GIOACCHINIO ROSSINI
Rossini: La Cenerentola [Cinderella] (complete opera directed by Peter Hall in 2005) BLU-RAY Glyndebourne Opera / Raquela Sheeran / Lucia Cirillo / Ruxandra Donose / Nathan Berg / Vladimir Jurowski (cond) [ Opus Arte Blu-Ray / Blu-ray Disc - released 1/Aug/2008 ] DVD Blu-Ray - "The BD disc offers an excellent reproduction of the "live" experience that will surely warm the hearts of those who cannot make it to the opera house often enough." (Blu-Ray.com) |
GIUSEPPE VERDI
Verdi: Simon Boccanegra (Complete Opera recorded at the New Zealand Festival 2000) Gordon Hawkins, Vladimir Vaneev, Yaron Windmuller, Nuccia Focile / New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, Chapman Tripp Opera Chorus, Marco Guidarini [ Trust / 2 CD Box Set - released 25/Feb/2006 ] Verdi's sombre and powerful operatic masterpiece, with its themes of love, hate, treachery and reconciliation, is brought to life in this production from the 2000 New Zealand Festival, featuring the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and the Chapman... |
GARETH FARR
Farr: Horizon: Piano Music Henry Wong Doe (piano) [ Morrison Trust New Zealand / CD - released 10/Aug/2012 ] Horizon showcases the vibrant and beautiful piano music of Gareth Farr. From the exotic sonorities of Indonesian gamelan to the more impressionistic influence of Olivier Messiaen, with echoes of Prokofiev and Shostakovich, this recording reveals... |
JONATHAN BESSER
Mr Darwin's Dances Jonathan Besser [ Atoll Records New Zealand / CD - released 30/May/2000 ] Mr. Darwin's Dances / Precious Legacy Suite. A personal geography of the imagination... |
Julian Bream (guitar)
My Life in Music [ Avie Records DVD / DVD - released 13/Nov/2006 ] "This is a splendid presentation with wide musical appeal but to guitarists it is an Aladdin's cave." (MusicWeb Nov 2006) |
ELMSLY / BODY / LIN / HOLLOWAY / DE CASTRO-ROBINSON / RIMMER
Ritual Auras Karlheinz Company [ Atoll Records / CD - released 1/Apr/2012 ] This CD typifies the Karlheinz ensemble's constant search for personality and character in its presentations, over thirty years. "Ritual Auras" includes signature works that were premiered by the Karlheinz Company. |
RAVEL
Complete Piano Works Michael Endres (piano) [ Oehms Classics / 2 CD - released 20/Apr/2011 ] |
SCHUMANN
Piano Works Vol 1: Kinderszenen Op 15, Humoreske Op 20, etc Michael Endres (piano) [ Oehms Classics / CD - released 10/Nov/2010 ] |
SCHUBERT
Wandererfantasie D760 / Fantasie in C D605 / etc Michael Endres (piano) [ Oehms Classics / CD - released 10/Nov/2010 ] Michael Endres is one of the "secret stars" in the piano world. Experts and lovers of music know and regard him as an exceptional pianist who regularly presents valuable interpretations of music characterized by his careful attention to detail and... |
BEETHOVEN
The Middle Period Sonatas includes 'Waldstein' 'Moonlight' 'Appassionata' and 'Pastoral' Sonatas Michael Houstoun, piano [ Trust / 3 CD - released 13/Apr/2006 ] The middle period piano sonatas of Beethoven played by Michael Houstoun. Unavailable for a long time but available now! |
LUDWIG van BEETHOVEN
Beethoven: Piano Sonatas Nos 9-11 & 16-18 Michael Houstoun (piano) [ Morrison Music Trust / 2 CD - released 2/Feb/2001 ] Micael Houstoun continues his recordings of the Beethoven sonatas |
SZEKELY / DVORAK
String Quartet (1937) / Quartet in Eb major Op 51 New Zealand String Quartet [ Atoll Records New Zealand / CD - released 8/Dec/2003 ] Acclaimed for its powerful communication, dramatic energy, and beauty of sound, the New Zealand String Quartet performs more than 75 concerts each year in New Zealand and abroad. |
FRANZ SCHUBERT
Schubert: String Quartet No.15 in G Major D887 New Zealand String Quartet [ Trust / CD - released 18/Nov/2013 ] New Zealand String Quartet: Schubert represents a milestone in the Quartet's career of over 25 years with a recording of Franz Schubert's masterpiece, String Quartet in G Major, D.887. As Schubert's final and most epic string quartet, it is essential... |
AURORA AUSTRALIS
Aurora Australis: Asia Pacific Festival 2007 New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, Contemporary Music Ensemble Korea, Strike Percussion Ensemble, STROMA, New Zealand Trio, etc [ Atoll / Lilburn Trust / 2 CD - released 20/Jul/2012 ] |
DAVID FARQUHAR
Farquhar: Three Symphonies New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. Kenneth Young [ Trust / CD - released 18/May/2004 ] "Trust Records have released what must be one of the most eagerly anticipated CDs of the year and deserve a collective medal for allowing us to have David Farquhar's three symphonies at our fingertips." (William Dart NZ Herald) |
