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The Father the Son and the Godfather
Chamber Music by JS Bach, CPE Bach, Telemann
Paradiso Musicale
BIS |
BISCD1895 |
7318590018958 |
CD
Whenever the Bach family and their friends gathered there was music-making. This exquisite albums presents intimate chamber music (sonatas and trio sonatas) by JS and CPE Bach as well as Telemann (the father, son and godfather of the album title). Paradiso Musicale, featuring acclaimed recorder player Dan Lauren, plays with disarming freshness and invites you to join them for this 'at home' event. Hear audio excerpt on Homepage Media Player Track 5
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Dances to a Black Pipe
Copland Clarinet Concerto, Brahms Four Hungarian Dances, Lutoslawski Dance Preludes, Hogberg Dancing with Silent Purpose
Martin Frost (clarinet), Australian Chamber Orchestra, Richard Tognetti (director)
BIS |
BISSACD1863 |
7318599918631 |
SACD
Clarinetist Martin Frost is an intrepid adventurer who challenges conventional notions of how classical music should be presented. Together with the acclaimed Australian Chamber Orchestra, whose recording of Mozart Violin Concertos Vol 2 (BISSACD1755) was a 2011 ARIA Award finalist, he plays an impressive variety of music with stylish verve. Hear audio excerpt on Homepage Media Player Track 6
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Lyric - Orchestral Songs
Music by Mahler, Wolf, Zemlinsky, Schrecker, Wellesz, Bloch
Christine Schafer, Thomas Quasthoff, Matthias Goerne, Sophie Koch, Christiane Oelze, Franz Grundheber, orchestras, Christoph Eschenbach, Gerd Albrecht, Gary Bertini (conductors)
CAPRICCIO |
C5101 |
845221051017 |
CD2
2 CDs for the price of 1! From the unique Capriccio Archive comes an all-star survey of Romantic and modern orchestral songs, including Mahler's Ruckert Lieder and Songs of a Wayfarer, Zemlinsky's Symphonic Songs Op 20, Schreker's Five Songs for Deep Voice, Wolf's Five Orchestral Songs and rarities by Wellesz and Bloch - all sung by outstanding singers. Hear audio excerpt on Homepage Media Player Track 7
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JF Fasch Orchestral Works Vol 2
Concertos in G major and D major, Overture in A major, Sinfonia in G minor
Tempesta di Mare Philadelphia Baroque Orchestra
CHANDOS |
CHAN0783 |
095115078327 |
CD
Johann Friedrich Fasch helped lay the foundations of the Classical style of music. He delighted in exploring orchestral colour and thematic development, which later composers such as Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven brought to new heights as the Classical style in turn gave rise to Romanticism. Tempesta di Mare are renowned for their zestful and virtuosic interpretations. Volume 1 is available on CHAN0751. Hear audio excerpt on Homepage Media Player Track 8
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Svendsen Orchestral Works Vol 1
Festive Polonaise, Romeo and Juliet, Carnival in Paris Traume, Zorahayda, Norwegian Rhapsodies Nos 1 and 2, Ifgol gjett e gjeitin, Romance, Soeterjentens Sondag
Marianne Thorsen, Melina Mandozzi (violin), Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, Neeme Jarvi (conductor)
CHANDOS |
CHAN10693 |
095115169322 |
CD
First volume in a beautiful new series from Chandos. The Norwegian composer Johan Svendsen was a contemporay of Edvard Grieg and is best known for his Norwegian Rhapsodies. Open to the new musical trends launched by Berlioz, Liszt and Wagner, he also wrote a significant body of other joyful, lyrical and Romantic music from the pomp-and-ceremony of Festival Polinaise to the charming folkloricism of Ifgol gjett e gjeitin (When I Was Tending The Mountain Goats). Hear audio excerpt on Homepage Media Player Track 9
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Rachmaninov The Bells, Spring, Three Russian Songs
Svetla Vassileva (soprano), Misha Didyk (tenor), Alexei Tanovitski (bass), Mariinsky Theatre Chorus, BBC Philharmonic, Gianandrea Noseda (conductor)
CHANDOS |
CHAN10706 |
095115170625 |
CD
