Formed in Israel almost three decades ago and now based in the United States, the Ariel quartet has built a reputation for tackling challenging repertoire with bold interpretations and deep musical insight. This suitably ambitious new project, timed to coincide with the quartet's 30th anniversary in 2028, highlights their dedication to Beethoven's transformative works, tracing his journey from the classical brilliance of the early quartets to the spiritual profundity of his later ones. 5060189563784 ORCC100378.2 44930509 .00 16.99 .23 ORCHID CLASSICS COMPACT DISCS CLASSICAL ORCHESTRAL & SYMPHONIC 05/02/2025 https://mediacdn.aent-m.com/prod-img/500/42/4402542-3325931.jpg 48 2 N DORHAM / JOBIM STANDARD - NO STANDARD In a time when musical genres are constantly in dialogue with one another, Standard - No Standard proves that the jazz tradition is not only alive but also constantly evolving. This album, the result of a powerful collaboration between guitarist Joost Zoeteman, bassist Bart Tarenskeen, and drummer Wim de Vries, showcases how three musicians masterfully strike a balance between reverence for jazz history and a fresh, contemporary approach. 608917359824 CHLL73598.2 44952211 .00 16.99 .22 CHALLENGE COMPACT DISCS POP JAZZ 04/25/2025 https://mediacdn.aent-m.com/prod-img/500/44/4404944-3329290.jpg 10 1 N GREENE / EARLY OPERA COMPANY JEPHTHA The passage of time has perhaps been unkind to the English composer Maurice Greene. By 1730 he was one of the most senior musicians in England: Organist at St Paul's Cathedral, Organist and Composer to the Chapel Royal, and Professor of Music at the University of Cambridge. When he was appointed Master of the King's Music, in 1735, he held every significant appointment in the Kingdom. Of course, the overwhelming presence of Handel in London at the time most certainly played a significant part in Greene's relative obscurity. His second attempt at oratorio, Jephtha, in 1737, marks the first successful foray by an Englishman in this genre. Brimming with attractively varied airs and choruses, powerfully emotive accompanied recitatives, and spirited orchestral movements, it is an engaging work. Taken from the Book of Judges, chapter 11, the account of Jephtha tells the story of a fearless Israelite warrior recalled from exile to fight for his people, a man not only of great valour but, as it transpires - thanks to an impulsive and fateful pledge - of profound honour, too, destined to assume his place as their worthy ruler. Christian Curnyn directs his Early Opera Company forces with a dazzling cast of soloists: Andrew Staples takes the part of Jephtha, joined by Mary Bevan, Michael Mofidian, and Jeremy Budd. 0095115040829 CHN408SACD 44952235 .00 43.99 .27 CHANDOS SUPER-AUDIO CD CLASSICAL ORCHESTRAL & SYMPHONIC 04/18/2025 https://mediacdn.aent-m.com/prod-img/500/46/4404946-3329235.jpg 83 2 N ZELENKA / LINS JAN DISMAS ZELENKA - SACRED CHORAL WORKS Jan Dismas Zelenka was born in Launowitz, Bohemia, in 1679 and died in Dresden in 1745. He had been a member of the court orchestra there since 1710, one of the best ensembles at the time, first as a double bassist and then as a church composer. From the 1720s, he stood in for the ailing court conductor Johann David Heinichen, who was then succeeded by the world-famous opera composer Johann Adolf Hasse. Zelenka's oeuvre - around 150 compositions have survived - includes symphonies, suites, overtures and, above all, sacred vocal music in addition to trio sonatas (which were written after studies with Johann Josef Fux in Vienna). Catholic church music in Dresden, with Zelenka as one of it's main representatives, is once again enjoying greater attention. 881488240634 HANC24063.2 44952457 .00 24.99 .39 HANSSLER CLASSIC COMPACT DISCS CLASSICAL ORCHESTRAL & SYMPHONIC 04/18/2025 https://mediacdn.aent-m.com/prod-img/500/89/4404989-3329334.jpg 13 3 N PETRASSI / ORCHESTRA SINFONICA DI ROMA CONCERTOS FOR ORCHESTRA NOS. 1-3 Goffredo Petrassi's reputation was established in 1932 when his Partita (available on Naxos 8.572411) won critical acclaim. Petrassi then composed his Concerto for Orchestra, the first of eight, which, upon it's 1935 premiere, secured his reputation outside of Italy. The Second Concerto from 1951 reveals more avante-garde tendencies, while the Third Concerto from 1952-53 is animated and playful. 747313370276 NXS8573702.2 44952594 .00 19.99 .13 NAXOS COMPACT DISCS CLASSICAL ORCHESTRAL & SYMPHONIC 04/25/2025 https://mediacdn.aent-m.com/prod-img/500/12/4405012-3329302.jpg 13 1 N BUXTEHUDE / BAROQUE MEMBRA JESU NOSTRI Goteborg Baroque Magnus Kjellson The long-awaited release of Goteborg Baroque's recording of Dietrich Buxtehude's Membra Jesu Nostri" is finally out! This legendary musical work has been interpreted countless times, and yet Goteborg Baroque brings something new to the table. Recorded in arstads kyrka outside the Swedish town of Falkenberg, artistic director Magnus Kjellson and his group of musicians succeed in delivering an intimate and genuine rendition of "Membra Jesu Nostri", with the unmistakable quality that the ensemble has become acclaimed for: the live feeling, that of being in the room with the musicians even when listening to a recording. Goteborg Baroque is pleased to share a most human and heartfelt interpretation of one of the most wondrous works in music history.