November New Releases

NAXOS | 8557815 | CD | 747313281527
VANHAL
THREE VIOLIN CONCERTOS
Takako Nishizaki (violin), Cologne Chamber Orchestra, Helmut Muller-Bruhl (conductor)

NAXOS CD OF THE MONTH Haydn's contemporary J B Vanhal, one of the earliest successful freelance composers, was both popular and prolific. A proficient violinist, he wrote concertos for himself and others to perform, among which are the three featured on this disc - two in G major and one in B flat - which date from before 1772. Mozart himself actually played the B flat Concerto 'to universal applause', as he wrote to his father in 1777. Beautifully tailored to the expressive qualities of the solo instrument, Vanhal's violin concertos are works of consumate musicianship.

	NAXOS \| 855213132 \| CD2 \| 730099213127 THE VERY BEST OF LISZT Various Artists, including Jeno Jando, Peter Nagy, William Wolfram, Franz Liszt Acadamey of Music Orchestra, Hungarian State Symphony Orchestra, Polish NRSO, Matyas Antal, Olivier Dohnanyi, Michael Halasz & Andras Ligeti
Liszt was a pathbreaking composer of music for piano, orchestra and the voice whose works rarely fail to entrance and surprise the listener, even today. Featuring many of his favourite compositions, this 2-CD set features music which spans his long career, including original works and transcriptions.

	NAXOS \| 855213334 \| CD2 \| 730099213325 THE VERY BEST OF ELGAR Various Artists, including BBC Philharmonic, Bournemouth SO, Royal Philharmonic, Maggini Quartet, St John's College Choir, Edward Downes, Michael Halasz, James Judd, Christopher Robinson
From the Pomp and Circumstance Marches 1 & 4, excerpts from the Violin and Cello Concertos, Enigma Variations, Symphonies Nos 1 & 2, The Apostles and Dream of Gerontius to chamber and vocal works - it's all here on this lovingly prepared 2-CD survey of Elgar's extensive, engaging (sometimes surprising) oeuvre.

	NAXOS \| 855213536 \| CD2 \| 730099213523 THE VERY BEST OF SIBELIUS Various Artists, including Iceland Symphony, Sinfonia Finlandia, Capella Istropolitana, Slovak Philharmonic, Hannu Jurmu, Harvard Gimsu, Jouni Somero, Patrick Gaullois, Jorma Panula & Petri Sakari
These two discs bring together excerpts from much-loved masterpieces such as the Violin Concerto, Second & Fifth Symphonies, En Saga, Finlandia and the Karelia Suite as well as less familiar songs, orchestral works and theatrical music which amply show why Sibelius is reagrded as a founding father of Finnish music.

	NAXOS \| 855213738 \| CD2 \| 730099213721 THE VERY BEST OF SATIE Gabor Eckhardt, Klara Kormendi (piano), Nancy Symphony Orchestra, Jerome Kaltenbach (conductor)
Irreverent, quixotic, sarcastic, enigmatic, eccentric and immesely influential on Debussy, Ravel and Poulenc, Erik Satie is best known for his three haunting Gymnopedies (all on this 2-CD set). Yet his many other works, whether for piano or orchestra, are unjustly neglected. This new release will help redress this unfortunate situation.

	NAXOS \| 855213940 \| CD2 \| 730099213929 THE VERY BEST OF DVORAK Various Artists, including BBC Philharmonic, Royal Philharmonic, Slovak Philharmonic & RSO, Vlach Quartet, Joachim Trio, Michael Halasz, Jaroslav Krecek, Zdenek Kosler, Antoni Wit
For many, Dvorak is the outstanding voice of Czech Romantic music. His operas, choral, chamber, orchestral and instrumental music are imbued with a love of his homeland yet fully aware of the major developments in the American and European music of his time. Favourite works and rarities rub shoulders in this 2-CD set.

	NAXOS \| 8555843 \| CD \| 747313584321 RODRIGO CONCIERTO SERENATA, CONCIERTO DE ARANJUEZ (HARP VERSION) Gwyneth Wentink (harp), Asturias Symphony Orchestra, Maximiano Valdes (conductor)
Rodrigo's Aranjuez Concerto is best known in its version for guitar and orchestra, yet the composer actually imagined an 'imaginary instrument…with the wings of a harp, the heart of a grand piano and the soul of the guitar'. Here is his own version for harp, beside another work that celebrates 'the harp's child-like soul', the Concerto Serenade.

	NAXOS \| 855775556 \| CD2 \| 747313275526 J S BACH BRANDENBURG CONCERTOS Swiss Baroque Soloists
Established in 2004 by artistic directors Andres Gabetta and Niklas Eklund, the Swiss Baroque Soloists brings together Europe's top baroque performers playing period instruments with an up-to-the-minute sense of style. Bach's six 'Brandenburg' Concertos are triumphant test pieces for these most accomplished musicians.

	NAXOS \| 857013132 \| CD2 \| 747313013173 HANDEL MESSIAH Robert Brooks, Iestyn Davies, Eamonn Dougan, Henry Jenkinson, Otta Jones, Toby Spence, New College Choir Oxford, Academy of Ancient Music, Edward Higginbottom (conductor)
1751 'FOUNDLING HOSPITAL' VERSION Among the many adaptations which Handel made of what is now his most popular oratorio is this one, which features boy trebles singing soprano arias (including 'I know that my Redeemer liveth', but excluding 'Rejoice greatly', which is reallocated to the tenor soloist).

