Conducted by violinist David Grimal, the acclaimed French period-instrument chamber orchestra Les Dissonances present an exhilarating interpretation of Beethoven's masterpiece. In addition to the CD, this album comes with a bonus DVD with pictures by Heliox Films. Also available: AP009 Beethoven Violin Concerto, Symphony No 7, AP011 Piazzolla, Vivaldi Four Seasons.

Best known for his film scores, Nino Rota was also a talented composer of classical music. His highly enjoyable two Cello Concertos, composed in quick succession during the 1970s, provide a rewarding showcase for the soloist's virtuosity and demonstrate his mastery of Neo-romantic and Neo-classical style.

Four sonatas from the 1750s including one of CPE Bach's most graceful works, with several shorter works - Solfeggios and Fantasias imbued with originality and ingenuity. Respected keyboardist Miklos Spanyi 'probes beneath the surface of Bach's highly articulate musical surfaces' (International Record Guide). Other volumes also available.

As is the case with much of his music, Schumann's three Violin Sonatas have not always received the appreciation they deserve. Ulf Wallin and Roland Pontinen make a persuasive case for these engaging Romantic chamber works. Their partnership has been praised as 'sympathetic and insightful' (Daily Telegraph).

Composed between 1796-98 and regarded by the young Beethoven as 'the best of my works' to date, these three beautiful String Trios abound in drama and inventive novelty. Trio Zimmermann (Frank Peter Zimmermann, violin, Antoine Tamestit, viola, Christian Poltera, cello) is a world-class ensemble.

The three cantatas on this album are among the few works that remain from 1729: tragically, almost an entire year's worth of cantatas has been lost to us. You'll recognise the sinfonia to Cantata BWV174 as a version of the first movement of the 3rd Brandenburg Concerto. Other volumes from this benchmark series are also available.

Baroque love songs and 'bird songs' (evoking larks, nightingales and other amorous avians) from Germany, France, Italy and England. Includes many beautiful arias that have remained unheard since the time they were composed. 'Heard melodies are sweet, but those unheard are sweeter', wrote the great poet Keats. Fortunately for us, as this exquisite album shows, he was mistaken.

The German-French composer Louis Theodore Gouvy was much admired for the bravura and clarity of his music, which combined the masterful templates of Haydn and Beethoven with his own virtuosic and sophisticated style. These symphonies are splendid examples of mid-19th century symphonism. Gouvy's Symphonies Nos 3 and 5 (CPO7773792) and Symphony No 6, Sinfonietta (CPO7773802) are also available.

Brahms' friend Heinrich von Herzogenberg is increasingly recognised as a truly independent voice among German Romantic composers. His early admiration of Wagner and Liszt persists in these chamber pieces, clarified by his highly personal take on the 'classicism' of Brahms, marking them uniquely enjoyable for modern listeners.

From a period when music in praise of the Blessed Virgin Mary was particularly popular come these works by the immortal Josquin, whose ingenious and sublime choral music powerfully influenced sacred composition around the turn of the 16th century. Weser Renaissance Bremen gives lucid and vibrant performances of these poetically-coloured masterpieces.

Johann Baptist Vanhal composed some 77 symphonies matching quantity with unerring quality and gaining Charles Burney's highest praise. While subsequently overshadowed by Haydn and Mozart, Vanhal is today enjoying a revival of interest - unquestionably well deserved - for his own inventive style and mastery.

'Glyndebourne's [A Midsummer Night's Dream] has unbeatable charm' (Financial Times), 'musically it's fabulous, too. [Bejun] Mehta gives one of the greatest performances you will ever hear' (The Guardian), 'Matthew Rose makes an exceptionally endearing Bottom..Ilan Volkov's conducting gets to the heart of the score' (Daily Telegraph). What fools those mortals be who miss this magical recording!

On 17 July 2011 more than 800 performers presented Havergal Brian's phenomenal 'Gothic' Symphony in the Royal Albert Hall. The concert sold out within 24 hours, so it is particularly pleasing to feature the live concert recording so quickly. This 2-CD set of Brian's symphonic juggernaut is a 'must have' on all counts.

Vladimir Jurowski conducts the London Philharmonic Orchestra in three of Arthur Honegger's most lyrical works, the dreamy Summer Pastorale, the nostalgic Fourth Symphony and the reflective and heartfelt Christmas Cantata. The Times has particularly praised 'the beguiling, brushed-velvet textures' Jurowski conjured for the Summer Pastorale and the 'immaculate ensemble and textural clarity' of the LPO.

Felix Mendelssohn's unfinished masterpiece Christus (only Parts 1 The Birth and 2 The Passion of Christ were completed before his untimely death) is complemented by two chorale cantatas, O Haupt Voll Blut und Wunden and Von Himmel Hoch, which he composed in his youth. Acclaimed performers give these works impeccable interpretations.

Having performed Berlioz's Les Nuits d'Ete many times together in concert, acclaimed mezzo-soprano Anne Sofie von Otter and conductor Marc Minkowski have now recorded this immortal song cycle with the renowned period-instrument orchestra Les Musiciens du Louvre. With violist Antoine Tamestit they also perform Harold in Italy on this exquisite new release.

With new music by Eleanor Alberga, this is a magical retelling of Roald Dahl's story. 'Snow White is a wonderful piece,' wrote Joanna Lumley, 'Thrilling, exciting, funny and sometimes a bit frightening. I am hugely proud to have been involved in this recording.' Proceeds contribute support to the Roald Dahl Foundation, which helps children living with serious blood or brain illness.

Classic title tracks, themes and suites from films that became legends during Hollywood's golden age, including a superlative performance of Richard Addinsell's Warsaw Concerto. Performed in true swashbuckling style by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Grammy Award-winner Jose Serebrier.

