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Orchestral Music - TCHAIKOVSKY, P.I. / STRAUSS, R. / STRAVINSKY, I. / SHOSTAKOVICH, D. (City of Birmingham Symphony, Nelsons) (9-CD Box Set) (C987199)




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SAINT-SAËNS, C.: Ascanio: Ballet / Overtures to Stage Works (Malmö Symphony, Märkl) (8.574033)

Saint-Saëns’ operatic works contain instrumental music of vivacity and charm but have been undeservedly overlooked. Ascanio contains a substantial and elaborate divertissement that fellow composer Reynaldo Hahn termed ‘the entire Renaissance in a few pages’. Les Barbares, a tale of conquest and revenge, includes a vivid Prologue and joyful ballet, while La Princesse jaune with its pentatonic writing, and La Jota aragonese laced with Spanish vitality, show the composer at his most generously carefree.




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WEBER, C.M. von: Peter Schmoll und seine Nachbarn [Opera] (Edelmann, Grümbel, Revolskaya, Vienna Radio Symphony, Paternostro) (C5376)




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EISLER, H.: Leipzig Symphony / Funeral Pieces / Nuit et brouillard (Leipzig MDR Symphony, Berlin Chamber Symphony, Bruns) (C5368)




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DOHNÁNYI, E.: Symphony No. 1 / Symphonic Minutes (Rheinland-Pfalz State Philharmonic, Paternostro) (C5386)




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WEIGL, K.: Symphonies Nos. 4 and 6 (Rheinland-Pfalz State Philharmonic, Bruns) (C5385)




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KRENEK, E.: Tricks and Trifles / 7 Orchestral Pieces / Symphonie, `Pallas Athene` / Potpourri (Rheinland-Pfalz State Philharmonic, Steffens) (C5379)




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ZEMLINSKY, A. von: Traumgörge (Der) [Opera] (Protschka, P. Coburn, J. Martin, H. Welker, Frankfurt Radio Symphony, G. Albrecht) (C5395)




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BUSONI, F.: Turandot / Arlecchino oder Die Fenster [Operas] (Pape, Plech, Wörle, S. Lorenz, Berlin Radio Symphony, G. Albrecht) (C5398)




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Orchestral Music - DUTILLEUX, H. / HINDEMITH, P. / KABALEVSKY, D. (Modern Times Edition) (Rheinland-Pfalz State Philharmonic, Steffens)(10-CD Box Set) (C7337)




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KAPUSTIN, N.: Saxophone Chamber Music (E. Blumina, P. Bruns, Clair-Obscur Saxophone Quartet) (C5369)




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DOHNÁNYI, E.: Schleier der Pierrette (Der) (The Veil of Pierrette) [Pantomime] (Vienna Radio Symphony, Matiakh) (C5388)




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BERNSTEIN, L.: Mass (Dyk, Vienna State Opera Children's Choir, Company of Music, Wiener Singakademie, Vienna Radio Symphony, D.R. Davies) (C5370)




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ZEMLINSKY, A.: Sinfonietta / 6 Gesänge / Der König Kandaules (excerpts) (P. Lang, S. Lorenz, Vienna Radio Symphony, G. Albrecht, Mälkki) (C5377)




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FRANCK, C.: Djinn (Les) / Symphonic Variations / Prélude, choral et fugue / Prélude, aria et final(Biret Concerto Edition, Vol. 9) (8.571403)




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PENDERECKI, K.: Symphony No. 6, `Chinesische Lieder` / Clarinet Concerto (Genz, Wojciechowski, Polish Chamber Philharmonic, Rajski) (CDAccordACD270)




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KOCH, J.: Concertos (Dreamscapes) (Fukačová, Tichindeleanu, Kruse, Odense Symphony, J. Brown) (6.220579)




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MADSEN, A.G.: Nachtmusik / GUDMUNDSEN-HOLMGREEN, P.: For Violin and Orchestra (Duo Åstrand/Salo, Danish National Symphony, Bancroft, Collon) (8.226138)




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Concertos - KUHLAU, F. / BARTH, C.F. / GADE, N.W. (Concertos from 19th-Century Denmark) (O. Nordahl, Aarhus Symphony, Thorel) (6.220664)




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SCHUMANN, R.: Symphonies (Complete) (Dresden Staatskapelle, Thielemann) (NTSC) (708408)




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SCHUMANN, R.: Symphonies (Complete) (Dresden Staatskapelle, Thielemann) (Blu-ray, HD) (708504)




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GLUCK, C.W.: Orphée et Eurydice [Opera] (Lyric Opera of Chicago, 2018) (NTSC) (714308)




