{"title":"Easter Sale 2026","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"bach-st-matthew-passion-bwv-244","title":"Bach: St. Matthew Passion \/ Stecher, Academia Jacobus Stainer, Choir \u0026 Soloists of the Wilten Boys' Choir","description":"\u003cp\u003eRecording the \u003cem\u003eSt. Matthew Passion\u003c\/em\u003e with boys’ and young men’s voices is an exceptionally intensive experience. Singing from memory and seeing Jesus’ suffering from the trusting perspective of children leads you to a different conclusion than it would with adult singers. The voices of children and adolescents sound more linear with a lower vibrato amplitude; they are rich in overtones and usually use a shorter phrase length. But children breathe very quickly, and their voices can be applied with virtuosity. Chords sound calm and clean.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe choir and soloists of the Wilten Boys’ Choir and the Academia Jacobus Stainer Orchestra recorded the \u003cem\u003eSt. Matthew Passion\u003c\/em\u003e in the middle of a lockdown during the Covid-19 pandemic, and were therefore tested daily and stood at a distance from each other in the Saal Tirol of the Congress Center in Innsbruck. The choir and the second orchestra were both further away from the conductor, just as was probably the case with Bach in the former St. Thomas Church with its swallow’s nest organ on a gallery above the triumphal arch. In any case, the \u003cem\u003eSt. Matthew Passion\u003c\/em\u003e was performed in 1736 “mit beyden orgeln” (with both organs) in St. Thomas Church. We studied every recitative, every aria and every chorale as written in Bach’s wonderful handwriting and were amazed, especially in the secco recitatives, by some changes that became apparent for us after reading the meticulously written autograph that was later revised by Bach.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Haenssler Classic","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":46012429762794,"sku":"881488220322","price":24.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0614\/3423\/3066\/files\/4092723-2837113.jpg?v=1778248060"},{"product_id":"golijov-gubaidulina-passions-st-john-passion-st-mark-passion-881488220360","title":"Passions - Gubaidulina \u0026 Golijov","description":"\u003cp\u003eThese works were commissioned by the International Bach Academy in Stuttgart to write works to mark Bach Year 2000. Osvaldo Golijov´s \u003cem\u003ePasión Según San Marcos\u003c\/em\u003e is the work of one who moves back and forth between different worlds and can scarcely be pigeonholed as representing a specific culture. His work unites the music of South America, Cuba, the West and Jewish tradition to produce an unconventional conception of a “Passion“ in which Jesus is not a light skinned European, but instead a person of color. Sofia Gubaidulina's response was a \u003cem\u003eSt John Passion\u003c\/em\u003e, and subsequently she added a sequel, \u003cem\u003eSt John Easter\u003c\/em\u003e, which was premiered in Hamburg in March 2002. Both those works originally had Russian words, drawn mostly from St John's gospel and the Book of Revelation, but in 2006, prompted by conductor Helmuth Rilling, Gubaidulina collaborated on a German translation of the text, while also making revisions to the score itself.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Haenssler Classic","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":46012431302890,"sku":"881488220360","price":24.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0614\/3423\/3066\/files\/4119060-2878310_a117c0bb-7ba9-4402-a5b2-d2f8b45acd50.jpg?v=1778239045"},{"product_id":"heinichen-two-passion-oratorios","title":"Heinichen: Two Passion Oratorios \/ Willens,  Kölner Akademie","description":"\u003cp\u003eAffecting Passions by Heinichen. The Passion music Johann David Heinichen wrote for the Dresden court is a document of cultural and confessional openness of the Saxon residence, and his two Italian oratorios heard here are surrogates of large-scale Passion music. \"Come? S'imbruna il ciel\" - composed in 1728 - is the latest of the sepolcri, his other Passion \"L'aride tempie ignude\" the first of the sepolcri to survive from Heinichen in Dresden. Both texts are by Stefano Pallavicino, who had been active at the Dresden court since 1719. In the first-mentioned Passion, the meditation on the Passion event recurs to the experience of the earthquake that, according to biblical accounts, occurred immediately after the death of Jesus. The description of the violent natural events gives Mary the Mother of God, John (Jesus' favorite disciple), and Mary Magdalene an opportunity to reflect on their relationship to the Crucified. Different aspects of affection and love are thematized. The meditation on the Passion event in the second-named Passion is designed as an allegorical play of death (Morte) and hope (Speranza), divine love (Amor divino) and penance (Poenitenza), and follows an easily comprehensible dramaturgy. The affinity to opera seria is evident in both passions not only in the arrangement of the pieces. The keys, gestures and instrumentation also correspond to the models familiar from baroque musical theater. Full of affect!\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"CPO","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":46012482126058,"sku":"761203550722","price":13.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0614\/3423\/3066\/files\/4085536-2835954.jpg?v=1778242922"},{"product_id":"handel-brockes-passion","title":"Handel: Brockes Passion","description":"Barthold Heinrich Brockes was an influential German poet who added reflective and descriptive poetry into the texture of his Passion. Among several musical settings, the most famous is the one by Handel. This acclaimed staged version transports Handel's Brockes Passion into the opera house, widening the work's historical narrative to embrace the creation of the world, bringing a message of human greed and destruction into direct contact with the present day. The Handelfestspielorchester Halle, on period instruments, is conducted by Michael Hofstetter.","brand":"Naxos","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":46012495429866,"sku":"747313455270","price":20.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0614\/3423\/3066\/files\/4397907-3320963.jpg?v=1778201068"},{"product_id":"selle-johannespassion-1643-4039956923046","title":"Selle: Johannespassion 1643","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe proud Hanseatic city of Hamburg enjoys a special status in northern Germany - and that was already the case 400 years ago. Maritime trade made it prosperous even back then, and through skilful diplomacy and a gigantic defensive wall, the city was almost completely spared the devastation of the 30 Years' War, while much of the rest of Europe sank into rubble and misery. The office of Hamburg's city cantor was thus one of the most attractive positions that northern Germany had to offer at that time. Thomas Selle held this position from 1641 and repaid his new home with outstanding compositions such as the St. John Passion from 1643, which is particularly striking for the extraordinary colourfulness of the instrumentation. The Göttingen Baroque Orchestra, conducted by Antonius Adamske, brings it out radiantly, providing the perfect support for the illustrious trio of soloists.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Coviello","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":46012501295338,"sku":"4039956923046","price":16.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0614\/3423\/3066\/files\/4182413-3141371.jpg?v=1778262289"},{"product_id":"lukaspassion-1744","title":"Lukaspassion 1744","description":"One of the duties of the office of municipal music director in Hamburg was to perform a Passion every year during Lent, alternating from year to year according to the evangelists Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Telemann took on this task with particular fervour and created a total of 46 passions throughout his time in Hamburg, from spring 1722 until his death in 1767, half of which are unfortunately lost today.","brand":"Carus","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":46012539601130,"sku":"4009350835429","price":23.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0614\/3423\/3066\/files\/4424576-3387773.jpg?v=1778210344"},{"product_id":"handel-brockes-passion-1","title":"Handel: Brockes Passion \/ Hofstetter, Halle Handel Festival Orchestra","description":"Influential German poet Barthold Heinrich Brockes reinvented the Passion oratorio tradition, transforming it's textures into a much-admired poetic meditation that took hold of the imagination of many German Baroque composers. Of several settings Handel's is by far the most famous, creating an eloquent and moving score from his friend's libretto. This acclaimed staged version directed by Walter Sutcliffe extends the vision of the original by asking fundamental questions about the evolution of mankind and it's dangerous implications for planet Earth.","brand":"Naxos AudioVisual","offers":[{"title":"Blu-Ray","offer_id":46012543697130,"sku":"730099016766","price":26.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0614\/3423\/3066\/files\/4368459-3232771.jpg?v=1778231358"},{"product_id":"attende-domine-music-for-lent-passiontide","title":"Attende Domine - Music for Lent \u0026 Passiontide","description":"The Bevan Family Consort return with a selection of choral works celebrating the season of lent and passiontide, including a world premiere recording of of the six-voice Lamentations by Alfonso Ferrabosco the Elder. The programme follows the liturgy from the beginning of Lent on Ash Wednesday to the darkness of Holy Saturday. For each day of Tenebrae, they've included a setting of a Lamentation. \"Recording an album with the family is always moving, but this one was especially so because of the theme of the music... Like previous albums, this one contains well-worn family favourites beside newly-discovered or un-recorded rarities, thanks to our in-house editor and arch-polyphony enthusiast, Francis... We hope you enjoy our selection and that it can be a prayerful accompaniment to the Lenten season.\" - Michael Bevan","brand":"Signum Classics","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":46012547498218,"sku":"635212089224","price":15.