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See Terms & Conditions for p&p rates. | |  | Rubenstein in Concert
“Rubinstein’s superb form is matched by the incredible musical sensitivity of Haitink and the orchestra” New York Times | | | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
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| |  | Paul Tortelier
Recorded: Royal Festival Hall, London, 14 November 1972 (Elgar), Royal Festival Hall, London, 17 April 1974 (Brahms), BBC Studios, 10 February 1959 (Debussy) “This generous collection of three favourite works provides a fine portrait of the great French cellist Paul Tortelier at the height of his career in the post-war period. It is specially valuable to have his view of the Elgar Cello Concerto, which he recorded commercially at least three times. Here it comes in a live recording which gives an even warmer, more spontaneoussounding view of the piece in his distinctive interpretation.
Tortelier strongly believed that Elgar's markings should not be exaggerated, in particular the marking tenuto, at which many interpreters bring the music practically to a halt. In the second- movement Scherzo, for example, the drawing out of the tempo in two key places is markedly less here than in most rival readings.
Tortelier also felt that the portamento slides should be kept to a minimum in the first movement, something he was able to achieve thanks to his very large hands. Even so, there is no lack of warmth in the dedicated slow movement or the meditative epilogue, which are given their full emotional weight.
The performance of Brahms's Double Concerto has similar qualities, and is important too for demonstrating what a fine violinist Tortelier's son Yan Pascal is. The bright purity of his violin tone contrasts illuminatingly with the richness of his father's cello tone.
The performance of the Debussy Sonata dates from much earlier, a 1959 studio recording, which yet brings out the natural spontaneity with which Tortelier tackled this improvisational work with its many stops and starts.
Recording quality is generally good, though in the Elgar the audience is irritatingly bronchial at times.” Gramophone Classical Music Guide, 2010 “…a fine portrait of the great French cellist Paul Tortelier at the height of his career…[His]personality is stamped on every bar of these live performances...It is specially valuable to have his view of the Elgar Cello Concerto…in a live recording which gives an even warmer, more spontaneous-sounding view of the piece in his distinctive interpretation.” Gramophone Magazine, September 2008 | | | (also available to download from $10.50) | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
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| |  | Anne Sofie von Otter - In My Element
| | I let the music speak No Wonder (arr. by Elvis Costello and Ensemble) I Want to Vanish (arr. by Elvis Costello and Ensemble) | Bizet: | L'amour est un oiseau rebelle 'Habanera' (from Carmen) Les tringles des sistres tintaient (from Carmen) | Brahms: | He, Zigeuner, greife in die Saiten ein! (No. 1 from Zigeunerlieder, Op.103) Brauner Bursche führt zum Tanze (No. 5 from Zigeunerlieder, Op.103) | Chaminade: | Ah! si l'amour prenait Mignonne, à l'amour j'ai lié | Dowland: | In darkness let me dwell | Grieg: | Haugtussa, Op. 67 No. 8 'Ved Gjætle-Bekken' | Haas, P: | Seven Songs in a Folk Style, Op. 18 (unreleased) | Handel: | Qui d'amor (from Ariodante) Hercules: The world, when day's career is run Hercules: When beauty sorrow's liv'ry wears | Mahler: | Rheinlegendchen (Des Knaben Wunderhorn) Oft denk' ich, sie sind nur ausgegangen (Kindertotenlieder) | Monteverdi: | Adagiati, Poppea - Oblivion soave (L'incoronazione di Poppea) Disprezzata regina (L'incoronazione di Poppea) Addio Roma! (from L'incoronazione di Poppea) | Mozart: | Parto, parto, ma tu ben mio (from La Clemenza di Tito) Oh Dei, che smania è questa (La Clemenza di Tito) Ah, qual gelido orror...Il padre adorato (from Idomeneo) No, la morte io non pavento (from Idomeneo) Non so più cosa son, cosa faccio (from Le nozze di Figaro) Voi che sapete (from Le nozze di Figaro) | Offenbach: | Barcarolle (from Les Contes d'Hoffmann ) Portez armes...Vous aimez le danger…Ah! que j’aime les militaires! (from La grande-duchesse de Gérolstein) | Purcell: | When I am laid in earth (from Dido and Aeneas) | Schubert: | Im Abendrot, D799 Erlkönig, D328 | Schumann: | Süsser Freund, du blickest mich verwundert an (No. 6 from Frauenliebe und Leben, Op. 42) Die Meerfee Op. 125 No. 1 | Strauss, R: | Sein wir wieder gut (from Ariadne auf Naxos) | Weill, K: | Buddy on the Nightshift My ship Surabaya Johnny (from Happy End) |
“Smart, sophisticated and opinionated, Anne Sofie von Otter has become a star by doing exactly what she wants” Opera News | | | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
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| |  | Karajan / Mutter - Complete DG Recordings
Beethoven: | Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 61 Triple Concerto for Piano, Violin, and Cello in C major, Op. 56 | Brahms: | Double Concerto for Violin & Cello in A minor, Op. 102 Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 77 | Bruch: | Violin Concerto No. 1 in G minor, Op. 26 | Mendelssohn: | Violin Concerto in E minor, Op. 64 | Mozart: | Violin Concerto No. 3 in G major, K216 Violin Concerto No. 5 in A major, K219 'Turkish' | Tchaikovsky: | Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 35 |
From 1976, when Herbert von Karajan - the most famous conductor in the world - met the prodigiously gifted 13-year-old Anne-Sophie Mutter until his death 13 years later, she was the only violinist to appear with him in concert and on disc. These discs contain all the concertos they recorded together for Deutsche Grammophon during that period. | | | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
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“Herreweghe's innate sense of Brahms's musical lines is evident everywhere as he sculpts this works. Herreweghe's combined choirs respond magnificently to his direction” Stereophile (USA) | | | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
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| |  | Brahms - Piano Concerto No.1
“Both conductor and soloist take a lyrical approach to this Concerto. Paavo Järvi's tapering of the opening melodic gesture modifies its usually brusque, implacable drama, and Nicholas Angelich's expansive ruminations in the second theme, although expressive and dignified, borders on the languid.” BBC Music Magazine, May 2008 **** “A delight to encounter precise, hand-in-glove ensemble-playing that manages not to sound pre-planned. ” Gramophone Magazine, June 2008 “Angelich's solo Brahms scarcely prepared us for the conviction and rapt intensity in this showpiece. With French pianist Frank Braley, Angelich also brings infectious zest to nine of the 21 Hungarian Dances for four hands, including the celebrated No 5 in F sharp minor.” The Observer, 13th April 2008 “Throughout a work once dubbed "a symphony with piano obbligato", the Frankfurt orchestra play superbly for Paavo Järvi, the strings burnished and deep-toned, the woodwind gracious agents of tenderness and consolation.
