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STRAUSS II, J.: Blindekuh [Operetta] (R. Davidson, Kunkle, Bortolotti, Sofia Philharmonic Chorus and Orchestra, Salvi) (8.660434-35)

Blindekuh (‘Blind Man’s Buff’) was Johann Strauss II’s sixth operetta and his least known. Neglected for well over a century, it was revived by Dario Salvi and the forces on this album in January 2019. The work’s initial lack of success is hard to explain but it may have been caused by a confusing libretto—the music itself is vibrant and captivating with waltzes, polkas, mazurkas, marches and bel canto arias. Performed in a concert version without dialogue, and in accordance with performing traditions, this production restores the work to the status of one of Strauss’s most melodically seductive works.




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EŠENVALDS, Ē.: Choral Music (Translations) (Portland State Chamber Choir, Sperry) (8.574124)

The multi-award-winning Latvian composer Ēriks Ešenvalds’ 21st-century choral sound is both exquisite and angular, and in this album he explores ideas of ‘translation’, legend and the divine. With his expanded tonality and employment of shimmering singing handbells in Translation, and the angelic use of the viola and cello in In paradisum he creates music of ravishing refinement. In Legend of the Walled-In Woman Ešenvalds transcribes and employs an authentic Albanian folk song.




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DANIELPOUR, R.: Passion of Yeshua (The) [Oratorio] (UCLA Chamber Singers, Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus and Orchestra, Falletta) (8.559885-86)

Richard Danielpour’s dramatic oratorio The Passion of Yeshua—a work which has evolved over the last 25 years—is an intensely personal telling of the final hours of Christ on Earth. It incorporates texts from the Hebrew Scriptures and the Christian Gospels inspiring extraordinarily beautiful music that stresses the need for human compassion and forgiveness. Danielpour returns to the scale and majesty of Bach in this oratorio, creating choruses that are intense and powerful, and giving both Mary the mother of Jesus and Mary Magdalene a central place in a work of glowing spirituality. Conductor JoAnn Falletta considers The Passion of Yeshua to be “a classic for all time.”




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BROUWER, L.: Guitar Music, Vol. 5 - Danzas Rituales y Festivas, Vol. 2 / Guitar Sonatas Nos. 3, 4, 5 (P.M. González) (8.574016)

Leo Brouwer is universally acclaimed as an innovative composer, and this fifth volume of his complete guitar works contains some of his longest and most ambitious pieces. Danzas Rituales y Festivas Vol. 2 covers the gamut of virtuosic techniques and includes a movement dedicated to Pedro Mateo González, while Brouwer considers the Sonata del Pensador to be ‘one of my most valuable pieces’. Rich in Cuban rhythms, introspection and astonishing virtuosity, Brouwer’s work is the result of a lifetime of musical exploration alongside a passion for music of the past.




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SPUCK, C.: Nutcracker and Mouse King [Ballet] (after P.I. Tchaikovsky) (Zürich Ballet, 2018) (NTSC) (ACC-20449)




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SPUCK, C.: Nutcracker and Mouse King [Ballet] (after P.I. Tchaikovsky) (Zürich Ballet, 2018) (Blu-ray, Full-HD) (ACC-10449)




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JAMES, H.: Roderick Hudson (Unabridged) (NA0404)

Roderick Hudson and Rowland Mallet are like two sides of the same coin: while the whimsical and egotistical Roderick recklessly follows his passions in the name of art, altruistic Rowland lives with restraint and measure. The two are bound together almost immediately when Rowland is shown a striking bronze statuette in his cousin’s garden, which moves him to meet and support its creator, Roderick. They abandon their provincial New England lives for Rome, where the young sculptor perfects his craft and flourishes among Italy’s great masters, while Rowland lives vicariously through Roderick, patiently hoping that the artist’s fiancée, Mary Garland, might one day share his feelings.




