Doug MacLeod is known for his superb songwriting, guitar wizardry, warm soulful vocals, wit and unforgettable live performances. Over 26 years, 16 studio albums, several live records, compilations, and two DVDs, MacLeod has consistently earned rave reviews, his songs being covered by many artists including Albert King, Albert Collins, Joe Louis Walker and Eva Cassidy. MacLeod wrote all the songs on Brand New Eyes with the exception of the co-written Midnight in Memphis. For ten years running, MacLeod penned "Doug's Back Porch," a regular feature column in Blues Revue Magazine.

Mortiz Moszkowski (1854-1925) is most known for his scintillating piano compositions. He also composed an opera, a full-length ballet, three orchestra suites, a symphony, songs, concertos and chamber music - almost all of which remain neglected or forgotten. The San Francisco Ballet Orchestra is internationally recognized as one of the foremost ballet orchestra in the world. Over the years, the orchestra has accompanied such prestigious ballet comapnies as American Ballet Theatre, The Royal Ballet, Bolshoi Ballet and many others.

All tracks have been digitally mastered using HDCD technology.

The great baroque composer George Frideric Handel’s final masterpiece!

Recorded live in September 2022 by multi-GRAMMY®-award winning engineer Christopher Willis, JEPHTHA is performed by Music of the Baroque - Chorus & Orchestra, conducted by acclaimed British conductor Dame Jane Glover, who has been its music director since 2002.

Now in its fifth decade, Music of the Baroque is one of the leading professional ensembles in America devoted to 17th and 18th-century works. The Chicago Sun-Times writes, “Lyric Opera of Chicago and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra may be the big guys on the local classical music scene, but in terms of sheer quality of performance… Music of the Baroque inhabits the same stratosphere.” Andrew Megill directs the Chorus and six outstanding vocal soloists in this definitive performance of Handel's sublime oratorio JEPHTHA."

REVIEW:

The recording is present and vibrant. The balance of the harpsichord seems particularly right here. The solo voices are placed forward, but not excessively so. All told, this exciting release presents as compelling and dramatic a performance of Handel’s Jephtha as one could want. Urgently recommended.

— Fanfare

Dick Hyman Plays Fats Waller

Personnel: Marni Nixon (vocals); Dorothy Remsen (harp); Vicki Sylvester, Endre Granat (violin); Roland Kato (viola); Stephen Erdodi (cello); Gary Foster (alto saxophone); Lincoln Mayorga (piano); Stan Ricker (bass instrument); Gene Estes (drums).

Arrangements by Lincoln Mayorga.

Marni Nixon Sings Gershwin

This enterprising and exceptionally well-played CD contains the world premiere recording of a charming suite arranged from Candide, Bernstein's wittiest musical. When combined with the overture from the same show, as it is here, the result is a marvelous twosome that ought to appear together often. The Five Songs also are receiving their premieres in new orchestrations by Sid Ramin, a regular Bernstein collaborator. Mezzo-soprano Beth Clayton sings them beautifully. Add to these enterprising items a sparkling performance of the Divertimento (every bit as good as the composer's version) and the Three Meditations from Mass, originally arranged for Rostropovich (but here excellently played by cellist Anthony Ross), and the result is probably the most important Bernstein recording since Lenny's own. And of course, sonics are state of the art. Terrific. [10/19/1999] --David Hurwitz, ClassicsToday.com

This disc was nominated for the 1998 Grammy Award for "Best Choral Performance."
REVIEWS:
American Record Guide (11-12/97, p.167) - "...James Paul obviously feels this music very deeply; if the pulse occasionally quickens, or the soloists begin to take on near-operatic intensity, it is all of a piece--a youthful ardor and radiant complexion that make the music glow....It is a beautiful recording..."

HDCD SAMPLER VOL II
Highlights from more recent HDCD releases, plus comparison tracks, HDCD vs. standard digital recordings. Includes: CHADWICK: Noel (from RR-64); WILLS: The Vikings (RR-58); CHESNOKOV: Spaséñiye sodélal (RR-61); HAMLISCH: A Chorus Line medley (RR-62); RUTTER: Requiem (Lux Aeterna) (RR-57); JANÁCEK: Sinfonietta (excerpts) (RR-65); SHAW: Concerto for Clarinet (RR-55); DICK HYMAN & BAND: Moten Swing (RR-59); DICK HYMAN: Dooji Wooji (RR-59). (TT: 73:16) (Released 1995)

This selection is also available on Walking Frog (distribution) 406.

This selection is a High Definition Compatible Digital (HDCD) recording.

