A stellar line up of soloists, conductor, choir and orchestra combine forces in the remastered 2 CD set of Mozart's arrangement of Handel's much loved 'Messiah'. In April 1742, shortly after the first performance of Messiah in Dublin for the city's Charitable Musical Society, the Dublin Journal reported that the oratorio 'was allowed by the greatest of Judges to be the finest Composition of Musick that was ever heard'. Sir Charles Mackerras continues the constantly evolving performance history of one of the world's most enduring masterpieces.

Hail, Gladdening Light: Music of the English Church

HANDEL: Te Deum, HWV 283, "Dettingen"

"This release heralds a new association between Opus Arte and the Magdalen College Choir, Oxford, under its director, Daniel Hyde Dietrich Buxtehude's Membra Jesu Nostri is considered to be the first Lutheran oratorio Renowned soloists include John-Mark Ainsley and Robin Blaze Features Gramophone Award-winning instrumental group Phantasm"

Bach: Mass in B minor

Two CD set. Fritz Lehmann became conductor of the H�ndel Festival in G�ttingen in 1934, and held numerous conducting posts, the last one in G�ttingen (1946-1950). He subsequently was a teacher at the Hochschule f�r Musik in Munich (from 1953). a consummate conductor, he led notable performances in Oratorio, opera, and symphonic literature, ranging from the Baroque period to the 20th century. He died at age 52 of a heart attack during a performance of Bach's St. Matthew Passion. Especially noted for his Bach and Handel interpretations, he made numerous acclaimed Bach cantata recordings for DGG. He left no studio recording of the St. John Passion so we are fortunate that this live performance, with the highly experienced soloists Julius Patzak as the Evangelist and Gerard Souzay as Christ, was taped.

Classical Music

The work is performed here with Rossini's original instrumentation and also includes the hymn for soprano and piano 'O salutaris hostia', which is often omitted. As a world first, a bonus track 'O salutaris de campagne' is included. The four soloists are established operatic singers; among soprano Sandro Pastrana's string of awards are prizes at the Ottavio Ziino competition in Barcelona, and mezzo-soprano Gabriella Sborgi has appeared as Cherubino in Le nozze di Figaro and also in The Rape of Lucretia, A Midsummer Night's Dream and L'enfant et les sortil�ges. Recent engagements of tenor Davide Giusti include the role of Alfredo in La traviata, and bass Carlo Lepore is something of a Rossini specialist, appearing regularly in roles such as Don Magnifico (La Cenerentola), and Basilio and Bartolo (Il barbiere di Siviglia). Rossini wrote his Petite Messe Solennelle in his old age, 30 years after his last opera. The work, for the unusual combination of 4-part chorus, vocal soloists, piano 4-hands and harmonium, is a unique blend of the comic and devotional, of superficiality and deep feeling. Because of the small instrumental forces the work is often performed, to great public success. Also included is the seldom performed Hymn O salutaris hostia, for soprano and piano. A world premiere is the Salutaris de campagne, added as a bonus track. The soloists on this new recording have won their spurs in the field of Italian opera, all of them seasoned Rossini singers. The excellent liner notes relate the history of the work and it's interpretation, the specifications of the instruments used, and biographies of the singers.

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music

Gary Graden and the St. Jacobs Chamber Choir have performed the St. John Passion in the St. Jacobs Church regularly since 1990, the last 13 years together with Maria Lindal and her REbaroque ensemble. Though the St. John Passion has become something of a staple in Sweden's churches at Easter, there have been very few recordings with Swedish performers. This release documents not only the long collaboration between the St. Jacobs Chamber Choir and REbaroque, but is also the first recording of a tradition that has existed in the St. Jacobs Church for almost seven decades.

The Sixteen adds to its stunning Handel collection with a new recording of Dixit Dominus set alongside a little know treasure - Agostino Steffani’s Stabat Mater. Full of virtuosity, vibrant colour and dynamic energy, Handel’s Dixit Dominus captures absolutely the Italian style of the period. Handel’s control of forces is masterly and the range of texture and style is breathtaking. Written during the composer’s time in Italy in the early eighteenth century it is amongst his first autographed works and also one of his finest. By comparison Agostino Steffani’s little known Stabat Mater was one of his last compositions. Written for the Academy of Vocal Music in London, this work is the most powerful expression of Steffani’s religious fervour and, outside opera, his largest, most varied and most heartfelt composition.

Classical Music

Import Hybrid-SACD pressing.

Iona music unfolds simply here, through the clear vocality of The Cathedral Singers. God Never Sleeps is a collection of musical firsts—first American recording of Iona music, first performance of the music by The Cathedral Singers, and John Bell's first U.S. recording. One of the most enriching and most popular songs to come out of the Iona Community, "The Summons (Will You Come and Follow Me)" is included here.

From the Taize Community comes another stunning new recording! Venite Exultemus features many of the never-before-recorded chants that have become popular in Taize over the past few years including "The Kingdom of God," "Venite Exultemus Domino," and several wonderful chants in Spanish. Many different languages are represented on this recording as well as two songs from the eastern Christian tradition, "Alleluia, slava tiebie Boze" and "Bogoroditse Dievo."

Uniting beauty and simplicity, Laudate Omnes Gentes comes from the heart of the Taize Community as it brings together well-known songs by Jacques Berthier and more recent songs composed by brothers of the Community. Listeners will be enchanted by the gloriously delicate choral sound, recorded at the twelfth-century village church at Taize. Using a small group of just sixteen singers and five instrumentalists, the aim of this recording is to encourage smaller groups to use music during their meetings. Simply a gorgeous collection of favorites!

In recent years chant has enjoyed a resurgence of interest and popularity. More Sublime Chant is an extension of the highly successful Sublime Chant, delving further into the glorious sounds of our past and once again featuring the voices of The Cathedral Singers under the direction of Richard Proulx. This beautiful recording includes Gregorian, Ambrosian, Mozarabic, and Sarum chants, many being recorded for the very first time! Chants for Advent, Christmas, Lent, and Easter are included, as are two mass settings. More Sublime Chant also features the complete Office of Compline, sung in English. The chants are realized in proportional, modal, and equalist rhythms, employing organum, drones, tone clusters, and ornamentation. The use of recorders, handbells, and small percussion, combined with the enchanting voices of The Cathedral Singers and the warm acoustics of Chicago's Columbus Hospital Chapel, make this recording yet another "must-have" for any music lover!

English born conductor F. Charles Adler was a student of Gustav Mahler and a devoted Bruckner enthusiast. Presented here on this 5 CD Music & Arts release are the fabled SPA and Unicorn studio recordings of 1952-56 as well as a live broadcast performance of Anton Bruckner's Symphony No. 6. These works have been expertly restored and re-mastered in 2014 by Aaron Z. Snyder. At least two previously Music & Arts releases devoted to Mr. Adler, one exclusively Mahler, the other given over to both Mahler and Bruckner, have been warmly welcomed back to the catalog, resurrecting the important recordings of an ardent, early supporter of these once controversial, now universally-admired composers.

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music

Includes work(s) by Antonio Lotti.

Classical Music