Angela Hewitt – Beethoven: Variations (2023)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 01:19:43 minutes | 1,25 GB | Genre: Classical
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Hyperion
The great ‘Eroica’ variations are the centrepiece of an album which, ending with two amusingly anglophile tributes, contains some surprisingly under-appreciated Beethoven. This is an indispensable pendant to Angela Hewitt’s ongoing survey of the piano sonatas.
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Andy Taylor – Man’s A Wolf To Man (2023)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/44,1 kHz | Time – 39:56 minutes | 485 MB | Genre: Rock
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © BMG Rights Management (UK) Ltd
‘Man’s A Wolf To Man’ is Andy Taylor’s third solo album and his first in 30 years. The record is a pandemic album, and a cancer album, and a state-of-the-world album, but still a triumph of joyful, uplifting music. Originally intended for release in 2020, Andy used the opportunities of the Covid lockdowns to re-examine the album retool it under his own unique circumstances. Then, in 2022 he was given the news that the prostate cancer he had been battling was now terminal and the diagnosis meant he was unable to attend his induction into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame as a member of Duran Duran. However, this directly led to a reconciliation between Andy and the band and he is optimistic that pioneering targeted nuclear therapy will give him longer than he had originally believed.
2023 finds Andy Taylor on top of the world, with a truly fantastic and career-defining solo album, and bridges rebuilt with his old friends and bandmates. The future looks bright.
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Steven Osborne – Rachmaninov: Piano Sonata No 1 & Moments musicaux (2022)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 01:13:36 minutes | 1,05 GB | Genre: Classical
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Hyperion Records
‘Rachmaninov fans won’t want to miss this’ was Gramophone’s verdict on Steven Osborne’s recording of the Études-tableaux, and this thrilling new release is an equally essential acquisition. Osborne proves a predictably fine exponent of the Faustian Piano Sonata No 1 and is no less compelling in the selection of shorter works which completes the album.
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State Choir Latvija, Maris Sirmais – Credo (2023)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 55:57 minutes | 960 MB | Genre: Classical
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Hyperion Records
Two opulent choral masterpieces by Richard Strauss frame an eclectic programme from one of Europe’s most highly acclaimed choirs. The name of the young Slovenian composer Matej Kastelic may still be relatively little known, but the title track Credo / I believe is simply extraordinary, and demands to be heard.
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Martin Owen, BBC Philharmonic & John Wilson – Martin Owen Plays Strauss, Schumann & Weber (2023)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 01:05:32 minutes | 1,14 GB | Genre: Classical
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Chandos
Regarded as one of Europe’s leading horn players, Martin Owen appears as a soloist and chamber musician around the world. Currently principal horn at the BBC Symphony Orchestra, he has previously served as principal horn of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and as solo horn of the Berliner Philharmoniker. Weber’s Concertino was written for the old, valveless ‘natural horn’; its limited range of notes (tied to the harmonic series) was extended mechanically with additional tubing (‘crooks’) and, more artfully, by virtuoso players bending notes, and varied hand stopping. The technical demands of the Concertino are testament to the extraordinary facility of the hornists of the period. The first Horn Concerto by Richard Strauss, written at the age of nineteen, whilst a student, is widely considered his first uncontested masterpiece. Although the influence of Brahms and Schumann are evident, his own compositional voice is unmistakable. Strauss would continue to write significant parts for horn in all of his orchestral scores (possibly an influence of his father, who was a virtuoso hornist), but the second Concerto was not composed until 1942 – some sixty years later. The style is much more neo-classical, even ‘Mozartian’. Schumann’s riotous Concertstück for four horns opens the programme, and features three more outstanding soloists: Christopher Parkes (Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Sinfonia of London), Alec Frank-Gemmill (Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra), and Sarah Willis (Berliner Philharmoniker).
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Shear Brass – Celebrating Sir George Shearing (2023)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/44,1 kHz | Time – 38:49 minutes | 425 MB | Genre: Jazz
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Ubuntu Music
Led by Sir George Shearing’s great nephew, drummer Carl Gorham, Shear Brass brings a fresh and dynamic new approach to the music of one of Britain’s greatest ever jazz pianists and composers. Celebrating Sir George Shearing, combines the punch of a big band with the intimacy of a small group, as this hard-swinging, highly melodic outfit showcases some of the UK’s most gifted soloists. Whether reinterpreting classics such as Conception and Lullaby of Birdland or re-introducing lesser-known tunes such as Night Flight and Children’s Waltz, its richly varied repertoire mirrors Shearing’s own development, encompassing swing, be-bop, cool and Latin jazz, topped off with some of the most celebrated vocal numbers of the 20th century.
