Bajazet was a work of Vivaldi's late maturity, a dramatic tale that recounts the capture of the Turkish sultan Bajazet by the all-conquering Tartar, Tamerlane. It is a pasticcio, a well-established form, in which Vivaldi incorporated arias by some of the greatest young composers of his time - Johann Adolf Hasse, Geminiano Giacomelli and Riccardo Broschi, brother to the famous castrato Farinelli - to form a generous buffet of musical fireworks. Still, Vivaldi's recitatives, choruses and arias form the backbone of the opera, and constitute the majority of the music, producing a work of kaleidoscopic invention.

The invention of the chromatic pedal, which simplified playing, significantly increased the popularity of the harp. So popular did the instrument become that Beethoven wrote his Variations on a Swiss Song 'pour harpe ou piano'. Later, his most popular pieces were arranged, such as the 'Moonlight' Sonata, which was virtuosically transcribed by John Thomas, harpist to Queen Victoria. The Divertissements pour la harpe were once thought to be by Beethoven but are possibly by his contemporary and acquaintance, Count Karl Wilhelm von Haugwitz. Leading Italian harpist Paola Perrucci plays on an erard harp except for the Adagio grazioso, Op. 31, No. 1 where she plays on a modern instrument.

CD with color book & posters

BIZET, G.: Don Procopio [Opera]

Giordani: Harpsichord Concertos

Includes work(s) by Alessandro Rolla. Ensemble: Milan Chamber Orchestra. Conductor: Massimiliano Caldi. Soloist: Mario Carbotta.

Viotti: Violin Concertos (Complete), Vol. 9

This selection includes a bonus multimedia CD containing the audio track and video clip of Paganini's unpublished "Adagio" for violin and orchestra, a history of Paganini's violin, photographs and technical drawings of the instrument, and the catalogue of Dynamic's Paganini recordings.
Includes work(s) by Niccolò Paganini. Ensemble: Genoa Teatro del Carlo Felice Orchestra. Conductor: Massimo Quarta. Soloist: Massimo Quarta.

LIGETI: Works for Piano, 2 Pianos, and Piano 4-Hands

Raff, J.: Symphony No. 5, "Lenore" / Dame Kobold: Overture

Rubinstein, A.: Cello Sonatas Nos. 1 and 2

Rossini: Turco in Italia (Il)

Nicolo Paganini's 24 Caprices are considered to be his masterpiece, with a perfect blend of stunning virtuosity and inexhaustible creativeness. As with all of Paganini's works these Caprices follow on from traditional models, but they are unique in transcending technical virtuosity with a freedom of creative expression that achieved huge popularity, whether in it's original form for solo violin or in transcriptions and arrangements. In this unique performance, mandolin virtuoso Dor Amran plays the Caprices with breathtaking technical skill, superb musicality and a vibrant sense of instrumental colour.

Lino Liviabella was a well-known pianist and award-winning composer during the early to mid-20th century. He also achieved renown for his pioneering role within the movement that sought to emancipate Italian instrumental music from the influence of 19th-century opera. The spirit of Liviabella's music manifests itself as a creative journey through evocative sounds, fleeting impressions and strong dynamic contrasts. From the rigorous and brilliantly virtuoso Sonata in un Tempo to the passionate Concerto for Violin and Piano and so much more besides, Liviabella's chamber compositions represent the first important works for violin and piano written in Italy in the first half of the 20th century

This new production of Tosca from Maggio Musicale Fiorentino is set in the late 1920s. Puccini's 'Roman Opera' sees a city bathed in majesty but also curdled by eroticism and sadism, where sartorial elegance and pathological violence co-exist. Taking visual clues from Bernardo Bertolucci's cinematic masterpiece, Il conformista, the cast is led by the passionate Vanessa Goikoetxea and features the magnetic Alexey Markov in the role of Scarpia. Daniele Gatti directs a performance praised for it's 'courageous and surprising' impact.