The Minguet Quartet concludes it's four-volume set here, which now includes all of Mendelssohn's string quartets - not only the seven works by the fortunate Felix, who had a musical career open to him from childhood, but also the only quartet by his older sister Fanny, for whom music was only ever allowed 'to be an adornment, never the foundation of life,' as their father Abraham decreed with the declamation of a patriarch. And once again, the question arises as to why it is permissible to shackle unmistakeable talent with the chains of convention. This unique work by the then 30-year old composer soars to masterful heights with it's individual form and exuberant emotions. It is an ideal counterpart to the classical mood of the E flat major quartet with which Felix completed his Opus 44 four years later.

This album is a KUV project "In Collaboration with Ole Schmidt". An artistic and collegial journey with accordionist Bjarke Mogensen and guitarist Jesper Sivebrek, in which a number of Schmidt's forgotten concertos are brought back to life.

When Josefine entered her second half-century in 2021 (sometimes it's permissible to mention the age of a lady...), Norrbotten Big Band decided to celebrate her achievements by commissioning six big band pieces from composers who, at different times and on different occasions, have been connected with Josefine. We are very happy with the result and confident that the sometimes challenging nature of the music will create a portrait of Josefine with all her magnificence on full display.

Expressing what cannot be expressed, what is sometimes beyond understanding, is a task that has challenged composers of sacred music for centuries. In his latest collection of vocal and choral works, award-winning Canadian composer Christopher Tyler Nickel aims to articulate these complex emotional states. The works range from Stabat Mater, an intimate portrayal of a mother's grief poignantly sung by soprano Catherine Redding; a collection of motets, both a cappella and accompanied, including the wonders expressed in a new setting of the O Magnum Mysterium; a meditative setting of the de Profundis; and an uplifting Magnificat. Chorus master Kari Turunen and the Vancouver Chamber Choir join forces with Clyde Mitchell and the Vancouver Contemporary Orchestra in performances that capture by turns the works' peace, grief, hope and transcendence through Nickel's very personal and spiritual musical language.

This album presents a new arrangement of Franz Schubert's song cycle Die schone Mullerin, performed by baritone Roderick Williams with the Carducci Quartet. Originally composed in 1823 for voice and piano, the cycle sets poems by Wilhelm Muller that trace the emotional journey of a young miller through hope, love, jealousy and despair. In this recording, the piano part is reimagined for string quartet, drawing out the implied instrumental textures in Schubert's writing while preserving the narrative flow of the songs. The arrangement offers a fresh perspective on the work's structure and atmosphere, highlighting it's central Romantic themes of nature, longing and reflection.

Who doesn't know this loveable master of light entertainment? asked an admiring critic in 1925, when Berlin composer and publisher Siegfried Translateur celebrated his 50th birthday. Although this rhetorical question does not likely garner even a nominal response today, 150 years after his birth, concert halls were once filled with thunderous applause. The man from Upper Silesia did well for himself with his compositions, not to mention that his student work Wiener Praterleben had just become the hymn of Berlin's Six Day Race and had been transformed to the "Sportspalastwalzer". When Reinhold Franz Habisch aka "Krucke" whistled, the "Nudeltopp" boiled over. But Translateur is so much more. He knows what flowers are dreaming of, he takes a stroll through the big city, waltzes jauntily through life - a charming proponent of a silver era that never really went away.

Music for These Troubled Times explores the melancholy of the past through the keyboard repertoire of the English virginalists of the late 16th and 17th centuries, and links this still familiar state of mind with the present - an age of social and political turbulence, uncertainty, and wars - through Maxim Shalygin's KHORA. Inspired by Robert Burton's 1621 treatise The Anatomy of Melancholy, which praises music as a remedy for the troubled mind, the programme moves between contemplative pavanes, witty variations, and complex polyphonic works. It includes rarely performed pieces and a first recording of the anonymous A Ground. Recorded on three unique harpsichords, it features a rare copy after 1579 L. Theewes' earliest surviving English instrument, a reconstruction of the original state of the 1612 I. Ruckers transposing double-manual harpsichord and a copy of the marvellous 1751 H. Hemsch.

