, Jesús López-Cobos, Margaret Price, Livia Budai,Giuseppe Giacomini, Robert Lloyd

Verdi’s Requiem is a work of white-hot dramatic intensity, infused with his lifetime of composing opera. His approach

to religion is explosive, emotional, and full of temperament and fear, the latter being wonderfully conveyed by López-Cobos in this concert performance.

LPO-0048 (2CDs)

Page 11: CDs New Release Guide

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Hans Schmidt-Isserstedt - The Capitol RecordingsDas NWDR Sinfonie-OrchesterVentsislaw Yankov, pianoHans Schmidt-Isserstedt, conductor

These are rarities from the famous Capitol label (Odeon in Europe) which seems to have disappeared completely. Serious listeners, as well as members of the conducting profession, have long searched for these rare performances, at last

available.

There are loads of Mozart recordings in the archives of the N.D.R. in Hamburg. Surprisingly, no symphonies have been scheduled for these Capitol sessions, but instead: the Eine kleine Nachtmusik.

No acrobatics here: the tempi are perfectly chosen, and the conductor’s love for Mozart is unmistakable.

A particularly interesting part is the hushed fast notes in the third variation of the slow movement, reminiscent of the anguished “bisogna aver coraggio” just before the entrance of the three masks in Don Giovanni.

Paul van Kempen - Previously unissued recordings

CD I: brahms: Piano Concert o No. 2,in b flat major- Orchestre National de France, Wilhelm Kempff (piano) - Tchaikovsky: Romeo and Juliet, overture-fantasy - Concertgebouworkest (17 & 18.VII.1951)CD II: Mahler: Symphony No. 1, Titan, in D major - Orchestra di Torino della RAI - Public recording made on 20.V.1955

In his native country, the Netherlands, Paul van Kempen is mainly remembered for the “van Kempen affair”, a demonstration against his alleged compromising role during WW II. His discography was determined by the record companies: so, the fledging Philips label was producing a catalogue of standard works. If the DGG recording of beethoven’s Piano Concertos with Wilhelm Kempff and the berlin Philharmonic is famous, there are significant gaps in his discography when it comes to Mahler and brahms. That’s why the performance of Mahler’s First Symphony with the RAI Orchestra of Turin is a welcome addition and a unique document, as well as the Second brahms Piano Concerto with Kempff, in a compelling performance.

TAH694-696 (3CDs) TAH 714-715 (2 CDs)

Frankfurter Opern- und Museumsorchester: Richard Wagner: Das Rheingold Since 1945, there only two complete Ring cycles have been performed at the Frankfurt Opera; the third is now coming into being. The yardstick for comparison, however, is incredibly high, because in Frankfurter’s Ring history there is not only the Wernicke/Cambreling series from 1994/95, which was originally

from brussels, but also the legendary berghaus/Gielen production from 1985.

Vera Nemirova is producing the new Frankfurt Ring, which will continue with Walküre (premiere: October 31, 2010).

OC 935

Andreas Boyde: Johannes Brahms: The complete Works for Solo Piano Vol. 5Intermezzi op. 117 · Piano Pieces op. 118 · Piano Pieces op. 119 Suite Fragment in A minor WoO · Suite Fragment in b minor WoO Klavierstück WoO · Albumblatt WoOAndreas Boyde, piano

In his recordings of brahms’ piano works, Andreas boyde has singlemindedly pursued his ideal interpretations of the composer’s compositions. Piano News wrote about Vol. 4: “boyde is on the way to achieving a grandiose recording of brahms’ complete piano works.” Volume 5 will complete this cycle.

Villa-Lobos Trio: Heitor Villa-Lobos: Klaviertrio Nr. 1 c-Moll / Astor Piazzolla: Las Cuatro Estaciones Portenas / Lucio Bruno-Videla: Yumba-Verwandlung

Villa-Lobos TrioRosângela Antunes, pianoFlorian Wilscher, violinKatrin Schickedanz, cello

The Villa-Lobos Trio emphasizes the colorful, South American world of sound in its work. The central composers in this regard are of course, Heitor Villa-Lobos and Astor Piazzolla. The ensemble, which lives in Vienna, was founded by Brazilian pianist Rosângela Antunes. It has traveled to Kenya, Jordan and the USA, and sees itself as an ambassador and intermediary between the various cultures.

OC 744 OC 776

Joseph Kelemen: Das Buxheimer OrgelbuchJoseph KelemenOrgan (Anonymus) ca. 1425, St. Andreaskirche, Soest-Ostönnen Ebert Organ 1558, Hofkirche Innsbruck

With over 250 pieces, the buxheimer Orgelbuch is the most extensive collection of keyboard music before 1600. Created ca. 1460 (1470 at the latest), the manuscript was preserved

until 1883 in the Carthusian monastery in buxheim an der Iller (Swabia, South Germany). After an auction, the manuscript came to the State Library in Munich.

OC 645

Jean SIBELIUS(1865 – 1957)

Symphony No. 3 in C Major, Op. 52Symphony No. 4 in A Minor, Op. 63

Gustav MAHLER(1860 - 1911)

Symphony No. 1

Blumine

Uppsala Kammarorkester, Paul Mägi

The Uppsala Chamber Orchestra is regarded by many as one of the finest chamber orchestras in Sweden. The orchestra is characterized by its flexibility in various styles, from early baroque to contemporary music, and its exquisite orchestral sound, both warm and lustrous.

Dmitri SHOSTAKOVICH (1906 – 1975)Symphony No. 15 in A Minor

Gioacchino ROSSINI(1792-1868)William Tell Overture

SCD 1147 SCD 1148 SCD 1149

Page 12: CDs New Release Guide

12 DECEMBER 2010

Tchaikovsky – Orchestral Works, Symphonies 1-6Symphony No.1 in G minor, ‘Winter Daydreams’, Op.13; Symphony No.2 in C minor, ‘Little Russian’, Op.17; Symphony No.3 in D major, ‘Polish’, Op.29; Symphony No.4 in F minor, Op.36; Symphony No.5 in E minor, Op.64; Symphony No.6 in b minor, ‘Pathétique’, Op.74

The Snow Maiden, Op.12, orchestral excerpts; Romeo and Juliet, fantasy overture; Overture in F major; Festive Overture on the Danish National Anthem in D major, Op.15; The Storm (Groza), Overture, Op.76; Entr’acte and Dances of the Chambermaids from the opera The Voyevoda, Op.3; Dmitri the Pretender and Vassily Shuisky, incidental music; Serenade for Nikolai Rubinstein’s Name Day; Entr’acte & Waltz and Polonaise from Eugene Onegin, Op.24; Serenade for Strings in C major, Op.48; Elegy in Memory of I.V. Samarin; The Voyevoda, symphonic ballad, Op.78; Capriccio italien, Op.45; Francesca da Rimini, fantasy for orchestra, Op.32

Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra / Neeme Järvi

Released as a boxed set of six discs – for the price of two – the cycle of Tchaikovsky's symphonies with Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra conducted by Neeme Järvi, may be described as resolutely unsentimental, with interpretations aiming to rid these popular scores of the melodramatic excesses that have become part of a century-long performance tradition. At the releases of the individual discs, this quality was remarked upon by reviewers, who described Symphony No.1 as 'superb ... liberated from all the slag of sugary romanticism' (ClassicsTodayFrance.com) and regarding No.4 wrote 'With immense skill and without any concessions to the pathetic, Neeme Järvi grants the work its full magnitude’ (Le Monde de la Musique). Other acclaimed instalments were Symphony No.2 ‘Little Russian’, hailed in Gramophone as ‘an outstanding performance … beautifully played and paced and immaculately recorded’ and No.3 ‘Polish’ of which, to quote International Record Review, Järvi presented ‘a free-flowing account that places choreographic elegance before symphonic muscle.’ besides the six numbered symphonies, this ample selection (more than 7 hours of playing time) includes favourites such as Francesca da Rimini, Capriccio italien and Serenade for Strings as well as rarities, including rarely recorded extracts from the opera The Voyevoda and the incidental music to Dmitri the Pretender and Vassily Shuisky. The recordings remain available on the original discs, as Hybrid SACDs with a Surround Sound option.

bIS-CD-1897-98(6 discs for the price of 2)

HK Gruber – BuskingHK Gruber (b. 1943): busking for trumpet, accordion, banjo and string orchestra (World Première Recording); Nebelsteinmusik for violin and strings (Violin Concerto No.2); Violin Concerto No.1 („…aus schatten duft gewebt“)

Swedish Chamber Orchestra / HK Gruber conductorHåkan Hardenberger, trumpet; Mats Bergström, banjo; Claudia Buder, accordionKatarina Andreasson, violin

The Austrian composer/conductor HK Gruber and the Swedish trumpeter Håkan Hardenberger are collaborators of long standing, whose previous projects in common include the highly successful trumpet concerto Aerial. Like that piece, Busking (from 2007) was also composed at the instigation of Hardenberger. In his own liner notes, Gruber relates how the piece, which is here released on disc for the first time, came into being. The original commission was for a piece for string orchestra and solo trumpet in C, without the use of mutes, slides or unorthodox playing techniques, but this soon developed into something rather more complicated, partly through Hardenberger’s own suggestions. The solo trumpet part of the finished work involves both E flat and C trumpets, as well as the flugelhorn, and the soloist is also required to play on the mouthpiece alone; it furthermore

employs various mutes and techniques such as multiphonics. The final score also includes solo parts for banjo and accordion, as well as some highly involved writing for strings, making busking, in Gruber’s own words, ‘one of my most difficult pieces, a tour de force for the soloists and orchestral musicians alike.’ Gruber has enjoyed a close relationship with the Swedish Chamber Orchestra for several years, a collaboration which has already been documented on disc with Manhattan broadcasts – ‘a disc to convert anyone who thinks contemporary music is unapproachable’ according to the reviewer in The Daily Telegraph. On the present disc, it is the orchestra’s leader Katarina Andreasson who takes on the solo parts of the remaining two works, the by turns lyrical and jazzy Nebelsteinmusik, and Violin Concerto No.1, which sprang from a love song composed by Gruber in 1973. The theme of the song underlies the entire one-movement work, but is only presented by the violin in its entirety at the very end.

bIS-CD-1781

Beethoven – Piano Concertos 4 & 5Ludwig van beethoven: Piano Concerto No.4 in G major, Op.58; Piano Concerto No.5 in E flat major, Op.73, ‘Emperor’

Yevgeny Sudbin, piano / Minnesota Orchestra / Osmo Vänskä

Yevgeny Sudbin made his sensational début on disc with a programme of sonatas by Scarlatti, but soon continued with recordings of music by later composers from his own country of birth, Russia. 2010 saw Sudbin’s return to the 18th century, with a Haydn recital which has confirmed his reputation as a highly versatile musician, ‘whose exquisite nuances, shimmering colours and rare rhetorical power make him an ideal Haydn interpreter.’(Pizzicato) This acclaimed disc was described as ‘truly a class act’ by Classic FM Magazine; an act which Sudbin now follows up with the first disc in a series of beethoven’s piano concertos. Opening with the composer’s final two works in the genre, Sudbin shares the stage with Minnesota Orchestra and Osmo Vänskä, a team whose beethoven credentials are assured after their recent cycle of the nine symphonies – ‘unquestionably one the great beethoven cycles’ according to the website ClassicsToday.com. If beethoven’s first works in the concerto genre are indebted to Mozart, the composer had definitely found his own feet by the time of Piano Concerto No.4 in G major. This is evident from the very beginning of the work where, instead of the expected orchestral introduction, the solo piano enters, signalling the intimate and

lyrical quality of the work. No less innovative is Piano Concerto No.5 in E flat major – by many considered the finest of all piano concertos. Giving the timpani an unusually prominent and crucial role, this work is majestic and at times even martial in character, something which in English-speaking countries has earned it the nickname ‘Emperor’.

bIS-SACD-1758

Smetana – Má Vlastbedřich Smetana: Má Vlast (1872–79) – Vyšehrad; Vltava (The Moldau); Šárka; From bohemia’s Woods and Fields; Tábor; blaník

Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra / Claus Peter Flor

by gathering six symphonic poems under the title Má Vlast (‘My Country‘), Bedřich Smetana created what is probably the most extensive portrayal of any geographical region in the history of music. In his cycle (composed between 1874 and 1879) Smetana combined the new genre of symphonic poem, a term coined by Liszt in 1854, with the then highly fashionable ideals of nationalistic music. The result was an instant success – not just on Smetana‘s home ground, but also internationally – and the various parts (especially The Moldau) still remain favourites in concert halls all over the world. Female warriors, Christian reformers, medieval fortresses and peasant festivals – all of these appear in the broad fresco in which Smetana depicted his beloved bohemia. Ranging from idyllic to grandiose, the music is here performed by Claus Peter Flor and the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra, a team whose recording of the Asrael Symphony by Smetana‘s compatriot Josef Suk made great impact on its release in 2009.

bIS-SACD-1805

Page 13: CDs New Release Guide

DECEMBER 2010 13

Beethoven Cello and Piano SonatasPeter Martens, cello / Luis Magalhães, piano

While planning our approach to this recording, we decided to broaden our interpretative horizons through interaction with beethoven specialist Dr. Stewart Young, whose decades of research into his music has been ongoing and is not limited to the thorny tempo issues surrounding particularly his metronome marks. Whilst all interpretative decisions were of course our own, we benefitted from the open interaction provided by an ‘outside’ pair of ears in discussion, rehearsal and the sessions themselves.