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BURKE, E.: Philosophical Enquiry into the Sublime and Beautiful (A) (Unabridged) (NA0413)

In A Philosophical Enquiry… Edmund Burke sets out to define the nature of beauty and sublimity, and establish an objective criterion for discussing aesthetics. His definition of beauty as rooted in pleasure and sexuality, and the sublime in pain and survival, aligned him with the empiricists John Locke and David Hume, as he replaced the metaphysics of Plato’s aesthetics with a psychological and physiological perspective. According to Burke, the sublime and the beautiful are experiences that can be explained by biological and sensual factors; thus he proceeds to explain how smooth lines, sweet tastes and middle frequencies of sound can be considered beautiful, and the terror created by high mountains and dark forests can be sublime. These revolutionary ideas ushered in the age of Romanticism, and the Gothic genre of novels, with their delight in horror and fright, and continue to influence aesthetic theories today.




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Podcast: Ludwig van Beethoven. Music from his late compositional period. (Apr 24, 2020)

BEETHOVEN, L. van: Celebrate Beethoven – Music from His Late Compositional Period (c.1815–1827) 9.30207 Raymond Bisha introduces the latest release in the Naxos Beethoven anniversary digital album series. Ranging from a solo piano to the huge resources required for his final symphony, the programme comprises ten works that define the last ten years of Beethoven’s creative life, exemplifying his ever more technically c ...more




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Podcast: Black History Month. Some musical notes. (Feb 14, 2020)

The guest host of this podcast is Ashley Jackson. She is an accomplished musician, who has studied the music of both Margaret Bonds and Florence Price, who composed and worked during the civil rights movement in the United States. In this podcast, Dr Jackson gives us both an historical and a personal perspective on how the struggles of these composers, and those of her grandmother, helped make possible what she does today. Harpist Ashley Jack ...more




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From the Naxos Blog: Reicha’s rich reach (Feb 21, 2020)

You have to pity those composers who got air-brushed out of the limelight during their time for no other reason than they were contemporaries of the acknowledged masters, and so had to live under the long shadows of composers such as Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, and so on. Or, at least, it seems to us that they were unduly neglected. It’s nearer the truth to say that societies of their day did afford them recognition, but the passing of time has not been so acco ...more




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Podcast: Nino Rota’s works for solo piano. A magical melting pot. (Jan 17, 2020)

ROTA, N.: Piano Solo Works (Complete), Vol. 1 Eleanor Hodgkinson GP827 Raymond Bisha introduces this new release from the Grand Piano label. It’s the opening volume in what is to be the first complete series of recordings of Nino Rota’s works for solo piano, performed by Eleanor Hodgkinson. Nino Rota embraced neo-Classical, neo-Romantic and even neo-Baroque affiliations. His music prized melodic directness ...more




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Sounds Interesting. A Magnificent Seven (Mar 06, 2020)

This podcast from the Naxos Sounds Interesting series spotlights the contributions of seven composers who made significant, but neglected contributions to the heritage of American symphonic music. The presenter is Richard Kennedy. Listen to the podcast




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Podcast: Richard Danielpour’s oratorio The Passion of Yeshua (Mar 13, 2020)

DANIELPOUR, R.: Passion of Yeshua (The) [Oratorio] UCLA Chamber Singers, Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus and Orchestra, JoAnn Falletta 8.559885-86 Raymond Bisha introduces Richard Danielpour’s oratorio The Passion of Yeshua, a 105-minute work for large chorus, six soloists and orchestra that takes the listener back to Jesus’ final day on earth, removing as much as possible the accretions of history since that moment in ...more




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Naxos among ICMA 2020 winners – wins Recording of the Year Award (May 02, 2020)

Naxos was among the winners of this year’s International Classical Music Awards (ICMA), announced on 30 April. Ondine, one of Naxos’ affiliated labels, was also the recipient of an award. Of the nineteen citations in the audio and video categories, Naxos received two awards, both of which went to its box set of Beethoven’s complete symphonies, featuring the Danish Chamber Orchestra under Adam Fischer. The collection won the Symphonic Music category and was also na ...more




