Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840-1893) Gothenburg Symphony OrchestraNeeme Jarvi, conductor Symphony no 1 in G minor "Winter Dreams", Op. 13; Romeo &Â?JulietSymphony no 2 in C minor "Little Russian", Op. 17; Overture in FSymphony no 3 in D major "Polish", Op. 29; The Snow Maiden, Op.12Symphony no 4 in F minor, Op. 36; Symphony no 5 in E minor, Op 64Symphony no 6 in B minor "Pathetique", Op. 74; The Tempest;Overture on the Danish National Anthem; Voyevoda Dances;Dmitri Pretender and Vassily Shuisky; Serenade for N.Rubinstein;Capriccio Italien; Francesca da Rimini; etc.

Classical Music

From 1947 to 1956 Ruggiero Ricci played on the 1734 Guarneri del Gesu "Ferni, Duc de Camposelice" and from 1956 to 1999 he usually played on the 1731 Guarneri del Gesu "Gibson, ex-Huberman, " which he purchased in 1977. For him the Guarneri sound (as opposed to Stradivari) was a matter of preference, able as it was to give the required brilliance, color and attack that he sought. Until 1981 he also owned violin Lorenzo Storioni c. 1779, with which he recorded the 6 Bach Solos on February 27-28, 1981. This 4-album set presents live and studio recordings, ranging from 1952 to 1986, including some rarities which have never been released commercially, like the Bartok Romanian Folk Dances, Bloch Violin Sonata No. 1, Prokofiev Violin Sonata No. 1, and Saint-Saens Violin Sonata No. 1 Op. 75.

To list the various distinctions awarded to the recordings that make up this sumptuous offering is almost impossible; suffice it to say that the entire series received the Grieg Award in 2007, the year of the hundredth anniversary of the death of the composer, as well as a very special commendation by the UK Grieg Society the same year.

During 2003-2006, as the individual discs were released, reviewers all over the world were heaping praise over the series – astoundingly enough, as this is repertoire that at least in part belong to some of the most well-represented on disc. But this did not seem to matter to the critics, who described the performance of the Piano Concerto as one that ‘will make you fall in love with the music all over again’ (American Record Guide) and that of the Holberg Suite ‘so compelling that it simply makes you forget about any other’ (Classics Today.com), deeming the Peer Gynt Suites to be ‘interpretations that rejuvenate even this almost hackneyed, overly familiar music, relieving it of all the ballast of performance history’ (klassik.com).

It was the freshness of the performances by Ole Kristian Ruud and the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra that struck most critics – freshness coupled with expertise: ‘Bergen musicians have lived with these scores since their creation and all the performances here have a relaxed, idiomatic naturalness in their virtuosity’ (Gramophone). A second point was the superior sound quality – the result of inspired and painstaking work by the BIS recording staff in combination with the splendid acoustics of the Grieg Hall in Bergen. ‘Sonically this production features demonstration quality both in stereo and SACD multi-channel formats’ wrote the reviewer of Classics Today.com; ‘a fabulous complete cycle, admirably served by the splendid recording technique’ was the verdict in Classica-Répertoire.

The third factor contributing to the warm reception was of course the music itself, the fascination and power exerted by the Piano Concerto and the complete Peer Gynt, the emotion projected in Bergliot and Den Bergtekne, the charm and freshness of the orchestral songs and Lyric Suite – in the words of one reviewer: ‘music that you'd have to be either deaf or dead not to love’. The complete traversal, generally considered a reference point in the Grieg discography, is now available in this stereo-only version at a very advantageous price. (8 CDs for the price of 3)

Peter Maxwell Davies is universally acknowledged as one of the foremost composers of our time, and is currently Master of the Queen' Music.

