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See Terms & Conditions for p&p rates. | |  | Honegger: Pastorale d’été, Symphony No. 4 & Une Cantate de Noël
Recorded live at Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall, London, on 28 March 2007 (Pastorale d’été and Symphony No. 4) and 5 December 2009 (Une Cantate de Noël). Today the Swiss-born composer Arthur Honegger is often remembered as a member of ‘Les Six’ – that embodiment of 1920s Parisian modernism. But far from rejecting late Romantic expression, Honegger embraced it. In these live concert recordings, Vladimir Jurowski conducts the London Philharmonic Orchestra in three of Honegger’s most lyrical works: the dreamy Pastorale d’été, the nostalgic Fourth Symphony, subtitled ‘The Delights of Basel’ in remembrance of the sanctuary offered by the Swiss city during the war, and his final composition, the reflective and heartfelt Cantate de Noël. ‘Of course, anything conducted by Vladimir Jurowski is worth hearing. His galvanising effect on the band whose Principal Conductor he will shortly become was evident again here, notably in the beguiling, brushed-velvet textures he conjured in Honegger’s Pastoral d’été … and in an immaculate ensemble and textural clarity everywhere.’ Richard Morrison, The Times, March 2007 Vladimir Jurowski became the London Philharmonic Orchestra’s twelfth Principal Conductor in September 2007 and this CD is the latest in his ever-growing catalogue with the LPO on its own label, adding to his recent critically acclaimed recordings of Mahler Symphony No. 2, Brahms Symphonies 1 & 2 and Holst’s Planets. “[The Fourth Symphony] is full of charm and tactile invention, vividly realised in this live recording. The polyglot, quite vigorous Christmas cantata embraces a carol sequence, Silent Night (in German) making a touching appearance halfway through the middle movement.” Sunday Times, 30th October 2011 “Pastorale d'Eté depicts a country landscape under shimmering heat. The problematic Fourth Symphony, swivelling inconsequentially between neoclassical austerity and tentative lyricism, was written in the aftermath of the second world war. The Cantata itself – Honegger's last work, composed when he was terminally ill – glances longingly and tenderly at ideas of new beginnings before gradually retreating towards its final” The Guardian, 10th November 2011 *** “All three works on this unexpectedly satisfying CD communicate a joie de vivre without ever sounding lightweight. The jaunty Symphony No 4 is performed with the wit and subtlety it deserves, bringing out the song-like character of its three movements. Pastorale d’été is a dreamy orchestral summerscape, Une Cantate de Noël a radiant choral celebration of the human and the divine.” Financial Times, 18th November 2011 **** “The other two Honegger works on this CD (“Pastorale d’été” and Symphony No 4) are an acquired taste, but Une Cantate de Noël is impressively voiced. The music moves from contemplative ritual to a cunningly crafted medley of Christmas melodies and an ending of quiet serenity.” The Telegraph, 9th December 2011 “Jurowski’s performance is airy and rhythmically sharp, and beautifully played...There’s a joyous moment near the close [of the Christmas Cantata] when the choral cries of ‘Amen’ melt into a tender orchestral postscript. It had me reaching for the Kleenex. Very good singing from the LPO Chorus and the New London Children’s Choir, and an excellent live RFH recording.” The Arts Desk, 10th December 2011 “What a strange conundrum the symphony is, but the LPO play it as though they mean every note.” Gramophone Magazine, February 2012 “a release especially recommended to those who have previously resisted Honegger, believing him to be an overly dry or dour figure. The music-making here avowedly proves otherwise.” International Record Review, January 2012 “Pleasing performances of some pleasing and unfamiliar music. Recommended to beachcombers (and anyone else who's curious).” Classic FM Magazine, March 2012 **** | | | (also available to download from $10.75) | Usually despatched in 2 - 3 working days. (Available now to download.) |
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| |  | Recorded live at the Glyndebourne Opera House, 18 & 19 December, 2010