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Marimba Plus – In Another Dimension (2023)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 43:18 minutes | 876 MB | Genre: Jazz Fusion, Jazz Rock
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © JAZZIST
The idea of the album Zarodilas as a group leader, marimbaphonist, percussionist and composer Lyva Slepner in 2017 – after the concert, the central group in the Bolshogo world famous Moscow planet.
In the same place, the robots are not known by the musicians, which is not the same as the stylists, the staly is, therefore, that you need to choose the concept of Lev Slepner with the style of groups and experimental groups.
Here’s where to go for the new story of Lev Slepner: «Museum on the album gives real nost, and in this great deal – nadezhda.
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Stanislav Khristenko – Romeo and Juliet (2019)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/192 kHz | Time – 56:35 minutes | 1,47 GB | Genre: Classical
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Steinway and Sons
Sergei Prokofiev’s visceral romanticism is on display in music written for the ballet Romeo and Juliet. The composer’s own arrangement for piano matches his brilliant orchestration. The virtuoso Stanislav Khristenko pairs these works with Prokofiev’s equally vibrant Op. 12 Pieces for Piano. Stanislav Khristenko’s performances have captivated audiences on four continents since his first solo recital at the age of 11 at the Kharkiv Philharmonic Hall in Ukraine. A “poet of piano” (Le Soir, Belgium), Khristenko has been praised for his emotional intensity and charismatic expression. As a concert pianist, Khristenko has received prizes at over 30 international piano competitions, and he has given solo recitals at Carnegie Hall, Vienna Konzerthaus, and Palais de Beaux-Arts in Brussels.
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AINON – Drought (2020)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/44,1 kHz | Time – 40:34 minutes | 418 MB | Genre: Jazz
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © We Jazz
We Jazz Records presents the debut album of AINON, a Helsinki-based ensemble founded by cellist-composer Aino Juutilainen, released 4 September. On “Drought”, the four-piece plays music influenced by jazz, contemporary music and classical music, all morphed together into a highly inspired musical vision. The music of AINON might be best described as “spiritual avantgarde jazz”, with original compositions and the individual voices of the four players both playing an integral part in the music. In addition to Juutilainen, the quartet includes Satu-Maija Aalto (violin / viola), Suvi Linnovaara (saxophone / clarinet / flute) and Joonas Leppänen (of Alder Ego, drums).
The quartet has a knack for creating strong moods and performing their original material with remarkable intensity. Mood-wise, the album ranges from serene, almost ambient-like passages to moments of strong improvisation and explosive energy.
RIYL: spiritual jazz, modern classical, avantgarde.
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Sex Magick Wizards – Your Bliss My Joy (2021)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/44,1 kHz | Time – 37:25 minutes | 429 MB | Genre: Jazz Rock
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Rune Grammofon
With “Your Bliss My Joy” – Sex Magick Wizard’s debut for Rune Grammofon – this young quartet take a big step forward from their promising first album, “Eroto Comatose Lucidity”, released in 2019 on the small Finito Bakalao label. Since then Ingvald André Vassbø (Kanaan) has taken over the drum duties from Axel Skalstad (Krokofant) and forms an explosive and fine-drawn rhythm section with bass player Henrik Sandstad Dalen. Saxophonist Sigrid Aftret has been making waves on Oslo’s fertile and evergrowing improv scene, and is known for her strong musical presence and open approach to improvisation. Guitarist and main composer Viktor Bomstad was raised on a diet of Jimi Hendrix, Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin before being introduced to the music of Django Reinhardt, a turning point in his life. After some years of cultivating a more traditional jazz direction he became engulfed in the possibilities of free jazz, before finding a healthy balance between jazz and rock. “Your Bliss My Joy” is a varied and dynamic album that explore a similar landscape where one might find the likes of Bushman´s Revenge and Fire!
