September 1 classical releases

Classical releases

September 1

DISTRIBUTED LABELS: ACCENT RECORDS, ACTES SUD, ALIA VOX, APARTE, KINGS COLLEGE CAMBRIDGE, CHRISTOPHORUS, CSO RESOUND, EVIDENCE CLASSICS, FRA MUSICA, GLOSSA, harmonia mundi, LA DOLCE VOLTA, LES ARTS FLORISSANTS, LSO LIVE, MARIINSKY, MIRARE, MYRIOS, NAÏVE, ONYX, PAN CLASSICS, PRAGA DIGITALS, RUBICON CLASSICS, SIGNUM CLASSICS, WIGMORE HALL LIVE

available September 1st 2017

RELEASE DATE 1ST SEPTEMBER 2017

Tecchler's Cello: From Cambridge to Rome Guy Johnston, Sheku Kanneh-Mason, Tom Poster, Orchestra of the Accademia di Santa Cecilia Choir Of King’s College, Cambridge / Stephen Cleobury

Label: Kings College Cambridge File Under: Classical/Instrumental Catalogue No: KGS0026 Barcode: 822231702627 MID Price Format: 1 CD Packaging: cristal Guy Johnston [cello] Carlo Rizzari Sheku Kanneh-Mason, Tom Poster, Magnus Johnston Orchestra of the Accademia di Santa Cecilia “Guy Johnston’s playing is searchingly beautiful...” BBC Music Magazine To listen to a preview from the album, vist: https://soundcloud.com/london-symphony/barrie re-cello-sonatas-book-4-sonata-no-4-in-g-majoriii-allegro-prestissimo/s-vmjf2

Guy Johnston, one of our most exciting and versatile British cellists, began his musical journey as a chorister in the world-renowned Choir of King’s College, Cambridge, under the tutelage of Stephen Cleobury. He went on to achieve early success through the BBC Young Musician of the Year title, the Shell London Symphony Orchestra Gerald MacDonald Award, and receiving a Classical Brit Award.

Guy now plays a 1714 Tecchler cello and in its third centenary he set out to celebrate the life of the instrument, and its creator, commissioning a number of new works. He explains: "I began to ask myself lots of questions – How did David Tecchler end up settling in Rome, who was he making cellos for, and how did this cello come into my hands? What is my journey and role as a cellist in the 21st century? I decided to mark this anniversary by commissioning three works as gifts for the cello by celebrated British composers David Matthews, Mark Simpson and Charlotte Bray. I asked them to think of the role of the cello in the last three centuries and to let their imagination run wild."

Guy’s inspiration led him to Italy, taking his cello back home to get to the root of some of these questions. Joined by friends from both countries, recorded at locations close to his heart, and featuring works from across his cello’s 300 years, this album traces that musical journey, from Cambridge to Rome.

This release is presented by King’s College, Cambridge and joins the King’s Choir’s critically-acclaimed recordings, including Bach’s 'St John Passion', recently released on the anniversary of its first performance. Guy’s discography includes celebrated albums for Naxos, Harmonia Mundi and Chandos. The release will be accompanied by an extensive international, multimedia press and marketing campaign.

1 Ola Gjeilo: Serenity (O Magnum Mysterium) - wt. Stephen Cleobury & Choir of King’s College, Cambridge 2 David Matthews: Ein Celloleben 3-5 Beethoven: Piano Trio in D major, Op.70, No.1 “Ghost”- wt. Tom Poster, Magnus Johnston 6 Mark Simpson: Un Regalo 7-9 Barrière: Six Cello Sonatas, Book 4, Sonata for Two Cellos in G Major, No. 4 - wt. Sheku Kanneh-Mason 10 Charlotte Bray: Perseus - wt. Tom Poster 11 Respighi: Adagio con Variazioni, P.133 - wt. Carlo Rizzari, Orchestra of the Accademia di Santa Cecilia Classic FM playing tracks, Major Strad interview in May issue wt Charlotte Gardner BBC Music Magazine interview +++

RELEASE DATE 1ST SEPTEMBER 2017

Handel at Vauxhall, Vol.2 London Early Opera Bridget Cunningham London Early Opera continue their series themed around a typical evening’s entertainment at the Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens, with a second collection of works by Handel and contemporary composers of the day (William Boyce, John Stanley, Thomas Gladwin, John Lampe and Johann Adolph Hasse). Featuring performances by soloists Claire Bessant, Mary Bevan, Benjamin Bevan, Eleanor Dennis, Charles Mac Dougal, Nicky Spence and Greg Tassell, the programme evokes the carnival of music and entertainments that amused visitors in these London gardens for nearly 200 years.