	NAXOS \| 857034445 \| CD2 \| 747313034475 THE VERY BEST OF CHRISTMAS Various Artists, including Worchestar Cathedral Choir, Scholars Baroque Ensemble, Aradia Ensemble, Tewksbury Abbey Choir, St John's College Choir,Elora Festival Singers, Eteri Andjaparidze
Best-loved Christmas favourites by Handel, Mendelssohn, Bach, Berlioz, Holst, Rutter, Corelli, Charpentier and Tchaikovsky offset by lesser-known compositions by Haydn, Mozart, Liszt, Prokofiev, Anderson, Darke, Tavener and more. Seasonal bon-bons performed by outstanding musicians at an unbeatable price!

	NAXOS EDUCATIONAL \| 855819697 \| CD2 \| 636943819623 DISCOVER OPERA Various Artists + 162-page Booklet
FOUR CENTURIES OF OPERATIC MASTERPIECES! From Vecchi's L'Amfiparnasso to Birtwistle's The Mask of Orpheus, here is an unparalleled survey of operatic masterpieces placed into historical context in a highly-readable 25,000-word illustrated essay with 37 musical examples. All the great composers are here from American, Czech, English, French, German, Hungarian, Italian and Russian opera.

	NAXOS NOSTALGIA \| 812085253 \| CD2 \| 0636943285220 ULTIMATE NOSTALGIA COLLECTION Various Artists, including Shirley Temple, Flanagan and Allen, Carmen Miranda, Noel Coward, Louis Armstrong, Cab Calloway, Nat King Cole, and many more
The best-loved hits from the golden age of entertainment performed by the world's biggest stars. 46 original recordings from the 1920s to the 1950s, including songs used in Telstra, Sony Play Station and Tourism Victoria television commercials.

	NAXOS NOSTALGIA \| 812085455 \| CD2 \| 0636943285428 ULTIMATE MUSICALS COLLECTION Various Artists, including Billie Holiday, Sarah Vaughan, Paul Robeson, Mario Lanza, Mary Martin, Ezio Pinza and Betty Hutton
The best-loved songs from musicals of the 1940s to 1950s performed by the world's biggest stars. Includes tracks from Original Cast Recordings of Guys and Dolls, Oklahoma!, Carousel, King and I, South Pacific, Showboat plus the rare Soundtrack of Annie Get Your Gun with Betty Hutton.

HARMONIA MUNDI | HMC80192829 | SAC2 | 794881817863
HANDEL
MESSIAH
Kerstin Avemo, Patricia Bardon, Lawrence Zazzo, Kobie van Rensburg, Neal Davies, Choir of Clare College, Freiburger Barockorchester, Rene Jacobs (conductor)

LONDON 1750 VERSION Following its premiere in Dublin in 1742, Handel frequently adapted Messiah to suit the available vocalists. This new disc, which features two alto soloists, is one of the freshest, clearest interpretations available. It is sure to garner at least as much praise as Jacobs' critically acclaimed recording of Saul, which was awarded Editor's Choice in Gramophone and won Choc du Monde de la Musique.

	HARMONIA MUNDI CD OF THE MONTH \| HMC90192829 \| CD2 \| 794881817726 HANDEL MESSIAH Kerstin Avemo, Patricia Bardon, Lawrence Zazzo, Kobie van Rensburg, Neal Davies, Choir of Clare College, Freiburger Barockorchester, Rene Jacobs (conductor)
*STOCK PROTECTED NOVEMBER ONLY * STOCK TO BE KEPT FOR A MINIMUM OF THREE MONTHS** CD VERSION OF THE SACD Soloists, choir, orchestra are simply superb, and Jacobs expresses both the spiritual drama and transcendent message of love at the heart of the work.

HARMONIA MUNDI CD OF THE MONTH | HMI987069 | CD | 8427592000874
DE NEBRA
ARIAS DE ZARUELAS
Maria Bayo (soprano), al Ayre Espanol, Eduardo Lopez-Banzo (conductor)

STOCK PROTECTED * NOVEMBER ONLY * STOCK TO BE KEPT FOR A MINIMUM OF THREE MONTHS Jose de Nebra dominated 18th-century Spanish music and wrote many zarzuelas (sparkling music theatre works comparable to masques or operas). Bayo is, as always, outstanding, her fluty, agile voice perfectly suited to the expressive demands of the Baroque. Al Ayre Espanol provides able support and also plays Boccherini's much-loved Symphony op 12 no 4 with true Iberian zest.

