Giovanni Alberto Ristor's Divoti Affetti were composed for Lenten performances in the Royal Dresden Chapel during the early 18th century. His Esercizi comprise more than 40 delightful chamber pieces for educational purposes and for improvisition.

Giovanni Benedetto Platti's keyboard sonatas combine characteristics of late Baroque style with those of emerging Classicism, some pressaging the pre-Romantic 'storm and stress' aesthetic. Luca Guglielmi also performs with leading ensembles such as Hesperion XXI and Ricercar Consort.

from Lieder fur das Clavier (1781 and 1784), Origibnal Canzonettas (1794 and 1795), Einzelne Lieder verschiedener Art

Haydn's songs are as carefully crafted and enjoyable as his better known chamber, orchestral and choral works. Designed to have broad appeal, they remain relatively unknown today. Anne Cambier has sung with The Academy of Ancient Music and La Petite Bande.

Arabic-Andalusian influences on the music of the troubadours are at the heart of this fascinating recital. Eastern-style ornamentation and improvisation add a special flavour to the 12 medieval songs on this beguiling album.

Sonatas and sinfonias

Rosenmuller, Legrenzi and Stradella flourished in Venice during the late 1670s, yet each was torn between fame and persecution. The acclaimed Rare Fruits Council explores some of their highly innovative instrumental music.

Berlioz Les nuits d'ete and songs by Poulenc, Halphen, Massenet, Chausson, Faure, Hahn, Coute

These French melodies take us into a nocturnal world with songs ranging from great tenderness to deepest despair. Conceived with the original version for voice and piano of Berlioz's Summer Nights as its centrepiece, this album is a garden of musical delights.

Who better to reveal the marvels of Lully's 1679 lyrical tragedy Belerophon? A stellar cast, a libretto by Pierre Corneille, Rousset's musicological research and extraordinary sound of Les Talens Lyriques guarantee a treat for modern listeners.

Piano Trios Nos 2 and 4

Acclaimed wordwide, the Storioni Trio gives the world premiere recording of the Piano Trio No 4 of Julius Rontgen, an admired colleague of violinist Carl Flesch and cellist Pablo Casals. The Storioni Trio plays these Brahmsian works superbly - a real Romantic chamber music discovery!

Kol Nidrei, Canzone, Adagio on Celtic Themes, Ave Maria, Viola Romance, Suite on Russian folk Melodies

Hailed as 'one of the most promising musicians of a new generation' when he  performed with the Mariinsky Orchestra under Gergiev, cellist Friedrich Kleinhapl gives ardent interpretations of these Romantic pieces, some of which remain little known.

Brilliant young Romanian pianist Alexandra Silocea presents her signature repertoire on her debut album. Dubbed 'Alexandra the Great' (Gramophone) and winner of the Herbet von Karajan Scholarship, she give relevatory interpretations of Prokofiev's first five piano sonatas.

Schubert Symphony No 6 in C Major D589 'Little C Major' Gal Symphony No 1 in D Major Op 30

World premiere recording of Gal's bold but approachable Symphony No 1. This is the first of two albums pairing Gal with Schubert in electrifying performances by the Northern Sinfonia under celebrated conductor Thomas Zehetmair.

Twelve Fantasias for Solo Recorder, Recorder Duets, Sonatas, Sonatinas, Double Concertos, Overture and other works

6 CDs for the price of 3! Telemann's elegant, sophisticated music is again gaining its rightful place among the most enjoyable Baroque music. Excellent performances by  eminent musicians of music that is sure to delight.

Indri/Cave Canem, Era, Ocean Child, En herrgardssagen (A Major Saga)

Jan Sandstrom is one of Sweden's most frequently performed composers, his music combining influences from Eastern philosophy, minimalism, spectral music and a strong sense of musical narrative. Deceptively simple yet musically adventurous works.

Arias by Mozart, Tchaikovsky, Wagner, Gounoud, Rossini, Verdi and Britten

Internationally renowned Swedish baritone Peter Mattei sings his favourite operatic arias on this eagerly-anticipated album. Exceptional acting skills complement a voice of rare beauty, ably supported by full orchestra. A must for opera lovers!

Partita Op 35, Solo Cello Sonata Op 52

Celebrated cellist Rafael Wallfisch and award-winning pianist Raphael Terroni bring to life British composer Kenneth Leighton's chamber music for cello - highly melodic pieces which sit comfortably between Vaughan Williams and Webern.

Beautiful German folksongs sung by leading singers who generously donated their services for this project which helps support The Lieder Project, a charitable initiative which furthers children's involvement with singing. Vol 1 also available on CAR83003.

