Sir Adrian Boult made some pioneering Decca recordings, among them symphonies and other orchestral works of Vaughan Williams. Having had first-hand experience of the composer, his recordings have an authority in our age that is virtually unequalled. The music on this CD contrasts Blake’s visions of darkness in ‘Job’ with the hilarious ‘Wasps Suite’, with […]
The ubiquitous Pachelbel Canon starts off this delightful collection of Baroque favourites. Three virtual one-hit wonders – Pachelbel, Albinoni, Boccherini – meet Mozart’s dad, the reputedly sour-puss Leopold, who here, takes off his wig and summons a collection of toys to partake in the Haydn-attributed ‘Toy Symphony’.
Karl Böhm and Mozart’s ‘Magic Flute’ were synonymous in the world of opera and this is the first of two studio recordings he made of the work together with soloists who were star performers at the Vienna State Opera at the time. All the favourite arias, duets and choruses are included.
Although Sutherland and Bonynge gave many memorable performances of ‘The Merry Widow’ on stage, they never recorded it completely. However, this recording – sung in English – offers a choice collection of the opera’s ‘greatest hits’, including ‘Vilja’, the famous waltz and some of the big scenes in the operetta.
A brilliant collection of some of Tchaikovsky’s most moving and most exciting moments. Continuing Eloquence’s popular ‘Best Of’ series – ideal for the newcomer.
A magnificent tribute to one of the world’s most panoramic cities from the masters of Venetian Renaissance – Andrea and Giovanni Gabrieli, respectively, father and son. This collection includes brass fanfares and choral music, resplendently sung and played.
A sprightly recording of Respighi’s wonderful tapestry of Rossini’s music for the ballet stage is coupled with some of the most gorgeous orchestral playing you’ll ever hear in the Chopin/Douglas ‘Les Sylphides’. And to finish off, a much-popularised recording of the ‘Meditation from Thaïs’ – from a young Nigel Kennedy!
The famous ‘Shine’ piano concerto – No. 3 – now appears at budget price in this very romantic performance from one of Decca’s star pianists, Alicia de Larrocha. The coupling is the no-less-difficult and wildly exciting Piano Concerto No. 1 from Peter Katin.
One of the most impassioned accounts of the ‘New World Symphony’ to be committed to disc, is generously coupled with the lyrical Eighth Symphony. Outstanding performances all.
Rich, warm and resounding, the Ferras/Karajan Brahms Violin Concerto has always been one of the mainstays of the catalogue.
The most popular guitar concerto coupled with less well-known but no less charming ones from Spain’s most eloquent masters of the guitar, Siegfried Behrend.
Miniatures for guitar from the Iberian peninsula, performed with style and panache by one of the guitar’s leading exponents, Pepe Romero.
