x U.S. Consumer Credit Unexpectedly Slumps $12.1 Billion In March By www.rttnews.com Published On :: Thu, 07 May 2020 19:12:27 GMT Reflecting a steep drop in revolving credit, the Federal Reserve released a report on Thursday showing an unexpected decrease in U.S. consumer credit in the month of March. Full Article
x STRAUSS, R.: Symphonic Poems (Frankfurt Opera and Museum Orchestra, Weigle) (6-CD Box Set) (OC033) By www.naxos.com Published On :: Sun, 01 Mar 2020 00:00:00 GMT Full Article
x BEETHOVEN, L. van: König Stephan / Leonore Prohaska (excerpts) (The Key Ensemble, Chorus Cathedralis Aboensis, Turku Philharmonic, Segerstam) (8.574042) By www.naxos.com Published On :: Wed, 01 Jan 2020 00:00:00 GMT Aside from his only opera Fidelio, Beethoven’s general link with the theatre in Vienna came about largely with incidental music or songs to be inserted into the works of other composers—insertion arias. König Stephan was written to celebrate the politically significant opening of a new theatre in Pest, its triumphant mood honouring the ruling Austrian Emperor. Standard-bearer of female heroism Leonore Prohaska is commemorated with a Soldier’s Chorus and a Romance with harp accompaniment. In Friedrich von Matthisson’s poem Opferlied (‘Sacrificial Song’), a young man prays to Zeus to bestow upon him beauty and goodness in youth and old age. Two of Beethoven’s four settings are heard on this wide-ranging programme. Full Article
x FARRENC, L.: Symphony No. 1 / Overtures Nos. 1-2 / Grand Variations on a theme by Count Gallenberg (J. Muller, Solistes Européens, Luxembourg, König) (8.574094) By www.naxos.com Published On :: Sat, 01 Feb 2020 00:00:00 GMT Louise Farrenc was renowned in her lifetime as a pianist, composer and teacher, but it is only recently that her compositions have emerged from many years of neglect. Symphony No. 1 in C minor—cast in the German tradition—is an exceptionally accomplished work, finely orchestrated, lyrical and fiery, and a substantial contribution to the canon. The Grand Variations on a Theme by Count Gallenberg is a showcase for virtuosic elegance, and the two overtures demonstrate real theatrical drama—Overture No. 2 was admired by no less a figure than Hector Berlioz. Full Article
x Cello and Piano Recital: Smith, Brinton Averil / Chen, Evelyn (Exiles in Paradise - Émigré Composers in Hollywood) (8.579055) By www.naxos.com Published On :: Sun, 01 Mar 2020 00:00:00 GMT Political crises and rising antisemitism in Europe during the first half of the 20th century prompted many leading musicians to immigrate to America. An influx of refugees formed a flourishing artistic community centred within a few square miles near Hollywood and this exceptional gathering of composers transformed America’s musical landscape. This survey explores their diverse output through music for cello and piano, including arrangements by the composers and their fellow expatriate performers never before heard on the cello. Full Article
x XENOPHON: Persian Expedition (The) (Unabridged) (NA0414) By www.naxos.com Published On :: Fri, 31 Jan 2020 00:00:00 GMT In The Persian Expedition (also known as The March of the Ten Thousand and Anabasis), Xenophon, a disciple of Socrates, relates his experiences of fighting with the Greek mercenary army ‘The Ten Thousand’ in Persia, and how he led them back to the safety of the Black Sea coast. Seeking to depose his brother Artaxerxes and take his place upon the Persian throne, Cyrus the Younger leads the 10,000 mercenaries on a dangerous campaign deep into the heart of Persia. There Cyrus is killed and his generals overthrown, leaving a young Xenophon to lead the army on its treacherous journey home. Snowy mountains, wide rivers, violent blizzards and hostile tribes obstruct their way, testing Xenophon’s leadership and his soldiers’ perseverance to the extreme. Full Article
x LENNOX, C.: Female Quixote (The) (Unabridged) (NA0406) By www.naxos.com Published On :: Thu, 16 Jan 2020 00:00:00 GMT Young, wealthy Arabella is obsessed with French romances: brought up by a reclusive widowed father in an isolated castle, she has educated herself through their pages, and been led to believe that their dramas and absurdities are reality. She blindly adheres to their example and interprets her everyday life through their lens, thinking that life consists of uncontrollable passions and murderous violence, and that any man would die for her. Thus she embarks on a series of hilarious misadventures, insistent on the reality of her imaginary world, like Don Quixote before her. Full Article