HARMONIA MUNDI | HMU807401 | SACD | 093046740160
PART
DA PACEM
Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir, Christopher Bowers-Broadbent (organ), Paul Hillier (director)

EDITOR'S CHOICE GRAMOPHONE AWARDS ISSUE 2006 These nine sacred pieces by Arvo Part include some of his newest compositions alongside works from earlier in his remarkable career such as the Two Slavonic Psalms, here recorded for the first time. Part's contemplative style is popular with choral music lovers, those who enjoy meditative music and contemporary music fans alike. Also available in CD format. 'Hillier's interpretations are about as definitive as you can get' (Gramophone)

	HARMONIA MUNDI CD OF THE MONTH \| HMU907401 \| CD \| 093046740122 PART DA PACEM Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir, Christopher Bowers-Broadbent (organ), Paul Hillier (director)
*40% DISCOUNT RETAIL $19.95rrp * NOVEMBER ONLY * FIRM SALE** EDITOR'S CHOICE AWARDS 2006 ISSUE This is the CD version of the hybrid SACD disc of the same name. It features Da pacem Domine, Salve Regina, Two Slavonic Psalms, Magnificat, An den Wassern zu Babel, Dopo la vittoria, Nunc dimittis and Littlemore Tractus. This is Paul Hillier's third disc devoted to the iconic Estonian composer.

	HARMONIA MUNDI \| HMX2971082 \| CD \| 794881817122 CHARPENTIER PASTORALE DE NOEL Les Arts Florissants, William Christie (conductor)
Charpentier's music is always charming and imaginitive, perhaps never moreso than in these two delightful Christmas works: the Pastorale and the In Nativitatem. Celebrate with music from the time of Louis XIV.

	HARMONIA MUNDI \| HMX2971148 \| CD \| 794881817320 MESSE DE NOEL Ensemble Organum, Marcel Peres (director)
The four male vocalists of Ensemble Organum present an elegant yet full-bodied Romanesque service as it was performed in Notre Dame de Paris, the cradle of Western polyphony.

	HARMONIA MUNDI \| HMX2971310 \| CD \| 794881817429 SCHUTZ WEIHNACHTHISTORIE Concerto Vocale, Rene Jacobs (conductor)
Rediscover Schutz's delightful Christmas Story, one of his most popular works which dates from late in his illustrious career. Lutheran fervour meets Italianate sophistication in this important precursor of JS Bach's later sacred music.

	HARMONIA MUNDI \| HMX2971407 \| CD \| 794881817221 CORELLI CHRISTMAS CONCERTO Ensemble 415, Chiara Banchini & Jasper Christensen (direction)
Arcangelo Corelli's highly popular works transformed Baroque instrumental music, as these six concertos demonstrate. Includes the famous 'Christmas Concerto' played as if it were written only yesterday.

	HARMONIA MUNDI \| HMX297163233 \| CD2 \| 794881819928 BERLIOZ L'ENFANCE DU CHRIST La Chapelle Royale, Collegium Vocale, Orchestre des Champs-Elysees, Philippe Herreweghe (conductor)
The freshness and theatrical freedom with which Berlioz treats the Childhood of Christ marks this as a milestone of French Romanticism. This performance glows with a deep love of Berlioz's unique musical imagination.

	HARMONIA MUNDI \| HMX2971782 \| CD \| 794881819829 JS BACH MAGNIFICAT & CANTATA 'CHRISTEN, ATZET DIESEN TAG' Collegium Vocale Gent, Philippe Herreweghe (conductor)
The original version of Bach's splendid Magificat - in E flat major with four Christmas motets - stands beside his cantata BWV 63, a relatively early work which vividly sets the text celebrating the Holy Nativity.

	HARMONIA MUNDI \| HMX2971794 \| CD \| 794881817627 STILLE NACHT GERMAN CAROLS RIAS Chamber Choir, Uwe Grunostay (director)
The most famous Christmas songs of 19th-century Germany with their picture-postcard Romanticism shine in this beautiful recording, which also features works from the 15th to 18th centuries.

	HARMONIA MUNDI \| HMX2977079 \| CD \| 794881819126 CAROLS FROM THE OLD & NEW WORLDS Theatre of Voices, Paul Hillier (director)
Christmas as it is celebrated around the world - a festival of carols from Austria, Finland, Germany, England and the USA - including works by Henry VIII, Holst, Ives, Sibelius and, of course, that prolific composer 'Trad' specially arranged by Paul Hillier.

	HARMONIA MUNDI \| HMX2978199 \| CD \| 794881817528 NOELS A L'ORGUE Rene Saorgin (organ)
Discover the delightful noels of Balbastre, the chimes of Chambery and a host of pastoral pieces for organ by JS Bach, Daquin and Zipoli performed on the historic organs of Tende and Chambery.

	HARMONIA MUNDI \| HMX2978223 \| CD \| 794881817023 CHRISTMAS Various Artists
A star-studded compilation of Christmas classics performed by Harmonia Mundi artists, including RIAS Chamber Choir, Concerto Vocale, Ensemble 415, La Chapelle Royale, Les Arts Florissants, Andrew Lawrence King, Anonymous 4, Theatre of Voices and more.

	HYPERION \| CDS4417181 \| CD11 \| 034571141718 VIVALDI COMPLETE SACRED MUSIC Soloists, Choir, The King's Consort, Robert King (conductor)
SPECIAL PRICE 11-CD SET! From his magificent oratorio Juditha Triumphans to exquisite solo motets, with plenty of choral masterpieces in between, this highly praised set is a joy from start to finish. The 'Red Priest' never fails to astonish and The King's Consort delivers brilliantly on every track.