Seventh and final volume in Chandos' acclaimed Rachmaninov Series. His 'choral symphony' The Bells, the brooding cantata Spring and the poignant Three Russian Songs were recorded live at the 2011 Proms in London's Royal Albert Hall. 'The soloists soared, the choir bloomed, and Noseda powered the orchestra through thrilling climaxes' (The Guardian). Volumes 1-6 are also available (CHAN10442, CHAN10475, CHAN10544, CHAN10583,CHAN10589, CHAN10677). Hear audio excerpt on Homepage Media Player Track 10
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A Bridge of Dreams
Harrison Mass for St Cecilia's Day, Edwards Sacred Kingfisher Psalms, Body Five Lullabies, Sola The Seafarer, Boyd As I Crossed A Bridge of Dreams
Ars Nova Copenhagen, Andrew Lawrence-King (harp), Paul Hillier (conductor)
DACAPO |
6220597 |
747313159765 |
SACD
Scintillating music by composers and poets from Australia, New Zealand, China, Japan and California, including Ann Boyd's iconic choral classic As I Crossed A Bridge Of Dreams and the world premiere recording of Ross Edwards' Sacred Kingfisher Psalms (2009), both sublimely spiritual Australian works. 'Everything Paul Hillier touches turns to choral gold' wrote The New York Times, and nowhere moreso than on this fascinating new album. Hear audio excerpt on Homepage Media Player Track 11
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Vaughan Williams A London Symphony, Oboe Concerto
Stephanie Rancourt (oboe), Halle Orchestra, Mark Eldar (conductor)
HALLE |
CDHLL7529 |
5065001341359 |
CD
Halle Principal Oboist Stephane Rancourt is the soloist in Vaughan Williams' virtuosic Oboe Concerto which, beside his A London Symphony, was one of the composer's favourites among all his works. The Symphony vividly evokes the street cries, Cockney mouth-organs, Westminster chimes and ever-changing moods of the vibrant British capital city. Hear audio excerpt on Homepage Media Player Track 12
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Bach Orchestral Suites
Freiburg Baroque Orchestra
HARMONIA MUNDI |
HMC90211314 |
3149020211328 |
CD2
Ouvertures' or Orchestral Suites were among the most popular large-scale instrumental works of the Baroque Era. A grand French Overture introduces a series of dance movements in each of Bach's magnificent compositions, the third of which features the famous 'Air on a G String'. In the 3rd and 4th Suites trumpets and timpani add a splendidly martial touch, while the 2nd Suite showcases solo flute.
Hear audio excerpt on Homepage Media Player Track 13
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Schubert Piano Sonatas D840, D850, D894
Impromptus D899, Klavierstucke D946
Paul Lewis (piano)
HARMONIA MUNDI |
HMC90211516 |
3149020211526 |
CD2
Having completed his landmark recordings of Beethoven's Complete Piano Sonatas (HMX290190211), Piano Concertos (HMC90205355) and the Diabelli Variations (HMC902071), Paul Lewis returns to his other musical passion - the music of Franz Schubert - with these three late Piano Sonatas, Impromptus and Piano Pieces. Of his recent all-Schubert recital at the 92nd Street Y in October this year, The New York Times praised ' the intimacy of his interpretations, the resigned melodies unfolding with a sorrowful glow...a warm, inviting sound and heartfelt commitment' of his subtle interpretations. Hear audio excerpt on Homepage Media Player Track 14
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Handel Il Caro Sassone
Armida abbandonata, Salve Regina, Alpestre monte, Italian arias, instrumental sonatas
Lucy Crowe (soparano), The English Concert, Harry Bicket (conductor)
HARMONIA MUNDI |
HMU907559 |
093046755928 |
CD
Hailed as 'one of the most accomplished Handel singers around' (Chicago Tribune) and praised for reaching 'the heart of the music' (The Times), young soprano Lucy Crowe combines a voice 'of great beauty, freshness and purity' (CT) with unerring musicianship and compelling theatricality. She is superbly accompanied by The English Concert, which also plays several sonatas on this highly enjoyable album. Hear audio excerpt on Homepage Media Player Track 15
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Haydn String Quartets Op 74
Takacs Quartet
HYPERION |
CDA67781 |
034571177816 |
CD