Schutz's compete works are being recorded by Carus. Volume 2 presents his extraordinary Italian Madrigals sung by the renowned Dresden Chamber Choir. Vol 1 (Schutz Sacred Choral music 1648) also available on CAR83232.

R I Mayr Domine ad adiuvandum, Sancta Maria Leopold I Ave maris stella Legrenzi Salve Regina

Simon Carrington, co-founder of the popular King's Singers, conducts Biber's Loretine Vespers, a major choral work that is rarely heard, beside other rarities by emperor Leopold I and Giovanni Legrenzi. A treat for Early Music buffs!

Selected Songs

Franz Liszt composed some six dozen songs, the 20 heard on this album taking their texts from German 17th and 18th century poets including Goethe and Heine, and ranging from the mystical to the operatic. Tenor Hans-Jorg Mummel is much in demand as a Lieder recitalist.

Wilhelm Kienzel's striking and imaginative songs are beautifully interpreted by leading artists each of whom is steeped in the Lieder tradition. If you enjoy Schubert, Schumann and Brahms, you'll want to add Kienzel to your favourites, too!

Requiem and other works. Commemorating the 400th Anniversary of Victoria's death in 1610

This new boxed set bring together four acclaimed discs from The Sixteen: The Call of the Beloved, The Mystery of the Cross, Requiem 1605 and Devotion to Our Lady. 'excellent performances and recorded sound…beautiful and moving' (Gramophone)

S Wagner Violin Concerto Pfitzner Violin Concerto Op 34 R Wagner Traume

Two Romantic works - the violin concertos of Siegfried Wagner and Hans Pfitzner - await your discovery. Soloists Juraj Cizmarovic plays masterfully, with excellent support from the WDR Radio Symphony Orchestra under Marcus Bosch.

Little Summer Memories, Music of the Abyss, Album Leaf*, In a Churchyard at Night*, Adorazione*, Piano Piece in E major*, Summer Holiday in Blekinge

Rued Langgaard's music occupies a wondrous world of dreams and imagination. Four of the seven works here receive world premiere recordings(*). Langgaard's piano works vol 1 (Dacapo 8226025) and complete symphonies (Dacapo 6200001) are also available.

The tragic tale of Queen Dido of Carthage provided Francesco Cavalli with a golden opportunity to write an opera brimming with drama and tragedy. Claron McFadden  (Didone) and Magnus Staveland (Enea) take the lead roles in this powerful early-Baroque masterpiece.

Violinist Pavel Berman (Lazar Berman's son) is an extraordinary exponent of the Russian school, while Salvatore Accardo declared Anna Tifu to have 'the most remarkable talent'. The two concertos meld lyricism and dizzing virtuosity while the sonata has been dubbed a musical chess game.

3 CDs for the price of 1! Limited Edition available while stock lasts. Giovanni Battista Viotti's violin concertos influenced Beethoven, Rode and Kreutzer, and are here performed by Franco Mezzena, a student of Salvatore Accardo.

Multiple prize-winner Natalia Lemeiko performs Grieg's violin sonatas on the Royal Academy of Music's 1698 'Stradivari Joachim Kortschak'. Although less well known than his orchestral works, these sonatas are finely crafted and dramatic pieces.

Fantasia and Fugue on BACH, Litanei, Variations on a Theme by Bach, Berceuse, Reminiscences des Puritains

Wilhelm Kempff's last student, Italian pianist Gregorio Nardi, 'has an impeccable feeling for the gothic drama of the music and he allows it to unfurl naturally' (Gramophone).

Violin Sonata Op 55, Two Novellettes Op 54, Three Morceaux Op 46 and Op 53

Violinist Luigi Alberto Bianchi is an acknowledged expert on Antonio Bazzini, his flawless technique nicely matched by talented pianist Aldo Orvieto. Bazzini's music was highly regarded by Schumann for its melodious charms.

Symphonies Nos 2 and 5.

Otto Klemperer's memorable recordings of Beethoven's Second and Fifth Symphonies were made in 1960 in Vienna and boast an audio quality above the usual standard of the time. Vol 1 is also available on IDIS6610.

Bach Suite No 2 in C major BWV1009, Sor Grand Sonata Op 22, Tarrega Recuerdos de la Alhambra and other works, with music by Villa-Lobos, Crespo, Madriguera, Lauro

The great Australian guitarist John Williams made the studio recordings on this album in 1958.  They are accompanied by 1950 studio recordings by Jose Rey de la Torre (Sor & Tarrega). Vol 1 is available on IDIS6600.

Roel Dieltiens is a renowned musician, who worked as soloist with many world famous conductors such as Frans Brüggen, Philippe Herreweghe and Reinbert De Leeuw. For this new recording of Bach's Cello Suites 1-5 he plays a modern copy of a Stradivarius instrument, and for sixth an original Violoncello-Piccolo from around 1750.

