Prices shown exclude VAT. (UK tax is not payable for deliveries to United States.) See Terms & Conditions for p&p rates. | |  | Asian Music for String Quartet
This programme brings together aesthetic and musical elements of East and West. Zhou Long captures the essence of the Chinese plucked ch’in, and Cambodian aesthetics are preserved in Chinary Ung’s expressive Spiral III. Tan Dun’s Eight Colors combines the exotic timbres of Peking Opera with Second Viennese School tonalities. Gao Ping’s Bright Light and Cloud Shadows has been admired for its ‘long-breathed brush strokes’ (Washington Post). Taking its inspiration from James Joyce’s Finnegans Wake, Toru Takemitsu’s beautifully crafted A Way a Lone evokes a shimmering sound world. | | | (also available to download from $6.00) | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
|
|
| |  | Flute and Cello in Dialogue
Atsuku Koga (fute) & Ithay Khen (cello) | | | (also available to download from $10.50) | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
|
|
| |  | Alison Balsom: Seraph
Alison Balsom is the world’s preeminent female classical trumpeter. She is an unique and independent artist who have broken through to the mainstream whilst retaining her integrity and core musical values. Exceptional talent, a glamorous stage presence and a witty and engaging personality make Alison one of the most exciting and bankable artists in the core classical world today. Alison’s new recording of modern and contemporary repertoire marks an important artistic stepping stone in her career. This labour of love features the world premiere recording of Seraph, James MacMillan’s trumpet concerto written for Alison, works by Takemitsu and Zimmermann and includes her long-awaited recording of the ever popular Arutunian Trumpet Concerto. “what really makes this performer so magnetic and distinctive is the quality of the notes that tumble so effortlessly from whatever trumpet she holds in her hands, and whatever music she plays....[Zimmermann's] stylistically eclectic, passionate plea for racial harmony makes an immediate impact, especially when jazz kicks in and the music excitingly hurtles forward two thirds of the way through.” The Times, 6th January 2012 “the highlight is James MacMillan's "Seraph", with the assertive opening brio giving way to a more reflective Adagio dialogue between trumpet and violin, before emerging refreshed for the animated closing movement.” The Independent, 6th January 2012 *** “[Macmillan's concerto] deftly combines trumpet and strings in music that ranges from the incisiveness of its first movement, via the 'seraphic' plaintiveness of its lightly textured Adagio to the robust interplay of the finale. Balsom takes its not inconsiderable demands in her stride, with the Scottish Ensemble unstinting in its support.” Gramophone Magazine, February 2012 “[Balsom] plays [the Macmillan] radiantly with the Scottish Ensemble. Concertos by Alexander Arutiunian and Bernd Alois Zimmermann, played with the BBC SSO, highlight Balsom’s technical and interpretative aplomb.” The Telegraph, 18th January 2012 **** “'Seraph' is concise and communicative, and, as expected from Macmillan, approachable. Balsom gets its (one hopes) long career off to a strong start...[in the Zimmermann] Balsom is in her element. She advocates for this music with passion and dignity, and the strength of her technique allows her to focus on communicating the work's emotional content...this disc speaks well of her continuing maturation as an artist.” International Record Review, January 2012 “Seraph may not quite be another Veni, Veni Emmanuel...But it's still very enjoyable, from the Haydn-tinged jollity of the first movement, through a mysterious and lyrical slow movement to the rousing finale...Balsom is a superb advocate, combining technical brilliance with penetrating musicianship - a true poet of the trumpet as well as a formidable athlete.” BBC Music Magazine, March 2012 ***** “Balsom’s glorious sound makes you forgive any musical shortcomings [in the Arutunian]...Less pretentious and more musically satisfying than one has any right to expect, [the Zimmermann] is possibly a masterpiece...there’s something calmly uplifting about good brass playing. And this disc, well, uplifts.” The Arts Desk, 24th March 2012 | | | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
|
|
| |  | Berliner Philharmoniker: Yutaka SadoRecorded live from the Philharmonie, Berlin, May, 20th 2011
