Hector Berlioz

Born in Brichevo, in Bessarabia (then part of Romania) in 1927, Gary Bertini was taken to Palestine when still a boy and at age 16 he began violin lessons. Awarded the Israel Prize in 1987, in honour of his work for music in his adoptive land, Bertini was taken ill in February, 2005, whilst in Paris, and was transferred to a medical centre just outside Tel Aviv, allowing him to die (just three weeks later) in the country whose musical life he had done so much to enrich. This live recording of the 'Damnation of Faust' from the Mann Auditorium Tel Aviv, 1996, is an 'In Memoriam' to a conductor who founded and directed many of Israel's musical institutions such as the Rinat Choir and Israeli Chamber Orchestra, The Musical Evenings for Contemporary Music and the Liturgica Festival. He also conducted at the major opera houses around the world and served as Music Director of the San Carlo Opera in Naples.

Ravel's 'Daphnis and Chloé' Ballet Music from 1974, with the Rinat Choir completes this 2-CD set.

This release celebrates 25 years of the Austrian Symphonieorchester Vorarlberg. It is the only professional orchestra in Western Austria and is indispensible in the cultural life of the area. The 2CD collection illustrates their wide repertoire, including works by Weinberg, Franck, Berlioz, Borodin, Haydn, Smetana and others.

A native of Québec, Marie-Nicole Lemieux gained international attention in 2000 when she won both the Prix de la Reine Fabiola and the Prix du Lied in Belgium. She has given recitals across Europe, Canada and the United States. The American pianist Daniel Blumenthal performs an encyclopaedic repertoire and has premiered many works, including the Debussy Piano Trio.

This is a Christmas CD with a difference – Christmas on the high seas! The Welte Philharmonie music rolls used here were recorded during the great epoch of the giant ocean liners and are performed on the Welte Philharmonie organ in the Museum of Music Automatons, Seewen, Switzerland. They cover many different styles, from traditional songs to pastoral pieces.

On the concert platform and on disc, Anne-Catherine Gillet radiates spontaneity, luminosity and enthusiasm in a way that is more than communicative. This outstanding recording of three masterpieces from the vocal repertoire provides an ideal opportunity to verify that. Listening, you will be charmed by the apparent facility, evidence and lightness of her phrasing. Anne-Catherine Gillet literally charms us with her fruity timbre, and it is impossible to remain impervious to the beauty of this new voice, accompanied with brio by the Liège Royal Philharmonic, conducted by one of the most prominent maestros of the lyric world, Paul Daniel. A moment of pure emotion, not to be missed on any account.

The first Italian 'I Troiani', much-admired production and choreography by Margherita Wallmann.

BONUS: Mario Del Monaco sings scenes and arias from: Aida, Otello, Manon Lescaut, Carmen, L'Africana, Lohengrin with the Orchestra Sinfonica di Milano della Rai