x From the Naxos Blog: Playing the fool (Apr 03, 2020) By www.naxos.com Published On :: Fri, 03 Apr 2020 00:00:00 GMT April Fool’s Day occurs each year on 1 April and although the day has been marked for many centuries in different cultures, its exact origin is difficult to pin down. One speculation links it to the move by France in 1582 to move from the Julian to the Gregorian calendar, effectively moving the start of the year to 1 January from the last week in March through to 1 April. People who were slow off the mark as regards this development, and continued to mark the transit ...more Full Article
x From the Naxos Blog: Drum roll for a teacher’s role (Apr 17, 2020) By www.naxos.com Published On :: Fri, 17 Apr 2020 00:00:00 GMT Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco I was on a plane a few months ago during which the choice of in-flight viewing didn’t immediately excite, but my eye was caught by a film about Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco (1895-1968). Naxos and its affiliated labels have released numerous recordings of the composer’s works which, to be honest, I find much more engaging than I did the film. In fact, we chose a clip from his Cello Concerto Op. 72 as the intro and outr ...more Full Article
x From the Naxos Blog: Swiss roles (Feb 07, 2020) By www.naxos.com Published On :: Fri, 07 Feb 2020 00:00:00 GMT Naxos has travelled far since its founding in 1987 as a budget label with a compelling business model, a chairman of great foresight and a DNA oozing innovation. It has developed into a web of avenues that link art music with music lovers. The Naxos label is now just one of the constituents of the Naxos Music Group; a host of other independent labels have joined the group over the years, benefitting from the Naxos global infrastructure, but each retaining its i ...more Full Article
x From the Naxos Blog: Reicha’s rich reach (Feb 21, 2020) By www.naxos.com Published On :: Fri, 21 Feb 2020 00:00:00 GMT You have to pity those composers who got air-brushed out of the limelight during their time for no other reason than they were contemporaries of the acknowledged masters, and so had to live under the long shadows of composers such as Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, and so on. Or, at least, it seems to us that they were unduly neglected. It’s nearer the truth to say that societies of their day did afford them recognition, but the passing of time has not been so acco ...more Full Article
x From the Naxos Blog: I can zing a rainbow (Jan 24, 2020) By www.naxos.com Published On :: Fri, 24 Jan 2020 00:00:00 GMT I never tire of listening to the voice of Peggy Lee (1920-2002), the American jazz and popular music singer who was also a songwriter, composer and actress. And with an active career that spanned some six decades, it seems I’m not the only one in her fan club. Her unique vocal timbre was apposite to one of her hits, Sing a Rainbow. I wondered if the Naxos catalogue could similarly zing a rainbow and turn up an interesting collage of pieces reflecting the individual c ...more Full Article
x From the Naxos Blog: Six Sounds of Shakespeare (Mar 20, 2020) By www.naxos.com Published On :: Fri, 20 Mar 2020 00:00:00 GMT Source: Hogarth Shakespeare March 21 marks the European Day of Early Music. By way of a slightly contorted response to the occasion, I thought we might take a look at William Shakespeare’s influence on composers, not through the contemporary contributions they made to performances of his plays (he lived from 1564 to 1616), but by taking stock of how The Bard has inspired and permeated the output of generations of composers since his day. ...more Full Article
