Born at the intersection of music, visual arts, and the world of cinema, this vibrant new program by producer Robert Townson brings together ten internationally renowned composers in world-premiere compositions. Pictures at an Exhibition: The Paintings of Bob Peak is modelled after the timeless concept of one of Mussorgsky's greatest works and brought to life by the Los Angeles Film Orchestra, under the baton of the legendary conductor Leonard Slatkin. Each one of the ten new movements is inspired by a unique piece from the oeuvre of the American illustrator Bob Peak (1927-1992), known for his posters for films including West Side Story, Superman, Apocalypse Now, and the original Star Trek movies, but also a prolific artist of commissions for Time magazine, the Olympics, and countless others. Composers include Mychael Danna, Harry Gregson-Williams, Marc Shaiman and Bill Conti.
Dedicated to the STEREO recordings of Sir Adrian Boult, this edition forms an essential counterpart to the previously issued Mono Recordings 1920-1957. Few conductors embraced the transition from mono to stereo with such sensitivity and imagination: Boult drew on a new generation of producers and engineers to achieve a remarkable balance of clarity, depth, and power. Covering the years 1956 to 1978, this collection captures his "Indian summer" in the studio and includes his landmark Schumann and Brahms cycles, alongside authoritative interpretations of fellow composers Vaughan Williams, Elgar, Britten, and Holst. Celebrated for their vitality and architectural grandeur, these recordings confirm Boult's central place in the history of orchestral performance on record.
One of the 20th century's most questing and influential singers Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau is celebrated above all for his extraordinary skill and insight in lieder. This complete collection of lieder and songs recorded for HMV, EMI Electrola, Teldec & Erato is brought together here for the very first time, showcasing not only his exceptional talent but also the evolution of his artistry and voice throughout his career, from 1951 to 1992. His relentless drive to renew the genre shines through as he explores a vast repertoire, from Schubert to Schoenberg, led by an unbounded curiosity that brought new dimensions to the art of singing. "... nobody could surely have prophesied that the singer would become such a prodigious phenomenon with a colossal achievement on record, never before matched and unlikely to be repeated in the future." Gramophone Magazine.
US a cappella sextet Lyyra's debut album "Rising" is a captivating project showcasing stunning repertoire arranged for upper voices. "Rising" is not bound by genre or style, but revolves around themes of love, identity, and togetherness. The six women of Lyyra come from different musical and personal backgrounds, each bringing with them their unique style. When joined together, they create lush, chill-inducing harmonies, and a long-lasting impression. Including pop hits, Americana, jazz, traditional choral, and new compositions, highlights include a cover of Billie Eilish's iconic "What Was I Made For"; Simon & Garfunkel's "America"; and jazz standard "A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square".
Composer-pianist Riopy returns with his fifth album "Be Love" - his first key music release since 2023's "Thrive". The 12 track album is comprised of 6 cinematic piano-instrumental tracks - a return to his roots of cinematic solo piano - and 6 more expansive tracks where Riopy experiments with his voice: from meditative whispers to raw and emotive lyricism. The composer-instrumentalist has utilised numerous ways to produce sound, just never his own voice. "I had this compulsion, this need to use my voice, because I think it's one of the biggest fears I've had through my life. It felt right. I needed to do this. "Be Love" was recorded on Riopy's dream instrument, the Steinway Spirio. It was mixed by GRAMMY-winning producer Oli Jacobs (Peter Gabriel, Lana Del Rey, Van Morrison) who has masterfully entwined Riopy's evocative vocals with his delicate piano tracks.
Produced during the astonishingly fruitful year before the composer's death aged 31, the Impromptus are short, lyrical miniatures of contrasting mood and character which create a musical narrative whose imaginative reach transports the listener far beyond the 19th-century drawing room. They have been core components of Eric Lu's repertoire for several years, but the pianist decided to wait before recording them. "I have a real sense of a journey with these works, in particular with Op.90, having lived with them intensely in preparation, on stage and, finally, in the recording studio," he says. "For me, the Impromptus are some of the greatest jewels in the piano literature. They are magnificent, deep pieces of music, and the very essence of Schubert."
