New Release Round-up,
New Release Round-up - 13th April 2018
Today’s highlights include Bartók’s violin concertos from Christian Tetzlaff and Hannu Lintu, Schubert’s Winterreise in a new English translation by Jeremy Sams, the debut recording of Hugo Ticciati’s ensemble O/Modernt, and a very welcome second instalment of the chamber music of Grażyna Bacewicz from the Silesian Quartet.
After winning a Gramophone Award last year for their recording of Bacewicz’s complete string quartets (also described as 'a tremendous achievement' by BBC Music Magazine), the Silesians continue their advocacy for the chamber-music of the Polish composer and violinist (1909-69) with this collection of the two Piano Quintets and quartets for four violins and four cellos.
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC
Bartók: Violin Concertos Nos. 1 & 2
Christian Tetzlaff (violin), Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Hannu Lintu
Hot on the heels of Renaud Capuçon’s new recording with the London Symphony Orchestra (one of our March Recordings of the Week), Tetzlaff offers a rival take on Bartók’s two concertos; the German violinist has previous form with this composer, with his 2004 album of the Sonatas impressing BBC Music Magazine with its ‘soft-grained sound and almost breathy phrasing’.
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC
The popular British baritone (who embarked on an intensive journey through Schubert’s three great song-cycles to mark his fiftieth birthday) performs Winterreise in a new English translation by Jeremy Sams; English versions of Die schöne Mullerin and Schwanengesang will follow from other singers over the next year or so.
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC
The British violinist (elder brother of our recent interviewee Robin) and his Swedish-born chamber orchestra make their recording debut with a programme of music by Tavener, Vasks, Pärt and The Beatles, connected by improvisations featuring Indian musicians Sukhvinder Singh Pinky, Soumik Datta. Read his exclusive interview with Katherine about the project here.
Available Formats: 2 CDs, MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC
The album takes its title from Frank Martin’s Mass for Double Choir, which was completed in 1926 but remained unperformed for almost four decades because of the composer’s conviction that personal expressions of faith ‘should remain secret’. Also includes Martin’s Songs of Ariel, plus Martinů’s Four Songs of the Virgin Mary and Romance of the Dandelions.
Available Formats: SACD, MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC, Hi-Res+ FLAC
Handel: Arminio (DVD)
Max Emanuel Cencic (Arminio/director), Gaia Petrone (Ramise), Lauren Snouffer (Tusnelda); Armonia Atenea, George Petrou
Max Cencic has spent the last couple of years championing Handel’s neglected 1737 opera both on stage and in the studio: his interpretation of the title-role on Armonia Atenea’s 2016 recording for Decca was praised by Gramophone for his ability to sustain ‘rich, beautifully rounded tone through even the most athletic numbers’, and this DVD premiere of the work captures his own production, filmed at the International Handel Festival Karlsruhe last March.
Available Format: 2 DVD Videos
Handel: Arminio (Blu-ray)
Max Emanuel Cencic (Arminio/director), Gaia Petrone (Ramise), Lauren Snouffer (Tusnelda); Armonia Atenea, George Petrou
Sound Format: PCM Stereo, DTS-HD MA 5.1
Picture: NTSC, 16:9
Available Format: Blu-ray
Nijinsky – A Ballet by John Neumeier (DVD)
Alexandre Riabko, Anne Lauderer, Carsten Jung, Hamburg Ballet
The American director, choreographer and former dancer John Neumeier has produced three ballets based around the life of Nijinsky, of which this (premiered in 2000) is the second: described as a ‘choreographic approach to a dance phenomenon’, it explores the great dancer’s career and relationships with his wife Romola and Serge Diaghilev, using music by Chopin, Schumann, Rimsky-Korsakov, Shostakovich and Stravinsky.
Available Format: 2 DVD Videos
Nijinsky – A Ballet by John Neumeier (Blu-ray)
Alexandre Riabko, Anne Lauderer, Carsten Jung, Hamburg Ballet
Sound Format: PCM Stereo, DTS-HD MA 5.1
Picture: NTSC, 16:9
Languages Bonus: German
Available Format: Blu-ray
Our dedicated Naxos New Release Brochure returns this week, where you can browse, read about, and listen to excerpts of all the exciting Naxos releases out this month. Highlights include the final volume in Romain Descharmes series of Saint-Saëns concerto recordings, with Marc Soustrot and Malmö Symphony Orchestra; a 4 disc set celebrating Julian Lloyd Webber's career as cellist, arranger and conductor, and no less than five discs featuring world premiere recordings of works by composers including Leopold Koželuch, Leo Brouwer, Rossini and Percy Grainger.
Chris O'Reilly - Chief Executive
