Semplice - Italian for 'simple', the second CD in this attractive new series is appropriately selected as the inaugural CD to launch Saxophone Classics. Jeffery Wilson renowned saxophone player, composer and educator includes a wealth of music with different styles. From the classical idiom of Mendelssohn and Rachmaninov, the folk elements by Albeniz and Balogh together with jazz pieces by Heath and Street. This programme gives an over-view of the very best pieces often used for educational purposes or examinations. The CD includes a performance of 'Champs Hill' by Jeffery Wilson, for Saxophone duet and piano with guest artist Victoria Soames Samek. This is included on the disc as a free music PDF file. This wonderful new disc will be eagerly sought by both pupils and teachers alike and with those who love the distinctive sound of one of the most popular of instruments - the saxophone.

An exciting new release featuring one of the best loved British concertos in the repertoire, and two premiere recordings. As well as the Finzi, David Campbell brings his authoritative playing to two works for clarinet and orchestra, which were specially written for him. The Fitkin is an approachable work which highlights both the lyrical and more challenging ideas associated with this eminent composer and Carl Davis, who as one of our most successful composers of film music, brings his skills as a more serious composer to a highly attractive new work. Combining both the well loved and the brand new, this important disc features the Aurora Orchestra, who are making their first recording with their conductor, Nick Collon.

As part of our 20th anniversary celebrations, Clarinet Classics is delighted to release Clarinet Chamber Music by Paul Harris - A Musical Celebration. Paul Harris is well-known internationally as a composer and writer, with over 600 publications to his name. This world-premiere recording brings together a unique selection from both his serious and light-hearted compositions. The CD is rich in lyrical and melodic content, including a variety of instrumentation and enjoying the additional bonus of voice and narrator. This is the second in the new Clarinet Classics series devoted to composers of today. The artistic director, Victoria Soames Samek, a close friend of the composer, brings her unique and personal interpretation to the recording, accompanied by her duo partner Michael Bell, plus Robert Hardy, soprano Karen Radcliffe, Kimberly Easter and East Winds. Recorded under the direction of the composer, this CD will be valued by clarinet players and music lovers all around the world. Don't miss the added bonus of a live interview between Victoria Soames Samek and Paul Harris on www.clarinetclassics.com/home/media.htm. o World premiere recordings of many works including The Unhappy Aardvark, one of Paul's most popular pieces, narrated by the legendary Robert Hardy. o Some of Paul's charming shorter pieces, such as the delightful and effervescent Suite in 5. o A definitive performance of the Sonata da Camera, often to be found on exam syllabuses. o The first recording of Paul's beautiful Adagio. o Some of Paul's wittier music, such as the Six Clerihew Songs and the Fantastical Micro- variations on a theme by Mozart. o Plus a selection of his distinctive, enchanting and occasionally quirky chamber music, such as the Wind Trio and Train Music.

Polish Music for Clarinet & Piano

Brought together for the first time on one CD, three highly significant works by one of today's leading composers. The Clarinet Concerto, first championed by Gervase de Peyer in a memorable Proms performance, is here receiving its first recording on CD. Autumn Sonata - a bass clarinet concerto (rarely seen in such a prominent setting) - was written for Victoria Soames. This haunting work - inspired by the poetry of Georg Trakl - uses as an under-current the first movement of Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata. The disc is completed by a performance of Musgrave's evocative The Seasons. All three works are conducted by the composer. Press Quote ' Scottish composer Thea Musgrave are usefully gathered on this disc under the composer's own baton......Victoria Soames is a sympathetic advocate rising impressively to its demands' The Times

Composed between 1900 and 1908, Reger's three clarinet sonatas were directly inspired by the two sonatas op. 120 by Brahms. Hugely prolific, Reger sought to extend the harmonic language of Brahms, taking tonality to the point of breakdown and causing Schoenberg to consider Reger a genius. Richly romantic in style, Reger's clarinet music has been unjustly neglected. Played with passion and commitment, this disc gives a welcome opportunity of hearing these masterworks. Supported by extensive booklet notes and rare archive photographs, this disc will be coveted by lovers of romantic music and those interested to hear Reger's wonderful contribution to the clarinet repertoire.

The Michael Krein Saxophone Quartet was the first British group of its kind, as well as the first to be recorded. It was initially established by Krein himself, and then, after Krein's death, led by the celebrated British artist Jack Brymer. This disc gives an introduction to the group's work, and includes repertoire drawn from French composers such as Françaix, Clerisse and Albeniz as well as Krein's own delightful 'Valse Caprice'.

Rob Keely is a highly respected London-based composer and pianist who has contributed a significant amount to the clarinet and saxophone repertoire. Rob is particularly interested in exploring some of the more unusual combinations of these instruments, such as the clarinet trio, bass clarinet with string quartet, and clarinet quartet with piano. He cites Stravinsky and Poulenc as two of his most significant influences, and his extensive output of wind chamber music shares with these two masters a concision and sense of humor coupled with an accessible and personal lyricism.

Richard Rodney Bennett: A Birthday Tribute

An exciting release, which is also the debut disc of Sarah Watts. The Scaw Duo, formed by Sarah with her pianist, Antony Clare, brings to light the substantial repertoire for bass clarinet and piano spanning including arrangements and original pieces spanning over three centuries. Included on this CD is the Premiere recording of Spiegel im Speigel by Arvo Part arranged by Sarah watts with permission from the composer and Scawfell, written by the Duo's pianist, Antony Clare. The score will be available on the CD as a PDF. Featuring many other first recordings, this CD is a must for all bass clarinet enthusiasts and those wanting to discover more about the seductive sound of the bass clarinet and its wealth of repertoire.

Known to many through his reputation, but to much fewer through his playing, this Historic CD gives an opportunity to hear one of Britain's most distinguished clarinettists. Dating from the first half of the 20th Century these recordings provide a fascinating insight into this major musical figure. An important archival recording with a full and informative booklet which includes photographs and copies of letters written to Thurston by prominent composers and artists. A release of great importance.

Clarinet Classics is delighted to present a CD profile of one of the outstanding British clarinettists of the 20th century. A founder member of the Pierrot Players and the Fires of London, Alan Hacker's playing astonished and delighted a generation of concert-goers and acted as an inspiration for many young players. Maxwell Davies' Hymnos - a tour-de-force in a ground breaking performance by its dedicatee; Birtwistle's Four Interludes for a Tragedy; Maxwell Davies' Seven Brightnesses. Also included are Birtwistle's Three Nocturnes from a private recording issued for the first time on this CD. As well as music by members of the ' Manchester School' with which Alan Hacker is particularly associated, this fascinating collection also includes Crusell's Quartet No 2 in its first edition and Weber's virtuosic Grand Duo. Alan Hacker and was a pioneer of the clarinet in the 60s and 70s whose impact can still be felt today.

'Anglo Sax' is Kyle Horch's second CD release for Clarinet Classics, following the 1999 success of 'Chamber Sax', which received five-star ratings for both performance and sound from the BBC Music Magazine. This programme explores works which are connected by a thread of folk influence or pastoral imagery and presents an attractive, thoughtful, and accessible programme of British and American recital music for saxophone and piano. This is a previously unexplored angle which offers a contrast to the many saxophone discs available. A wonderful collection of highly attractive music performed by an establishes duo - this disc deserves wide circulation.