We especially placed value upon the interpretative legacy on things beethovenian that his pupil and highly respected pianist friend Carl Czerny assembled in his extensive 1846 notes on the “Correct Performance” of all beethoven’s keyboard works.

103905-3

Chasing the ButterflySigurd Slåttebrekk, piano(Grieg's own 1892 Steinway at Troldhaugen)Edvard Grieg, piano (the 1903 acoustic recordings)Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra • Michail Jurowski, conductorTony Harrison, creative director

The 1903 acoustic recordings of Grieg playing nine of his own piano pieces are well known. Sigurd Slåttebrekk and

Tony Harrison were drawn to the artistic quality of the playing itself. This evolved into a historic pioneering project of 'musical archaeology', reviving a performance tradition from over a hundred years ago. They have gone through re-creation and beyond - with interpretations based as much on how Grieg played as on how he wrote. A brand new approach to 'original performance practice'! PSC1299

The Poet SpeaksSCHUMANN, Robert: Kinderszenen / Album for the YoungLiv Glaser, fortepiano

In his works ‘Kinderszenen’ and ‘Album for the Young’, Robert Schumann wrote music that speaks to both children

and adults alike. Liv Glaser and her 1830 Hafner fortepiano thrive in Schumann’s world of everyday stories and magic fun and games.

PCS1303

Arve Tellefsen plays Ole BullArve Tellefsen, violin / Håvard Gimse, piano / Trondheim Symphony Orchestra / Eivind Aadland, conductor

In 2010 it is 200 years since the birth of Ole bull, and his position is stronger than ever before in modern times. It is no exaggeration to say that this is largely due to the inspired work of one man: Arve Tellefsen. This celebration re-issue is a manifest over two outstanding Norwegian artists.

Throughout his long carer, Arve Tellefsen has been an ardent advocate of bringing the Ole bull legacy out to the world wide public. On this recording we hear Tellefsen in the extremely virtuosic, often melancholy melodic shapes that were the trademarks of bull.

PCS1312

GREAT NORWEGIAN COMPOSERS 1945-2000, VOL. 5. The Norwegian Wind Quintet

In 1955 five wind players from the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra formed The Norwegian Wind Quintet (NWQ). Outstanding musicians which together and separately had a huge impact on the Norwegian music scene. This double CD offers a selection of works with which The Norwegian Wind

Quintet had a special relationship. Carl Nielsen’s blåsekvintett from 1922 is a key work in the wind quintet repertoire, and it is considered to be one of Nielsen’s most important chamber music works. Johan Fernström had a central position in Swedish music around the time of World War II, and completed his blåsekvintett, op. 59 in 1943.

PSC1835 (2CDs)

Johann Sebastian BachThe Orchestral Suites

Celebrating with bachReleased on a double CD set, Concerto Köln's agile dynamism works wonders on the music, highlighting a dance-like character which is often so sorely missed. The vitality of the performance surrenders none of it subtlety, however, intelligently reproducing bach's perfectly balanced structures. The Suites boast an element of surprise, which perhaps only such well known works can offer!

0300061 bC (2 CDs)

Christmas at San MarcoGemma Bertagnolli, Valentina Varriale, Mary-Ellen Nesi, Julien Behr, Clemens Heidrich

Vocal Concert Dresden, Dresdner Instrumental-Concert, Peter Kopp

This new recording by the Vocal Concert Dresden recaptures the splendid musical resonance of a Venetian Christmas festival. A redoubtable quintet of international soloists and the Dresdner Instrumental-Concert combine with the highly acclaimed choir directed by Peter Kopp.

"Transparent counterpoint, sensitive lines of expression, speech-related musical phrasing and harmonic fields of sound blend into a well-proportioned whole." (Concerto)

0300063 bC

LUDWIG GÜTTLERConcertos of the 18th Century

Virtusoi Saxoniae

Striking testimony to a time of transition from Torelli to Hummel: concertos for trumpet and corno da caccia from the late baroque to the Classical era.

0300168 bC

LUDWIG GÜTTLERGloriaChristiane Oelze · Hans Peter BlochwitzConcentus Vocalis Wien · Hallenser Madrigalisten ·Virtuosi Saxoniae

Vivaldi's "Gloria" and "Magnificat", combined with bach's "Gloria": adoration of the Virgin sublimated in music, under the direction of Ludwig Güttler.

0300169 bC

Page 14: CDs New Release Guide

14 DECEMBER 2010

Trio Wanderer play Smetana & LisztSMETANA: Trio op.15LISZT: Tristia, Élégie no.1/ La Lugubre Gondole/Romance oubliée/ Die Zelle in Nonnenwerth

Trio Wanderer

This resolutely elegiac disc offers an opportunity to discover, through their chamber music, the dark side of two composers who are not often associated. Smetana's primary purpose was to give utterance to a cry of pain at his daughter's death through the appropriate medium of the piano trio. In the Liszt pieces, elegies and funeral gondolas remind us of the deeply human and tormented nature of a composer haunted by death and who, more than any other, was capable of expressing its icy smile.The Trio Wanderer realise all this in deeply moving performances.

Mozart : Keyboard Music, Vol.2Mozart:Piano Sonata No. 10 in C major, K330Rondo in A minor, K511Rondo in D major, K485Adagio in b minor, K540Piano Sonata No. 14 in C minor, K457

Kristian Bezuidenhout, forte piano

Fortepianist Kristian bezuidenhout continues his multi-disc survey of Mozart's music for solo keyboard. Volume 2 features an instrument by Paul McNulty, modelled on a Viennese original by Anton Walter & Sohn (c.1802).

"bezuidenhout is a prince of the fortepiano, making it sing in melodic phrases as no other practitioner of this intractable instrument has done in my experience."The Times, UK

Franz Liszt :Harmonies poétiques et religieusesBrigitte Engerer, piano

Along with the "années de pèlerinage", the "harmonies poétiques et religieuses" is the most important cycle Liszt composed for the piano. It reveals his mystical dimension, at once poetic and religious, through reference to the universal poetry of Lamartine.

Liszt transposes his verse into music that is glorious yet intimate, tormented yet soothing, served here by the humanist vision of brigitte Engerer.