Absolute unanimity of tone and complete command of the Classical style by the renowned Takacs Quartet (which has toured Australia to the highest acclaim on many ocassions) make this new recording a 'must have' on all counts. Haydn's astonishing elegance, lyricism and immense skill in fusing the profiound with his trademark wit abound in these chamber music masterpieces. Hear audio excerpt on Homepage Media Player Track 16
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Widor Piano Concertos
Romantic Piano Concerto Vol 55
Markus Becker (piano), BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Thierry Fischer (conductor)
HYPERION |
CDA67817 |
034571178172 |
CD
Best known for his organ music, Charles-Marie Widor also composed these two dazzling piano concertos which here receive their first recordings. The highly regarded performers respond with enthusiasm to Widor's imaginative French Romantic style. Hyperion's pathbreaking Romantic Piano Concerto series is returning countless forgotten classics to the rightful place in today's discography. Hear audio excerpt on Homepage Media Player Track 17
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Liszt, Grieg Piano Concertos
Stephen Hough (piano), Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, Andrew Litton (conductor)
HYPERION |
CDA67824 |
034571178240 |
CD
Recorded in Edvard Grieg's home town with his 'own' Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, the ever-popular Piano Concerto in A minor receives an exciting and magesterial interpretation by Stephen Hough (who recently toured Australia). The almost superhuman virtuosic and lyrical demands of Franz Liszt's two piano concertos pose no threat to Hough's impeccable artistry. Hear audio excerpt on Homepage Media Player Track 18
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Vaughan Williams Flos Campi, Suite for Viola and Small Orchestra
Lawrence Power (viola), BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Martyn Brabbins (conductor)
HYPERION |
CDA67839 |
034571178394 |
CD
Britain's star viola player' (The Times) Lawrence Power has often been compared with the pioneering violist Linel Tertis, for whom the three works on this disc were originally composed. The unabashed romanticism and pastoral elegance of Vaughan Williams' Flos Campi (Flowers of the Fields) and the rarely-heard Suite complement John McEwan's lush and melodious Viola concerto. Hear audio excerpt on Homepage Media Player Track 19
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Homage to Paderewski
Jonathan Plowright (piano)
HYPERION |
CDA67903 |
034571179032 |
CD
Following the resounding success of his Homage to Chopin (CDA67803), Jonathan Plowright is now the first artist to record the album of works written and published in homage to Polish pianist, composer and politician Jan Paderewski. With works by Bartok, Benjamin, Goossens, Milhaud, Britten, Chaminade, Wieniawski and others, this is an ear opening album of pianistic pleasures. Hear audio excerpt on Homepage Media Player Track 20
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Vivaldi Bassoon Concertos Vol 2
Sergio Azzolini (bassoon), L'Aura Soave Cremona
NAIVE |
OP30518 |
709861305186 |
CD
Naïve's Vivaldi Edition has become almost an addiction to lovers of The Red Priest's vivacious music. This second volume of his Bassoon Concertos is set to match the achievement of Volume 1 (OP30496) which gained an Echo Award, Diapason d'Or and Choc de Classica. Sergio Azzolini also joins oboist Hans Peter Westermann on Vivaldi Basson and Oboe Concertos (OP30379). Hear audio excerpt on Homepage Media Player Track 21
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Korngold, Tchaikovsky Violin Concertos
Laurent Korcia (violin), Liege Royal Philharmonic, Jean-Jacques Kantorow (conductor)
NAIVE |
V5280 |
822186052808 |
CD
Soloist Laurent Korcia brings a shimmering intensity to Korngold's hyper-Romantic Violin Concerto and a controlled emotionalism to Tchaikovsky's much loved masterpiece. Prone to over-interpretation, these two works here benefit from the extraordinary collaboration between the solo instrument and the orchestra, subtley co-ordinated here by conductor Jean-Jacques Kantorow, himself also a violinist of note. Hear audio excerpt on Homepage Media Player Track 22
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Berlioz Grande Messe des Morts (Requiem)
