Frescobaldi Four Canzonas, Biber Trio Sonata, Castello Three Sonatas

The big, powerful trombone of our time is a creature of wide open spaces and large auditoriums. Not so in the 17th century! The instrument was called sackbut – a soft sounding, gentle thing whose natural partners were the viola and recorder. Compared to the modern trombone, it was far easier to crack a note, but as compensation you could add inflections and ornaments with a much greater grace and range. Christian Lindberg, who has done more than anyone to establish the modern trombone as a solo instrument, bought his first sackbut 30 years ago, and already then dreamed of recording a baroque programme. Now the opportunity to do so has arrived – largely due to Lindberg’s encounter with the violinist Richard Tognetti and his Australian Chamber Orchestra. On this recording Lindberg and a handful of the ACO players in ‘sweet harmony’ present a programme including sonatas and canzonas by Biber, Frescobaldi and Dario Castello.

Vaughan Williams, Delius, Britten, Grainger, Arnold, Holst, Mendelssohn, Menotti, Hummel, Beethoven

The premature death of Richard Hickox on 23 November 2008, aged sixty, deprived the musical world of one of its greatest conductors. The depth and breadth of his musical achievements were astonishing, not least on behalf of British composers. Richard Hickox had a long and deeply fulfilling relationship with Chandos, which enabled him to realise his artistic vision. His recorded legacy remains as a testament to his musical ability and the pieces, movements and other excerpts chosen for this two-disc set demonstrate all aspects of his art. Chandos will donate the profits from the sales of the set to The Richard Hickox Foundation which has been established to support the causes about which Richard felt passionately, among them support for British composers, young conductors and singers, and performances of British music.

Sonata No 1 Op 32, Sonata No 2 Op 123, Romance Op 36, Romance Op 51, 'The Swan', Priere Op 158

Saint-Saëns was one the most important composers for the cello in his time and wrote a considerable amount of music for the instrument. Here the two Cello Sonatas are complemented with the ever-popular ‘Swan’ from The Carnival of the Animals, the Romance, Op. 36 and the late Prière. The cellist Christian Poltéra and pianist Kathryn Stott collaborate regularly in recital halls throughout the world and on Chandos recently released a disc of the Cello Sonatas by Fauré

The third volume in the much-anticipated series celebrating a milestone in Australian music history: Vladimir Ashkenazy’s first festival as Principal Conductor of Sydney Symphony. Recorded live at Sydney Opera House during the Maestro’s triumphant Elgar Festival, the Enigma Variations is one of the composer’s most enduringly popular orchestral works. As with Exton's acclaimed Rachmaninov boxed set (EXCL00017), also featuring Ashkenazy and the SSO, the Elgar discs are superbly mastered to the highest audiophile standards. Relive one of the most thrilling Australian orchestral concerts of recent years!

Live from the acclaimed 2007 Rachmaninov Festival, this milestone disc is Sydney Symphony’s first commercial recording with Vladimir Ashkenazy, one of the world’s foremost Rachmaninov specialists. Previously available only as part of the 5-SACD Rachmaninov boxed set (EXCL00017), its release marks Ashkenazy’s official appointment as Principal Conductor and Artistic Director of Sydney Symphony. Exton is renowned for its high-quality sound engineering techniques, and recorded the 2008 Elgar Festival as part of an ongoing series chronicling Sydney Symphony’s brilliant partnership with Maestro Ashkenazy. ‘It's wonderful to hear how well the Sydney Symphony plays when Ashkenazy is at the helm.’ – The Australian

‘There is the book; begin at the beginning’. If one believes an anecdote from the early 1790s, it was with the account of the Creation that Haydn, in his autumn years, hoped to perpetuate his fame for posterity. Yet he was already the most celebrated composer in Europe, and the work’s first public performance in 1799 was such a triumph that it was immediately repeated twice. Five years after a much acclaimed version of The Seasons, René Jacobs chooses this ‘beginning’ to make his major contribution on record to the celebration of the bicentenary of Haydn’s death.

