Label: SIGNUM U.K. 138
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BRIAN KNOWLES (*1946) – POETRY SERENADE
Written in March; Lord Of The Winds; He Wishes For The Cloths Of Heaven; I Remember, I Remember; The Daffodils; The Soldier; Night Mail; Do Not Stand At My Grave And Weep; She Walks In Beauty; In Memoriam; I Sing Of A Maiden; Weathers; Come, Sweetheart, Come; Crossing The Bar; The Lake Isle Of Innisfree; A Child’s Sleep; Everyone Sang
Bonus Track: Love Came Down At Christmas

Soloists: Jon Christos; Nick Garrett; Juliette Pochin; Elin Manahan Thomas

The City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra

RSVP Voices/Rob Johnston; Brighton Festival Youth Choir/Juliette Pochin

James Morgan, conductor
Poetry Serenade brings together four top British singers to perform the newest masterpieces from Brian Knowles, based on the work of poets including William Wordsworth, Thomas Hood and Christina Georgina Rossetti. The eighteen songs on Poetry Serenade have been chosen to give the listener an eclectic array of the differing texts and contrasting styles of composition. A disc marveled with talent, not only from the principle voices but also the RSVP Voices, the Brighton Festival Youth Choir and the City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra.

Label: SIGNUM U.K. 140
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EXPRESSIA – TANGOS & FANTASIES
ASTOR PIAZZOLLA (1921 – 1992): Escualo (Ritmo Libre); Romance Del Diablo; Tango Del Diablo; Poem; Muerte Del Angel; Concerto Para Quinteto
CARLOS GARDEL (1887 – 1935): Tango Por Una Cabeza (arr. Armen Babakhanian)
NARINE ZARIFYAN (*1958): Tango Expressia
HECTOR STAMPONI (1916 – 1997): Tango El Ultimo Café (arr. Armen Babakhanian)
GEORGE GERSHWIN (1898 – 1937): Fantasy On Themes Of Porgy And Bess (arr. Armen Babakhanian)

Cadence Ensemble: Armen Babakhanian, piano; Hakob Jagatspanyan, guitar; Ashot Khoyetsyan, violin; Lusine Hairapetyan, contrabass; Gevorg Gasparyan, accordion/bandoneon
The New release from one of Armenia’s leading and most popular music groups.
Following their prior success this year with their first release of Expressia - Armenian Fantasy, Cadence Ensemble expand their recording ventures to Expressia - Tangos and Fantasies.
This new release explores the Tango at its best including works from some of the great Tango writers including Astor Piazzolla and fellow Armenian Narine Zarifian. With innovative arrangements of works by Carlos Gardel, Hector Stampioni and the Fantasy on Themes of Porgy and Bess by George Gershwin.

Label: SIGNUM U.K. 141
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EMILIA
Laschia Ch'io Pianga; Nella Fantasia (Pete Whyman Sax); I'll Walk With God; Over The Hills and Far Away; If (Pete Whyman, sax); Finlandia; Panis Angelicus (With Andrew Busher, tenor); Miri It Is/Sumer is Icumen In; When a Knight Won His Spurs (Narration by John Touhey); Suo Gân; The Last Rose of Summer; Steal Away; Ave Maria; God Be In My Head (Justin Ward-Viola)

The London Esterhazy Orchestra/Graham Dalby
Emilia Dalby was born in London in 1995 but migrated to Wiltshire after winning a choral scholarship to Salisbury Cathedral, where she sang for four years as a chorister. In this capacity she toured Italy and Austria performing in many beautiful cathedrals, including San Marco in Venice and Vienna and Salzburg Cathedrals. As a soloist she began at a remarkably early age, performing before royalty aged nine. She has performed live with the band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines in London and has sung Morricone’s ‘Nella Fantasia’ in Florence and in Wilton House, Salisbury.