She was a great musical talent and a sensitive soul, the child of a socially aspiring family who forbid their daughter to marry the love of her life; instead she was forced into a utilitarian marriage with a respectable husband, but later had an affair with her first sweetheart after all - the stuff of a sentimental novel. Yet Mel Bonis (1858-1937) was no fictional character. She was one of the strongest composers of her time with a focus on piano, chamber music and art songs. She also enriched the repertoire of impressionism with numerous original gems and arrangements for orchestra. Her particularly modern Ophelia, her purring melodie of an enamoured tomcat on a roof at night, her Spanish gypsy waltz and her dances for orchestra are just some of the enchanting discoveries you will find here. Our recording pays a well-deserved tribute to this noble woman.

Jean-Philippe Rameau was one of the most important luminaries of the 18th century as a composer and theorist, although he kept his compositional and scholarly activities so carefully separate that his pieces show no trace of the considerations of this "sonic scholar". The subject matter of his stage works is something else entirely. Les Indes galantes, for example, draws on the latest ethnological explorations of Asia and America, while the grand opera Zoroastre is based on research into the Persian religious founder Zarathustra, who after considerable trials wins the hand of his beloved and the throne of Bactria. One of the most surprising aspects of this fantastic production is how effectively yet discreetly these exotic subjects were incorporated into the established dance forms of the Baroque period, and that Rameau was even able to stage a Native American rain dance.

In the Poet's Garden: Choral settings by John Rutter of Shakespeare, Wordsworth, James Weldon Johnson, Charles Causley and others. John is joined by The Cambridge Singers, Melanie Marshall, Roderick Williams, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Taplow Young Voices, Catrin Finch and Matthew Jorysz (solo piano) in this recording of choral works by John Rutter. I'll make me a world; London Town; Dancing Tree; Three Shakespeare Songs; When music sounds. John Rutter writes: Any composer interested in vocal and choral music is both inspired and nourished by poetry. Second only to music, words are my great love, and from my earliest years I have enjoyed seeking out poetry that seems to invite musical setting. This album brings together some of my recent choral music where the words provided the first inspiration and the music followed.

The Jazz Platinum 1100 - Jazz Expo 2025-2026' is a special, limited-time campaign where 19 record labels, ranging from prestigious to unique, have gathered to offer a curated selection of 187 jazz titles, including both classic staples and hidden masterpieces. Solid. 2025.

Rose Ever Blooming honours the role of Mary in the story of Jesus, highlighting the importance of family and the eternally strong bonds between mother and son. Inspired by poetry by Patricia Monaghan, we have constructed a libretto featuring twelve of these poems. Traditional Christmas carols are woven together with this poetry, acting as musical touchstones while also supporting the themes and narratives in Monaghan's poetry. Each divine moment of the Christmas story is presented here with a human counterpart. These poems portray Mary in all her humanity and as a reluctant hero of the Christmas story. In Rose Ever Blooming, Mary's story is presented as a reflection from the end of her life, beginning with the Annunciation and ending with her own list of Beatitudes, praising the ordinary and the everyday blessings we take for granted. We see the onset of motherhood as a metamorphosis from ordinary girl to one who will "bring forth the future. " A new Magnificat, not praising an entity outside ourselves, recognizes the divine within all of us. It was refreshing to tell Mary's story through her eyes, and Monaghan's brilliant portrayal of her character shines through in these sensitive and poignant poems.

Explore distant galaxies with the Danish National Symphony Orchestra. These legendary film soundtracks from the world of science fiction will transport you to the infinite vastness of space with epic sounds and powerful choirs. Experience the music from Dune, Star Wars, Star Trek, and many other masterpieces: enjoy stirring solo passages and majestic themes with outstanding soloists Sinne Eeg, Isabel Schwartzbach, David Bateson, and Kristoffer Appel.