Yakov ZAK in concert (1949-1951)brahms : Piano concerto no.2 in b flat major, Op.83Prokofiev : Piano concerto no.2 in G minor, Op.16

Yakov ZAK, pianoLeningrad PhilharmonicUSSR Radio Symphony, MoscowKurt Sanderling, conductor

Yakov Zak was one of the greatest names in Soviet piano performing and teaching but remained little known abroad, with the possible exception of the United States. From a Jewish family in Odessa like Emil Gilels, three years his junior, he achieved skills worthy of the latter with whom he frequently played in duo. A student of Heinrich Neuhaus, 1st Prize at the Chopin Competition in 1937, with special mention for his interpretation of the mazurkas, his vast repertoire concentrated on beethoven – late Sonatas, Diabelli Variations – Schubert, Chopin, of course, brahms with the two Concertos, Rachmaninov's 4th Concerto – preceding Michelangeli – Prokofiev and Medtner, whom he defended with Gilels. Endowed with Olympian technique and a clear, solid sense of form, he remains a model, a humanist whose current discography is amazingly meagre. He died of a heart attack on 28 June 1976, the day after a brutal police interrogation.

HMC902060

MIR084

HMU907498

PRD-DSD-350054

Tropical GangsterSalsa from Venezuela - Victor Hugo

Fresh, hot salsa! It is fast, exciting, romantic and always eminently danceable.

Víctor Hugo, nominated for ‘best Latin Artist’ in 2005, fuses Afro-Cuban salsa with Merengue, bolero, Salsaton, bachata...

“… a pleasure for all salsa aficionados and an irresistible invitation to dance!” – Elfi, Jazz Live

EUCD2309

Afghan MusicZohreh Jooya & Ustad Hossein Arman

Music from the different regions and peoples of Afghanistan

Featuring Zohreh Jooya and Ustad Hossein Arman

Played on traditional instruments. Extensive information about the artists and the music.

Famous TangosBuenos Aires Tango Trio

The buenos Aires Tango Trio present an excellent tango album with 17 tangos by great names such as Astor Piazzolla,Carlos Gardel, Eduardo Arolas, Aníbal Troilo, Angel Villoldo, Agustín bardi… Such tangos as El choclo, El último café, El amanecer,La última curda, Contrabajeando, Desde el alma, Rosa rio…

Played on piano, flute, guitar, bass and bandoneón plus occasional vocals.

20 SitarsRash Behari Datta

A milestone album and a “first ever!” in Indian classical music

Rash behari Datta plays 20 sitars in this concertobased on Indian classical Raga Malkouns.

Beautiful Songs of Chile

Conjunto Folclorico “Danzamerica” De ChileA lively and cheerful album. Presenting a cross-section of Chile’s beautiful and varied folk music from the northern, central and southern regions and the Easter Islands. Played on authentic traditional instruments and lots of photos.

Slovakia Songs & DanceUrpín Folklore Ensemble

A beautiful and vibrant album of traditional music from SlovakiaPresented by the multiple award-winning Ensemble “Urpín”.Played on traditional instruments(accordion, violin, clarinet, cimbalom, viola…)

EUCD2310

EUCD2311 EUCD2312

EUCD2313 EUCD2314

Page 15: CDs New Release Guide

DECEMBER 2010 15

DEBUSSY: 16 PréludesJorge Bolet, piano

Jorge bolet made this superbly languid and delicate recording of 16 Préludes by Debussy less than two years before his untimely death in 1990 at the age of 75.

“Bolet’s performances, with their inimitable beauty of line and shimmering sonority (very much the product of

an unobtrusive but subtle virtuoso pedal technique), their poetic freedom within a basic pulse, were like some serene and final distillation of all he had learnt and known, the massive and legendary virtuosity of earlier days directed into an ever increasing concern with more durable musical truths.”Gramophone, 1991

8802026

PAGANINI: Violin Concerto No.1 in D Op.6TCHAIKOVSKY: Sérénade mélancholique in B flat minor Op.26; Valse-Scherzo Op.34Midori (violin),London Symphony Orchestra, Leonard Slatkin

Recording made in 1987

Midori has yet to celebrate her 40th birthday, but has been performing in public at the highest level for over 30 years. This

remarkable recording was made when she was just 13 years old, and has been one of the benchmark versions of this concerto ever since.

“Midori, an astonishingly accomplished 13-year-old, is fully equal to the work’s formidable technical demands and one is never made to feel uncomfortable when she is dealing with the pyrotechnics of the upper tessitura”Gramophone, August 1998 8802028

TCHAIKOVSKY: The Piano ConcertosViktoria Postnikova (piano),Wiener Symphoniker,Gennady Rozhdestvensky

Recording made in 1982

The Complete Piano Concertos

“…The range of [Postnikova’s] imagination and understanding, her eloquently honed pianism, her profound Russianness, is commandingly on display." International Piano Magazine

8802027 (2CDs)

BARTÓK: Concerto for OrchestraThe Miraculous Mandarin –complete ballet

Boston Symphony Orchestra,Tanglewood Festival Chorus,Seiji Ozawa

Recording made in 1984

“Ozawa is best where the going gets frantic (his finale is terrific, especially at the outset, and he plays Bartók’s more concise original ending) …”Gramophone, August 1995 8802029

HOLST: The Planets Op.32Boston Symphony Orchestra,New England Conservatory Chorus,Seiji Ozawa

Recording made in 1980

“Ozawa’s interpretation of The Planets is assuredly not in the Boult tradition, but brings a fresh approach to Holst’s sole excursion into extravagance.” Gramophone, June 1987

8802031

HANDEL: Messiah(ed. Julian Herbage)Dame Joan Sutherland (soprano),Grace Bumbry (mezzosoprano),Kenneth McKellar (tenor),David Ward (bass), George Malcolm (harpsichord),London Symphony Orchestra and Chorus,John McCarthy chorus master, Sir Adrian Boult conductor

Recording made in 1961

“The chorus, firm in tone and clear in its runs throughout, emerges well from a rehearing of this set; and behind everything lies the sensibility of Boult, who brings to the performance a spiritual conviction that helps one overlook incidental weaknesses.”Gramophone, November 1978 8802032 (3CDs)

J.S. BACHSt. Matthew PassionChoir of King’s College, Cambridge

The Choir of King’s College, CambridgeThe Choir of Jesus College, CambridgeBrandenburg ConsortLeader Roy GoodmanConducted by Stephen CleoburyRogers Covey-Crump EvangelistMichael George JesusEmma Kirkby SopranoMichael Chance AltoMartyn Hill Tenor

G.F. HANDELMessiahChoir of King’s College, Cambridge

The Choir of King’s College, CambridgeBrandenburg ConsortLeader Roy GoodmanConducted by Stephen CleoburyLynne Dawson sopranoHillary Summers altoJohn Mark Ainsley tenorAlastair Miles bassCrispian Steele Perkins trumpet

J.S. BACHSt. John PassionChoir of King’s College, Cambridge

The Choir of King’s College, CambridgeBrandenburg ConsortLeader Roy GoodmanConducted by Stephen CleoburyJohn Mark Ainsley EvangelistStephen Richardson ChristusCatherine Bott SopranoMichael Chance AltoPaul Agnew TenorStephen Varcoe Bass / Pilatus220305 220306 220226

Ralph Fiennes reads KiplingRalph Fiennes, Ruggiero Ricci (violin) & Ernest Lush (piano)

London Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Adrian Boult

This CD of extracts from Kipling’s writing is read by the british-born Hollywood actor Ralph Fiennes, who has most recently appeared in the Harry Potter films as Lord Voldemort.