Jackson To Morning, Tavener As One Who Has Slept, Part Magnificat, Chilcott Shepherd's Carol, MacMillan A Child's Prayer, Tormis Lulling, Pitts Adoro Te, Lukaszewski Nunc Dimittis, Whitacre Sleep

A new and intriguing selection of pieces from Hyperion’s extensive and varied choral collection. This disc seeks to give a flavour of the contemporary choral music recorded by Hyperion over the last decade. Whilst on one level it can stand alone as a tribute to the beauty of its composers’ writing and choirs’ singing, it also lifts the lid on the albums from which the tracks are drawn. A perfect introduction to the magical new worlds of sound that await the listener!

The dazzling young virtuoso Alina Ibragimova has enthralled audiences for years with her live Bach performances. Critics have acclaimed her faultless intonation, achingly beautiful tone, superlative technique and a musical wisdom far beyond her years. Now, in this important new recording of Bach’s complete sonatas and partitas for solo violin, Ibragimova brings all these qualities and more to create an interpretation that is both excitingly original and profoundly humble. This is music of unfathomable subtlety, astounding virtuosity and great expressive and architectural beauty.

Symphonic Themes from Yentl, The Umbrellas of Cherbourg, Summer of '42, The Go-Between, Arrangements of Porgy and Bess, West Side Story, The Threepenny Opera, Le Passe Muraille, Donkey Skin, 9 Suites for Orchestra and Harp

2 CDs for the price of 1. Oscar and Grammy Award-winning French composer Michel Legrand is responsible for some of the most memorable classic film scores of the last fifty years, from the charming all-sung Umbrellas of Cherbourg starring Catherine Deneuve to Barbra Streisand's magnum opus Yentl. Having studied under Nadia Boulanger at the Paris Conservatoire, Legrand is also a renowned composer for Broadway, and a gifted arranger and conductor. This 2-CD career retrospective celebrates Michel Legrand as composer, conductor and arranger, his most famous film music (in sweeping symphonic suites) alongside arrangements from West Side Story, Porgy and Bess and other favourites.

Purcell Hail Bright Cecilia, Handel A Song For Saint Cecilia's Day, Haydn Cecilia Mass

This lavishly packaged, limited edition hardback 2-CD set, dedicated to the patron saint of music, makes the ideal Christmas gift for music lovers. The unique program of three Baroque and Classical masterpieces honouring Saint Cecilia celebrates the triple anniversary year of Purcell, Handel and Haydn. Like René Jacobs, Marc Minkowski is renowned for the incredible musicians that gather around him, and for the masterful perfection of his choral and period instrument sound.

O ewiges Feuer BWV34, Ihr werdet Weinen BWV103, Ein feste Burg BWV80, Wo Gott der Herr nicht bei uns haelt BWV178, Nimm von uns Herr BWV101, Birch den hungrigen dein Brot BWV39, Weinen Klagen Sorgen Zagen BWV12, Es ist ein trotzig BWV176, Es erhub sich e

A superb collection of the greatest choruses from the award-winning Bach Cantatas series, at a special price! The first highly anticipated compilation featuring the most glorious moments from John Eliot Gardiner's acclaimed Bach Pilgrimage. The fourteen choruses heard here were recorded during the course of the Pilgrimage and each exhibits clearly Bach's depth, originality and incomparable genius. With beautifully bound packaging, this collection is the ideal Christmas gift for music lovers, an essential introduction to the grandeur and beauty of Bach's wonderful choral universe.

K296, 304-306

Catherine Mackintosh and Geoffrey Govier formed Duo Amadè in order to perform the charming and intimate works for violin and fortepiano by Mozart in concert, often with readings from the Mozart family’s letters. In 2006 they performed the whole cycle at the Royal College of Music. Volume 1 of the Duo Sonatas was released in 2008 and made an ‘Editor’s Choice’ in Gramophone which praised the musicality and historically informed style of the performances. In this second volume, Duo Amadè plays the Sonatas KV 304, 305 and 306 from Opus 1 as well as KV 296, all written in 1778, when sonatas for piano accompanied by the violin were all the rage.