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0614\/3423\/3066\/files\/4402554-3324003.jpg?v=1778199370"},{"product_id":"alchevskiy-razumeiko-stetsenko-zherbin-passion-for-ukraine-4260123644185","title":"Passion for Ukraine: Art Songs \u0026 Folk Arrangements \/ Belkyna, Petrychenko","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Ukrainian folk song is unquestionably a unique phenomenon. No nation in history has amassed such a wealth of songs as those created by the Ukrainian people. UNESCO has an impressive audio library of folk songs from all over the world. The Ukrainian contribution amounts to some 15,500 songs and is far and away the biggest collection in the library. Folk music in the Ukrainian language originated in the 9th century at the time when Kyivan Rus was founded; the authors of the texts of most songs have long since been forgotten. Over the years, many composers researched and arranged them, principally for voice and piano, and transformed them into “Romances”, art songs, like German Lieder. The program includes 15 songs: three romances by four composers and three folk songs. Each work has accompanied the artist's life in one way or another, so it has a special meaning for Lena Belkina.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMany of the works on this album are being recorded for the first time – and this is a great opportunity to discover Ukrainian music, its character, its temperament, its melodic language and the influence of time upon it. The program is emotional and multi-faceted and would not have sounded so authentic without the pianist Violina Petrychenko. She is making Ukrainian piano music known around the world, recording composers like Kosenko, Revutskyi, Barvinskyi and other artists little known in the wider world. This duet is a union of opposites that are brought together to complement one another, to reflect personal strength and passion for music. The artists united by a common goal – showing Ukrainian art full of love for their country to the whole world.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Solo Musica","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":46012567519466,"sku":"4260123644185","price":15.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0614\/3423\/3066\/files\/4144579-2906464.jpg?v=1778234520"},{"product_id":"falla-piazzolla-granados-malats-albeniz-passion-on-10-strings-music-for-viola-guitar-musica-espanola-tango-zero-hour-4250702801696","title":"Passion on 10 Strings - Spanish Music \u0026 Tango for Guitar \u0026 Viola \/ Corti, Jonkers","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Spanish pieces on this CD became famous mainly as solo guitar compositions by the three Catalan master pianists Isaac Albéniz, Joaquín Malats and Enrique Granados. I have often played them that way in concerts as well. In 2019, Nicolas and I had the idea to transcribe these works combined with works by Astor Piazzolla for viola and guitar. Since then, we have enjoyed playing this music in numerous concerts. The viola-guitar combination gives these compositions a whole new dimension. Compared to the solo guitar versions, the works appear in a completely new light, allowing the compositions to emit transparency and a variety of tonal colors.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Spanish music of the CD program alternates with music by one of the most frequently performed works of Manuel de Falla (1876–1946), and the Argentine composer Astor Piazzolla (1921–1992). Piazzolla is considered the great innovator of the Tango, the “Tango Nuevo”. He originally composed the “Histoire du Tango” for flute and guitar. The other compositions are short character pieces, all of which we have arranged for viola and guitar. The two movements “Bordel-1900” and “Café-1930” evoke the history of Tango in their respective eras. “Bordel-1900” goes back to the beginnings of the Tango. The new dance form was played in the brothels of Buenos Aires around this time. As “1930” marked a new era, the Tango was no longer danced as it was around 1900, and people limited themselves to listening to it. The Tango becomes more musical and romantic, the movements become slower, new harmonies are added. The music takes on a strong melancholic streak.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Tyxart","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":46012568436970,"sku":"4250702801696","price":15.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0614\/3423\/3066\/files\/4196672-2967611.jpg?v=1778234023"},{"product_id":"wilby-an-english-passion-according-to-saint-matthew","title":"Wilby: An English Passion According to Saint Matthew \/ Owens, Belfast Cathedral Choir","description":"\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eComposer Phillip Wilby has built his reputation on writing for brass band and music for the Christian liturgy, for which he composes extensively. The three works presented on this album were all composed between 2014 and 2019, the earliest of which is the Knaresborough Service, commissioned by the Parish Church of St John the Baptist in Knaresborough, North Yorkshire. The anthem God’s Grandeur was written in 2017 and is a setting of Gerard Manley Hopkins’s poem of the same name. Wilby’s An English Passion According to Saint Matthew was written in 2018, for Matthew Owens and the choir of Wells Cathedral. One important characteristic of the work is the congregational hymns are taken from the collection of English tunes, published by Vaughan Williams in his English Hymnal of 1906. These hymns, with their timeless melodies, anchor the Passion in a very English setting.\u003c\/span\u003e","brand":"Resonus Classics","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":46012582297834,"sku":"5060262793268","price":14.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0614\/3423\/3066\/files\/4063893-2807695.jpg?v=1778250567"},{"product_id":"coates-springtime-suite","title":"Coates: Springtime Suite \/ Edge, Penny, Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra","description":"\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eEric Coates was a master of refined and beautiful melodies, making him a household name during the golden years of British light music in the first half of the 20th century. The Four Ways Suite takes us to all four points of the compass, including exotic China and the jazz rhythms of America, while Springtime evokes both sweeping optimism and soulful memories of a lost age. The virtuoso Saxo-Rhapsody is one of the era’s major saxophone works, and Sleepy Lagoon remains famous as the signature tune to BBC Radio’s Desert Island Discs. High Flight March was to be Coates’ last composition. Since 1992, conductor Andrew Penny has made over 50 recordings for the Naxos and Marco Polo labels. Much of the repertoire is British music and includes symphonies by Arnold and Havergal Brian, film music by Vaughan Williams and Walton, theatre music by Sullivan and Holbrooke, and light music by Coates and Arnold. Penny has been on the instrumental music staff at Hymers College since 1977 and is the longest serving musical director of the Hull Philharmonic Orchestra. He was awarded the MBE for services to music in the Queen’s Birthday Honours of 2014.\u003c\/span\u003e","brand":"Naxos","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":46012582756586,"sku":"747313519422","price":9.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0614\/3423\/3066\/files\/4038065-2783248.jpg?v=1778241461"},{"product_id":"beethoven-haydn-mozart-la-passione-827949098765","title":"La Passione - Beethoven, Haydn \u0026 Mozart \/ Landshamer, Forck, Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin","description":"\u003cp\u003eAkademie für Alte Musik Berlin returns to Pentatone together with soprano Christina Landshamer, presenting La Passione, a collection of dazzling concert arias on love, longing and loss by Mozart, Beethoven, and Haydn, paired with the latter’s “La Passione” Symphony. Ranging from pastoral simplicity to exuberant outrage, the program offers some of the finest vocal writing around 1800, including some of Beethoven’s rare and little-known excursions to Italian bravura opera, as well as one of the most dramatic and expressive symphonies of the eighteenth-century.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Akademie für Alte Musik is generally seen as one of the best period-instruments ensembles of today, and has a substantial Pentatone discography, including CANTATA with Bejun Mehta (2018), Handel’s Concerti grossi op. 6 (released in 2019 and 2020). Telemann’s Miriways (2020), Handel’s Messiah (2020) and Haydn’s L’isola disabitata (2021). Christina Landshamer featured as Marzelline on Beethoven’s Fidelio (2021).\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"PENTATONE","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":46012589441258,"sku":"827949098765","price":13.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0614\/3423\/3066\/files\/4115374-2862859_7a62cced-6070-4be1-9211-db130ca37689.jpg?v=1778249390"},{"product_id":"handel-brockes-passion-2","title":"Handel: Brockes Passion","description":"Influential German poet Barthold Heinrich Brockes reinvented the Passion oratorio tradition, transforming it's textures into a much-admired poetic meditation that took hold of the imagination of many German Baroque composers. Of several settings Handel's is by far the most famous, creating an eloquent and moving score from his friend's libretto. This acclaimed staged version directed by Walter Sutcliffe extends the vision of the original by asking fundamental questions about the evolution of mankind and it's dangerous implications for planet Earth.","brand":"Naxos AudioVisual","offers":[{"title":"DVD","offer_id":46012602122474,"sku":"747313575558","price":24.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0614\/3423\/3066\/files\/4368460-3232784_e976d70c-77db-46dd-b180-a72c6741b418.jpg?v=1778236189"},{"product_id":"a-german-passion-margaretha-consort","title":"A German Passion - 17th C. Music for the Time of Lent and Easter","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Hanseatic wealth of North Germany in the 17th century is reflected in its magnificent cathedrals, and the enormous grandeur of its church music was composed to fill the rich acoustics of these spaces. This programme presents a wide range of Easter music that displays the wealth of inventiveness in this period, enhancing the texts and finding different colors and surprising effects through improvisation and adaptation of the manuscripts. This early music is brought vividly to life by the acclaimed Margaretha Consort.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eREVIEW\u003c\/strong\u003e:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis recording offers an excellent overview of the kind of Lutheran Church music one would have heard in the major cities and noble courts of northern Germany in the 17th Century. Jacob Handl’s ‘Ecce, Quomodo Moritur Iustus’ stands out as the only Latin motet on the program. Otherwise, it consists of German sacred concertos of varying dimensions. For instance, ‘Jesu Meines Lebens Leben’ by Dietrich Buxtehude sounds like a polychoral concerto, and Schütz’s ‘O Süsser, O Freundlicher’ sounds more like a sacred cantata, scored for solo tenor and continuo. Some pieces sound as though they replicate the timbre of a church congregation performing a strophic chorale melody to Sietze De Fries’s improvised organ part. Between the choral works, De Fries offers further improvisations, for example on the chorale melody ‘Jesu, Meine Freude’.