Recorded in the study at bateman’s, Kipling’s Jacobean house in East Sussex where he wrote many of his books.bateman’s is now owned by the National Trust.

ORC100014

Page 16: CDs New Release Guide

16 DECEMBER 2010

Pugni: The Pharaoh's Daughter

Svetlana Zakharova, Sergei Filin, Gennady Yanin,Maria Aleksandrova (dancers)

Soloists of the Bolshoï Ballet &Orchestra of the Bolshoï Theatre, Alexander Sotnikov

Choreographer: Pierre Lacotte after Marius Petipa.

World Premiere Recording in HD

For the first time in blu-ray, bel Air Classiques present Petipa’s extravaganza, The Pharaoh’s Daughter, in the stunning production by Pierre Lacotte. This Russian ballet enjoys a special place in history. Premiered in 1862, this grand spectacle, which lasted four hours and featured a cast of 400, was Petipa’s first truly successful ballet and secured his future in St. Petersburg, where he went on to become the most influential choreographer of the 19th century. Until recently, The Pharaoh’s Daughter was also one of Petipa’s lost ballets; it hadn’t been performed since 1928. In 2000 the French choreographer Pierre Lacotte premièred a restored version at the bolshoi Theatre, after much research into the original, resulting in a shorter although still sumptuous extravaganza.

Gluck: Orfeo ed Euridice(Sung in French)

Roberto Alagna (tenor), Serena Gamberoni (soprano) & Marc Barrard (baritone)

Teatro Comunale di Bologna Orchestra,Giampaolo Bisanti

Libretto Pierre-Louis Moline

Theatrical and musical adaptation in one prologue and three acts by David Alagna.

Opting for the French-language version of Orpheus, David Alagna was faced with the task of achieving an appropriately subtle adaptation. In a plot transposed to the present day, Eurydice dies in a car accident on the day of her wedding and Orpheus's quest for his beloved is a dream beginning and ending at the cemetery. No happy ending in this interpretation, but a new approach to characterisation: Amore, sung by a baritone, becomes a funeral parlour employee and Orpheus' guide. Orpheus, of course, loses his loved one forever by turning to look back. World famous tenor Roberto Alagna throws himself body and soul into this production.

bAC 401 (blu-ray) bAC 452 (blu-ray)

Tchaikovsky:Swan Lake, Op. 20Zurich Ballet & Zurich Opera Orchestra, Vladimir Fedoseyev

Choreography by Heintz Spoerli

In 2005 it was over 30 years since the Zurich Opera House had seen a performance of probably the world’s best-loved ballet, Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake. The Zurich ballet, which has become one of the world’s leading dance ensembles under

Heinz Spoerli’s direction, raised this famed work from its slumber with a dream team to tackle this classic anew. Zurich ballet Director and choreographer Spoerli has long been confirmed as a master storyteller and an imaginative renewer of the genre: with the support of set designer Erich Wonder and costumier Florence von Gerkan he has devised a new and contemporary version of this classic dance tale that has been eagerly awaited by ballet enthusiasts all over the world, in this his third production of Swan Lake. Top Russian conductor Vladimir Fedoseyev ensures an evening of musical excellence, too.

It has just been announced that at the end of the 2011/12 season, Heinz Spoerli is to stand down as ballet Director and Principal Choreographer at the Opera House in Zurich.

The Paris Opera Ballet

Le Parc - Isabelle Guérin • Laurent HilaireChoreography: Angelin Preljocaj, Music: W. A. MOZART & Goran VejvodaOrchestre de l’Opéra de Paris / Stéphane DenèveSignes - Marie-Agnès Gillot • Kader BelarbiChoreography: Carolyn Carlson,Décors et costumes: Olivier DebréMusic : René AubryProust - Mathieu Ganio • Manuel Legris Hervé Moreau •Eleonora Abbagnato Stéphanie Romberg • Stéphane BullionChoreoraphy: Roland Petit

Musique: Beethoven, Debussy, Faure, Faure, Franck, Hahn, Saint-saëns, WagnerOrchestre de l’Opéra de Paris : Koen

Three great ballets by three great choreographers, danced by the Paris Opera ballet in a mid-price box set.

bAC 455 (blu-ray) bAC 604 (3 DVDs)

Rossini: Petite Messe SolennelleGewandhausChor, Chor der Oper Leipzig; Alexandrina Pendatchanska, soprano; Manuela Custer, alt; Stefano Secco, tenor; Mirco Palazzi, bass Gewandhaus Orchester Riccado Chailly

Gioacchino Rossini's Petite Messe Solennelle was written in 1863, "the last", the composer called it, of my "péchés de vieillesse" (sins of old age). For its first performance (1864) Rossini arranged the work with only two pianos and harmonium. Partly for fear that it would be done anyway after his death, Rossini discreetly orchestrated the Petite Messe Solennelle during 1866-67, without losing its candor and subtlety. The resulting version had its first public performance on 28 February 1869, three months after the composer's death.

"Mr Chailly's genius for the Rossini style has ripened with the years.His performance has daring and velocity." Gramophone

Claudio Abbado - Hearing the SilenceDaniel Harding, bruno Ganz berliner Philharmoniker, Mahler Chamber Orchestra,Wiener Philharmoniker, Lucerne Festival Orchestra

Claudio Abbado - Hearing the Silence conveys an intensely moving view on one of the leading musicians of our time. In several interviews, Abbado is talking about artistical, musical and biographical aspects of his life. The film shows excerpts from rehearsals and concerts with some of his favourite orchestras. In addition, various and colourful motives of Abbado's life beside opera and concert halls will be seen, combined with statements from colleagues and friends, who help characterizing the "silent thinker".

2053279 2057428

Jurowski conducts Straus & RavelJurowski conducts the Chamber Orchestra of EuropeHélène Grimaud, piano Chamber Orchestra of Europe Vladimir Jurowski, conductor

In January 2009 at Paris's Cité de la Musique, the internationally renowned conductor Vladimir Jurowski led the Chamber Orchestra

of Europe in a varied and imaginative programme that included Strauss's Le bourgeois Gentilhomme and Metamorphosen, as well as Ravel's Piano Concerto in G. Their sensitive and insightful performance is reproduced here in full, and they are joined by award-winning French pianist Hélène Grimaud in a lively rendition of Ravel's concerto, in which soloist and orchestra expertly tease out its whimsical lyricism and sonorous harmonies.