Label: SIGNUM U.K. 153
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RAZOR BLADES, LITTLE PILLS AND BIG PIANOS
JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH (1685 – 1750): French Suite No. 5 in G major, BWV 816
LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN (1770 – 1827): Sonata in E minor, Op. 90
FREDERIC CHOPIN (1810 – 1849): Ballade No. 4 in F minor, Op. 52
J.S. BACH/F. BUSONI (1866 – 1924): Chaconne in D minor
MORITZ MOSZKOWSKI (1854 – 1925): Etincelles, Op. 35 No. 6
J.S. BACH/ALEXANDER SILOTI (1863 – 1945): Prelude in B minor

James Rhodes, piano
“Razor Blades, Little Pills and Big Pianos” explores the emotive landscape that we call “life”. This debut recording is somewhat of a biographical expression of James Rhodes’s complex and unorthodox journey. It was Bach, Beethoven and Chopin; not Faith Hope and Charity, that offered him comfort.
“James Rhodes astonished me at his debut with his perfect playing. He has the naturalness of Nastase and the innocence of a music reader without formal education from childhood, and therefore unfettered by over-instructions. James will deservedly go far.” – Sir David Tang

Label: SIGNUM U.K. 154
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DAVID CARLSON (*1952): Anna Karenina, an opera

Kelly Kaduce; Robert Gierlach

Opera Theatre of Saint Louis

The Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra/Stewart Robertson
Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina is a masterwork of 19th Century literature; a parable on the struggle for personal freedom against the conventions of a hostile society, played out in a tragic love-story. With a libretto by the distinguished director Colin Graham after the novel by Leo Tolstoy, David Carlson’s opera vividly captures the drama and message of the original work. This double disc set is a world premiere recording of the opera, with commanding performances from members of the Opera Theatre of Saint Louis and the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra conducted by Stewart Robertson.(2 cd's for the price of 1)

Label: SIGNUM U.K. 155
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LISZT ABROAD
FRANZ LISZT (1811 – 1886):
Oh! Quand je dors; Enfant, si j’étais roi; Gastibelza; Comment, disaient-ils;
Im Rhein, im schönen Strome; Die Loreley; Die Vätergruft; Petrarch Sonnet No. 104: Pace non trovo; No. 47: Benedetto sia ‘l giorno; No. 123: I’ vidi in terra angelici; Go not, happy day; Gebet; Isten veled!; Morgens steh ich auf und frage; Ein Fichtenbaum steht einsam; Du bist wie eine Blume; Wie singt die Lerche schön; Blume und Duft; Und wir dachten der Toten; Über allen Gipfeln ist Ruh

Rebecca Evans, soprano; Andrew Kennedy, tenor; Matthew Rose, baritone

Iain Burnside, piano
Whether from his years touring Europe as a virtuoso pianist or from his later émigré life in Paris and Weimar, Franz Liszt reflects in his song texts his ‘polyglot’ attraction to 19th-Century culture, shown in these setting of French, German, Italian, English, Russian and Hungarian words.
“The recording is excellent and with a playing time of almost 80 minutes we are offered a lot of music for our money. Signum can be congratulated on another five star disc, which should be heard by every lover of songs” - MusicWebInternational.com

Label: SIGNUM U.K. 156
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BACH TRANSCRIBED LEOPOLD GODOWSKY (1870 – 1938): Violin Sonata in G minor; Bourreé from Cello Suite No. 3 in C major EGON PETRI (1881 – 1962): Sheep May Safely Graze ALEXANDER SILOTI (1863 – 1945): Air from the Orchestra Suite No. 3 in D major; Andante from the Violin Sonata No. 2 in A minor; Siciliano from the Flute Sonata in E flat major CAMILLE SAINT-SAENS (1835 – 1921): Gavotte (Tempo in Borea) from the Violin Partita No. 1 in B minor WILHELM KEMPFF (1885 – 1991): “Zion hört die Wächter singen” from Cantata BWV 140 “Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme” ALLESIO BAX: Largo from the Keyboard Concerto in F minor FERRUCCIO BUSONI (1866 – 1924): Chaconne from the Violin Partita No. 2 in D minor Alessio Bax, piano It is a sign of the brilliance of J.S. Bach that great pianists have chosen to recreate and reinterpret his works in so many ways. From Wilhelm Kempff’s subtle resetting of Wachet Auf to Ferruccio Busoni’s virtuosic grandeur in the Violin Partita Chaconne, these performances by star pianist Alessio Bax capture the reverence and resplendence of Bach’s music in thirteen great transcriptions. Alessio Bax is universally praised for his lyrical playing and insightful interpretations. On April 23rd he was awarded the Avery Fischer Career Grant for 2009, presented once a year to talented instrumentalists who show great potential for solo careers, following in the footsteps of previous winners Joshua Bell, Hilary Hahn and Gil Shaham.

