W. A. MOZART
Mozart Live 1978 Jessye Norman (soprano), Hugh Maguire (violin), Alfred Brendel (piano) / Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, Neville Marriner [ Decca Australia Eloquence / 2 CD - released 23/Oct/2019 ] Recorded on January 27, 1978 (the 222nd anniversary of Mozart's birth) at the Palais de la Musique et des Congrès in Strasbourg during a gala concert in aid of the Musicians' International Mutual Aid Fund (UNESCO) |
OSCAR STRAUSS
Der Tapfere Soldat [The Chocolate Soldier] (complete operetta) Johannes Martin Kranzle, Caroline Stein, Helmut Berger, John Dickie / Händel Collegium Köln, Siegfried Köhler [ Capriccio / 2 CD - released 1/Sep/2015 ] The Chocolate Soldier was based on a comedy by George Bernard Shaw and is considered to be a pioneer of the musical, as we know it today. First performed in Vienna in 1908 it became a huge success in America and England due to its many popular tunes. |
BAX / BRIDGE / DELIUS / ELGAR / GRAINGER / VAUGHAN WILLIAMS
English Idylls John Birch (organ), John Lanehan (piano), Julian Lloyd-Webber (cello) / Academy of St Martin in the Fields, Neville Marriner [ Philips SBS Australian Eloquence / 2 CD - released 20/Mar/2016 ] Simply idyllic, this 2-CD set couples a traversal of English seasons (CD1) with idyllic music for cello and orchestra by English composers, all rapturously performed by the Academy and Marriner. |
JOHN DOWLAND
Pavans and Fantasies from the Age of Dowland John Holloway (violin, viola) Monika Baer (violin, viola) Renate Steinmann (violin) Susanna Hefti (viola) Martin Zeller (bass violin) [ ECM Records / CD - released 20/Apr/2014 ] "it's a ravishing listening experience, exactly the right length, played and recorded stunningly. ECM's notes are up to their usual standards, both as education and entertainment." (10/10 ClassicsToday July 2014) |
GIACOMO CASANOVA / LORENZO DA PONTE / W. A. MOZART
The Giacomo Variations: A chamber opera play John Malkovich, Ingeborga Dapkunaite, Florian Boesch & Sophie Klussmann / Martin Haselböck (cond) [ Arthaus DVD / DVD - released 1/Jul/2016 ] Giacomo Casanova received a doctorate as jurist, scratched along as violinist in a theatre, dabbled in the role of a lieutenant and was cofounder of France's lottery. |
VAUGHAN WILLIAMS / IRELAND / STANFORD / WARLOCK / PURCELL / etc
English Song: John Shirley-Quirk John Shirley-Quirk (bass-baritone) with Martin Isepp (harpsichord and piano), Ambrose Gauntlett, etc [ Heritage / 2 CD - released 1/May/2015 ] "Shirley-Quirk gives us a lovely cross-section of native song...and [his] immaculate diction makes texts unnecessary." (Gramophone Re-issue of the Month - February 2015) |
J. S. BACH
Mass in B minor BWV232 / Cantata BWV56 'Ich will den Kreuzstab gerne tragen' John Shirley-Quirk, Margaret Marshall, Janet Baker, Robert Tear / Academy & Chorus of St Martin in the Fields [ Decca SBS Australian Eloquence / 2 CD - released 10/Mar/2013 ] "I found the solo singing rewarding and in particular Dame Janet Baker's account of the Agnus Dei very moving … the sound is rich with plenty of bloom ... Cum Sancto Spiritu is a real choral tour de force" (Gramophone Mass) |
J. S. BACH
John Williams plays Bach John Williams (guitar) with Peter Hurford (organ) & the Academy of St Martin in the Fields, Kenneth Sillito [ Sony Classical Masters / CD - released 1/May/2018 ] The Australian guitarist John Williams has long been universally recognized as a true master, to quote the Guardian. The centrepiece of his Bach recordings is formed by the Suites for solo lute. |
ANTONIO VIVALDI
Vivaldi: The Four Seasons Joshua Bell (violin) / Academy of St Martin In The Fields [ Sony Classical / CD - released 8/Sep/2008 ] "This music is so familiar and its technical demands so mainstream these days that any of today's better-trained violinists could deliver a respectable rendition--of any Vivaldi concerto for that matter. But Bell's assured performances and... |