The string quartet is at the very heart of 20th century British music, encompassing some of the quintessential works of the chamber music repertory. This compendium features fine examples of the genre, revealing the precocious talents of Benjamin Britten and John Ireland, the quicksilver craftsmanship of Frank Bridge and Alan Rawsthorne, the ‘captured sunshine’ of Edward Elgar’s writing and the evocative pastoral renderings of Arthur Bliss and Arnold Bax. Although the musical styles of each of the composers featured in this collection are unique, their contributions are unified by an innate understanding and mastery of the string quartet form. The multi-award winning and twice Grammy Award-nominated Maggini Quartet’s consummate and much lauded interpretations of these works are presented here together for the first time.

Excerpts from select reviews of previously released items included in this set:

Ireland: String Quartets

These works make for gratifying listening. The performances from the Maggini Quartet are simply magnificent: what devotion these musicians lavish on this music. Furthermore, the recording is quite superb in its intimacy, blend, and balance — the listener feels like the “fifth” member.

– Fanfare

Bax: String Quartets Nos. 1 & 2

Both quartets are important contributions to the repertoire, something made abundantly clear by the Maggini Quartet's masterful, deeply felt, and finely executed readings. The ensemble's burning conviction will make you a believer too.

– ClassicsToday

Alwyn: String Quartets Nos. 1-3

With controlled vibrato and sharp attacks, theirs is a compellingly stark, uncompromising, physical approach, stressing the modernity of the works. Lyrical sections, as a result, stand out in bold relief.

– Fanfare

Between 2003 and 2015, Ronald Brautigam recorded all of Beethoven’s music for solo piano – a huge undertaking resulting in a grand total of 15 highly acclaimed albums. Choosing to perform the works on the fortepiano, Brautigam began with a sonata cycle which caused one reviewer to talk of a challenge to ‘the very notion of playing this music on modern instruments, a stylistic paradigm shift.’ In 2010, after nine albums of sonatas, he went on to record the composer’s variations, bagatelles and other piano pieces – a staggering array of works ranging from a Bagatelle lasting 11 seconds to the monumental Diabelli Variations, and from a charming Rondo in C major composed by a 13-year old Beethoven, to what is often referred to as the composer's ‘Last Musical Thought’, an Andante maestoso dated 1826. Brautigam’s sonata recordings were released in a box set in 2014, and they are now followed by this 6-album set of the remaining works for solo piano, in the original hybrid format, and with full documentation in the form of the original booklets. Composed over the course of more than 40 years, the music is performed on three different instruments, all by the master builder Paul McNulty, demonstrating the rapid development that the fortepiano underwent during Beethoven’s lifetime.

REVIEWS:

This is a wonderful set, in which Ronald Brautigam excels in his conclusion to his survey of the complete solo piano music of Beethoven. I appreciate that some people do not like the sound of the fortepiano, but the instruments chosen for this set and edition as a whole, show the breadth of sound that was available at the time, and some people will be surprised by just how full a sound it is. Brautigam’s choice of tempos is well-measured and thoughtful, and his playing is nuanced throughout, resulting in this set being one that I have found difficult to take off my CD player. The performances certainly mark Brautigam out as a leading interpreter of Beethoven’s music regardless of the style and type of piano used.

– MusicWeb International

Brautigam’s fortepiano survey is magnificent, comprising four full discs of variations (including Eroica and Diabelli), the complete bagatelles, rondos and other miscellaneous pieces. Disc 1 begins with a charming rendition of the Op 33 set followed by a tranche of pieces dating mainly from the 1790s; the late sets Opp 119 and 126 are delivered with a sense of simplicity that can only come from depth of knowledge.

