Formed in Israel almost three decades ago and now based in the United States, the Ariel quartet has built a reputation for tackling challenging repertoire with bold interpretations and deep musical insight. This suitably ambitious new project, timed to coincide with the quartet's 30th anniversary in 2028, highlights their dedication to Beethoven's transformative works, tracing his journey from the classical brilliance of the early quartets to the spiritual profundity of his later ones. 5060189563784 ORCC100378.2 44930509 .00 16.99 .23 ORCHID CLASSICS COMPACT DISCS CLASSICAL ORCHESTRAL & SYMPHONIC 05/02/2025 https://mediacdn.aent-m.com/prod-img/500/42/4402542-3325931.jpg 47 2 N DORHAM / JOBIM STANDARD - NO STANDARD In a time when musical genres are constantly in dialogue with one another, Standard - No Standard proves that the jazz tradition is not only alive but also constantly evolving. This album, the result of a powerful collaboration between guitarist Joost Zoeteman, bassist Bart Tarenskeen, and drummer Wim de Vries, showcases how three musicians masterfully strike a balance between reverence for jazz history and a fresh, contemporary approach. 608917359824 CHLL73598.2 44952211 .00 16.99 .22 CHALLENGE COMPACT DISCS POP JAZZ 04/25/2025 https://mediacdn.aent-m.com/prod-img/500/44/4404944-3329290.jpg 8 1 N GREENE / EARLY OPERA COMPANY JEPHTHA The passage of time has perhaps been unkind to the English composer Maurice Greene. By 1730 he was one of the most senior musicians in England: Organist at St Paul's Cathedral, Organist and Composer to the Chapel Royal, and Professor of Music at the University of Cambridge. When he was appointed Master of the King's Music, in 1735, he held every significant appointment in the Kingdom. Of course, the overwhelming presence of Handel in London at the time most certainly played a significant part in Greene's relative obscurity. His second attempt at oratorio, Jephtha, in 1737, marks the first successful foray by an Englishman in this genre. Brimming with attractively varied airs and choruses, powerfully emotive accompanied recitatives, and spirited orchestral movements, it is an engaging work. Taken from the Book of Judges, chapter 11, the account of Jephtha tells the story of a fearless Israelite warrior recalled from exile to fight for his people, a man not only of great valour but, as it transpires - thanks to an impulsive and fateful pledge - of profound honour, too, destined to assume his place as their worthy ruler. Christian Curnyn directs his Early Opera Company forces with a dazzling cast of soloists: Andrew Staples takes the part of Jephtha, joined by Mary Bevan, Michael Mofidian, and Jeremy Budd. 0095115040829 CHN408SACD 44952235 .00 43.99 .27 CHANDOS SUPER-AUDIO CD CLASSICAL ORCHESTRAL & SYMPHONIC 04/18/2025 https://mediacdn.aent-m.com/prod-img/500/46/4404946-3329235.jpg 83 2 N ZELENKA / LINS JAN DISMAS ZELENKA - SACRED CHORAL WORKS Jan Dismas Zelenka was born in Launowitz, Bohemia, in 1679 and died in Dresden in 1745. He had been a member of the court orchestra there since 1710, one of the best ensembles at the time, first as a double bassist and then as a church composer. From the 1720s, he stood in for the ailing court conductor Johann David Heinichen, who was then succeeded by the world-famous opera composer Johann Adolf Hasse. Zelenka's oeuvre - around 150 compositions have survived - includes symphonies, suites, overtures and, above all, sacred vocal music in addition to trio sonatas (which were written after studies with Johann Josef Fux in Vienna). Catholic church music in Dresden, with Zelenka as one of it's main representatives, is once again enjoying greater attention. 881488240634 HANC24063.2 44952457 .00 24.99 .39 HANSSLER CLASSIC COMPACT DISCS CLASSICAL ORCHESTRAL & SYMPHONIC 04/18/2025 https://mediacdn.aent-m.com/prod-img/500/89/4404989-3329334.jpg 3 3 N BOBO / HAYS HOW GREAT THOU ART Statement from the Composer: Musical composition is the revelation of one's innermost being. Writing for voice is one of the most meaningful forms of musical expression. Most of my writing is based on personal experiences in my life: memorializing a friend, the death of a child, a celebration of friendship, or other joyful occasions. My philosophy of vocal repertoire is the marriage of voice and piano, an equal partnership. Text is of ultimate importance. Text determines the mood, melody, style, and in the end, the accompaniment. It is my prayer that my music in some small way will be meaningful to those who hear and bring these texts to life. 044747414324 CAV4143.2 44952181 .00 15.99 .20 CENTAUR COMPACT DISCS CLASSICAL ORCHESTRAL & SYMPHONIC 04/18/2025 https://mediacdn.aent-m.com/prod-img/500/41/4404941-3329240.jpg 20 1 N MARUCCI / RESPIGHI / FALASCA ITALIAN SONATAS This album features three first-rate, greatly underperformed, Italian Sonatas for Violin and Piano. Respighi, Martucci, and Rota are all three wonderful composers, and it shows clearly in these works. Italian artists Fabrizio Falasca and Antonio Pompa-Baldi infuse these three great works with the life they deserve. 044747406022 CAV4160.2 44952198 .00 15.99 .20 CENTAUR COMPACT DISCS CLASSICAL ORCHESTRAL & SYMPHONIC 04/18/2025 https://mediacdn.aent-m.com/prod-img/500/42/4404942-3329237.jpg 15 1 N CHOPIN / DELJAVAN LAST BREATH - FOUR SCHERZOS BARCAROLE NOCTURNES 62 First disc by Alessandro Deljavan on Challenge Classics. Pupil of, among others, Nabore, Berman and Bashkirov, Deljavan chose some masterpieces of Chopin repertoire which have been recorded hundred of times. But, as usual with him, the listener has the impression to hear them anew, afresh: Deljavan has a thoroughly individual if not idiosyncratic approach to this music. Some may nor like it, but some will find and will hear surprising, revelatory things they never heard before. Pizzicato wrote:�Technically brilliant and with an exceptional imagination, Alessandro Deljavan brings finesse and spontaneity to Chopin's Etudes. 608917200072 CLLE720007.2 44952259 .00 16.99 .24 CHALLENGE CLASSICS COMPACT DISCS CLASSICAL ORCHESTRAL & SYMPHONIC 04/18/2025 https://mediacdn.aent-m.com/prod-img/500/50/4404950-3329282.jpg 24 1 N VERDI / LOY MACBETH In this interpretation of Verdi's MacBeth, stage director Christof Loy skillfully navigates the interplay of light and dark, infusing the opera - based on Shakespeare's work - with remarkable depth and drama. The outstanding vocal ensemble vividly captures the psychological nuances of the characters, featuring Ludovic Tezier as the paranoid MacBeth and Martina Serafin as Lady MacBeth, the mastermind behind the crimes. Giampaolo Bisanti pours his passion into the score, while The Symphony Orchestra and the Liceu Choir deliver exceptional performances in response. Consequently, the audience experiences a flawless blend of lyrics and music, crafted by the Milanese composer, librettist Francesco Maria Piave, and poet Andrea Maffei. It is a unique scenography." El Pais