x From the Naxos Blog: Is there a doctor in the mouse? (May 01, 2020) By www.naxos.com Published On :: Fri, 01 May 2020 00:00:00 GMT Source: The Flemish American As I write this blog, I’m in a lock-down situation in London arising from the Covid-19 epidemic. What was planned as a quick 7-day visit to the capital has turned into a longer-term relationship, since my home base of Thailand has pulled up the drawbridge against returning travellers such as myself. I’m staying in a hotel near London’s Paddington Station, and my permitted daily emergence to do a spot of ...more Full Article
x Naxos among ICMA 2020 winners – wins Recording of the Year Award (May 02, 2020) By www.naxos.com Published On :: Sat, 02 May 2020 00:00:00 GMT Naxos was among the winners of this year’s International Classical Music Awards (ICMA), announced on 30 April. Ondine, one of Naxos’ affiliated labels, was also the recipient of an award. Of the nineteen citations in the audio and video categories, Naxos received two awards, both of which went to its box set of Beethoven’s complete symphonies, featuring the Danish Chamber Orchestra under Adam Fischer. The collection won the Symphonic Music category and was also na ...more Full Article
x LISZT, F.: 3 Études de concert / Grandes Études de Paganini / 12 Études d'exécution transcendante (Hommage à Liszt) (A. Katz) (C990202) By Published On :: May 2020 Review by Jeremy Nicholas Gramophone, May 2020 Full Article
x EXHIBITION ON SCREEN - LEONARDO: The Works (Art Documentary, 2019) (NTSC) (SEV207) By www.naxos.com Published On :: Sun, 01 Mar 2020 00:00:00 GMT Full Article
x Orchestral Music - TCHAIKOVSKY, P.I. / STRAUSS, R. / STRAVINSKY, I. / SHOSTAKOVICH, D. (City of Birmingham Symphony, Nelsons) (9-CD Box Set) (C987199) By www.naxos.com Published On :: Fri, 01 Nov 2019 00:00:00 GMT Full Article
x FREDERICK ASHTON COLLECTION (THE), Vol. 2 (Royal Ballet, 2005-2007) (3-DVD Box Set) (NTSC) (OA1281BD) By www.naxos.com Published On :: Sun, 01 Sep 2019 00:00:00 GMT Full Article
x FREDERICK ASHTON COLLECTION (THE), Vol. 2 (Royal Ballet, 2005-2007) (3-Blu-ray Disc Box Set) (OABD7212BD) By www.naxos.com Published On :: Sun, 01 Sep 2019 00:00:00 GMT Full Article
x SHAKESPEARE, W.: Globe Collection (The) (Shakespeare's Globe, 2009-2015) (23-DVD Box Set) (NTSC) (OA1301BD) By www.naxos.com Published On :: Tue, 01 Oct 2019 00:00:00 GMT Full Article
x SHAKESPEARE, W.: Shakespeare Trilogy - Julius Caesar / Henry IV / The Tempest (Donmar Warehouse, 2016) (4-DVD Box Set) (NTSC) (OA1297BD) By www.naxos.com Published On :: Fri, 01 Nov 2019 00:00:00 GMT Full Article
x Orchestral Music - DUTILLEUX, H. / HINDEMITH, P. / KABALEVSKY, D. (Modern Times Edition) (Rheinland-Pfalz State Philharmonic, Steffens)(10-CD Box Set) (C7337) By www.naxos.com Published On :: Sat, 01 Feb 2020 00:00:00 GMT Full Article
x KAPUSTIN, N.: Saxophone Chamber Music (E. Blumina, P. Bruns, Clair-Obscur Saxophone Quartet) (C5369) By www.naxos.com Published On :: Sat, 01 Feb 2020 00:00:00 GMT Full Article
x ZEMLINSKY, A.: Sinfonietta / 6 Gesänge / Der König Kandaules (excerpts) (P. Lang, S. Lorenz, Vienna Radio Symphony, G. Albrecht, Mälkki) (C5377) By www.naxos.com Published On :: Wed, 01 Apr 2020 00:00:00 GMT Full Article
x YE, Xiaogang: Chamber Music (December Chrysanthemum) (Les Temps Modernes) (DE3559) By www.naxos.com Published On :: Wed, 01 Apr 2020 00:00:00 GMT Full Article
x DONIZETTI, G.: Heroines (13-DVD Box Set) (NTSC) (DYN-37859) By www.naxos.com Published On :: Tue, 01 Oct 2019 00:00:00 GMT Full Article
x SPONTINI, G.: Fernando Cortez, ou La conquête du Mexique [Opera] (Schmunck, Voulgaridou, Fiorentino Maggio Musicale Chorus and Orchestra, Tingaud) (CDS7868.03) By www.naxos.com Published On :: Wed, 01 Apr 2020 00:00:00 GMT Full Article
x SPONTINI, G.: Fernand Cortez, ou La conquête du Mexique [Opera] (Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, 2019) (NTSC) (DYN-37868) By www.naxos.com Published On :: Wed, 01 Apr 2020 00:00:00 GMT Full Article
x SPONTINI, G.: Fernand Cortez, ou La conquête du Mexique [Opera] (Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, 2019) (Blu-ray, HD) (DYN-57868) By www.naxos.com Published On :: Wed, 01 Apr 2020 00:00:00 GMT Full Article