Horace Silver - "Silver in Seattle: Live at the Penthouse". In August 1965, great jazz pianist and composer Horace Silver brought a cutting-edge line-up to the Penthouse in Seattle with Woody Shaw on trumpet, Joe Henderson on tenor saxophone, Teddy Smith on bass, and Roger Humphries on drums. A newly discovered recording of those performances gets it's first-ever release with Silver In Seattle: Live at the Penthouse featuring the band playing uninhibited renditions of Silver classics including "Song For My Father," "Cape Verdean Blues," and "The Kicker."

Vladimir Horowitz brings on this LP together some of the most powerful and poetic piano works from the Romantic era, all performed in New York City during the spring of 1962. Side A dives into "Chopin's Piano Sonata No. 2". Horowitz brings out all the drama, beauty, and intensity you'd expect-and more. Side B brings you two of Rachmaninov's "Etudes-Tableaux" and Schumann's delicate and dreamy "Arabesque" and Liszt's "Hungarian Rhapsody No. 19", played with flair and fire. It's a perfect snapshot of Horowitz in his prime.

CTI All-Time Collection - Phase 2 (60 Titles) This comprehensive reissue series celebrates the legendary American jazz label CTI Records and it's sub-labels Kudu and Salvation, presenting 60 classic titles in total. Each release is accompanied by a deluxe booklet, faithfully reproducing the original liner notes from the Japanese LP editions, making this collection both a rich listening experience and a collector's treasure.

Luciano Pavarotti -"Pavarotti: The Lost Concert - Live at Llangollen 1995" [Blu-ray] Marking the 40th anniversary of winning a singing competition as part of a choir from his hometown of Modena in 1955, Luciano Pavarotti returns to North Wales to give a special gala concert at the 1995 Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod. Joining him that evening is the BBC Philharmonic, the modern-day Corale Gioachino Rossini, Modena and, for the finale, Japanese soprano Atzuko Kawahara. The program combines popular operatic arias & choruses, Neapolitan songs, one of Pavarotti's own compositions, orchestral overtures & interludes, and a special duet for the finale. The final moments of an unforgettable event are made even more emotional by the singer's departing words. "You don't know what this is for me, what it is for me to try to concentrate for myself tonight, in what I am doing, with my music - while a million of memories come to my mind. For forty years, I was looking for this day... thank you for the beautiful night that you gave to me." Blu-ray with 20-page booklet.

Blues in Space is a jazz composition by the legendary multi-instrumentalist Yusef Lateef. Recorded in 1957, it is considered a noteworthy track from his early career, showcasing his unique approach to fusing traditional jazz with Eastern and world music influences.

Following the success of their 2023 digital EP, Rutter Orchestral Carols, the Choir of Kings College, Cambridge, releases a new album for Christmas 2025, featuring a selection of arrangements and original works for choir and orchestra under the direction of Daniel Hyde. Recorded in the beloved Chapel of Kings College Cambridge, All the Stars Looked Down sees the choir performing alongside Britten Sinfonia once again, and includes beautiful orchestral arrangements of Christmas carols by John Rutter alongside a selection of both well-loved and lesser-known carols by the great choral composers who have influenced him, including Philip Ledger, David Willcocks and Ralph Vaughan Williams. Woven throughout the album are works that are especially meaningful to the Choir and it's community and the albums title track, John Rutters All the Stars Looked Down, is dedicated to the late Sir Stephen Cleobury.

Iconic drummer Simon Phillips is known worldwide for appearances with Toto, The Who, Jeff Beck, Al Di Meola, Hiromi, Stanley Clarke and his own group, Protocol. Simon continues to evolve as a composer on the exciting new Protocol 6 album. As he says, "The material is actually quite different from Protocol V. With the band now in it's sixth year, I was able to write specifically for each player. It's my rock 'n' roll side that dictates the form of each tune, even though the style is definitely jazz-rock. I like to call it progressive jazz." The lineup in this road-tested outfit remains constant except that Phillip Whack now holds down the saxophone chair, playing tenor, alto and soprano with great authority.

