Paul B�ttner was born in Dresden in 1870 and studied violin and oboe there at the Conservatory. Over the years, B�ttner increasingly established himself as a fantastic musician in Dresden. But he stayed virtually completely unknown before 1915, when the famous Arthur Nikisch premiered his Symphony No. 3. Since then, B�ttner was named one of the greatest and most important contemporary symphonists in succession to Brahms and Bruckner. His Symphony No. 4 from 1917 continued the success and was performed by many different orchestras. In 1933, his music was marked as "unwanted," and the regime deleted him completely from the public music culture.

Reinhard Goebel, the founder and director of Musica Antiqua K�ln from 1973 to 2005 and a professor of performance practice at the Mozarteum Salzburg from 2010 to 2025, continues to work tirelessly on creating and developing "new" 18th-century repertoire. In May 2025, he once again turned his attention to the masterful arrangement of Mozart's Gran Partita, K. 361, made around 1800 by Munich composer Franz Gleissner. New performances as well as a modern recording were both desired and expected. Goebel performed the works featured on this CD with the M�nchner Rundfunkorchester in May 2025 during their tour of royal residences and castles in Amberg, Ansbach, Dachau, and Oettingen, having recorded them in advance in Studio 1 at Bayerischer Rundfunk. Wolfgang Amad� Mozart composed the Gran Partita, K. 361, one of his most magnificent works, for the former Mannheim orchestra, which had relocated to Munich when the elector was forced to move there for dynastic reasons. This rarely heard work features an unusual instrumentation of twelve wind instruments and a double bass. When it was due for publication in 1800, the Munich composer Gleissner presented the music publisher with a masterful arrangement for a standard orchestra. Reinhard Goebel has repeatedly championed this outstanding arrangement, which was published under the title of "Sinfonia concertante" - and has now done so once again with the M�nchner Rundfunkorchester. He writes: "How barren and empty a world without arrangements would be! Nothing speaks against arrangements, yet the reasons in favour of them can be manifold and complex."

This recording was made in December 1982 at a time when record label planning was dominated by the demand for new digital recordings of standard repertoire. It has rightly been described as a boom time, when orchestras, conductors, chamber groups and soloists spent the majority of their days in the studio revisiting the bread-and-butter favourites of the literature. Nimbus was therefore open to the suggestion from John Boyden that he record for us some Mozart Serenades with the ECO. The recording was released on LP in 1984 but was never released on CD. Looking back on that time I suppose that by 1984 we were putting all our energies behind our new, exclusive relationship with William Boughton and his English String Orchestra. In hindsight it is a pity that the refined playing of the UKs finest chamber orchestras at the height of it's prestige has been overlooked. � Adrian Farmer

This recording was made in June 1972, in the months after the construction of Nimbus Records first purpose built recording studio in Birmingham. The sessions included works by Mendelssohn and Brahms, both composers whose music Martin would go on to record for Nimbus in later years. Why the Poulenc was not released is a mystery. It was finished as a master for production less than a month after the recording, but has sat on the shelves for 53 years. Here is a joyful reminder of the youthful virtuosity of one of the UKs most highly regarded pianists. � Adrian Farmer

This Signum Classics release presents four orchestral works by leading Chinese composer Xiaogang Ye, performed by the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Dane Lam. Recorded in February 2024 at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, the album features The Backyard of the Village alongside two concertante works: The Memories of Mount Jing Gang with violist Diyang Mei, and My Faraway Nanjing with cellist Guy Johnston, plus the overture The Loquat in Five Colors. Ye's music blends contemporary orchestral writing with Chinese history, landscape, and cultural memory, reflecting his distinctive international voice.

This Signum Classics release presents four orchestral works by leading Chinese composer Xiaogang Ye, performed by the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Dane Lam. Recorded in February 2024 at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, the album features The Backyard of the Village alongside two concertante works: The Memories of Mount Jing Gang with violist Diyang Mei, and My Faraway Nanjing with cellist Guy Johnston, plus the overture The Loquat in Five Colors. Ye's music blends contemporary orchestral writing with Chinese history, landscape, and cultural memory, reflecting his distinctive international voice.

The German-born conductor Otto Klemperer, a towering figure in the musical history of the 20th century, died at the age of 88 on July 8th 1973, so 2023 will mark the 50th anniversary of his death. His complete recordings on Warner Classics catalogue are being made available for the first time in 2 huge separate boxes; the first volume with the Symphonic Works, Concertos & Lieder (95CD) will be released in June 2023. All recordings are remastered in HD 192/24 from original sources. One month before the release of the first box, we are releasing on vinyl and digital HD + Dolby Atmos one of his most famous album. The epic Symphony No. 2 brought Gustav Mahler and Otto Klemperer together in 1905, when the 20-year-old conductor took charge of the off-stage band for a performance in Berlin. Mahler, impressed, subsequently recommended him for appointments in Prague and Hamburg. In this recording Klemperer rewards the composer's faith with an interpretation of granite-like strength, drawing magnificent performances from orchestra, chorus and soloists.

