Latest stories
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The Presto Chart - June 2020
2nd Jul 2020
Our 25 best-selling titles across all formats for June, with Alina Ibragimova's Shostakovich concertos with Vladimir Jurowski and the State Academic Symphony Orchestra of Russia 'Evgeny Svetlanov' on Hyperion in first place...
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Opera Rara at 50
2nd Jul 2020
As the label celebrates its half-century, Chief Executive Henry Little talks to Katherine about adventures in 'live operatic archaeology' and upcoming recording projects.
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Ida Haendel (1928-2020)
1st Jul 2020
Ida Haendel, the Polish-born child prodigy who became known as the 'grande dame of the violin', has died aged 91.
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Presto Editor's Choices - June 2020
1st Jul 2020
Thomas Adès's treatment of the Creation myth rivals Haydn's for inventiveness, whilst Arabella Steinbacher smoulders in Piazzolla, and Antonio Pappano whips up a storm in a new studio recording of Verdi's Otello.
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Joseph Fort on Holst's Cloud Messenger
30th Jun 2020
Conductor Joseph Fort talks about his recently-released new recording of Holst's Himalayan-inspired work, in Fort's own arrangement for chamber orchestra.
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New Music Book Publications - 29th June 2020
29th Jun 2020
A companion to Beethoven's Eroica symphony; a look at the making of the film version of West Side Story; biographies of Florence Price and Isaac Stern; a new paperback edition of Stephen Hough's reflections on music; a guide to tuba technique; the history of the symphonic poem in Britain from 1850-1950; and a handbook on teaching singing.
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Digital New Release Round-Up - 29th June 2020
29th Jun 2020
Handel's Semele from Sir John Eliot Gardiner (with Louise Alder in the title-role), Bach from Anna Prohaska and Lautten Compagney, Gershwin from Wayne Marshall, and a Pythagoras-inspired programme from Aurora Orchestra.
Featured product
Handel: Semele
Louise Alder (Semele), Hugo Hymas (Jupiter), Lucile Richardot (Juno/Ino), Carlo Vistoli (Athamas), Gianluca Buratto (Somnus/Cadmus), Emily Owen (Iris), Angela Hicks (Cupid), Peter Davoren (Apollo) English Baroque Soloists, Monteverdi Choir, Sir John Eliot Gardiner
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Sarah Vaughan with Clifford Brown
29th Jun 2020
Josh appreciates the brilliant chemistry between vocalist Sarah Vaughan and trumpeter Clifford Brown on the singer’s eponymous record.
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Jazz New Release Round-Up 26th June 2020
26th Jun 2020
This week’s round-up includes reissues of Marion Brown and New York Contemporary Five, sunny West-Coast vibes from the Gianmarco Scaglia & Paul Wertico Quartet, and a self-titled album from Norwegian singer Silje Nergaard.
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Byrd and more from the Magdalena Consort and friends
26th Jun 2020
The Magdalena Consort, Fretwork and His Majestys Sagbutts and Cornetts join forces for a second volume of English verse-anthems presented in glorious instrumental Technicolor.
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New Release Round-Up - 26th June 2020
26th Jun 2020
Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony from Pablo Heras-Casado, Zemlinsky from Marc Albrecht, William Dawson’s Negro Folk Symphony in its 1952 revision, and the world premiere recording of Vinci’s Gismondo Re di Polonia from Parnassus Arts.
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Roderick Williams on the songs of Arthur Somervell
25th Jun 2020
The English baritone talks to David about his new recording of two song-cycles by this rarely-heard Victorian composer, including a setting of Housman's 'A Shropshire Lad'.
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Connie Han - Iron Starlet
24th Jun 2020
Steinway artist Connie Han's sophomore album, Iron Starlet, sees her confidently harkening back to the heyday of bebop piano.
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Iron Starlet
Connie Han (piano)
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Das Lied von der Erde from Iván Fischer and other forthcoming highlights
23rd Jun 2020
A valedictory coda to the Budapest Festival Orchestra's superb Mahler series, plus Elgar from Daniel Barenboim and Elīna Garanča, Liszt & Thalberg from Marc-André Hamelin, and Barrie Kosky's Salzburg staging of Orphée aux Enfers on DVD and Blu-ray.
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Film Music Publications from 2020
23rd Jun 2020
Browse the latest sheet music from film and television, including selections from Star Wars - The Rise of Skywalker, Downton Abbey, A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, The Call of the Wild and more.
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Kent Nagano on Penderecki's St Luke Passion
22nd Jun 2020
The American conductor talks to David about his recent recording of the late Krzysztof Penderecki's searing setting of the St Luke Passion with the Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal.
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Massenet's Cendrillon from Glyndebourne
19th Jun 2020
Danielle de Niese and Kate Lindsey bring real psychological depth to Cinderella and Prince Charming's relationship in Fiona Shaw's astute and sparkling production, with John Wilson supplying fairy-dust aplenty from the pit.
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New Release Round-Up - 19th June 2020
19th Jun 2020
Vivaldi and Piazzolla from Arabella Steinbacher, Thomas Adès from Kirill Gerstein (and the composer himself), two concertos from Christopher Gunning, and an early Korngold opera's world premiere video recording from Turin.
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Jazz New Release Round-up - 19th June 2020
19th Jun 2020
This week’s round-up includes a reissue of a long-lost classic, some silky smooth jazz-rock and a dash of Pakistani classical music.
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The Amazing Bud Powell Volumes 1 & 2
19th Jun 2020
Matt revisits timeless recordings from the genius who defined bebop piano, Bud Powell.