Baritone Thomas Oliemans' performance of Schubert's posthumous song cycle with Malcolm Martineau accampanying has been described as 'blood curdling'. 'an astonishing Schubert recital' (Opera magazine) 'teamwork of the highest quality' (Kwadratuur).

Walzes, Dances and Songs

A delightful album of shorter works, both vocal and instrumental, which features award-winning Schubert specialist Jan Vermeulen. Collegium Vocale Gent are renowned worldwide for their refinement and have performed in Australia.

The Academy of Ancient Music explores little-known orchestral music from the Belgian Baroque by Pieter Maldere (1729-68). Maldere's music forms an insteresting link between Corelli's concertos and the symphonies of the Classical period.

Works by Narvaez, Milan, de Murcia, Guerau, Fernando Sor, Mertz, Tarrega and Llobet

Co-founder of the Glossa label Jose Miguel Moreno is the leading Spanish specialist on historical plucked instruments, a number of which he plays on this album, which brings together two superb previously-released albums.

Sonatas for Viola da Gamba Nos 1-3, 'Komm, suesses Kreuz' from St Matthew Passion, 'Es ist Vollbracht' from St John Passion

Viola da gambist Paola Pandolfo and keyboardist Markus Hunninger cultivate a musical conversation on this eloquent album. Complementing Bach's Viola da Gamba Sonatas are two moving arias which involve viola da gamba.

Serenata a Filli, Le muse Urania e Clio lodano le bellezze di Filli

A new series from Glossa starts with two serenatas by Alessandro Scarlatti, who was an important influence on the young Handel during his stay in Italy. These courtly cantatas are vividly performed by the stylish ensemble La Risonanza.

Atalanta Fugiens by Michael Maier, alchemist and physician at the court of Emperor Rudolph II in Prague, is an extraordinary work with alchemical and mystical significance. The acclaimed Ensemble Plus Ultra is conducted by Australian musician Michael Noone.

An engrosing performance recorded in 1965 at Glyndebourne with a stellar cast - Montserrat Caballe (Marschallin), Teresa Zylis-Gara (Octavian), Edith Mathis (Sophie) and Otto Edelmann (Ochs) - using Strauss's own chamber orchestral version.

Ida Haendel SWR Recordings Vol 3

A treasure from the SWR historical archives featuring previously unreleased recordings by violinist Ida Haendel who remains active today. Her joy in music-making is palpable on this album of two important 20th-century violin concertos.

Britten Suite for Solo Cello No 3 Op 87, Cassado Suite for Solo Cello (1926), Amoyel Itinerance (2003), Kodaly Suite for Solo Cello Op 8

Music for solo cello 'speaks' in many different languages on this musical journey by Emmanuelle Bertrand. Accompanying the audio CD is a DVD 'The Cello Speaks', a film by Christian Leble with English subtitles.

This second album of Gombert's music by Henry's Eight (Vol 1 is on Helios CDH55247) is based on the Missa Tempore paschali, an early work by the Renaissance master and pupil of Josquin. A new edition of this splendid Mass was used.

Sonatina in G Major Op 100, Ballad in D Minor Op 15 No 1, Four Romantic Pieces Op 75, Sonata in F Major Op 57, Notturno in B Major Op 40

Music-making of sensitivity and eloquence' wrote Gramophone on the first release on Hayperion of this new Helios album. The Sonata and Sonatina are among Dvorak's most relaxed chamber works, the shorter pieces skilful arrangements.

Music by Blow, Croft, Purcell, Chilcot

Harpsichord specialist Ruth Dyson plays 17th-century English keyboard works including many that have previously not been recorded. Suites by Blow, Croft and Chilcot and other dance-like works.

Music by Gibbons, Mudd, Farrant, Tallis, Byrd, Tomkins, Dering, Philips, Parsons, Sheppard, Weelkes

Familiar compsoers such as Byrd and Tallis, alongside music by the lesser-known Dering, Philips, Mudd and Farrant. Clare College Choir, one of the UK's finest mixed-voice choirs, brings everything to life under Timothy Brown's direction.

Works by Byrd, Tomkins, Tye, Gibbons, Croft, Greene, Boyce, Attwood, Battishill, Wesley, Stanford, Elgar, Parry

A selection of popular anthems sung by one of the finest Anglican choirs, the multi-Gramophone Award-winning New College Choir, Oxford. Includes Byrd's Haec Dies, Elgar's Ave Verum, Parry's I Was Glad and works by Tye, Tomkins, Croft, Greene and Stanford.

Following their iconic series of songs by Schubert and Schumann, Hyperion embarks on an important series devoted to the songs of Johannes Brahms. This second volume features acclaimed soprano Christine Schafer. Vol 1 is on CDJ33212.

