Contact your preferred music store for these great new releases.
Click on the album cover for more information about each recording.
Play excerpts from the CDs on the player below.
Boccherini Divertimenti Op 16 Nos 2, 3, 5 (Vol 1) Piccolo Concerto Wien, Roberto Sensi (conductor) ACCENT | ACC24245 | 4015023242456 | CD
Lyrical chamber works by Haydn’s famous contemporary played by a leading European ensemble praised for its freshness and vitality. Boccherini’s music will brighten even the dullest day with its sheer charm. Forthcoming in 2011: Boccherini Divertimenti Op 12 (Vol 2) PLAY TRACK ‘2’
Bruch Violin Concerto No 1, Romance Op 85, String Quintet Vadim Gluzman (violin), Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, Andrew Litton (conductor), Sandis Steinbergs (violin), Maxim Rysanov (viola), Ilze Klava (viola), Reinis Birznieks (cello) BIS | BISSACD1852 | 7318599918525 | SACD
Bruch’s ever-popular first violin concerto coupled with other rarely-heard works. If you like Mendelssohn and Brahms, you’ll enjoy the sweeping passion and lyrical drama of this German Romantic master composer. This album is stunning. PLAY TRACK 3
Bach Cantatas Vol 48
O ewiges Feuer BWV34, Sei Lob und Her BWV117, Was Gott tut BWV98, Gottman lobet dich BWV120 Hana Blazikova (soprano), Robin Blaze (counter-tenor), Satoshi Mizukoshi (tenor), Peter Kooij (bass), Bach Collegium Japan, Masaaki Suziki (conductor) BIS | BISSACD1881 | 7318599918815 | SACD
Best-selling series presenting new and definitive performances of JS Bach’s immortal sacred cantatas. A firm favourite with many collectors and an ideal introduction to these immortal Baroque masterpieces. A must for every classical music collection. PLAY TRACK 1
Stravinsky Petrushka, The Rite of Spring Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, Andrew Litton (conductor) BIS | BISSACD1474 | 7318599914749 | SACD
Disc of the Month—Classics Today
Gorgeous playing from the Bergen Philharmonic, stunning audio, one of the best versions of these great works available. Conductor Andrew Litton is connected to Stravinsky via his teacher Sixten Ehrling, and brings special insight to these thrilling performances. PLAY TRACK 16
Dussek Piano Concertos Op 22 and 49, Marie Antoinette Andreas Staier (fortepiano), Concerto Köln CAPRICCIO | C5072 | 845221050720 | CD
Delightful Classical-period works by one of Haydn’s friends played on a historic Broadwood fortepiano made in 1806. Includes the moving tableau Marie Antoinette about the doomed French queen. The performers excel in this delightful repertoire. PLAY TRACK 6
Halvorsen Orchestral Works Vol 3
Symphony No 3, Bernsiana, Blak Swans*, Wedding Ravens in the Grove of the Crows*, Fossegrimen Suite, Wedding March Ragnhild Hemsing (hardanger fiddle), Marianne Thorsen (violin), Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, Neeme Järvi (conductor) CHANDOS | CHAN10664 | 95115166420 | CD
* 2 world premiere recordings. Do you enjoy Sibelius, Puccini or Rachmaninov? Then Norwegian composer Johan Halvorsen’s music is bound to appeal. The ‘Hardanger fiddle’ is a Norwegian folk instrument with a special sound. Vol 1 (CHAN10584) & Vol 2 (CHAN10614) are also available. PLAY TRACK 10
Rufinatscha Orchestral Works Vol 1
The Bride of Messina, Symphony No 6 BBC Philharmonic, Gianandrea Noseda (conductor) CHANDOS | CHAN10665 | 95115166529 | CD
World premiere recordings of Romantic music by Brahms’ admired Viennese colleague, reminiscent of Schubert’s Romantic orchestral music. Johan Rufinatscha was a new name to us, too, and we’re glad to have discovered him! Vols 2 & 3 are forthcoming. PLAY TRACK 15
French Violin Sonatas