Though Nicholas Angelich commands ample Brahmsian heft, his playing tends to emphasise the music's lyrical pathos, rather than its turbulent heroism. Momentum can suffer in the first movement, especially in Angelich's ultra-dreamy treatment of the assuaging chorale-like theme. But he distils a mystical inwardness in the adagio - a wordless requiem for Schumann - and balances muscular stoicism with luminous delicacy, even a touch of playfulness, in the finale.” The Telegraph, 10th May 2008 (on Piano Concerto No. 1 in D minor) | | | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
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| |  | Piano Quintets
“A variable success. Whilst the Alban Berg Quartet perform with beauty of tone an incisive ensemble, Leonskaja lacks real charm in the Schubert and her Brahms fails to deliver.” BBC Music Magazine, July 2008 *** | | | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
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| |  | The Art of Christa LudwigChrista Ludwig 80th Birthday Tribute
Bach, J S: | St John Passion, BWV245: Es ist vollbracht Recorded: 1961, Berlin-Grünewald, Grünewaldkirche Berliner Symphoniker, Karl Forster St Matthew Passion, BWV244: Erbarme dich Recorded: 3-4 January, 14-15 April, 10-12 May, 21, 25-26 November, 28 December 1961, Kingsway Hall, London Philharmonia Orchestra, Otto Klemperer | Bellini: | Sgombra è la sacra selva from Norma Recorded: 5-12 September 1960, Teatro all Scala, Milan Orchestra del Teatro alla Scala di Milano, Tullio Serafin | Bizet: | L'amour est un oiseau rebelle 'Habanera' (from Carmen) sung in German Berliner Symphoniker, Horst Stein | Brahms: | Sapphische Ode, Op. 94 No. 4 Recorded: 11, 13, 14, 17 & 20 November, 1957, Abbey Road Studios, London Gerald Moore (piano) Liebestreu, Op. 3 No. 1 Recorded: 11, 13, 14, 17 & 20 November, 1957, Abbey Road Studios, London Gerald Moore (piano) Der Schmied Op. 19/4 Recorded: 11, 13, 14, 17 & 20 November, 1957, Abbey Road Studios, London Gerald Moore (piano) Die Mainacht, Op. 43 No. 2 Recorded: 11, 13, 14, 17 & 20 November, 1957, Abbey Road Studios, London Gerald Moore (piano) Dein blaues Auge, (No. 8 from Acht Lieder und Gesänge, Op. 59) Recorded: 31 March – 3 April 1969, Abbey Road Studios, London Geoffrey Parsons (piano) Von ewiger Liebe, Op. 43 No. 1 Recorded: 31 March – 3 April 1969, Abbey Road Studios, London Geoffrey Parsons (piano) Das Mädchen spricht, Op. 107 No. 3 Recorded: 31 March – 3 April 1969, Abbey Road Studios, London Geoffrey Parsons (piano) Heimweh, Op. 63 No. 8 Recorded: 31 March – 3 April 1969, Abbey Road Studios, London Geoffrey Parsons (piano) Wie Melodien zieht es mir, Op. 105 No. 1 Recorded: 31 March – 3 April 1969, Abbey Road Studios, London Geoffrey Parsons (piano) Mädchenlied, Op. 107 No. 5 Recorded: 31 March – 3 April 1969, Abbey Road Studios, London Geoffrey Parsons (piano) Vergebliches Ständchen, Op. 84 No. 4 Recorded: 31 March – 3 April 1969, Abbey Road Studios, London Geoffrey Parsons (piano) Der Tod, das ist die kühle Nacht, Op. 96 No. 1 Recorded: 31 March – 3 April 1969, Abbey Road Studios, London Geoffrey Parsons (piano) Auf dem See (No. 2 from Acht Lieder und Gesänge, Op. 59) Recorded: 31 March – 3 April 1969, Abbey Road Studios, London Geoffrey Parsons (piano) Feldeinsamkeit, Op. 86 No. 2 Recorded: 31 March – 3 April 1969, Abbey Road Studios, London Geoffrey Parsons (piano) In stiller Nacht (No. 42 from Deutsche Volkslieder, WoO 33) Recorded: 31 March – 3 April 1969, Abbey Road Studios, London Geoffrey Parsons (piano) Schwesterlein, WoO posth. 