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Rachmaninoff: Symphonies Nos. 1–3 / Detroit SO; Leonard Slatkin [3 CDs]

Sergey Rachmaninov’s symphonic career had a rocky start with the premiere of his First Symphony, now recognized as one of the Russian symphonic works of the late 19th century. Both the powerful First Symphony and the gloriously melodic Second, with its lush harmonic Adagio second movement, are haunted by the Dies irae chant melody. (Naxos)

3CD# 8503278

Zádor: Celebration Music –Chamber Concerto

$24.99

Eugene Zádor was an established composer by the time he moved from Europe to the United States in 1939 where he worked as a film composer. Many of the works on this album exhibit Zádor’s finest traits, blending neo-Classicism and neoRomanticism with expert orchestration and rhythmic verve, and a dedication to tonality liberally peppered with gentle dissonance. (Naxos)

1CD# 8574262

$13.99

Elfman, Hailstork: Violin Concerto; Piano Concerto No. 1

This recording presents brand new concertos from two vibrant and contrasting American composers. Adolphus Hailstork’s First Piano Concerto draws on his African American heritage to create a work brimming with energy and high spirits. The Violin Concerto “Eleven Eleven” by Danny Elfman has its roots in the composer’s rock, film and television background, but also illustrates his love for the music of Shostakovich and Prokofiev. (Naxos)

1CD# 8559925

$13.99

Korngold: String Quartets Nos. 1–3 Tippett Quartet

Erich Wolfgang Korngold wrote a significant body of chamber music. His three String Quartets reflect differing periods of composition. The First marries impetuousness with enticing harmonies and rapt eloquence. The Second dates from 1933 and has great clarity and rhythmic impetus, with a full complement of Korngold’s lyricism. The post-war Third is more relaxed, unexpectedly juxtaposing the archaic and modern with a joyful conclusion. (Naxos)

1CD# 8574428

$13.99

Brahms: Hungarian Dances & the Hungarian Tradition [2 CDs]

Brahms had long been immersed in the folk traditions and spirit of Hungary’s musical repertoire, not least through the famous violinist Ede Reményi, for whom he played as piano accompanist. Brahms employed melodies that he had heard, as well as those based on sheet music, and in this album his Hungarian Dances are presented alongside their source material and variants, as well as some elements that Brahms omitted from his settings. (Naxos)

2CD# 8574424-25 $24.99

Rzewski: Late Piano Works

Frederic Rzewski was one of the most important American composerpianists of his time. The intensely contrapuntal Ruins and virtuoso Wake Up are the last pieces in his vast piano cycle Dreams, while the War Songs weave together six war and anti-war songs from the last seven centuries. Winter Nights was written by Bobby Mitchell. (Naxos)

1CD# 8559928 $13.99

Great composers in words & music

Mozart: Great Composers Series

This entertaining and informative biography takes us from Mozart’s beginnings as a child prodigy to his greatest successes and cruelest setbacks. The narrative is illustrated with music from each stage of Mozart’s intense career, including the ‘Jupiter’ Symphony, Requiem, Don Giovanni, The Marriage of Figaro and many more. (Naxos)

1CD# 8578361 $13.99

J.S. Bach: Great Composers Series

Johann Sebastian Bach today has a reputation as the Godfather of Western European music. Discover his story in this fascinating biography, illustrated with musical excerpts including the Brandenburg Concertos, Concerto for Two Violins in D minor, The Art of Fugue, St. Matthew Passion and the Mass in B minor among many others. (Naxos)

1CD# 8578362 $13.99

Beethoven: Great Composers Series

Illustrated with music from each period, this enlightening life history tells us about Ludwig van Beethoven’s place in society from his earlier career as a fine pianist, his life on the edge of the Napoleonic war, his professional triumphs and many misfortunes. (Naxos)

1CD# 8578363 $13.99

Debussy: Great Composers Series

Claude Debussy is regarded by many as the quintessential French composer, with music that invited both warm applause and frosty criticism in his day. This biographical narrative is illustrated with musical excerpts from Children’s Corner, String Quartet in G minor, Images, Nocturnes and Pelléas et Mélisande, among many others. (Naxos)

1CD# 8578364 $13.99

Satie: Great Composers Series

Erik Satie’s eventful life is told in this fascinating revue of a composer whose unique music is still influential today. The narrative is illustrated with musical excerpts from works including Gymnopédie No. 3, Gnossienne No. 3, Sports et Divertissements, Trois Morceaux en forme de poire and Relâche, among others. (Naxos)

1CD# 8578366 $13.99

Chopin: Great Composers Series

This account of Chopin’s life and times separates myth and reality. Illustrated with numerous musical examples, the narrative takes us from his youthful beginnings as ‘a second Mozart’ to the darkness and light of his life and the brilliance of his work. (Naxos)

1CD# 8578367 $13.99