Franck Sonata in A major, Debussy Sonata in G minor, Ravel Violin Sonata
Jennifer Pike (violin), Martin Roscoe (piano) CHANDOS | CHAN10667 | 95115166727 | CD
In 2002 Jennifer Pike became the youngest ever BBC Young Musician of the Year and this is her début Chandos recording. She is set to reach the top: ‘simply spectacular’ (The Independent), ‘a truly engaging musicality’ (The Times) and the music on this album is divine. PLAY TRACK 8
Haydn Piano Sonatas Vol 2
Piano Sonatas Nos 19, 20, 32, 48 & 50 Jean-Efflam Bavouzet (piano) CHANDOS | CHAN10668 | 95115166826 | CD
French pianist Jean-Efflam Bavouzet recently performed in Australia to critical acclaim. He gives fresh, stylish performances of five contrasting piano sonatas enhanced with stylish ornamentation which enriches these wonderful pieces. Haydn Piano Sonatas Volume 1 also available on CHAN10586. PLAY TRACK 12
Delius Appalachia, The Song of the High Hills Olivia Robinson (soprano), Christopher Bowen (tenor), Andrew Rupp (baritone), BBC Symphony Chorus and Orchestra, Andrew Davis (conductor) CHANDOS | CHSA5088 | 95115508824 | SACD
Beautiful, impressionistic music inspired by the great Mississippi River and Norway’s icy peaks in radiant performances. These works have an ardent luminosity, Appalachia telling the heartbreaking tale of a Negro slave and The Song of the High Hills portraying a still summer night. PLAY TRACK 5
Six sparkling and inventive harpsichord concertos, exuberantly performed. These diverting and virtuosic 18th-century works show CPE Bach at his fascinating best, each concerto showcasing his endless creativity. Acclaimed soloist Andreas Staier and the Freiburgers have a ball! PLAY TRACK 4
Liszt Piano Sonata in B Minor, Fantasie and fugue on the theme BACH, Benediction de Dieu dans la solitude, Venezia e Napoli (Years of Pilgrimage) Marc-Andre Hamelin (piano) HYPERION CD OF THE MONTH | CDA67760 | 34571177601 | CD
Blockbuster solo piano album from Marc-André Hamelin, benchmark Liszt recital for his Anniversary Year. The thunderous Fantasie and Fugue on BACH and the devilish Piano Sonata contrast with the poetic Benediction and scintillating pianistic portraits of Venice and Naples. PLAY TRACK 13
Romantic Piano Concertos Vol 53
Reger Piano Concerto, Richard Strauss Burleske Marc-Andre Hamelin (piano), Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, Ilan Volkov (conductor) HYPERION | CDA67635 | 34571176352 | CD
Powerful, passionate, lyrical and simply extraordinary playing from Marc-André Hamelin on this brilliant album. Max Reger’s barnstorming Piano Concerto springs vividly to life as never before, while Richard Strauss’s youthful Burleske is one of Hamelin’s ‘party pieces’. PLAY TRACK 14
Gorecki String Quartets Nos 1-3 Royal String Quartet HYPERION | CDA67812 | 34571178127 | CD2
From the composer of the famous Symphony of Sorrowful Songs come three intriguing string quartets. These are highly evocative works, as their titles suggest: No 1 ‘Already it is dusk’, No 2 ‘Quasi una fantasia, and No 3 ‘…songs are sung’. ‘sweeping emotional impact’ (Fanfare) on Royal String Quartet’s previous album (Szymanowski/Rózycki String Quartets, Hyperion CDA67684) PLAY TRACK 9
Harvey Choral Works
The Angels, Ashes Dance Back, Marahi, The Summer Cloud's Awakening Latvian Radio Choir, James Wood (conductor) HYPERION | CDA67835 | 34571178356 | CD
Meditative and fascinating choral and electronic music from foremost British composer Jonathan Harvey sung by one of the world’s very best choirs. Vocal ecstacy and crystal-clear audio make this a unique and rapturous recording, mysterious in mood. PLAY TRACK 11
