JOHN KANDER / FRED EBB
Kander/Ebb: Chicago: The Musical Ann Reinking, Bebe Neuwirth, James Naughton / 1997 Broadway Cast [ RCA Records / CD - released 28/Jan/1997 ] CHICAGO: THE MUSICAL won the 1998 Grammy Award for Best Musical Show. |
Adam Page, James Brown, John Psathas
The Harvest [ Rattle Jazz / CD - released 16/Nov/2012 ] The Harvest is comprised of two suites, two continuous 30-minute compositions broken into 8 and 9 parts respectively. The Harvest Suite (composed by Adam Page and John Psathas) features Adam on solo tenor saxophone played through various looping... |
PYOTR Il'yich TCHAIKOVSKY
Tchaikovsky: The Nutcracker and the Mouse King (complete ballet recorded in 2011) BLU-RAY Amsterdam Music Theatre / Anna Tsygankova, Matthew Golding, James Stout / Ermanno Florio [ Arthaus Blu-Ray / Blu-ray Disc - released 10/Oct/2012 ] Choreographers Toer van Schayk and Wayne Eagling created a Nutcracker for the children and adults of today. It is more dynamic and exciting, and less sweet than usual. |
Barclay James Harvest
Gone to Earth [ Polydor / CD - released 1/Aug/2016 ] 2003 remastered reissue of the British progressive rock act's 1977 album includes 5 bonus tracks. |
SERGEI RACHMANINOV
Rachmaninoff in Lucerne - Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini / Symphony No. 3 Behzod Abduraimov (piano) / Luzerner Sinfonieorchester, James Gaffigan [ Sony Classical / CD - released 15/May/2020 ] "Behzod Abduraimov is the ultra-commanding soloist in the Rhapsody...here is a comfortable sense that nothing can possibly go wrong. He is ideally partnered in a work alive with tricky ensemble challenges." International Piano |
SCHUBERT / BRAHMS / REGER / WARLOCK / STRAUSS / WOLF
Benjamin Appl: Heimat Benjamin Appl (baritone), James Baillieu (piano) [ Sony Classical / CD - released 20/Mar/2017 ] "The voice has a burnished, oaky beauty as well as considerable sweetness (well captured in Sony's natural engineering), while the interpretations are suffused with a gentle intelligence." Gramophone |
VINCENZO BELLINI / GIOACHINO ROSSINI / GAETANO DONIZETTI
Cecilia Bartoli - An Italian Songbook Cecilia Bartoli (soprano) with James Levine (piano) [ Decca Originals / CD - released 15/Feb/2009 ] In 2007/08, Bartoli devoted her time to studying and recording the early 19th-century repertoire - the era of Italian Romanticism and bel canto - and especially the legendary singer Maria Malibran. |
FRANCISCO GUERRERO
Missa Sancta et immaculata The Choir of Westminster Cathedral / James O'Donnell [ Hyperion Helios / CD - released 20/Aug/2008 ] RECORD OF THE MONTH, CLASSIC FM MAGAZINE |
SIR ARTHUR BLISS
Bliss: Mary of Magdala Dame Sarah Connolly (Mezzo-soprano), James Platt (Bass), BBC Symphony Chorus, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Sir Andrew Davis [ Chandos SACD / Hybrid SACD - released 1/Nov/2019 ] Bliss composed The Enchantress in 1951, the year of his sixtieth birthday, for Kathleen Ferrier. The text is a free adaptation of the Second Idyll of Theocritus, made by Henry Reed, and well suited to Bliss's love of classical Greek... |
Etta James
Come a Little Closer [ Music on CD / CD - released 19/Jun/2018 ] Come a Little Closer is the eleventh studio album by Etta James, released in 1974 on the Chess label. The album reached a peak position of number 47 on Billboard's R&B Albums chart. |
Etta James
Etta James (Clear LP) [ Ermitage / LP - released 10/Dec/2012 ] 2023 reissue of the self-titled album that was originally released as her third studio album in 1962. Pressed on clear vinyl. |
HANCOCK'S HALF HOUR
The 'Lost' TV Episodes Tony Hancock with Sid James, Kenneth Williams, Hattie Jacques & Bill Kerr [ BBC Audio / CD - released 6/Aug/2009 ] Tony Hancock stars in two long-lost episodes from the classic BBC TV series. This title includes "The Flight of the Red Shadow" - 23 January 1959, and "The Wrong Man" - 6 March 1959 that was broadcast live in 1959. These rare recordings are made... |
Harry James
The In Person & Hi-Fi Sounds Of Harry James [ Avid / 2 CD - released 12/Oct/2009 ] |
MOZART / STRAUSS / TCHAIKOVSKY / BARTOK / VERDI / BEETHOVEN / etc
100 Years Of The Salzburg Festival Herbert von Karajan, Alfred Brendel, Martha Argerich, Georg Solti, James Levine, Zubin Mehta, Leonard Bernstein, etc [ Deutsche Grammophon / 58 CD Box Set - released 31/Jul/2020 ] This comprehensive 58-CD limited edition boxed set is the centerpiece of Deutsche Grammophon's campaign celebrating the 100th anniversary of Salzburg Festival in 2020 offering an opportunity to dive into the rich Salzburg Festival history through a... |