– International Piano

These four Naxos American Classics releases selected for this Americana collection... focus on some of the defining moments of that history. First... a panorama of works inspired by Abraham Lincoln in defnitive performances conducted by Leonard Slatkin... Then Hannibal Lokumbe's rousing tribute to Rosa Parks... features the Detroit Symphony and the combined singers of two of Michigan's most venerable choruses. Next, Peter Boyer's dramatic account of the arrival of immigrants to Ellis Island in the early 20th century is narrated by an all-star cast including Eli Wallch and Olympia Dukakis. Finally, the first ever complete recordings of two film scores by Virgil Thomson for 1930s documentaries detailing the plight of rural Americans priot to the New Deal... " - Frank J. Oteri, NewMusicBox. Com

One of the musical and audiophile highlights of jazz recording history is available in unsurpassed SACD sound. A celebration of the 30th anniversary of the recordings, the analogue masters have been transferred using improved technology to SACD. For the first time, the complete recordings are collected with full documentation and photos. Some of the tracks, previously only available in limited editions, are all present in this collection. The set also includes a previously unreleased DVD, in which Lars Erstrand (vibes) and Georg Riedel (bass) recall these wonderful concerts.

"The orchestra is full of interesting colors, and, under Yablonsky gives the familiar melodic material considerable direction and shape. There is something wonderfully human about the interpretive ideas that makes these performances so interesting." -- Peter Dobrin, The Philadelphia Inquirer, February 2003

"Let me say immediately that this new complete Swan Lake is thoroughly recommendable, and most enjoyable, both as a performance and recording. The Russian State Symphony Orchestra is obviously thoroughly at home in this glorious music. So is their excellent conductor, Dmitry Yablonsky, whose tempi can hardly be faulted.Throughout the four acts, Tchaikovsky's magnificent score is presented spontaneously and excitingly, vividly underlining the coherence of this masterpiece. The Russian solo playing is consistently impressive: Act 2's 'Dances of the Swans' (with fine solo violin and cello contributions) are as vivid as the national dances of Act 4. The orchestra is set back realistically and the effect is always convincing, suitably brilliant with good range and atmosphere and arresting climaxes (the Russian trumpets are especially striking)." -- Ivan March, Gramophone

Five CD set containing a quintet of albums from the Alt-Pop band packaged in mini LP sleeves and housed in a slipcase. Includes the albums Train, Drops Of Jupiter, My Private Nation, Alive At Last and Save Me, San Francisco (Golden Gate Edition).

In Genesis' incredible body of work, 'The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway' is a landmark record, and one of the most influential progressive rock albums of all time. Originally released in November 1974, 'The Lamb' is celebrating it's 50th Anniversary with a 5LP + Blu-ray Super Deluxe Edition. This definitive compendium was created with input from all band members involved in the record and follows the arc of the album's creation and tour, giving fans a deep dive into the music and visual elements. - The 5LP + Blu-ray box includes the original album remastered by Miles Showell at Abbey Road from the 1974 analogue tapes; the complete 'Live From The Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles, CA' show from January 1975, including two previously unreleased encore tracks; 'The Lamb' Dolby ATMOS mix overseen by Peter Gabriel and Tony Banks at Real World Studios; Download card featuring three never-before-released demos from the Headley Grange Sessions, plus 96kHz/24-bit high resolution audio of the new remasters. The set is complete with a 1975 tour programme reproduction, replica ticket, poster and a 60-page coffee table style book featuring rare images and new liner notes by Alexis Petridis.

Listen to the Naxos Podcast to learn more about this release

The Eighth Book of Madrigals, subdivided into a substantial series of vocal and instrumental partbooks, contains some of Monteverdi's greatest music. In this sumptuous collection the material is carefully arranged by category into madrigals of war, love and those for the stage, with a wide array of human passions and compositional styles. This is the first recording to present Book Eight in its original, uncut form, also incorporating instrumental sinfonias and dances by Biagio Marini to round off Monteverdi's design. In keeping with seventeenth-century practice, the madrigals are performed entirely by male voices, including a boy soprano in the role of Cupid.

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REVIEWS:

The quality of the performances is extremely high. Technical prowess is always in the service of the music, and Marco Longhini is not averse to pushing his all-male ensemble to extremes of slow or fast tempos or to special vocal effects. Another strength of this excellent interpretation is the size and scope of the instrumental forces. There are 9 players in the continuo group, a further 9 in a mostly string ensemble (including 2 recorders), and a viola da gamba quartet. This gives Marco Longhini a very wide palette to draw on for dramatic power, theatrical variety, and evocative effect.

