Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

The nine large-scale Concert Arias for Baritone and Orchestra by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart date for the most part from the composer’s last creative period.

Irmgard Seefried (1919-1988) made her debut in 1939 (or 1940) at the Aachen Stadttheater as Priestess in Aida. She was engaged for that opera house by Herbert von Karajan. She appeared at the Covent Garden Opera in London from 1947 to 1949, and also in Milan (La Scala), Salzburg and Edinburgh. She made her Metropolitan Opera in New York debut in November 1953 as Susanna (Le Nozze di Figaro). This CD portrait is exclusively comprised of examples from her best years, beginning with her very first recording, Handel’s Psalm 112, made in 1943, and ending with the Lieder for sopranofrom Hugo Wolf’s Italian Liederbuch, recorded by Deutsche Grammophon in 1954.

These American Columbia recordings have been mastered from the original metals and lacquers and offer some amazing sound quality for recordings from the 1940s. The contrast between Toscanini and Barbirolli was symbolic of the contrast between two generations of conductors and the altering role of conductors. Toscanini was the supreme autocrat of the old school, ruling by terror, insult, tantrums and his own daemonic drive. Barbirolli, over thirty years younger, was the benevolent autocrat, more democratic, ruling through comradeship with his players, inviting them and the audience to share his own delight in music. The contrast in their philosophy was reflected in their interpretations: Toscanini inspired awe for the music he conducted; Barbirolli inspired love and affection.

It is overlooked that Barbirolli not only succeeded Toscanini in New York because for seven years he conducted almost alongside him, the one in Carnegie Hall, the other in the NBC studio. Of course, Barbirolli was not then the great conductor he was to become, for most conductors improve with age, but recordings (commercial and off-air) show that he was very good and that the orchestra had a rich and sensitive sound. (He himself confessed in his last years that he ‘sometimes smiled’ at the recollection of his younger interpretations; he constantly re-studied even the most familiar symphonies.)

Volume 2 (in a series of 4) features the famous recording of Mozart's Piano Concerto No.27 with Robert Casadesus and a previously unpublished recording of the Clarinet Concerto with Benny Goodman.

Rodolfus Choir, made up of singers aged from 16 to 25 who have been chosen from past and present members of Eton College's summer choral courses for prospective choral scholars. It follows the release in May of a new recording of choral works by Herbert Howells (SIGCD190), which was enthusiastically received and praised by listeners and reviewers.

CD1: 12 Anthems by Francis Grier

12 original compositions by Francis Grier, set to sacred words and texts. Grier has written much for the Anglican choral tradition, having pieces commissioned and performed from Westminster Abbey, King's College, Cambridge, as well as Durham, Edinburgh, Salisbury and Winchester Cathedrals.

CD2: Thomas Tallis: Latin & English Motets and Anthems

Latin and English motets and anthems by the accomplished 16th Century polyphonist. Few, if any, composers of the era can boast such a variety of musical styles and genres as Thomas Tallis. His diverse yet strikingly individual voice was a product of an outstanding musical imagination combined with the extraordinary historical context in which he lived. His working life spanned the reign of four monarchs, each preferring a drastically different flavour of Christian worship from his or her predecessor.

CD3: By Special Arrangement

A dazzling selection of arrangements of instrumental and orchestral music, performed by the Rodolfus Choir, by Mahler, Tchaikovsky, Chopin , Schubert and Widor

To accompany his performance at the Edinburgh Festival, this complete recording with Zacharias promises to occupy one of the top ranks on internationals lists. He is able to perfectly and seamlessly transfer his inimitable touch and sound culture to the orchestra.

The great British soprano Rita Hunter will always be remembered as a great Wagnerian soprano, having sung Brünhilde at the Metropolitan Opera in New York, ENO and the Australian Opera. This CD of Arias stands as a fitting memorial to her.

In this collection of highlights of religious choral music, the Wiltener Boys Choir under their director Johannes Stecher bring their special sound to works ranging from Gregorian Chant to the present day. The CD includes extracts from Mozart’s Laudate Dominum and Mendelssohn’s Elijah, as well as Franck’s Panis Angelicus and Lloyd Webber’s Pie Jesu.

This recording was made in 1951