	HYPERION \| CDS442513 \| CD3 \| 034571142517 GOTHIC VOICES GRAMOPHONE AWARD WINNERS COLLECTION A FEATHER ON THE BREATH OF GOD / THE SERVICE OF VENUS AND MARS / A SONG FOR FRANCESCA Emma Kirkby (soprano), Andrew Lawrence King (harp), gothic Voices, Christopher Page (director0
3 CELEBRATED DISCS AT A SPECIAL PRICE! Newly presented in an attractive box with full documentation, this is a must-have for early music lovers. In 1983, 'A Feather' effectively lauched the Hildegard von Bingen revival, while the other two discs explore music for the Knights of the Garter (1340-1440) and Italian music from 1330-1430, respectively.

	NAIVE CLASSIQUE \| OP30432 \| CD \| 709861304325 VIVALDI: IL FURIOSO OPERATIC & INSTRUMENTAL EXCERPTS Sandrine Piau, Magdalena Kozena, Marie-Nicole Lemieux, Philippe Jaroussky, Nicola Ulivieri, Lorenzo Regazzo, Ensemble Matheus/Spinosi, Concerto Italiano/Alessandrini, Accademia Bizantina/Dantone, Academia Montis Regais/Sardelli, Freiburger Barockorchester
THE ULTIMATE VIVALDI SUPER-SAMPLER DISC The most emotionally intense highlights from the marvellous Vivaldi Edition on one startling CD! Passionate opera arias, virtuosic concertos and instrumental music that showcase Vivaldi's inexhaustible passion for musical expressivity.

	ZIG ZAG TERRITORIES \| ZZT2020801 \| CD \| 3760009290969 VALENTINI CONCERTI GROSSI & FOR 4 VIOLINS + ZIG ZAG CATALOGUE Ensemble 415, Chirai Banchini (director)
SPECIAL LOW PRICE RELEASE The six concertos on this buoyantly vivacious disc spring to life in fantastic performances that make you wonder why Valentini isn't much better known. Includes a complete full-colour Zig Zag Tarritories catalogue, a wide-ranging label that knows no boundaries except musical quality and artistic integrity.

	ARTHAUS \| K101407 \| DVD \| 807280140798 CHRISTMAS WITH JOSE CARRERAS Jose Carreras (tenor), Lorenzo Bavaj (piano), Hermann Baumann (horn & alphorn), Sebastian Baumann (flugelhorn), Wolfgang Klasener (organ), Andrew Hannan (piano), Mozart Sangerknaben Wien, Erich Schwarzbauer (chorus director)
Recorded in the beautiful Jesuit Church of Lucerne in December 1990, this DVD includes favourite carols, Franck's Panis Angelicus, Giordani's Caro mio ben, Bizet's Agnus Dei, Gruber's Stille Nacht and Stradella's Pieta Signore, alongside works by Purcell, Schubert, Tosti, Alvarez and Toldra.

ARTHAUS | K101409 | DVD | 807280140996
A BOLSHOI OPERA NIGHT

Jose Carreras (tenor), Bolshoi Theatre Orchestra, Mark Ermler (conductor)

Live concert from the Bolshoi Theatre, Moscow, 6 September 1989 featuring arias and orchestral music by Verdi (La forza del destino, Un ballo in maschera, Rigoletto, Louisa Miller), Mussorgsky (Khovanshchina, The Song of the Flea), Donizetti (L'elisir d'amore, Lucia di Lammermoor), Bellini (La sonnambula), Flotow (Martha), Leoncavallo (I pagliacci), Rossini (Il barbiere di Siviglia), Wagner (Tannhauser), Borodin (Prince Igor) and Puccini (Tosca).

	ARTHAUS \| K101411 \| DVD \| 807280141191 JOSE CARRERAS SALZBURG RECITAL Jose Carreras (tenor), Martin Katz (piano)
Live recital from the Great Festival House in Salzburg given on 15 August 1989, with arias and songs by Alessandro Scarlatti, Bononcini, Stradella, Massenet, Tosti, de Falla, Obradors, Guastavino, Halffter, Ginastera, Nacho and more. Following his successful battle against Leukemia, Carreras returned to the top rank of singing stars.

	ARTHAUS \| K101413 \| DVD \| 807280141399 CARRERAS AND CABALLE LIVE FROM THE BOLSHOI THEATRE Montserrat Caballe (soprano), Jose Carreras (tenor), Miguel Zannetti (piano)
Recorded live in Moscow on 5 September 1989, this recital was filmed only a few weeks after Carreras' triumphant Salzburg Festival recital, and benefited the victims of the terrible Armenian earthquake of December 1988. Music by Bellini, vivaldi, Verdi, Granados, Tosti, Obradors, Nacho, Caballero, Cardillo, Vives, A Scarlatti, Stradella, Bononcini, Rossini and Turina.

	ARTHAUS \| K102095 \| DVD6 \| 807280209594 MOZART AT DROTTNINGHOLM LIMITED EDITION OF ARNOLD OSTMAN'S LEGENDARY MOZART CYCLE Ann Christine Biel, Maria Hoglind, Lars Tibell, Magnus Linden, Ulla Severin, Enzo Florimo, Stuart Kale, Britt-Marie Aruhn, Richard Croft, Eva Pilat, Annika Skoglund, Petteri Salomaa, Stefan Dahlberg, Anita Soldh, Lani Poulson, Pia-Marie Nilsson, Jerker Ar
Acclaimed performances of Cosi fan tutte (1984), La finta giardiniera (1988), La clemenza di Tito (1987), Idomeneo (1991), Die Zauberflote (1989) and Die Entfuhrung aus dem Serail (1990).

