La sonnambula was written by Bellini as a vehicle for two of the supreme singers of his age and accordingly is a fine example of the school we call bel canto, where beauty of voice and the virtuosity of the singers is integral to conveying the emotions in the soul of the composer. The fact that Bellini was one of the great melodists, writing long, beautiful vocal lines, that he was a master orchestrator and that he could write stirringly for the chorus all conspire to make La sonnambula an extremely enjoyable example of Italian opera in it's prime.

Just for fun, try playing this CD as a quiz for a musically knowledgeable friend. You can give one hint: the composer is well known. As the suite from the operetta The Bride Elect proceeds, you'll probably get guesses like Johann Strauss (during the opening waltz), Offenbach, or Victor Herbert. But when the concluding number, a march, arrives, the composer will be obvious. Sousa's operettas, if one judges from these orchestral selections, aren't highly original or even outstandingly tuneful. But they are good light entertainment, especially as played by this crack group of Slovak players under the direction of Sousa expert Keith Brion. Naxos's recording is as crisp and clear as the orchestral playing.

From the Russian fairy-tale enchantment of The Firebird to the austere ritual at the end of his Requiem Canticles composed over half a century later, Stravinsky's extraordinary creativity embraces a range of styles and tributes to composers of the past. He started under the guidance of Rimsky-Korsakov in pre-revolutionary St Petersburg and ended his life in America having made a very special kind of peace with the rigorous (serial) techniques of Schoenberg and Webern. Yet his homage's are always heartfelt, and he always remains himself: truly the most comprehensive and wide-ranging musical genius of the twentieth century.

LEES: Symphony No. 4, 'Memorial Candles'

2 CDs with over 2 hours of music Illuminating essay by Stephen Johnson Illustrated with photographsWell over half a century after his death, Bela Bart k is held up as one of the twentieth century' great musical moderni.

Christopher Mohr: From the Realm of the Shadow (2001) National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine, Theodore Kuchar (conductor) An unusual blend of musical styles and traditions, this work is highly unique in it's composition and purpose. While broaching a dark subject, it sheds light on our spiritual and human realms. It is a must for anyone who is not afraid to explore new musical approaches, or for those who seek unique music to accompany dance, theatre, or other stage productions.

Among the most popular of twentieth-century composers, Sergey Prokofiev is seen as a great musical giant of the Soviet Union. But after the 1917 Revolution he took his talents to the United States and France.

Perhaps the greatest pianist who has ever lived, Liszt was one of the titanic musical figures of the Romantic age. Abandoning his spectacular career as a travelling virtuoso in his mid-thirties, this passionate lover and fond father dedicated himself.

DISCOVER OPERA

Singing is a basic form of human expression whether of worship, sorrow or joy and the sound of a choir in full cry is a spine-tingling experience.

24 Bit Digitally Remastered, rare photos, vintage memorabilia, detailed liner notes.

Monteverdi's Orfeo, first performed in 1607, generates a special excitement because it is the first unquestioned masterpiece of opera. Notable for it's precise orchestration and powerful drama it was a groundbreaking work. It concerns the legend of Orpheus, the demi-god whose music had the power to conquer the forces of Hell and to bring his wife back, briefly, to life. The extracts used in this introduction are from Naxos's full recording; it uses authentic period instruments, which serve to evoke the early Baroque period of the opera's composition.

Life and Works: Beethoven

Synthetic Waltzes (1925) is a charming legacy of those years. A stylized society waltz, it is full of subtle misbehavior, such as at the opening and conclusion, where Thomson creates the impression of two waltz tempos heard simultaneously. Other works of this period, especially his Gertrude Stein song settings, display a serious whimsy that time has not tarnished. A third opera, Lord Byron, occupied much of there making 1960s. From the later 1970s, Thomson's production tapered off, except in an area that fascinated him throughout his career, the musical "Portraits" of his friends and acquaintances. Despite increasing health problems, he composed sporadically until shortly before his death on 30th September, 1989.

Even though American composer Arthur Foote (1853-1937) lived well into the 20th century, his music is definitely a product of 19th century Romanticism, particularly German Romanticism. This isn't to say his music is derivative, but it does hark back to modes established by Mozart, Schumann and Brahms, all of which seem to militate against the nationalistic use of any sort of American folk melodies. (Was he consciously trying to avoid sounding like Stephen Foster, the reigning folk-melodist of the time?) Whatever Foote might have been attempting in these chamber works, they certainly still delight. Oddly, parts of the perky Piano Trio 1 (especially the second movement) tap into Dvorak's and Brahms' ethnic tunefulness. But again, Foote isn't a Dvorak or Brahms wannabe. Both of the Piano Trios captured here are charming in the way they cleverly intermingle aspects of each instrument's unique character. The Melody for Violin and Piano, a clear sonata, was written in 1899 and sounds as if Schumann could have penned it, with the violin taking the role of the human voice (soprano or tenor, take your pick). The final work here is the Ballade for Violin and Piano of 1910, more of a duo than a sonata. Overall, this is an enjoyable collection of surprisingly delightful music, more European than American in disposition. The performers play about as well as we have any right to expect, and they're captured in an excellently balanced, vivid recording.--Paul Cook, ClassicsToday.com