This fourth disc in the Naxos series of the complete Schumann Lieder focuses on settings of poems by Justinus Kerner, whose almost folk-song-like lyrics first captured Schumann' imagination as early as 1828 in the five Jugend-Lieder.

Robert Schumann' literary interests influenced his choice of the poems he used for his songs, many of which were composed in a burst of activity during the 'Year of Song' 1840.

Written between 1905 and 1908, the Suite Iberia was and is without any doubt Albeniz's masterpiece. Iberia is an ambitious and remarkably sophisticated composition with a formidable architectural structure of uniquely impressive dimensions. All the pieces are based on traditional Spanish dance rhythms, arranged in a freely artistic and idealized manner. The rhythmical dances smoothly alternate with the \vocal" part, the copla. In traditional Spanish music the copla is a characteristic part of the structure seen in many forms like the saeta (arrow), or a cante jondo (deep song), the song of deep feelings. Albeniz has included a copla in almost all of the pieces in Iberia.

Igor Markevitch' extraordinary precocity as a composer is startlingly revealed in this seventh volume of his complete orchestral music. The energy, invention and sheer expressive elan of his Piano Concerto, written at the tender age of sixteen.

Love and faith, mortality and eternity are the abiding themes of these three important and beautifully shimmering works by one of the 20th century' most innovative composers. Les offrandes oubliees, Messiaen' first published orchestral work, is a symphony.

Composed in 1740, L'Allegro, il Penseroso, ed il Moderato is Handel's setting of poetry by John Milton, with additional verses (in the third part of three) by Charles Jennens. This oratorio is a kind of moderated dialogue between two personalities - the merry and carefree, and the thoughtful and ruminative. Jennens added "il Moderato" - the moderate man who balances the other two types. It seems not to have been Handel's intention to instruct listeners as to the most favorable type. Instead, he must have been most attracted by Milton's poetry, and by the opportunity to compose the sort of pastoral entertainment which he had found so congenial in earlier compositions. Sometimes the third part, entirely set to verses by Jennens, is dropped. This was the case even in Handel's time; it was felt that Jennens could not hold a candle to Milton. Some of the work's first recordings (for example, a 1960 version conducted by Sir David Willcocks) do the same, and also rearrange the remaining movements. This new version is given complete, however.

In 1840, a proverbial Year of Song for a composer who had last written romantic songs when at school, Schumann was galvanised by his love for Clara Wieck and the prospect of his forthcoming marriage, to pour out almost 140 of his finest Lieder.

This disc of music by internationally renowned British composer Philip Wilby includes several world premiere recordings.

Salon Orchestra Favourites, Vol. 3

Includes work(s) by various composers. Ensemble: Russian Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Dmitry Yablonsky.

Since it's foundation in 1979, the Ex Novo Ensemble has explored the international panorama of new music, particularly works that, although very beautiful, remain little known.

Igor Markevitch' renunciation of composition at the age of 29 in favour of a conducting career remains a mystery, given the rapturous responses his youthful music inspired. The extraordinary works on this disc are a case in point. The Sinfonietta.

Liszt Complete Piano Music, Vol. 19: Beethoven Symphonies No

EL-KHOURY: The Ruins of Beirut / Hill of Strangeness

Composed over a period of some thirty years, the six string works in this programme cover the full stylistic range of Penderecki' towering compositional career.