Convinced that the Revelation of Saint John was the response to questions that man has posed since the beginning of time, and that music has the power of evoking something and making it comprehensible even without using images, he turned to the overpowering subject of the Apocalypse, a subject that is difficult to grasp in human, artistic terms: visions of the end of time, of the goal and fulfilment of divine creation. Completed by the end of 1939, the premiere took place in occupied Paris on 11 June 1942 under the direction of Charles Munch. The passage in the text about the 144,000 children of Israel who were redeemed went unnoticed by the Nazi censors. The unusual orchestration of this fantastic oratorio includes a quartet of vocal soloists, a mixed chorus, organ, and two orchestras: the orchestra of heaven, which corresponds more or less to a large symphony orchestra, and the orchestra of hell, an ensemble of grotesque sound effects.

Recorded in: Danish Radio Concert Hall, Copenhagen 15-17 May 1991 Producer(s) Brian Couzens Ivar Munk Sound Engineer(s) Jørn Jacobsen Ralph Couzens

Hindemith's "Ludus tonalis" which is presented on this CD was composed in the American exile. It is not only the composer's last work for piano solo, but also one of the most important works of piano compositions of the 20th century. To show what music and composition are: This is what Hindmith tried to undertake in his "Ludus tonalis". The basis for harmonic practice and tonal structure presented in "The Craft of Musical Composition" finds direct application in the final concept of the "Ludus tonalis". Heinrich Strobel, musicologist and Hindemith's first biographer called "Ludus tonalis" the "Well-Tempered Piano" of the 20th century. Composer Fritz von Borries said: "What has here become music is not a mathematical problem or experiment, but a deep spiritual triumph, in which ultimate reason and ultimate being are revealed. How can the meaning of Praeludium and Postludium be more clearly represented than by letting that which began in the beginning appear in the end and run it's course in reverse direction and vertically inverted? And what wonderful music it is both times."

In Paul Hindemith's collected works the compositions for violoncello and piano occupy a significant position. They range from solo sonata to concerto with large orchestra. The large number of compositions for cello is perhaps surprising when one recalls that Hindemith first attracted public attention as a violist and that many of his works were written especially for his own concert performances. However Hindemith was always surrounded by cellists - in his private life as well as in the circle of friendly colleagues - who performed his works. Julius Berger: Violoncello / Siegfried Mauser: piano.

Classical Music

Classical Music

Recorded in: Brangwyn Hall, Swansea 25-26 February 1998 Producer(s) Ralph Couzens Sound Engineer(s) Ralph Couzens Richard Smoker (Assistant)

Recorded in: Brangwyn Hall, Swansea 7-8 October 1997 Producer(s) Ralph Couzens Sound Engineer(s) Ralph Couzens Richard Smoker (Assistant)

Recorded in: Danish Radio Concert Hall, Copenhagen 14-15 & 17-18 March 1995 Producer(s) Brian Couzens Claus Due Sound Engineer(s) Lars S. Christensen

Recorded in: New Broadcasting House, Manchester 12,13 November 1992 Producer(s) Ralph Couzens Sound Engineer(s) Don Hartridge

Recorded in: Stockholm Concert Hall 4-5, 7-11 June 1993 Producer(s) Ralph Couzens Sound Engineer(s) Ben Connellan Richard Smoker (Assistant)

Classical Music

Classical Music

Recorded in: Snape Maltings Concert Hall, Suffolk 25-27 January 1989 Producer(s) Tim Oldham Sound Engineer(s) Anthony Howell

Classical Music

Recorded in: Danish Radio Concert Hall, Copenhagen 21, 22, 24 January 1994 Producer(s) Brian Couzens Ivar Munk Sound Engineer(s) Lars S. Christensen

Classical Music

Recorded in: Wessex Hall, Poole Arts Centre 27-28 February 1993 Producer(s) Brian Couzens Sound Engineer(s) Ralph Couzens Richard Smoker (Assistant)

Recorded in: Snape Maltings Concert Hall, Suffolk 1 Juky 1986 Producer(s) Brian Couzens Sound Engineer(s) Philip Couzens

Classical Music

Recorded in: Henry Wood Hall, Glasgow 1 April 1985 & 1 May 1985 Producer(s) Brian Couzens Sound Engineer(s) Ralph Couzens Philip Couzens [Assistant]

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music

Britten: Rape of Lucretia (The)

ALWYN: Symphony No. 2 / Overture to a Masque / The Magic Isl

COPLAND: Piano Concerto / BRITTEN: Piano Concerto in D major