The new ensemble Les Traversees Baroques reveals the sensuous and sparkling music of Polish composer Marcin Mieczewski, whose style builds on that of Monteverdi. Music for double, triple and quadruple choirs provide rewarding listening.

Works by Albeniz, Ravel, de Falla, Piazzolla, Cholley

Hispanic dance is the shared impulse of all this organ music. Pierre Cholley's Tango Furioso, the only piece heard here originally written for organ duet, is joined by transcriptions and arrangements which capture the warm orchestral colours of their originals.

Borodin String Sextet, Gliere String Quartet No 3 Op 67, Miaskovsky String Quartet No 9 Op 62

Drawn from the Bolshoi Theatre Orchestra, the Quartet existed until 1968 and included many leading string players in its time. Recorded between 1949 and 1965, this is an important historic document of the Quartet's achievement.

Winner of the 1937 International Chopin Piano Competition, Yakov Zak enjoyed a glorious career as an interpreter of Romantic and modern music. Recorded between 1953 and 1959.

One of the most tragic figures of Russian music, composer German Galynin was born an orphan,suffered persecution beside his teach Shostakovich and died aged only 44. Recorded between 1962 and 1976.

Famous Russian harpist Vera Dulova was renowned as a performer and teacher. Recorded in 1976-77 (with the Meyer Harp Concerto recorded 1948, restored in 1970).

Rarely performed opera with soloists who are all leading singers from Moscow theatres.'Simonova gives a fine performance...[Klenov] is a resonant baritone of focused projection, exciting at full throttle' (International Record Review)

Composer Georgy Sviridov is the pianist on this album of his songs and romances, which includes two song cycles - Songs after Robert Burns and Six Romances on Texts by Pushkin. Evgeny Nesterenko is a bass of rare vocal beauty.

Laureat of the Second International Tchaikovsky Competition in 1962, outstanding pianist Eliso Virsaladze plays two famous Romantic concertos, recorded in the Great Hall of the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory in 1977.

with fragments from Ivan the Terrible's letters

Features two major works by Ivan the Terrible himself, with fragments of letters also from his hand. A 'sticheron' is an Orthodox hymn, the two examples on this album composed in memorium Pyotr Metropolitan of Moscow and All Russia and in praise of the Icon of Our Lady of Vladimir.

Glinka Ruslan and Ludmila, Borodin Prince Igor, Mussorgsky Khovanshchina, Rimsky-Korsakov May Night, The Tsar's Bride, The Maid of Pskov, Dargomyzhsky Rusalka

Ranking among the great orchestral favourites, these Russian overtures were orchestrated by conductor Evgeny Svetlanov, who also conducts on this recording.

Charles Gounod's sacred music was a testament to his unwavering faith and includes some of his most ravishing (yet least well known) works. The Requiem, which prefigures those of Faure and Durufle, features a truly exquisite Benedictus, while the Messe Chorale showcases his mastery of counterpoint.

From the age of 20 Brahms never ceased to write music for piano. His solo pieces range from poetic evocations to capricious showpieces. Young French pianist Adam Laloum won the Clara Haskil Prize as well as the audience award at the Clara Haskil International Piano Competition.

Brahms's exhilarating, yet mysterious, Second Piano Concerto combines Classical nobility with sweeping Romantic fire. His Paganini Variations and Hungarian Dances show his more exuberant side.

Berg Chamber Concerto (Kammerkonzert), J Strauss Waltz arrangements by Schoenberg and Webern

Two musical worlds meet: that of the 20th-century Viennese avant garde (Berg's Chamber Concerto) and that of the romantic Vienna of waltzes (J Strauss's Schatzwalzer and Roses from the South, arr. Schoenberg/Webern).

Two powereful Romantic piano concertos performed by Etsuko Hirose, winner of the International Martha Argerich Competition in Buenos Aires in 1997. This young Japanese pianist is a formidable musician.

Leading soloists and the acclaimed Ricercar Consort presents Bach's profoundly moving St John Passion.

The great violinist Henryk Szeryng played Brahms's Violin Concerto throughout his illustrious career and tackles Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto in E Minor with technical assurance and elegant style.

Haitink goes beyon the music's graphic outlines and penetrates to the creative impulse which seized the composer originally..outstanding interpretation, visionary and noble' (Gramophone). 'can hold its own with the best' (Penguin Guide)

The Hagen Quartet is as impeccable an ensemble as any now before the public…these belong among the most beaurifully played and thoughtful readings of these Quartets' (Penguin Guide)

'warmly recommended…a fine, fresh account of the Magnificat…excellent soloists…digital sound is first class' (Penguin Guide) Modern instrument performances conducted by the renowned Peter Schreier.