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI am very taken with this recording, both for the selections and for the quality of the performances. Most of these works exhibit hallmarks of the stile moderno and indulge in the expressive properties of chromaticism and unusual harmonic juxtapositions. The notes are in English, but one will have to look elsewhere for the texts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e-- American Record Guide\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Naxos","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":46012624961770,"sku":"730099148436","price":13.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0614\/3423\/3066\/files\/4253307-3142921.jpg?v=1778220540"},{"product_id":"j-s-bach-con-passione","title":"J.S. Bach: …con passione","description":"In her latest album, Tatjana Vorobjova focuses entirely on emotion. Expressed in richness of sound, dynamics and refined nuance, the highly acclaimed Latvian harpsichordist explores expanding the instrument's expressive possibilities and shows how well this can be achieved with the grand master of counterpoint in a touchingly personal selection of Bach's highly expressive works.","brand":"MDG","offers":[{"title":"SACD","offer_id":46012638101738,"sku":"760623231167","price":18.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0614\/3423\/3066\/files\/4302747-3178610.jpg?v=1778199100"},{"product_id":"live-from-prague-spring-festival-prague-spring-internation","title":"Live from Prague Spring Festival - Prague Spring Internation","description":"ArcoDiva's newest release presents works for oboe performed by Martin Danek, a graduate of the prestigious Hanns Eisler University of Music in Berlin and winner of the 2019 Prague Spring International Competition. He says: \"I've been living abroad for a long time, and playing in my own country is always something special\", says Mr. Danek. \"This is especially true in the case of Prague Spring, with it's festive atmosphere, which I remember from my childhood. The combinations of instruments and works on this program will be unusual, so it will be a unique experience for both the audience and the performers.\"","brand":"ArcoDiva","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":46012647276778,"sku":"8594029812338","price":14.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0614\/3423\/3066\/files\/4085485-2833264.jpg?v=1778249935"},{"product_id":"bach-st-john-passion-1725-version","title":"Bach: St. John Passion 1725 Version","description":"Bach revised his St. John Passion time and again - indeed making it one of his most enigmatic and fascinating compositions. On the 300th anniversary of it's world premiere, MDG is reissuing the highly acclaimed recording for the first time in full three-dimensional sound on Super Audio CD for the PREZIOSA series.","brand":"MDG","offers":[{"title":"SACD","offer_id":46012659302634,"sku":"760623235165","price":37.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0614\/3423\/3066\/files\/4410028-3331367.jpg?v=1778195025"},{"product_id":"martinu-the-greek-passion","title":"Martinu: The Greek Passion","description":"Bohuslav Martinu's opera The Greek Passion, here in the 1961 version, is based on the novel The re-crucified Christ by Nikos Kazantzakis. The opera develops the Christian doctrine of \"love thy neighbour\" ad absurdum, as a group of refugees are driven out of a little Greek village just as the village is putting on a Passion play for Holy Week. The opera is a pessimistic plea for humanity, made in the awareness that humanity must always wrestle anew with it's own egoism. Director Simon Stone \"creates a modern parable, somehow both contemporary and timeless.\" (The Times) For the last of his 16 operas, Martinu developed a tonal language which combined his early musical experiences with elements of Greek folklore, Greek Orthodox liturgy and dance music. Maxime Pascal, the 2014 winner of the Salzburg Festival's annual Young Conductors Award and at the podium of the Wiener Philharmoniker for the first time, \"unfolds a musical and dramatic intensity that makes your hair stand on end, both in the tender outbursts and the violent ones. A maestro of his time.\" (Le Figaro)    \"A highlight of this year's Salzburg Festival\" The Times  The Greek Passion elected \"BEST PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR 2023\" OPER! Awards 2024  \"This opulence and the playing of the overall grippingly coherent ensemble hits one to the core.\" Neue Musikzeitung","brand":"UNITEL Edition","offers":[{"title":"DVD","offer_id":46012687483114,"sku":"810116910892","price":26.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0614\/3423\/3066\/files\/4357819-3205683.jpg?v=1778234663"},{"product_id":"martinu-the-greek-passion-1","title":"Martinu: The Greek Passion","description":"Bohuslav Martinu's opera The Greek Passion, here in the 1961 version, is based on the novel The re-crucified Christ by Nikos Kazantzakis. The opera develops the Christian doctrine of \"love thy neighbour\" ad absurdum, as a group of refugees are driven out of a little Greek village just as the village is putting on a Passion play for Holy Week. The opera is a pessimistic plea for humanity, made in the awareness that humanity must always wrestle anew with it's own egoism. Director Simon Stone \"creates a modern parable, somehow both contemporary and timeless.\" (The Times) For the last of his 16 operas, Martinu developed a tonal language which combined his early musical experiences with elements of Greek folklore, Greek Orthodox liturgy and dance music. Maxime Pascal, the 2014 winner of the Salzburg Festival's annual Young Conductors Award and at the podium of the Wiener Philharmoniker for the first time, \"unfolds a musical and dramatic intensity that makes your hair stand on end, both in the tender outbursts and the violent ones. A maestro of his time.\" (Le Figaro)    \"A highlight of this year's Salzburg Festival\" The Times  The Greek Passion elected \"BEST PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR 2023\" OPER! Awards 2024  \"This opulence and the playing of the overall grippingly coherent ensemble hits one to the core.\" Neue Musikzeitung","brand":"UNITEL Edition","offers":[{"title":"Blu-Ray","offer_id":46012688302314,"sku":"810116910908","price":34.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0614\/3423\/3066\/files\/4357820-3205684.jpg?v=1780772957"},{"product_id":"wagner-tristan-isolde-an-orchestral-passion-albrecht-staatskapelle-weimar","title":"Wagner: Tristan \u0026 Isolde - An Orchestral Passion \/ Albrecht, Staatskapelle Weimar","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis new recording from the Staatskapelle Weimar under Hansjörg Albrecht presents a rarely heard compilation of Richard Wagner’s themes from Tristan und Isolde, arranged for orchestra by Henk de Vlieger (b. 1953). This is Hansjörg Albrecht's follow-up Wagner recording to his album Der Ring ohne Worte (OC1872). The Staatkapelle Weimar dates back to 1491, making it one of the oldest orchestras in the world, and one that is more than familiar with the works of Richard Wagner.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Oehms Classics","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":46012692136170,"sku":"4260330917294","price":9.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0614\/3423\/3066\/files\/4202490-3141554.jpg?v=1778215264"},{"product_id":"rachmaninoff-the-bells-spring-three-russian-songs-slatkin-st-louis-symphony","title":"Rachmaninoff: The Bells \/ Slatkin, St. Louis Symphony","description":"\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eLearn more about Elite Recordings and the revival of their VOX Classics albums on the Naxos Classical Spotlight Podcast!\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003ciframe width=\"100%\" height=\"90\" src=\"\/\/html5-player.libsyn.com\/embed\/episode\/id\/27856491\/height\/90\/theme\/custom\/thumbnail\/no\/direction\/backward\/render-playlist\/no\/custom-color\/6c86a5\/\" style=\"border: none;\" title=\"Libsyn Player\" msallowfullscreen=\"\" oallowfullscreen=\"\" mozallowfullscreen=\"\" webkitallowfullscreen=\"\" allowfullscreen=\"\" scrolling=\"no\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe three choral masterpieces featured on this recording, conducted by Leonard Slarkin, were originally issued on the Vox label in 1982. The Bells is sung in an English translation by Fanny S. Copeland of the Russian poet Konstantin Belmont's poem. The recordings were produced by Marc Aubort and Joanna Nickrenz whose recordings are considered by audiophiles to be amongst the finest available. The Russian sung texts, transliterations and English translations are included in the booklet.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eREVIEW\u003c\/b\u003e:\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eLeonard Slatkin is  adept atmost conveying the melancholy, sunset world of Rachmaninoff; when passion is called for, the Slatkin of 44 years ago in these performances musters plenty of it. He certainly guided the St Louis Symphony to become one of the nation’s finest orchestras, and they sound resplendent here.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e— American Record Guide\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Vox","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":46012714582250,"sku":"747313303182","price":14.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0614\/3423\/3066\/files\/4387448-3295421.jpg?v=1778214434"},{"product_id":"richardson-let-spring-come-other-songs","title":"Richardson: Let Spring Come \u0026 Other Songs \/ Yeo, Lemoh, Lobelson","description":"\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThe Australian writer Henry Handel Richardson (1870–1946) was christened Ethel Florence Lindesay Richardson: she adopted a male nom de plume in anticipation of professional prejudice. Although she made in international reputation as a novelist, she first trained as a pianist and wrote songs all her life – but they remained unpublished, so that her output as a composer has been completely overlooked until now. Her songs are straightforward and melodious, drawing their inspiration from Romantic German Lieder and Edwardian drawing-room ballads, lullabies and parlor songs in the manner of Bridge, Ireland, Quilter and other such composers.\u003c\/span\u003e","brand":"Toccata","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":46012742238442,"sku":"5060113446299","price":15.