Rinaldo and Armida, Electra, Homage to the Queen Suite, Sweeney Todd Concert Suite

This disc of ballet music by Sir Malcolm Arnold includes the premiere recording of the complete score of Electra. The music is seldom heard, either in the concert hall or on disc, but is illustrative and entertaining and covers a broad range of musical moods. Rumon Gamba, conducting the BBC Philharmonic, comments: ‘Having recorded symphonies and film music by Malcolm Arnold and knowing how well his music is received by audiences around the world, I was surprised that there was no disc dedicated solely to his music for the ballet. The four scores featured on this disc have such strong musical ideas and dramatic narrative, to say nothing of their sheer beauty and passion, that they come alive as pieces of music in their own right. Among much else, this programme offers brutality and energy (Electra), sweeping romanticism (Rinaldo and Armida) and humour in all its guises (Sweeney Todd).’ A treat not to be missed!

Piano Quartet, Quartet for Oboe Violin and Piano, Piano Trio No 3 in C, Duo No 2 for Violin and Cello

The highlight of this chamber music survey is the Piano Quartet, one of the composer’s finest chamber compositions, which Martinu wrote during his American years. The work demonstrates his versatility and a fantastically colourful musical language. After the Piano Quartet, Martinu embarked upon the first of his six substantial symphonies, which are a major contribution to the symphonic legacy of the first half of the twentieth century. This disc also features the Oboe Quartet, Piano Trio No. 3 and Duo No. 2 for violin and cello. The Schubert Ensemble is Ensemble in Residence at the Birmingham Conservatory and has been at the forefront of British chamber music performance for over twenty-five years. The Ensemble is joined on this disc by the oboist George Caird, the current Principal of the Conservatory. This commemorates the fiftieth anniversary of Martinu’s death in 1959.

The popularity of Britten’s three chamber operas proper (The Rape of Lucretia, Albert Herring and The Turn of the Screw) has tended to somewhat overshadow his brilliant adaptation of John Gay’s The Beggar’s Opera, the realisation of which was completed in 1948. First seen in 1728, this original ballad opera weaving popular tunes of the day from England, Scotland and Ireland (with some Handel and Purcell thrown in) as it depicted the goings-on in London’s criminal underworld. Britten’s version, from 1948, stands out through its skilful, sensitive treatment of the original music realized from the original airs. Britten’s interest in The Beggar’s Opera as a vehicle for the newly-formed English Opera Group stemmed naturally from his love of folk-song. In January 2009 The Royal Opera presented a new production directed by Justin Way, ably accompanied by the City of London Sinfonia.

The Sixteen adds to its stunning Handel collection with a brand new recording of Dixit Dominus set alongside a little know treasure - Agostino Steffani’s Stabat Mater. Full of virtuosity, vibrant colour and dynamic energy, Handel’s Dixit Dominus captures absolutely the Italian style of the period. Handel’s control of forces is masterly and the range of texture and style is breathtaking. Written during the composer’s time in Italy in the early eighteenth century it is amongst his first autographed works and also one of his finest. '…overall this disc ranks as The Sixteen’s most exciting achievement in its impressive Handel discography.' - Gramophone on Handel Coronation Anthems (COR16066)

'The Flemish masters have been at the heart of our work from the beginning, just as they were at the heart of the whole Renaissance musical scene – and their Masses were the showcase in which they displayed their most sophisticated achievements. Here are five of the greatest, from five of the greatest masters.' - Peter Phillips, The Tallis Scholars

Te Deum, De Profundis, In Te Domine Speravi

Composer, organist, organ builder and teacher of international renown, Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck was known in his own time as ‘The Orpheus of Amsterdam’. Among his significant contributions to Franco-Flemish polyphony, one finds both psalms in French which closely follow the dictates of the Reformation, and sacred vocal works in Latin, among which the Magnificat is outstanding.

Andante, Ballade No 3, Nocturnes, Preludes, Etudes, 4 Little Preludes, 3 Etudes Op 25 Nos 1-2, 12, Mazurka

A journey into Chopin’s world… On 21 February 1842, the Polish composer gave one of his very rare concerts: he did not enjoy appearing in public, for his music was above all a chamber art. Alain Planès has striven to recreate the programme of this concert as closely as possible, and recorded it on a Pleyel piano of 1836 that the composer might have played. The questions that arose during the process are fascinating: how did Chopin play? Apart from his famous rubato, what was the role of ornamentation, and indeed improvisation?