– American Record Guide

As Longhini has pointed out in previous releases, the instruments to be used is largely left to the performers, and in the composer’s day would probably have depended on those available. In this series of discs he has opted for a ‘middle-of-the-road’ approach, so as not to become ornate, yet providing more that an obliging backdrop. In the vocal group there are, of course, no female voices in music of that period, so that much rests on the shoulders of the outstanding countertenor, Alessandro Carmignani. Yet again I will heap praise on the sonorous bass voice of Walter Testolin, his deep voice is an earthy delight. Solos permeate all of the madrigals, and when numerous voices are used, the Delitiae’s blend is pure joy. Longhini's approach throughout this series has that feel of dedication and authenticity, the music continually intriguing, immediately likeable, and, in every way, it has been a wonderful experience with this as its crowning glory. The engineers have once again played their part in the clarity of texture they have created. It is terribly sad that it is coming to an end, but there remains just one more book, the unfinished Ninth, that was published after the composers death.

– David's Review Corner (David Denton)

Limited 12 vinyl LP set. This Dire Straits - Live 1978-1992 set features remastered, extended, and unreleased recordings from some of their most coveted live albums and performances. The collection includes Live At The Rainbow, Alchemy, On The Night, Encores, Live At The BBC, plus artwork prints and exclusive booklet.

3CD/1DVD/2LP.

QUOTE UNQUOTE: 1991-1999. The 6LP boxset of Mr. Bungle's three legendary albums on Warner Records: Mr. Bungle, Disco Volante & California out July 19. Each album comes as a 2LP Gatefold, all packaged together in a metallic foil box. Mastered by Scott Hull exclusively for vinyl from the original mixes (some for the first time ever). Features two alternate takes of inter-program material from the Bungle archives.

Fragile (Super Deluxe Edition) is the definitive version of the Yes' fourth album, the record that launched the group to new heights when it was originally released in 1971 with hits like "Roundabout" and it's beloved B-side, "Long Distance Runaround." This album version includes four CDs, one LP, and a Blu-ray disc. Introducing, a newly remastered version of the original album on both CD and vinyl, rare and unreleased recordings. A Blu-ray disc completes the collection with Steven Wilson's 2024 mixes, including the album in Dolby Atmos and 5.1 Mix DTS-HD MA.

WAITING FOR COLUMBUS: SUPER DELUXE EDITION is an 8-CD boxed set that includes a newly remastered version of the original double album on CD and three unreleased concerts. WAITING FOR COLUMBUS: SUPER DELUXE EDITION is the definitive edition of this classic. It includes unreleased live versions of songs that appeared on the original ("Rocket In My Pocket" and "Spanish Moon"), along with several that didn't, like "Cold, Cold, Cold," "Rock And Roll Doctor," "Skin It Back" and a cover of Allen Toussaint's "On Your Way Down.

Black Sabbath made a two-pronged comeback in 1980 and 1981 when Ronnie James Dio joined their ranks as their new lead singer for the platinum albums, Heaven And Hell and Mob Rules. On the 1982 Mob Rules U.S. tour, they decided to record shows to create the first official Black Sabbath live album. The recordings capture the ferocious chemistry and dark magic that defined this incarnation of Black Sabbath with thrilling live versions of recent tracks like "Neon Knights," "The Sign Of The Southern Cross," "Voodoo," and "Children Of The Sea." The album also honored the band's original lineup with Dio-led versions of Sabbath classics like "Paranoid," "War Pigs," "Iron Man," and "N.I.B.". Although it was hailed by influential heavy metal magazine Kerrang! As "one of the greatest live albums of all time" in 1983, the band was never completely satisfied with the original mix. Now we are able to present a fresh, new 40th anniversary mix of the entire album, remixed from the original analog multi tracks by longtime associate of the band, Wyn Davis. The packaging will also include a 40-page hard back book featuring a newly commissioned 12,000-word essay, the new remix as a double LP, as well as the original double album, newly remastered in 2022 by Andy Pearce.

