New Release Round-up,
New Release Round-up - 27th January 2017
Instrumental highlights this week include a Chopin recital from pianist Maurizio Pollini, works for solo cello composed in the aftermath of the Second World War performed by Natalie Clein and a new recording of Mozart's Flute Quartets from Lisa Friend and the Brodsky Quartet. Other highlights include choral music from the Westminster Abbey Choir and new music inspired by Virginia Woolf by composer Max Richter. Wagner's rarely performed early opera Das Liebesverbot from the Royal Opera House and director Kasper Holten is released on DVD and Blu-ray.
After winning the International Chopin Competition over half a century ago, Maurizio Pollini adds an important new chapter to his ongoing interpretation with some of the composer's most famous late works, including six Mazurkas and three Waltzes that he has never recorded before.
Available Formats: MP3, FLAC
Natalie Clein performs Bloch's three suites for solo cello as part of a recital of works written in the aftermath of the Second World War. The sombre voice of the cello seems especially apposite in music of such deep seriousness, with Ligeti’s short sonata providing an energetic and life-affirming finale.
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC
Tchaikovsky: Violin Concerto & Lalo: Symphonie espagnole
Augustin Hadelich (violin), London Philharmonic Orchestra, Omer Meir Wellber & Vasily Petrenko (conductors)
Grammy-Award winning violinist Augustin Hadelich has established himself as one of the great violinists of his generation; cited for his phenomonal technique and gorgeous tone, he brings out the range of emotions across both pieces. These recordings are taken from live performances at the Royal Festival Hall on 17 April 2015 (Lalo) and 24 February 2016 (Tchaikovsky).
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC
Members of the Brodsky Quartet meet flautist Lisa Friend in an album of key works of the flute repertoire: Mozart’s flute quartets. These works are central to the classical flute repertoire – and deservedly so: the composer’s characteristic charm, wit, beauty, and elegance are in evidence throughout.
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC
A trio of English composers perhaps better known for their output in other fields, yet who played a crucial role in the development of the Anglican choral tradition in the twentieth century. James O'Donnell and Westminster Abbey Choir present a programme centred on Finzi’s Lo, the full, final sacrifice.
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC
Following the success of Sleep, Max Richter reveals his latest recording project – a new album entitled Three Worlds: Music from Woolf Works. It is drawn from his music to Wayne McGregor’s award-winning Royal Ballet production Woolf Works – inspired by the works of Virginia Woolf.
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC
Wagner: Das Liebesverbot (DVD)
Manuela Uhl (Isabella), Christopher Maltman (Friedrich), Peter Lodahl (Lucio), Ilker Arcayürek (Claudio), Ante Jerkunica (Brighella), Teatro Real Madrid, Ivor Bolton (conductor) & Kasper Holten (director)
Wagner’s rarely-performed early comic opera, based on Shakespeare’s Measure for Measure, enjoys its Spanish debut in a new production by director Kasper Holten. The lively score boasts clear Italian, French and Weberian influences that pre-date the composer’s mature voice, yet the music continually delights with the unmistakable emergence of Wagner’s precocious genius. It reflects the rebellious mood of a Revolutionary Germany, vindicating sensual love and attacking the fanatical repression of sexuality by a puritanical and hypocritical authority.
Available Format: DVD Video
Wagner: Das Liebesverbot (Blu-ray)
Manuela Uhl (Isabella), Christopher Maltman (Friedrich), Peter Lodahl (Lucio), Ilker Arcayürek (Claudio), Ante Jerkunica (Brighella), Teatro Real Madrid, Ivor Bolton (conductor) & Kasper Holten (director)
Wagner’s rarely-performed early comic opera, based on Shakespeare’s Measure for Measure, enjoys its Spanish debut in a new production by director Kasper Holten. The lively score boasts clear Italian, French and Weberian influences that pre-date the composer’s mature voice, yet the music continually delights with the unmistakable emergence of Wagner’s precocious genius. It reflects the rebellious mood of a Revolutionary Germany, vindicating sensual love and attacking the fanatical repression of sexuality by a puritanical and hypocritical authority.
Available Format: Blu-ray
Katherine Cooper - Head of Editorial
