GILLIAN WHITEHEAD
Alice Helen Medlyn (mezzo-soprano) / New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, Marc Taddei [ Atoll / CD - released 24/Oct/2013 ] Alice was written for Helen Medlyn and the Auckland Philharmonia while Gillian Whitehead was composer‐in‐residence. The first performance was given by Helen Medlyn and the Auckland Philharmonia, conducted by Miguel Harth‐Bedoya, on 17 July 2003... |
LONG ZHOU / YI CHEN
Symphony, "Humen 1839" / The Rhyme of Taigu / The Enlightened New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, Darrell Ang [ Naxos / CD - released 5/May/2015 ] "This is thrilling, cinematic music that, although challenging at times, is always gripping." The Kansas City Star |
J.S. BACH
Bach: Six Suites For Solo Cello Inbal Megiddo (cello) [ Atoll Records / CD - released 16/Mar/2018 ] While much of Bach's music is deeply associated with the church, for six years Bach served as Kapellmeister at the little Calvinist court at Cothen, where sacred music did not hold much importance. Bach was in a unique position, having the resources... |
J. S. BACH
In the Italian Style James Tibbles (harpsichord) [ Atoll Records New Zealand / CD - released 10/Jun/2009 ] This recording of eighteenth-century German harpsichord music, made in Auckland, New Zealand, is really about the relationship between an instrument and its music; to be brought to life it relies on a unique collaboration between instrument builder,... |
GARETH FARR
Chamber Music Katherine Austin, James tennant, Alexa Still, Gareth Still, Gareth Farr [ Trust / CD - released 17/Jun/2000 ] New Zealand's top musicians go Farr! |
LISZT
Songs (Includes Three songs from Wilhelm Tell & Three Sonnets of Petrarch) Keith Lewis (tenor) David Harper (piano) [ Trust / CD - released 26/Nov/2004 ] Although a prolific songwriter Liszt is not commonly regarded as a lyricist in the same way as are his contemporaries Wolf or Brahms. In this recital Keith Lewis aims to offer support for the contention that Liszt's songs are deserving of a more... |
TRADITIONAL
Waiata Kiri Te Kanawa (soprano) with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra [ Sony / CD - released 15/Nov/2013 ] In 1999 Dame Kiri Te Kanawa released 'Maori Songs', her second collection of Maori folk songs and prayers. That project was initiated by prominent NZ pianist/arranger Carl Doy, who has 13 years later created the follow up album 'Waiata'. |
KIRI te KANAWA
I Could Have Danced all Night (Concert & Portrait) BLU-RAY Kiri Te Kanawa (soprano) / New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, John Hopkins / Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Stephen Barlow [ Arthaus Blu-ray / Blu-ray Disc - released 1/Oct/2015 ] Dame Kiri Te Kanawa's story has all the best elements of an operatic fairytale. Coming from a part-Maori background she went on to become one of the world's most famous opera stars. |
ROSS HARRIS
Harris: Symphony No. 4, "To the memory of Mahinārangi Tocker" / Cello Concerto Li-wei Qin (cello) / Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, Brett Dean, Garry Walker [ Naxos / CD - released 10/May/2014 ] "There is no question that the Auckland Philharmonic are superbly in control as is Brett Dean, himself a violist and composer and just forging an extra career as a conductor. The recording is vivid and allows the music space although the quiet passag |
ROSS HARRIS
Symphonies Nos. 2 and 3 Madeleine Pierard (soprano) / Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, Marko Letonja [ Naxos / CD - released 20/Mar/2012 ] Described as "often beautiful and sometimes frightening" (NZ Listener), Ross Harris's Symphony No 2 is a setting of poems on the subject of New Zealand soldiers shot for desertion in World War One. |
LUDWIG van BEETHOVEN
Beethoven: Egmont (complete incidental music) / Ah! perfido, / Marches Madeleine Pierard (soprano) / New Zealand Symphony Orchestra / James Judd [ Naxos / CD - released 1/Feb/2010 ] "Those curious for some not too often heard music by Beethoven can safely invest in this well played disc" MusicWeb May 2010 |
MANOS ACHALINOTOPOULOS
Flight on Light Manos Achalinotopoulos (clarinet) / John Psathas (sequencing) / Tim Prebble (synth) / etc. [ Rattle Records / CD - released 29/Mar/2011 ] Flight On Light is an extraordinarily passionate and moving album. Clarinetist Manos Achalinotopoulos is one of Greece's most emotive musicians. His music is grounded in folk traditions, but his performances transport the listener into profound and... |
JOHANNES BRAHMS
Brahms: Clarinet Sonatas, Op. 120 & Clarinet Trio, Op. 114 Marie Ross (clarinet), Petra Somlai (piano), Claire-Lise Démettre (cello) [ Centaur / CD - released 15/Nov/2019 ] A ground-breaking recording of Brahms' Chamber Works for the Clarinet and Piano, this is the new disc from University of Auckland Lecturer, Marie Ross. Performed with original instruments from the period in the rarely-heard historically informed... |
VARIOUS COMPOSERS
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Mina Foley and Michael Tarawhiti McGifford Mina Foley / Michael Tarawhiti McGifford with Val Hungerford (piano) [ Ode Records / CD - released 16/Aug/2007 ] This recording is available for the first time on CD and features a selection of fine songs for solo voice along with duets performed by Mina with another NZ great Michael Tarawhiti McGifford. |
BELA BARTOK
Bartók: Works for Violin and Piano Monique Lapins (violin), Jian Liu (piano) [ Rattle Records / CD - released 22/Jul/2022 ] An album of newly recorded works composed by Béla Bartók featuring Monique Lapins (violin) and Jian Liu (piano). |
SCARLATTI / STANFORD / RHEINBURGER
Musica Sacra - masses Musica Sacra / Indra Hughes (conductor) [ Atoll Records New Zealand / CD - released 25/Oct/2002 ] "For this intriguing programme alone this is a 'must have' disc: with such distinct and compelling singing it stands as one of the most impressive choral discs I've heard for a very long time." (International Record Review June 2005) |
DOUGLAS LILBURN
Lilburn: A Song of Islands / Aotearoa Overture / Forest / etc New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, James Judd [ Naxos / CD - released 5/Oct/2006 ] "A Kiwi legend is handsomely served by his homeland. James Judd and his New Zealand forces find an openness and an energy in the music that evokes all the majesty of that country's landscape." Editor's Choice - Gramophone Magazine (Dec 2006) |
AARON COPLAND
Copland: Symphony No 3 / Billy the Kid (Suite) New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, James Judd [ Naxos American Classics / CD - released 1/Jan/2002 ] "It's the Billy the Kid Suite that makes the stronger impression. The pace is compelling through to the end, the flavouring is sharp and fresh, and it's hard to keep the feet from tapping spontaneously in the Mexican Dance." - Stephen Johnson, BBC... |
EDWARD ELGAR
Elgar: Dream Children / Wand of Youth / Nursery Suite New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, James Judd, conductor [ Naxos / CD - released 2/Apr/2004 ] "The freshness of inspiration is a delight, superbly brought out in these fine performances from New Zealand, with James Judd always an idiomatic Elgarian. The Wand of Youth Suites in particular range wonderfully wide in mood and invention; they... |
RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Vaughan Williams: Tallis Fantasia / Norfolk Rhapsody No. 1 / Fantasia on Greensleeves and others New Zealand Symphony Orchestra / James Judd, conductor [ Naxos SACD / Hybrid SACD - released 15/Jan/2005 ] "Helped by vivid sound, James Judd conducts the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra in glowing performances of these favourite [sic] Vaughan Williams works." (Gramophone) |