37 No. 1 Recorded: 31 March – 3 April 1969, Abbey Road Studios, London Geoffrey Parsons (piano) Immer leiser wird mein Schlummer, Op. 105 No. 2 Recorded: 31 March – 3 April 1969, Abbey Road Studios, London Geoffrey Parsons (piano) Ständchen, Op. 106 No. 1 Recorded: 31 March – 3 April 1969, Abbey Road Studios, London Geoffrey Parsons (piano) Two songs for contralto with viola obbligato, Op. 91 Recorded: November 1965 & March 1966, Abbey Road Studios, London Geoffrey Parsons (piano) & Herbert Downes (viola) Alto Rhapsody, Op. 53 Recorded: March 1962, Kingsway Hall, London Philharmonia Chorus & Orchestra, Otto Klemperer | Handel: | Es blaut die Nacht (Julius Caesar) Recorded: 19 March, 1962, Berlin-Grünewald, Grünewaldkirche Berliner Symphoniker, Horst Stein | Mahler: | Der Abschied (Das Lied von der Erde) Recorded: 19-22 February, 1964, Kingsway Hall, London & 7-8 November 1966, Abbey Road Studos, London Philharmonia Orchestra & New Philharmonia Orchestra, Otto Klemperer Ich ging mit Lust (Lieder und Gesänge aus der Jugendzeit) Hans und Grete (Lieder und Gesänge aus der Jugendzeit) Frühlingsmorgen (Lieder und Gesänge aus der Jugendzeit) Wo die schönen Trompeten blasen (Des Knaben Wunderhorn) Der Schildwache Nachtlied (Des Knaben Wunderhorn) Um schlimme Kinder artig zu machen (Lieder und Gesänge aus der Jugendzeit) Ich atmet' einen linden Duft (Rückert-Lieder) Liebst Du um Schönheit (Rückert-Lieder) Um Mitternacht (Rückert-Lieder) Das irdische Leben (Des Knaben Wunderhorn) Wer hat dies' Liedlein Erdacht? (Des Knaben Wunderhorn) Lob des hohen Verstandes (Des Knaben Wunderhorn) Ich bin der Welt abhanden gekommen (Rückert-Lieder) Rheinlegendchen (Des Knaben Wunderhorn) Des Antonius von Padua Fischpredigt (Des Knaben Wunderhorn) Recorded: 3-5 May, 1957, Abbey Road Studios, London Gerald Moore (piano) | Mozart: | In quali eccessi ... Mi tradì quell'alma ingrate (from Don Giovanni) Recorded: June/July 1966, Abbey Road Studios, London New Philharmonia Orchestra, Otto Klemperer E amore un ladroncello (from Così fan tutte) Recorded: September 1962, Kingsway Hall,, London Philharmonia Orchestra, Karl Böhm | Rachmaninov: | Sing not, O lovely one (Ne poi, krasavitsa, pri mne), Op. 4 No. 4 Recorded: November 1965 & March 1966, Abbey Road Studios, London Geoffrey Parsons (piano) Oh, my field, Op. 4 No. 5 Recorded: November 1965 & March 1966, Abbey Road Studios, London Geoffrey Parsons (piano) | Ravel: | Trois chansons madécasses Recorded: November 1965 & March 1966, Abbey Road Studios, London Geoffrey Parsons (piano) | Reger: | Der Brief, Op. 76, No. 8 Recorded: 29 November & 1 December, 1965, Bürgerbräu, Munich Gerald Moore (piano) Volkslied aus Franken – Waldeinsamkeit, Op. 76, No. 3 Recorded: 29 November & 1 December, 1965, Bürgerbräu, Munich Gerald Moore (piano) | Rossini: | La regata veneziana Recorded: 29 November & 1 December, 1965, Munich Bürgerbräu Gerald Moore (piano) | Saint-Saëns: | Une flûte invisible Recorded: November 1965 & March 1966, Abbey Road Studios, London Geoffrey Parsons (piano) | Schubert: | Die Allmacht, D852 Recorded: 11, 13, 14, 17 & 20 November, 1957, Abbey Road Studios, London Gerald Moore (piano) Fischerweise, D881 (Schlechta) Recorded: 11, 13, 14, 17 & 20 November, 1957, Abbey Road Studios, London Gerald Moore (piano) An die Musik D547 Recorded: 28-30 November, 1961, Abbey Road Studios, London Geoffrey Parsons (piano) Der Musensohn, D764 (Goethe) Recorded: 28-30 November, 1961, Abbey Road Studios, London Geoffrey Parsons (piano) Ganymed, D544 (Goethe) Recorded: 28-30 November, 