The nine Beethoven Symphonies are considered to be one of the greatest musical testaments of all time and are a key staple in every conductor's repertoire. Simon Rattle performed the complete cycle with the Wiener Philharmoniker in live concerts, recorded for EMI between 29 April and 17 May 2002 at the historic Musikverein in Vienna. This 7th Symphony is one of the highlights of the cycle, which was awarded a Diapason d'or in France.

BEETHOVEN: 9 SYMPHONIES

VIOLIN CONCERTOS

Double vinyl LP pressing. Includes book. A truly historic concert, filmed and recorded in Llangollen, North Wales and released on audio for the very first time. The concert marked 40 years since Pavarotti and his fellow choir members from Modena won first prize in the Choral Competition at the International Eisteddfod in 1955. Featuring 75-minutes of remastered musical glory, a program overflowing with operatic arias from Cavalleria Rusticana, Il trovatore, MacBeth, Manon Lescaut and La traviata, and popular Neapolitan song. Also featured, 2 tracks recorded in 1955 and thought to be the earliest Pavarotti recordings - plus, a special interview with Luciano recalling his choir's competition win. Recorded with the BBC Philharmonic (conducted by Leone Magiera), the Corale Rossini and soprano Atzuko Kawahara. The 2 LP set includes a 100-page, LP-sized book detailing the history of the concert, interviews, rare photos, a new biography of Pavarotti and more.

Vinyl LP pressing. The Beethoven cycle that Karajan recorded with the Philharmonia Orchestra between 1951 and 1955 was the first of the four complete cycles that he recorded during his lifetime and is generally considered to be the best. This is the stereo version of the 'Ninth Symphony', taken from original tapes and remastered in 2014.

BRAHMS: THE 4 SYMPHONIES

TCHAIKOVSKY: SYMPHONY NO. 5

Limited 180gm vinyl LP pressing. Chopin's 4-movement Cello Sonata op. 65 dates from 1845/46 and combined the attractions of his ornamented writing for piano, here free from reminiscences of his native folk music. With an understanding of the individual character of the cello, one forgets that his creative concepts had been wholly pianistic in origin. Schumann wrote few works for cello and piano, but those are of considerable importance. The Adagio and Allegro op. 70 for cello and piano of 1849 is characteristic of Schumann's blend of eloquent melancholy with spontaneous naturalness, while the piano part is marked by brilliant virtuosity. Perfect understanding and harmony mark this recording by Argerich & Rostropovich. The Original Source Series features 4-track recordings from the '70s. Remastered using 100% analogue techniques to create the highest possible audio quality. Produced on 180g vinyl by Optimal and housed in deluxe gatefold, featuring additional photos and/or recording documentation.

Luciano Pavarotti - "Novanta". Decca presents NOVANTA - the ultimate greatest hits package of the world's favorite tenor. This release includes his most popular, signature arias and songs, iconic live moments from some of the biggest concerts ever to take place, alongside rarities, new discoveries, and previously unreleased tracks. This 4 CD set includes 3 CDs of hits, presented in chronological order, and charting 45 years of recordings - across opera, Italian song, and sacred music, plus duets with some of the biggest names in pop and rock. An hour-long bonus CD contains 14 tracks, featuring rarities and new discoveries, and including previously unreleased tracks.

Antal Dorati/Philharmonia Hungarica - "Haydn: The Complete Decca Recordings". [41 CD Boxset] Recorded between 1969 and 1972, Dor�ti's complete Haydn symphony cycle on Decca is still regarded as the benchmark today. This monumental project was both a critical and commercial triumph and remains one of Decca's most-requested reissues. For the first time ever, the symphonies are coupled with Haydn's 24 Minuets and the three great oratorios, comprising Dor�ti's complete Haydn recordings on Decca across 41 CDs. All newly transferred and remastered from the original master tapes at 24-bit/192 kHz. This completes a trilogy of Decca's most iconic recording projects: the Solti Ring; the Britten War Requiem and the Dor�ti Haydn symphonies.

Luciano Pavarotti - "Novanta". Decca presents NOVANTA - the ultimate greatest hits package of the world's favorite tenor. This release includes his most popular, signature arias and songs, iconic live moments from some of the biggest concerts ever to take place, alongside rarities, new discoveries, and previously unreleased tracks. 80 minutes of music: 20 tracks, spanning opera, Italian song, and sacred music, plus duets with Tracy Chapman and Andrea Bocelli, and 2 previously unreleased arias from Llangollen (1995). Also, available for the first time on Decca, "Adeste Fidelis" from the 1978 concert at the Notre-Dame Basilica, Montreal.

GEORGIJS OSOKINS / FOR ARVO - Georgijs Osokins, the first Baltic (Latvian) pianist to establish himself at the highest level on the international music scene, brings a deeply personal and eloquent perspective to the stage. He takes on an extraordinary project: an ultimate 19-track collection of Arvo P?rt's music for solo piano in celebration of the Estonian composer's 90th birthday in 2025. 2 LP set.