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GLUCK, C.W.: Orphée et Eurydice [Opera] (Lyric Opera of Chicago, 2018) (Blu-ray, HD) (714404)




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BRAHMS, J.: Symphonies (Complete) / The Brahms Code (Documentary, 2019) (Bremen German Chamber Philharmonic, P. Järvi) (NTSC) (734908)




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BRAHMS, J.: Symphonies (Complete) / The Brahms Code (Documentary, 2019) (Bremen German Chamber Philharmonic, P. Järvi) (Blu-ray, HD) (735004)




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BEETHOVEN, L. van: Symphonies (Complete) / Missa Solemnis (Vienna Philharmonic, Dresden Staatskapelle, Thielemann) (4-Blu-ray Disc Box Set) (749904)




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BRAHMS, J.: Deutsches Requiem (Ein) (Farcas, Goerne, State Choir Latvija, Bremen German Chamber Philharmonic, P. Järvi) (NTSC) (753208)




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BRAHMS, J.: Deutsches Requiem (Ein) (Farcas, Goerne, State Choir Latvija, Bremen German Chamber Philharmonic, P. Järvi) (Blu-ray, HD) (753304)




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LA PHIL 100 - The Los Angeles Philharmonic Centennial Birthday Gala (Dudamel, Mehta, Salonen) (NTSC) (753408)




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LA PHIL 100 - The Los Angeles Philharmonic Centennial Birthday Gala (Dudamel, Mehta, Salonen) (Blu-ray, HD) (753504)




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MOÓR, E.: Concerto for 2 Cellos / Suite for 4 Cellos / Cello Sonata (S. Hess, D. Stromberg, Nuremberg Symphony, Piehlmayer) (OC1704)




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MAGNARD, A.: Orchestral Works - Ouverture / Chant funèbre / Hymne à la justice / Hymne à Vénus (Freiburg Philharmonic, Bollon) (8.574084)

Although Albéric Magnard’s oeuvre is relatively small, the uncompromising perfectionism with which he worked created a catalogue that is filled with expansive, complex and beautifully crafted music. Composed while he was still a student of Vincent d’Indy, the Suite d’orchestre dans le style ancien follows 18th-century models and is simultaneously solemn and joyful in mood, while the Chant funèbre is seen as his first true masterpiece. The importance of justice in Magnard’s life is expressed in the Hymne à la justice, while the Hymne à Vénus reflects every aspect of love, from tenderness to elation.




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KRČEK, J.: String Quartets Nos. 1-4 (Czech Philharmonic Quartet) (UP0214)




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Harp Recital: Plachá, Barbora - KRUMPHOLTZ, J.-B. / DUSSEK, J.L. (Works for Harp) (UP0216)




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GAVRILIN, V.A.: Russian Notebook (The) / Anyuta (excerpts) (Shkirtil, St. Petersburg Philharmonic Symphony, Serov) (8.573883)

Valery Gavrilin was one of the most colourful and significant Russian composers of the second half of the 20th century. He was only 25 when he composed The Russian Notebook, a ‘poem of love and death’ crafted in a new musical language that doesn’t employ folk melodies but does use folkloric texts, and with a virtuosic vocal part. These stylised tunes are combined with rich melodies to form a haunting cycle heard here in a 2018 orchestration. The ten numbers from the ballet Anyuta are lively, melodious and touchingly beautiful.




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DOHNÁNYI, E.: Piano Concertos Nos. 1 and 2 (Gülbadamova, Rheinland-Pfalz State Philharmonic, Matiakh) (C5387)




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ČIURLIONIS, M.K.: Sea (The) / In the Forest / Kęstutis Overture (Lithuanian National Symphony, Pitrėnas) (ODE1344-2)




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BRUCKNER, A.: Symphony No. 4, `Romantic` (1886 version, ed. L. Nowak) (Bavarian Radio Symphony, M. Jansons) (900187)




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BOLIVIA Ruphay (Los): Music of the Andes - Jach'a Uru (The Great Day) (EUCD2893)




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BERNSTEIN, L.: Songfest / GERSHWIN, G.: An American in Paris (Wolf Trap Opera, National Orchestral Institute Philharmonic, Judd) (8.559859)

An American in Paris is one of Gershwin’s most vivacious works, an orchestral ballet saturated in homesickness and the blues. This recording, however, uses the new 2019 critical edition and offers Gershwin’s original orchestration, unheard for 75 years—leaner, more angular and transparent, it also employs the correct use of the iconic taxi horns, for a new sonic experience. The breezy vitality of Copland’s An Outdoor Overture is balanced by Bernstein’s Songfest—written to celebrate the Bicentennial Year in America, setting the verses of 13 of the country’s poets.




