Last year Kenneth Woods and the Stratford-upon-Avon based Orchestra of the Swan made musical history when they completed the first-ever recorded cycle of the Symphonies by Hans G�l. By dusting off the Austrian �migr� composer's gorgeously melodic and finely crafted scores, which remained relatively dormant throughout the 20th century, Woods has introduced a new generation to G�l's wide-ranging and extensive oeuvre. On this set, the four symphonies (each originally released alongside those of Robert Schumann), are re-mastered and presented all together for the first time, opening the door to further exploration and discovery.

Following three acclaimed releases for AVIE surveying works by Dvo?ák, Schubert and contemporary Americans, the San Francisco-based Cypress String Quartet turns to the seminal string quartets of Beethoven, performing the five quartets from the composer’s middle period. Formed in 1996, the Cypresses added Beethoven to their repertoire early on. Their signature sound, which is clear and transparent, built up from the bottom register and layered like a pyramid, lends itself beautifully to the Middle String Quartets – the three “Rasumovskys,” the “Harp,” and the “Serioso.” Included in this new box set - released internationally on November 11, 2014 on Avie Records - are original, extensive and insightful program notes written by Nicholas Mathews, professor at UC Berkeley. - Cypress String Quartet

In 2009, period-instrument oboist extraordinaire Gonzalo X. Ruiz joined Monica Huggett and her Ensemble Sonnerie in a recording of Bach’s Orchestral Suites which included a reconstruction of the Second Suite replacing the familiar flute solo with oboe, a premise soundly supported by the musicians’ research. The album went on to top the Billboard Classical Chart and was nominated for a Grammy Award. Gonzalo returns with an equally convincing recording of concertos commonly heard on keyboard, performing his own adaptations for oboe and oboe d’amore. He joins forces once again with Monica, this time with her Portland Baroque Orchestra. Upon hearing the beauty and virtuosity of Gonzalo’s playing it becomes easy to believe that Bach had the sound of the oboe in mind when composing these popular works.

Following their critically acclaimed debut recording of the complete string trios of Hans Gál and Hans Krása, which garnered a Gramophone Editor’s Choice, Ensemble Epomeo turns to music by Eastern European and Russian composers written in the latter half of the 20th century. Each work bears a distinct personal compositional stamp, providing for captivating listening and enlightening contrasts: the Polish Penderecki’s dramatic and lyrical String Trio of 1990 – 91, the Russian compositional giant Schnittke’s String Trio of 1985, the haunting Trio of the increasingly recognised and respected Weinberg from 1950, and the ever-enigmatic Hungarian Kurtág, whose continuously evolving signs, games and messages represent a collection of highly individual miniatures.

Classical Music

This collection of music from the Eton Choirbook, the vast collection of English sacred music from the early Renaissance, is the third in an acclaimed series by Stephen Darlington and the Choir of Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford. A thrilling encounter with the remarkable world of the liturgy of Eton College Chapel in the late 15th century!

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music

Garsington Opera, celebrating its 25th anniversary season in June-July 2014, releases its first commercially available recording, the rare Rossini opera Maometto secondo. Recorded live at Garsington Opera’s universally acclaimed 2013 performances – the first-ever fully staged production of Maometto secondo in the UK – the 3-CD set is stylishly packaged in a 100-page hardbound book, complete with synopsis, essay and libretto in Italian with English translations.

Set in the 15th century, Rossini’s hugely ambitious undertaking depicts the Turkish Sultan Maometto’s siege of the Venetian outpost of Negroponte and his ultimate defeat. The superb international cast is led by the suitably menacing bass-baritone Darren Jeffery in the title role, with American soprano Siân Davies in her European debut as his anguished daughter Anna, Australian mezzo Caitlin Hulcup as the general Calbo, and tenor Paul Nilon as the Venetian Governor. The assured baton of David Parry conducting the Garsington Opera Orchestra and Chorus highlights the brilliant and dramatic score.

This outstanding release mirrors Garsington Opera’s exceptional artistic standards presented in the spectacular, award-winning Pavilion, set in the extraordinarily beautiful Buckinghamshire countryside. - Avie

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music

In a performance that charms as well as moves in abundance (BBC Music), Andrew Parrott directs a hand-picked team of singers and instrumentalists in this classic recording. (Avie)

Classical Music