UNG / SOPHY / BODY / WHITEHEAD
O Cambodia NZTrio [ Atoll / CD - released 1/Feb/2013 ] "The disc deserves to be heard by many for all kinds of reasons, not least musical." (MusicWeb Nov 2014) |
PSATHAS / KELLY / NORRIS / AXTENS / FARR / GRENFELL
Spark The New Zealand Trio [ Trust / CD - released 15/Nov/2005 ] The brightest new stars in the firmament of New Zealand chamber music, The New Zealand Trio here make their debut recording with a programme of works they have made their own in concerts throughout New Zealand and overseas. |
LEONIE HOLMES
Holmes: Solstice New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, Marc Taddei [ Atoll / CD - released 1/Jul/2014 ] Leonie Holmes has written works for orchestra, chamber, choral, vocal and solo instrument and receives commissions from ensembles and individuals throughout New Zealand. This compilation of her orchestral music spans 1997 to 2013. Notes on the... |
VARIOUS COMPOSERS
Passing: fresh orchestral sounds from 9 Australasian composers The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, Kenneth Young [ Atoll / CD - released 16/Apr/2010 ] "An impressive collection of orchestral music from both sides of the Tasman defines state of the art." * * * * * (Five Stars) William Dart NZ Herald |
CLAUDE DEBUSSY
Orchestral Works Volume 4 - Le Martyre de Saint Sébastien / etc Orchestre National de Lyon. Jun Markl [ Naxos / CD - released 20/Oct/2010 ] "Märkl is a master Debussyan, who captures the magical half-lights of these scores with a rare instinct for colour and texture." Classic FM Magazine, November 2010 ***** |
JIA DAQUN / MARTIN LODGE / MICHAEL DAUGHERTY / MICHAEL F. WILLIAMS / PARAM VIR
Flow - new music for string quartet Polaris String Quartet [ Atoll / CD - released 5/Sep/2018 ] A project to link composers from four continents in a joint musical statement on the Taoist / Buddhist theme of 'flow'. |
RAVEL / TCHAIKOVSKY / RACHMANINOV
Ravel, Tchaikovsky & Rachmaninov Puertas Quartet [ Atoll / CD - released 20/Jan/2014 ] These four skilled musicians carry a wealth of experience between them and a common musical heritage unites the the group. Having met whilst studying and working in London, the quartet was formed in 2009. |
HERBERT HOWELLS
Herbert Howells Organ Music Robert Costin (organ) [ Atoll Records New Zealand / CD - released 4/Aug/2006 ] "The recording is very good, at times outstandingly so...this is an excellent disc which would make a very good introduction to Howells's organ music." International Record Review, March 2007 |
GAETANO DONIZETTI
Donizetti: L'elisir d'amore (Complete opera recorded in 1996) Lyon Opera / Roberto Alagna, Angela Gheorghiu, Roberto Scaltriti, Simone Alaimo, Elena Dan / Evelino Pido (cond) [ Decca / RM Associates DVD / DVD - released 20/Sep/2003 ] "Frank Dunlop's witty, unvarnished view of Donizetti's country comedy, updated to the 1930s, is delightful to see, wondrous to hear." Gramophone |
GARETH FARR / DON MCGLASHAN / ROSS HARRIS / MURRAY HICKMAN / KENNETH YOUNG / DAVID DOWNES
Strike - New Zealand Percussion Music Strike - New Zealand Percussion Music [ Morrison Music Trust / CD - released 28/Nov/2000 ] "Fans of percussion music or other drum ensembles are encouraged to give this album due attention. Just make sure you don't turn it up too loud" - MusicWeb April 2005 |
CHRISTOPHER BLAKE
Angel at Ahipara Strings of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, Kenneth Young [ Atoll Records New Zealand / CD - released 20/May/2012 ] Works for string orchestra based on four images from A Journey (1994) by Robin Morrison, a photographic presentation of Northland, New Zealand. |
CAMILLE SAINT-SAENS / FRANCIS POULENC
Celebrating the Organ Thomas Trotter at the Organ of Auckland Town Hall, with the Auckland Philharmonic Orchestra [ Atoll / CD - released 20/Jun/2010 ] "Three cheers (and more) for Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra's new Celebrating the Organ CD." (William Dart NZ Herald) |
DAVID GRIFFITHS / DAVID HAMILTON / ANTHONY RITCHIE / EVE de CASTRO-ROBINSON / etc
Spirit of the Land Tower Voices New Zealand / Karen Grylls [ Trust / CD - released 1/Jul/2006 ] This recording presents works from over three decades of New Zealand choral composition which draw upon the words of New Zealand poets and take their inspiration from the landscape of Aotearoa (New Zealand). From one of the earliest, David Hamilton's... |
BEETHOVEN
Piano Trio Op 1, No 3 (with Brahms - Piano Trio in C) Turnovsky Trio [ Trust / CD - released 1/Aug/2000 ] The debut album by the Turnovsky Trio! |