	DRG \| DRGDV18001 \| DVD \| 021471146424 MOSTLY SONDHEIM LIVE AT CARNEGIE HALL Barbara Cook
DVD VERSION OF THE 2-CD SET featuring Barbara Cook, Musical Director Wally Harper, Special Guest Malcolm Gets pay tribute to Sondheim through his own music and some of his personal favourite songs.

	EUROARTS \| 2050858 \| DVD \| 880242508584 VERDI GALA FROM BERLIN RE-RELEASE Andrea Rost, Ramon Vargas, Alan Titus, Elizabeth Futral, Stella Douflexis, Lucio Gallo, Prague Radio Choir, Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, Claudio Abbado
2000/2001 New Year's Eve Concert to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Verdi's death with music from Un ballo in maschera, Don Carlo (the Act III ball scene removed from the Italian version), Rigoletto, La Traviata and Falstaff.

[back to top] | [back to priorities]

	NAXOS \| 8503109 \| CD3 \| 7300991310946 CHRISTMAS CAROLS FROM AROUND THE WORLD Various Artists, including Musica Ficta, Oxford Camerata, Elora Festival Signers, Gothenburg Boys Choir, Tewksbury Abbey & Worcester Cathedral Choirs
Traditional carols and Christmas music from Anonymous to Alnaes, Busnoys to Britten, Rung to Rutter and many more across 73 tracks. A global survey of seasonal music where favourite chestnuts sit beside innumerable new delights.

	NAXOS \| 8557504 \| CD \| 747313250424 STRAVINSKY SYMPHONY OF PSALMS, MASS, CANTATA, BABEL, THREE RUSSIAN CHORUSES Soloists, Gregg Smith Singers, Simon Joly Chorale, Philharmonia Orchestra, St Luke's Orchestra, Robert Craft (conductor)
Stravinsky's choral works draw deeply from the wells of the past while imbuing them with new rhythms and sonorities. These works, conducted by the composer's long-time friend and colleague, Robert Craft, are radiant epiphanies whose popularity attests to their emotional power.

	NAXOS \| 8557540 \| CD \| 747313254026 BAX VIOLIN SONATAS NOS 1 & 3 Laurence Jackson (violin), Ashley Wass (piano)
Bax was inspired in 1909 by his love for a Ukrainian girl - 'a golden Roussalka with ice-blue eyes!' - to write his 1st Violin Sonata; his 3rd Sonata, from 1927, is less sensuous yet more concentrated while retaining his hallmark Irish lyricism.

	NAXOS \| 8557684 \| CD \| 747313268429 TURINA: PIANO MUSIC VOL 3 SEVILLE OP 2, SPANISH WOMEN OP 73, WOMEN OF SEVILLE OP 89 Jordi Maso (piano)
Catalan pianist Jordi Maso infuses Turina's compositions with an authentic Spanish flavour - colourful, evocative, full of the essence of days gone by - and brimming with the composer's love of his native city and of 'Mujeres espanolas'.

	NAXOS \| 8557709 \| CD \| 747313270927 GRANADOS GOYESCAS & EL PELELE TRIO CAMPANELLA
Granados is best remembered today for his beautifully evocative Goyescas, inspired by Goya’s paintings and tapestries of 18th-century Madrid. This work and the exuberant El Pelele (The Straw Man) are heard in new guitar transcriptions by Trio Campanella's Christophe Dejour.

	NAXOS \| 8557722 \| CD \| 747313277228 SHOSTAKOVICH VIOLIN & CELLO SONATAS, THE GADFLY (ROMANCE & NOCTURNE) Maxim Fedotov (violin), Dmitry Yablonsky (cello), Ekaterina Saranceva, Dmitry Yablonsky (piano), Russian Philharmonic Orchestra, Dmitry Yablonsky (conductor)
Shostakovich's Violin and Cello Sonatas rank among his most significant instrumental creations and lie at opposite ends of his career, the latter from 1934, the former from 1968. The Gadfly has long been one of Shostakovich's best known film scores.

	NAXOS \| 8557766 \| CD \| 747313276622 PENDERECKI SYMPHONY NO 7 'SEVEN GATES OF JERUSALEM' Soloists, Warsaw National Philharmonic Choir & Orchestra, Antoni Wit (conductor)
Composed in 1996, this immense work is an expressive oratorio in seven movements that sets verses from the Psalms and the Book of Isaiah in a moving meditation on the Holy City which culminates in triumph.

	NAXOS \| 855789899 \| CD2 \| 747313289820 DAVIS ALADDIN BALLET Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra, Carl Davis (conductor)
Here's a Persian story set in China with a Morrocan interlude, lots of magic, the lamp, the ring, the flying carpet and a thrilling storyline taylor-made for dancing. This performance is authoritatively conducted by the composer.

	NAXOS \| 8559178 \| CD \| 636943917824 IVES STRING QUARTETS NOS 1 & 2 Blair Quartet
Ives' two string quartets are quite different to each other. The First, from 1896, is subititled 'From the Salvation Army' and uses the gosple revival music he loved so much. The Second, from 1911-13, is, in his own words, 'half mad, half in fun and half to try out'!

