Johann Sebastian Bach

Petrit Ceku is the 2007 Alessandria Guitar Competition winner.

This recital by one of the leading guitarists of the younger generation, the Croatian Petrit Ceku, begins with an ambitious transcription of one of J.S. Bach’s most demanding solo works.

Studies from the nineteenth century master, Giulio Regondi, Rodrigo’s In Praise of the Guitar, an extended work of great charm and momentum in three intense movements, and Vicente Asencios’s Suite Valencia, reveal the expressive and technical heights to which the classical guitar nowadays aspires.

This disc marks the conclusion of CPO’s highly acclaimed complete recording of Bach’s organ works with the re-discovery of an unknown organ composition. The aforementioned piece is a fantasia on the chorale “Wo Gott her Herr nicht bei uns hält” and CPO is delighted to be able to present the world première recording.

Previously only five measures of the fantasia were known, but thanks to the musicologists at the Martin Luther University in Halle, the work in its entirety has been sensationally rediscovered and this is the first time it has been recorded on CD. A musicologist at the MLU commented of the rediscovery “the composition considerably enriches our knowledge of Bach’s early oeuvre; the music world has gained a magnificent composition.”

Gerhard Weinberger completes his Bach journey with the organ version of The Art of Fugue.

“Weinberger is a consummate professional and one who, as any resourceful organist would, makes whatever instrument he plays sound as if it's ideal for the repertoire at hand.” Classics Today

The transcriptions of Bach’s keyboard works for full symphony orchestra by Leopold Stokowski, one of the greatest conductors of the twentieth century, formed a successful part of his crusade to increase the accessibility of music. In reality Stokowski’s transcriptions had little to do with Bach: they are rather complete re-compositions in the manner of Wagner or Tchaikovsky for the late-romantic symphony orchestra. They have enjoyed continuing popularity since Stokowski first introduced them, and took a central rôle in the internationally popular film which he made with Walt Disney, Fantasia.

The recordings on this CD were made between 1927 and 1939, with Stokowski conducting in all instances The Philadelphia Orchestra, whose lush orchestra style was clearly well suited to his musical vision of Bach.

The silver flute is the subtlest of instruments. Its velvet tones are infinitely soothing and seductive, inspiring composers to write some of their most intimate and personal music. This collection of Romantic masterpieces is performed on the Rolls Royce of flutes, a Louis Lot, which is to flautists what a Stradivarius is to violinists

Relaxing piano music by Brahms, Debussy, Chopin, Schubert, and more recorded on a very fine period instrument by Broadwood.

An album of music for a special day. Use this lovely collection of organ music for church weddings to make your own personal choices for your own celebration - and listen to it afterwards as an atmospheric reminder of a unique moment in your life. From Bach to Wagner, there's something to suit everybody. Inside the booklet there's plenty of advice on how to choose music to suit your mood and style and to make sure that another important element of your special day can be just that bit more personal.

Editions and arrangements by Martin Souter.

Music is a powerful and mysterious art. With the simplest of means it is able to conjure up a mood, emotion or atmosphere and instantly draw the listener in. Centuries ago the wealthy paid a fortune to composers and performers to provide them with music to raise their spirits or simply help them relax. Now everyone can enjoy these benefits. This collection has been specially selected from the most restful music of the past 300 years to help us relax.