Lucerne Festival 2009 - Abbado conducts Mahler No. 4 Rückert LiederMagdalena Kožená, mezzo-soprano Lucerne Festival Orchestra Claudio Abbado

The charismatic and inspiring Claudio Abbado and the magnificent mezzo-soprano Magdalena Kožená, with the Lucerne Festival

Orchestra, hold the audience spellbound in this live recording from Lucerne Festival in Summer. Mahler’s five Rückert-Lieder – in a profoundly moving and rapturously received performance – precede Mahler’s sublime and deeply personal Fourth Symphony. This extraordinary work is executed with power, passion and sensitivity, with Magdalena Kožená giving a transcendent rendition of the final movement.

20579883078734 (blu-ray)3078738 (DVD)

Page 17: CDs New Release Guide

DECEMBER 2010 17

Giuseppe VERDI (1813 – 1901)Don Carlos: Wiener Staatsoper, 2004

Alastair Miles, Ramón Vargas, Bo Skovhus, Nadja Michael, Iano Tamar, Simon Yang, Wiener Staatsoper, Bertrand De Billy, Peter Konwitschny, Johannes Leiacker

Arthaus presents the world première of the unabridged version of Don Carlos at the Vienna State Opera, in a staging by the world renowned German director Peter Konwitschny.

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756 – 1791)Die Zauberflöte Für Kinder: Felsenreitschule Salzburg, 1982A Performance for Children: Concept And Script: Christian Boesch

Kurt Rydl, Peter Schreier, Zdzislawa Donat, Ileana Cotrubas, Edda Moser, Ann Murray, Christian Boesch, Gudrun Sieber, Konzertvereinigung Wiener Staatsopernchor, Wiener Philharmoniker, James Levine, Jean-Pierre Ponnelle

Gaetano DONIZETTI (1797 –1848)

Don Pasquale: Live Recording From The Teatro Alla Scala, 1994

Ferruccio Furlanetto, Lucio Gallo, Gregory Kunde, Nuccia Focile, Claudio Giombi, Riccardo Muti, Stefano Vizioli

This DVD presents a sophisticated staging of Donizetti’s wittiest opera, Don Pasquale.

Léo DELIBES (1836 – 1891)Sylvia: Opéra National De Paris, 2005A Ballet By John NeumeierAurélie Dupont, Marie-Agnès Gillot, Manuel Legris, Nicolas Le Riche, José Martinez, Opéra National De Paris, Paul Connelly

The longstanding and enormously successful director of the Hamburg ballet, John Neumeier, created his famous adaptation of Sylvia at the invitation of the Paris ballet.

Felix MENDELSSOHN-BARTHOLDY (1809 - 1847)George BALANCHINE (1904 – 1983)A Midsummer Night’s Dream: The Teatro Alla Scala, 2007

Alessandra Ferri, Roberto Bolle, Massimo Murru, Nir Kabaretti, George Balanchine

The DVD shows a recording of A Midsummer Night’s Dream in the famous balanchine choreography, which made the ballet such a popular staple with companies all over the world.

Conversations À Rechlin: Grand Théâtre de Genève, 2009Written and Directed by François DupeyronMusic by Franz Schubert, Robert Schumann, Hugo Wolf

Marie-Claude Chappuis, Inna Petcheniouk, Nicolas Brieger

Set against a backdrop of Europe in 1944, the end of the Second World War and the collapse of Nazi Germany, the story shows three people brought together by a daily ritual that overcomes the differences between them.

Maria Kliegel: Cello Masterclass“Using Technique and Imagination to achieve Artistic Expression” 198 page book and 2 DVDs

Maria Kliegel has been a Naxos house artist for many years and has recorded most of the cello repertoire for the label. She is also a respected and successful teacher at the Cologne Conservatory. This 2-DVD set offers a comprehensive cello course and covers not only technical aspects but also musical interpretation. It also includes musical excerpts such as the infamous passages from

the Cello Concertos by Haydn (D) and Schumann, and from Tchaikovsky’s Rococo Variations. The spoken English text is included in the accompanying book.

2.110280-81 (2 DVDs + book)

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Richard WAGNER (1813-1883)

Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg: Bayreuth Festspiele 2008Artur Korn, Franz Hawlata, Charles Reid , Rainer Zaun, Michael Volle, Markus Eiche, Edward RandallHans-Jürgen Lazar, Stefan Heibach, Martin Snell, Andreas Macco, Klaus Florian Vogt, Carola Guber, Diógenes RandesBayreuther Festspiele Chorus, Bayreuther Festspiele, Sebastian Weigle, Katharina Wagner

Ostensibly Richard Wagner’s opera Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg tells a humorous tale about artistically inclined craftsmen. Upon closer inspection however, it emerges as a profound social analysis.

Richard STRAUSS (1864-1949)

Electra: Festspielhaus Baden-Baden, 2010Linda Watson, Hugo Von Hofmannsthal, Jane Henschel, Manuela Uhl, René Kollo, Albert Dohmen Vienna Philharmonic Choir, Munich Philharmonic Orchestra, Herbert Wernicke, Christian Thielemann,

Conducted by Christian Thielemann, this performance was the sensation of the 2010 baden-baden Festival. A one-act masterpiece inspired by Greek mythology, it is a dense, jagged cry for justice and vengeance. With its powerfully expressive chords, spooky waltz rhythms and mad dance of triumph, it shakes the audience to the core.

OA1041D (2 DVDs)OAbD7078D (blu-ray)

OA1046D (DVD)OAbD7082D (blu-ray)

BEETHOVEN: Symphonies No.1 – 3Overtures Coriolan & Egmont Documentaries about each SymphonyChristian Thielemann & Wiener Philharmoniker

NTSC • Picture Format: 16:9, HDDVD Sound Format: DTS 5.1, PCM Stereo Blu-Ray Sound Format: Sound Format: dts-HD MA 5.1, PCM Stereo Running Time: 155 minutesDocumentaries: 170 minutesSubtitles: E, F, Sp, I, Kor., Chin.Booklet Notes: English, German, French

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ARTHAUS TITLESD E C E M B E R 2 0ARTHAUS TITLESD E C E M B E R 2 0

Giuseppe VERDI

AIDA

From the Opera House Zurich Operetta in three actsSung in German; Based on the comedy L'Attaché d'ambassade by HENRI MEILHACDAGMAR SCHELLENBERGER, RODNEY GILFRY, UTE GFRERER, PIOTR BECZALA, RUDOLF A. HARTMANN, HERBERT PRIKOPAOrchestra, Choir and Statistenverein of the Opera House Zurich,FRANZ WELSER-MÖST

This magnificent production of Verdi’s most-loved masterpiece was a triumphant success when it opened at La Scala in December 1985 and Luciano Pavarotti’s long-awaited performance as Radames - his first in Italy - was greeted with rapturous applause. In this live recording of that production, Pavarotti heads an exceptional cast with Ghena Dimitrova, Maria Chiara, Nicolai Ghiaurov and Juan Pons all in peak form. Lorin Maazel’s reading of the score shows a rare understanding of Verdi’s music.

