Acknowledged without reservation as the greatest composer working in England in the 18th century, Georg Frideric Handel is revered worldwide as a master composer. His Harpsichord Suites are among the finest instrumental works of the period, and eight of those are presented here by Gilbert Rowland, one of Europe’s foremost harpsichordists.
These two well-filled discs are a real bargain for such accomplished performances.
More details for Volume Two and Volume Three.
Bach’s Art of Fugue is a great musical enigma; left strangely unfinished, it is thought perhaps to have been intended not for performance but as a definitive guide to the writing of fugues, or a personal musical message meant as the composer’s greatest legacy … in any event it is a supreme masterpiece and here is given a brilliant and individual interpretation, in which Diana Boyle (whose Metier CD of the 48 Preludes and Fugues, Book II is also highly praised) brings out classical-style emphasis and phrasing, bring the music alive more than in traditional dry and academic accounts. The recording omits the optional ‘canons’ but includes the ‘Inversus’ sections of Contrapuncti 12 and 13. Check out the artist index for more celebrated recordings by Diana Boyle of Bach, Beethoven and Brahms and Chopin.
Maria Curcio was one of the most influential and sought after piano teachers of the latter part of the 20th century including among her students such luminaries as Martha Argerich, Peter Frankl, Radu Lupu, and Mitsuko Uchida – and Anthony Goldstone. Following Curcio’s death in 2009 at the age of 89, this is Goldstone’s tribute to his mentor – a fine recital in its own right, and works all of which have a connection to her, in some way or other. This is the first ever recording of the lovely Waltzes composed by Artur Schnabel. As a bonus we include one of the very few surviving recordings made by Maria Curcio, where she accompanies Elisabeth Schwarzkopf in a Mozart aria – a performance first broadcast in 1957.
Mexico after the Spanish arrived saw a great deal of European art and culture being imported, including music from the great centres such as Venice. Not having harpsichords to hand, it became usual to use local instruments, vihuela and guitarron, for continuo. This policy is used here, and the sharp clear sound of the strings with the rhythmic base gives these works a new impetus and vitality. The Vivaldi pieces are fairly well known but the fine concertos by Facco were only discovered relatively recently.
Soloists: Miguel Lawrence (sopranino recorder); Manuel Zogbi (violin); Daniel Armas (psaltery)
John Rose writes music which embraces a post-modern freedom – allowing him to build tonal and memorable music often with a strong neo-baroque sound, strongly inspired by Bach – although Shostakovich is another source of inspiration. This is not to limit his work which is varied and rich, but emphasises his distinctive linear style.
Hopefully his work will become better known as his musical legacy deserves recognition.
This splendid recital of works by Johann Sebastian Bach has been produced in collaboration with Canongate Kirk, Edinburgh, to display the fine and distinctive sounds of the instrument. The booklet contains a history of the organ and its full specification. David Hamilton’s second CD, as with his recent Buxtehude album, shows a performer with skill and musicianship and also a deep empathy with the works of the baroque masters.
Above all other periods, the ‘roaring’ 1920s were possibly the years of greatest carefree feeling in British society; America too, to an extent despite the Prohibition and limitations on personal freedom. The new dance crazes, from the foxtrot to the Charleston, Black Bottom and tango, together with the ever increasing popularity of jazz and blues idioms which created the ‘hot dance’ number, created a golden era in light music, which was eagerly taken up by ‘serious’ composers; here we have a parade of gems – major works from Gershwin and Milhaud, to miniatures full of fun. Exquisitely performed as ever by Britain’s top duo.
In the late 19th and early 20th century, Paul Taffanel was probably the most influential figure in the world of flute music, as performer and composer, but more so as inspirer, commissioner and supporter of fine works by a multitude of composers; this set contains many of those, most of which, having fallen out of fashion in the modernist 20th century, have never been recorded until now – indeed many have been unperformed for years. A great shame as these are without exception, exquisite and lovely works, beautifully performed. One or two well known pieces are included too. The artists have put an immense amount of dedication into this, their ‘magnum opus’. over 76 minutes on each CD all at mid price.
The music of John Jeffreys is an absolute delight – overtly Romantic and non-modernist, very much in the tradition of Delius, Warlock and Vaughan Williams. Here a number of delicious orchestral works of stunning beauty are accompanied by fine dramatic vocal works and a Suite of Variations for piano. This CD is essential for anyone interested in the English pastoral tradition – or just in exquisite music.
Jeffreys songs also available: The Far Country (DDA 25049) and Northumberland and Beyond (DDV 24128)
Starring Sir John Gielgud as Sherlock Holmes, Sir Ralph Richardson as Dr John Watson and an uncredited cast of top BBC actors.
Still regarded by many as the definitive Sherlock Holmes dramatisations, these 16 episodes dramatised by John Keir Cross from the original tales by Arthur Conan Doyle were first broadcast by the BBC in 1954 and in the United States by NBC the following year. Since then we have licensed them out for broadcast for the joy of new generations of fans. Previously available as one 8CD set through Hodder Headline, we are delighted to offer these new editions ourselves, in 2 CD sets containing four episodes each.
Starring Sir John Gielgud as Sherlock Holmes and Sir Ralph Richardson as Dr. Watson, with Val Gielgud as Mycroft Holmes and an uncredited cast of top BBC actors.
Still regarded by many as the definitive Sherlock Holmes dramatisations, these 16 episodes dramatised by John Keir Cross from the original tales by Arthur Conan Doyle were first broadcast by the BBC in 1954 and in the United States by NBC the following year. Since then we have licensed them out for broadcast for the joy of new generations of fans. Previously available as one 8CD set through Hodder Headline, we are delighted to offer these new editions ourselves, in 2 CD sets containing four episodes each.
Starring Sir John Gielgud as Sherlock Holmes and Sir Ralph Richardson as Dr John Watson, with an uncredited cast of top BBC actors.
Still regarded by many as the definitive Sherlock Holmes dramatisations, these 16 episodes dramatised by John Keir Cross from the original tales by Arthur Conan Doyle were first broadcast by the BBC in 1954 and in the United States by NBC the following year. Since then we have licensed them out for broadcast for the joy of new generations of fans. Previously available as one 8CD set through Hodder Headline, we are delighted to offer these new editions ourselves, in 2 CD sets containing four episodes each.