Part of Universal Japan's 'Everything Jazz - Vol. 3: Concord Edition' reissue campaign. Features the high-fidelity UHQCD format. Green color label coating. Universal. 2025.

By the mid-1960s, European touring had become a routine familiar to many of jazz's most well-known practitioners. Piano/composer Thelonious Monk was already over two decades into his career when he began to visit Europe in earnest. Europeans were excited to experience Monk and his storied personality, often focusing as much on his appearance and idiosyncratic behavior ahead of the music. // The release of Bremen 1965 finds the legend on his second tour to feature stops in Germany with his seasoned quartet featuring his longtime saxophone foil, Charlie Rouse, along with bassist Larry Gales and drummer Ben Riley. Bremen, Germany was the second stop on the quartet's world tour, which would include much of Europe, Australia, and Japan. The recording was made on March 8, 1965, in Radio Bremen's storied Sendesaal / Studio F in front of an anticipative audience. Bremen 1965 is the first official release of the concert, mastered from the original tapes held in the Radio Bremen vaults under the guidance and blessings of Norddeutscher Rundfunk (NDR), Radio Bremen, and T.S. Monk. The release will be available in a handful of formats, including digitally along with double CD and LP record sets. Included with the physical releases is a researched set of liner notes from Sunnyside's Bret Sjerven. The recording catches Monk just after some notable transitions. The pianist left his former label, Riverside Records, for Columbia Records, where his most recent release, It's Monk's Time, was fresh off the presses when the quartet arrived in Europe in 1965. There had also been a change in the rhythm section, as bassist John Ore and drummer Frankie Dunlop had been replaced by Larry Gales and Ben Riley, who would both appear on Monk's next studio recording, Monk. The long performance captures unique takes of Monk classics, like "Criss Cross, " "Well You Needn't, " "Epistrophy, " and "Rhythm-a-ning, " along with standards that Monk continued to find inspiring, including "Sweet and Lovely, " "I'm Getting Sentimental Over You, " and "Don't Blame Me." Long, loose takes on these pieces allow for listeners to experience Monk and company's ability to swing, duel, and sing in their most unparalleled fashion. The music of Thelonious Monk remains eternally and monumentally singular in approach and conception. Monk's interpretations of his tunes and those of others have left lasting impressions on the genre of jazz. Bremen 1965 highlights an incredible performance during one of Monk and his quartet's most fiery and exploratory periods.

CTI All-Time Collection - Phase 2 (60 Titles) This comprehensive reissue series celebrates the legendary American jazz label CTI Records and it's sub-labels Kudu and Salvation, presenting 60 classic titles in total. Each release is accompanied by a deluxe booklet, faithfully reproducing the original liner notes from the Japanese LP editions, making this collection both a rich listening experience and a collector's treasure.

One of Elgar's greatest works, The Dream of Gerontius is his setting of Cardinal Newman's poem about a dying man's journey from his deathbed to his judgment before God and his placement in Purgatory. The work is not a traditional oratorio; instead, it is a hauntingly beautiful and transformative journey of the soul. Elgar himself said of it, "I've written it out of my insidest inside." This BBC recording was captured live at the Royal Albert Hall during the 2022 BBC Proms season. Edward Gardner conducts the London Philharmonic Orchestra & Choir, with the Halle Choir, in what was described by The Guardian as a "perfectly judged performance." The recording features a cast of three world-class soloists - Allan Clayton, Jamie Barton, and James Platt - celebrated for their individual excellence and compelling interpretation of their roles.

CTI All-Time Collection - Phase 2 (60 Titles) This comprehensive reissue series celebrates the legendary American jazz label CTI Records and it's sub-labels Kudu and Salvation, presenting 60 classic titles in total. Each release is accompanied by a deluxe booklet, faithfully reproducing the original liner notes from the Japanese LP editions, making this collection both a rich listening experience and a collector's treasure.