Jan Dismas Zelenka's Easter cantatas come back to life after three centuries. World premiere recording from Supraphon's successful Music from Eighteenth-Century Prague series. The three sepolcri (cantatas for performance on Good Friday at the Holy Sepulchre) represent Zelenka’s earliest preserved music yet they are already truly singular pieces encompassing all the traits of their creator’s remarkable compositional style.

Recorded in 2010, Thierry Malandain's magical choreography and Tchaikovsky's marvellous music combine on this DVD. The title, Magifique, signals Malandain's desire to remove hatred ('hain' in French, pronounced like the letter 'n') from the world and replace it with magic and magnificence through the creation of wonderful works of art. Also on Blu-ray K108034

A celebration of dance and music from Venice's world-famous opera house. Includes highlights from The Marriage of Figaro, Don Giovanni, La Forza del Destino, La Traviata, I Lombardi, Nabucco, L'Elisir d'Amore and Tosca with three international operatic stars, the superb La Fenice chorus and orchestra all directed by celebrated conductor Kurt Masur.

Inspired American choreographer Jerome Robbins regarded the Paris Opera Ballet as his 'second home', the New York City Ballet being his first. A decade after his death the world-renowned French company paid tribute to his remarkable achievement, his love of music and his all-embracing attitude to modern arts. Also on Blu-ray BAC470.

A triumph at its premiere and sold out during subsequent performances, San Francisco Ballet's production of Lera Auerbach's The Little Mermaid, based on Hans Christian Andersen's tale and choreographed by John Neumeier, stars Yuan Yuan Tan in the title role 'in a noteworthy dramatic performance' (San Francisco Examiner).
Also Available on Blu-Ray 708704

This stunning new production (2011) of Lully and Quinault's masterpiece, Atys, from the Opera Comique in Paris features 115 sumptuous costumes, the silver furniture from the Grand Appartements de Versailles, and an outstanding cast directed by the man who, more than anyone, was responsible for the astonishing revival of 17trh-century French opera in our own day - William Christie - and his celebrated ensemble Les Arts Florissants.
Also Available on Blu-Ray FRA506

Sigiswald Kuijken's highly personal interpretation of Bach's cantatas have gained critical notice for their 'striking delicacy. His vocal soloists sing with disarming simplicity and ease in arias, and blend superbly in ensemble. A rare treat, Kuijken - and Bach - at their very best' (5 STARS, BBC Music Magazine on Vol 9 - ACC25309). On this recording, Vol 14, Kuijken and Co present four of Bach's beautiful Christmas Cantatas.

Christmas motets and highlights from cantatas by Bach family members, Johann Sebastian, Carl Philipp Emanuel, Johann Christoph Friedrich, Johann Christian and Wilhelm Friedemann. An enjoyable survey of seasonal music by a most productive musical dynasty.

Dame Felicty Lott and the Joyful Company of Singers serve up a rich Christmas feast, well spiced with favourite carols and readings by actor Gabriel Woolf. 'compiled with rare intelligence' (MusicWeb International). Includes music by Vaughan Williams, Victoria, Byrd, Leighton, Samuel, Reger, Cornelius, Barber, Guerrero, and many more.

Recorded in the Chapel of St John's College Cambridge in superb surround sound this album features music by Rutter, Rodney Bennett, Elizabeth Poston and Leighton, as well as a bumper selection of traditional favourites all performed by one of the world's best loved British choirs.

The Tallis Scholars, hailed as 'the rock stars of Renaissance music' (The New York Times), present the fifth in their multi-award-winning series of recordings of the complete Masses of Josquin des Pres. His Missa Beata Virgine, probably the most performed Mass setting of the entire Renaissance period, is paired with his early Missa Ave Maris Stella.

Inspired by the traditional servide of Nine Lessons and Carols given every Christmas Eve in England, this recording presents the Nativity story as told through chant, motets, 17th-century dialogues and carols. Paul Hillier has sourced and arranged a wonderful bouquet of music from Italian, German, Danish, English and American sources.

Set on Christmas Eve, Tchaikovsky's ever-popular ballet The Nutcracker is here presented complete in a stunning new recording. The Russian National Orchestra is recognised by Gramophone as one of today's top ten orchestras, while conductor Mikhail Pletnev domonstartes his warm-hearted affinity for this great Romantic music.

One of the world's most popular vocal ensembles, The King's Singers, mixes an eclectic assortment of modern Christmas classics with special arrangements of much-loved favourites. 'beautifully detailed…even the most familiar carols sound fresh' (Classic FM Magazine)

For almost 40 years, until earlier this year, Bambini di Praga (Children of Prague) toured the world winning the hearts of audiences. This Christmas album celebrates their remarkable achievement with an irresistable offering of seasonal music from Bohemia, England, Moravia, America, Poland, Germany, Spain and France.

Recorded live in Munich in 2010 with an especially colourful lighting design, this is a wonderful performance. The excellent line-up of soloists, the acclaimed Bavarian Radio Choir and the multi-award-winning Academy of Ancient Music Berlin are ably directed by Peter Dijkstra. The booklet inlcudes the libretto.

This new DVD follows Simon Russell Beale as he explores the history of Christmas music across two millennia, from parpyrus fragments preserving the earliest known pieces of Christian music to the stories behind some of today's most popular carols. The Sixteen also presents a special Christmas concert including some fo the works featured in the documentary.

WATCH THE SIXTEEN PERFORM 'IN DULCI JUBILO'

This new DVD, recorded at LSO St Luke's in London, ranges from the beautiful simplicity of Praetorius's Es Ist Ein Ros' Entsprungen to the mad capers of Gordon Langford's arrangement of Deck The Hall. Pure delight from start to finish, a stand-out Christmas show.

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