Label: SIGNUM U.K. 158
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FAÇADES
RODNEY ROGERS (*1953): Lessons of the Sky
ROBERT MUCZYNSKI (*1929): Sonata for Alto Saxophone & Piano, Op. 29
COLIN MACDONALD: Here Again
PHILIP GLASS (*1937): Façades
CHRISTOPHER PAINTER (*1962): Sonata for Alto Saxophone & Piano, Op. 56
GRAHAM FITKIN (*1963): Glass

Lara James, saxophones

Jeremy Young, piano; Kathryn Price, cello

Sinfonia Viva/Nicholas Kok
The saxophone is truly an instrument of the modern age, with many composers drawn to the unique tones and colors of which it is capable.
Accompanied by a select group of musicians including Sinfonia ViVA, Lara James, the renowned saxophonist, performs contemporary works by some of today’s leading composers, demonstrating the unique timbre and versatility of the modern saxophone.

Label: SIGNUM U.K. 160
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SONNETT FÜR WIEN – SONGS
ERICH KORNGOLD (1897 – 1957)
Sonnett für Wien, Op. 41;
Vier Abschiedslieder, Op. 14 (Sterbelied; Dies eine kann mein Sehnen nimmer fassen; Mond, so gehst du wieder auf; Gefasster Abschied);
Drei Lieder, Op. 18 (In meine innige nacht; Tu ab den Schmerz; Versuchung);
Drei Lieder, Op. 22 (Was du mir bist?; Mit dir zu schweigen; Welt ist stille eingeschlafen);
Four Shakespeare Songs, Op. 31 (Desdemona’s song; Under the Greenwood tree; Blow, blow, thou winter wind; When birds do sing);
Unvergänglichkeit, Op. 27 (Unvergänglichkeit; Das eilende Bächlein; Das schlafende Kind; Stärker als der Tod; Unvergänglichkeit);
Songs of the Clown, Op. 29 (Come away death; O Mistress Mine; Adieu, Good Man Devil; Hey Robin; For the rain, it raineth every day);
Fünf Lieder, Op. 38 (Glückwunsch; Der Kranke; Alt-Spanisch; Old English Song; My Mistress’ Eyes)

Sarah Connolly, mezzo-soprano

William Dazeley, baritone

Iain Burnside, piano
Erich Korngold is perhaps best known as the pioneering émigré composer whose grand orchestral scores defined the sound of film during the golden age of Hollywood. As well as this though, his output for voice in the form of Lieder and Song highlighted the strong bond that Korngold forever held with his homeland and the city of Vienna, a place inextricably linked to the High-Romantic style that Korngold so ably perfected.
This collection of songs and lieder are beautifully performed by Sarah Connolly (mezzo-soprano) and William Dazeley (baritone), accompanied by renowned pianist and broadcaster Iain Burnside.



REVIEW - EDITOR'S CHOICE GRAMOPHONE MAGAZINE JULY 2009

A beautiful recital that could turn even the hardest hearts towards Korngold

Iain Burnside views Korngold as a somewhat sad figure who never quite achieved what he felt he should have done. And a sense of poignancy permeates this recital. There is pain aplenty in William Dazeley’s open-heartedness, as in Sarah Connolly’s dreaminess. Yet the pace is well varied in a programme which traverses Korngold’s various musical identities. -- Gramophone [7/2009]

There have been several discs of Korngold's Lieder, notably those by Dietrich Henschel, Stephen Kimbrough and Anne Sofie von Otter. Those for whom his music is an acquired taste may not feel the need for another CD, but this new collection is exceptionally well performed and recorded. The mixture of songs in German and English works very well, and having two voices sharing the songs in some groups means that any sense of monotony is avoided.

