2

ADÈS, T.: Piano Solo Works (Han Chen) (8.574109)

Composer, conductor and pianist Thomas Adès has been described by The New York Times as ‘among the most accomplished all-round musicians of his generation’. His Concert Paraphrase on Powder Her Face reflects the glamour of the opera’s subject in the grand manner of Liszt or Busoni, while Still Sorrowing and Darknesse Visible explore John Dowland’s haunting lute works. Heard here in its world premiere recording, competition piece Blanca Variations is lyrical and flowing in character, and Traced Overhead is a vivid description of ascent and flight. Adès captures and transforms Polish style in his Mazurkas, and the spirit of Satie and Ravel in a Souvenir from the film Colette.




2

VIVALDI, A.: Four Seasons (The) / VERDI, G.: I vespri siciliani: Le quattro stagioni (R.M. Minasi, La Scintilla Orchestra) (PHR0112)




2

VITALI, G.B.: Sonate, Op. 5 (Italico Spendore) (TC623305)




2

VERDI, G.: Due Foscari (I) [Opera] (Coro del Teatro Regio di Parma, Filarmonica Arturo Toscanini, Orchestra Giovanile della Via Emilia, Arrivabeni) (CDS7865.02)




2

TCHAIKOVSKY, P.I.: Sacred Choral Works - Vesper Service / Hymn in honour of SS Cyril and Methodius (Latvian Radio Choir, Kļava) (ODE1352-2)




2

SKORYK, M.: Violin Concertos (Complete), Vol. 2 - Nos. 5-9 (Bielow, Ukraine National Symphony, Sirenko) (8.574089)

Myroslav Skoryk is one of Ukraine’s leading composers and teachers, with a portfolio of works that include opera, a symphonic transcription of Paganini’s Caprices, and a cycle of nine violin concertos written over a 45-year span (Volume 1 is on 8.574088). Concerto No. 5 utilises jazz elements and a vivid fugato, while Concerto No. 6 explores the use of sensual moods and provocative dance rhythms. Syncopation and lyricism suffuse Concerto No. 7, while No. 9 is both touching and dramatic. Concerto No. 8 offers a representation of events in Chopin’s life through quotations, in combination with Skoryk’s own distinctive musical voice.




2

SINIGAGLIA, L.: String Quartet Works (Complete), Vol. 1 - String Quartet, Op. 27 / Brahms Variations / Hora Mystica (Archos Quartet) (8.574183)

The renowned Italian composer and mountaineer Leone Sinigaglia wrote a fascinating series of pieces for string quartet that reflect his powers of characterisation and elegance. Flowing melodies can be heard throughout, not least in the Concert-Étude, Op. 5, while the more substantial Variations on a Theme of Brahms, Op. 22 display his technical skill and expressive variety, whether reflective, sombre or exuberant. His String Quartet in D major, Op. 27 exemplifies his dual inheritance: a commanding central European facility, combined with a natural Italian lyricism.




2

SIERRA, R.: Cantares / Loíza / Triple Concierto (Trío Arbós, Cornell University Chorus and Glee Club, Xalapa Symphony, Marcelletti) (8.559876)

Roberto Sierra’s refined compositional voice is subtly combined with contemporary musical techniques and his Puerto Rican heritage in the three works recorded here. Cantares, commissioned by the Cornell University Chorus and Glee Club to celebrate the university’s sesquicentennial anniversary, evokes ancient Peruvian, Aztec and Afro Caribbean voices lost in time. The virtuoso Triple Concierto transforms the popular Caribbean rhythms of salsa, bolero and merengue into complex contemporary expressions, while the polyrhythmic layers of Loíza conjure a Puerto Rican town known for its strong African traditions.




2

SCRIABIN, A. / PASTERNAK, B.: Piano Works (Samson-Primachenko) (UP0213)




2

SCHARWENKA, P.: Piano Trio, Op. 121 / Duo for Violin and Viola / Viola Sonata / 4 Concert Pieces (Breuninger, Berthaud, Triendl) (C5391)




2

SAURET, É.: 24 Études Caprices, Vol. 4 - Nos. 20-24 (Rashidova) (8.574159)

The final volume of the 24 Études-Caprices by the internationally renowned virtuoso Émile Sauret, crowns one of the most impressive but seldom performed bodies of solo violin writing in the entire canon. In the last five Études, once again played by Nazrin Rashidova on Sauret’s own Stradivarius violin, the full range of his art can be heard, from double- and triple-stopping, to registral leaps, chordal and staccato techniques and exercises for absolute control of the bow. Of Volume 3 (8.573975) The Strad wrote: ‘Rashidova plays superbly’.