Après un Rêve (After a Dream) Sandrine Piau (soprano), Susan Manoff (piano) NAÏVE | V5250 | 822186052501 | CD
Ravishing songs by Richard Strauss, Fauré, Mendelssohn, Chausson, Bouchot, Poulenc and Britten sung by the popular French soprano Sandrine Piau. You’ll simply fall in love with this beautiful, highly poetic recital. Also available: Evocation (Naïve V5063) ‘exquisite singing’ (Gramophone) PLAY TRACK 7
Tchaikovsky Symphony No 4, Romeo and Juliet
Russian National Orchestra, Mikhail Pletnev (conductor) PENTATONE | PTC5186384 | 827949038464 | SACD
Brand new interpretations. Stunning audio on hybrid SACD. First album in a thrilling new Tchaikovsky symphonies series on PentaTone. A stand-out recording by any measure.Performance 4 ½ STARS, Audio 5 STARS (www.sa-cd.net) PLAY TRACK 17
Long awaited release of Skip Sempé’s first recording of Domenico Scarlatti Sonatas. For some sonatas, Olivier Fortin joins Skip Sempé to increase the impact of these virtuosic works. INCLUDES PARADIZO CD CATALOGUE Paradizo is a lovely Baroque music label. TELEMANN MUSIC FOR RECORDER: PLAY TRACK 18
Handel Xerxes Paula Rasmussen, Ann Hallenberg, Matteo Peirone, Les Talens Lyriques, Christophe Rousset (conductor) EUROARTS | 2053798 | 880242537980 | DVD
Acclaimed production from Semperoper Dresden, 2000. This charming opera, with its mixture of drama and comedy, intrigue and true love, includes the famous aria Ombra mai fu (‘Handel’s Largo’). Outstanding artists, staging by Michael Hampe.
Verdi La Traviata
Renee Fleming, Joseph Calleja, Thomas Hampson, Eddie Wade, Richard Wiegold, Royal Opera Chorus and Orchestra, Antonio Pappano (conductor), Richard Eyre (director) OPUS ARTE | OA1040D | 809478010401 | DVD
Star-studded cast in Verdi’s best-loved opera - Renée Fleming’s Covent Garden début as Violetta. This stunning 1994 production ‘sweeps you along’ (The Guardian). BONUS: Antonio Pappano interviews Renée Fleming. Also on Blu-ray OABD7076D.
Australian Guitar Music Aleksandr Tsiboulski (guitar) NAXOS | 8570949 | CD | 747313094974
‘Add another name to Australia’s thriving classical guitar scene…Tsiboulski is the complete guitarist. His playing possesses a highly controlled, honed refinement, but he rises above the technical demands to reach a new level of concentrated, inner thought…The standout is Koehne’s rhapsodic A Closed World of Fine Feelings and Grand Design, which Tsiboulski plays with exquisite, perfectly judged phrases and aching tenderness. He is excellent, too, with Edwards’ Guitar Dances and Blackwattle Caprices…Sculthorpe’s ruminative From Kakadu and Djilile acquire an almost spiritual power.’ (The Australian, 5-star review)
Mozart Violin Concertos Richard Tognetti, Christopher Moore, ACO BIS | BISSACD1754 | SACD | 7318599917542
Undoubtedly one of the most popular and accessible classical albums by any Australian artist this year, this is the Australian Chamber Orchestra's much-anticipated first release dedicated solely to Mozart following a national tour featuring one of his violin concertos. It's set to rival Tognetti’s recordings of Bach which won three consecutive ARIA awards. Watch footage from the recording sessions, interviews with Tognetti and more on the dedicated mini-site: www.savd.com.au/aco
4-10 April 2011 Grainger Edition BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, Richard Hickox, Penny Thwaites (piano) CHANDOS | CHAN10638 | CD19 | 95115163825
Beloved Australian composer Percy Grainger is honoured with Chandos Records’ reissue (at last!) of its Grainger Edition volumes 1—19, collected together in a lavish box. Many of the discs are no longer available separately.