ARVO PART
Litany / Psalom / Trisagion The Hilliard Ensemble / David James (countertenor) / Tallinn Chamber Orchestra [ ECM Records / CD - released 6/May/2001 ] The world premiere recording of Arvo Pärt's 'Litany' |
James
Be Opened By The Wonderful [ Virgin / 2 CD - released 9/Jun/2023 ] Be Opened By The Wonderful is a collection of some of James' most loved and rare tracks, re-imagined with a 22 piece orchestra and eight piece choir. Be Opened By The Wonderful was recorded at Blueprint Studios in Manchester, orchestrated and... |
James Blake
Playing Robots Into Heaven (Deluxe White Vinyl Double LP) [ Polydor UK / 2 LP - released 8/Sep/2023 ] James return to the electronic roots of his Hessle, Hemlock and R&S records days. |
James Blunt
Back To Bedlam - (Standard) [ Atlantic / CD - released 13/Jun/2005 ] |
James Brown
ames Brown & His Famous Flames Tour The USA [ Hallmark / CD - released 14/Jan/2013 ] The title is something of a misnomer, for this is no live album; rather it was recorded in a studio and was seen as an opportunity for James' backing group The Famous Flames to step into the spotlight. Of course, the James Brown connection would... |
James Brown
Live At The Apollo (LP) [ DOL / LP - released 1/Jan/2017 ] 180g vinyl, gatefold. |
JAMES GALWAY
The Best of: Includes 'Annie's Song', 'Riverdance' & 'Danny Boy' James Galway (flute) with various accompaniments [ Sony Camden / CD - released 10/Dec/2009 ] 21 Tracks from the world famous flautist James Galway, Including Riverdance, Danny Boy, Annies Song and many more |
RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS
Vaughan Williams: Songs of Travel James Gilchrist (tenor), Philip Dukes (viola), Anna Tilbrook (piano) [ Chandos / CD - released 20/Jan/2018 ] Having previously recorded British repertoire on Chandos, James Gilchrist joins the pianist Anna Tilbrook nine years after their previous recording, in a lyrical journey through some of Vaughan Williams's best songs and rarely heard chamber works.... |
JANET JENNINGS
Jennings: Voices Of Men James Harrison, James Ioelu, Will King, Katherine Austin, Richard Liu, Sarah Watkins, James Jin, Bill Stoneham [ Atoll / CD - released 16/Apr/2021 ] Including 'Songs of War' and 'Songs of Exile', Voices of Men features leading male vocalists, accompanied by renowned musicians, singing the words of some of New Zealand's most well-known male poets. Brian Turner's words in 'Taking Off', reflect on... |
James Morrison (piano, flugel horn, trombone, tenor sax, trumpet)
Midnight Till Dawn [ ABC Jazz / CD - released 29/Sep/2018 ] Australian jazz legend James Morrison presents his first album with his own quartet - including his sons William (guitar) and Harry (double bass), alongside Patrick Danao on drums. |
James Taylor
James Taylor's Greatest Hits [ Rhino / Warner / CD - released 27/Mar/2020 ] Greatest Hits is the first compilation album by American singer-songwriter James Taylor. Originally released in November 1976, it is the best-selling album of his career and one of the best-selling albums of all time, having sold over 11 Million... |
JOHN PSATHAS
Psathas: Halo James Tennant (cello), Katherine Austin (piano) [ Atoll Records / CD Single - released 6/Dec/2019 ] Commissioned by Ian Graham and Agi Lehar-Graham, Halo was written in 2014 for pianist Katherine Austin and cellist James Tennant, and was premiered by them in February 2016 in the Auckland Town Hall. James Tennant and Katherine Austin are founder... |
WAGNER / HAYDN / BERLIOZ / BRITTEN / R. STRAUSS
Jessye Norman - The Unreleased Masters Jessye Norman (soprano) / Gewandhauorchester, Kurt Masur, Berliner Philharmoniker, James Levine, Boston Symphony, Seiji Ozawa [ Decca / 3 CD - released 4/Aug/2023 ] Decca Classics presents Jessye Norman - The Unreleased Masters, showcasing never-before-heard recordings of one of the greatest classical singers of all time. |
MOZART / ROSSINI / TCHAIKOVSKY / WAGNER / BOITO / etc
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Jonathan Lemalu: Opera Arias Jonathan Lemalu (bass-baritone) / New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. James Judd [ EMI Music / CD - released 18/Apr/2005 ] "Every so often a musician arrives on the scene with a talent so richly endowed that the musical world sits up and takes note." - Gramophone editor James Jolly |
JOHANNES BRAHMS
Johannes Brahms: Clarinet Sonatas & Ernste Gesänge Julian Bliss (clarinet), James Baillieu (piano) [ Signum Classics / CD - released 7/May/2021 ] Julian Bliss and James Baillieu present a recording Johannes Brahms' Clarinet sonatas, Op. 120 and an arrangement of his 4 Ernste Gesänge, Op.121 arranged by Bliss. These late works were inspired by the great clarinettist Richard Mühlfeld, principal... |