Hungarian Rhapsody no 6, Valse oubliee no 1, Sonetto 104 del Petraca plus pieces by Guion, de Falla and Schumann

Byron Janis's 1962 recording of these works has achieved legendary status. A child prodigy who studied with Vladimir Horowitz, 'Jasnis's glittering articulation is matched by his sense of poetry and drama' (Penguin Guide)

An appropriate blend of grace and expressiveness' (Gramophone) Recorded in 1983, this album features four major soloists and the famous Ambrosian Singers conducted by Rossini authority Claudio Scimone.

The Vienna Schubert Trio, named 'Best New Visiting Chamber Ensemble' by The Washington Post in 1986, disbanded in 1993. Playing on the 1698 Stradivarius 'La Rouse-Boughton' violin and a 1743 Guadagnini cello, the Trio excels in this repertoire.

4 CDs for the price of 2! Fifteen orchestral works from 1982 to 2005 by leading composer Magnus Lindberg, the New York Philharmonic's Composer-in-Residence - a collector's box of highly praised recordings!

Korngold's only symphony was praised by Dimitri Mitropoulos as 'the perfect modern work' and remains a late-late Romantic masterpiece. The Dances in the Olden Style here receive theire premiere recording.

Opera Arias by Mozart, Wagner, Beethoven, R Strauss, Tchaikovsky, Shostakovich, Pfitzner

Slovenian tenor Anton Dermota sang with the Vienna State Opera for over 50 years whose versatility also brought him international acclaim. This new release showcases the variety of his VSO leading roles.

Arabella Steinbacher won the Joachim Violin Competition, which launched her on an international career, and gives a masterful performance of Brahms's Violin Concerto, paired with an equally strong rendering of Schumann's Fourth Symphony.

A rush of freedom with moments of solitude and reflection characterise this recording by acclaimed Strauss performers the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and musical director Andris Nelsons.

Telemann, Hoffmann, Keiser Opera Arias

The Musicalische Rustkammer (Musical Inventory) is an anthology of the most popular arias from early 18th-century Leipzig. Among them are wonderful yet rarely-heard works by Telemann, Hoffmann, Keiser and Heinichen.

Sonatas for Two Lutes in A, C, D and C-flat major

Silvius Weiss's music for solo lute has to date eclipsed his music for lute duo. This album presents four of his entrancing sonatas for two lutes and cello drawn from the Dresden Manuscript.

Works by Berenger de Palou and Martin Codax, with Sefardic and Turkish music

Magnificent songs from various Mediterranean traditions, all with a strong Arabic influcence. 'simply one of the most beautifully engineered recordings I have ever heard. I highly recommend this CD, without reservation' (Continuo)

PentaTone's series of Beethoven Symphonies albums (PTC5186142-146, Complete Symphonies PTC5186159) is joined by this 2-SACD collection of his complete overtures originally recorded for Philips in the 1970s.

Netherlands Wind Ensemble celebrates its 50th birthday with this delightful album, originally recorded in 1972-3, of arrangements by Triebensee (Mozart) and Sedlak (Rossini) of popular operatic excerpts.

Opus 10 Nos 1-3

Volume six of Mari Kodama's Beethoven Piano Sonatas series (Vols 1-5 on PTC5186023, -024, -063, -067 & -304). Mari Kodama has presented exceptionally well-received complete Beethoven sonata cycles in concert.

Himself a talented cellist, Alexander Borodin's dramatic Cello Sonata and imaginative Piano Quintet deserve to be better known. His Second String Quartet is best-loved for its romantic Nocturne.

Frederic Chopin Edition Vol 7

Chopin's songs, composed throughout his career and becoming quite well known these days, overflow with his love for his homeland. English Baritone Konrad Jarnot won First Prize at the 2000 ARD Music Competition in Munich and is a highly-regarded soloist.

Giuliani Rossiniana No 1 Op 119, Castelnuovo-Tedesco Guotar Concerto No 1 Op 99, Albeniz Asturias, Zamba Granadina, Torre Bermeja

All three composers treat the guitar in an extremely virtuosic manner within a Romantic/Impressionist style. Guitarist Friedemann Wuttke enjoys an international concert and recording career.

Live recording

Haydn's last oratorio The Seasons is just as enjoyable, though less well known, than The Creation, and evokes the changing moods of the year from the viewpoint of the characters Simon, Jane and Lucas, with great set-piece choruses.

The 'other' Rusalka - by Russian composer Alexander Dargomizhsky - is a passionate love story about frivolity, jealousy and revenge. 'I want the sound to express the word directly', he declared of his powerful setting of Pushkin's tale.