2

PROKOFIEV, S.: Symphonies Nos. 3 and 6 (German Radio Saarbrücken-Kaiserslautern Philharmonic, Inkinen) (SWR19086CD)




2

PRADO, J.A.R. de A: Piano Concerto No. 1 / Aurora / Concerto Fribourgeois (Rubinsky, Minas Gerais Philharmonic, Mechetti) (8.574225)

At the time of his death in 2010, Almeida Prado was one of Brazil’s most internationally admired composers, one who created music of unique sonority and colour, rooted in his native country. In Aurora (‘Dawn’) he employs his newly developed ‘transtonality’ to radiant effect, while the Concerto Fribourgeois features a collage technique. In his Piano Concerto No. 1 Almeida Prado explores a cogent structure in which the soloist opens up, rips apart or transforms the theme and variations, in a work that is both grandiose and luminous.




2

Opéra-Comique Overtures - BOIELDIEU, F.-A. / DELIBES, L. / GOUNOD, C.-F. / HALÉVY, F. / HÉROLD, F. / LECOCQ, C. (Vienna Radio Symphony, M. Halász) (8.574122)

Opéra-comique emerged in the 19th century as an intermediary between grand opera and burlesque operetta. This album charts its progression as a distinct genre, tracing the origins from Boieldieu and Méhul early in the century via the classic vitality of masters such as Hérold and Maillart into the operetta style of Offenbach and Lecocq. With innovative features, colourful orchestration, drama, wit and atmospheric writing, the operas proved very popular and these overtures encapsulate their immense vivacity and charm.




2

MAYR, J.S.: Due duchesse (Le) [Opera] (M. Schäfer, T.M. Herbert, Bavarian State Opera Chorus, Simon Mayr Choir, Concerto de Bassus, Hauk) (8.660422-23)

As one of the leading operatic composers of his generation, Johann Simon Mayr nurtured a fascination with the chivalric stories of medieval England. Le due duchesse, an opera semiseria with buffa elements, is set during the reign of the 10th-century King Edgar. Huntsmen’s and Knights’ choruses and troubadour-like songs give great vivacity to a score that is both lyrical and dramatic. Mayr’s compound of Viennese Classicism and Italianate melodic beauty, allied to his ambitious writing and a skilful libretto, produced an important and influential opera couched in his own unmistakable idiom.




2

LISZT, F.: Wanderer Fantasy / SCHUBERT, F.: Piano Sonata No. 13 / BRAHMS, J.: Handel Variations (C. Park, Eschenbach) (C5412)




2

LINDBERG, M.: Accused / Two Episodes (A. Komsi, Finnish Radio Symphony, Lintu) (ODE1345-2)




2

KENYA Fadhilee Itulya: Kwetu (NXW76125-2)

Kenyan musician Fadhilee Itulya began his professional music career in 2008. He draws inspiration from a style of guitar music called Omutibo from the Luhya people of Western Kenya, which is driving, syncopated, and gets people to dance like nothing else. His music has elements of acoustic folk, pop/dance and world music—making for a melange of good time music that is grounded in culture, community and care for the environment. His debut album Kwetu (meaning ’home’ in Swahili) features ten vibrant songs and also includes four traditional chants with Isukuti percussion, showcasing the roots percussion style of Western Kenya.




2

INDIA Sabri Family (The) (EUCD2904)




2

HAYDN, J.: Cello Concertos Nos. 1 and 2 (N. Clein, Recreation - Graz Grosses Orchester, Hofstetter) (OC1895)




2

HAYDN, J.: 6 Original Canzonettas, Books 1 and 2 / Lieder (Britain's Glory) (Horak, R. Fuller) (Gramola99212)




2

HAUG, H.: Guitar Concertino / Wind Quintet / Guitar Quintet (Minder, Basel Philharmonic Quintet, Il Piccola Orchestra, Zemtsov) (8.551426)




2

HARSÁNYI, T.: Piano Works (Complete), Vol. 2 (Koukl) (GP807)

The Hungarian-born composer Tibor Harsányi is now recognised as an important personality in ‘L’École de Paris’. He had a lifelong interest in modern dance, represented here by the Petite suite and Trois Pièces de danse, and he also embraced jazz, which was part of the Parisian atmosphere of the inter-war period, and other influences, while keeping the Central European rhythms and tonalities of his Hungarian origins. The Trois Pièces lyriques is a rare example of Harsányi expressing torment during the turbulent years of the Second World War.




2

HANDEL, G.F. / GLUCK, C.W.: Opera Arias for Soprano (Care Pupille) (Mariño, Halle Handel Festival Orchestra, Hofstetter) (C998201)




2

GYPSY Zingaros: Tango (EUCD2905)




2

GROVEN, E.: Symphonies Nos. 1 and 2 (Kristiansand Symphony, Szilvay) (8.573871)

Many interwar Norwegian composers tried to create a new national music by combining elements of authentic folk music with new techniques. Eivind Groven was considered one of the most innovative composers in this quest, integrating the structure of folk dances from his rural upbringing into familiar formal principles. Both symphonies make use of techniques of so-called ‘progressive transformation’, which led fellow composer Arne Nordheim to declare: ‘While others made instrumentations of folk tunes, Groven created sounds, for example in his [two] symphonies which, in my opinion, are quite unique.’