In this celebrated Glyndebourne Festival production, David Hockney’s designs for director John Cox reinterpret the Hogarth etchings that inspired the opera’s libretto, written for Stravinsky by W.H. Auden and Chester Kallman. In 2010, this revival under Glyndebourne’s Music Director, Vladimir Jurowski, captured the opera’s neo-classical spirit and its juxtaposition of whimsy, cynicism and compassion, prompting the Financial Times to call it, ‘‘as enjoyable a performance of Stravinsky’s opera as any that has come along". Extra features: Documentary includes interview with David Hockney Introduction to the Rakes’s Progress Running time 150 mins Region Code All regions Picture format 16:9 Anamorphic Sound format 2.0LPCM + 5.1(5.0) DTS Menu languages EN Subtitles EN/FR/DE/ES “Full of colour and light, and brimming with wit, this is a production that lifts the performers...Lehtipuu conveys [Tom's] fresh-faced innocence, making his gradual demise all the more heart-breaking. Bass Matthew Rose is not the most chilling Nick Shadow, but is all the more believable as an apparently supportive, and likeable, friend to Tom, until the veil drops...[Persson] underpins [Anne's] heartfelt love with a steely determination...An absolute triumph.” BBC Music Magazine, January 2012 ***** “It is hard to imagine a Tom Rakewell who looks the part better than the lanky, almost adolescent Topi Lehtipuu, his wide-eyed innocence an open invitation to corruption, and he sings the role with elegance. Miah Persson is almost his equal...The combination of Vladimir Jurowski and the London Philharmonic Orchestra ensures crisp ensemble of the highest quality.” Gramophone Magazine, March 2012 “Star of the show - as she is so often - is Miah Persson, who turns out to be a radiant and steadfast Anne...[Lehtipuu] manages to give us a Tom whoe fundamentally endearing qualities shine through, even when he's at his most cocky...Matthew Rose's portrayal of Nick Shadow has been criticized in some quarters for its lack of venom, but I find that the mellifluous coating to his malevolence only adds to the effect.” International Record Review, February 2012  BBC Music Magazine
DVD Choice - January 2012 |
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| |  | Recorded live at the Glyndebourne Opera House, 18 & 19 December, 2010
In this celebrated Glyndebourne Festival production, David Hockney’s designs for director John Cox reinterpret the Hogarth etchings that inspired the opera’s libretto, written for Stravinsky by W.H. Auden and Chester Kallman. In 2010, this revival under Glyndebourne’s Music Director, Vladimir Jurowski, captured the opera’s neo-classical spirit and its juxtaposition of whimsy, cynicism and compassion, prompting the Financial Times to call it, ‘‘as enjoyable a performance of Stravinsky’s opera as any that has come along". Extra features: Documentary includes interview with David Hockney Introduction to the Rakes’s Progress Running time 150 mins Region Code All regions Picture format 1080i High Definition / 16:9 Sound format 2.0LPCM + 5.1(5.0) DTS Menu languages EN Subtitles EN/FR/DE/ES “Full of colour and light, and brimming with wit, this is a production that lifts the performers...Lehtipuu conveys [Tom's] fresh-faced innocence, making his gradual demise all the more heart-breaking. Bass Matthew Rose is not the most chilling Nick Shadow, but is all the more believable as an apparently supportive, and likeable, friend to Tom, until the veil drops...[Persson] underpins [Anne's] heartfelt love with a steely determination...An absolute triumph.” BBC Music Magazine, January 2012 ***** “It is hard to imagine a Tom Rakewell who looks the part better than the lanky, almost adolescent Topi Lehtipuu, his wide-eyed innocence an open invitation to corruption, and he sings the role with elegance. Miah Persson is almost his equal...The combination of Vladimir Jurowski and the London Philharmonic Orchestra ensures crisp ensemble of the highest quality.”” Gramophone Magazine, March 2012 “Star of the show - as she is so often - is Miah Persson, who turns out to be a radiant and steadfast Anne...[Lehtipuu] manages to give us a Tom whoe fundamentally endearing qualities shine through, even when he's at his most cocky...Matthew Rose's portrayal of Nick Shadow has been criticized in some quarters for its lack of venom, but I find that the mellifluous coating to his malevolence only adds to the effect.” International Record Review, February 2012 BBC Music Magazine DVD/Blu-ray Choice - January 2012 |
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| |  | Edith Farnadi plays Franz Liszt
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| |  | Grzegorz Fitelberg conducts Szymanowski
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| |  | Charles Munch conducts Roussel & other French composers
Bizet: | Symphony in C Recorded 03.06.47, Kingsway Hall, London London Philharmonic Orchestra | Roussel: | Le Festin de l'Araignée, Op. 17 - fragments symphonique Recorded 06.06.47, Kingsway Hall, London London Philharmonic Orchestra Suite in F major, Op. 33 Recorded 02.06.47, Kingsway Hall, London London Philharmonic Orchestra Petite Suite Op. 39 Recorded 09.10.46, Walthamstow Assembly Hall, London Paris Conservatoire Orchestra | Saint-Saëns: | Danse macabre, Op. 40 Recorded 15.09.48, Grote Zaal, Concertgebouw, Amsterdam Concertgebouw Orchestra |
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| |  | Lili Kraus plays Mozart