Twelve Variations on a theme from Handel's Judas Maccabaeus, Cello Sonatas Op 5 Nos 1 and 2, Twelve Variations on Ein Madchen oder Weibschen from Mozart's Die Zauberflote

Praised by Lorin Maazel as playing 'at the highest technical level with a wonderful round tone and perfect intonation', cellist Wen-Sinn  Yang is a welcome soloist across Europe and Asia.

The musical depth of Finnish conductor Jukka-Pekka Saraste makes his interpretation of Mahler's Symphony No 9 very special. Having regularly conducted the WDR Symphony Orchestra Cologne since 2001, he is now its Principal Conductor.

Boris Tchaikovsky won the USSR State Prize for his Symphony No 2 and this rare recording is of that work's premiere on 17 October 1967. The solo piano works are played by the composer, making this an important musical document.

Cherubini Peter Noster, Gounod Pater Noster, Janacek Our Father for four-part choir, tenor soloist, organ and harp, Liszt Pater Noster S173 No 5, Mayerbeer Pater Noster, Tchaikovsky Lord's Prayer from 9 Sacred Pieces for Mixed Chorus, Verdi Pater Noster

Choral music in praise of God the Father from Cherubini to Janacek sung by the Stuttgart Philharmonia Choir. Alongside well known pieces are several rarities which will interest the general music-lover as much as choral music fans.

Schoenberg Piano Pieces Op 11 and Op 19, Schubert Piano Sonatas in G major Op 78 and in B flat major D960

Schubert and Schoenberg - two Viennese composers whose music has exerted extraordinary influence, both on other composers and on performers. Mexican-born pianist Stefan Litwin has achieved 'cult status' for his path-breaking musicality and unextravagant brilliance.

Sonatas Op 27, Mazurka No 3 Op 11, Poeme elegiaque Op 12, Paganini Variations, Reve d'enfant Op 14, Sonata for Two Violins, Berceuse Op 20, Exil op 25

Founder of the chamber orchestra I Virtuosi di Paganini, violinist Ingolf Turban is himself a true virtuoso with an international reputation. On this album he pays homage to the legendary Eugene Ysaye.

Danish composer and organist Frederick Magle performs his own music, conceived with the Frobenius organ heard on this album specifically in mind. Indeed, his own astonishing artistry inspired the organ builder!

Kodaly Solo Cello Sonata Op 8, Shchedrin Russian Fragments, Sollima Lames, Alone, Schnittke Improvisation, Casals Song of the Birds

Cellist David Shafran has praised Boris Andrianov as 'one of the most talented cellists in Russia at present'. His recording of cello sonatas by Rachmaninov and Shostakovich (QTZ2053) was Gramophone Editor's Choice.

Music by Michael Berkeley, James MacMillan, Peter Maxwell Davies, Colin Matthews, Tansy Davies, John Woolrich

Debut solo album by the exciting young oboist James Turnbull of ground-breaking new works for oboe. He is committed to the creation of new repertoire for the oboe and has worked with composers such as Michael Berkeley, John Woolrich and Tansy Davies.

Hassler Cantate Domino, Motet super Dixit Maria, Missa super dixit Maria, Laetentur coeli, Gallus In nomine, Ecce quomodo, Vae nobis, Natus est nobis, Ante luciferum, Canite tuba in sion, Ascendit Deus, Civitatem istam, Schein Sacred Concertos

The young male vocal quintet Thios Omilos, founded by members of the famouus St Thomas's Boys Choir of Leipzig, sings music by Hans Leo Hassler, Jacobus Gallus and Johan Hermann Schein.

Toccata and Fugue in D minor, Fantasia in C major, Chorales, Sonata in E minor, Prelude in C major

The Marktkirche's three organs with their individual characters add a unique sonic dimension to this album of organ works by JS Bach. Ulfert Schmidt has been organist at the church since 1996 and has toured across Europe and the USA.

Songs by Dunhill, Barber, Britten, Bridge, Howells, Moeran, Cage, Hughes

Irish songs masterfully set by leading composers from both sides of the Atlantic, each of whom adds a highly personal touch. 'soprano Ailish Tynan's feeling for the musical idiom…matched by Burnside's delightfully poetic pianism, prove irresistable' (5 STARS Classics FM on SIGCD106)

First in a series of albums featuring high-profile guitarist Charles Ramirez. Rodrigo's much-loved music receives loving performances here. He was appointed Professor of Guitar at the Royal College of Music when just 25 years old, a position he has held ever since.

Cocardes, Metamorphoese, Chansons gaillardes, A sa guitare, Epitaphe sur un texte Malherbe, Trois poemes de Louise de Vilmorin, Bleuet, Dernier poeme, Rosemonde, Fiancailles, Parisiana, La courte paille

Francis Poulenc's songs have entraced and entertained audiences the world over. This album is the first in a new series of Poulenc's complete songs performed by some of today's greatest singers accompanied by Malcolm Martineau.

