harmonia mundi UK
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available May 18, call-off May 8th
MAY 2015
RELEASE DATE 18TH MAY 2015
GRIEG: Piano Concerto in A min, Lyric Pieces Javier Perianes BBC Symphony Orchestra Sakari Oramo Kanon op.38/8, Arietta op.12/1, Sommerfugl (Butterfly) op.43/1, Ensom vandrer (Solitary traveller) op.43/2, Melodi (Melody) op.47/3, Trolltog (March of the trolls) op.54/3, Notturno (Nocturne) op.54/4, Hjemve (Homesickness) op.57/6, For dine födder (At your feet) op.68/3, Badnlat (At the cradle) op.68/5, Det var engang (Once upon a time) op.71/1, Efterklang (Remembrance) op.71/7
Label: harmonia mundi File Under: Classical/Orchestral Catalogue No: HMC902205 Barcode: 3149020220528 NORMAL Price Format: 1 CD Packaging: slipcase Javier Perianes [piano] BBC Symphony Orchestra Sakari Oramo
The work of a young musician of 25, the celebrated Piano Concerto by Grieg combines the great Romantic tradition and Norwegian folk music. The 'Lyric Pieces' are among the works that made Grieg world-famous. As in the case of the Piano Concerto, commentators have held that a certain combination of intervals (the ‘Grieg motif’) is chiefly responsible for its specific Norwegian quality. For Grieg himself the question of Norwegian culture was a tremendously important one, and he used his international reputation to fight tirelessly for the recognition of Norway as a state. He owed that reputation in considerable part to the 'Lyric Pieces', which he wrote over the space of four decades. They are indebted to the Romantic character piece in free form, which became widespread after 1830 and found outstanding representatives in Schumann and Mendelssohn. Grieg certainly also composed them with a view to their use in teaching the piano, with the result that they swiftly won the hearts of devotees of domestic music-making all over Europe. The present recording offers a representative selection: a set of eight pieces with which the 24year-old composer scored a resounding success immediately upon publication. He had managed to establish a personal voice virtually at a stroke. Further books followed over the decades, and, surprisingly enough, he enjoyed unfailing success with them, even though he hardly changed his ‘artistic strategy’.
ALSO AVAILABLE - JAVIER PERIANES & THE BBC SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA: CONCERTS:
HMC902099 Manuel da Falla: Noches en los jardines de Espana
15th April Royal Festival Hall, LPO/Ticciati 22nd May Cadogan Hall, RPO/Portal
“This is a disc to lift the spirits. Whether the music is sultry, strenuous or sunny, Javier Perianes plays with an infallible ear for style, atmosphere and colour…in the Nights in the Gardens of Spain the BBC Symphony Orchestra joins Perianes for a performance of panache and captivating flair and freshness.” Geoffrey Norris, Gramophone Choice, January 2012 "A gorgeous disc." Hugh Canning, CLASSICAL CD OF THE WEEK, Sunday Times 4 September 2011
RELEASE DATE 18TH MAY 2015
SHOSTAKOVICH: Chamber Symphonies The Dmitri Ensemble Graham Ross The Dmitri Ensemble under Graham Ross performs Shostakovich's String Quartets Nos. 1, 8 and 10, re-worked as thrilling Chamber Symphonies for string orchestra by his pupil and advocate, Rudolf Barshai. Written in Dresden 1960, Shostakovich was sent there to compose a film score but was overwhelmed by the aftermath of WWII bombings which he saw; the result was the 8th quartet.
Label: harmonia mundi File Under: Classical/Orchestral Catalogue No: HMU907634 Barcode: 093046763428 NORMAL Price Format: 1 CD Packaging: slipcase The Dmitri Ensemble Graham Ross
Named after Dmitri Shostakovich, the Dmitri Ensemble is based around the central core of a string ensemble, with a special commitment to presenting both unjustly neglected and newly-penned works with an innovative approach to engaging concert programming. Under the direction of the co-founder and Principal Conductor, Graham Ross, it has worked alongside living composers and has an increasingly diverse discography. The Ensemble’s collaborations with the Choir of Clare College, Cambridge, for hm USA, include a highly-praised recording of choral works by Imogen Holst, which received both Diapason d’Or and Le Choix de France Musique awards, and which was shortlisted for a 2013 Gramophone Award and 'Lux de caelo: Music for Christmas', released in 2014, was widely praised in the national and international press, selected as Christmas Choice, BBC Music Magazine, 2014. Their latest release in a series of works for the church year, which have regularly made the Top 10 of the UK Specialist Classical Charts, is 'Ascendit Deus: Music for Ascensiontide and Pentecost' with the Choir of Clare College, released March 9th.