The set demonstrates the extraordinary range of Grainger’s compositional styles, including works for orchestra, wind orchestra, chorus and orchestra, chamber ensemble, solo songs, and solo piano, the latter performed by Australian pianist Penelope Thwaites, who edited The New Percy Grainger Companion.
The ‘Hardanger fiddle’ is a highly decorated Norwegian folk instrument with a special sound. ‘Grieg himself loved these scores...An absolute winner!’ (Limelight on Vol 2)
Vivaldi The Four Seasons & Concertos Op 8 Nos 5-6 Cho-Liang Lin (violin), Anthony Newman (harpsichord & organ), Sejong NBD0016 | 730099001663 | BLU-RAY AUDIO DISC
Praised by Gramophone as ‘invigorating’ when first released on Naxos CD 8557920. Cho-Liang Lin, who has been compared with Gidon Kremer, Nigel Kennedy and Kyung-Wha Chung, and the virtuoso ensemble Sejong give a’ bracing and continuously interesting version’ (Fanfare) of these immortal classics.
Rutter Gloria, Magnifcat, Te Deum Elizabeth Cragg (soprano), DeChorum, St Albans Cathedral Choir, Andrew Lucas (conductor) 8572653 | 747313265374 | CD
John Rutter’s Gloria remains an evergreen favourite for its freshness, drama and sheer beauty. His joyous setting of the Magnifcat is heard in its version for choir, organ and chamber orchestra. The Te Deum is one of the church’s most ebullient hymns of praise.
Johann Strauss II The Complete Orchestral Edition Slovak State Philharmonic & Radio Symphony Orchestras, Polish State Philharmonic Orchestra, Austrian Radio Symphony Orchestra, Alfred Walter, Johannes Wildner, Christian Pollack, Oliver Dohnányi, Michael Dittrich, Peter Guth, Franz Bauer-Theussl, Jerome D. Cohen, Richard Edlinger, Alfred Eschwé (conductors) 8505226 | 730099522649 | CD52
A milestone in recording history: first collection of his entire orchestral output. Johann Strauss II captivated Vienna, then Europe and America with his abundantly tuneful waltzes, polkas, quadrilles and marches. 52-CD box-set + 248-page booklet.
Dillon Violin Chamber Music
Mister Blister, Façade, Bacchus Chaconne, Violin Sonata ‘Motion’, Spring Passing, Fifteen Minutes for solo violin, The Voice Danielle Belen (violin), David Fung (piano), Juan-Miguel Hernandez (viola), Stan Muncy (marimba) Naxos | 8559644 | 636943964422 | CD
Young Australian pianist David Fung was a top prizewinner at the 12th Arthur Rubinstein Piano Masters Competition. He joins an international line-up of youthful talent. Lawrence Dillon’s love of lyricism and dashing wit connect the nine works on this album.
A Choral Wedding Album
Favourite choral anthems and hymns for church weddings Various Artists 857819697 | 747313819676 | CD2
CD 1 is a selection of favourite anthems, many of which are popular choices for most church choirs. CD 2 is a selection of favourite hymns and will provide either contemplative or rousing fare for the congregation on your special day.
NEW ACO ALBUM ON BIS! ABC CLASSIC FM CD OF THE WEEK 2-8 May 2011
Mozart Violin Concertos Nos. 1, 2 & 4 Richard Tognetti (artistic director & violin), Australian Chamber Orchestra BIS | BISSACD1755 | 7318599917559
ALSO AVAILABLE
Mozart Violin Concertos Nos. 3 & 5, Sinfonia Concertante Richard Tognetti (artistic director & violin), Australian Chamber Orchestra
BIS | BISSACD1754 | 7318599917542