The English Concert/Trevor Pinnock - "Bach: Overtures BWV 1066, 1068 (The Original Source Series)". Bach's Overtures (or "Orchestral Suites") are joyful suites of dance movements. The two recorded here, No.1 and No. 3, are especially flamboyant works of Baroque splendor, while also featuring the famous "Air" (in Suite No. 3), a peaceful piece of utter beauty and serenity. Hardly any ensemble has influenced our listening attitudes to "early music" as much as "The English Concert, " which came into being over 50 years ago. The founder and long-time conductor Trevor Pinnock led the musicians with an articulate tone from the harpsichord and thus formed the sound from the heart of the ensemble. The Original Source Series from DG features celebrated 4-track recordings from the '70s reissued on vinyl. Remastered by the renowned Berlin-based Emil Berliner Studios using 100% pure analogue techniques to create versions of the highest possible audio quality. Produced on 180g vinyl by Optimal and housed in deluxe gatefold editions, featuring additional photos and/or recording documentation.

Experience the magic of Luciano Pavarotti in 'The Lost Concert: Live At Llangollen 1995'. This special 2 SACD set captures the legendary tenor's unforgettable performance, showcasing his powerful voice and emotional depth. Accompanied by a beautifully crafted book, this release is a must-have for classical music enthusiasts. Featuring Luciano Pavarotti's iconic live performance. Includes a beautifully illustrated book.

Otto Klemperer was very much a man of the theatre. "Here, opera and drama were truly united," he said of his time at Berlin's Kroll Theatre, a progressive and influential force in the heady years of the Weimar Republic. He was also a man with a sharp sense of humour: this performance of Mendelssohn's incidental music to Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream both glows with enchantment and sparkles with wit. - Heather Harper soprano (A-4, B-6) Janet Baker alto (A-4) The Philharmonia Orchestra & Chorus Otto Klemperer conductor Recorded/Aufgenommen/Enregistr�: 28-29. I, 16 & 18. II. 1960, Abbey Road Studios, London (STEREO) Producers/Produzenten/Directeurs artistiques: Walter Legge & Walter Jellinek Balance Engineers/Tonmeister/Ing�nieurs du son: Harold Davidson & Douglas Larter Digitally remastered in 24-BIT / 96kHz at Abbey Road Studios Originally released as: Columbia - SAX 2393 Original cover artwork; designs by Carl Toms for an Old Vic Production of A Midsummer Night's Dream (P) 1961 & Remastered (P) 2011 Parlophone Records Limited. � 2017 Parlophone Records Limited, a Warner Music Group Company.

Luciano Pavarotti - "Novanta". Decca presents NOVANTA - the ultimate greatest hits package of the world's favorite tenor. This release includes his most popular, signature arias and songs, iconic live moments from some of the biggest concerts ever to take place, alongside rarities, new discoveries, and previously unreleased tracks. Almost 100 minutes of music: 25 tracks, spanning opera, Italian song, and sacred music, plus duets with Tracy Chapman and Andrea Bocelli and 2 previously unreleased arias from Llangollen (1995). Also, available for the first time on Decca, "Adeste Fidelis" from the 1978 concert at the Notre-Dame Basilica, Montreal and the first known solo recording of Luciano Pavarotti, "Che gelida manina," recorded in 1961 at the Reggio Emilia Theatre, on LP for the first time. 2 LP set on 180g vinyl.

John Rutter/Steven Osborne/Royal Philharmonic Orchestra - "Reflections". This new recording is the first orchestral album from one of Britain's most beloved composers, Sir John Rutter. Released just ahead of Rutter's 80th birthday in September 2025. Known around the world for his choral music, the album includes the first recording of Rutter's rarely heard piano concerto, Reflections, performed by pianist Steven Osborne and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by the composer himself. In addition to the piano concerto, the album includes the orchestral works Celebration Overture, Four Miniatures for Orchestra, Cityscapes, and Elegy. Rutter's music is performed across the globe, and he has received many honors, including a CBE in 2007 and a knighthood in 2024 for services to music. Being knighted by King Charles III, a strong supporter of the arts, was a particularly special moment for Rutter. CD Digisleeve.

Puccini: Madama Butterfly 2 Hybrid Remastered, SACD, Hybrid SACD This brand-new deluxe edition is part of Decca's anniversary program commemorating the 100th anniversary of the death of the great opera composer Giacomo Puccini. Made in January 1974 at Vienna's Sofiens?le, this recording features the finest ensemble of the era, led by Mirella Freni and Luciano Pavarotti, and conducted by Herbert von Karajan. Upon it's initial release, the recording was praised by critics and music lovers alike, with Gramophone magazine describing it as "a set to dream about." Remastered from the original 1975 tapes, the legacy continues with 2-disc SACH Hybrid set with 192 kHz/24-bit resolution