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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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PIZAN, C. de: Book of the City of Ladies (The) (Unabridged) (NA0456)

Shocked and distressed by a male writer’s vilification of women, Christine de Pizan has a powerful dreamlike vision in which she is visited by three personified Virtues: Reason, Rectitude and Justice. They tell her she has been chosen to write a book which will be like a city, housing virtuous women and protecting them from feminist attack. Heroines past and present form the foundations of this city—biblical and mythical heroines, ruling queens, Christian saints, and inventors are among them. Partly myth, partly fact, The Book of the City of Ladies is an extraordinary, pioneering and impassioned defence of women that set out to shatter medieval misogynist clichés, and serve to instil self-worth in its female readers of the time.




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From the Naxos Blog: Playing the fool (Apr 03, 2020)

April Fool’s Day occurs each year on 1 April and although the day has been marked for many centuries in different cultures, its exact origin is difficult to pin down. One speculation links it to the move by France in 1582 to move from the Julian to the Gregorian calendar, effectively moving the start of the year to 1 January from the last week in March through to 1 April. People who were slow off the mark as regards this development, and continued to mark the transit ...more




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Podcast: The symphonies of Ludwig van Beethoven (Feb 13, 2020)

BEETHOVEN, L. van: Celebrate Beethoven – Symphonies and Orchestral 9.30209 Raymond Bisha presents an overview of Beethoven’s nine symphonies as a companion resource to the first of Naxos’ monthly digital albums presenting the music of Beethoven in this 250th anniversary year of his birth. January’s compilation album (9.30209) spotlights the symphonic journey and stylistic progression from Beethoven&rs ...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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Podcast: Ludwig van Beethoven. Works from his middle years. (Feb 28, 2020)

Celebrate Beethoven – Music from His Middle Compositional Period 9.30206 Raymond Bisha presents an overview of works written by Beethoven during his middle years period. It’s a companion resource to the latest release in Naxos’ monthly digital album series featuring the music of Beethoven in this 250th anniversary year of his birth. February’s compilation album (9.30206) presents a programme of wo ...more




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Sounds Interesting. A witty ditty (Jan 03, 2020)

This podcast from the Naxos Sounds Interesting series highlights some humorous lines from the pens of the past masters. The presenter is Richard Kennedy. Listen to the podcast




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Podcast: Write It – Reflections on Sanctuary Road (Jan 10, 2020)

MORAVEC, P.: Sanctuary Road Laquita Mitchell, Raehann Bryce-Davis, Joshua Blue, Malcolm J. Merriweather, Dashon Burton, Oratorio Society of New York, Kent Tritle 8.559884 WQXR radio host Terrance McKnight introduces the world premiere recording of an oratorio by composer Paul Moravec and librettist Mark Campbell. It’s a deeply moving tribute to the men and women of the Underground Railroad and to one heroic man in ...more




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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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From the Naxos Blog: Is there a doctor in the mouse? (May 01, 2020)

Source: The Flemish American As I write this blog, I’m in a lock-down situation in London arising from the Covid-19 epidemic. What was planned as a quick 7-day visit to the capital has turned into a longer-term relationship, since my home base of Thailand has pulled up the drawbridge against returning travellers such as myself. I’m staying in a hotel near London’s Paddington Station, and my permitted daily emergence to do a spot of ...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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Podcast: A 20th-century troubadour. A 21st-century tribute. (May 08, 2020)

DAUGHERTY, M.: This Land Sings: Inspired by the Life and Times of Woody Guthrie Annika Socolofsky, John Daugherty, Dogs of Desire, David Alan Miller 8.559889 Raymond Bisha introduces Michael Daugherty’s This Land Sings: Inspired by the Life and Times of Woody Guthrie. The work celebrates The Dust Bowl Troubadour’s folk songs of love, wandering and social justice through Daugherty’s own original songs and instrumental ...more




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SUK, J.: Asrael (Bavarian Radio Symphony, Hruša) (900188)

Review by Richard Whitehouse
Gramophone, May 2020




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Piano Concertos - MOZART, W.A. / BEETHOVEN, L. van / HAYDN, J. (Gulda, Keilberth, Müller-Kray, Rosbaud) (1959-1962) (SWR19088CD)

International Piano, May 2020

View PDF  




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NIELSEN, C.: Flute Concerto / IBERT, J.: Flute Concerto / ARNOLD, M.: Flute Concerto No. 1 (Andrada, Frankfurt Radio Symphony, J. Martín) (ODE1340-2)

Review by Christian Hoskins
Gramophone, May 2020




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LUTOSLAWSKI, W.: Symphonies Nos. 2 and 3 (Finnish Radio Symphony, Lintu) (ODE1332-5)