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0614\/3423\/3066\/files\/4041868-2788232.jpg?v=1778250379"},{"product_id":"kyianytsia-last-day-of-spring","title":"Last Day of Spring \/ Vitalii Kyianytsia Trio","description":"Ukrainian pianist Vitalii Kyianytsia knows how to convince on his debut album \"Last Day of Spring\" with an almost perfect touch. With seven of his own compositions, the pianist composed the lion's share of the repertoire, drummer Mathias Ruppnig contributed the fast-paced \"Stranger Than Fiction\" and the number with the mysterious title \"S.O.M. \u0026amp; D.I.D.\" comes from bassist Johannes Fink. Vitalii Kyianytsia comes from Kiev and learned the piano from the bottom up. \"I started playing the piano at the age of six and then had a classical education,\" he said. \"At the age of seventeen, I started to become interested in jazz. In the beginning, I particularly liked Oscar Peterson, Bill Evans and Duke Ellington, later also Chick Corea and Herbie Hancock. I then studied jazz in Kiev, but later also classical composition. This experience was important to me, and my final graduation examination was a piano concerto with an orchestra.\"","brand":"Double Moon Records","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":46012762259690,"sku":"608917139921","price":12.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0614\/3423\/3066\/files\/4075213-2901766.jpg?v=1778238530"},{"product_id":"cameron-wolfe-passionate-geometries","title":"Cameron-Wolfe: Passionate Geometries","description":"Richard Cameron-Wolfe's Passionate Geometries features eight of his chamber works written over a thirty year period, displaying the wide range of aesthetic approaches at play in his music, from his theatrical micro-operas to deeply felt settings of instrumental works that explore microtonality. Cameron-Wolfe's musical voice is rarefied and unique in it's precise detail, injecting pathos and brilliance into the smallest of gestures as they come together to convey rich narratives.","brand":"New Focus Recordings","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":46012785000682,"sku":"690277901645","price":15.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0614\/3423\/3066\/files\/4339028-3204228.jpg?v=1778236735"},{"product_id":"j-s-bach-st-john-passion-mcgegan-cantata-collective","title":"Bach: St. John Passion \/ McGegan, Cantata Collective","description":"\u003cp\u003eCantata Collective, an ensemble “of San Francisco early music luminaries” (San Francisco Chronicle) inaugurates a major series of J. S. Bach’s choral works with a live recording of the composer’s St. John Passion. With celebrated conductor Nicholas McGegan, the toast of today’s new generation of vocal soloists and a three-to-a-part chamber choir, the Cantata Collective conveys the emotional intimacy and dramatic power of this monumental passion in a highly polished performance that led Early Music America to implore: “To the excellent musicians of Cantata Collective: More Bach Please!”\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Avie Records","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":46012792275178,"sku":"822252260526","price":14.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0614\/3423\/3066\/files\/4206990-3144240.jpg?v=1778232592"},{"product_id":"love-passion-deceit-rossini-mozart-strauss-glyndebourne-256552","title":"Love, Passion \u0026 Deceit - Rossini, Mozart, Strauss \/ Glyndebourne Festival","description":"R E V I E W S:\u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e  \u003ci\u003eDie Fledermaus\u003c\/i\u003e:\u003cbr\u003e  When a director and a production team have a concept for an opera production that alters the composer-librettist’s original vision, the results can vary from imaginative to hubristic expressions of a director trying to be unique—or just unusual. The concepts that work best are the ones that retain the integrity of the opera. Such is the case with this DVD of Die Fledermaus derived from performances at Glyndebourne. The action has been moved into the early 20th century, art deco simplicity has replaced 19th-century fussiness. The score remains intact, but the dialogue is new—yet it remains quite faithful to the story line. It was adapted by Stephen Lawless and Daniel Dooner, written in English, and then translated into German by Johanna Mayr. Purists are not likely to be offended by Glyndebourne’s updated Die Fledermaus, and most viewers will probably greatly enjoy this production.\u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e The cast is a talented ensemble that excels not only as musicians but actors as well. Thomas Allen and Pamela Armstrong are wonderful as the Eisensteins. Their comic timing creates characterizations that are in equal measure sophisticated and droll. The act-II seduction with the watch is terrific. Lyubov Petrova makes the most out of Adele, the chambermaid with a mind of her own. Håkan Hagegård is an especially genial Dr. Falke, with intriguing glimpses of the anger prompting the Revenge of the Bat. Pär Lindskog makes a suitably lecherous Afredo. Special kudos to Malena Ernman in the trouser role of Prince Orlofsky. She does a convincing male impersonation complete with bushy mustache.\u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e Udo Samel has the non-singing role of Frosch, the jailer. Frequently the role is assigned to the comedian of the day who pads the third act with a monologue of trademark shtick or topical humor. Mr. Samel introduces himself as Frosch — James Frosch. He admits his banter is intended to cover a scene change; however, this interplay with the audience has been edited from the operetta and appears as part of the Extras.\u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e The biggest liability of Die Fledermaus is the third act. The first act lays the groundwork for the disguises and intrigues in act II. The third act serves as the dénouement, the unmasking after the splashy second-act party...Happily, this Glyndebourne production keeps affairs moving along nicely. The cast maintains the energy level from the first two acts. Quite a feat, since it appears the entire performance was done without intermissions.\u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e Scene designer Benoit Dugardyn has created a clever set on a revolving stage...in this case the set is interesting and adapts quite well to the scenic demands of each act. A rather nifty scene change transforms the Eisenstein home into the Orlofsky ballroom. During the second act, the set frequently revolves, adding interesting dimensions and scenic interest.\u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e Acts I and II and the Entr’acte to act III are on the first disc, act III is on the second disc, along with a number of interesting extra features and interviews. A compliment is due to television director Francesca Kemp and television producer Ross MacGibbon for the excellent transference of a stage production to home video. This video is respectful of the stage production without gimmicky distractions. There is very much a sense of being in the theater while watching....the new Glyndebourne production makes any evening New Years Eve.\u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e David L. Kirk, FANFARE\u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e  \u003ci\u003eLa cenerentola\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e This is a conventional production of  \u003cspan style=\"font-style:italic\"\u003eLa cenerentola\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan\u003e in most respects. The stage sets are sparsely suggestive rather than literal and detailed, but sufficient. Costumes are excellent, and Peter Hall gets superior comic acting from his principals. Timing and definition of gesture are especially good, with Di Pasquale and Alberghini making the most of their respective parts, minus any distracting add-on gags that all too often disrupt both the work’s rhythm and audience’s attention. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e  \u003cspan\u003eI have one reservation concerning Hall’s production, however: his treatment of the \u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan style=\"font-style:italic\"\u003econcertato\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan\u003e. This Italian operatic convention completely stops the action and allows all characters on stage to express their thoughts simultaneously; which in Rossini’s comic operas invariably means stupefaction and derision. Hall exchanges conventional lighting at these instances for blue scrims, and sets his performers moving and weaving about in odd, slow motion patterns. In theory, this is interesting; in practice, I admittedly found it hard not to laugh at something Hall intended to be taken earnestly. I could only recall Eugene O’Neill’s pretentious 1929 play, \u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan style=\"font-style:italic\"\u003eStrange Interlude\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan\u003e, with its characters given to occasional zombie-like speeches out of time, revealing their thoughts; or to Groucho Marx’s satire on it in the 1930 movie, \u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan style=\"font-style:italic\"\u003eAnimal Crackers\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan\u003e: “I see figures . . . strange figures . . . weird figures . . . Steel 186, Anaconda 74, American Can 138 . . .”. Hall’s desire to gussy up each \u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan style=\"font-style:italic\"\u003econcertato \u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan\u003e(and there are several, if you count smaller sections of otherwise standard ensembles, as Hall does) with a psychological dimension definitely raised a specter, but I don’t think Rossini had bushy eyebrows, a moustache, and a cigar. It’s possible to work up an academic thesis about the depth and seriousness of anything meant humorously, and the liner notes accompanying this release strive earnestly to accomplish this. But sometimes the light is just that—all light, no shadows; and this composer wasn’t a post-modernist. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e  \u003cspan\u003eLike most other Rossini operas, for many years \u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan style=\"font-style:italic\"\u003eLa cenerentola \u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan\u003ewent unperformed because of changing public tastes that in turn led to an absence of singers who could handle the parts. This was a vicious circle—for a lack of appropriate voices meant a lack of productions, and the absence of productions meant no need to train the voices. What are Rossini voices? They require the same qualities that can be found in other \u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan style=\"font-style:italic\"\u003ebel canto\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan\u003e music: great agility, firm breath support, good enunciation, proper score-reading habits, and schooling in style. All of these qualities can be found in varying degrees in the seven performers who take a major stage part in this \u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan style=\"font-style:italic\"\u003eLa cenerentola\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan\u003e. Please note this; because if you ever doubted we’re entering a renewed age of \u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan style=\"font-style:italic\"\u003ebel canto\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan\u003e, then a Rossini production that can boast of three basses, a tenor, two sopranos, and a mezzo, all reasonably fluent in coloratura, is surely as good an indication as any. However, I will single out only Ruxandra Donose for praise. Hers is a dusky mezzo, even in coloration, volume, and support across the registers. The voice is able to handle exacting coloratura without any aspiration or evidence of strain. Her forthright, focused attack in her final aria (“Non più mesta”) brought memories of Marilyn Horne in the 1970s; and like Horne, Donose builds her part from the text, not by working around it. A young singer with little as yet on CD or DVD, she clearly bears watching. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e  \u003cspan\u003eJurowski is incisive, and alert to his singers’ needs. Sound is available in LPCM stereo and surround sound, while the video is offered in 16:9 anamorphic. Finally, there are subtitles in English, French, German, Spanish, and Italian, as well as one of those bits-and-pieces interviews (entitled “Insights,” just in case you missed what it offered) that tries to sell a darker view of the opera. It doesn’t work, but it also doesn’t matter. This production of \u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan style=\"font-style:italic\"\u003eLa cenerentola\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan\u003e was a good one for Rossini, and the audience agreed. I think you will, too. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e  \u003cspan style=\"font-weight:bold\"\u003eFANFARE: Barry Brenesal \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e  \u003ci\u003eCosi Fan Tutte\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Simply put, this widely praised Glyndebourne production is the  \u003cspan style=\"font-style:italic\"\u003eCosì\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan\u003e we’ve been waiting for. Yes, there are plenty of alternatives. But little of the video competition has fared well on these pages. Sometimes the problems stem from the musical performance: the Pritchard-led Glyndebourne predecessor was dismissed as “largely routine” by David Kirk (29:5); the Östman was ruled out of court by Barry Brenesal, who said that the “conducting belonged to the then-new movement that found only three tempos in Mozart operas: fast, faster, fast forward” (30:4). Others were panned because of inadequate production values: Chereau’s “takes itself far too seriously,” according to Brian Robins (30:3); Bob Rose was less charitable still with Hermanns’ “simply rotten” production that, he said, “reveals the producers’ lack of understanding Mozart’s genius” (30:6). Only Muti’s Vienna production (Brenesal 32:3) and Harnoncourt’s from Zurich (Christopher Williams, 30:1) received passing grades. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e  \u003cspan\u003eSo what makes this performance stand out? First, the singing of the young cast is uniformly excellent. Or perhaps not quite uniformly: as is the case with her new Susanna in Pappano’s \u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan style=\"font-style:italic\"\u003eFigaro\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan\u003e, Miah Persson is even better than excellent, combining a gorgeous, flexible, and stunningly controlled voice (even in the most challenging coloratura passages) with her by-now familiar depth of dramatic insight. Just listen to (and watch) the solid scorn on “Come scoglio”—or, even better, the subtle variations in mood in her wrenching account of “Per pietà”—and you’ll understand why she’s my favorite Mozart soprano these days. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e  \u003cspan\u003eBut the rest of the cast is nearly as good. Anke Vondung holds her own as Dorabella (certainly, a less rich part), and their voices blend extremely well. Topi Lehtipuu and Luca Pisaroni capture the emotional wobbles of the two self-deluded lovers—their ardor, their ungrounded confidence, their fury—with unerring security and luxurious tone. More than most performances, too, this one reveals a key social dynamic: the deception works in part because they’re so much sexier when their costumes allow them to abandon the constraining propriety imposed by the social conventions that normally govern their behavior. Ainhoa Garmendia is a pert, disdainful Despina who doesn’t over-camp the impersonations; and running the show tactfully is Nicholas Rivenq. An unusually attractive Don Alfonso, he’s younger and far more fit than most in this role (he looks as if he just came off the racquet-ball court), and he seems an intellectual without a trace of pedantry; you can really believe that he wants to educate these two naive friends. Iván Fischer conducts with more romantic flexibility than you often get with period-instrument orchestras—and balance (both among the singers and between stage and pit) is finely calibrated. Purely as an audio version, this would stand up to any I’ve heard. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e  \u003cspan\u003eFortunately, Nicholas Hytner’s production is equally impressive—hardly a false step from beginning to end. In general, this staging takes the opera—arguably, Mozart’s most intellectually challenging—seriously. But the seriousness does not bring solemnity. Hytner may avoid extreme farce, but there’s plenty of wit, energy, and color throughout. More important, he doesn’t condescend to the characters: you can understand both why they’re so foolish and why they’re so torn, and the final shots (where the resolution is clearly only partial) create tremendous poignance. The sets and costumes—simple but far from austere—suggest the late 18th or early 19th century, without creating a very specific moment; and while the production doesn’t ostentatiously update the action, it stresses those aspects of character and situation that still ring true today. One point highlighted here is the bond between the sisters—indeed, one could argue that it’s really Dorabella who seduces Fiordiligi; and while there is nothing louche or tasteless in the presentation of their relationship, it’s obvious that they have a strong erotic link. Not that there’s any lack of heterosexual electricity—as a result, the final scene, where nearly every possible pairing seems highly charged, is as smoldering as any you’ll see. Yet aside from one or two moments, the sex is handled with tact: the performance is hardly prudish, but it’s never aggressive either. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e  \u003cspan\u003eThe Blu-ray video quality is stunning: you can see each leaf on the salads that our heroines are eating in act I. The 5.0 channel PCM is excellent as well. And while the extras are nothing special, both the conductor and the director offer intelligent insights into the opera. Two numbers are omitted, No. 7 (the duet “Al fato dan legge”) and No. 24 (Ferrando’s “Ah, io veggio”), but that’s a minor issue. All in all, if this doesn’t make it to my next Want List, we’ve got quite a year in store for us. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e  \u003cspan style=\"font-weight:bold\"\u003eFANFARE: Peter J. Rabinowitz \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Opus Arte","offers":[{"title":"DVD","offer_id":46012853682410,"sku":"809478010746","price":23.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0614\/3423\/3066\/files\/2002843.jpg?v=1778325325"},{"product_id":"j-s-bach-st-matthew-passion","title":"J.S. Bach: St. Matthew Passion","description":"The St. Matthew Passion by Johann Sebastian Bach is one of the greatest works in the history of music. Whenever I study this epochal composition, I always ask myself the question: How can a work of music, which is performed each year in thousands of performances, has been scientifically and artistically interpreted for decades, and worshiped for centuries, remain a new, contemporary, and at the same time universal and supreme idea? It can be achieved if that which is defined as established and comprehensive, and appears or is accepted as unshakeable, is set in motion without capping the connections to the work itself and it's musical- historical, intellectual and theological foundations. Says Hans-Christoph Rademann about one of the monumental sacred works of music history. In November 2020, Rademann and the Gaechinger Cantorey ensemble and chorus, together with an extraordinary group of soloists, set out to lend a new and fresh perspective to Bach's timeless masterpiece of raging choirs, intimate chorales, and emotionally charged arias, which, with it's drama and pictorial quality, allows the listener to experience the well-known Passion story again and again as something completely new and unheard-of.","brand":"Accentus Music","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":46012859711722,"sku":"4260234832464","price":29.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0614\/3423\/3066\/files\/3920504-2669897.jpg?v=1778249789"},{"product_id":"firebird-rite-of-spring-90123","title":"Firebird \/ Rite Of Spring","description":"Conducted by Grammy award-winning Paavo Jaarvi, the Orchestre de Paris exquisitely performs three magnificent pieces of music.","brand":"Electric Picture","offers":[{"title":"Blu-Ray","offer_id":46012871606506,"sku":"5060266600531","price":32.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0614\/3423\/3066\/files\/2225529.jpg?v=1778394980"},{"product_id":"sun-darkened-various-hybr-399343","title":"And The Sun Darkened: Music for Passiontide \/ New York Polyphony","description":"\u003cp\u003eResonating across more than five centuries, expressions of personal piety and prayer fill these works by a quartet of Franco-Flemish composers, all born in the 15th century, and their modern-day colleagues, Estonian Cyrillus Kreek (1889—1962) and British-Norwegian Andrew Smith (b. 1970). For those familiar with the vocal ensemble New York Polyphony and its previous, acclaimed releases on BIS, this exploration of the intersection of ancient and modern music is far from surprising: the group is known for its innovative programming. On And the sun darkened the four members follow Josquin’s celebrated motet Tu pauperum refugium with Andrew Smith’s setting of Psalm 55 – composed for NYP, it is a lament which nevertheless closes with an expression of confidence in God’s justice. Sung in Estonian another biblical psalm is heard in Kreek’s Taaveti laul 22 (‘David’s 22nd Song’), the text ‘My God, why have you forsaken me’ preparing the listener for the work that has given the disc its title. Officium de Cruce by Loyset Compère is a setting of a 14th-century hymn which follows the episodes of the Passion in a continuously flowing musical narrative: from the betrayal of Christ to his death – when the sun darkened – and entombment.