x KENYA Papillon: Moyo (NXW76114-2) By www.naxos.com Published On :: Sun, 01 Sep 2019 00:00:00 GMT There is a new artist on the East African / Kenyan music scene by the name of Papillon. He not only writes all of his own music—in several languages—but he designs and creates his own instruments. Papillon is among the first musicians in recent times to look at African musical instruments with an eye to re-design, combining and upgrading them for a new musical experience. Moyo means ‘heart’ in Swahili, and ‘life’ or ‘spirit’ in Mbeere—Papillon’s mother tongue. The music on this album is inspired by the singing of birds in the morning, the roaring of lions and the cries of monkeys—it is Mother Nature speaking. With his soaring voice and haunting melodies, coupled with an abundance of African instruments, many of his own making, Papillon is a musical force to be reckoned with. Full Article
x CHINA Folk Music of China, Vol. 1: Folk Songs of Qinghai and Gansu (NXW76088-2) By www.naxos.com Published On :: Sun, 01 Sep 2019 00:00:00 GMT This series explores China’s rich and diverse musical heritage. The songs featured in this recording are folk songs of the five minority ethnic groups of Qinghai and Gansu provinces—Tu, Bonan, Dongxiang, Yugur and Salar. As with Chinese traditional visual arts, the song titles explain their mood and origin. Full Article
x ARMENIA Authentic Light Orchestra: The Sky is Cloudy (NXW76112-2) By www.naxos.com Published On :: Sun, 01 Sep 2019 00:00:00 GMT The Authentic Light Orchestra was founded in 2009 by the Swiss multi-instrumentalist with Armenian roots, Valeri Tolstov. His idea is to combine ancient Armenian folk songs and mix them with classical influences, jazz, rock and a touch of electronica to create a new musical form. In this fusion of styles, all of the elements supplement each other harmonically, producing a unique sound and an original interpretation of Armenian folk—the defining musical language of the Authentic Light Orchestra. In 2014, the band won the Grand Prix at the Armvision contest for Best Arrangement and Performance of a Folk song, and in 2016 they received the first Russian World Music Award. Full Article
x MALAWI Code Sangala: Mizu (NXW76109-2) By www.naxos.com Published On :: Tue, 01 Oct 2019 00:00:00 GMT Mizu means roots in Chichewa, the national vernacular language in Malawi. For Code Sangala it marks a musical journey back into the authentic sound of Malawi. The music is inspired by traditional Malawian dances, giving them a contemporary flair. Full Article
x CHINA Folk Music of China, Vol. 2: Folk Songs of Inner Mongolia and Heilongjiang (NXW76089-2) By www.naxos.com Published On :: Tue, 01 Oct 2019 00:00:00 GMT This series explores China’s rich and diverse musical heritage. The songs featured in this recording are folk songs of five minority ethnic groups of Inner Mongolia and Heilongjiang—Mongol, Daur, Oroqen, Evenki and Hezhen. As with Chinese traditional visual arts, the song titles explain their mood and origin. Full Article
x IRAN Jon Hemmersam / Asal Malekzadeh: In the Moment (NXW76147-2) By www.naxos.com Published On :: Fri, 01 Nov 2019 00:00:00 GMT The music on this album represents profound and direct communication between two human beings. Jon Hemmersam & Asal Malekzadeh had never met prior to the recording of this album, but they had the deep desire to create something beautiful together. In an entirely improvised set, they combine the sounds of the acoustic guitar and the Daf, a Persian drum. Full Article
x CHINA Folk Music of China, Vol. 3: Folk Songs of Yunnan (NXW76090-2) By www.naxos.com Published On :: Fri, 01 Nov 2019 00:00:00 GMT This series explores China’s rich and diverse musical heritage. The songs featured in this recording are folk songs of three of the minority ethnic groups of Yunnan province—Wa, Blang, and De’ang. As with Chinese traditional visual arts, the song titles explain their mood and origin. Full Article
x BRAZIL Mãe da Lua: Kalibé (NXW76113-2) By www.naxos.com Published On :: Fri, 01 Nov 2019 00:00:00 GMT Kalibé is an imaginary musical society where elements of different cultures come together in harmony. The heart and voice of this album is Mãe da Lua, a poet, singer, and activist from Brazil. With her deep and intense voice she sings about the need to preserve the environment, the meaning of existence, and the importance of universal love. All the songs have a strong message of tolerance and peace, with the belief that music can unite people. Full Article