MAX BRUCH
Bruch: Scottish Fantasy / Violin Concerto no 1 in G minor Joshua Bell (violin/director) / Academy of St. Martin in the Fields [ Sony Classics / CD - released 25/Jul/2018 ] "Very well recorded, and ideally partnered with his present team-mates, the Academy of St Martin in the Fields, Bell never short-changes the works' attractions and sometimes delivers more than you might expect." The Times |
HENRY PURCELL
Dido and Aeneas (complete opera) Jospehine Veasey / John Shirley-Quirk / Helen Donath / Thomas Allen / Academy of St. Martin in the Fields / Sir Colin Davis [ Philips Eloquence / CD - released 1/Nov/2007 ] "fresh and enjoyable" Penguin Guide to CDs |
ANTONIO VIVALDI
Vivaldi: The Four Seasons Julia Fischer (violin) / Academy St Martin in the Fields, Kenneth Sillito [ Opus Arte DVD / DVD - released 22/Apr/2012 ] An innovative DVD presenting two picture edits over one sumptuous soundtrack of Vivaldi's perennial work. Users can choose between the 'performance' edit, featuring German violinist sensation Julia Fischer with the Academy of St Martin in the Fields,... |
Julien Martin; Capriccio Stravagante; Skip Sempé; Josh Cheatham
Paradizo. Consort Music & Airs for the Flute [ Paradizo / CD - released 6/Aug/2021 ] Paradizo features the recordings of Skip Sempé as solo harpsichordist, chamber musician, conductor and director of the ensembles that he founded: Capriccio Stravagante, the Capriccio Stravagante Renaissance Orchestra and Capriccio Stravagante Les 24... |
Julien Martin; Skip Sempé; Capriccio Stravagante
Telemann: Ouverture for Recorder, Fantasias & Concerto for Recorder & Viola da Gamba [ Paradizo / CD - released 6/Aug/2021 ] Paradizo features the recordings of Skip Sempé as solo harpsichordist, chamber musician, conductor and director of the ensembles that he founded: Capriccio Stravagante, the Capriccio Stravagante Renaissance Orchestra and Capriccio Stravagante Les 24... |
PETER WIEGOLD
Earth & Stars Juliet Fraser (soprano) Martin Butler (piano) Melinda Maxwell (cor anglais) / Southbank Sinfonia, Peter Wiegold [ NMC / CD - released 20/Sep/2010 ] "Wiegold has long been a vital contemporary musical presence, and this disc is a fine showcase for his talent. Kalachakra, performed by his ensemble notes inégales, is a punchy and substantial, bitingly coloured movement founded on the arcana of... |
VARIOUS COMPOSERS
Helsinki Recital (DVD + CD) Karita Mattila (soprano) / Martin Katz (piano) [ Ondine / 2 CD/DVD - released 19/Nov/2010 ] This new release pays tribute to Finnish superstar Karita Mattila on the occasion of her 50th birthday in September 2010. |
VARIOUS COMPOSERS
Karita Mattila Helsinki Recital Karita Mattila (soprano) & Martin Katz (piano) [ Ondine SACD / SACD - released 15/May/2007 ] "Given her position as one of the most interesting, exciting sopranos in the world today, Karita Mattila seems to record comparatively little (or is it me?). So it is especially good to have this excellent recital. Never one to rely on the beauty of... |
W. A. MOZART
Mozart: Complete Masses Vol. 2 Katharina Konradi (soprano) Sarah Romberger (mezzo) Martin Mitterrutzner (tenor) Mikhail Timoshenko (bass) / Cologne Radio Choir & Orchestra, Christop [ Naxos / CD - released 25/Nov/2022 ] This second album of Mozart's complete Masses pairs one work of exceptional dimensions and ambition with a miniature example. The 'Great' Mass in C minor is one of Mozart's most spectacular. |
JS BACH
The Complete Organ Works Kay Johannsen, Andrea Marcon, Wolfgang Zerer, Martin Lücker, Peter Van Dijk & Bine Katrine Bryndorf (organ) [ Hanssler Classic / 20 CD - released 14/Oct/2013 ] This release presents the complete organ works of J.S Bach in a single box, performed by outstanding artists, under the artistic direction of Helmuth Rilling. |