Johann Sebastian Bach

Otto Klemperer's reputation as one of the greatest conductors of the second half of the 20th-century was founded principally on his interpretations of the main orchestral repertoire, but his interests ranged more widely than that. For many years, he was considered to be one of the greatest interpreters of the music of Johann Sebastian Bach, and on this very important CD we have gathered several of his little-known performances of Bach's music, especially including the Magnificant and the Fifth Brandenburg Concerto, with the legendary Annie Fischer as pianist. In addition, we include two short pieces, an arrangement by Klemperer himself of one of the 'Anna Magdalena' Notebook miniatures, and the famous 'Air' from the Third Orchestral Suite. This is a rare and most valuable collector’s item.

This CD combines two recordings of the 1980s both made in Oxford. The first was an LP of Oxford Town Hall which was Gerard Brooks first recording for Priory of orchestral transcriptions (PR 186). The second was a cassette only issue of the new Mander organ in Magdalen College ( PRC 209). Due to space restrictions only about half of this recital is included. A CD then of contrasts and still, to our knowledge, the only commercial recording of the Town Hall Willis.

This is a glorious and stunning CD. The Choir of Liverpool Cathedral here makes its first recording under its director David Poulter. The singing is of a high order and in the glorious acoustics of this famous cathedral the boys and girls together with the gentlemen put together a grand Choral Evensong which includes two full voluntaries played by Daniel Bishop before the service starts and the C minor Prelude and Fugue of Bach at the end of the service. This CD represents the fine and unique heritage that is a typical choral evensong sung at its best in a British cathedral and heard every day throughout the UK.

Includes Lessons and Creed.

Accademia Bizantina are now firmly established among the best period performance ensembles of our time, with their director, Ottavio Dantone, in demand in the opera house and concert hall alike.

For their latest recording, they explore the wealth of fine instrumental music in Bach’s glorious Cantatas.

A thoroughly listenable collection of Sinfonias, Sonatas and Concerti from Bach’s Cantatas – all given the unique flavor of Accademia Bizantina’s characterful period style

Picture this: a collection of musicians lounging on the grass in the June sunshine outside the Aula Maxima in Maynooth. Within a short time everyone moves inside and soon it is clear that this is going to be a special recording: over the following three days there is laughter, moments of frustration and debate, and much great, great music. Music that is great, not just because it is being played by some of Ireland's finest musicians but because it was composed by various members of the world's most enduring musical families, the Bachs.

The Irish Baroque Orchestra is Ireland's only professional period instrument orchestra among whose members are some of the most promising young players in the international early music scene. The IBO is fortunate to be directed by London-born Monica Huggett, one of the world's leading baroque violinists who has won many awards for her recordings and her work as a pioneer of early music.

Music written to celebrate Advent and the festival of Christmas spans many centuries with composers from all periods of Western music penning works to mark this time of both preparation and joy at the mystical events surrounding the birth of Christ.

Acclaimed quintet Onyx Brass present a programme of well and lesser-known works both written for, and associated with, Advent and Christmas.

The legendary brass section of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, long recognised for its power, dynamism and lyricism, takes centre stage in the latest release from the Grammy®-winning CSO Resound label. Cheered for their performances and recordings of Mahler, Bruckner and Strauss, the CSO Brass turns its focus to works by Gabrieli, William Walton and J.S. Bach, as well as symphonic works arranged for brass and percussion by Silvestre Revueltas (Sensemayá) and Prokofi ev (Three Scenes from Romeo and Juliet). Percy Grainger’s Lincolnshire Posy, beloved by generations of wind ensemble devotees, is transcribed here in a stunning arrangement by San Francisco Symphony trombonist, Timothy Higgins. Virtuoso arrangements by Joseph Kreines of three scenes from Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet and Walton’s Crown Imperial feature the entire brass ensemble in thrilling fashion.

A musical force in Chicago and around the world, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra is consistently hailed as one of the fi nest international orchestras. Its expansive catalogue of more than 900 recordings has earned 62 Grammy Awards—more than any other orchestra in the world.