This production is a Charity Concert for the victims of the Earthquake and Tsunami Disaster from March 11th 2011. The profit generated will be donated to a special section of the Japanese Red Cross Society (JRCS), which was especially founded for earthquake victims: “Japan: Earthquake and Tsunami”, and will therefore be distributed directly among the population affected. Immediate help for the Japanese people in need is thus guaranteed. With this concert Yutaka Sado makes his Philharmonic debut and will be the first Japanese to conduct the renowned orchestra since Seiji Ozawa several years ago. Critics have unanimously hailed Yutaka Sado as one of the most enthralling and charismatic conductors of the new generation. The long-time assistant of Leonard Bernstein and Seiji Ozawa was awarded the most important conductor’s prizes, e.g. the Premier Grand Prix at the 39th International Conducting Competition and the Grand Prix du Concours International L. Bernstein Jerusalem. Picture format: 1080i Full HD 16:9 Sounds formats: PCM 2.0, DTS-HD Master Audio Surround Region code: All (worldwide) Subtitles: English Booklet notes: English, German, French Running time: 107 mins (91 mins concert + 16 mins bonus) “I like Takemitsu best when there's rigorous tension put between his soft-focus, stylised figurations...Here the balance is perfect...After Takemitsu, Shostakovich's urgent 'listen to this' message, each harmonic sidestep loaded with interference, is a shock. I like the dynamic detail Sado lavishes on the first movement...And another sound reason to buy this DVD: all proceeds will be donated to the Japanese Red Cross to help victims of the 2011 tsunami.” Gramophone Magazine, March 2012 “[Sado] digs unostentatiously deep in both the fluid and monumental aspects of this concert, given to raise funds for the Japanese earthquake and tsunami disaster. Much in the two chosen works is both complementary and appropriate...A short interview with Sado tells us little; but what he achieves in performance is unquestionably beyond words.” BBC Music Magazine, March 2012 “a performance of alluring poise. Some may find the seamless tonal blend and peerless technical accomplishment over-manicured (even counter-productive) bearing in mind the music's historical context, but taken on its own terms one can hardly help but be galvanized by its supreme expertise.” International Record Review, June 2012 | | | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
|
|
| |  | Soundscapes IIGuitar Music by Brouwer, Takemitsu & Brindle
| | | (also available to download from $10.50) | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
|
|
| |  | Seiji Ozawa: Anniversary
Bach, J S: | Toccata & Fugue in D minor, BWV565 transcription: Leopold Stokowski Boston Symphony Orchestra Musical Offering, BWV1079: Ricercar a 6 transcription: Anton Webern Boston Symphony Orchestra Partita for solo violin No. 2 in D minor, BWV1004: Chaconne transcription: Hideo Saito Boston Symphony Orchestra Canonic Variations on the Christmas Hymn 'Vom Himmel hoch, da komm ich her', BWV769 arr. Igor Stravinsky Boston Symphony Orchestra Prelude & Fugue in E flat major, BWV552 'St Anne' transcription: Arnold Schoenberg Boston Symphony Orchestra | Bartók: | Music for Strings, Percussion & Celesta, BB 114, Sz. 106 Saito Kinen Orchestra Concerto for Orchestra, BB 123, Sz.116 Saito Kinen Orchestra | Berlioz: | Symphonie fantastique, Op. 14 Saito Kinen Orchestra Roméo et Juliette, Op. 17: Love Scene San Francisco Symphony | Bernstein: | West Side Story: Symphonic Dances San Francisco Symphony | Mahler: | Symphony No. 2 in C minor 'Resurrection' Kiri Te Kanawa (soprano) & Marilyn Horne (mezzo-soprano) Boston Symphony Orchestra | Poulenc: | Gloria Kathleen Battle (soprano) Boston Symphony Orchestra Concerto in G minor for Organ, Strings & Timpani Simon Preston (organ) Boston Symphony Orchestra Concert champêtre Trevor Pinnock (harpsichord) Boston Symphony Orchestra | Prokofiev: | Romeo and Juliet, Op. 64 - excerpts San Francisco Symphony | Ravel: | Pavane pour une infante défunte Saito Kinen Orchestra | Rimsky Korsakov: | Scheherazade, Op. 35 Wiener Philharmoniker Russian Easter Festival Overture, Op. 36 Wiener Philharmoniker | Strauss, R: | Fanfare für Wiener Philharmoniker, Op. 109 Wiener Philharmoniker Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64 Wiener Philharmoniker | Takemitsu: | Ceremonial, An Autumn Ode Saito Kinen Orchestra Family