Mozart: | Piano Concerto No. 18 in B flat major, K456 Recorded 25.03 & 13.04.38, No.1 Studio, Abbey Road London Philharmonic Orchestra, Walter Goehr Piano Concerto No. 9 in E-flat major, K271 "Jeunehomme" Recorded 25.04.48 & 02.06.48 No.1 Studio, Abbey Road Philharmonia Orchestra, Walter Susskind Violin Sonata No. 31 in C major, KV 404 (unfinished) Recorded 21.03.37 No.3 Studio, Abbey Road with Szymon Goldberg (violin) Rondo for Piano & Orchestra in A major, K386 Recorded 05.02.36 No.2 Studio, Abbey Road Orchestra, Clarence Raybould |
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| |  | Walton conducts Walton 2
Heritage presents Walton’s first recording of Belshazzar’s Feast, recorded during the Second World War, featuring the baritone soloist Dennis Noble who very much made the work his own. The disc also includes the thrilling Partita and a selection of overtures and marches. | | | Usually despatched in 8 - 10 working days. |
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| |  | Recorded live at Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall, London, on 13 November 1959
Busoni’s opera, Doktor Faust is unquestionably one of the experimental operatic masterpieces of the twentieth-century. The composer wrote his own libretto and worked on the composition for nearly two decades, although it remained unfinished on his death in 1924. Doktor Faust was completed the following year by Busoni’s pupil, Philipp Jarnach. This recording of a 1959 BBC broadcast is of a shortened concert version created by Sir Adrian Boult, in consultation with baritone Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau. The booklet includes an introduction to the recording written by John Amis who introduced the original broadcast on the BBC in 1959. The synopsis is taken from his broadcast notes and he offers his unique insights on the soloists and Sir Adrian Boult. Sir Adrian Boult was Principal Conductor of the London Philharmonic Orchestra from 1950 to 1957. During his tenure he toured Germany and Russia with the Orchestra and made numerous recordings. Prior to this he was the BBC’s Director of Music and Principal Conductor of the newly formed BBC Symphony Orchestra. He conducted at the coronation services in 1937 and 1953, and was knighted for services to music. He died in 1983 aged 93. A world première recording of this concert performance especially tailored by conductor Sir Adrian Boult in consultation with Fischer-Dieskau. This archive recording from 1959 features Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau - in the form of his life - singing the role of Faust. The recording will appeal to the legion of loyal followers of Sir Adrian Boult, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau and Heather Harper. This previously unreleased material is a rare addition to the catalogue of recordings of this work. “Fischer-Dieskau [is] terrific in the title role. The London Philharmonic sounds stretched at times by Busoni’s eerie writing and the recording quality isn’t exactly sumptuous, but Boult, who had introduced the opera to Britain 20 years earlier, paces the drama with gusto. There is much characterful singing from Heather Harper and Richard Lewis” The Times, 27th August 2011 *** “strongly cast, with a magisterial account of the title role from Dietrich Fischer Dieskau. Heather Harper is in radiant form as the Duchess of Parma, and Richard Lewis acquits himself well in the cruelly demanding part of Mephistopheles. The mono recording is serviceable.” BBC Music Magazine, November 2011 **** “The performance can hardly have been over-rehearsed but proceeds with confidence - this conductor was always at home with German operatic music. Alongside Fischer-Dieskau, a cast of British worthies work hard on unfamiliar territory (Richard Lewis and Heather Harper especially) to match the German's fluent Faust.” Gramophone Magazine, November 2011 “Fischer-Dieskau's is a great assumption of the role throughout. On this occasion, his quality doubtless inspired the rest of the cast, for with Richard Lewis as Mephistopheles and Ian Wallace as Wagner it is impossible to imagine these parts being better sung - Wallace, in particular, never did anything finer than this...At all times, Boult shows himself to be the great musician he undoubtedly was.” International Record Review, November 2011 | | | (also available to download from $10.75) | Usually despatched in 2 - 3 working days. (Available now to download.) |
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| |  | Beethoven & Mendelssohn: Violin Concertos
“The strength, the absolute certainty of Kreisler’s playing, the sweetness and sonorousness of his tone, and his impeccable taste, are breathtaking, and in Beecham’s LPO he has an orchestra to do him justice. Barbirolli shapes and controls the Beethoven with a sure hand, and the recorded sound is crystal clear.” Sunday Times, 7th August 2011 **** | | | Usually despatched in 2 - 3 working days. |
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