The booklet notes feature images and expert commentaries on the Vauxhall Gardens by author David E. Coke and as well as conductor and musicologist, Bridget Cunningham.

Label: Signum Classics File Under: Classical/Opera & Vocal Catalogue No: SIGCD479 Barcode: 635212047927 FULL Price Format: 1 CD Packaging: cristal Claire Bessant | Mary Bevan | Benjamin Bevan | Eleanor Dennis | Charles MacDougal | Nicky Spence | Greg Tassell

TRACK LISTING 1 BOYCE: Spring Gardens (Rural Beauty or Vaux-Hal Garden) 2-5 HANDEL: Concerto No. 4 Op. 6 in A minor, HWV 322 6 STANLEY: The Power of Music and Beauty 7 HANDEL: A Song on the Victory over the Rebels by his Royal Highness the Duke of Cumberland HWV 228.9 8 GLADWIN: Colin’s Description of Vauxhall or Green-Wood Hall 9 HANDEL: Hornpipe in D major HWV 356 10 LAMPE: The Farewel to Vaux Hall 11-16 HANDEL: Comus, HWV 44 17 GLADWIN: The Ladies in Vaux- hall- Gardens, to the British Officers at Dettingen 18 HASSE: Roger and Sue a Ballad to a Favourite Air by Sig.r Hasse 19 ANON: A Loyal Song for two Voices ‘God save great George Ye king ADVERTISED IN BBC MUSIC MAGAZINE (OCTOBER ISSUE)

RELEASE DATE 1ST SEPTEMBER 2017

RACHMANINOV: Symphony No. 1 Live in Concert

Philharmonia Orchestra Vladimir Ashkenazy

Label: Signum Classics File Under: Classical/Orchestral Catalogue No: SIGCD484 Barcode: 635212048429 FULL Price Format: 1 CD Packaging: cristal Philharmonia Orchestra Vladimir Ashkenazy conductor

Marking their latest collaboration with conductor laureate Vladimir Ashkenazy, the Philharmonia return to disc with a stellar live-performance of Rachmaninov’s volcanic Symphony No.1 in D Minor.

Composed when Rachmaninov was just 22, the 1st Symphony has a famously tumultuous performance history. The premiere in 1897 was a disaster, generating vitriolic abuse from critics and reviewers of the time. Rachmaninov destroyed the score and refused to publish during his lifetime; it was not heard again until its reconstruction by Soviet musicologists for a concert in 1945.

Between November 2015 and 2016, Ashkenazy conducted the Philharmonia in a cycle of Rachmaninov’s three symphonies, plus the Symphonic Dances, across four concerts in the Orchestra’s London Season. From the youthful invention of Rachmaninov’s First Symphony to the Symphonic Dances, written 44 years later, Ashkenazy brings to life the music of a composer who, like him, felt his Russian identity deeply and yet spent so much of his life away from his homeland.

Rachmaninov’s four masterworks will be released as part of a three-album series on Signum Classics throughout 2017 and 2018. This is the first release.

Symphony No. 1 in D Minor, Op. 13 1 I. Grave – Allegro ma non troppo 2 II. Allegro animato 3 III. Larghetto 4 IV. Allegro con fuoco "This was a top-notch, utterly gripping account, and I loved every hectic bar."

The Times, November 2016 "This was a phenomenal rendition which gripped from first note until last."

Bachtrack, November 2016 "Throughout the night Ashkenazy was tireless, urging players with baton slashes, encouraging grins and pointed fingers...Afterwards, during the applause, came hearty handshakes and more grins. The night felt young.”