Richard Egarr and the Academy of Ancient Music continue their award-winning Handel cycle with this sparkling survey of the Trio Sonatas Op. 2 and Op. 5; brilliantly crafted, exciting, and (above all) fun pieces of chamber music. ‘Egarr and the musicians play with dynamism and warmth which suggests that Egarr’s tenure with this band is going to be a rewarding one’ – Gramophone

Chopin Etudes Op 10 Nos 1-6, Beethoven Sonata No 29 in B Flat Major Op 106 'Hammerklavier', Liszt Paganini Etude No 3 'La Campanella', Musto Improvisation and Fugue

First held in 1962, the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition has established itself as a joyous festival dedicated to the discovery and celebration of the world’s finest young pianists, ‘A competition which in the 21st century has become the most prestigious in the world’ –Pravda. The winner of the coveted Gold Medal at the 2009 competition is blind Japanese pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii, who is recorded here in a brilliant virtuoso performance of Chopin, Beethoven, Liszt and Paganini.

Martucci La Canzone Dei Ricordi

A praiseworthy achievement in every respect … Carol Madalin sings both works beautifully' (Gramophone) 'A glorious work [and] a most lovely record. Recommended with all possible enthusiasm' (The Penguin Guide to Compact Discs)

A very fine recording' - Gramophone, 'A fresh and atmospheric account of Britten's colourful cantata' - Penguin Guide

Victoria Descendit Angelus Domini, Byrd Rorate Caeli, Kyrie from Mass 'Alme Pater', Gloria, Tollite Portas, Ave Maria, Sanctus and Benedictus, Ecce Virgo Concipiet, Lassus Omnes de Saba, Monteverdi Agnus Dei, Bevan Magnificat, Wood Nunc Dimittis in B Flat

It was the intention of the founder of Westminster Cathedral, Cardinal Vaughan, for the liturgies to be furnished with the finest music available. Fortunately, his vision was shared by the first Master of Music, Sir Richard Terry, whose genius established Westminster Cathedral at the heart of the English choral tradition. Today, the Choir of Westminster Cathedral is recognised as one of the finest in the world, with its principal focus the daily celebration of the Divine Office and Solemn Mass. This disc is a homage to Terry’s work: a procession through a particularly rich section of the church’s year which perfectly illustrates the changing glories of the liturgy.

2 CDs for the price of 1. Howard Shelley’s splendid series of Clementi’s complete piano sonatas continues with a fourth volume containing some of the composer’s most important works. The ten sonatas of Opp 25, 26, and 33 that Shelley performs in this recording are all products of a period in Clementi’s life when he was the darling of the London music scene

Piano Trios in E Major Hob XV 28, E Flat Major Hob XV 29, E Flat Major Hob XV 30, E Flat Minor Hob XV 31

Haydn’s Piano Trios (as his accompanied Piano Sonatas are no known) are among the most delightful and inventive of all his works. The Florestan Trio, with their magnificent pianist Susan Tomes, dazzle in this repertoire. Their first disc in this series was enthusiastically acclaimed and this release is sure to follow its critical and commercial success.

An oratorio for soloists, double chorus, strings and continuo, Scarlatti’s work tells the dramatic story of David and Goliath. Scarlatti’s musical response to the libretto demonstrates his gift for characterization, which acts as a commentary on the unfolding narrative. Performances of thrilling dynamism and instinctive style from Academia Montis Regalis make the strongest possible case for this work.