1961, Abbey Road Studios, London Geoffrey Parsons (piano) Auf dem Wasser zu singen, D774 Recorded: 28-30 November, 1961, Abbey Road Studios, London Geoffrey Parsons (piano) Ave Maria, D839 Recorded: 28-30 November, 1961, Abbey Road Studios, London Geoffrey Parsons (piano) Die Forelle, D550 Recorded: 28-30 November, 1961, Abbey Road Studios, London Geoffrey Parsons (piano) Gretchen am Spinnrade, D118 Recorded: 28-30 November, 1961, Abbey Road Studios, London Geoffrey Parsons (piano) Frühlingsglaube, D686 Recorded: 28-30 November, 1961, Abbey Road Studios, London Geoffrey Parsons (piano) Der Tod und das Mädchen, D531 Recorded: 28-30 November, 1961, Abbey Road Studios, London Geoffrey Parsons (piano) Lachen und Weinen, D777 Recorded: 28-30 November, 1961, Abbey Road Studios, London Geoffrey Parsons (piano) Litanei auf das Fest Allerseelen, D343 Recorded: 28-30 November, 1961, Abbey Road Studios, London Geoffrey Parsons (piano) Erlkönig, D328 Recorded: 28-30 November, 1961, Abbey Road Studios, London Geoffrey Parsons (piano) Der Hirt auf dem Felsen, D965 (Von Chezy / Muller) Recorded: 8 November, 1965, Abbey Road Studios, London Geoffrey Parsons (piano) | Schumann: | Frauenliebe und -leben, Op. 42 Recorded: 3, 4, 6 May & 25 June, 1959, Abbey Road Studios, London Gerald Moore (piano) | Strauss, R: | Die Nacht, Op. 10 No. 3 Recorded: 11, 13, 14, 17 & 20 November, 1957, Abbey Road Studios, London Gerald Moore (piano) Allerseelen, Op. 10 No. 8 Recorded: 11, 13, 14, 17 & 20 November, 1957, Abbey Road Studios, London Gerald Moore (piano) Schlechtes Wetter, Op. 69 No. 5 Recorded: 29 November & 1 December, 1965, Bürgerbräu, Munich Gerald Moore (piano) Der Rosenkavalier, Act 3 – conclusion Recorded: 10-15 & 17-22 December 1956, Kingsway Hall,, London Teresa Stich-Randall, Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, Eberhard Wächter Philharmonia Orchestra, Herbert von Karajan | Verdi: | Quid sum miser (from Requiem) Recorded: 16-21, 23-27 September 1963 & 7 April 1964, Kingsway Hall, London Philharmonia Chorus & Orchestra, Carlo Maria Giulini Liber scriptus (from Requiem) Recordare (from Requiem) | Wagner: | Wesendonck-Lieder (5) orch. Mottl Philharmonia Orchestra, Otto Klemperer Mild und leise 'Isolde's Liebestod' (from Tristan und Isolde) Recorded: 21-23 March 1962, Kingsway Hall, London Philharmonia Orchestra, Otto Klemperer | Wolf, H: | Gesang Weylas (No. 46 from Mörike-Lieder) Recorded: 11, 13, 14, 17 & 20 November, 1957, Abbey Road Studios, London Gerald Moore (piano) Auf einer Wanderung (No. 15 from Mörike-Lieder) Recorded: 11, 13, 14, 17 & 20 November, 1957, Abbey Road Studios, London Gerald Moore (piano) |
“Her voice took naturally to the microphone, so this four-disc set is another source of infinite musical pleasure to be snapped up quickly before it disappears.” Penguin Guide, 2011 edition | | | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
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“The chorus standing in (literally) serried ranks, singing from memory; rich, turbo-charged orchestral playing… it all seems more Cecil B de Mille than Brahms.” BBC Music Magazine, July 2008 *** “Gundula Janowitz sings gloriously, matched by Jose van Dam's full tone and sense of drama...a performance of both fervour and fully revealed detail.” Penguin Guide, 2011 edition | | | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
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| |  | Günter Wand conducts the Munchner Philharmoniker
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Penguin Guide