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Bach, J S: | Orchestral Suite No. 2 in B minor, BWV1067: Badinerie Sheep May Safely Graze, from Cantata BWV208 Toccata in D minor (BWV 565) Cantata BWV147 'Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben': Jesu, bleibet meine Freude Orchestral Suite No. 3 in D major, BWV1068: Gavotte I & II | Charpentier, M-A: | Te Deum, H146: Prélude | Clarke, Jeremiah: | Trumpet Voluntary 'Prince of Denmark's March' | Delibes: | Lakmé: Dôme épais (Flower Duet) | Elgar: | Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1 in D major, Op. 39 No. 1 Salut d'amour, Op. 12 Chanson de Matin, Op. 15 No. 2 | Fauré: | Cantique de Jean Racine, Op. 11 | Franck, C: | Prélude, Choral et Fugue, M21 Panis Angelicus | Gounod: | Ave Maria | Grieg: | Peer Gynt: Morning | Handel: | Messiah: Hallelujah Chorus Arrival of the Queen of Sheba (from Solomon) Water Music Suite No. 1 in F major, HWV348: Air | Massenet: | Meditation (from Thaïs) | Mendelssohn: | A Midsummer Night's Dream: Wedding March | Mozart: | Exsultate, jubilate, K165 - Alleluia Vesperae Solennes de Confessore, K339: Laudate Dominum | Pachelbel: | Canon | Rossini: | Petite Messe solennelle: Kyrie | Saint-Saëns: | Benediction Nuptiale in F major, Op. 9 Le carnaval des animaux: Aquarium Le carnaval des animaux: Le Cygne | Strauss, J, II: | An der schönen, blauen Donau, Op. 314 | Tchaikovsky: | Swan Lake: Scene (Swan Theme) | Vivaldi: | Laudamus te (We praise thee) from Gloria in D, RV589 The Four Seasons: Spring, RV269 (Allegro) | Wagner: | Bridal Chorus 'Treulich geführt' (from Lohengrin) |
Everyone attaches particular importance to the music for their wedding ceremony. It is, after all, the key ingredient essential for intensifying the emotional level of a very special day which is to be shared not only by the happy couple but also with all their guests. Choosing the music for one’s wedding is an intimate thing, a second declaration of love between bride and groom. But it is also a bid to express and convey to the young couple’s nearest and dearest, who will be present with them at the wedding, all those feelings of joy and love which cannot be expressed by a mere exchange of "I do’s" and of rings. And so, whatever your musical tastes and temperament and no matter how you choose to say "I love you" or "I do", you’ll find music to suit you on this double album: from favourite classics to rare gems of the repertoire, from music for festive occasions to more intimate, soulful and reflective melodies, this compilation brings together the most beautiful masterpieces to help you make your wedding an occasion of pure emotion and shared happiness and ensure that you never forget the most beautiful day of your life. | | | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
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| |  | Sir Neville Marriner & Academy of St Martin in the Fields
Beethoven: | Grosse Fuge in B flat major, Op. 133 arr. Marriner. Royal Albert Hall, London, 25 August 1975 | Britten: | Les illuminations, Op. 18 Royal Albert Hall, London, 12 August 1983 Anthony Rolfe-Johnson (tenor) | Handel: | Arrival of the Queen of Sheba (from Solomon) St John’s Smith Square, London, 23 & 24 May 1974 Concerto grosso, Op. 6 No. 11 in A major, HWV329 St John’s Smith Square, London, 23 & 24 May 1974 | Mendelssohn: | Symphony No. 4 in A major, Op. 90 'Italian' Royal Albert Hall, London, 12 August 1983 |
The brainchild of Neville Marriner, the Academy of St Martin in the Fields was founded in 1959, quickly becoming an example of the highest level of chamber musicianship in Britain, paving the way for the revival of Baroque performances. Described by Denis Stevens as owning ‘more sense of style than all the chamber orchestras in Europe’, the Academy made a prolific number of recordings over the years, becoming the most recorded chamber orchestra in the world. Having taken conducting lessons from Pierre Monteux, Marriner became known for his rhythmic and precise style, and was responsible for the refined string sound for which the Academy became famous. Marriner’s rendition of Mendelssohn’s ‘Italian’ Symphony is energetic and committed, yet sensitively communicated. Rolfe-Johnson’s Proms performance of Britten’s Les Illuminations took place at the height of his career. He performed at the world’s major opera chouses (the Royal Opera House, La Scala, The Met) and with major orchestras (New York Philharmonic, Boston Symphony Orchestra), recording mainly for Hyperion. This performance is utterly convincing. Beethoven’s Große Fuge is a performance of Marriner’s own arrangement for chamber orchestra. Their recording of Beethoven 3 is described in the Penguin Guide as having the impression ‘of weight and strength, coupled with a rare transparency of texture and extraordinary resilience of rhythm’. The ‘interpretive skill and musicianship’ of Marriner and the ASMF, his ‘superb ensemble’ are described in the Penguin Guide featuring Marriner’s recording of the Handel Concerti grossi on Decca. This is the first DVD release of this material. Picture format: 4:3 Running time: 86’ Subtitles: n/a Menu languages: English Booklet languages: E/F/G Region code: 0 Territory Restrictions: None “As the Academy of St Martin in the Fields continues on into its sixth decade...this collection provides a worthwhile reminder of its length of service and the range of its founder...Despite their use of modern instruments and vibrato, Academy of St Martin in the Fields's music-making here is clean and decisive, their unhurried account of the Arrivel of the Queen of Sheba spry and animated.” BBC Music Magazine, July 2012 *** | | | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