Morning Mood, Myth of Spring

Flemish music has a rather unusual position in the history of nineteenth-century music, in that orchestral and symphonic music were almost completely subordinated to vocal music. There was little expertise in instrumental music, and this concentration on vocal works (which was seen as part of an inherited French culture) got in the way of the development of an orchestral tradition. However, occasionally a figure would appear who broke the mould. Lodewijk Mortelmans (1868–1952) was one of those responsible for the Flemish orchestral renaissance, and who looked with curiosity beyond the Belgian borders. He won the Prix de Rome in 1893, and used the prize money to travel to Germany and Italy to broaden his cultural experience. His music is deeply attractive, showing the influence of both Sibelius and Wagner. A selection of his greatest works for orchestra are recorded here. Hyperion regular Martyn Brabbins conducts the Royal Flemish Philharmonic in their first recording for Hyperion.

Glinka Adele, Do Not Sing To Me Fair Maiden, I remember the wonderful moment, Here I Am Inesilla, Rimsky-Korsakov A line of flying clouds, Do not sing to me fair maiden, What does my name mean to you, The Hills of Georgia, My Voice Calling You, Echo, You

Few Russian composers could resist setting verses by Alexander Pushkin, and his influence on the development of Russian music was indirectly as great as his influence on literature. This collection demonstrates the compelling power of the poet, and the beauty of the music he inspired. It is performed by Joan Rodgers, herself an acknowledged master of Russian repertoire, and Malcolm Martineau.

Previously available only as part of a 5-CD LPO boxed set. In one of his last concerts with the London Philharmonic Orchestra before his retirement from public performance, Klaus Tennstedt turned to Beethoven’s unequivocal proclamation of human love and brotherhood: the Ninth Symphony. As the conductor struggled with illness, every one of his late concerts in London became an event, as if any could be his last. Tennstedt’s singularly grand and lengthy view of Beethoven’s music was unique; that, and the acute atmosphere of his last London appearances, shines through in this performance, one of a pair of concerts marking the Orchestra’s 60th anniversary. The London Philharmonic Orchestra and charismatic Principal Conductor Vladimir Jurowski tour Australia during October.

De Falla Danza Espanola No 1 from La Vida Breve, Seven Spanish Folksongs, Danza de la molinera, Danza del molinero, Cancion del fuego fatuo, Granados Intermezzo from Goyescas, Eight Tonadillas in the Old Style, Cassado Suite for Solo Cello, Leyenda Catala

This vibrant recital of Spanish music features works by De Falla and Granados arranged for the ever-popular partnership of cello and guitar. Anne Gastinel, one of France's most celebrated young cellists, has teamed with spirited Argentinean guitarist Pablo Marquez.

Celebrated British soul singer David McAlmont has collaborated with Michael Nyman in the wake of the popular composer's triumphant Australian tour, with an intriguing crossover project in the style of Elvis Costello and The Brodsky Quartet's The Juliet Letters. A gifted lyricist whose vocal range calls to mind Marvin Gaye and Seal, McAlmont has recomposed Nyman's most thrilling film music into a diverse and emotional song cycle drawing on the world news for inspiration. The result is a stunning collection of songs, brilliantly backed by the Michael Nyman Band in top form, reaching out on issues of poverty, exploitation, love and transcendent moments of human frailty.

Debut CD of 23-year-old, New-York born, rising star violist David Aaron Carpenter, featuring his own arrangement of Elgar's famous Cello Concerto. 'Carpenter gives a commandingly articulate display (of the Elgar Concerto), and the Philharmonia are on immaculately scrubbed form under Christoph Eschenbach's thoughtful lead. (In the Schnittke Concerto) Carpenter plays with superlative assurance and magnetic conviction. An impressive and bold debut.' - Gramophone, October 2009, Editor's Choice.

'Steinbacher — of German-Japanese parentage — has already made her mark on the Orfeo label in slightly offbeat repertoire: Khachaturian, Shostakovich, Milhaud, French and Hispanic works. Here she establishes herself as a virtuoso in the grand tradition with absolutely mainstream, “Romantic” accounts of these two great but contrasting Austro-German works: her keen, intense tone captures the anguish that lies at the heart of Berg’s concerto, written in 1935-36 “to the memory of an angel”, an instrumental requiem for Manon, the 18-year-old daughter of Alma Mahler and her second husband, the architect Walter Gropius. With Nelsons and Cologne’s superb WDR orchestra, Steinbacher reaches into the heart of this serial but heart-rendingly lyrical work. Her Beethoven, too, eschews virtuoso histrionics in favour of an almost dream-like inwardness in the slow movement.' 4-star review, The Times