Review by Freya Parr
BBC Music Magazine, May 2020




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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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BACH, J.S.: Well-Tempered Clavier (The), Book 2, BWV 870-893 (A. Schiff) (Blu-ray, HD) (NBD0105V)

Review by Jed Distler
Gramophone, May 2020




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BACH, J.S.: Well-Tempered Clavier (The), Book 1, BWV 846-869 (A. Schiff) (Blu-ray, HD) (NBD0104V)


Review by Jed Distler
Gramophone, May 2020
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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BACH, J.S.: Well-Tempered Clavier (The), Book 1, BWV 846-869 (A. Schiff) (Blu-ray, HD) (NBD0104V)




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WEBER, C.M. von: Euryanthe [Opera] (Theater an der Wien, 2018) (NTSC) (2.110656)




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WEBER, C.M. von: Euryanthe [Opera] (Theater an der Wien, 2018) (Blu-ray, HD) (NBD0107V)




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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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MARTHALER, C. / ENGEL, T. / VIEBROCK, A.: Universe, Incomplete (after C. Ives) / The Unanswered Ives (Documentary, 2018) (NTSC) (ACC-20434)




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BACH, J.S.: Well-Tempered Clavier (The), Book 2, BWV 870-893 (A. Schiff) (Blu-ray, HD) (NBD0105V)




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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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MOZART, W.A.: Mass No. 18, `Great` / MOZART, L.: Litaniae Lauretanae de BVM (Salzburg Bach Choir, Camerata Salzburg, Manze) (Blu-ray, HD) (BVE08058)




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EXHIBITION ON SCREEN - LEONARDO: The Works (Art Documentary, 2019) (NTSC) (SEV207)




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STRAVINSKY, I.: Rake's Progress (The) [Opera] (Equilibrium Young Artists, 2018) / HANNIGAN, Barbara: Taking Risks (Documentary, 2018) (NTSC) (ACC-20420)




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PURCELL, H.: King Arthur [Opera] (Sung in English with German dialogue) (Staatsoper unter den Linden, 2017) (Blu-ray, HD) (NBD0109V)




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MAHLER, G.: Symphony No. 5 / TCHAIKOVSKY, P.I.: Piano Concerto No. 1 (Live aus der Elbphilharmonie) (SoRyang, Yutaka Sado) (NTSC) (Gramola20004)




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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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SAINT-SAËNS, C.: Ascanio: Ballet / Overtures to Stage Works (Malmö Symphony, Märkl) (8.574033)

Saint-Saëns’ operatic works contain instrumental music of vivacity and charm but have been undeservedly overlooked. Ascanio contains a substantial and elaborate divertissement that fellow composer Reynaldo Hahn termed ‘the entire Renaissance in a few pages’. Les Barbares, a tale of conquest and revenge, includes a vivid Prologue and joyful ballet, while La Princesse jaune with its pentatonic writing, and La Jota aragonese laced with Spanish vitality, show the composer at his most generously carefree.




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TCHAIKOVSKY, P.I.: Nutcracker (The) [Ballet] (Royal Ballet, 2018) (NTSC) (OA1290D)




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TCHAIKOVSKY, P.I.: Nutcracker (The) [Ballet] (Royal Ballet, 2018) (Blu-ray, HD) (OABD7259D)




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SHAKESPEARE, W.: Romeo and Juliet (Royal Shakespeare Company, 2018) (NTSC) (OA1291D)




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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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SHAKESPEARE, W.: Merry Wives of Windsor (The) (Royal Shakespeare Company, 2018) (NTSC) (OA1293D)




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VERDI, G.: Traviata (La) [Opera] (Royal Opera House, 2019) (NTSC) (OA1292D)




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VERDI, G.: Traviata (La) [Opera] (Royal Opera House, 2019) (Blu-ray, HD) (OABD7260D)




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SHAKESPEARE, W.: Shakespeare Trilogy - Julius Caesar / Henry IV / The Tempest (Donmar Warehouse, 2016) (4-DVD Box Set) (NTSC) (OA1297BD)




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




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WHEELDON, C.: Within the Golden Hour / CHERKAOUI, S.L.: Medusa / PITE, C.: Flight Pattern [Ballets] (Royal Ballet, 2019) (NTSC) (OA1300D)




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WHEELDON, C.: Within the Golden Hour / CHERKAOUI, S.L.: Medusa / PITE, C.: Flight Pattern [Ballets] (Royal Ballet, 2019) (Blu-ray, HD) (OABD7265D)




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BENJAMIN, G.: Written on Skin / Lessons in Love and Violence [Operas] (Royal Opera House, 2013-2018) (NTSC) (OA1309BD)