"Maria Chiara, at her Scala debut, aroused enthusiasm with the purity of her singing. But the highlight of this performance was Luciano Pavarotti, whose magnificent opening aria, ‘Celeste Aida’ , won a two-minute ovation."San Francisco Chronicle

"La Scala is perhaps the world's Aida theatre par excellence - stage, auditorium and acoustics all conspire to do justice to its every aspect. The work had not been given there for ten years and so, for this return, all the stops were pulled out."Financial Times

Live from Teatro alla Scala di Milano 1985Opera in Four Acts Libretto by ANTONIO GHISLANZONISung in ItalianMARIA CHIARA,LUCIANO PAVAROTTI,GHENA DIMITROVA,JUAN PONS,PAATA BURCHULADZE,NICOLAI GHIAUROV,FRANCESCA GARBI, ERNESTO GAVAZZIChorus and Orchestra of the Teatro alla ScalaLorin Maazel (Conductor)

BARBARA BONNEY, BRYN TERFEL,BERLINER PHILHARMONIKER, Swedish Radio Choir, Eric Ericson Chamber Choir, CLAUDIO ABBADORecorded at the MUSIKVEREIN, VIENNA

"...some of the loveliest singing this demanding music has received." MusicWeb

Arthaus presents the gorgeously sonorous Ein Deutsches Requiem, recorded at the Musikverein, Vienna in April 1997 with a host of stellar names including the ubiquitous Bryn Terfel, man of the moment, and with a relaxed Claudio Abbado conducting, clearly enjoying the performance.

The Requiem, held by some to have been written in memory of Schumann, by others in memory of the composer's mother, is scored for soprano and baritone soli, SATB chorus and orchestra and musically marks a turning point in compositional technique by which Brahms influenced the entire world of music. The way he arranged the seven movements and composed individual passages demonstrates his creative thinking, free from musical as well as Christian dogma.

"Is Bryn Terfel touched with genius? ... Caruso must have had the same unaffected charisma, the same communicative generosity. If it isn't genius, it's a quality very like it - the stuff of legend." www.telegraph.co.uk

Giacomo PUCCINI

La BohèmeOpera in Four ActsLibretto by GIUSEPPE CIACOSA & LUIGI ILLICASung in ItalianMIRELLA FRENI, LUCIANO PAVAROTTI, SANDRA PACETTI, GINO QUILICO, NICOLAI GHIAUROV, STEPHEN DICKSON, ITALO TAJOChorus and Orchestra of the San Francisco OperaTiziano Severini (Conductor)

"La Bohème", which opened at the San Francisco Opera House Wednesday night

(Nov 19, 1988), starred international recording star Luciano Pavarotti as Rodolfo and Mirella

Freni as Mimi, who both had their debut with the company 21 years ago in the same roles."

Opera review

"Pavarotti's and Freni's artistry is so superb that disbelief at these 50-somethings

portraying Rodolfo and Mimi is suspended. The support around them is excellent, and the

staging is ultra-traditional yet fun."

Malcolm Hayes

"Luciano Pavarotti and Mirella Freni turned in incandescent performances as Puccini's

young lovers."

San Francisco Times

To save the billions belonging to the young and attractive widow Hanna Glawari for his country Pontevedro, Baron Zeta commands the charming womanizer Count Danilo Danilowitsch to carry out his patriotic duty in marrying the widow. What the baron cannot have known is that Danilo and Hanna already had a relationship in the past…

This captivating production glides along with a twinkle in its eye, brought to life by director Helmut Lohner. The opulent set (mainly designed in red and gold) provides the setting for elegant costumes mixing traditional costumes and Parisian evening attire, while the handsome pairing of Dagmar Schellenberger and Rodney Gilfry provides a wonderfully tongue-in-cheek portrayal of the widow and her suitor. Franz Welser-Möst is at the helm, guiding us through Lehár's music.

"[Gilfry] is an extraordinarily talented young man blessed with a real flair for the stage, a sophisticated sense of style and appealing vocal resources. He is, moreover, an artist who actually can exude charm without being arch about it." Martin Bernheimer, Los Angeles Times

"Baritone Rodney Gilfry danced and sang Danilo as if fashioned from pure air - so much so as to out-twinkle his Widow." Alan Rich, Opera News

"Dagmar Schellenberger has a pleasingly full-toned and creamy soprano voice with good legato and extension at each end. She has graduated through the classic Mozartian lyric soprano parts, essayed the three female roles in 'Hoffman', and with her capacity for expression and nuance, as exhibited here, can look forward to an expanding career in heavier roles. I shall be looking out for her name in the theatre and on disc." MusicWeb

Johannes BRAHMSEin Deutsches Requiem Op. 45

Franz LEHAR Die Lustige Witwe (The Merry Widow)

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PYOTR IIYICH TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) The Nutcracker, ballet in two acts op. 71 From the Deutsche Staatsoper Berlin 1999 Cast: NADJA SAIDAKOVA, VLADIMIR MALAKHOV, OLIVER MATZ, STAATSKAPELLE BERLINConductor: DANIEL BARENBOIM

Pyotr Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKYSleeping BeautyFrom the Bolshoi Theatre 1989Ballet in Three Acts and a Prologue NINA SEMIZOROVA,ALEKSEI FADEYECHEV, NINA SPERANSKAYA, YURI VETROVTHE Bolshoi Ballet, The Bolshoi Theatre Orchestra, ALEKSANDR KOPILOVChoreography by MARIUS PETIPAStaged by YURI GRIGOROVICH

Sleeping Beauty, Tchaikovsky's brightest, most festive and joyous work, is also the chief work and masterpiece of St Petersburg choreographer Marius Petipa. The Soviet ballet historian,

Yuri Slonimsky, put the significance of the féerie in a nutshell, characterising it as the "encyclopaedia of classical dance". Both the dramatic build-up, which contrives to constantly develop of the dance events in a single, huge span of tension, from the prologue, through four huge adagios and right up to the final apotheosis, and the inexhaustible wealth of inventiveness and diversity and the perfection of the individual dance and step sequences, are seen as exemplary of the St. Petersburg ballet style of the late 19th century.

Grigorovich's Sleeping Beauty is an example of a creative conflict and metamorphosis as reconstruction: "We have breathed new life into the principles of dancing, symphonic dramatisation and harked back to Petipa at the same time. […] Pompous retrospectives were replaced by performances where the human world of the protagonists was the main motivating force of the story line, the focus upon which the choreographer's thoughts and emotions could concentrate."