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Piano Recital: Gulda, Friedrich - BEETHOVEN, L. van / BACH, J.S. / SCHUBERT, F. / COUPERIN, F. (The Stuttgart Solo Recitals) (1966-1979) (SWR19081CD)

International Piano, May 2020

View PDF  




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KÕRVITS, T.: Hymns to the Nordic Lights / Silent Songs / Élégies of Thule (Vind, Estonian National Symphony, Joost) (ODE1349-2)

Review by Ivan Moody
Gramophone, May 2020




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EŠENVALDS, E.: Choral Music (Translations) (Portland State Chamber Choir, Sperry) (8.574124)


Review by Malcolm Riley
Gramophone, May 2020




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DEBARGUE, Lucas: To Music (Documentary, 2017) (NTSC) (2.110639)




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DEBARGUE, Lucas: To Music (Documentary, 2017) (Blu-ray, HD) (NBD0101V)




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SHOSTAKOVICH, D.: Violin Concerto No. 1 / TCHAIKOVSKY, P.I.: Symphony No. 5 (Skride, Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra, A. Nelsons) (NTSC) (ACC-20478)




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SHOSTAKOVICH, D.: Violin Concerto No. 1 / TCHAIKOVSKY, P.I.: Symphony No. 5 (Skride, Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra, A. Nelsons) (Blu-ray, Full-HD) (ACC-10478)




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RESPIGHI, O.: Bella dormente nel bosco (La) [Opera] (Teatro Lirico di Cagliari, 2017) (NTSC) (2.110655)




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RESPIGHI, O.: Bella dormente nel bosco (La) [Opera] (Teatro Lirico di Cagliari, 2017) (Blu-ray, HD) (NBD0106V)




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Orchestral Music - TCHAIKOVSKY, P.I. / STRAUSS, R. / STRAVINSKY, I. / SHOSTAKOVICH, D. (City of Birmingham Symphony, Nelsons) (9-CD Box Set) (C987199)




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MUSIC FOR BOOK LOVERS - Classical Music for Reading (8.578359)

An ideal special edition for book lovers. Nestle into your favourite reading spot and experience how this music speaks volumes as the perfect accompaniment to your page-turning. Bookmarking movements in sound with chapters of narrative makes for a perfect couplet and a personal imprint!




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FREDERICK ASHTON COLLECTION (THE), Vol. 2 (Royal Ballet, 2005-2007) (3-DVD Box Set) (NTSC) (OA1281BD)




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FREDERICK ASHTON COLLECTION (THE), Vol. 2 (Royal Ballet, 2005-2007) (3-Blu-ray Disc Box Set) (OABD7212BD)




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ENRICO CECCHETTI DIPLOMA (THE) (Dance Documentary, 2019) (NTSC + Blu-ray, HD) (OASP4102BD)




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FEENEY, P.: Victoria [Ballet] (Northern Ballet, 2019) (NTSC) (OA1299D)




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FEENEY, P.: Victoria [Ballet] (Northern Ballet, 2019) (Blu-ray, HD) (OABD7264D)




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RACHMANINOV, Sergey: Piano Solo Recordings, Vol. 6 - Victor Recordings (1922-1924) (8.111413)

After the end of his contract with Edison, the period covered in Volume 5 (8.111408), Rachmaninov signed for Victor in April 1920 and recorded for the company for the rest of his life. Victor was keen to record their star pianist in his own compositions, as well as short works by Chopin and popular encore pieces. This volume also contains the very rare test pressing of Le Cygne in Alexander Siloti’s transcription, and the premiere release first take of Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto No. 2 first movement, recorded acoustically in 1924.