2

FRANCK, C.: Psyché (version for choir and orchestra) / Le Chasseur maudit / Les Éolides (RCS Voices, Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Tingaud) (8.573955)

César Franck was a childhood prodigy who gained later renown as an organist and teacher. His compositions received scant attention until the success of Le Chasseur maudit, a symphonic morality tale that vividly portrays the ‘accursed huntsman’ from his defiance of the Sabbath to a dramatic chase and a horrific fate. Les Éolides is infused with Wagnerian colours and depicts the mythological Aeolids as they reawaken nature with their song. Franck’s lushly orchestrated final symphonic poem Psyché expresses the power of love in dreams and a passionate union.




2

Flute and Piano Recital: Mazzoli, Filippo / Dang, Nathalie - LEFORT, A. / MASSON, L. / MORET, E. / SEITZ, A. (Chant dans la nuit) (CDS7862)




2

CHINA Folk Music of China, Vol. 6: Folk Songs of China's Tajik and Russian Minorities (NXW76093-2)

This album features folk songs from the Tajik and Russian ethnic minority groups living in the western and northwestern areas of Xinjiang, China. These folk songs have an earthy beauty that is theirs alone. Many of the Tajik songs featured here are accompanied by the Rewap—an ancient stringed instrument made from mulberry trunks. The sound is similar to that of an acoustic guitar, but the tone is brighter and more elastic. Many of the Russian songs feature the Bayan (a type of accordion) and the Balalaika.




2

CELTIC Brian Ó hEadhra / Fiona Mackenzie: TÌR - Highland Life and Lore (NXW76115-2)




2

Cello Quartet Recital: Kolophonistinnen (Die) - BRAMBÖCK, F. / STRAUSS I, J. / STRAUSS II, J. / SHOSTAKOVICH, D. / TANSMAN, A. (Heldinnenleben) (Gramola99218)




2

BURHANS, C.: Evensong [Bonus Tracks Version] (Burhans) (CA-21094A)




2

BOULEZ, P.: Incises (revised version, 2001) (van Raat) (9.70294)

This digital single complements Naxos 8.573894, an album of French piano rarities also performed by Ralph van Raat.




2

BERSA, B.: Piano Works (Complete), Vol. 2 (Filipec) (GP832)

As with the first volume in this series (GP767), Blagoje Bersa’s piano works are organised according to their character and tonality rather than chronologically. They include elements of transcription drawing on Mozart and Beethoven but also characterful barcarolles that evoke Italian music, a taut and witty Bizarre Serenade, a simple but affecting Mélancolie, and an invitation to a Viennese ballroom in the Valzer, Op. 3.




2

BEETHOVEN, L. van: Piano Concertos (Complete) (Mustonen, Tapiola Sinfonietta) (ODE1359-2T)




2

BEETHOVEN, L. van: Celebrate Beethoven – Keyboard Music (9.30211)




2

AFRICA Pure Africa (EUCD2903)




2

DEBUSSY, C.: Pelléas et Mélisande [Opera] (Zürich Opera, 2016) (NTSC) (BAC157)




2

DEBUSSY, C.: Pelléas et Mélisande [Opera] (Zürich Opera, 2016) (Blu-ray, Full-HD) (BAC457)




2

ART OF OHAD NAHARIN (THE), Vol. 2 - Sadeh21 [Ballet] (Batsheva Dance Company, 2018) (NTSC) (BAC172)




2

ART OF OHAD NAHARIN (THE), Vol. 2 - Sadeh21 [Ballet] (Batsheva Dance Company, 2018) (Blu-ray, Full-HD) (BAC472)




2

WEILL, K.: Street Scene [Opera] (Teatro Real, 2018) (NTSC) (BAC162)




2

WEILL, K.: Street Scene [Opera] (Teatro Real, 2018) (Blu-ray, Full-HD) (BAC562)




2

WEILL, K.: Aufstieg und Fall der Stadt Mahagonny [Opera] (Sung in English) (Teatro Real, 2010) (NTSC) (BAC067)




2

WEILL, K.: Aufstieg und Fall der Stadt Mahagonny [Opera] (Sung in English) (Teatro Real, 2010) (Blu-ray, Full-HD) (BAC467)




2

TCHAIKOVSKY, P.I.: Eugene Onegin [Opera] (Bolshoi Opera, 2008) (NTSC) (BAC246)




2

TCHAIKOVSKY, P.I.: Eugene Onegin [Opera] (Bolshoi Opera, 2008) (Blu-ray, Full-HD) (BAC446)




2

TCHAIKOVSKY, P.I.: Swan Lake [Ballet] (Kiev National Ballet, 2019) (NTSC) (BAC174)




2

TCHAIKOVSKY, P.I.: Swan Lake [Ballet] (Kiev National Ballet, 2019) (Blu-ray, Full-HD) (BAC574)




2

LAZAR, B. / CHEMLA, J. / HUBERT, F.: Traviata [Opera] (after A. Dumas (fils) and G. Verdi) (Théâtre des Bouffes du Nord, 2017) (NTSC) (BAC156)