Mussorgsky The Nursery, R Strauss Madchenblumen Op 22, Dvorak Love Songs Op 83, Biblical Songs Op 99, Schoeck 3 songs

Gracious young soprano Martina Jankova has a successful career as an operatic singer and recitalist. Here she takes listeners on a journey from childhood to the mysteries of the soul, a voyage through life in music.

String Quartets Nos 10, 11, 12 'American', 13, 14, Cypresses

The Panocha Quartet has for four decades attracted critical and audience acclaim, particularly for its sensitive interpretations of Czech chamber music. On this album are Dvorak's most famous works for string quartet in sterling performances.

Lute duets by Dowland, Robinson, Danyel, Pilkington, Marchant, Johnson, da Milano, Galilei, Heckels, Roquelay, Crequillon, Gombert, Ferrabosco, Anonymous

Delicate lute duets which conjure courtly scenes as musicians play quietly in a garden setting, at a courtly event or 'at thome' with close friends. This elegant music retains its power to enchant and divert listeners to this day.

O beata e gloriosa, alma redemptoris mater, Sicut lilium, Quam pulchra es, Ave maris stella, Rorate caeli, Beata Mariae, Salve regina, Quae est ista, Virgo prudentissima, Magnificat, Stabat mater

Sublime church music by one of the great Renaissance composers. Palestrina was often imitated but rarely bettered, the calm grandeur of his music resounding across the centuries and inspiring generations of singers and listeners.

Long awaited release of Skip Sempe’s first recording of Domenico Scarlatti Sonatas. For some sonatas, Olivier Fortin joins Skip Sempe to increase the impact of these virtuosic works. Paradizo is a lovely Baroque music label. INCLUDES PARADIZO CD CATALOGUE

Holborne, Dowland, Jacob van Eyk, Scheidt, Hume, Ferrabosco, Brade, Purcell, Morley

16th and 17th-century instrumental music includes a great variety of styles, both old and new for its time. 'Consort music' can only be performed by the very best musicians since much of it was composed for  professional musicians to play in aristocratic or royal courts.

Telemann's music abounds in special qualities, notably his ability to compose idiomatically for each instrument - something of which he was very proud. He was a true 'taste-maker' of the 18th century whose music is finally coming into its own alongside that of Bach, Handel and Vivaldi.

Marenzio, Malvezzi, Caccini, Peri, Archilei, De' Cavalieri, di Bardi Intermezzi 1589

With this delightful album we travel back in time to hear anew the very birth of opera. The Intermezzi heard here were first performed in 1589 in Florence for the wedding of Ferdinando de Medicis and Christine de Loraine using opulent vocal and instrumental forces.

Skip Sempe has a long-standing reputation as the finest interpreter of French harpsichord repertoire in the world today. La Pantomime is a stylish selection of his favourite pieces by Rameau. Sentimental, explosive, irresistible!

Marais Viol Pieces from Books 3 and 5 Sainte-Colombe Viol Pieces from Concert 48

Playing virtuoso repertoire by Marais and Sainte-Colombe, Josh Cheatham, Julien Léonard and Skip Sempe possess the mastery and the panache to convey the singular warmth of the viola da gamba with uncommon expressivity in these 17th-century masterpieces.

Marchand, Duphly, A-L Couperin, Balbastre, Corrette, Royer

A tour of the Parisian salons by Rameau’s contemporaries from the Age of Enlightenment. The intimate qualities of these compositions by Duphly, Balbastre, Royer and Armand-Louis Couperin reflect the extraordinary diversity of the classical French harpsichord music.

Renaissance Madrigals Embellished

Italian madrigals and Franco-Flemish chansons were some of the most popular, beautiful and memorable music of the 16th century. Many also exist in ornamented instrumental form, as played here by Skip Sempe and soloists from Capriccio Stravagante

Bach Partita in B flat, 3 Little Preludes, Italian Concerto, English Suite in A minor, Toccata in D, Chromatic Fantasia and Fugue.

Pioneering harpsichordist Wanda Landowska designed her 'Temple of Ancient Music' as a special place where she could perform the music she loved best. This album presents works by JS Bach played on a Pleyel harpsichord and recorded between 1935-6. Bonus DVD-ROM contains over 150 images and unpublished documents for the Jean-Charles Moreux archives.

Kleiber was a living legened,' said Otto Schenk. 'His incredible reputation preceded him wherever he went.' This moving documentary follows the traces of Carlos Kleiber's final journey and portrays the man through the recollections of friends and colleagues.