\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eREVIEWS\u003c\/strong\u003e:\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003eThe vocal quartet New York Polyphony has excelled with a fine vocal blend and programs of Renaissance and contemporary choral music that often touch on underrepresented repertory. Josquin is present, but only with a single piece, and the focus is on his much less often heard contemporaries and successors, Loyset Compère, Pierre de la Rue, and Adrian Willaert. The one-voice-per-part forces of New York Polyphony may be an obstacle for some, inasmuch as this is not how Josquin was meant to be performed; the group's singing has a madrigalesque quality, and that's not everyone's cup of tea, but this might be the album to check out for those who have been wanting to sample New York Polyphony's work. Another attraction is BIS's sound, captured in Princeton Abbey in New Jersey; it's entirely distinct from that of the big English chapels where most recordings this repertory are made, and it's absorbingly inward.\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003e– AllMusicGuide.com (James Manheim)\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003e\u003cspan id=\"ctl00_MainContent_gvReviews_cell0_12_ASPxPopupControl1_ASPxLabel2\" class=\"dxeBase_PlasticBlue\"\u003eThe four member, standard setting chamber vocal ensemble New York Polyphony continues to transfix listeners with their pure, dynamically balanced and deeply expressive \u003cem\u003ea cappella\u003c\/em\u003e singing. It's hard to believe how a group of only four male voices can sound like much more than the sum of its parts. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan id=\"ctl00_MainContent_gvReviews_cell0_12_ASPxPopupControl1_ASPxLabel2\" class=\"dxeBase_PlasticBlue\"\u003eRegardless of which century the members of New York Polyphony happen to explore at any given moment, you can sense their deep respect and understanding of both the text and music at all times. Their perfectly matched voices create a sonic canopy akin to the nave of a gothic cathedral, with audio engineering to match. Guaranteed you will feel the urge to listen to this recording many times over.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003e\u003cspan class=\"dxeBase_PlasticBlue\"\u003e– Classical Music Sentinel (Jean-Yves Duperron, 2021)\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"BIS","offers":[{"title":"SACD","offer_id":46012875407594,"sku":"7318599922775","price":15.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0614\/3423\/3066\/files\/3920519-2668459.jpg?v=1778249561"},{"product_id":"stravinsky-the-rite-of-spring-dumbarton-oaks","title":"Stravinsky: The Rite of Spring \u0026 Dumbarton Oaks","description":"Following successes with the Firebird (Naxos 8571221) and Petrushka (Naxos 8571222) Stravinsky's ballet the Rite of Spring was the most ambitious and controversial result of his collaboration with Sergey Dyagilev's Ballet ruses the premiere performance in 1913 leading to a riot in the theatre. The Rite of Spring portrays atmospheric and dramatic pagan rituals which culminate in a sacrificial dance during which the Chosen One dances herself to death. The Dumbarton Oaks concerto represents Stravinsky's later neoclassical style referring to Bach in it's compact scale and transparency of language.","brand":"Naxos","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":46012882419946,"sku":"747313122370","price":9.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0614\/3423\/3066\/files\/2067707.jpg?v=1778313003"},{"product_id":"bach-j-s-st-matthew-passion-bwv-244-excerpts-7318599915005","title":"Bach: St. Matthew Passion, BWV 244 \/ Bach Collegium Japan","description":"Italy.","brand":"BIS","offers":[{"title":"SACD","offer_id":46012899983594,"sku":"7318599915005","price":15.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0614\/3423\/3066\/files\/1633012_c8080f71-4146-49b6-97ad-c7b0e43a1afa.jpg?v=1778323722"},{"product_id":"thomalla-dark-spring-mannheim-national-theatre-948837","title":"Thomalla: Dark Spring \/ Mannheim National Theatre Orchestra","description":"\u003ctable\u003e  \u003ctbody\u003e  \u003ctr\u003e  \u003ctd\u003eDark Spring is an opera about four young people under extreme pressure: the pressure to overachieve academically, to score high in the popularity contests at school or at college, and to perform romantically or sexually. The pressure has become entirely internalized as parents or teachers are absent and the protagonists are left alone with late capitalism’s demands of permanent self-optimization. The conflict between the expectation to succeed on the one hand and the sense of powerlessness and unattainable self-determination in an era of constant stagnation on the other hand grows increasingly acute until it eventually flips into violence: into Melchior’s sexual aggression and Moritz suicide. The opera focuses less on the narration of the four young protagonists’ story but rather on their attempt to articulate and understand the often contradictory feelings that come with it: Feelings of meaninglessness and alienation in a society that values only productivity and success but makes it unreachable for almost everyone; feelings of pain both as suffering and as sexual experience; feelings of love and kinship that briefly appear between the protagonists that nevertheless bring a sense of vulnerability. In a hyper-competitive world the display of emotions is seen as a weakness and a liability. The longing to open up to someone else, to reveal and feel oneself and one another, and to find an expression for that longing seems unsettling and dangerous. The four protagonists of Dark Spring sing songs. They articulate their feelings through the mask of the distancing formalization of rhyme, meter, stanza, and refrain. Under the surface of the objectified schemata of song an almost raw and undomesticated sound-world simmers, though, that breaks through at crucial points of the plot – a sound-world of noise, screams, and silence.\u003c\/td\u003e  \u003c\/tr\u003e  \u003c\/tbody\u003e  \u003c\/table\u003e","brand":"Oehms Classics","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":46012904767722,"sku":"4260034869943","price":15.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0614\/3423\/3066\/files\/4008013-2761063.jpg?v=1778226777"},{"product_id":"schumann-loves-spring-steffani-kozena-huber-966096","title":"Schumann: Love's Spring \/ Steffani, Kozena, Huber","description":"\u003ctable\u003e  \u003ctbody\u003e  \u003ctr\u003e  \u003ctd\u003eRaoul Steffani writes: “The album you have here is the culmination of a long-cherished desire – a program devoted to both Robert and Clara Schumann and the musical dialogue that blossomed between them during the early years of their married life, through their poems and song compositions. I am absolutely delighted and grateful for the opportunity to record this program along with a selection of Robert Schumann’s most beautiful duets, in a truly luxurious pairing with mezzo-soprano Magdalena Kožená and my regular piano accompanist Gerold Huber.”\u003c\/td\u003e  \u003c\/tr\u003e  \u003c\/tbody\u003e  \u003c\/table\u003e","brand":"Challenge Classics","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":46012913713386,"sku":"608917286526","price":14.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0614\/3423\/3066\/files\/4018058-2782915.jpg?v=1778229925"},{"product_id":"bach-st-matthew-passion-2","title":"Bach: St. Matthew Passion","description":"In its choreographed version of the St. Matthew Passion, the Internationale Bachakademie Stuttgart offers new dimensions to Bach‘s musical drama. And, for the one hundred schoolchildren who delved into Bach‘s monumental work and learned to dance as an artistic form of self-expression, it was an opportunity to experience the power of his music first hand. The interplay of professional musicians and young amateurs turned into a creative bridge for all involved. By deciding to have its own baroque orchestra and a choir formed of singers with practical, performing criteria in mind, the Bachakademie is forging a new path. The basic kind of sound, and at the same time the unique international selling point of this new approach underlies the Bachakademie’s decision to commission a historical replica of a chamber organ by the legendary organ builder and contemporary of Bach, Gottfried Silbermann. An original instrument by him has recently been discovered in Seerhausen, Saxony. As an example of the baroque sound, true to the original, this replica embodies the approach at the very heart of a Bachakademie of the future. The newly-founded baroque orchestra and the newly-constituted choir of the Bachakademie will perform under the joint name GAECHINGER CANTOREY from now onwards. Based on the historic foundations of the Bach era, and with roots in the living performance history of the choir founded by Helmuth Rilling, this name represents an integrated musical approach and the aesthetic sound ideal of the baroque.","brand":"Accentus Music","offers":[{"title":"DVD","offer_id":46012930425066,"sku":"4260234831450","price":28.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0614\/3423\/3066\/files\/3729575.jpg?v=1778280519"},{"product_id":"j-s-bach-matthauspassion-bwv-244","title":"J.S. Bach: Matthäuspassion, BWV 244","description":"Among the many recordings of The Matthew Passion, two have always stood out for their historical importance and for their diffusion - one conducted by Otto Klemperer for EMI and the other one, conducted by Eugen Jochum for Phillips. Urania is now proposing that the second, recorded in Amsterdam in 1965 with an extraordinary voice cast. This release is complete in all parts and has a fabulous sound for all listeners. The Bach by Jochum is vast, but not romantic - on the contrary - he puts the Passion under a light of sweetness and sorrow, without the harshness and coldness, typical of the recent interpretations. Urania has also added Bruckner's Te Deum, recorded in Monaco of Bravaria in 1954 by the same Jochum.","brand":"Urania Records","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":46012943270122,"sku":"8051773573200","price":32.