As in his operas and film scores, one can hear Korngold drawing on different influences -- there are a couple of songs that seem like affectionate parodies of Mahler, others in which he is moving away from his Viennese roots and assimilating American and English styles. The Four Shakespeare Songs, Op. 31, are particularly engaging, William Dazeley really letting go in "When birds do sing," and Sarah Conolly bringing all her artistry to bear on Desdemona's Willow song. Both singers are sometimes stretched to the limits of their resources, especially in Korngold's songs composed after the disappointing reception accorded to his "gargantuan" opera Das Wunder der Heliane. The first of the Drei Lieder, Op. 18, is a setting of a poem by Hans Kaltneker (author of Heliane), "In meine innige Nacht," which Dazeley sings with great intensity. Korngold's last song, "Sonnet für Wien" (which gives the disc its title) is another, posthumously published, poem by Kaltneker. In this song, one feels that Korngold was bidding farewell not only to Vienna, the city of his youthful success, but to music and life itself. Iain Burnside plays Korngold's often fiercely difficult accompaniments with obvious affection and relish. This is a very beautiful disc which I would recommend even to those who think they don't care for Korngold's style. -- Patrick O'Connor, Gramophone [7/2009]

Label: SIGNUM U.K. 161
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THE FROSTBOUND WOOD – BRITISH SONGS
PETER WARLOCK (1894 – 1930): My Little Sweet Darling; Take, O Take Those Lips Away; And Wilt Thou Leave Me Thus?; Sleep; The Droll Lover; Mourn No More; My Own Country; My Gostly Fader; The Frostbound Wood; Bethlehem Down; The Night
MICHAEL HOWARD (1922 – 2002): The Painted Rose*; Three Middle English Songs*
HERBERT HOWELLS (1892 – 1983): Mrs. MacQueen; When the Dew is Falling; Full Moon
BETTY ROE (*1930): Noble Numbers

Tim Travers-Brown, counter-tenor; Jeremy Filsell, piano
The 20th Century composers Peter Warlock, Herbert Howells, Michael Howard and Betty Roe were all inspired by the music of their country, both in the words they set in song and the music they composed. Tim Travers Brown, accompanied by Jeremy Filsell, explore the counter-tenor's role in British songwriting. Whilst Roe and Howard wrote specifically with the counter-tenor voice in mind, Warlock and Howells did not, providing the counter-tenor with a fantastic opportunity to highlight some of their best works in a new perspective.
This program forms a delicate balance between modern styles and historical influences featuring the songs 'My Little Sweet Darling' and 'The Night' by Peter Warlock, 'The Painted Rose' by Michael Howard, 'When the Dew is Falling' by Herbert Howells and 'Noble Numbers' by Betty Roe.

Label: SIGNUM U.K. 162
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PATRICK HAWES (*1958) – SONG OF SONGS
Song of Songs: Love’s Promise, Rhapsody, Many Waters, Faint with Love, Love’s Echo & Song of Songs
Perfect Love; When Israel was a Child; The Lord’s Prayer; O Lord Our Governor; Toccata
The Vauday Part Songs: The Oaks, Stone, The Carriageway & In Memoriam
Elin Manahan Thomas, soprano

Conventus; The English Chamber Orchestra/Patrick Hawes

Roger Sayer, organ
The composer Patrick Hawes has established a reputation as one of the most popular contemporary English composers working today.
This new disc of choral and organ works centers on the mystery and beauty of the words of the Old Testament, with stunning performances from Welsh soprano Elin Manahan Thomas and Patrick’s own choral group Conventus, as well as accompaniment from The English Chamber Orchestra.