Tree Saito Kinen Orchestra My Way of Life Dwayne Croft (baritone) Saito Kinen Orchestra Requiem for string orchestra Saito Kinen Orchestra Air for flute Aurèle Nicolet (flute) | Tchaikovsky: | Symphony No. 5 in E minor, Op. 64 Berliner Philharmoniker 1812 Overture, Op. 49 Berliner Philharmoniker Romeo & Juliet - Fantasy Overture San Francisco Symphony | Wagner: | Der fliegende Holländer: Overture Berliner Philharmoniker Lohengrin: Prelude to Act 1 Berliner Philharmoniker Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg: Overture Berliner Philharmoniker Tannhäuser: Overture Berliner Philharmoniker Tristan und Isolde: Prelude & Liebestod Berliner Philharmoniker |
The 2nd of September 2010 marks Maestro Seiji Ozawa’s 75th birthday This new 11-CD set presents Seiji Ozawa in a wide variety of symphonic repertory with the orchestra’s with which he has been most closely associated since the early 1970s – from the San Francisco Symphony in 1972 in a programme of music centred round Romeo and Juliet, through his twenty-nine years at the Boston Symphony, to the Vienna and Berlin Philharmonics and the Saito Kinen Orchestra in Japan – a celebration of a truly international Maestro. Booklet includes an appreciation of Seiji Ozawa by recording producer Dominic Fyfe. | | | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
|
|
| |  | Landscapes - Japanese String Quartets
“A fascinating and superbly performed programme which balances the Bartókian Quartet of Yashiro with more avant-garde offerings from Takemitsu and his younger contemporaries.” BBC Music Magazine, May 2009 **** | | | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
|
|
| |  | 20th Century Masterpieces - 100 Years of Classical Music
Adams, J: | The Chairman Dances City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Simon Rattle | Adès: | Asyla City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Sir Simon Rattle | Barber, S: | Adagio for Strings, Op. 11 London Symphony Orchestra, Michael Tilson Thomas | Bartók: | Piano Concerto No. 3, BB 127, Sz. 119 Martha Argerich (piano) Orchestre Symphonique de Montreal, Charles Dutoit | Berg: | Violin Concerto 'To the Memory of an Angel' (1935) Frank Peter Zimmermann (violin) Radio-Sinfonieorchester Stuttgart, Gianluigi Gelmetti | Bernstein: | West Side Story: Symphonic Dances City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Paavo Järvi | Birtwistle: | Tragoedia Melos Ensemble, Lawrence Foster | Boulez: | Le Soleil des Eaux Josephine Nendick, Barry McDaniel & Louis Devos BBC Chorus & Symphony Orchestra, Pierre Boulez | Britten: | Sinfonia da Requiem, Op. 20 City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Simon Rattle | Copland: | Fanfare for the Common Man Orquesta Filarmónica de la Ciudad de México, Enrique Bátiz | Debussy: | La Mer Philharmonia Orchestra, Carlo Maria Giulini | Delius: | Brigg Fair Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Thomas Beecham | Dutilleux: | Cello Concerto Mstislav Rostropovich (cello) Orchestre de Paris, Serge Baudo | Elgar: | Cello Concerto in E minor, Op. 85 Jacqueline du Pré (cello) London Symphony Orchestra, Sir John Barbirolli | Falla: | Noches en los jardines de Espana Gonzalo Soriano Orchestre de la Société des Concerts du Conservatoire, Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos | Gershwin: | Rhapsody in Blue orch. Grofé London Symphony Orchestra, André Previn | Gorecki: | Symphony No. 3, Op. 36 'Symphony of Sorrowful Songs' Zofia Kilanowicz Kraków Symphony Orchestra, Jacek Kaspszyk | Henze: | Barcarola City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Simon Rattle | Hindemith: | Symphony 'Mathis der Maler' Philadelphia Orchestra, Wolfgang Sawallisch | Holst: | The Planets, Op. 32 Geoffrey Mitchell Choir & London Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Adrian Boult | Honegger: | Movement symphonique No. 1 'Pacific 231' Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra, Mariss Jansons | Janacek: | Sinfonietta Pro Arte Orchestra, Sir Charles Mackerras | Khachaturian: | Masquerade Philharmonia Orchestra, Efrem Kurtz | Landowski: | Adagio cantabile for string orchestra Ensemble Orchestral de Paris, Marcel Landowski | Lutoslawski: | Concerto for Orchestra | Mahler: | Der Abschied (Das Lied von der Erde) Christa Ludwig (soprano) Philharmonia Orchestra, Otto Klemperer | Maw, N: | Dance Scenes Philharmonia Orchestra, Daniel Harding | Messiaen: | Et Expecto Resurrectionem Mortuorum Ensemble