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0614\/3423\/3066\/files\/3534909.jpg?v=1778292515"},{"product_id":"piano-works-vol-10-aveu-passione-boris-396989","title":"Piano Works, Vol. 10: Aveu Passione \/ Boris Bloch","description":"Boris Bloch writes: “This release is called \"Aveu passionné.” On the one hand because of the Tchaikovsky piece with the same title (in English \"Passionate Confession\"), on the other hand because of my deepest connection to Russian music, especially Russian opera, and last but not least because of my great love for the singer Galina Vischnevskaya. It may not seem obvious at first glance, but on closer inspection of the pieces selected here, this connection can be better understood. For Borodin, Mussorgsky, Rimsky-Korsakov, but also Glinka and Tchaikovsky are first and foremost opera composers. Every time I perform their music on the piano, the whole cosmos of their operas is before my eyes. Since I have been fortunate enough to conduct some of these great operas myself - for example, Glinka's \"Life for the Tsar\", Dargomyshsky's \"The Stone Guest\", Mussorgsky's \"Boris Godunov\", Borodin's \"Prince Igor\", as well as some operas by Rimsky-Korsakov and Tchaikovsky - they form for me the elixir of life that always fires my imagination.”","brand":"Ars Produktion","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":46012966863082,"sku":"4260052385104","price":15.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0614\/3423\/3066\/files\/3862579-2627878.jpg?v=1778272855"},{"product_id":"bach-johannes-passion-aelbgut-wunderkammer-292493","title":"Bach: Johannes-Passion \/ Aelbgut, Wunderkammer","description":"In contrast to the St. Matthew Passion, Bach repeatedly changed and supplemented parts of the St. John Passion, but apparently never found a final version. The earlier parts in particular have their charm: less sublime in tone, but more spontaneous, angular and intimate. \"In its more intimate tone, the second version of the St. John Passion of 1725 seemed to us to be ideal for a recording which, without a conductor, is controlled entirely from the inner life of the musical lines, from listening to one another, in the giving and taking of spontaneous ideas\". So much for the Ensemble Wunderkammer, which certainly lives up to its name and even with Bach still finds something unheard-of.","brand":"Coviello","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":46012980003050,"sku":"4039956920076","price":24.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0614\/3423\/3066\/files\/3802489-2570054_766b4964-1ab5-4ede-8831-28e61651c1eb.jpg?v=1778257773"},{"product_id":"bach-st-matthew-passion-gilchrist-connolly-egarr-66246","title":"Bach: St. Matthew Passion \/ Gilchrist, Connolly, Egarr","description":"Since 1727, J.S. Bach's \"Great Passion\" has gripped the hearts and uplifted the minds of audiences all over the globe. Nearly three centuries after its premiere, the work has lost none of its power to evoke feelings of compassion for all those who suffer. Its mix of urgent storytelling, meditative arias, and mighty choruses sets St Matthew's account of Christ's betrayal, trial, and execution eloquently and emotionally.\u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e  Over the past 40 years, the AAM has made over 300 recordings of Baroque and Classical music, winning Brit and Gramophone Awards along the way. Remarkably, this is their first recording of the St. Matthew Passion. With a superlative cast including James Gilchrist, Sarah Connolly, Thomas Hobbs, Elizabeth Watts, Christopher Maltman, and Matthew Rose, and directed by Richard Egarr, this is a landmark project.\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Academy of Ancient Music","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":46012987932906,"sku":"5060340150051","price":18.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0614\/3423\/3066\/files\/2862748.jpg?v=1778300594"},{"product_id":"clean-spring","title":"Clean Spring","description":"On January 3rd this year one of the greatest contemporary jazz pianists Paul Bley passed away.  Bley left a younger generation of inspired artists behind. Greg Burk is one of them, not that he plays like Bley who was his mentor\/teacher but he inherited Bley’s nonconformist approach to music.\nBurk currently a resident of Rome, Italy is no newcomer to the scene. Quite a few of his recordings has been highly acclaimed throughout the world. This strikingly original solo recital is his first release on SteepleChase Lookout with a bonus of a captivating short story by the pianist himself.","brand":"SteepleChase LookOut","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":46012999860458,"sku":"716043312429","price":17.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0614\/3423\/3066\/files\/3031776-3297934.jpg?v=1778305926"},{"product_id":"schutz-h-lukas-passion","title":"Schutz, H.: Lukas-Passion","description":"Classical Music","brand":"Cantate","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":46013001498858,"sku":"4012476576220","price":5.49,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0614\/3423\/3066\/files\/236275_7c99e3ee-87b8-4c5d-a364-2293723c1eb0.jpg?v=1778342405"},{"product_id":"stravinsky-violin-concerto-etc-frautschi-craft-et-234850","title":"Stravinsky: Violin Concerto, Etc \/ Frautschi, Craft, Et Al","description":"\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e  \u003cspan class=\"COMPOSER12\"\u003eSTRAVINSKY \u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"ARIAL12b\"\u003eViolin Concerto.\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"SUPER12\"\u003e1\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"ARIAL12bi\"\u003e Zvezdolikiy.\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"SUPER12\"\u003e2\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"ARIAL12bi\"\u003e Symphonies of Wind Instruments.\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"SUPER12\"\u003e3 \u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"ARIAL12bi\"\u003eLe sacre du printemps \u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"ARIAL12\"\u003e(1911-1913; 1947\/1967)\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"SUPER12\"\u003e4 \u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"BULLET12b\"\u003e•\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"ARIAL12\"\u003e Robert Craft, cond; Jennifer Frautschi (vn);\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"SUPER12\"\u003e1\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"ARIAL12\"\u003e Gregg Smith Singers;\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"SUPER12\"\u003e2\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"ARIAL12\"\u003e O of St. Luke’s;\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"SUPER12\"\u003e2\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"ARIAL12\"\u003e 20th Century Classics Ens;\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"SUPER12\"\u003e3\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"ARIAL12\"\u003e Philharmonia O \u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"BULLET12b\"\u003e•\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"ARIAL12\"\u003e NAXOS 8.557508 (67:42) \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e  \u003cspan\u003eThe first thing that strikes one about this disc is the marvelous sound of the orchestra; Craft achieves a balance of chamber and orchestral character that fits the Violin Concerto perfectly. Of course the musicians and engineering team deserve credit, too, but it is Craft’s vision, understanding, and ability to get exactly what he wants that make the difference. The composer’s 1960 stereo recording with Isaac Stern is rhythmically square (and Stern’s energetic playing is sabotaged by ugly recorded sound), whereas Craft swings nicely. Stravinsky’s 1930s performance with Samuel Dushkin is closer to this one. If I seem to be favoring Craft over Stravinsky as an interpreter and conductor of the latter’s music, so be it. Now in his eighties, Craft is surpassing most of his former efforts, and many of these Naxos recordings stand as the finest of all. I am reminded of the truism that Schoenberg’s works suffered from being so badly played for half a century: well, so did many of Stravinsky’s, beginning with the works immediately following the big three ballets. Craft’s recent \u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan style=\"font-style:italic\"\u003eLes noces\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan\u003e, for example, is superior to any earlier recording. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e  \u003cspan\u003eGetting back to the Violin Concerto, Frautschi is a superb young violinist who has specialized in 20th- and 21st-century music. She plays the bright yet silky “ex-Cadiz” Stradivarius, which stands out from the ensemble or fits right in, as required. Whether Frautschi or Craft is driving this performance doesn’t matter; the results are wonderful: savory, clean, punchy, and yet light. I am thoroughly beguiled by Itzhak Perlman’s beautiful playing of this Concerto on DG, and by the Boston Symphony’s eloquent accompaniment, but this performance does the piece more justice. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e  \u003cspan style=\"font-style:italic\"\u003eZvezdolikiy\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan\u003e is better known by its French title, \u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan style=\"font-style:italic\"\u003eLe roi des étoiles\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan\u003e (“King of the Stars”), but Craft translates it as “The Star-Faced One.” I think I’ve encountered this recording before, but I can’t place it—this series petered out on two other labels (MusicMasters, Koch International) before Naxos came to its rescue. No matter: this is a fine reading by excellent forces, very well recorded. The booklet offers an English text. Craft plays the original score of \u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan style=\"font-style:italic\"\u003eSymphonies of Wind Instruments\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan\u003e (the composer led the simplified 1947 version in Sony’s “The Recorded Legacy”) and makes it sound surprisingly mellow, at one point almost jolly. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e  \u003cspan\u003eStravinsky was always touching up his music, every time he performed anything. My Boosey \u0026amp; Hawkes score of \u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan style=\"font-style:italic\"\u003eLe sacre\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan\u003e says “Revised 1947, Re-engraved edition 1967,” which I think means only that this 1990s publication duplicates a 1967 one. Of course a Stravinsky- or Craft-led performance needn’t be limited by a published score. Oh well, thought I, Craft’s always brilliant, always fascinating program notes will explain all. But Craft writes only a “chronicle” of the composition and early performances, never getting past April 6, 1914. Whatever “1911–1913; 1947\/1967” means, this performance sounds as if most of the awkward moments have been cleaned up, but the baby has been thrown out with the bath water. The orchestral playing is less vibrant than that of the London Symphony in Craft’s 1995 Koch recording, which later appeared on Naxos (\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan style=\"font-style:italic\"\u003eFanfare\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan\u003e 29:3). A too-warm recording doesn’t help; timpani and bass drums are a bit distant and muffled, which will never do in this music. In the final Sacrificial Dance, the playing becomes a bit sloppy. I note that this performance lasts 33:41, the earlier one 31:58; the difference is certainly noticeable. Both performances were recorded at Abbey Road Studio 1, this one in 2006. Perhaps the revised score explains why modern performances seldom thrill the way early ones did (and still do), in particular Salonen’s recent Los Angeles Philharmonic SACD spectacular being less satisfying than Stravinsky’s cramped, monaural 1940 recording with the New York Philharmonic. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e  \u003cspan\u003eAt Naxos prices, you can afford to buy this CD just for the Concerto. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e  \u003cspan style=\"font-weight:bold\"\u003eFANFARE: James H. 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It presents airs from Atys, Persée, Alceste, Proserpine, Le Triomphe de l’Amour and other works by Louis XIV’s famous composer, but also several by Marc-Antoine Charpentier (Médée), Henry Desmarets and Pascal Collasse. Whether well known, rare or in some cases even unpublished, all of them present roles for powerful women whose love is unrequited: dark passions, bitter laments, jealousy, vengeance, the type of dramatic characters that Véronique Gens embodies with all the charisma that has made her reputation. This recording is also the result of an encounter with the youthful ensemble Les Surprises, founded and directed by Louis-Noël Bestion de Camboulas. Together they conceived this programme, which mingles airs, dances and choruses, in collaboration with the Centre de Musique Baroque de Versailles.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eREVIEW\u003c\/strong\u003e:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe voice remains in remarkable condition, as strongly radiant, firm and secure as ever with powerful chest notes. And of course the characteristics that have made her so prized in this repertoire, the perfect shaping of line and outstanding diction, remain, still more finely honed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e– Opera\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Alpha","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":46013018013930,"sku":"3760014197475","price":15.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0614\/3423\/3066\/files\/3991984-2738273.jpg?v=1778264888"},{"product_id":"latino-ladino-songs-of-exile-passion-74902","title":"Latino Ladino: Songs of Exile \u0026 Passion \/ Yaniv d'Or","description":"The music and poetry of numerous persecuted and exiled minority cultures flourished throughout the Mediterranean and South America during the 17th century, the sensitivities of these displaced communities retaining powerful resonance today. These ancient narratives on beauty, love, joy and sorrow are expressed through Yaniv d'Or's haunting voice against a \"folk-Baroque\" instrumental backdrop that reinvents enchanting and distinctive musical worlds.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e -----\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eReviews:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003eLatino Ladino is the latest album from the inventive countertenor Yaniv d’Or. His rich, honeyed falsetto guides us through various Ladino traditions, eventually crossing the Atlantic to the Missa Mexicana of 1677. Here d’Or multi-tracks both voices of Francisco Escalada’s Canten dos Jilguerillos, a wonderful flamenco-infused setting of two goldfinches watching over the Christ child. Flamenco also appears in the Ladino song ‘A la una yo naci’, which d’Or has traced as far as Peru. This sumptuous programme is enhanced by excellent booklet-notes from Richard Jones, who explains how each performance has been constructed in what d’Or himself often calls a folk-Baroque style.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e – Gramophone\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003eThis recital by countertenor Yaniv d'Or mixes a wide variety of music, from Spain to South America, from the 17th century to the 21st. The program's chief novelty, as the title suggests, is to mix Jewish and non-Jewish elements convincingly; recordings of music from the Ladino tradition of Spain's Jewish community generally focus on that tradition to the exclusion of others. D'Or maps it onto a wider theme of exile and wandering, reaching back to the African-influenced marizápalos and canarios dances cultivated by various composers of the Spanish Baroque, but also bringing in music by Albéniz, the Chilean folk singer Violeta Parra, and even a song of his own composition. But really the main attraction is the limpid voice of d'Or, who has performed this program live and entranced audiences with darkly beautiful readings of traditional Ladino songs from across the Jewish diaspora. An innovative and lovely recording.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e – All Music Guide (James Manheim)","brand":"Naxos","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":46013024698602,"sku":"747313356676","price":13.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0614\/3423\/3066\/files\/3378565.jpg?v=1778284573"},{"product_id":"flute-passion-labrie-gaudet-82132","title":"Flute Passion \/ Labrie, Gaudet","description":"The works on this beautiful recording are transcriptions for flute and piano of Franz Schubert masterpieces, from \"Heidenr�slen,\" a lied he composed as a fresh-faced 17-year- old, to \"St�ndchen,\" written just prior to his premature death at the age of 31. The exquisite and expressive playing of flutist Nadia Labrie and pianist Mathieu Gaudet is seductive. \"I have always found this music inspiring, so I wanted to perform a flute and piano version of some of my favourites. Schubert's music is so uplifting, so inspiring, so passionate - it taps into the soul, the voice, the breath of life.\" (Nadia Labrie) Nadia Labrie is a graduate of the Conservatoire de musique du Quebec and the Universite de Montreal. 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Entirely recorded live at the iconic Sydney Opera House, La Passion will allow music lovers to discover Gypsy supernatural violinist Roby Lakatos in an all new program including never previously recorded pieces such as Meadowlands (Songs of the Plains), the Flight of the Bumblebee, Valse Triste, Oblivion, Chiquilin, Those Were the Days, Du Schwarzer Zigeuner and many more gems new to Roby's discography. The second album is devoted to the most famous bits of Roby's repertoire with such beloved pieces as Two Guitars, Fire Dance, Black Eyes (Ochi Chornyje), Brahms Hungarian Dance No 5, Monti's Csardas... This album also features a phenomenal L'Alouette (The Lark) lasting more than twelve minutes and catching Roby Lakatos in a jubilatory improvisation. This recording will furthermore allow many listeners to discover an all rejuvenated Ensemble featuring an amazing array of young Hungarian musicians aged from only 19 to 25! La Passion captures the unique energy that emanates from Roby Lakatos' live performances. This double album constitutes a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in a world marked by musical freedom, warmth, matchless virtuosity and surprising repertoire ideas with long forgotten melodies set in totally new and original arrangements.","brand":"Avanti Classic","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":46013045178602,"sku":"5414706106426","price":22.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0614\/3423\/3066\/files\/3760092-2534048.jpg?v=1778252872"},{"product_id":"johann-ernst-bach-passionsoratorium-max-schlick-cordier-224869","title":"J.E. Bach: Passionsoratorium \/ Max, Schlick, Cordier, Pregardien, Rheinische Kantorei","description":"\u003cp\u003eDespite the rich tradition provided by the former genre of the Passion of Christ set to music,  only two works  have been able to establish temselves permanently - the two monumental Passions by Johann Sebastian Bach. The Passion Oratorio by Johann Ernst Bach, the nephew, godson and pupil of Johann Sebastian, is one of the lesser-known works. With his explicit commitment to sacred music, Johann Ernst Bach occupies an extremely isolated position among the Protestant German composers of the second half of the 18th century. Although the religious works of both Telemann and J. 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The very early Otto cori, Op. 2, set to Italian and German texts, contain some of the most beautiful  music he ever wrote, revealing his love of Italian Renaissance music through grace, bucolic melancholy, humorous wit and sublime characterization. In ‘Talitha Kumi!’ Op. 3, the title derived from an Aramaic quotation from Mark’s Gospel, the voice of an Evangelist carries the biblical narrative of Jesus bringing the daughter of Jairus back to life against a rich orchestral backdrop.","brand":"Naxos","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":46013056811242,"sku":"747313371679","price":13.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0614\/3423\/3066\/files\/3764083.jpg?v=1778297314"},{"product_id":"bach-st-john-passion-bwv-245-sorrell-71302","title":"Bach: St. John Passion \/ Sorrell, Apollo's Fire","description":"This magnificent recording of J.S. 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The chorus allowed Ms. Sorrell some exquisite moments...breathtaking.\" - The New York Times\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e  -----\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e  REVIEW:\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e  Apollo Fire's  \u003ci\u003eSt. John Passion\u003c\/i\u003e has dramatic tautness tempered by musical finesse nurtured by conductor Jeanette Sorrell. The Apollonian music-making is characterized by instrumental playing of elegant refinement, polished choral singing, and communicative delivery of the text. Sorrell's attention to detail ensures that in many respects this recording hits the sweet spot time and again.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e  – Gramophone","brand":"Avie Records","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":46013068804330,"sku":"822252236927","price":14.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0614\/3423\/3066\/files\/3167574-2475374.jpg?v=1778302691"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0614\/3423\/3066\/collections\/Easter_Sale_2026.png?v=1778090939","url":"https:\/\/arkivmusic.com\/collections\/easter-sale-2026.oembed","provider":"ArkivMusic","version":"1.0","type":"link"}