FAURE / HANDEL / MENDELSSOHN / MOZART / PURCELL / etc
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Kathleen Battle & James Levine Salzburg Recital Kathleen Battle (soprano) James Levine (piano) [ Deutsche Grammophon / CD - released 11/Aug/1986 ] Grammy Awards 30th Awards (1987) Best Classical Solo Vocal Album |
KURT WEILL
Weill: Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny (complete opera recorded in 2007) Los Angeles Opera / Audra Mc Donald / Patti Lupone / Anthony Dean / James Colon (cond) [ Euroarts DVD / DVD - released 8/Feb/2008 ] G - Recorded live at Los Angeles Opera, 1 and 4 March 2007 |
DMITRI SHOSTAKOVICH
Shostakovich: Lady Macbeth of the Mtsensk (complete opera recorded in 2008) BLU-RAY Maggio Muiscale Florentino / Jeanne Michele Charbonnet, Vladimir Vaneev, Vsevolod Grivnov / James Conlon (cond) [ Arthaus Blu-Ray / Blu-ray Disc - released 10/Oct/2012 ] "New Orleans-raised Jeanne-Michèle Charbonnet proves a powerful if one-dimensional actress in the title-role. The other key protagonists are authentically Russian. The most distinguished singing comes from Vladimir Vaneev... The main attraction of... |
TRADITIONAL / SCHUBERT / VERDI / RAVEL / etc
Margaret Price in Recital Margaret Price (soprano), London Symphony Orchestra, Claudio Abbado, with James Lockhart & Geoffrey Parsons (piano) [ Decca Australian Eloquence / 2 CD - released 6/Sep/2019 ] A song recital new to CD from a peerless lyric soprano, coupled with classic recordings of Ravel and Verdi. In 1971 Andrew Porter wrote that Margaret Price's voice was among the things that make one 'glad to be alive'. In the 1960s she had... |
GIUSEPPE VERDI
Verdi: Macbeth (complete opera recorded in 2008) Metropolitan Opera / Zeljko Lucic, Maria Guleghina, John Relyea, Dimitri Pittas / James Levine (Cond) [ Warner Classics DVD / 2 DVD - released 29/Sep/2008 ] "An auspicious issue in first rate sound and vision further enhanced by an excellent "behind the scenes" documentary featuring the mainstays of this memorable January 2008 night at the MET." (ClassicalNet) |
GIUSEPPE VERDI
Verdi: Rigoletto (Complete opera recorded in 1977) The Metropolitan Opera / Placido Domingo, Ileana Cotrubas, Cornell MacNeil / James Levine (cond) [ Deutsche Grammophon DVD / DVD - released 27/May/2004 ] "Yes, Rigoletto is a singer's opera, but Verdi also poured into it some of his most dramatic as well as melodic music. That said, the vivid colours of the production have come up amazingly well and the sound is clear." (MusicWeb Dec 2006) |
MICHAEL WILLIAMS
The Juniper Passion Stepanie Acraman, Julia Booth, Lilia Carpinelli, James Loelu, etc, with orchestra & chorus [ Atoll Records / 2 CD - released 25/Jun/2012 ] Three worlds collide in this moving tale of conflict, passion and betrayal. |
JOHANNES BRAHMS
Brahms: String Quartet No 3 / Clarinet Quintet New Zealand String Quartet, with James Campbell (clarinet) [ Naxos / CD - released 28/Mar/2017 ] Brahms wrote his String Quartet in B flat major, Op. 67 in 1876 and its largely unclouded and cheerful qualities culminate in a theme and variations finale of exceptional imagination and mastery of form. His last chamber music was inspired by a great... |
JOHN ANTILL
Antill: Corroboree / Outback Overture New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, James Judd [ Naxos / CD - released 30/Jun/2008 ] "This excellent recording of the complete ballet by James Judd and the New Zealand Symphony orchestra fills a big gap. With precision and charm, this disc brings out its originality and its primitivist colouristics." (Sydney Morning Herald) |
ALEXANDER ZEMLINSKY
Zemlinsky: Die Seejungfrau / Sinfonietta New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, James Judd [ Naxos / CD - released 1/Aug/2009 ] "James Judd… galvanises the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra into playing this challenging score with sensitivity and a good deal of virtuosity." BBC Music |
EDWARD ELGAR
Elgar: Orchestral Miniatures (Incls Chanson de matin & 3 Bavarian Dances) New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, James Judd (Conductor) [ Naxos / CD - released 9/Sep/2006 ] "Especially impressive are the woodwind, which excel the rest of the ensemble in both beauty of playing and ability to follow their conductor...the horns are also impressive. This orchestra has a great future in front of it." MusicWeb September 2006 |