Gabrieli Consort and Players, Wroclaw Philharmonic Choir and Orchestra, Paul McCreesh (conductor)
SIGNUM |
SIGCD280 |
635212028025 |
CD2
First in a new series of splendid recordings from The Gabrieli Consort. Rarely has this barn-storming, rule-breaking, super-sized monster of a masterpiece sounded so utterly coherent and convincing. From its softest choral whispers to its loudest bursts of braying period-instrument brass, Berlioz's Great Mass for the Dead resounds like the soundtrack to Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel fresco of The Last Judgement. This astonishing live concert recording involving some 400 performers is simply too good to miss - a revelation! Hear audio excerpt on Homepage Media Player Track 23
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Chopin Etudes Op 10, Op 25
Maurizio Pollini (piano)
TESTAMENT |
SBT1473 |
749677147327 |
CD
First commercial release of an absolute treasure! Recorded at the Abbey Road studios shortly after the 18-year old Maurizio Pollini won the Warsaw Chopin Competition, this album is a spine-tingling experience. Producer Peter Andry recalls: 'This was pianism of the very finest kind. Rarely had I heard such perfection.' The musicality and spontaneity of Pollini's interpretations are simply revelatory. Hear audio excerpt on Homepage Media Player Track 24
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Vienna Philharmonic New Year's Concert 2002
The Blue Danumbe, Die Fledermaus Overture, Wiener Blut (Strauss II), Radetzky Masch (Strauss I), Arm in Arm, Aquarellen, Die Schwatzerin, Im Fluge (Josef Strauss), Danse diabolique (Hellmesberger)
Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, Seiji Ozawa (conductor)
ARTHAUS |
K107189 |
807280718997 |
DVD
Live recording from the Vienna Musikverein. Ozawa is at his impishly most playful as he conducts this light-hearted concert which is broadcast to more than 50 countries worldwide. BONUS: Seiji Ozawa Picture Gallery, Vienna Opera Ballet, Spanish Riding School of Vienna, Dance of the Machines, Vienna 2002 - Art & Delights.
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Europa Concert from Lisbon 2003 + Catalogue
Bartok Concerto for Orchestra, Mozart Piano Concerto No 20, Ravel Le Tombeau de Couperin, Debussy Fetes
Maria Joao Pires (piano), Berlin Philharmonic, Pierre Boulez (conductor)
EUROARTS |
2020218 |
880242202185 |
DVD
SOME WITH THE NEW EUROARTS AND IDEALE AUDIENCE CATALOGE The Berlin Philharmonic's annual Europa Concerts are 5-star events in the musical calendar. Filmed live at Lisbon's spectacular Mosteiro dos Jeronimos, this DVD brings out the best from the acclaimed artists. BONUS: A Portrait of Lisbon, Behind-the-scenes Picture Gallery.
VIEW TRAILER
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Barenboim Plays Mozart
Daniel Barenboim (piano)
EUROARTS |
2066528 |
880242665287 |
DVD3
Recorded between 1988 and 1990, Grammy Award-winning pianist Daniel Barenboim plays Mozart's complete piano sonatas with all the mastery which this beloved music demands. A rare treat for music lovers and an especially valuable document for pianists.
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Frederick Ashton Ballets
Les Patineurs, Divertissement, Scenes de Ballet
Royal Ballet
OPUS ARTE |
OA1064D |
809478010647 |
DVD
Founder choreographer of The Royal Ballet, Frederick Ashton created more than 100 ballets over his 60-year career. The three shorter works on this marvellous DVD demonstrate his sophisticated, elegant and widely popular style, and include music by Meyerbeer, Massenet, Tchaikovsky, Paganini, Brahms, Strauss, Tommasini and Stravinsky.
VIEW TRAILER
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Parsifal - The Search for the Grail
Placido Domingo, Anna Netrebko, Valery Gergiev, Wolfgang Wagner
TONY PALMER FILMS |
TPDVD167 |
604388737802 |
DVD
When this fascinating film was first released in Germany it was censored: 30 minutes were removed because they were deemed 'political', 'uncomfortable' and 'irrelevant'. Now restored to its complete form and approved by Placido Domingo, this DVD features Wagner's grandson Wolfgang who explains the meaning behind Parsifal and the first performance on film of Anna Nebtrnko.
