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Presto News - 12th May 2008The Guarneri Piano Trio and the label Praga |
 As some of you will know, in addition to our website, we also have a 'real' shop in Leamington Spa where we sell a large selection of classical CDs and DVDs, as well as sheet music and instruments. One of the big advantages of having a real shop (apart from the stock of over 10,000+ CDs which we can draw on for immediate despatch), is that we can get involved in local events which we genuinely believe in. Last weekend we were principal sponsor of the Leamington Czech Music Weekend - a five day festival featuring some of the finest music and musicians from that part of the world. There were some fantastic performances - particularly from the Skampa and Martinu Quartets - the latter of which have done so much to champion the composer's work over recent years. The highlight for me however has to be the Guarneri Piano Trio who played the Smetana Piano Trio along with the Dvorak ‘Dumky’ Trio on Tuesday night.  Founded in 1986 they are one of the most renowned piano trios in the world, and their astonishing rapport, combined with their impeccable playing, produced one of the most memorable evenings I have had for a long time. Luckily they also have a large catalogue of recordings, mainly on the Praga label, so I’ve been busy this week arranging a promotion on the label so you can all enjoy theirs' and some of the other fabulous chamber music recordings to come out of the Czech Republic in recent years. I’ve also enjoyed finding out about the label Praga, which, despite what you would expect, is actually a French label. It was founded in 1991 by the musicologist and sound engineer Pierre-Émile Barbier, whose aim was to support Czech musicians following the arrival of western democracy in 1989, at which time the Supraphon label had lost its monopoly and stopped making recordings for a while. It is with much appreciation that Mr Barbier did what he did as without him we would surely be deprived of some of the great chamber music recordings in the catalogue. Enjoy the rich pickings on offer - and in particular the Guarneri Piano Trio who surely have to be one of the (if not the) finest piano trios currently on the planet.
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Chris O'Reilly - chris@prestoclassical.co.uk |
New Releases12th May 2008 |
This is just the pick of the recent releases. The New Releases and Future Releases pages are always available for browsing all the new and forthcoming releases. |
 Puccini: La BohèmeAnna Netrebko, Rolando Villazón, Nicole Cabell, Mariusz Kwiecien, Boaz Daniel, Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks, Bertrand de BillyA sparkling recording of Puccini’s La Bohème, recorded live at the Gasteig in Munich, under studio-like conditions. In three concert performances in April 2007, Anna Netrebko, Rolando Villazón, Nicole Cabell, Boaz Daniel and conductor Bertrand de Billy generated a special chemistry. This is a cast with youth on its side, so there is real credibility to Puccini’s story of bohemians in Paris. Emotion, spontaneity, intensity: Puccini’s beloved opera demands them all. |
 Beethoven - The Piano Sonatas (Volume 6)András Schiff (piano)Volume VI of András Schiff’s much acclaimed live Beethoven cycle in chronological order offers five masterworks from the so-called “middle period” ie the first decade of the 19th century, when among other groundbreaking compositions, the “Eroica” Symphony was written. The CD features two of his most popular sonatas, those named ‘Appassionata’ (No 23 in F minor) and ‘Les Adieux’ (No 26 in E flat) as well as the neglected Op 54 Sonata, and Opp. 78 and 79. Like all Schiff’s Beethoven recitals, some sonatas were played on a Bösendorfer, others on a Steinway. |
 Danielle de Niese - Handel AriasThe debut solo recording from Danielle de Niese, who became a star overnight after her stunning 'all singing, all dancing' performance as Cleopatra in Handel's Giulio Cesare at Glyndebourne in 2005. Danielle signs a selection of Handel arias from both famous and lesser-known works which showcase perfectly her extraordinary dramatic range and vocal abilities. |
 English Renaissance MusicThe Hilliard EnsembleAfter the enormous success last year of their recording of Bach Motets, the Hilliard Ensemble turn their attention to music of the English Renaissance and specifically, works by three 16th century composers, Tallis, Tye and Sheppard. While Christopher Tye might be branded one of the lesser-known figures of the English Renaissance and John Sheppard perhaps the more esoteric, Thomas Tallis stands as the most important and accomplished musician of the Tudor period. All three, however, were masters of polyphony, associated with the Chapel Royal. |
 Onslow - Nonet & Grand SeptuorStefan Irmer (piano), Consortium ClassicumMDG’s chamber music series featuring the compositions of George Onslow (1784-1853) now focuses on his works for large ensemble. On this CD the Consortium Classicum presents two of the very last works of this wonderful but sadly neglected composer, the Nonet Op. 77 and the Grand Septuor Op. 79. Clarinetist Dieter Klöcker, leads the ensemble Consortium Classicum and pianist Stefan Irmer in flawless performances. |
 Three New Lyritas ReleasesThe complete Piano Music of John Ireland, Nicholas Maw's Sinfonia and an Elgar disc with Andrew Davis continue Lyritas excellent run of releases. |
 10 more Das Alte Werk re-issuesSuch a quality vast catalogue is producing some great bargain re-issues. This month includes more from Nikolaus Harnoncourt and also a disc of Baroque Music for Cello from one of my favourite cellists of all time - Anner Bylsma. |
 Accent Plus - 7 New re-issuesAnother 7 bargain priced re-issues from the Belgian label AccentWhen the artists include the likes of Jos van Immerseel, Sigiswald Kuijken and Konrad Junghänel you know that these really are bargains! |
 BBC Radio 3 CD ReviewSaturday 10th May 2008 |
Building a Library - Tippett: Concerto for double string orchestra |
 First Choice(single disc)Academy of St Martin in the Fields, Sir Neville Marriner |
 First Choice(as part of a budget priced 6 CD set)Academy of St Martin in the Fields, Sir Neville Marriner |
Disc of the Week |
 Mozart: Don Giovanni, K527(DVD)Johannes Weisser (Don Giovanni), Marcos Fink (Leporello), Alexandrina Pendatchanska (Donna Elvira), Werner Güra (Don Ottavio), Malin Byström (Donna Anna), Sunhae Im (Zerlina), Nikolai Borchev (Masetto) & Alessandro Guerzoni (Commendatore) Freiburger Barockorchester & Innsbruck Festival Chorus, René Jacobs (musical direction) |
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