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| |  | Baroque Masterpieces
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| |  | A Handel CelebrationThe Sixteen’s sell-out Proms concert
Harry Christophers and The Sixteen have long been celebrated for their interpretations of Handel’s great masterpieces. In this BBC Prom from the Royal Albert Hall they capture some of the composer’s most ebullient moments in concert performance, from the ever popular Arrival of the Queen of Sheba to the ubiquitous sounds of Zadok the Priest. All Four Coronation Anthems feature on this DVD as well as virtuosic excerpts from the oratorio Semele sung by Carolyn Sampson, and the Organ Concerto in F major performed by Alastair Ross in its original version which finishes with a rousing ‘Alleluia’ chorus. Bonus features include two works not shown in the BBC Two broadcast - Coronation Anthem My heart is inditing and Salve Regina. Bonus Features include: Exclusive Interview with Harry Christophers. Bonus Tracks: Coronation Anthem My heart is inditing Salve Regina (Carolyn Sampson soprano) Artist Biographies and Images “Harry Christophers's crack team pulls out all the stops...if the pomp and regal circumstance undoubtedly impress, Christophers's tender shaping of the sighing phrase, his expressive dynamic palate, combined with an ear for orcehstral detail, impress even more.” BBC Music Magazine, September 2010 **** | | | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
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| |  | Handel for Brass
Schwerin Brass Collegium, Hans-Joachim Drechsler This CD is a treat for true lovers of magnificent brass sound. These are exclusive arrangements of works such as “The arrival of the Queen of Sheba” and the “Water Music“ which perfectly bring out the virtuosic and lyrical character of modern brass instruments. The Schweriner Blechbläser-Collegium is among Germany’s most celebrated wind ensembles. | | | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
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| |  | The Sixteen - Sounds SublimeIncludes some of The Sixteen’s most celebrated recordings in this beautiful 2CD digi-pack set
Allegri: | Miserere mei, Deus | Bach, J S: | Cantata BWV147 'Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben' Magnificat in D major, BWV243: Magnificat anima mea Dominum Quoniam tu solus sanctus (from Mass in B minor) Cum Sancto Spiritu (from Mass in B minor) Cantata BWV50 'Nun ist das Heil und die Kraft' | Barber, S: | Agnus Dei | Bernstein: | Spring Song (Chorus from The Lark) | Brahms: | Wie lieblich sind deine Wohnungen (from Ein Deutsches Requiem, Op. 45) | Britten: | Advance Democracy A Hymn of Saint Columba | Daniel-Lesur: | La voix du bien-aime (from Le Cantique des Cantiques) | Fauré: | Requiem: Pie Jesu With the Academy of St Martin in the Fields | Handel: | Messiah: Hallelujah Chorus Coronation Anthem No. 1, HWV258 'Zadok the Priest' Israel in Egypt: Moses & the children of Israel I will sing unto the Lord (from Israel in Egypt) Arrival of the Queen of Sheba (from Solomon) Samson: Let the bright seraphim | Lotti: | Crucifixus in 8 parts | Mozart: | Ave verum corpus, K618 With the Academy of St Martin in the Fields Vesperae Solennes de Confessore, K339: Laudate Dominum With the Academy of St Martin in the Fields | Padilla, J G: | Deus in adiutoriuminin | Palestrina: | Kyrie (from Missa Papae Marcelli) | Poulenc: | Una hora (from Sept Répons des Ténèbres) With the BBC Philharmonic | Purcell: | Man that is born of a woman, Z27 Thou knowest, Lord, the secrets | Scarlatti, D: | Iste Confessor | Sheppard, J: | Libera nos 1 | Tallis: | Spem in alium for eight five-part choirs '40-part Motet' | Tavener: | The Lamb Hymn to the Mother of God | Teixeira, A: | Te gloriosus Apostolorum Chorus (from Te Deum) | Victoria: | Ave Maria a 8 Officium Hebdomadae Sanctae: O Domine Iesu Christe | Vivaldi: | Gloria in excelsis Deo (Gloria in D) |
Some of the most celebrated recordings from Harry Christophers and his award-winning ensemble. Equally appealing to fans of The Sixteen and those who are new to the group, this disc provides a definitive collection of familiar classics and lesser-known treasures. | | | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
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| |  | Handel - Coronation Anthems
