Ludwig van Beethoven

This collection includes favourites such as Verdi’s Anvil Chorus and Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves and Mascagni’s Easter Hymn. A great selection for anyone dipping their toes into opera.

This collection of classic marches takes us around the world and across the centuries, from Elizabethan England to Romantic Russia. The pieces range from John Williams’ Superman March to Eric Coates’ Dam Busters March and Strauss’ Radetzky March.

The previous recording on Sony Classical with the Chamber Orchestra of Basel under the direction of Giovanni Antonini, the founder of Il Giardino Armonico, has shown that the orchestra is capable of fine Beethoven interpretations. The orchestra and conductor were awarded the Echo Klassik prize in 2008 for their readings of the 3rd and 4th symphonies (88697192522) and are reunited here for this recording of symphonies 5 and 6.

As with the previous recordings, preparation has been meticulous down to the last detail, including numerous concerts and rehearsals. These are studio recordings of the highest quality where Antonini’s sparkling musical energy and the highly-motivated orchestra combine forces to ensure an exciting journey through Beethoven’s sound world.

The Philharmonia Orchestra’s 2nd disc with Principal Conductor and Artistic Advisor Esa-Pekka Salonen, shifts dramatically in tone from the first, exploring Berlioz’s evocative sonic dream Symphonie Fantastique, alongside Beethoven’s Leonore Overture. Since September 2008 Salonen has been Principal Conductor and Artistic Advisor of the Philharmonia Orchestra. In his first season in this role he devised and led City of Dreams, a nine-month exploration of the music and culture of Vienna between 1900 and 1935. The project, which presents the music of Mahler, Schoenberg, Zemlinsky and Berg in its social and historical context, has travelled to 18 cities across Europe, culminating in semi-staged performances of Berg’s Wozzeck, with Simon Keenlyside in the title role, in October 2009.

Six mid-price audio releases extend the Keeping Score brand, made popular by the pioneering partnership of Michael Tilson Thomas and the San Francisco Symphony.

The live recordings – also included in the DVD documentaries – feature the popular repertoire which is so engagingly depicted by MTT in the visual programmes. These affordable CDs are the perfect companions to the acclaimed DVD programmes.

“charismatic musical evangelism … genuinely fresh ideas about the presentation of classical music to a mass audience” International Record Review

“SFS remains one of the world’s most immaculate ensembles.” The Guardian

This third volume completes the cycle initiated in 2004 by Arthur Schoonderwoerd for Alpha of Beethoven’s concertos on period instruments in historically informed performances. After having studied piano with Herman Uhlhorn and Alexander Warenberg in the Utrecht Music Academy, Arthur Schoonderwoerd received a scholarship from the Verenigde Spaarbank and from the Prins Bernhard Fonds which enabled him to study pianoforte with Jos van Immerseel in the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique in Paris, where he won the 1er Prix. Schoonderwoerd performs regularly as a soloist and as a member of several music chamber ensembles, especially the Cristofori Ensemble, playing one to a part, with whom he has performed in Belgium, Germany, France, Italy and the Netherlands.

Annie Fischer’s (July 5, 1914 - April 10, 1995) main teacher was Ernst von Dohnányi at the Budapest Music Academy. In 1933 she won the first prize at the International Liszt Competition and soon established an illustrious solo concert career. She was regularly invited to perform throughout Europe by the likes of Otto Klemperer, Ferenc Fricsay, Igor Markevich, Antal Dorati, Walfganf Sawalisch, Adrian Boult. and considered one of the most admired pianists of the 20th century. Her great qualities were the poetic, passionate and magically beautiful performances that created a special communication with the audience.