New HD 192kHz/24-bit remastering from original tapes by Studio Circe. Herbert Blomstedt is an iconic American-born Swedish conductor known for his extensive career and "old-world ideals" approach to music. His career has included tenures as chief conductor of prominent orchestras, such as the Staatskapelle Dresden, and as music director of the San Francisco Symphony. Blomstedt was notably the first conductor of the Danish National Symphony Orchestra from 1967 to 1977, during which time he made the acclaimed recordings contained in this Nielsen box set. Blomstedt's conducting style is often described as disciplined and serene, using minimal, refined gestures without a baton, as he believes the orchestra needs a musician to communicate with rather than a "time beater." He has been praised for his ability to bring out the grace and clarity in a piece, and for his collaborative and communicative relationship with the musicians he leads.
Composer-pianist Riopy returns with his fifth album "Be Love" - his first key music release since 2023's "Thrive". The 12 track album is comprised of 6 cinematic piano-instrumental tracks - a return to his roots of cinematic solo piano - and 6 more expansive tracks where Riopy experiments with his voice: from meditative whispers to raw and emotive lyricism. The composer-instrumentalist has utilised numerous ways to produce sound, just never his own voice. "I had this compulsion, this need to use my voice, because I think it's one of the biggest fears I've had through my life. It felt right. I needed to do this. "Be Love" was recorded on Riopy's dream instrument, the Steinway Spirio. It was mixed by GRAMMY-winning producer Oli Jacobs (Peter Gabriel, Lana Del Rey, Van Morrison) who has masterfully entwined Riopy's evocative vocals with his delicate piano tracks.
I waited a very long time to record the Beethoven symphonies, said Daniel Barenboim when this cycle was first released in 2000. "I waited for the music to mature in me - or me in it - and to find an orchestra that not only did what I asked it to do, but which really felt every detail in the music exactly as I did at the moment we were playing it. This is the greatest joy that a conductor can have." Beethoven's 9 Symphonies recorded by Daniel Barenboim and the Staatskapelle Berlin for Teldec in 1999 will be released for the first time on vinyl, in 3 separate albums.
First of two LP releases devoted to the legendary Martha Argerich, the first being a best of her Concertos recordings, the second a best of her Solo piano & Chamber music albums (a day after her 84th anniversary). The term 'living legend' is genuinely apt to Martha Argerich, whose dazzling amalgam of virtuosity, insight, eclecticism, generosity and mystery makes her a pianist of unrivalled fascination. Argentinian-born, Viennese-trained, and winner of the 1965 Chopin Competition, she became a sometimes elusive figure whose every appearance and recording aroused eager anticipation.
Acclaimed pianist Beatrice Rana presents her latest album, a radiant tribute to J.S. Bach's Keyboard Concertos. Featuring BWV 1052, 1053, 1054, and 1056, this recording captures the intimate chemistry of Rana with the Amsterdam Sinfonietta, with Candida Thompson as concertmaster. Recorded in April 2022, following a 10-concert tour together, the album reflects the depth and brilliance born of their shared musical journey. Bach's timeless elegance and energy are reimagined through Rana's expressive artistry and the ensemble's dynamic interpretation.
Desire-Emile Inghelbrecht (1880-1965), a pivotal figure in 20th-century French music, was renowned as a conductor, composer, and passionate advocate for French repertoire. This comprehensive box set showcases Inghelbrecht's complete discographic legacy for Pathe, Ducretet-Thomson, Columbia and Erato. Spanning his 78 RPM records from 1929 to 1939, LP recordings from 1953 to 1955, and live broadcasts from 1955 to 1962, the collection highlights his favourite pieces interpretations alongside the major orchestral works of Debussy, of whom he was a close friend. Many of these recordings, including several CD premieres, underline Inghelbrecht's dedication to preserving and sharing the essence of French music.