	NAXOS \| 8559240 \| CD \| 636943924020 COPLAND RODEO (FOUR DANCE EPISODES), THE RED PONY SUITE, PRAIRIE JOURNAL & LETTER FROM HOME Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, JaAnn Falletta (conductor)
Four works from one of America's most popular classical composers. The ballet Rodeo is a love story from the American southwest, The Red Pony Suite was taken from Copland's film score based on Steinbeck's novel, while Prairie Journal describes life on a Western ranch and Letter from Home evokes nostalgic emotions.

	NAXOS \| 8559422 \| CD \| 636943942222 STOCK A LITTLE MIRACLE, YIZKOR, TEKIAH & Y'RUSHA Stephen Burns, Elizabeth Shammash, Richard Stolzman, Pittsburgh New Music Ensemble, Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, Seattle Symphony Orchestra, Gerard Schwarz, David Stock (conductors)
From the Milken Archive of American Jewish Music come four works by David Stock. The centerpiece of this new disc is A Little Miracle, a haunting 30-minute 'operatic monodrama' for mezzo-soprano and chamber orchestra that relates the story of a young mother in a German-built Polish ghetto during the Holocaust.

	NAXOS \| 8570136 \| CD \| 747313013678 RAWSTHORNE STRING QUARTETS NOS 1-3, THEME & VARIATIONS David Angel, Laurence Jackson, Maggini Quartet
Lancashire composer Alan Rawsthorne made a distinguished contribution to 20th-century British music. The works on this disc, by turns succinct, dramatic, austere and contemplative, adopt a variety of structures, often drawing upon such musical forms as the variation, chaconne, siciliano, fantasia and canon.

	NAXOS \| 8570142 \| CD \| 747313014279 TUDOR ORGAN MUSIC ANONYMOUS, JOHN BLITHEMAN, JOHN REDFORD, THOMAS TALLIS, THOMAS THOMPKINS Carl Smith (organ)
The beauty of these works, based on liturgical plainsong, lies in their sophisticated interweaving of two or three independent contrapuntal lines into highly personal instrumental miniatures that take advantage of the organ's range of timbres, warmth and clarity.

	NAXOS \| 8570183 \| CD \| 747313018376 STEINER THE SON OF KONG & THE MOST DANGEROUS GAME SOUNDTRACKS Leonid Makarevich, Moscow Symphony Orchestra, William Stromberg (conductor)
Max Steiner, King Kong's composer, created another score for it's sequel, The Son of Kong. One interesting note about the score; Steiner derived the three-note motif for the conniving, cowardly Helstrom (portrayed by John Marston) that is an exact reversal of the famous three-note theme for King Kong.

	NAXOS \| 8570194 \| CD \| 747313019472 MESSINA: LA BEFFA A DON CHISCIOTTE SUITE ROTA: CONCERTO FOR STRINGS, PESSINA: CONCERTINA Adriatic Symphony Orchestra, Paola Pessina (conductor)
Italian string music spanning the years 1926 through 2001. The Don Quixote Suite comprises excerpts from Messina's delightful opera (1926-30) arranged for strings, while Rota's Concerto (1964-5) is heard in its original version. Pessina's work combines Baroque concerto grosso form with the compelling rhythms and sounds of the Tango.

	NAXOS \| 8570243 \| CD \| 747313024377 MONUMENTAL WORKS FOR WINDS MUSIC BY VERDI, STRAVINSKY, PERSICHETTI, WEINBERGER, COPLAND, GRAINGER, WALTON The President's Own' United States Marine Band, Michael J Colburn (conductor)
From the Triumphal March from Aida to the Crown Imperial March, here is a spectacular treat for fans of the wind band. Persichetti's Symphony no 6 complements shorter pieces such as Stravinksy's Symphonies of Wind Instruments, Copland's Emblems, Weinberger's Schwanda the Nagpiper and Grainger's Over the Hills and Far Away.

NAXOS AUDIOBOOKS | 41812 | CD21 | 9789626344187 | ISBN9626344180
MURAKAMI
THE WIND-UP BIRD CHRONICLE
Rupert Degas (reader)

AUDIOBOOK Toru Okada is going through a difficult time. He is without a job, his cat has disappeared and his wife is behaving strangely. Into this unbalanced world come a variety of curious characters, a young girl sunbathing in a nearby garden, sisters who are very peculiar indeed, an old war veteran with a violent, disturbing story. Okada retreats to a deep well in a nearby house. And the story unfolds...

	NAXOS BOOKS \| ISBN1843792178 \| PUB 9781843792178 DOWN A PATH OFWONDER MEMOIRES OF STRAVINSKY, SCHOENBERG & OTHER CULTURAL FIGURES Robert Craft
NAXOS BOOK 'Stylishly mixes travel observations, historical essays, and remembered conversations…If you like his meticulous and well-stocked mind as much as I do, you'll eventually want to read everything he's written' (Washington Post)

	NAXOS HISTORICAL \| 8110997 \| CD \| 636943199725 WAGNER OVERTURES Kirsten Flagstad, Philharmonia Orchestra, Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, Wilhelm Furtwangler (conductor)
Overtures and orchestral music from The Flying Dutchman, The Mastersigners of Nuremburg, The Valkyries and Twilight of the Gods (with the Immolation Scene) in commercial recordings dating from 1940-50. Volume 4 of the Furtwangler Series.