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christmas collectors corner
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Bach Christmas Cantatas
Gelobet seist du BWV91, Selig ist der Mann BWV57 Susser Trost BWV151, Das neugeborne Kindlein BWV122
Yeree Suh (soprano), Christoph Genz (tenor), La Petite Bande, Sigiswald Kuijken (conductor)
ACCENT |
ACC25314 |
4015023253148 |
SACD
Sigiswald Kuijken's highly personal interpretation of Bach's cantatas have gaine 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. Hear audio excerpt on Homepage Media Player Track 25
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Bach Christmas Oratorio
Rachel Harnisch (soprano), Anke Vondung (mezzo-soprano), Maximilian Schmitt (tenor), Christian Immler (bass), Bavarian Radio Choir, Akademie fur Alte Musik Berlin, Peter Dijkstra (conductor)
BR KLASSIK |
900502 |
4035719005028 |
DVD2
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.
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Christmas With The Bach Family
Michael Erxleben, Knut Zimmermann (violin), Hans-Peter Kirchberg (organ), New Berlin Chamber Orchestra, Michael Erxleben (conductor)
CAPRICCIO |
C5105 |
845221051011 |
CD
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. Hear audio excerpt on Homepage Media Player Track 26
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Plum Pudding
Felicity Lott (soprano), Gabriel Woolf (reader), Joyful Company of Singers, Peter Broadbent (conductor)
CHAMPS HILL |
CHRCD013 |
5060212590145 |
CD
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. Hear audio excerpt on Homepage Media Player Track 27
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On Christmas Night
Carols from St John's College Cambridge by Rutter, Burton, Mathias, Poston, Rodney Bennett, M Martin, Robinson, Mendelssohn, Tavener, Finnissy, Leighton, Gruber, Wade and others
Choir of St John's College Cambridge, John Challenger (organ), Andrew Nethsingha (conductor)
CHANDOS |
CHSA5096 |
095115509623 |
SACD
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. Hear audio excerpt on Homepage Media Player Track 28
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Sacred Music A Christmas History and A Choral Christmas
Music by Palestrina, Victoria, Bach, Walton, Mendelssohn, Howells, Holst, Maxwell Davies, Gruber
Simon Russell Beale (presenter), The Sixteen, Harry Christophers (conductor)
CORO |
COR16094 / CORDVD5 |
828021609497 |
DVD
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'
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Josquin Missa de Beata Virgine, Missa Ave Maris Stella
The Tallis Scholars, Peter Phillips (conductor)
GIMMELL |
CDGIM044 |
755138104426 |
CD
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. Hear audio excerpt on Homepage Media Player Track 29
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The Christmas Story
Chants, motets, dialogues and folk carols
Theatre of Voices, Ars Nova Copenhagen, Paul Hillier (conductor)
HARMONIA MUNDI |
HMU807565 |
093046756567 |
CD
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. Hear audio excerpt on Homepage Media Player Track 30
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Tchaikovsky The Nutcracker
Special Price
Russian National Orchestra, Mikhail Pletnev (conductor)
ONDINE |
ODE11802D |
0761195118023 |
CD2
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. Hear audio excerpt on Homepage Media Player Track 31
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Joy To The World
Christmas Classics old and new
The King's Singers
SIGNUM |
SIGCD268 |
635212026823 |
CD
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) Hear audio excerpt on Homepage Media Player Track 32
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The King's Singers Christmas
A special DVD concert from LSO
The King's Singers
SIGNUM |
SIGDVD008 |
635212000892 |
DVD
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.
VIEW TRAILER
Noel nouvelet
Veni, veni Emmanuel
Jingle Bells
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Merry Christmas
Christmas Carols from around the world
Bambini di Praga, Bohumil Kulinsky (conductor)
SUPRAPHON |
SU4067 |
099925406721 |
CD
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. Hear audio excerpt on Homepage Media Player Track 33
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