Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music

Tarasova already has two of the label's biggest sellers with Weinberg Cello Music (99131, 99132)

Maurice Ravel's music reflects the cultural and creative ferment of his times, as the heady sensuality of the Belle �poque made way for neo-classicism, the Jazz Age and modernism. Strikingly diverse in mood and scale, his works assert his distinctive identity, expressed through craftsmanship of the utmost finesse and beauty: deeply sensitive and balancing sincerity, irony and a touch of provocation. An essential collection of landmark performances, this 21-CD box of Ravel's complete works brings together major interpreters of the present day and preceding generations. There are even contributions from the composer himself, as conductor, pianist (on piano rolls) and artistic supervisor.

Cello Sonatas: Prokofiev/Shostakovich/Khachaturian by Marina Tarasova and Ivan Sokolov - More New Recordings from Marina Tarasova following up the recent successes on Northern Flowers

Seven CD box set containing Ralph Vaughan Williams' complete symphonies. Vaughan Williams is a much revered figure in the history of British music. Included in this set is the ravishingly beautiful 'The Lark Ascending'. Conducted by Bernard Haitink, a one-time principal conductor of the London Philharmonic.

Classical Music

JANACEK: In the Mist / Concertino / Variations for Zdenka

SZYMANOWSKI: Songs with Orchestra

'I Will Breathe a Mountain' is a new cycle of songs from William Bolcom, written for Marilyn Horne as part of the celebrations of the 100th anniversary of Carnegie Hall. Bolcom sets eleven poems by eleven women, including Emily Dickinson and Elizabeth Bishop, in a variety of styles ranging from ragtime and cabaret oriented numbers to straightforward art songs. The result is impressive and is minutely tailored to Horne's particular vocal and interpretive strengths.
Horne has always been a distinguished interpreter of Bernstein. Here she sings excerpts from his theater and concert works to great effect, including the number from 'Songfest' intended for her as well as a song from the elusive '1600 Pennsylvania Avenue,' his final musical. Although recorded a bit late in the singer's career, it is good to have Horne's thoughts on the music of Samuel Barber. The songs are among the most beautiful of American art songs. This is an important addition to the legacy of recorded American song.

Classical Music

Review Examples: (5th):"However committed you are to any other interpretation, his demands to be heard."(Gramophone);(6th/14th): BBC Music Magazine Disc of the Month Nov.2014. (8th): Mravinsky's live recording of the Eighth of capital importance and demands to be heard: the Leningrad audience is struck dumb by it." (Gramophone). (10th): deeply moving.... Maxim Shostakovich should be compared with Haitink for noble sobriety" (Gramophone). (11th): "A superb performance with excellent sound makes this a benchmark recording and my top CD choice of the year. Shostakovich fans ignore this release at their peril !" (MusicWeb). (13th): So it's significant this is once again made available, especially in such a memorably intense performance." (Gramophone). (15th) "a superbly vivid Fifteenth, generally hard-driven � la Mravinsky but here far more convincingly poised" (Gramophone)

Classical Music

Benjamin Britten had a rare genius for setting words to music, becoming one of the most successful choral composers of the 20th Century... Voices and organ make a mystical union, spotlighting their sonorous incompatibilities... Rejoice: Once again the composer extracts a first-rate performance" "Gloriana Dances: choral singing of such quality... balance of the recording... exceptionally life-like and satisfactory, and the sound as good as I have heard... no carol is more perfect in it's simplicity than his Hymn to the Virgin... I also enjoy Britten's church music from New College, Oxford, directed by David Lumsden. This includes the Hymn to St Cecilia." (Gramophone)

Most important, historically, is the Moscow recording of the original 1962 version of Shostakovich's Symphony No.13 (with the bass Vitaly Gromadsky), using Yevtushenko's (pre-censored) text commemorating the massacre of Jews at Babi Yar... Yevtushenko's original ('I feel myself a Jew'), was what the anti-Semitic Soviet government would have no truck with. So it's significant this is once again made available, especially in such a memorably intense performance. (Gramophone)

an outstanding production for the interest of the music, and for the superb quality of both playing and recording. Manuel Ponce's concerto for Segovia has symphonic leanings... and southerly leanings, extending to authentic native tunes and sultry guitar rhythms. The combination is fascinating... Rodrigo's Fantasia benefits from the tone-colour of the guitar, enhanced further by this particularly good recording... Segovia ensures for posterity... his superlative playing (Gramophone)

Charles Mackerras has shown himself one of the finest Jan�cek conductors. His readings convey a sense of burning belief in and love of Jan�cek's music; they are well prepared; yet it is as if the strangeness and beauty of the music were being revealed for the first time. The engineers have excelled themselves, matching this bold approach with an equally bold recording... In the four Preludes the performances are excellently dramatic, and most moving. (Gramophone)

a sympathetic and sensitive guide to this repertoire... well recorded. She produces a wide range of keyboard colour and a good dynamic range. On the whole the set makes a clear first choice in this repertoire (Penguin Guide 3 stars) "She is not one of the bash and glitter school. Her approach reaches the heart of the music by stealth... soft playing which is yet deep in tone" (Musical Opinion)

(9th) They capture not only the joyful irreverence but the sense of danger lurking beneath... solo wind playing is excellent throughout... brilliantly played and vividly recorded (CD Review) (15th) "with a superbly vivid Fifteenth, generally hard-driven � la Mravinsky but far more convincingly poised... first movement goes at a frightening lick, deserting the toy shop for the asylum, the slow movement lacks only the very last ounce of desolation and the finale, always intelligently conceived, is suitably emotive at the close. The sound has immediacy and enough depth." (Gramophone)

This is a special work. It begins with a dialogue between the soloists, cello and viola which seems very elaborated. Then starts a Handel-like concerto grosso sound which is in that context very mad. Soon join drums and electrical guitar to the orchestra. This is a great fun and could be called a remix of old classical music with modern parts... Orchestra, Soloists and Conductor are the best of that time in Russia (Discogs).

Classical Music

This 'po�me de l'extase is something else altogether... this develops into a thrillingly intense, even intimidating experience. Subtle refinement is scarcely on the agenda, yet the sheer theatrical fervour of this account is hard to resist, and those malignant sneers from muted USSR SO trombones at 8:27 onwards have to heard to be believed (was this particular passage ever more evil-sounding than here?). What a pity the applause was edited out-I was on my feet long before the end! (Gramophone)

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music