	NAXOS JAZZ LEGENDS \| 8120732 \| CD \| 636943273227 I'VE GOT WHAT IT TAKES BESSIE SMITH VOL 5 Bessie Smith
ORIGINAL RECORDINGS 1929-33 The Empress of The Blues in her prime performs 20 songs, including Kitchen Man, You've Got To Give Me Some, I'm Wild About That Thing, Nobody Knows You When You're Down And Out (her greatest hit), Wasted Life Blues, and many more.

	NAXOS NOSTALGIA \| 8120794 \| CD \| 636943279427 BERLIN CALL ME MADAM 1950 Broadway Cast & 1953 Film Soundtrack
In addition to 14 tracks from Irving Berlin's classic musical, this studio recording also features Call Me Madam as performed on The Big Show (a radio program introduced by Tallulah Bankhead) and three tracks from the film soundtrack, including The International Rag, What Chance Have I With Love and the Finale.

	NAXOS OPERA \| 866016162 \| CD2 \| 730099616126 DONIZETTI LA FIGLIA DEL REGGIMENTO Soloists, Chieti Marrucino Opera Orchestra & Chorus, Marzio Conti (conductor)
La fille du régiment was written for Paris, where it won and retained popularity. Donizetti revised the work for La Scala, Milan, as La figlia del reggimento, a light-hearted story of an orphan girl, adopted by a regiment, but finally finding her real mother and happiness with the young man she loves.

[back to top] | [back to naxos]

	ASV CLASSICAL \| CDDCA1016 \| CD \| 0743625101621 IRELAND SEXTET, PHANTASIE TRIO, PIANO TRIOS NOS 2 & 3 The Hollywell Ensemble
WORD PREMIERE RECORDING OF THE SEXTET This beautiful early work, unperformed until 1960, was inspired by Brahms' Clarinet Quintet. Making a fine debut for ASV, The Hollywell Ensemble combines for the first time Ireland's three Trios on disc.

	ASV CLASSICAL \| CDDCA1018 \| CD \| 0743625101829 MOZART STRING QUARTET IN D MAJOR & STRING QUINTET IN D MINOR Louise Williams, The Lindsay String Quartet
Fourth release in the series of Mozart's magnificent set of six Quartets dedicated to Haydn coupled with one of his Quintets. Here, the glorious D Major Quartet K421 contrasts with the D Minor Quintet, with both versions of the latter work's finale included.

	ASV CLASSICAL \| CDDCA1019 \| CD \| 0743625101928 BLOCH MACBETH INTERLUDES, 3 JEWISH POEMS, IN MEMORIUM & SYMPHONY IN E FLAT Royal Philharmonic, Dalia Atlas (conductor)
WORD PREMIER RECORDINGS This disc marks the beginning of a series devoted to the Swiss composer and presents four superb orchestral works that, the Jewish Poems aside, are otherwise unavailable. The Symphony is a little-known masterpiece from Bloch's final period.

	ASV CLASSICAL \| CDDCA1035 \| CD \| 0743625103526 KORNGOLD STRING QUARTETS NOS 1 & 2 Flesch Quartet
Two gorgeously lyrical chamber works otherwise unavailable on a single disc that date from Korngold's early years in Austria, when his imagination and creative powers were in their first flush. Richly Romantic in conception, these pieces are eloquently expressive and highly enjoyable.

	ASV CLASSICAL \| CDDCA1039 \| CD \| 0743625103922 MILHAUD CHAMBER MUSIC Cortese, Wagemans, Palomares, Schaffer
Music for viola and, variously, piano, cello and violin which comes from Milhaud's years in California. Includes character pieces, the Viola Sonatas 1 & 2, Sonatine for Viola & Cello, Suite op 157b and Quatre Visage op 238 - mellifluous and sparkling music otherwise unavailable on modern recordings.

	ASV CLASSICAL \| CDDCA1066 \| CD \| 0743625106626 TURINA SINFONIA SEVILLANA, EVANGELIO, CASTILLO DE ALMODOVAR, RITMOS (FANTASIA COREOGRAPHICA) Mair Williams, Orquesta Filarmonica Gran Canario, Adrian Leaper (conductor)
Four colourful scores from one of Spain's greatest Romantic composers, including his undoubted orchestral masterpiece Sinfonia Sevillana (1920). The meditative symphonic poem Evangelico, the medieval fantasy The Castle of Almodovar and the dazzling dance-piece Ritmos showcase Turina's versatility.

	ASV CLASSICAL \| CDDCA535 \| CD \| 0743625053524 ENGLISH MUSIC FOR BASSOON & PIANO WORKS BY AVISON, ELGAR, GORDON, ARNE, DUNHILL, VAUGHAN WILLIAMS & HURLESTONE Daniel Smith (bassoon), Roger Vignoles (piano)
Seldom featured as a solo instrument, the bassoon is noetheless an agile, expressive and entertaining isntrument as this survey of works from the 18th to 20th centuries demonstrates. 'Performances are all expert and imaginative, and Smith's attractive tone quality is well served by a vivid recording.' (Gramophone)

	ASV CLASSICAL \| CDDCA601 \| CD \| 0743625060126 BEETHOVEN STRING QUARTET NO.12 IN E FLAT MAJOR, OP 127 The Lindsay String Quartet
GRAMOPHONE AWARD WINNER Beethoven's last five string quartets rank among the most important of his chamber compositions. The E flat Major Quartet is the first of these enduring masterpieces. 'I know of no more consistently compelling or more deeply satisfying version than this.' (Hi-Fi News)

	ASV CLASSICAL \| CDDCA602 \| CD \| 0743625060225 BEETHOVEN STRING QUARTET NO 13 IN B FLAT MAJOR OP 130 & GREAT FUGUE OP 133 The Lindsay String Quartet
GRAMOPHONE AWARD WINNER, 3 STARS IN PENGUIN GUIDE Beethoven's immense Thirteenth Quartet, originally composed with the Great Fugue as its final movement, originally proved too challenging for his contemporaries, so he composed an alternative less demanding finale. Both are included in this fine recording.