The Times, November 2016

RELEASE DATE 1ST SEPTEMBER 2017

HANDEL: Silla Lucio Cornelio Silla, HWV10, London, 1713

Europa Galante / Fabio Biondi

Label: Glossa File Under: Classical/Opera Catalogue No: GCD923408 Barcode: 8424562234086 2 FOR 1.5 Format: 2 CD Packaging: digipack Sonia Prina: Silla Martina Belli: Claudio Sunhae Im: Metella Vivica Genaux: Lepido Roberta Invernizzi: Flavia Francesca Lombardi Mazzulli: Celia Luca Tittoto: Il Dio Recorded in Vienna (Konzerthaus), Austria, on 28-30 January 2017

No Handel opera is as enigmatic as 'Silla'. His fourth London opera, it was composed in 1713 to a libretto by Giacomo Rossi, also the librettist of the composer’s first great London triumph, 'Rinaldo' (1711). And that is just about the extent of any certainty on the subject. It might have been premiered in 1713 in London in a private concert at the Queen’s Theatre, but even this remains unconfirmed.

This is one of Handel’s few historical operas, being concerned with Plutarch’s account of the latter part of the life of Lucius Cornelius Silla, who after taking Rome became a tyrannical despot who murders his opponents, before suddenly retiring to his country estate to enjoy his leisure. The libretto may be perceived as weak, however Handel utilised a significant part of it in his next opera, 'Amadigi di Gaula'.

Fabio Biondi and Europa Galante join an overwhelming vocal cast headed by the fantastic Sonia Prina in the title role, with Martina Belli, Sunhae Im, Vivica Genaux, Roberta Invernizzi, Francesca Lombardi Mazzulli and Luca Tittoto, who all excel in their respective parts. Biondi’s ensemble perform with their trademark elegance and precision in a recording made in the Konzerthaus in Vienna over three days in January 2017.

CD 1 [59:54] Overture, Atto Primo, Atto Secondo CD 2 [53:06] Atto Secondo (cont), Atto Terzo Sonia Prina appears on 10th September as part of her residency at Wigmore Hall, London

RELEASE DATE 1ST SEPTEMBER 2017

RAMEAU: Pygmalion, acte de ballet Les Fêtes de Polymnie, orchestral suite

Les Talens Lyriques / Christophe Rousset Rameau's 'acte de ballet' 'Pygmalion', was the composer's first work to bear that designation. The term denotes a one-act opera with the usual solo numbers, duets and choruses, interspersed with dance episodes and is generally more pageant-like than plot-driven! The opera was performed 30 times in 1748 and was revived to rapturous acclaim three years later.

The story of Pygmalion dates back to Greek and Roman mythology: the sculptor of the title forswears marriage, but then falls in love with his own perfect representation of a woman, beseeching Aphrodite (or Venus) to bring her to life. In Rameau's hands, the story became a sunny romantic comedy and one of his best-loved works. Like Ovid's Love, Christophe Rousset gives life to this score and leads a new and essential reading.

Label: Aparté File Under: Classical/Opera Catalogue No: AP155 Barcode: 3149028114324 FULL Price Format: 1 CD Packaging: digipack Pygmalion: Cyrille Dubois Céphise: Marie-Claude Chappuis La Statue: Céline Scheen L’Amour: Eugénie Warnier Arnold Schoenberg Chor

Pygmalion. Acte de ballet (1748) 1. Ouverture | 2. Scène 1 – Pygmalion : « Fatal Amour, cruel vainqueur » 3. Scène 2 – Pygmalion, Céphise : « Pygmalion, est-il possible que tu sois insensible » 4. Scène 3 – Pygmalion, la Statue : « Que d’appas ! Que d’attraits ! » 5. « D’où naissent ces accords » | 6. « Quel prodige ? Quel dieu ? » | 7. « De mes maux à jamais » 8. Scène 4 – L’Amour, Pygmalion, la Statue : « Du pouvoir de l’Amour » 9. « Jeux et ris qui suivez mes traces » ariette vive et gracieuse 10. Les différents caractères de la danse | 11. Sarabande pour la Statue 12. « Le peuple dans ces lieux s’avance » 13. Scène 5 – Pygmalion, la Statue, choeurs : air gay pour l’entrée du peuple qui vient admirer la Statue 14. Gavottes | 15. « L’Amour triomphe » | 16. Pantomime niaise et un peu lente 17. Pantomime très vive | 18. « Règne, Amour » | 19. Air gracieux | 20. Contredanse 21-30 Les Fêtes de Polymnie. Suite d’orchestre (1745) CONCERTS: 14th January, Les Talens Lyriques and Christophe Rousset explore the music of François Couperin, celebrating the 350th anniversary of his birth, at the Barbican.

26th February Wigmore Hall