“The orchestral playing lifts the performance out of traditional Oxbridge chapel music into something better within an appealingly varied programme” Caroline Gill – Gramophone, December 2014 "they are supported ably by The Dmitri Ensemble who sparkle all over Mathias’s A babe is born and the Willcocks and Rutter numbers at the end of the disc.” Simon Thompson – Music Web International, 18th December 2014
RELEASE DATE 18TH MAY 2015
BEETHOVEN: Violin Concerto Op. 61, Symphony No. 8 Op. 93 BRAHMS: String Sextet No. 1 Op. 18
Augustin Dumay Sinfonia Varsovia Kansai Philharmonic Orchestra
Label: Onyx Classics File Under: Classical/Orchestral Catalogue No: ONYX4154 Barcode: 880040415428 2 for 1 Price Format: 2 CD Packaging: cd book Augustin Dumay [violin, conductor] Sinfonia Varsovia [violin concerto] Kansai Philharmonic [Symphony 8] Miguela da Silva, Svetlin Roussev, Henri Demarquette, Marie Chilemme, Aurelien Pascal [sextet]
Augustin Dumay, one of the great exemplars of the Franco-Belgian school of violinist (Ysaye, Vieuxtemps, Wienawski, Grumiaux) appears on his new recording as soloist and conductor in a concerto that is contemporaneous with the foundation of what would become known as the Franco-Belgian school. Viotti played an important role in the early years of the movement, and his influence can be heard in Beethoven's great D major concerto of 1806, which after a less than successful premiere and years of neglect, until championed by Joachim in the 1850s, is now considered one of the greatest concertos for the violin. Distinctly chamber-like in mood, the solo part is extremely challenging and exposed, with nowhere to hide, and with no overtly flashy displays of virtuosity for the soloist. The concerto is partnered with Beethoven's compact, extrovert and high spirited 8th Symphony of 1812. Less well received than its companion of the same year, the A major 7th Symphony, Beethoven spoke of his affection for the 8th, and the music captures his boisterous humour, especially in the closing minutes of the work. The second CD is devoted to a third facet of Dumay's artistry: chamber music. Brahms' first String Sextet sees him joined by young musician friends. Brahms commenced his chamber music for strings not with a quartet, which would have invited comparison with Beethoven, but with a sextet. The darker sounds of the additional instruments provided a richer, darker sonority that suited Brahms' complex and rich contrapuntal and tonal palate. The work's premiere was led by Joseph Joachim, the champion of Beethoven's concerto, and a great friend of Brahms and the Schumanns. ALSO AVAILABLE BY AUGUSTIN DUMAY: ONYX4096 Franck & Strauss Violin Sonatas/ Lortie ONYX4091 Saint-Saens Symphony No.1, Cello Concerto No.1 ONYX4101 Brahms Serenade No.1, Beethoven Romances 1&2 ONYX4133 Brahms The Three Violin Sonatas/Lortie Advertised in Gramophone & BBC Music Magazine
RELEASE DATE 18TH MAY 2015
MAHLER: Kindertotenlieder, R端ckert Lieder 3 Songs from Des Knaben Wunderhorn
SCHOENBERG: Four Songs Op. 2
Anne Schwanewilms Malcolm Martineau Anne Schwanewilms is considered one the greatest dramatic sopranos of our time, and her performances in operas by Richard Strauss, Wagner and Mozart have earned her praise from critics and public alike around the world. She is also equally distinguished in the recital hall and her first CD for ONYX 'Das Himmlischer Leben' (Liszt & Mahler) was universally praised. For her second ONYX disc, Mahler again features - the searing and bleak emotions of 'Kindertotenlieder', the 'R端ckert Lieder' cycle and three 'Wunderhorn' songs. These are prefaced by the sumptuously romantic early Op. 2 set of four songs by Schoenberg. Advertised in Gramophone & BBC Music Magazines
Label: Onyx Classics File Under: Classical/Secular Vocal music Catalogue No: ONYX4146 Barcode: 880040414629 NORMAL Price Format: 1 CD Packaging: cristal Anne Schwanewilms [soprano] Malcolm Martineau [piano]
ALSO AVAILABLE by Anne Schwanewilms: ONYX4103 Das Himmlische Leben; Liszt & Mahler "This is one of the finest lieder records I have encountered for a long time" Musical Opinion "Evidence of her artistry is everywhere apparent. Her phrasing is seamless...Her vocal quality is not merely pure but powerful...Describing her vocal quality is strangely akin to food: 'luscious' comes to mind, as do 'rich and creamy'. Really I find it impossible to listen to this recording without feeling hungry." Gramophone "a voice you remember...a wonderful instrument. Beautifully done...a wonderful disc...very good recording." BBC Radio 3