x CHINA Folk Music of China, Vol. 4: Folk Songs of Guangxi (NXW76091-2) By www.naxos.com Published On :: Sat, 01 Feb 2020 00:00:00 GMT This series explores China’s rich and diverse musical heritage. The songs featured in this recording are folk songs of four of the minority ethnic groups of Guangxi province—Zhuang, Bouyei, Mulao, Maonan. As with Chinese traditional visual arts, the song titles explain their mood and origin. Full Article
x CELTIC Fiona Mackenzie / Brian Ó hEadhra: TUATH - Songs of the Northlands (NXW76116-2) By www.naxos.com Published On :: Sat, 01 Feb 2020 00:00:00 GMT Embark upon a wondrous musical and cultural exploration into the connections between the Gaels and their Northern European neighbours. Featuring ancient and modern texts, the songs speak to our past, present and future with music ranging from the simple voice to expansive arrangements and exquisite sound design. “Two of the finest voices in Gaelic singing today.” – Celtic Music Radio Full Article
x MAURITIUS Noukilla: Soley (NXW76151-2) By www.naxos.com Published On :: Sun, 01 Mar 2020 00:00:00 GMT Noukilla’s Soley is a mix of sega and seggae music, with a touch of jazz: a tribute to their home country of Mauritius. Created by Creole slaves, sega music was publicly shunned in Mauritius until the 1960s, when it was embraced nationally. In the 1990s, a Mauritian Rastafari, known as Kaya after the Bob Marley classic, infused it with reggae, creating seggae. Although he died under questionable circumstances in 1999, countless contemporary Mauritian musicians are influenced by his legacy and music. The album cover features the island’s most famous exr-esident, the dodo bird. Full Article
x CHINA Folk Music of China, Vol. 5: Aboriginal Folk Songs of Taiwan (NXW76092-2) By www.naxos.com Published On :: Sun, 01 Mar 2020 00:00:00 GMT This album features folk songs of the Austronesian aboriginal ethnic groups of Taiwan—Amis, Atayal, Saisiyat, Tsou, Paiwan, Rukai, Bunun, Seediq and Truku. As with Chinese traditional visual arts, the song titles explain their mood and origin. Full Article
x MOZART, F.X.: Rondos / Piano Sonata / 4 Polonaises / Variations on a Russian Theme (Drogosz) (CDAccordACD260) By www.naxos.com Published On :: Fri, 01 Nov 2019 00:00:00 GMT Full Article
x LANGGAARD, R.: String Quartets (The) (Nightingale String Quartet) (3-CD box set) (6.200004) By www.naxos.com Published On :: Fri, 01 Nov 2019 00:00:00 GMT Full Article
x BEETHOVEN, L. van: Symphonies (Complete) / Missa Solemnis (Vienna Philharmonic, Dresden Staatskapelle, Thielemann) (4-Blu-ray Disc Box Set) (749904) By www.naxos.com Published On :: Wed, 01 Jan 2020 00:00:00 GMT Full Article
x GIULIANI, M.: Choix de mes fleurs chéries / Le Giulianate (Le Bouquet Emblématique) (Khouri) (CDS7855) By www.naxos.com Published On :: Wed, 01 Apr 2020 00:00:00 GMT Full Article
x GAVRILIN, V.A.: Russian Notebook (The) / Anyuta (excerpts) (Shkirtil, St. Petersburg Philharmonic Symphony, Serov) (8.573883) By www.naxos.com Published On :: Wed, 01 Apr 2020 00:00:00 GMT 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. Full Article
x SIERRA, R.: Cantares / Loíza / Triple Concierto (Trío Arbós, Cornell University Chorus and Glee Club, Xalapa Symphony, Marcelletti) (8.559876) By www.naxos.com Published On :: Fri, 01 May 2020 00:00:00 GMT 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. Full Article
x KENYA Fadhilee Itulya: Kwetu (NXW76125-2) By www.naxos.com Published On :: Fri, 01 May 2020 00:00:00 GMT Kenyan musician Fadhilee Itulya began his professional music career in 2008. He draws inspiration from a style of guitar music called Omutibo from the Luhya people of Western Kenya, which is driving, syncopated, and gets people to dance like nothing else. His music has elements of acoustic folk, pop/dance and world music—making for a melange of good time music that is grounded in culture, community and care for the environment. His debut album Kwetu (meaning ’home’ in Swahili) features ten vibrant songs and also includes four traditional chants with Isukuti percussion, showcasing the roots percussion style of Western Kenya. Full Article
x Flute Music - CASTALDI, P. / COSMI, G. / DAVISMOON, S. / FANTICINI, F. / MORRICONE, E. / PROCK, S. / TACCANI, G.C. (Flute XXI) (Fabbriciani) (TC980090) By www.naxos.com Published On :: Fri, 01 May 2020 00:00:00 GMT Full Article