A dazzling audience favourite displaying high spirits, virtuosity and the Spanish temperament with flamboyant leaps, dizzying pirouettes and crips pointe work to bring to life Cervante's comic masterpiece as a ballet. 'Don Quichot is a hit…Anna Tsygankova and Matthew Golding make a dream couple' (De Telegraaf) 'A magic moment of ballet' (Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung). Available on standard DVD and on Blu-ray.

An operatic highlight from the 1990s - the Japanese premiere of Wolfgang Sawallische's last production with the Bavarian State Opera! Filmed in Nagoya in 1992, directed by Kabuki actor Ennosuke Ichikawa and with a Japanese production tem, this is The Woman With No Shadow as you've never before seen it.

Prokofiev's stirring film score for Eisenstein's famous film forms the basis for this powerful ballet. A lyrical epic, rich in the colours of medieval Russia and pregnant with tragic drama, Ivan the Terrible has become an essential part of the Paris Opera Ballet's repertoire.

The Kirov Ballet's sumptuous version of Ludwig Minkus's La Bayadere as restaged for The Royal Ballet, Covent Garden, in 1989 stars the divine Altynai Asylmuratova as Nikiya and Darcey Bussell as Gamzatti. Draws on Natalia Makaova's re-creation of Marius Petipa's original choreography of this perennial ballet favourite.

Liliana Guleghina and Jose Cura star as the star-crossed lovers in this gorgeous production with its realistic setting and painterly staging. Riccardo Muti conducts a rivetting performance with Liliana Cavani directing the La Scala production.

Macbeth is one of the most multi-layered, profound and demanding baritone roles from Verdi's pen, while Lady Macbeth is one of his most fearsome villians. Leo Nucci has distinguished himself as the Scottish Thane, with Sylvie Valayre as his his formidible wife.

The Zurich Ballet presents what is arguabably the world’s best-loved ballet, Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake. Director Heinz Spoerli, set designer Erich Wonder and costumier Florence von Gerkan  devised a new and contemporary version of this classic dance tale that has been enjoyed by ballet enthusiasts all over the world. Top Russian conductor Vladimir Fedoseyev ensures musical excellence.

Beethoven, Mozart, Haydn, Handel, Schubert Lecture 1 - Does Classical Music Have to be Entirely Serious, Lecture 2 - Musical Characters as Exemplified in Beethoven's Piano Sonatas, Lecture 3 - Light and Shade of Interpretation

Double DVD set with three musically-illustrated lectures by Alfred Brendel, which he is still presenting around the world to great acclaim. 224 minutes of illuminating words and music from an extraordinary communicator.

Discovering Beethoven documentaries with Joachim Kaiser and Christian Thielemann

This is the first volume of a Beethoven Symphonies cycle with the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Christian Thielemann. Billed as'the Beethoven cycle of the 21st century', it includes hour-long documentaries about each work.

The reclusive conductor Carlos Kleiber has achieved cult status and a loyal fan base. This searching documentary includes interviews with the late conductor's colleagues, including Raccardo Muti, members of the Vienna, Munich and Berlin Philharmonic Orchestras, with extracts of his highly-prized recordings.

World premiere recording, first modern performance 2009

The famous 19th-century double bass player and conductor Giovanni Bottesini was also a successful opera composer, his best-known effort being Ero e Leandro. Musically similar to Verdi's late operas, Ponchielli's La Gioconda or Boito's Mefistofele.

Arias by Handel, Scarlatti, Rossini, Verdi, Liszt (Renata Scotto 1984 Tokyo Recital), Arias by Mussorgsky, Rossini, Mozart, Verdi (Boris Christoff 1976 Lugano Recital), Arias by Donizetti, Verdi, Cilea, Mascagni, Offenbach, Puccini, Massenet, Weber, Gou

Three classic recitals by three legendary operatic singers. Limited Edition. 2 DVDs for the price of 1.

This Blu-ray disc captures the musical encounter between one of the most talented conductors of his generation with arguably the best chamber orchestra musicians,joined by renowned pianist Helene Grimaud.

Austrian director Martin Kusej's pioneering vision brings a challenging insight to Wagner’s opera of love and redemption, while Martin Zehetsgruber’s spacious, multi-layered sets define the settings through which Daland (Robert Lloyd), Senta (Catherine Naglestad), The Dutchman (Juha Uusitalo) and the chorus move to great effect. Hartmut Haenchen elicits an unmatchable performance of detail and clarity.

Antonio Pappano conducts in Richard Eyre's production of Verdi's beloved opera staged at the Royal Opera House in 2009. Renee Fleming heads an all-star cast including Johan Botha, Joseph Calleja, Thomas Hampson and Eddie Wade. Running time 135 mins, Recorded at ROH London June and July 2009. Also on standard DVD OA1040D.