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DOHNÁNYI, E.: Symphony No. 1 / Symphonic Minutes (Rheinland-Pfalz State Philharmonic, Paternostro) (C5386)




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WEIGL, K.: Symphonies Nos. 4 and 6 (Rheinland-Pfalz State Philharmonic, Bruns) (C5385)




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KRENEK, E.: Tricks and Trifles / 7 Orchestral Pieces / Symphonie, `Pallas Athene` / Potpourri (Rheinland-Pfalz State Philharmonic, Steffens) (C5379)




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100 Christmas Classics (C7331)




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Orchestral Music - DUTILLEUX, H. / HINDEMITH, P. / KABALEVSKY, D. (Modern Times Edition) (Rheinland-Pfalz State Philharmonic, Steffens)(10-CD Box Set) (C7337)




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KAPUSTIN, N.: Saxophone Chamber Music (E. Blumina, P. Bruns, Clair-Obscur Saxophone Quartet) (C5369)




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BRAUNFELS, W.: Piano Music - Variations, Op. 46 / Little Pieces, Op. 24 / Bagatelles, Op. 5 (T. Blome, H. Groschopp) (C5361)




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BERNSTEIN, L.: Mass (Dyk, Vienna State Opera Children's Choir, Company of Music, Wiener Singakademie, Vienna Radio Symphony, D.R. Davies) (C5370)




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GODOWSKY, L.: Piano Music, Vol. 14 (Scherbakov) - 53 Studies on the Chopin Études, Vol. 1 (8.225372)

Leopold Godowsky wrote his first Studies on the Chopin Études when he was barely 23 years old, and the complete cycle took some 20 years to finish. It remains one of the most extraordinary and technically demanding of all such works. It offered Godowsky—one of the greatest virtuosi of his age, but a haphazard teacher—an opportunity to resolve his innovative theories of keyboard technique. His exploration of developing the left hand in these studies remains revolutionary, and his ambition of ‘furthering the art of pianoforte playing’, triumphantly vindicated.




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Chamber Music (Clarinet Quintet) - SCHIFF, D. / ROGERSON, C. / COLEMAN, V. (Clarinet Quintets for Our Time) (Shifrin, Dover Quartet, Harlem Quartet) (DE3576)




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Violin Recital: Wohn, Dawn - ESMAIL, R. / ZWILICH, E.T. / KAPRÁLOVÁ, V. / KANG, Jung Sun / PRICE, F. / BOULANGER, L. / BEACH, A. (Perspectives) (DE3547)




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Guitar Concertos (Italian) - BOCCADORO, C. / GIULIANI, M. / SOLLIMA, G. / VIVALDI, A. (Segre, I Pomeriggi Musicali, Boccadoro) (DE3546)




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YE, Xiaogang: Chamber Music (December Chrysanthemum) (Les Temps Modernes) (DE3559)




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Tien tips voor coronacampagnes gericht op jongeren

Hoewel jongeren weer naar school en sport mogen, blijven de coronavirusrichtlijnen ook voor hen van groot belang. Ze lijken weliswaar minder vatbaar voor het coronavirus, maar kunnen wel anderen besmetten. Maar hoe overtuig je tieners van nut en noodzaak van de beleidsmaatregelen en hoe bevorder je het gedrag dat de besmettingscurve zou moeten afvlakken?




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Waarom je volgens gedragswetenschap juist nú moet communiceren

Het coronavirus heeft een flinke impact op de economie. Er heerst veel angst, wat van invloed kan zijn op consumentengedrag. Daarnaast leeft de vraag of de consument reclame nu wel gepast vindt. Heeft het als adverteerder dan wel zin om te communiceren? Ik bekijk deze vraag vanuit een gedragswetenschappelijk perspectief.




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GOMES, C.: Schiavo (Lo) [Opera] (Teatro Lirico di Cagliari, 2019) (NTSC) (DYN-37845)




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GOMES, C.: Schiavo (Lo) [Opera] (Teatro Lirico di Cagliari, 2019) (Blu-ray, HD) (DYN-57845)




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OFFENBACH, J.: Mari à la porte (Le) [Operetta] (Placa, Ogii, Mezzaro, F. Benitez, Fiorentino Maggio Musicale Orchestra, V. Galli) (CDS7844)