Label: SIGNUM U.K. 163
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MAURICE DURUFLE (1902 – 1986): Requiem, Op. 9 (1947-48); Quatre Motets sur des themes grégoriens, Op. 10 (1960)
JEAN-JACQUES GRUNENWALD (1911 – 1982): Tu es Petrus (1965); Psaume CXXIX (De Profundis)(1961)

Sarah Connolly, mezzo-soprano; Christopher Maltman, baritone

Jeremy Filsell, organ; Robert Cohen, cello

Varsari Singers/Jeremy Backhouse
Combining Gerorian chant with his own unique compositional style, Duruflé's Requiem has proved to be one of the most popular and enduring choral works of the 20th Century. On this recording, Jeremy Backhouse leads the celebrated Vasari Singers, as well as star soloists Sarah Connolly and Christopher Maltman, in a performance of this alongside works by Duruflé's musical contemporary, Jean-Jaques Grunenwald.

Label: SIGNUM U.K. 164
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SERGEI RACHMANINOV (1873 – 1943) – FOR VIOLIN AND PIANO
Sonata in G minor, Op. 19* (trans. V. Mikhailovsky); Prelude, Op. 32 No. 5; Romance in A minor, Op. posth (original)*; Danse Hongroise, Op. 6 No. 2 (original); Danse Orientale, Op. 2 No. 2* (trans. V. Mikhailovsky); Daisies, Op. 38 No. 3 (trans. F. Kreisler); Etude-Tableaux, Op. 33 No. 7; Melody, Op. 21 No. 9; Oriental Sketch; Etude-Tableaux, Op. 33 No. 2 (trans. J. Heifetz); Vocalise, Op. 34 No. 14 (trans. M. Press)

Hideko Udagawa, violin

Konstantin Lifschitz, piano
The music of Sergei Rachmaninov is imbued with a unique lyrical and harmonic style that has attracted a rich variety of transcriptions and arrangements. Transcribers J. Heifetz, F. Kreisler, V. Mikhailovsky and M. Press apply their own artistry to some of Rachmaninov’s great songs, etudes and romances, allowing performers and audiences alike to experience his music in new creative settings.
Hideko Udagawa has performed extensively throughout the world and has captivated international audiences with her artistry and enthusiasm. On this disc she is expertly accompanied by Konstantin Lifschitz.

Label: SIGNUM U.K. 165
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IGOR STRAVINSKY (1882 – 1971) – WORKS FOR THE BALLET RUSSES
Scherzo Fantastique
The Firebird (L’Oiseau de Feu)

BBC National Orchestra of Wales/Thierry Fischer
The music commissioned by Sergei Diaghilev for his Ballet Russes has generated some of the most inventive and popular orchestral works of the 20th Century.
Led by Principal Conductor Thierry Fischer, these recordings capture the excitement and vibrancy of the BBC National Orchestra of Wales in live performance - the first recording made in their new home of BBC Hoddinott Hall, Wales. This is the first release in a series of three with future repertoire including The Rite of Spring and Petrushka.
Live performance of The Firebird:
“It was, in short, one of the finest performances I have heard the BBC National Orchestra of Wales give in recent years. Both precise and evocative, exceptionally transparent in texture where it needed to be, rich and full elsewhere, this was a magical reading of a remarkable score.” - www.musicweb-international.com

Label: SIGNUM U.K. 166
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YANOMAMI – MUSIC FOR CHOIR AND GUITAR
MARIO CASTELNUOVO –TEDESCO (1895 – 1968): Romancero Gitano
CARLOS SURINACH (1915 – 1997): Sonatina*; Via Crucis: A Cycle of Fifteen Saetas*
FERNANDO MORUJA (1960 – 2004): Piezas Sacras
MARLOS NOBRE (*1939): Yanomami, Op. 47

Julian Stocker, tenor; Fabio Zanon, guitar

Coro Cervantes/Carlos Fernández Aransay
Coro Cervantes is a unique professional chamber choir. Through its performances and recordings it aims to bring the music of Iberia and Latin America to audiences everywhere. This disc of 20th century music for the unusual yet fabulous combination of choir and guitar coincides with the 70th birthday of Brazilian composer Marlos Nobre, whose work Yanomam, inspired by the death rituals of the indigenous Yanomami people, gives the album its title. The choir is accompanied by the Brazilian Fabio Zanon, one of most all embracing talents in the international guitar scene.