Violin Sonatas D384, 385, 408, Rondo Brillant D895 Op 70

This stunning recording of Schubert’s Violin Sonatinas (the first of two volumes) completes the collaboration between star violinist Julie Fischer and Pentatone, after several critically acclaimed releases. The second volume will show Julia Fischer in a rare and riveting moment as pianist in the much-loved duet, Fantasie in F Minor D940, Op.103. Fischer possesses ‘musical as well as technical maturity astonishing in one so young’ and is lauded for her ‘seamless technique’ (New York Times).

John Eliot Gardiner and his superb period-instrument chamber orchestra, English Baroque Soloists, record their unique interpretation of Bach’s Brandenburg Concertos for the very first time following acclaimed performances. 'Gardiner encouraged rampaging exuberance from his excellent horns, subtle dynamic variations from oboes and strings, and some unusually complex phrasing…delivered with such conviction.' – The Times

Watch a mini-documentary about this recording.

Golijov, Ziporyn, Angel Lam, Gabriela Lena Frank

Envisioned in 1998 by cellist Yo-Yo Ma, The Silk Road Ensemble is a collective passionate about cross-cultural dialogue and the historical contribution of the ancient Silk Road to the arts. Ensemble members include Wu Man on the pipa (Chinese lute or pipa); Kayhan Kalhor on the kamancheh (Persian fiddle); Sandeep Dason on the tabla; Kojiro Umezaki on the shakuhachi and others. Off the Map ventures further afield than ever before, presenting premiere recordings of 4 compositions commissioned by Carnegie Hall in 2006. Discover music from established composers (Osvaldo Golijov, Evan Ziporyn, Gabriela Lena Frank) and from an emerging talent (Angel Lam), each of whom contributed a new work for instruments native to the lands along the traditional Silk Road, using different combinations of strings and percussion.

Tchaikovsky Swan Lake Scenes, The Sleeping Beauty Waltz, Entrance of the Swans, Nutcracker Battle of the Toys and Mice, Chinese Dance, Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy, Waltz of the Snowflakes, Waltz of the Flowers, Adam Giselle Scenes

Featuring some of the world’s most exciting and talented dancers, this sparkling collection brings together some of the best scenes from your favourite ballets -- from the graceful elegance and passion of Swan Lake, to the humour and wit of the Clog Dance from La Fille mal gardée and the exuberant liveliness of The Nutcracker, this is a perfect collection for any ballet beginner.

Schumann Lieder, works for solo piano and cello

Twin Spirits is a unique and intimate, live theatrical performance by a chamber ensemble of actors, singers and musicians, portraying the deep and ultimately tragic love between the composer Robert Schumann and his pianist wife Clara Wieck. In this intensely moving performance of words, song and music, the Schumanns’ long separation, so formative an influence on their lives, is reflected in the division of the ensemble into male and female groups. Robert’s letters to Clara are read by Sting and his songs sung by Simon Keenlyside, while Clara’s letters to Robert are read by Sting’s wife, Trudie Styler. The narrator, Derek Jacobi, links together the letters and lyrics to complete the essential outline of the story.

The Royal Ballet and The Royal Opera join forces for Wayne McGregor’s acclaimed fusion of music and movement, whose richly layered designs perfectly complement Purcell’s telling of a classical tale of love thwarted by evil powers. With the extraordinary Sarah Connolly and Lucas Meachem in the title roles, Christopher Hogwood conducts the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment. Filmed with High Definition cameras and recorded in true surround sound.

Including Verdi Otello, Requiem, works by Strauss, Mozart, Korngold

This re-issued classic artist portrait, filmed in 2002, coincides with a new Renée Fleming CD release. Ladies And Gentlemen, Miss Renée Fleming offers an up-close-and-personal survey of a great career and a remarkable woman, featuring extensive interviews alongside rehearsal and concert footage. Rarities include duets with Pavarotti, Domingo and Hvorostovsky, and a famous rendition of 'Summertime' for the Clintons.