Hi-Res Highlights,
Hi-Res Highlights - January 2017
It's been two years since we launched our Hi-Res download offering - and our catalogue now includes over 7,500 albums, both old and new. You can browse through our full Hi-Res selection here.
However, seven thousand is quite a lot - so last July we started putting together a monthly roundup offering some of our thoughts on the best of the best! Here's this month's selection…
Hi-Res New Releases
The pick of this month's newly-released Hi-Res recordings.
The inaugural recording from Hamburg's newly-opened, and eagerly-awaited, concert hall. This pairing of Brahms symphonies under the baton of Thomas Hengelbrock is surely the first of many glorious performances to come on the Elbe.
Available Formats: MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC
The Bavarian record label celebrates the milestone of its 100th release with this double-bill of well-loved tone poems by Richard Strauss - the stirring Alpine Symphony and vivid Tod und Verklärung, conducted by Mariss Jansons.
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC
Three concertante works by the great Hungarian composer György Ligeti, showing the flowering of his artistic talent in the 1960s and 70s after escaping the restrictive environment of Eastern Europe. Cellist Christian Poltéra and pianist Joonas Ahonen take the spotlight in the two solo concertos.
Available Formats: SACD, MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC
The legendary castrato Farinelli has been a fascinating figure ever since the 18th century, when he enjoyed a wildly successful international career. Ann Hallenberg sings arias from Gérard Corbiau's film Farinelli, accompanied by Les Talens Lyriques under Christophe Rousset.
Available Formats: MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC
A lively tale of witchcraft and wizardry that pits good and evil magic against one another, Francesca Caccini's Ruggerio is also believed to have been the first opera by a female composer. Elena Sartori and La Pifarescha relish the vivid vocal writing.
Available Formats: MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC
Shostakovich's two piano concertos (with accompaniment from the RLPO under Vasily Petrenko) are paired here with soloist Boris Giltburg's own transcriptions of two of the composer's string quartets - including the iconic No. 8 in C minor.
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC
Recent Hi-Res Re-issues
The greatest performances of yesteryear, newly remastered and re-released in Hi-Res.
Schoenberg's mighty Biblical epic, recorded by Hans Rosbaud and the NDR Symphony Orchestra and Choir just six years after the composer's death.
Available Formats: MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC, Hi-Res+ FLAC
Anna Moffo and José Carreras are among the soloists for this performance of Massenet's sensually-charged opera. Gabriel Bacquier is the conflicted monk Athanaël, and Julius Rudel conducts the Ambrosian Opera CHorus and New Philharmonia Orchestra.
Available Formats: MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC, Hi-Res+ FLAC
The venerable Maurizio Pollini shows his total mastery of the piano in this set of late sonatas - including, of course, the fearsomely demanding Hammerklavier.
Available Formats: MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC
Ileana Cotrubas stars as Violetta in this acclaimed performance by the Bavarian State Opera under Carlos Kleiber; Domingo and Sherrill Milnes are also among the cast.
Available Formats: MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC
David Smith - Head of Digital