The Hermitage Piano Trio is distinguished by its exuberant musicality, interpretative range, and sumptuous sound. Following a recent performance, The Washington Post raved that “three of Russia’s most spectacular young soloists… turned in a performance of such power and sweeping passion that it left you nearly out of breath.” Reference Recordings is proud to present their debut album as a Trio. A rarity in the chamber music world, this elite trio is comprised of three musicians who are noted soloists in their own right.

In a performing career spanning forty-five countries on five continents, violinist Misha Keylin is attracting particular attention with his world-premiere series of the seven Henri Vieuxtemps violin concertos. Hailed as “a brilliant cellist” by the legendary Mstislav Rostropovich, Sergey Antonov went on to prove his mentor’s proclamation when he became one of the youngest cellists ever awarded the gold medal at the world’s premier musical contest, the quadrennial International Tchaikovsky Competition. Pianist Ilya Kazantsev, a fresh and exciting presence on the international music scene and a passionate interpreter of his native Russian repertoire – hailed by The Washington Post as “virtually flawless” – has performed as recitalist and soloist with orchestras in Russia, Canada, Europe, and the United States. Among his many awards and honors, Mr. Kazantsev received first prize at the Nikolai Rubinstein International Competition (Paris) and won the International Chopin Competition (Moscow) and the 2007 & 2008 World Piano Competitions (Cincinnati).

REVIEWS:

Striking the right balance between interpretative nobility and expressive candour is particularly challenging in music of such claustrophobic intensity, yet the Hermitage Piano Trio proves fully equal to the task.

-- The Strad

The recording is truly splendid, with all three members of the trio and their recording producer collaborating to present us with a superbly effective aural rendering of these early indications of Rachmaninoff's slowly blossoming compositional mastery.

The booklet accompanying the CD deserves special comment. The program notes, in English only, are by Victor and Marina Ledin, who are also listed as the producers of the recording. I have rarely read such comprehensive and detailed essays, lavishly accompanied by old, sepia coloured photos as well as full-colour modern ones.

-- MusicWeb International

Reference Recordings proudly presents these two iconic works in definitive interpretations from Manfred Honeck and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, in superb audiophile sound. This release was recorded in beautiful and historic Heinz Hall, home of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. In his fascinating and scholarly notes, Maestro Honeck gives us great insight into the history of both pieces, and describes how he conducts and interprets each. He reminds us that the “Eroica” was a bold departure from earlier symphonies, a “dance symphony with dramatic inventiveness, full of new elements that had never been heard before.” He quotes Beethoven’s student Ferdinand Ries, who wrote “Beethoven played recently for me (the Eroica) and I believe both heaven and earth must tremble when it is performed.” Honeck puts his own inimitable stamp on this interpretation, giving the listener a chance to experience the novelties of the “Eroica” as if hearing it for the very first time. This release is the eighth in the highly acclaimed Pittsburgh Live! series from Reference Recordings. The previous release Shostakovich 5/Barber Adagio won the Grammy in February 2018 for Best Orchestral Performance and Best Engineered Classical Album.

REVIEW:

In this Heinz Hall, Pittsburgh recording, it’s evident that Manfred Honeck entirely acknowledges that this progressive score is music of extensive concentration, intensity and, as the designation might suggest, heroic power. Bold and focused, naturally flowing and stimulating with an undertow of mystery in the Allegro, this performance from the Pittsburgh players seems to convey Beethoven’s sense of defiance in the face of adversity. Underpinned by the rich low strings, the angst-ridden and world-weary tread given to the renowned Marche funèbre is both resolute and entirely respectful. Impressive is Honeck’s stark underlining of the recurrent divergence of dark and light. With power and exuberance, a character of unbridled joy imbues the Scherzo, with some arresting playing from the horns. With striking immediacy in the Finale, it feels as if the spirit of life has broken free with Honeck providing swirling and dramatic power. This results in an impact that is both compelling and uplifting.

In the opening Allegro of Richard's Horn Concerto No. 1, the assured playing of Caballero seems to underline the substantial heroic character of the writing. In the enchanting Andante, written in the manner of a Romanza, the soloist’s expressive capabilities shine through, together with the most beautiful tone in the impressively long held notes and phrases. Noticeable in the Finale: Allegro a Scherzo, which requires considerable virtuosity, is Caballero’s rock-solid technique and unerring musicianship. Honeck’s gratifying orchestral accompaniment is hard to fault. William Caballero is in sterling form, giving an extremely enjoyable and stylish performance. It would be remiss not to mention how outstandingly the sound engineers have captured the rich tone of the horn. This outstanding new Caballero recording is one I will revisit again and again.

– MusicWeb International

Includes work(s) by various composers. Ensemble: University of Texas Wind Ensemble. Conductor: Jerry Junkin.