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BEETHOVEN, L. van: Symphonies Nos. 1-9 (Warsaw Philharmonic Choir and Orchestra, Kord) (CDAccordACD075)




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BEETHOVEN, L. van: Symphonies (Complete) (Stuttgart Radio Symphony, Norrington) (SWR19525CD)




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BEETHOVEN, L. van: Mass in C Major / Vestas Feuer / Meeresstille und Glückliche Fahrt (Chorus Cathedralis Aboensis, Turku Philharmonic, Segerstam) (8.574017)

The custom of marking the name-day of Princess Esterházy with a newly composed Mass began in the 1790s and for many years was carried out by Joseph Haydn. In 1807 Beethoven was commissioned and responded with his Mass in C major. Coolly received at court, it is a celebratory work of large-scale brilliance. The cantata Meeresstille und glückliche Fahrt is set to Goethe’s poems and contrasts calm with exuberance. In 1803 Beethoven set two numbers from Vestas Feuer, written by Emanuel Schikaneder, the librettist of Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte.




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VIVALDI, A.: Four Seasons (The) / VERDI, G.: I vespri siciliani: Le quattro stagioni (R.M. Minasi, La Scintilla Orchestra) (PHR0112)




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SKORYK, M.: Violin Concertos (Complete), Vol. 2 - Nos. 5-9 (Bielow, Ukraine National Symphony, Sirenko) (8.574089)

Myroslav Skoryk is one of Ukraine’s leading composers and teachers, with a portfolio of works that include opera, a symphonic transcription of Paganini’s Caprices, and a cycle of nine violin concertos written over a 45-year span (Volume 1 is on 8.574088). Concerto No. 5 utilises jazz elements and a vivid fugato, while Concerto No. 6 explores the use of sensual moods and provocative dance rhythms. Syncopation and lyricism suffuse Concerto No. 7, while No. 9 is both touching and dramatic. Concerto No. 8 offers a representation of events in Chopin’s life through quotations, in combination with Skoryk’s own distinctive musical voice.




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SIERRA, R.: Cantares / Loíza / Triple Concierto (Trío Arbós, Cornell University Chorus and Glee Club, Xalapa Symphony, Marcelletti) (8.559876)

Roberto Sierra’s refined compositional voice is subtly combined with contemporary musical techniques and his Puerto Rican heritage in the three works recorded here. Cantares, commissioned by the Cornell University Chorus and Glee Club to celebrate the university’s sesquicentennial anniversary, evokes ancient Peruvian, Aztec and Afro Caribbean voices lost in time. The virtuoso Triple Concierto transforms the popular Caribbean rhythms of salsa, bolero and merengue into complex contemporary expressions, while the polyrhythmic layers of Loíza conjure a Puerto Rican town known for its strong African traditions.




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PROKOFIEV, S.: Symphonies Nos. 3 and 6 (German Radio Saarbrücken-Kaiserslautern Philharmonic, Inkinen) (SWR19086CD)




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PRADO, J.A.R. de A: Piano Concerto No. 1 / Aurora / Concerto Fribourgeois (Rubinsky, Minas Gerais Philharmonic, Mechetti) (8.574225)

At the time of his death in 2010, Almeida Prado was one of Brazil’s most internationally admired composers, one who created music of unique sonority and colour, rooted in his native country. In Aurora (‘Dawn’) he employs his newly developed ‘transtonality’ to radiant effect, while the Concerto Fribourgeois features a collage technique. In his Piano Concerto No. 1 Almeida Prado explores a cogent structure in which the soloist opens up, rips apart or transforms the theme and variations, in a work that is both grandiose and luminous.




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Opéra-Comique Overtures - BOIELDIEU, F.-A. / DELIBES, L. / GOUNOD, C.-F. / HALÉVY, F. / HÉROLD, F. / LECOCQ, C. (Vienna Radio Symphony, M. Halász) (8.574122)

Opéra-comique emerged in the 19th century as an intermediary between grand opera and burlesque operetta. This album charts its progression as a distinct genre, tracing the origins from Boieldieu and Méhul early in the century via the classic vitality of masters such as Hérold and Maillart into the operetta style of Offenbach and Lecocq. With innovative features, colourful orchestration, drama, wit and atmospheric writing, the operas proved very popular and these overtures encapsulate their immense vivacity and charm.




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LINDBERG, M.: Accused / Two Episodes (A. Komsi, Finnish Radio Symphony, Lintu) (ODE1345-2)