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KURT RHODE / OLIVIER MESSIAEN
Messiaen: Quartet for the End of Time | Rohde: one wing Left Coast Chamber Ensemble, Anna Presler (violin), Tanya Tomkins (cello) Jerome Simas (clarinet), Eric Zivian (piano) [ Avie / CD - released 19/Mar/2021 ] "The Left Coast Chamber Ensemble take the Quartet's shifting instrumental and emotional perspectives in their stride. Pick of the soloists is clarinettist Jerome Simas, who shines in the unaccompanied 'Abîme des oiseaux'." Gramophone |
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GEORG FRIDERIC HANDEL
Handel: Theodora, HWV 60 Louise Alder; Arcangelo; Jonathan Cohen; Adam Plachetka; Tim Mead; Stuart Jackson; Anna Stéphany [ Alpha Classics / 3 CD - released 23/Feb/2024 ] Among Handel's seventeen English oratorios, Theodora (1750) is unique. The story is not taken from the Bible, it is set in the Christian era, there is no national triumph and it does not end in joy. |
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JOHANNES BRAHMS
Brahms: Ein Deutsches Requiem, Op. 45 [German Requiem] Anna Lucia Richter (soprano) & Stephan Genz (baritone) / Leipzig MDR Radio Symphony Chorus and Orchestra, Marin Alsop [ Naxos / CD - released 29/Jul/2013 ] "a sensitive and often moving account of the score. Alsop's tempos are never ponderous, in places almost brisk...at its bargain price, this honest, no-nonsense account, beautifully played and sung, is certainly competitive." BBC Music Oct 2013 |
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W. A. MOZART
Mozart: Grabmusik / Bastien und Bastienne (original version) Anna Lucia Richter (soprano) Jacques Imbrailo (baritone) Alessandro Fisher (tenor) / The Mozartists, Ian Page [ Signum / CD - released 14/Sep/2018 ] "Ian Page and his crack team - singers and players - are clearly having a lot of fun, which comes across in this excellent recording. It's a treat to experience these faint anticipations of greatness in such winning performances." Gramophone |
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EDWARD ELGAR
Elgar: The Dream of Gerontius Nicky Spence, Anna Stéphany, Andrew Foster-Williams /Angel of the Agony), Polish National Youth Choir, Gabrieli, Paul McCreesh [ Signum Records / 2 CD - released 26/Apr/2024 ] "Even if you are a dyed-in-the-wool Elgarian with special loyalties to a particular interpretation, this CD is brimful of edifying delights and surprises worthy of repeated listening." Gramophone Award Finalist 2024 - Choral |
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GEORGES BIZET
Bizet: Carmen (Complete Opera recorded in June 2009) BLU-RAY Opéra Comique, Paris / Anna Caterina Antonacci, Andrew Richards, Nicolas Cavallier, Monteverdi Choir / John Eliot Gardiner (cond) [ Naxos Blu-ray / Blu-ray - released 14/May/2021 ] On 3 June 1975, the day after the 33rd performance of Carmen - indicating limited success as the receipts were meagre - he died from a heart attack, at the age of 36, like Mozart. |
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VARIOUS COMPOSERS
The Berlin Concert - Live from the 'Waldbuhne' (complete concert) BLU-RAY Placido Domingo / Anna Netrebko / Rolando Villazon / Orchester der Deutschen Oper Berlin / Marco Armiliato [ Deutsche Grammophon Blu-Ray / Blu-ray Disc - released 1/Jan/2009 ] "The vocalism consistently stood out as superior...Domingo at 65 remains a phenomenon...His junior colleagues never lapsed vocally below their wonted high levels" (MusicalAmerica.com) |
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LUDWIG van BEETHOVEN
Beethoven: Symphonies No. 5 & 9 (Blu-ray) René Kollo, Anna Tomowa-Simtow, Agnes Baltsa, José van Dam / Choir of the Deutsche Oper, Berliner Philharmoniker, Herbert von Karajan [ EuroArts Blu-ray / Blu-ray - released 6/May/2022 ] This important visual document provides a rare insight into the way in which 'das Wunder Karajan' fashioned his unique style. The roused interpretation of Beethoven's most popular symphony, Symphony No. 9 with the Berliner Philharmoniker was recorded... |
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ROGERS & HAMMERSTEIN
Rodgers & Hammerstein at the Movies Sierra Boggess, Anna Jane Casey, Joyce DiDonato, Maria Ewing, Julian Ovenden / The John Wilson Orchestra & Maida Vale Singers, John Wilson [ EMI Classics / CD - released 1/Dec/2012 ] John Wilson and his orchestra have become a regular highlight at the BBC Proms, selling out faster than any other proms and bringing the house down each time. Their second appearance in 2010 was A Celebration of Rodgers & Hammerstein which is... |
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PORPORA / CALDARA / CATEL / NASOLINI / ROSSINI
Semiramide - La Signora Regale: Arias & Scenes from Porpora to Rossini Anna Bonitatibus (mezzo-soprano) / Accademia degli Astrusi, Federico Ferri [ Deutsche Harmonia Mundi / 2 CD - released 20/Oct/2014 ] "There is much coloratura and here, as elsewhere, Anna Bonitatibus is spot-on...This set, sumptuously illustrated, is an absolute must-have." (Gramophone Award Nomination 2015 - Recital) |
