Category: Recordings

Despite an unsurprising degree of conservatism in liturgical music, devotional life in Rome often found ways of taking advantage of modern musical style.

ìHer fioritura is priceless, breathtaking, and effortless.î

The English composer Nicholas Maw has been a major voice since the 1960’s, with a wide range of works that include the 2002 opera, “Sophieís Choice,” a violin concerto for Joshua Bell (1993), and the monumentally-scaled orchestral work, “Odyssey” (1972-87).

As is often the case, last works that remain incomplete at the time of a composerís death, are quick to invoke controversy and conspiracy theories.

This is a valuable new recording of a work that is only rarely heard, but was widely influential and wildly popular during the eighteenth century. Philosophe Jean-Jacques Rousseau wrote both the libretto and the music, with mixed success.

This disc is well worth the price for the first track alone: the opening measures of Jean-FÈry Rebelís ìCahos,î (Chaos), written in 1737 or 1738, may cause you to wonder if you accidentally left a Stockhausen or Ligeti disc in the changer.

This recording made half a century ago will not be anyoneís first choice unless one is a die-hard fan of one of the principal singers; neither of them belonging to the absolute top in their profession.

The glorious universe of the Baroque has been receiving tribute from the wonderful talent of countertenor and early music guru RenÈ Jacobs for more than thirty years now.

Although considered among Ravelís finest works, Daphnis et ChloÈ may be known best through excerpts, particularly the second suite that the composer derived from his score.

A 1979 recording originally released on LP in 1985, the CD reissue of this classic performance of Schoenbergís 1913 cantata Gurrelieder as part of its series entitled Originals makes this fine account of this magnificent work available to another generation of listeners.