Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Mozart and Beethoven were the same age when they wrote the pieces assembled here. The tempestuous enthusiasm of their 27 years of age clearly shines in this music. Indeed, their youth and vitality sparkle, but so does also the incandescent youth of the pianoforte, which had finally reached its full potential. To this we may add a youthfulness of style and aesthetics, continuously inventing and reinventing themselves, searching new codes and opposing recent fashionable trends.

The first half of the XVIIIth century, which had promoted the violin to the rank of royal ambassador of its instrumental music, imposed for a long time everywhere in Europe and particularly with French and Italian composers-violinists, the corellian model of the sonata for violin solo and basso continuo. The second half of the century will crown the pianoforte, imposing its rule after its irrepressible dominance over the harpsichord in the 1780ies and offering a new expressive palette to chamber music as well as to the piano sonata.

A new facet of a violinist crosses the discovery of a new talent at the keyboard; a disc not to be missed!...

This year, the Netherlands Wind Ensemble celebrates its 50th birthday. The ensemble had already reached world-wide recognition when this recording was made in 1972/3. This is a Remastered Quadro Recording and is of two popular operas arranged for wind ensemble.

ABC presents a period-instrument performance with a stellar line-up of Australian soloists; Sara Macliver, Paul McMahon, Teddy Tahu Rhodes and Sally-Anne Russell. The conductor Antony Walker is Pittsburgh Opera's Musical Director and Principal Conductor and makes his Metropolitan Opera debut this year.

The bonus recital in this collection was recorded in Berlin in 1956.

Lawrence Zazzo is regarded as the most versatile operatic countertenor of his generation. Here he explores the intimacy of the lute song in a remarkable programme focusing on madness and midnight. He performs works by Dowland and Purcell as well as exploring the contemporary repertoire for countertenor.

Ivan Moravec, now in his 80s and still active, is one of the most highly regarded members of the pianistic elite. His insightful and purely musical way of playing, free of vulgar tricks, is a landmark of style and good taste; his Mozart playing, never exaggerated, is full of sparkle and wit. The Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields conducted by Sir Neville Marriner are completely on the same musical wavelength, a strong unity of concept and vision.

1990s recordings.

A disc of popular Mozart piano sonatas brought to live by Warren Mailey-Smith. Already a recipient of glowing reviews – ‘stunning’ CFM, ‘rising star’ BBC Music Magazine. In May of this year he will make his much anticipated debut with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in a performance of Beethoven’s Emperor Piano Concerto.