It was certainly remarkable that only a year after all the Mozart anniversary performances (1991), the Ludwigsburg Castle festival decided on a Magic Flute production. (The premiere of the production recorded here took place on 26 August 1992.) This was no easy task for director Axel Manthey and conductor Wolfgang Gonnenwein. With clear, naive images combining in a beautiful, dramatic play of colors, Manthey succeeds in teasing out the different aspects of this opera. The larger-than-life symbols (snake, lightning, tree) also help with this.

"This is visually enchanting, yet at the same time avoids overlooking the characters' frailties; there are really moving moments, and sometimes one holds one's breath in wonder (...) That particular Magic Flute note of marvel and surprise is rarely sounded so clearly as here in Ludwigsburg (...) The conductor Wolfgang Gonnenwein creates real suspense and excitement with music of effervescence and vitality. Avoiding all obsequiousness as well as sentimentality, leaving enough time for Mozart's heart-tones to calmly unfold and resonate, Gonnenwein gives this Magic Flute an inner tempo, which leaves no place for portentousness." (Horst Koegler in Opernwelt ("Opera World"))

Richard STRAUSS

ElektraElektra – EVA MARTONKlytämnestra – BRIGITTE FASSBAENDERChrysothemis – CHERYL STUDERAegisth – JAMES KINGOrest – FRANZ GRUNDHEBERVienna State Opera ChorusVienna State Opera OrchestraCLAUDIO ABBADO, Conductor

This Vienna State Opera production of Strauss's opera of revenge, torment, violence and horror, is directed by Harry Kupfer as a tale of tyranny and bloodshed. His bold and terrifying concept is reiterated in Hans Schavernoch's cavernous decor. He opens with an abattoir, the five maids piling dripping chunks of carcasses into borrows, and closes with a more human slaughterhouse as Orestes raises his bloody hands to heaven.

Conducting his first Strauss opera, Claudio Abbado wrings a harrowing performance from the peerless Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. The music is infused with an eeriness and neurosis that heightens the emotions on stage. In the title role, Eva Marton gives an uninhibited and exultant performance, matched by that of Brigitte Fassbaender as her mother, Klytemnestra, murderer and widow of Agamemnon. Bejewelled from head to foot and consumed by the flames of guilt-ridden insanity, Fassbaender sings as if truly possessed. The more lyrical role of Chrysothemis is sung by Cheryl Studer, with a ragged and single-minded Orestes played by Franz Grundheber.

P. I. Tchaikovsky is considered to be Russia's great symphonic composer. In his music he achieved a synthesis of the national musical language of Russia and the compositional forms of the western European Romantics. His most famous ballets enjoy a position of honor in the Classical Ballet repertoire on account of their melodic intensity and instrumental brilliance. In the fairy tale "The Nutcracker and the King of the Mice" written by the German Romantic E. T. A. Hoffmann and published in 1814, on which Tchaikovsky's ballet is based, Christmas provides the realistic setting for a fantastic plot. Fiction and reality are woven together by means of strange and wondrous occurrences to produce a fascinating and unfathomable labyrinth. Both Hoffmann and Tchaikovsky, who began to compose the ballet in his fiftieth year, could identify with the literary figure of the watchmaker Drosselmeier, who gives order to his life through his work. In 1999, exactly 107 years - to the day - after the first performance in St. Petersburg, Patrice Bart's choreography of Tchaikovsky's worldwide success The Nutcracker was premiered at the Staatsoper Unter den Linden in Berlin. Bart placed a prologue before the ballet in which Marie is abducted as a child and in which everything is placed in a modern context.

Rossini was only 24 years old when in 1816 he wrote his seventeenth and most famous opera, The Barber of Seville, in an astonishing three weeks. Michael Hampei’s humorous direction of this 1988 live-performance at the Schwetzinger Festspiele stands out with its high tempo that makes for a highly exuberant production. Ezio Frigerio’s appealing stage setting and Mauro Paganoi’s colourful costumes heighten the comic effect.

JACQUES OFFENBACHOrphée Aux Enfers Eurydice – NATALIE DESSAY,Orphée – YANN BEURON,Pluton / Aristée – JEAN-PAUL FOUCHECOURT,Jupiter – LAURENT NAOURI,L’Opinion Publique – MARTINE OLMEDA,John Styx – STEVEN COLELyon National Opera OrchestraMARC MINKOWSKI, conductor

In the role of Eurydice, Natalie Dessay begins atonce with a display of vocal and verbal pyrotechnics, which are then taken up by Yann Beuron as Orpheus. Together they give us an idea of the developments to follow. Dancers and singers melt into a unit. The stage setting and an unconventional choreography sparkle with inventiveness. When Pluto, for example, arrives on skis from the underworld onto Mt. Olympus and Offenbach quotes the famous can-can right in the

middle of Pluto’s aria, it seems to be a parody of his own work. The production offers a wealth of material for modern interpretations of this operetta full to the brim with ironic sideswipes at morality and immorality. Thus we see a bored Eurydice lying on the sofa in her apartment as she zaps her way through the TV channels, constantly looking for diversion, showing us how timeless an opera buffa can really be. Sometimes she sings upside down, sometimes hopping around – a vocal masterpiece. Laurent Naouri also captivates in the role of Jupiter and, costumed as a fl y, demonstrates his vocal and acting talent with Jacques Offenbach’s "Buzz" aria.

Opera, Text by EMANUEL SCHIKANEDER,Sung in German,Live from the LUDWIGSBURGER SCHLOßTHEATER 1992, Musical Director WOLFGANG GONNENWEIN,Chorus and Orchestra of the LUDWIGSBURGER FESTSPIELE Cast: DEON VAN DER WALT, ULRIKE SONNTAG, CORNELIUS HAUPTMANN, ANDREA FREI, THOMAS MOHR, PATRICIA ROZARIO, HELENE SCHNEIDERMANNStage Director: AXEL MANTHEY

Comic Opera in Two Acts / Sung in Italian CECILIA BARTOLI, DAVID KUEBLER, GINO QUILICO, CARLOS FELLER, ROBERT LLOYED, Radio Symphony, ORCHESTRA STUTTGART, GABRIELE FERRO,Stage Director: MICHAEL HAMPE

Pyotr Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY

Nutcracker

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZARTDie Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute)

Gioacchino ROSSINI (1792-1868) Il Barbiere di Siviglia (The Barber of Seville)

Gabriele Ferro’s direction strikes a beautiful balance between a vibrant orchestral performance and a superb choir. The irresistible Cecilia Bartoli leads a cast that includes David Kübler, Gino Quilico and Carlos Feller.

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Recommended