The Planets is the most frequently performed piece of 20th century British music with immediate and lasting appeal. This high-profile live recording from 2006 was long overdue for the Berliner Philharmoniker who had not recorded The Planets since the legendary Karajan recording of 1981. Sir Simon Rattle had previously recorded another version of The Planets with the Philharmonia Orchestra, back in 1980, which was also hugely successful. Contrary to popular opinion The Planets is not a typically "English" piece. Holst's eclectic musical world was inspired by his fascination with astrology (mythology and horoscopes), Sanskrit writings and his admiration for the works of his contemporaries - particularly Debussy, Stravinsky, Ravel and Scriabin. "A magisterial performance, closely attentive to detail, in which the continental influences are highlighted as never before... The climax of 'Uranus' is a thriller: a massive build-up, with the famous organ glissando not spotlighted but spreading a great cloud of atmospherics in it's wake. Rattle also makes the best case yet for Colin Matthews' 'extra' planet 'Pluto'." BBC Music Magazine
World premiere recording. Mozart's magnificent setting of the Requiem Mass needs no introduction. One of his last works and a landmark of choral music, it is paired on this album with a new and complementary work by the pianist and composer Fazil Say: Mozart ve Mevlana, an homage to Mozart's Requiem, based on the texts of 13th-century mystic Mevlana Rumi. Introducing Mozart ve Mevlana, Fazil Say says: "Mevlana is a great philosopher from the Eastern world - the Orient. I'm from Turkey. I thought: 'Why not unite East and West in love and friendship through texts from the great philosopher Mevlana and quotations from the music of a composer of genius like Mozart in a fluid musical space?... I play all Mozart's works for piano and I have recorded them all. So Mozart plays a very special role in my life... Mozart's music is the music of humanity. Likewise, Mevlana's words unite people regardless of their religion or belief."
Recorded with Daniel Harding as conductor and the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande. Much of the violin writing in the Sibelius concerto is purely virtuosic, but even the showiest passages alternate with the melodic. This concerto is generally symphonic in scope, departing completely from the often lighter, 'rhythmic' accompaniments of many other concertos. Renaud: "I discovered the concerto by Samuel Barber on a recording made by Isaac Stern, which is very moving for me because Stern played it on the violin that is now mine. I heard it again in Gil Shaham's interpretation. The first two movements are very lilting, very melodic and generate a lot of images. The finale is very virtuoso."
Rising young virtuoso pianist with a profound musical insight. One of Gramophone magazine's piano experts, Bryce Morrison has written: "Levanon's daunting technique allows him the fullest imaginative freedom... Already he is liberated from the cares and concerns of other lesser pianists, free to do virtually anything." This project is part of an ongoing Liszt cycle (Sonate B minor in 2022/ Piano Concertos 1 & 2 + Totentanz in 2024) highlighting Levanon's affinity for the composer's virtuosic and poetic writing. Liszt's Transcendental Etudes are a monumental set of twelve virtuosic and expressive piano etudes showcasing Liszt's technical brilliance. A high point in the Romantic repertoire, they are considered as some of the most difficult pieces for piano.
The world's longest running musical is celebrating it's 40th anniversary on October 8, 2025. To mark this event, we're re-releasing the recording of the 10th Anniversary Concert at the Royal Albert Hall on First Night Records. This first-ever release on LP has been remastered and compiled for 2 LP vinyl especially by Sir Cameron Mackintosh and his team. The full recording on 2 CDs is also being reissued. The celebrated concert starred a dream cast featuring Colm Wilkinson, Philip Quast, Michael Ball, Lea Salonga, Ruthie Henshall, Alun Armstrong, Jenny Galloway, Michael Maguire, Judy Kuhn, a company of 250 and the 70 piece London Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by David Charles Abell.
Double vinyl LP pressing. Emerging triumphant in consistent and spectacular fashion, Itzhak Perlman - always a perceptive musician - also tells a captivating story with every piece. Ever since they were first published in Milan in 1820, the 24 Caprices of Niccolo Paganini have been regarded as the ultimate challenge for any virtuoso violinist. They are provocatively dedicated Agli artisti ('To the artists'), but few of Paganini's contemporaries were able to tackle the multiple technical demands inherent in the most astounding solo violin works yet written. In the 20th century, even allowing for the development of instrumental technique, the advent of modern recording technology and it's editing facilities, few performers in our own age have been brave enough to commit all 24 of the Caprices to disc. The legendary Jascha Heifetz recorded only three, Yehudi Menuhin only six. The Italian maestro Ruggiero Ricci, a life-long advocate of Paganini's music, was the first to set down all 24 on record. But it was Israeli-born Perlman in 1972, then aged 26, who was to make the definitive recording. Almost half a century later, Perlman's recording remains the benchmark by which all others are measured.