	ASV CLASSICAL \| CDDCA603 \| CD \| 0743625060324 BEETHOVEN STRING QUARTET NO 14 IN C SHARP MINOR OP 131 The Lindsay String Quartet
GRAMOPHONE AWARD WINNER, 3 STARS IN PENGUIN GUIDE One of Beethoven's most enigmatic and fascinating quartets here receives a highly praised performance. '[listeners] are unlikely to find anything better than this.' (Gramophone)

	ASV CLASSICAL \| CDDCA604 \| CD \| 0743625060423 BEETHOVEN STRING QUARTET NO 15 IN A MINOR OP 132 & NO 16 IN F AMJOR OP 135 The Lindsay String Quartet
GRAMOPHONE AWARD WINNER Beethoven's final two quartets show no flagging of the composer's imaginative or compositional powers; instead, he explores ever-new realms of sound. 'a performance of memorable intensity.' (The Sunday Times)

	ASV CLASSICAL \| CDDCA897 \| CD \| 0743625089721 MARTUCCI SOLO PIANO MUSIC VOL 1 Francesco Caramiello (piano)
WORLD PREMIERE DISC OF MARTINUCCI'S PIANO MUSIC An enticing selection of works by the Romantic Italian composer, including his Prelude, Toccata & Gigue, Three Romances, Three Scherzos, Three Pieces and Theme & Variations. 'A revelation…I am mightily impressed by the pianist.' (Fanfare)

	ASV CLASSICAL \| CDDCA911 \| CD \| 0743625091120 BEETHOVEN CHORAL FANTASY, RONDO IN B FLAT & PIANO CONCERTO NO 6 IN D MAJOR Pietro Spada (piano), Philharmonia Orchestra, Sir Alexander Gibson (conductor)
Beethoven's Piano Concerto No.6?!? This is the composer's own piano version of the glorious Violin Concerto. He made a thoroughgoing reworking for the keyboard, extending and developing the original with brilliant, virtuoso cadenzas. Pianist/musicologist Pietro Spada presents a Beethoven disc that is unique indeed.

	ASV CLASSICAL \| CDDCA921 \| CD \| 0743625092127 CATALANI IMPRESSIONI & OTHER PIANO WORKS Pietro Spada (piano)
WORLD PREMIERE PERFORMANCES This disc accommodates the complete piano music of 19th-century Italian composer Alfredo Catalani, best known for his opera La Wally. The Impressioni are charming miniatures reminiscent, perhaps, of Grieg's Lyric Pieces. 'Lovingly performed...it is beautiful.' (Fanfare)

	ASV CLASSICAL \| CDDCA931 \| CD \| 0743625093124 HINDEMITH WORKS FOR VIOLA & ORCHESTRA Paul Cortese (viola), Philharmonia Orchestra, Martyn Brabbins (conductor)
3 STARS IN PENGUIN GUIDE A viola player himself, Paul Hindemith wrote some very beautiful music for this instrument, such as Der Schwanendreher - a concerto based on folk songs - the Concert Music op 48 and the Chamber Music No 5. 'Where these performances win out is in sheer quality...highly recommended.' (Gramophone)

	ASV CLASSICAL \| CDDCA951 \| CD \| 0743625095128 MEDTNER VIOLIN SONATAS NOS 1 & 3 Mateja Marinkopvic (violin), Linn Hendry (piano)
Like Rachmaninov or Scriabin, Medtner was a great pianist/composer whose music is full of lyrical melody inflected with the spirit of Russia. 'Gripped my attention…truly fine music.' (The Strad) 'Stunning…exceptional…a major find.' (Fanfare)

	ASV CLASSICAL \| CDDCA956 \| CD \| 0743625095623 MARTUCCI WORKS FOR 2 PIANOS Pietro Spada, Giorgio Cozzolino (pianos)
Martinucci's two substantial Fantasias and his Theme & Variations in E flat are partnered with his contemporaries Rendano's Allegro in A minor and Catalani's Tempo di Valzer and Serenata on this entertaining disc. 'Wonderfully satisfying listening. Strongly recommended.' (Fanfare)

	ASV CLASSICAL \| CDDCA958 \| CD \| 0743625095821 WIDOR ORGAN SYMPHONIES NOS 5 & 7 Jane Parker-Smith (organ)
3 STARS IN PENGUIN GUIDE The two greatest of Widor's Organ Symphonies make for a stunning organ program. Parker-Smith is peeless in this French Romantic repertoire playing the breathtaking instrument of St Eustache, Paris. 'Highly recommended on all counts.' (Organists' Review)