Divine Art Records

Period: Romantic

  • Bizet: Carmen

    Bizet: Carmen

    Raymonde Visconti, Georges Thill, Louis Guénot, Andreé Vavon, Andreé Bernadet, Choeur et Orchestre Symphonique de Paris, conducted by Elie Cohen*

    This classic recording of the world’s most popular opera, made in and around 1928, has previously only had very limited exposure on LP or CD. While advertised and labelled as being by the Paris Symphony, the forces are actually those of the Opéra-Comique. In Georges Thill, playing Don José, we have the greatest French tenor of the century, and overall this is a memorable performance, as ever restored with great skill by Pristine Audio.

    DRAMATIS PERSONAE:

    Carmen: Raymonde Visconti (mezzo-soprano)
    Don José: Georges Thill (tenor)
    Micaëla: Marthe Nespoulpous (soprano)
    Escamillo: Louis Guénot (baritone)
    Frasquita: Andreé Vavon (soprano)
    Mercédès: Andreé Bernadet (soprano)
    Dancaïro: Robert Roussel (tenor)
    Remendado: Téo Mathyl (tenor)

    * The Flower Song (CD1, track 13) recorded in 1927 and conducted by Philippe Gaubert.

  • Louis Glass Piano Music

    Louis Glass Piano Music

    Alongside Nielsen, Glass is the genius of Danish romantic music, but recordings of his work are rare – we present the first recording of his two fine sonatas and other works.

  • The Voice of the Clarinet

    The Voice of the Clarinet

    Along with the cello, the clarinet is often regarded as the most “voice-like” expressive instrument. In a unique programme, 20 art-songs and lieder (and one swing classic!) have been newly arranged for clarinet and piano. The result is a beautiful, unusual and uplifting recital with music from across the world.

  • Sibelius Symphonies 5 & 6, Tapiola

    Sibelius Symphonies 5 & 6, Tapiola

    Both conductors on this CD knew Sibelius and their interpretations (in each case the earliest recordings) are considered by many still to be definitive. Kajanus was engaged by The Gramophone Company (HMV) to produce their Sibelius Society sets; however after his death Schneevoigt was brought in to conduct the magnificent Sixth in 1934. The “Finnish National Orchestra” was not a regular ensemble but appears to have consisted of the Helsinki Philharmonic augmented by members of the Finnish Radio Orchestra.

    Definitive Interpretations – these conductors were colleagues and friends of the composer
    Symphony no. 5 and Tapiola recorded 1932
    LONDON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA cond. ROBERT KAJANUS
    Symphony no. 6 recorded 1934
    FINNISH NATIONAL ORCHESTRA cond. GEORG SCHNEEVOIGT

  • Mendelssohn: ELIJAH

    Mendelssohn: ELIJAH

    The first ever complete recording of this favourite oratorio from 1930.
    Cast includes:
    HAROLD WILLIAMS as Elijah

    ISOBEL BAILLIE     as an Angel
    PARRY JONES as Obadiah
    CLARA SERENA as an Angel
    TOM PURVIS as Ahab, with
    BERKELEY MASON (organ), THE WIRELESS SINGERS,
    BBC NATIONAL CHORUS & ORCHESTRA
    conducted by STANFORD ROBINSON
    Superb vintage performances and much critical acclaim.

  • Cavalleria Rusticana / Pagliacci (2 CD set)

    Cavalleria Rusticana / Pagliacci (2 CD set)

    Perhaps among the greatest performances ever made in English of these two short operas.
    Sung in English by Heddle Nash, Miriam Licette, May Blyth, Dennis Noble, Harold Williams, Frank Mullings, Marjorie Parry and Justine Griffiths with the Chorus and Orchestra of the British National Opera Company conducted by Eugene Goossens (Cav) and Aylmer Buesst (Pag)

    Recorded in 1927 and digitally re-mastered by Pristine Audio.

  • Orientale

    Orientale

    In their fifth CD for Divine Art, Britain’s leading piano duo explore the east from Israel to Siberia, from Persia to Bali. The influences are diverse. McPhee spent much time in Bali, while John Mayer was in effect one of the founders of the “world music” genre. Anthony Goldstone has newly arranged Achron’s “Hebrew Melody” for piano duo and prepared a performing edition of Holst’s wonderful “Beni Mora” suite from the transcription made by Holst’s pupil Nora Day.

    Most of these splendid pieces are recorded here for the first time.

  • Tzigane

    Tzigane

    A dazzling display of fireworks from the keyboard, this new recording by Anthony Goldstone shows to best effect both his virtuosity and musicianship. Featuring four world première recordings and three superb arrangements by the pianist, a piano showcase of the highest standing.

    The cover image for this CD is the painting “Gypsy Dancer” by the remarkable artist Nina Mikhailenko whose work is full of vitality and passion: see her website.

  • Dvorak & Mendelssohn Symphonies

    Dvorak & Mendelssohn Symphonies

    DVOŘÁK: “New World” Symphony
    MENDELSSOHN: “Scottish” Symphony
    both in the composers’ own four-hand versions

    There are hundreds of works which have been arranged for piano duet, many quite mediocre. But there are some magnificent works, including those selected by Goldstone & Clemmow, Britain’s top duo. The two symphonies on this disc are such examples, both having been written by the composers as original versions and not as an afterthought. We believe that this is the first recording of the “Scottish” Symphony in this version.

  • Peter Katin Plays Chopin

    Peter Katin Plays Chopin

    This album has been produced as a limited edition product to celebrate the glittering career, which spanned over 60 years, of Peter Katin, one of the great names of British pianism. It is an essential purchase for everyone who loves great piano music.

    Also see Peter Katin’s retrospective CD “Fifty Years of Music Making” also in limited edition release (RP001)

  • The Obbligato Clarinet

    The Obbligato Clarinet

    We released this CD to celebrate the 70th birthday of celebrated clarinettist Colin Bradbury. The public launch of the disc was at Colin’s concert with Oliver at the Wigmore Hall, London on March 27, 2004. This is a delightful programme of lieder from the mid 19th century, and some of these pieces are recorded here for the first time.

  • Tchaikovsky for Four Hands

    Tchaikovsky for Four Hands

    With CDs numbering over forty and a busy concert schedule, the British piano duo Goldstone & Clemmow was firmly established as a leading force until the untimely passing of Anthony Goldstone. This CD, the first recorded by the duo for Divine Art, presents the only available recordings of 3 fantastic works. The disc has received great critical acclaim and has been one of our best selling discs. See their complete list of fine recordings here