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GIOACHINO ROSSINI
Rossini: Tancredi (Complete opera) Sumi Jo (sop) Anna Maria di Micco (contralto) Stanford Olsen (tenor) Ewa Podles (contralto) / Collegium Instrumentale Brugense, Alberto Zedda [ Naxos Opera Classics / 2 CD - released 8/Jan/2004 ] 1001 Classical recordings to hear before you die (1801-1850) |
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PETER SCULTHORPE
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Sculthorpe: Piano Concerto / Music for Japan / Song of Tailitnama / Little Nourlangle Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Edo de Waart, with David Drury (organ), Mark Atkins (didjeridu), Tamara Anna Cislowska (piano) [ ABC Classics / CD - released 1/Jun/1996 ] "Australia's greatest composer" - Limelight magazine Peter Sculthorpe created an Australian classical music that for the first time spoke directly of the land, the people and the spirit of the country. |
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GIUSEPPE VERDI / W. A. MOZART
Operas - Teatro Alla Scala [Aida, I Due Foscari, Die Zauberflote, Le Nozze di Figaro, Die Entfuhrung] (complete operas recorded 2015 - 2019) Teatro alla Scala / Anita Rachvelishvili, George Gagnidze, Placido Domingo, Anna Pirozzi, Martin Summer, Yasmin Ozkan, Carlos Alvarez, Diana Damrau, e [ C Major DVD / 8 DVD Box Set - released 20/Aug/2021 ] FIVE OUTSTANDING OPERAS FROM THE LEGENDARY TEATRO ALLA SCALA: |
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UMBERTO GIORDANO
Giordano: Andrea Chénier (complete opera recorded in 2017) Teatro alla Scala / Yusif Eyvazov, Anna Netrebko, Luca Salsi, Annalisa Stroppa / Riccardo Chailly [ C Major DVD / DVD - released 16/Apr/2021 ] By choosing to work with director Mario Martone, known for his films as well as his work in opera and theatre, Chailly has given overall coherence to his cinematic vision. |
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GIOACCHINIO ROSSINI
Rossini: L'Italiana in Algeri [An Italian in Algeries] (complete opera recorded in 2013) Teatro Comunale di Bologna / Anna Goryachova, Alex Esposito, Yijie Shi & Mario Cassi / José Ramón Encinar [ Opus Arte DVD / DVD - released 20/Aug/2014 ] Pesaro's new offering in 2013 was an off-the-wall production of Rossini's popular comedy, 'The Italian Girl in Algiers', presented as a Swinging Sixties, James Bond adventure, set in the desert oil fields of the North African coast. Davide... |
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BERNHARD HENRIK CRUSELL
Crusell: Concertante Wind Works Anna-Maija Korsima-Hursti (clarinet), Ib Lanzky-Otto (horn), László Hara (bassoon) / Tapiola Sinfonietta, Osmo Vänskä [ BIS / CD - released 1/Nov/1990 ] Finnish clarinetist and composer who was born on 15 October 1775 and died on 28 July 1838. Crusell studied music in Stockholm, Sweden and lived there for the rest of his adult life. Crusell was the father-in-law of Frans Preumayr. |
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GAETANO DONIZETTI
Donizetti: L'elisir d'amore (complete opera recorded in 2005) BLU-RAY Vienna State Opera / Anna Netrebko, Rolando Villazón, Leo Nucci, Ildebrando D´Arcangelo / Alfred Eschwé (cond) [ Erato / Warner Classics Blu-ray / Blu-ray Disc - released 1/Nov/2015 ] Theatrical magic between Rolando Villazón and Anna Netrebko in Donizetti's delightful and ever-popular comedy L'elisir d'amore |
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W. A. MOZART
Mozart: Le Nozze de Figaro [The Marriage of Figaro] (complete opera recorded in 2006) Vienna State Opera / Ildebrando D'Arcangelo / Dorothea Roschmann / Anna Netrebko / Christine Schafer / Nikolaus Harnoncourt (cond) [ Deutsche Grammophon / 2 DVD - released 18/Jun/2007 ] "The opera has probably never sounded as magnificent... It's shattering, unforgettable music theatre." - The Gardian, London |
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RICHARD WAGNER
Wagner: Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg (complete opera recorded in 2013) Wiener Staatsoper / Monika Bohinec, Anna Gabler, Roberto Saccà, Peter Sonn, Michael Volle, Markus Werb / Daniele Gatti [ EuroArts DVD / 2 DVD - released 30/Sep/2016 ] "A fresh, charming and perceptive production, magical and irresistible!" (New York Times) "All narrative and poetry is nothing but the key to true dreams" (Hans Sachs). Spontaneously emerging from just such a truthful dream by the cobbler-poet on... |
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JACK BODY
Songs of Death and Desire Xiao Ma (male soprano), Mere Boynton (mezzo), Anna Pierard (mezzo) / New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, Kenneth Young [ Atoll Records New Zealand / CD - released 12/May/2015 ] Dramatic and passionate songs in three languages; includes symphonic arrangements of six arias from Bizet's Carmen, and settings in Spanish and Maori of texts by women about love and life. |