VARIOUS COMPOSERS & POETS
Parihaka: The Art Of Passive Resistance Various performers [ Morrison Music Trust / CD - released 21/Dec/2000 ] Music inspired by story of Parihaka, and extracts from poems commissioned by the Gallery for the exhibition, read by the poets themselves. |
KENNETH YOUNG
Shadows and Light Vesa-Matti Leppanen (violin) / The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, Kenneth Young [ Atoll / CD - released 16/Nov/2015 ] Contemporary works for orchestra that are modern but approachable. These dramatic performances are conducted by the composer himself. The program includes the hauntingly beautiful "Remembering" with violin soloist Vesa-Matti Leppänen. |
GIACOMO PUCCINI
Puccini: Tosca (complete opera recorded in 2009) Zurich Opera / Jonas Kaufmann, Thomas Hampson, Emily Magee / Paolo Carignani (cond) [ Decca DVD / DVD - released 10/Jun/2011 ] "Jonas Kaufmann is so eloquent that the deficiencies flying around him on stage vanish as soon as he opens his mouth...A modest word of praise, too, for Giuseppe Scorsin as the Sacristan" (Times) |
PIERRE RODE
Rode: Violin Concertos Nos. 3, 4 & 6 Friedemann Eichhorn (violin) / Jena Philharmonic Orchestra, Nicolás Pasquet [ Naxos / CD - released 1/Nov/2011 ] "These three concertos, all first recordings, are minor masterpieces of their time and place. Though highly taxing for the soloist - even if Friedemann Eichhorn does not let it show - they are hugely entertaining and satisfying for the listener."... |
W. A. MOZART arranged HUMMEL
Mozart/Hummel: Piano Concertos (No 10 KV365 & No 24 KV491) (Arr Hummel) Fumiko Shiraga (piano) Henrik Wiese (flute) Peter Clemente (violin) Tibor Banyi (cello) [ BIS / CD - released 1/Nov/2004 ] In a series BIS loosely calls 'Concertos in Disguise' Fumiko Shiraga continues to offer strikingly novel and interesting versions of well-known piano concertos in chamber arrangements. |
J. S. BACH
Bach: St John Passion Gerd Turk, Yoshikazu Mera, Ingrid Schmithusen, Makoto Sakurada, Chiyuki Urano, Peter Kooij / Bach Collegium Japan, Masaaki Suzuki [ BIS / 2 CD - released 1/Feb/1999 ] "What more can I say, other than that I found myself drawn into the drama from the start, at the same time finding much that struck me as fresh in matters of interpretation, and tonality of great beauty. …this is a major recording event, and an emine |
WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE
Shakespeare: King Lear (recorded live Strafford-Upon-Avon, 2016) Royal Shakespeare Company / Antony Sher, Natalie Simpson, Nia Gwynne, Kelly Williams / Robin Lough (director) [ Opus Arte DVD / DVD - released 7/Aug/2017 ] King Lear has ruled for many years. As age begins to overtake him, he decides to divide his kingdom amongst his children, living out his days without the burden of power. |
GEORGES BIZET
Bizet: Carmen (complete opera recorded live August 2002) BLU-RAY Glyndebourne Opera / Anne Sofie von Otter, Laurent Naouri, Marcus Haddock, Lisa Milne / Philippe Jordan (cond) [ Opus Arte Blu-Ray / Blu-ray Disc - released 1/Dec/2008 ] Blu-Ray - - "(Von Otter's) Carmen has loads of overt sexuality - she languidly glides through the Habanera while sucking on a piece of fruit and then a cigar - and she shows plenty of temperament and fatalism tinged with fear later." (Los Angeles Times) |
J. S. BACH
Bach: Cantatas For Bass Matthias Goerne (baritone), Freiburger Barockorchester, Gottfried von der Goltz [ Harmonia Mundi / CD - released 25/Aug/2017 ] "Freiburg Baroque are at the top of their game: lithe, shapely, tuneful...And the singing? Matthias Goerne is all breath and vowels and gravel and intensity." The Guardian, 17th August 2017 *** |
CACCINI / MONTEVERDI / SCHEIDT / LULLY / etc
La Barcha d'Amore (1563-1685) Hesperion X11. La Capella Reial de Catalunya. Jordi Savall, direction (with Montserrat Figueras, soprano) [ Alia Vox / CD - released 10/Oct/2009 ] "…there's a surprising homogeneity of sound and style throughout - testament to Figueras and Savall's innate musicality, artistic vision and spiritual harmony in a lifetime of collaboration and discovery." BBC Music Magazine, September 2009 **** |
GUSTAV MAHLER
Mahler: Das Lied von der Erde Jonas Kaufmann (tenor) / Wiener Philharmoniker, Jonathan Nott [ Sony Classical / CD - released 22/Apr/2017 ] "played with shimmering detail by the Vienna Philharmonic...As expected, Kaufmann is glorious in the tenor songs. In those for lower voice he sings with the same, unaffected sensitivity...An interesting, one-off experiment." Financial Times *** |