Harry Christophers and The Sixteen add a brand new recording of Handel’s Coronation Anthems to their stunning catalogue of Handel discs. In one of his last undertakings before his death in 1727, King George I signed an ‘Act for the naturalising of George Frideric Handel’ amongst others. One of Handel’s first tasks as a naturalised British Citizen was to write the music for the Coronation of the new monarch - King George II which was to take place later that year. Rarely did a composer of the day have such an audience for his new works and Handel’s four Anthems were written to match the pomp and grandeur of the occasion and, of course, the venue – Westminster Abbey. The Coronation Anthems have delighted audiences ever since and appear in all their glory on this recording interspersed with a selection of Handel favourites including Arrival of the Queen of Sheba, Handel’s Organ Concerto in F Major Op. 4 No. 4 and two extracts from Messiah. “Harry Christophers brings the same fire to these perfect miniatures that he brought to his triumphant Messiah last year, firmly establishing him as the Handelian of the moment. Let Thy Hand Be Strengthened, Zadok the Priest and The King Shall Rejoice all fizz and crackle but best of all is My Heart Is Inditing, sung with a rich, classy poise.” The Observer, 8th February 2009 “What a strange decision to pad out the four anthems that Handel composed for the coronation of George II in 1727 with well-known bits and pieces from the rest of the composer's oeuvre. With the exception of the Organ Concerto No 4 – given here in the original version with a choral finale – the additional works dilute rather than strengthen the disc's attraction.
It's not as if the Coronation Anthems lack popular appeal – one of them is the great crowd-pleaser Zadok the Priest. Here Christophers opts for surprise rather than suspense in the famous build-up but otherwise the disc's musical quality is dependably high.” The Telegraph, 12th February 2009 “With St Paul's Deptford standing in for Westminster Abbey the acoustic is ideally focused - no 'billow' blurring the edges of a wonderfully buoyant 'The King Shall Rejoice' (its ensuing 'Exceeding Glad' delivered with an irresistible lightness of touch), and if 'My Heart is Inditing' sometimes sounds over-manicured, the orchestra can be relied upon to inject a bit of edge when the singing rises to the Royal occasion with aristocratic detachment. ...overall, this is a regally polished programme.” BBC Music Magazine, March 2009 **** “…these fresh, spontaneous and vivacious performances are revelatory. Not only is the choral singing wonderfully clear, perfectly enunciated, beautifully phrased and impeccably tuned, but also the orchestral playing… is brilliantly alert, bold and lyrical. ...overall this disc ranks as The Sixteen's most exciting achievement in its impressive Handel discography.” Gramophone Magazine, April 2009 “There are plenty of very good recordings of the four anthems that Handel composed for the coronation of King George II and Queen Caroline, but this new one by The Sixteen leaps straight towards the top of the heap (those preferring to hear boy trebles might already admire the excellent version by King's College, Cambridge, under Cleobury, above).
We have come selfishly to expect reliability, stylishness and honest fine musicianship from Harry Christophers, his singers and instrumentalists.
Yet these fresh, spontaneous and vivacious performances are revelatory. Not only is the choral singing wonderfully clear, perfectly enunciated, beautifully phrased and impeccably tuned, but also the orchestral playing – an aspect too often relegated to auto-pilot in this repertoire – is brilliantly alert, bold and lyrical. Zadokthe Priest never fails to make a strong impression even in average performances (and The Sixteen's expertly judged reading is anything but average), but the special quality of this disc is that the other three lesser-known anthems also receive performances that allow them to shine just as brightly as the most famous (and shortest) anthem. My heart is inditing is radiantly performed ('The King shall have pleasure in her beauty' is gorgeously shaped), The King shallrejoice is splendidly poised and paced, and the first part of Let thy hand be strengthened conveys the perfect juxtaposition of forthrightness and elegance. Christophers's sure direction locks onto the musical interest and richness of each section in the longer anthems (some other good versions rely on good openings and grand conclusions, but the bits in between sometimes get a bit lost). Coupled with a sparkling account of the Organ Concerto Op 4 No 4 (superbly played by Alastair Ross, and with a magnificent choral 'Alleluia' finale created for the 1735 revival of Athalia), a couple of orchestral interludes and the last chorus of Messiah, the judicious programme avoids the overkill factor one sometimes encounters when all four anthems are heard consecutively.
Donald Burrows's booklet-note is ideally detailed and accessible, and overall this disc ranks as The Sixteen's most exciting achievement in its impressive Handel discography.” Gramophone Classical Music Guide, 2010 | | | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
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| |  | The Glory of the Baroque
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| |  | Gábor Boldoczki plays Händel & Telemann
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Gramophone Awards 2009
Gramophone Magazine