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Stan Kenton and his Orchestra – Kenton In HI-FI (1956/2021)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 59:45 minutes | 1,07 GB | Genre: Jazz
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © RevOla
Kenton in Hi-Fi is an album by bandleader and pianist Stan Kenton featuring performances of Kenton’s signature compositions from the 1940s recorded in 1956 and released on the Capitol label. This album was re-released as ‘Kenton in Stereo’ in 1959. A 7-1/2 i.p.s.stereo reel tape – Catalog no. ZDS -10 – was recorded by Capitol and released in 1956. Apparently the stereo mix for the reel tape is unique, but the same stereo master tape was probably used for the stereo vinyl LP record.
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Semperconsort & Luigi Cozzolino – Veracini: Trio Sonatas, Op. 1 (2023)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/44,1 kHz | Time – 01:03:33 minutes | 686 MB | Genre: Classical
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Brilliant Classics
The only available complete recording, newly made by a stylish Italian early-music ensemble, of a landmark collection of Baroque chamber music.
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Salvador Torre – Salvador Torré: Electroacoustic Works, Vol. 1 & 2 (2021)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/48 kHz | Time – 02:07:04 minutes | 1,36 GB | Genre: Electronic
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Urtext
This new release is a showcase of compositions by Mexican composer Salvador Torré. Salvador Torré is a composer, performer, and Director of the Department of Musical Composition of the National Conservatory of Music in Mexico.The works of Salvador Torre have been performed in the U.S. (New York, San Francisco, San Diego) London (Royal School of Music) Paris (Center Georges Pompidou and many others) Germany (Darmstadt Festival) Canada, Japan, Slovenia, Chile, and in Mexico. For the past 25 years, his music has been performed at the Manuel Enríquez International Forum of New Music Manuel Enríquez. His music has been recorded on dozens of albums. Salvador Torré has represented Mexico in the UNESCO International Rostrum of Composers and other International Festivals, and has been a Composition Professor at the National Conservatory of Music of Mexico since 1990.
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Stokowski Symphony Orchestra & Leopold Stokowksi – J.S. Bach Transcriptions, Vol. 2 (Remastered) (2021)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 51:19 minutes | 911 MB | Genre: Classical
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Archipel
Stokowksi famous 1958 Bach Transcriptions Vol. 2 in Stereo HiRes-Mastering.
Leopold Stokowski arranged nearly 40 works from Bach’s catalogue for the modern symphony orchestra, and José Serebrier’s second volume of Bach-Stokowski Transcriptions is as colourful and wide-ranging as the first (8. 557883). In response to popular and critical demand the present selection begins with the most famous Bach orchestration of all, the celebrated Toccata and Fugue in D minor. This reached its widest public in Walt Disney’s Fantasia and here introduces a programme of sumptuous arrangements, including other music from the pre- and postbaroque periods.
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Stockholm Syndrome Ensemble, Andrej Power, Lawrence Power, Christianne Stotijn – Voices of Angels (2020)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 01:04:11 minutes | 1,01 GB | Genre: Classical
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © BIS
The Stockholm Syndrome Ensemble is – as the name implies – based in Stockholm, and consists of five of the city’s leading musicians. Project-based and often inviting guest performers, the SSE is known for its imaginative programmes built around a particular event or concept and bringing together music from various genres and eras. For its first release on BIS the ensemble has taken Brett Dean’s Voices of Angels as their point of departure, a work scored for the same forces as Schubert’s ‘Trout quintet’ and inspired by Rainer Maria Rilke’s first two Duino Elegies: ‘Angels (it’s said) are often unable to tell whether they move amongst the living or the dead.’ Dean’s work from 1996 opens a programme which ranges from Bach to Sofia Gubaidulina, and includes various scorings for between two and six performers. The angels reappear in songs by Wagner and Gubaidulina performed by Christianne Stotijn, one of the ensemble’s guests on this disc – but it is also safe to assume that they are standing around the heavenly throne which Bach approaches in the chorale prelude ‘Vor Deinen Thron tret ich hiermit’ – here transcribed for strings. The same prelude is the subject of Gubaidulina’s Meditation, while the disc closes with a work by Gubaidulina’s friend Alfred Schnittke, namely his Hymn for cello and double bass.
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