CENTENARY ALBUM VERY BEST OF BILLIE HOLIDAY

in 1952 Kathleen Ferrier made her last and perhaps greatest record... four arias each of Bach and Handel. The (engineers) ensured the utmost fidelity (Penguin Guide Rosette) "This is a recording that honours all concerned and in which Ferrier shows the English art of oratorio singing at it's finest. She is in superb voice and is accompanied with scrupulous artistry by Boult and the L.P.O.... The finest thing of all is All is Fulfilled... The hushed way (she) sings "This mournful night" and the sudden broken utterance "It is finished", dwell long in the memory. Having listened to contraltos singing Return, O God of Hosts at competitions, I can pay no higher compliment to Ferrier than to say I felt I was hearing it for the first time... It is rare that a disc gives such satisfaction in almost every respect" (Gramophone)

Classical Music

Like Korngold, Herrmann was a consummate movie composer: his only Symphony -inventive, soundly constructed, always eventful and excitingly scored - successfully taps a harmonically tangy, neoromantic vein reminiscent of Barber at his best... The Devil & Daniel Webster (Suite) was assembled shortly after the film's score won it's Oscar... Herrmann treats several New England folk-tunes to his own special brand of orchestral wizardry. The score is both a gentle, sepia-tinted portrait of rustic Americana and a wickedly endearing account of Mr Scratch's devilish interventions... The 1943 berceuse For the Fallen, is a brief, but poignant lament for the soldiers killed in action... James Sedares and the NZSO are on top form throughout this valuable addition to Koch's concert works by acclaimed film composers" (Gramophone)

78+ minutes of classics in superb sound - (UK best-seller) originals plus 18 minutes with favourites for Pipes & Drums !

Cappelletti and Bamert's coupling is salutary in what little remains to apologize for in Respighi's music when played with real opulence and virtuosity. The fact is that the Concerto belies it's name: both have shrewdly perceived that Respighi's use of modality enables him to explore both early music and folklore... The lushness sounds much more natural in the context of a late-romantic violin concerto, with a big and bold performance of rich and dramatic gesture. Cappelletti, a striking and accomplished soloist, makes the most of the finale's punch and vigour, but also of the musing beauty of the slow movement. I now prefer this (version)... "romantic warmth is also a feature of Barra's Poema (suite), Respighi in neo-baroque lush harmonies with a baroque-size orchestra" (Gramophone)

[Symphony] "my ultimate recommendation goes not to Nonesuch's success, but to the moving recording on Koch Schwann - this is heartfelt music-making, pure and simple, that succeeds admirably in conveying the sorrow of these aptly named songs. Koch also provide better value for money with their inclusion of the very approachable Three Pieces in Old Style" [Totus tuus] "It's a simple, fetching, unaccompanied motet, written for Pope John Paul's visit to Poland" (Gramophone)

(5th Concerto) "Richter's account is a classic.it cannot be recommended too strongly.. this concerto could have sounded contrived BUT when put over with the rhythmic bite, the technical aplomb, and the pungency of characterisations that we see here.. a very different story !" (Penguin Guide 3 stars) (9th Sonata) "others are too sentimental.. I really do connect with Richter the most in Prokofiev." (Talking Classical) "Richter was possibly the greatest Prokofiev pianist who ever lived. He had a unique way of unlocking the music's pianistic beauty and poignant lyricism while still pushing it's steel-edged rhythms to the proverbial max" (Classics Today)

(Red Pony) Copland displaying his simple gifts for the ready folk-tune and here the Phoenix woodwinds have what it takes... It was interesting re-hearing his Tender Land suite. So skillful is Copland's orchestral transcription that one might easily be lulled into thinking this had been conceived solely for orchestra. As trumpets signal a new dawn over the open prairies, Laurie and Martin's love blossoms in some of the most generous music outside Appalachian Spring. That evocative solo trumpet again leads the emotional surge. No problems with the barn dancing 'Party Scene'. This is Steinbeck country just as surely as is The Red Pony. Sedares leads a spirited rendition, his warm and willing woodwinds stealing the honours" (Gramophone)

The Kyiv Patriarchate, established in 1992, was denounced by Moscow and the schism between the two Orthodox churches has become part of the geopolitical confrontation between Russia and Ukraine since 2014, even more so since Moscow Patriarch Kyrill has made warlike speeches. All Composers here were born in Ukraine. [Texts will be online at https://altocd. Com/product/alc1478/]

These present an even more formidable achievement... readings that are strong and positive as well as thoughtful... [No.1] crisp, lifted rhythms and a raptness to compare with Barenboim and Arrau, hold one's attention as a live performance would" [No.2] "That sense of spontaneity is similarly conveyed in the performance of the Second Concerto... formidable technique and warm, positive temperament... Tirimo is far from reticent as a soloist. He gives a commanding account" (both: Edward Greenfield / Gramophone & both 3 stars Penguin Guide) [2nd] "takes it's place among three or four best versions of this much-recorded work" (High Fidelity, USA

