"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, Andr�as 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.

Aaron Copland was often referred to as "The Dean of American Music" and his compositional style has come to define what is considered the American sound. For the first time in one collection, and originally on Everest Records, Alto is pleased to release three works conducted performed by the London Symphony Orchestra and conducted by Aaron Copland himself.

(6th) "Richter's friendship with Prokofiev dated back to their student years, and Prokofiev entrusted him with the premieres of the Sixth and Seventh Sonatas and wrote the Ninth Sonata for him". (7th) "a superb achievement" "a big wartime work... that can easily sound sentimental if played with less elegance than this, and a brilliant final toccata in 7/8 rhythm [Gramophone] (8th) "(the recording) is the Prokofiev 8th Sonata which encompasses breadth and depth in a way none can match"[Penguin Guide3*]"

Bloch's Israel Symphony is a large-scale work anticipating the Hollywood film composers' styles for biblical epics... The vigour and spontaneity of Abravanel's Utah performances... transferred to CD with great success" [Penguin Guide] "Nelsova's Schelomo, with Abravanel's support, is a fitting setting for the cellist who was Bloch's own choice for the work." "The Three Jewish Poems hints towards Respighi's Roman triptych (then yet to be composed)... Bloch's subtly coloured canvasses seem custom-built for an age increasingly attracted to late-romantic musical tone-painting. We are therefore greatly indebted to Sedares for these clear-headed, sensitively turned performances, extremely well engineered. Anyone with a taste for atmospheric evocations cannot fail to enjoy" [Gramophone]

Classical Music

Classical Music

Most of them are friends for all seasons, plainly and unaffectedly sung by The Choir of King's College Cambridge under the direction of Sir David Willcocks, we are spared any gimmicky accompaniments. Four Advent hymns, including Bach's Wachet auf ! (the Nicolai harmonized version) come from a carol procession. A bonus is Bach's Break forth, O Beauteous Heavenly Light" from the Christmas Oratorio, still inspiring... (Gramophone)

MORE HAVANA STARS / MAS LEYENDAS DE LA HABANA

POETRY CLASSICS: GREAT VOICES / VARIOUS

LEYENDAS DE LA HABANA

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music