Opera Rara presents a new Opera Rara Classics boxset with a limited edition of three sought-after opere serie by Gioachino Rossini, performed by international bel canto champions, including Gregory Kunde, Jennifer Larmore, Carmen Giannattasio and Ildebrando D'Arcangelo. Premiered only ten months apart in 1819, these three operas fell out of the repertoire soon after Rossini's death but have, over the last few decades, been rehabilitated in the operatic canon for the joy of Rossini lovers. Remastered to the best audio quality and featuring a specially commissioned essay by Rossini specialist Eleonora Di Cintio, these recordings, unavailable for many years, will delight opera collectors and Rossini fans.

ZZ Top - the Studio Albums 1970 - 1990 is a 10 CD boxset of the band's classic studio albums from their Warner Bros. Years. This compact, clamshell boxset features each album in a mini, vinyl replica card sleeve with original artwork, including replicated original gatefold sleeves for Tres Hombres and Tejas. Most importantly the original audio tape versions will finally be available, for the first time, on CD for three of the albums: First Album, Rio Grande Mud, and Tejas, and the original masters for Tres Hombres and Fandango will also be included. Much discussion has been had on the quality of the mixes released on CD in the 1980s but now the original audio will be available once and for all in an amazing boxset!

Four CDs. Deluxe edition. Wilco's third album, Summerteeth, arrived in March 1999 to glowing reviews for it's daring arrangements, lush harmonies and revealing lyrics. Summerteeth: Deluxe Edition includes a Bob Ludwig 2020 remastered version of the original album along with an entire disc of unreleased studio outtakes, alternate versions and demos that chart the making of the album from songwriting demos to alternate studio arrangements to finished masters. The two remaining discs feature a previously unissued live show. The concert took place late in the Summerteeth tour, on November 1, 1999 in Colorado at The Boulder Theatre, when the new songs had been road-tested and the band was in top form. Sourced from an uncirculated soundboard recording, it features band members Jeff Tweedy, John Stirratt, Ken Coomer and Jay Bennett. Most of the songs on Summerteeth were performed during the show, along with several tracks from the band's two previous records, Being There (1996) and A.M. (1995), as well as Mermaid Avenue (1999).

Super Deluxe Edition contains four CDs, Blu-Ray, and vinyl LP pressing. Includes Steven Wilson's newly remastered version of the original album on both CD and LP. Two previously unreleased concerts from 1971 debut in the set as well. The first was recorded just a few weeks before The Yes Album was released, while the second was recorded six months later during the band's U.S. tour. Wilson features the 2014 remixed The Yes Album and instrumental versions of all six album tracks. In addition, the Blu-ray disc offers four new mixes of The Yes Album, including two versions in 5.1 Surround Sound, the 2023 Remaster, and the Dolby Atmos Mix.

Four CDs. The Reprise Years (1968-1971) features newly remastered versions of Joni Mitchell's first four studio albums - Song To A Seagull (1968), Clouds (1969), Ladies Of The Canyon (1970), and Blue (1971). In the case of Song To A Seagull, the original mix has been recently updated by Mitchell and mixer Matt Lee. The cover art for The Reprise Years (1968-1971) features a previously unseen self-portrait Mitchell drew during the time period and includes an essay by Grammy winning singer-songwriter Brandi Carlile.

Stevie Nicks - COMPLETE STUDIO ALBUMS & RARITIES. (10 X CD boxed set) combining all of Nicks' solo studio albums in a new, career-spanning set. It comes with all 8 of her studio albums: Bella Donna (1981), The Wild Heart (1983), Rock a Little (1985), The Other Side of the Mirror (1989), Street Angel (1994), Trouble in Shangri-La (2001), In Your Dreams (2011), and 24 Karat Gold: Songs from the Vault (2014). The collection also features Rarities, a new 2 X CD compilation of hard-to-find tracks only available with the set.