'Dominating my Critics' Choice for 1993 are Koch 's outstanding discs of concert works by esteemed film composers... Although the disc of Moross world premieres is especially exciting, both are distinguished not only by superb sound but also by wonderfully bold and intuitive performances that capture the distinctive style of each composer" (Gramophone) "his music's apparent simplicity and accessibility- is often quite sophisticated... this should not surprise us once we recognize counterpoint is basically the science of composition with melody; and the wellsprings of melody flowed for few composers more abundantly than for Moross" (Christopher Palmer)

[Villa Lobos] 'incorporates nationalistic musical elements of Brazil along with melodic, lullaby-like themes, to make a truly contrasting and interesting three-movement work.' (Classic FM) 'Brazilian sonorities and rhythms are a perfect match for the saxophone' (WFMT) [Glazunov] 'persistence paid off for Raschèr, who badgered Glazunov to write him a concerto. The Russian relented and the result - three short, pleasingly lyrical movements - was premiered by Raschèr' (BBC Music Magazine) 'Glaznov's Quartet is a foundational piece for the instrument' (WFMT)

Following the success of 10 Famous Cathedral Organs, this release Includes more Famous Cathedral organs with splendid sound. The Cathedrals are Westminster, Winchester, Salisbury, Hereford, Wells, Liverpool Anglican, St. Giles Edinburgh, Coventry and also King's College Chapel. Westminster Abbey, York Minster.

This Album was a Critics' Choice in Gramophone in 1993 when it was released on the Koch Label. The review was rapturous; "This Concerto is probably Rozsa's most celebrated concert work: it's impassioned romanticism remains wonderfully enthralling... Theme, Variations & Finale was inspired by a wistful melody and helped to make Rozsa's international reputation... Rozsa's rhapsodic intensity and dramatic shading would soon lead to a remarkable career in Hollywood... Vintner's Daughter, a picturesque set of variations, again shows the composer's melodic appeal and he uses the orchestral palette as seductively as in his film music"

Braithwaite has conducted British music to very good effect, and this shows him in equally favourable light... recorded sound is first class, and the orchestra of a high standard... (Suite) 'Nocturne' is the most deeply felt movement, and he conducts in a very expressive fashion. Cherry Ripe and Sir Roger de Coverley - Braithwaite brings out their cheerful, extrovert qualities effectively... He conducts sensitively in There is a willow... (Holst) The melancholia of the Lyric Movement is deeply felt... Fugal Concerto has more to offer than originally recognized (Gramophone)

Kondrashin's Fourth was made shortly after the first performance and is altogether outstanding. It is both spontaneous and imaginative... it's intensity of feeling and refinement of detail are matched by recording quality of striking range for it's period." (Gramophone) "Of the film scores... Hamlet was made of sterner stuff. This music is close in spirit to the major works he was working on at the time, you'll find many of the same textures and sometimes even the same music here." (Gramophone)

"His command is absolute, the mood calmingly resigned... The underlying melancholy (missed here by many) is fully brought out... [others] Weber's concertino, excellently exploits the clarinet's qualities... Baermann's Adagio has a certain melodic grace of an operatic kind ; and Debussy's Rhapsodie (competition work) has a lot of characteristic things, and never suggests that it was a piece he really had to write... Brymer's playing will be familiar from many recordings: He has a smooth technique, a lovely liquid tone - rich and warm in the clarion register, oily and vibrant in the chalumeau... He phrases Kramář with grace in the outer movements and expression in the Adagio; a skillful, thoroughly musical performance". (Gramophone)

[Gramophone Editor's Choice 12/1998] 'Lamoreaux's sensitive recital throws new light upon the genius of the abbess. Her voice, pellucid and supple, is perfectly at ease with Hildegard's demands. The instrumental additions, of other periods and styles, are drawn from the melodies, and musically rather clever.'(Gramophone)

19 Tracks of the greatest choral works of the 16th Century Giant William Byrd

Iain Sutherland was awarded the Gold Badge of Merit by the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors for Lifetime Achievement and his unique contribution. His others, also in superb sound: ALC1192- The Merrymakers - 20 British Light Classics, ALC 1392 - Sailing By - 25 more British Light Classics, ALC1206- Manhattan Playboys - 20 American Light Classics, ALC 1250 Orient Express - 20 Europe & Beyond Light Classics, ALC 1324 'Blue Tango' - Very Best of Leroy Anderson

If you have a weakness for Grainger the orchestral wizard, then this is one disc you simply cannot afford to be without... I hope Simon will soon follow it up (I long for new recordings of priceless miniatures like Children's March and Colonial Song); in the meantime, see if you agree with Delius who thought The Warriors by far Grainger's greatest thing". I know I do." (critic's Choice, Dec.1990, Gramophone)

The transition from the Baroque to the Classical era was largely led by Czech composers, many of whom were affiliated with the "Mannheim School". Their tuneful and imaginative music paved the way for the chamber and orchestral music of Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven. The tenth volume explores the music of Carl Stamitz, Josef Reicha, and for the first time on disc, Pavel Vranicky's Great Characteristic Symphony.

Winners of numerous awards, Andreas Schiff and Dinu Lipatti are world class pianists. Alto is pleased to release famous recordings of the pianists playing Bach, paired together for the first time.

Handel's Messiah is one of the best known and most performed works in Western music. Alto is pleased to offer Handel's Messiah in full performance by King's College Choir, Cambridge.