de Percussion de l'Orchestre de Paris & Orchestre de Paris, Serge Baudo | Milhaud: | La Création du Monde, Op. 81 Orchestre National de France, Leonard Bernstein | Nielsen: | Symphony No. 5, Op. 50 (FS97) Danish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Herbert Blomstedt | Orff: | Carmina Burana Lucia Popp, Gerhard Unger, Raymond Wolansky & John Noble Wandsworth School Boys' Choir & New Philharmonia Chorus & Orchestra, Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos | Pärt: | Spiegel im Spiegel Tasmin Little & Martin Roscoe | Penderecki: | Tren (Threnody), "To the Victims of Hiroshima" Polish Radio National Symphony Orchestra, Krzysztof Penderecki | Poulenc: | Concerto in G minor for Organ, Strings & Timpani Gillian Weir City of London Sinfonia, Richard Hickox | Prokofiev: | Piano Concerto No. 1 in D flat major, Op. 10 Martha Argerich (piano) Orchestre Symphonique de Montreal, Charles Dutoit | Rachmaninov: | Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Op. 18 Leif Ove Andsnes (piano) Berliner Philharmoniker, Antonio Pappano | Ravel: | Boléro Berliner Philharmoniker, Herbert von Karajan | Respighi: | Pines of Rome London Symphony Orchestra, Lamberto Gardelli | Rodrigo: | Concierto de Aranjuez Angel Romero London Symphony Orchestra, André Previn | Schnittke: | Minuet for String Trio Gidon Kremer, Yuri Bashmet & Mstislav Rostropovich | Schoenberg: | 5 orchestral pieces, Op. 16 City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Simon Rattle | Shostakovich: | Symphony No. 5 in D minor, Op. 47 Wiener Philharmoniker, Mariss Jansons | Sibelius: | Symphony No. 5 in E flat major, Op. 82 Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, Paavo Berglund | Strauss, R: | Four Last Songs Nina Stemme Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, Antonio Pappano | Stravinsky: | The Rite of Spring London Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Charles Mackerras | Takemitsu: | Water-ways London Sinfonietta, Oliver Knussen | Tavener: | The Protecting Veil Steven Isserlis (cello) London Symphony Orchestra, Gennadi Rhozdestvensky | Tippett: | Concerto for double string orchestra Moscow Chamber Orchestra & Bath Festival Orchestra, Rudolf Barshai | Turnage: | Drowned Out City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Sir Simon Rattle | Vaughan Williams: | The Lark Ascending Sarah Chang (violin) London Philharmonic Orchestra, Bernard Haitink | Walton: | Cello Concerto Lynn Harrell (cello) City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Simon Rattle | Webern: | Six Pieces for Orchestra Op. 6 (revised version) City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Simon Rattle |
Each disc in the set takes the listener on a fascinating journey through the century, composer by composer and work by work, from Russian Romanticism, French Impressionism, English Pastoralism, Atonalism, Neo Classicism right up to Post Modernism, and from as wide a range of countries and genres as possible. | | | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
|
|
| |  |
“This is the first recording of … Tan Dun's Pipa Concerto, and it's an absolute knockout. With strong, vigorous direction from Yuri Bashmet and some wonderfully extrovert playing from both the Moscow Strings and well known pipa exponent Wu Man, Tan's overt theatricality bursts forth like a rampant Chinese dragon. Bashmet is the soloist in both Nostalghia and Elegia, and it would be difficult to find a better advocate for these works.” Gramophone Magazine, October 2008 “Tan Dun’s four-movement Pipa Concerto...is, as one might expect, eclectic, vibrant, colourful and immediate; but, as with much of his work, the piece seems more theatrical effect than substance. Wu Man plays the pipa - a Chinese-style lute - beautifully. [In Hayashi's Viola Concerto] Yuri Bashmet gives the viola solo part with his usual powerfully rich tone, and he is equally good on the violin in Takemitsu’s Nostalghia (1988), a meditative tribute to the film director Andrei Tarkovsky. The Moscow Soloists, superb throughout, also give three extracts from Takemitsu’s large canon of film music.” Sunday Times, 25th May 2008 ** | | | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
|
|
| |  |
Recorded - Decca Studio No.3, West Hampstead, London, 4 May 1973 “the performer is Roger Woodward, whose task sounds to have been most sympathetically executed.” Gramophone | | | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
|
|
| |
|