Two of Bizet’s most popular suites here directed with piquancy and spice by Igor Markevitch.

Legendary since its ‘Phase 4’ Decca release, Dorati and his team bring to this recording all the swagger, colour and panache the work deserves. A thrilling performance!

Chopin was not a composer synonymous with Jorge Bolet and yet Bolet’s huge technique and limpid tone were totally suited to the long lines of poetry that Chopin wove, as this recording of both miniatures (the 24 Préludes) as well as the larger-scale works (Ballades, Fantasie) demonstrates.

Taken from Anda’s much-vaunted complete recordings of these concertos, Nos. 22 & 23 are here presented in performances that have held their sway for limpidness, clarity and unforced beauty.

Taken from Anda’s much-vaunted complete recordings of these concertos, Nos. 20 & 21  are here presented in performances that have held their sway for limpidness, clarity and unforced beauty.

Taken from Anda’s much-vaunted complete recordings of these concertos, Nos. 26 &  27 are here presented in performances that have held their sway for limpidness, clarity and unforced beauty.

A wonderful collection of meditative choral music, spearheaded by Allegri’s ubiquitous ‘Miserer’e with works by other Renaissance composers, including the magnificent Spem in Alium by Thomas Tallis, performed here by two of the foremost British choirs under the direction of two of Britain’s leading choral conductors.

The first release on CD of these two wonderful performances. The Berlioz is scored for viola and orchestra while the Bloch is written for cello and orchestra and both works represent their heroes (one named, the other unnamed) in ever-changing landscapes. Needless to say, the performances are absolutely first-rate.

The first release on CD of these immensely colourful recordings of two Russian masterpieces, one paying homage to the East via the ‘Arabian Nights’ and the other to the exoticism of Spain.

Thrilling performances of four of Tchaikovsky’s orchestral works issued together in these recordings for the first time on CD. Both the ‘1812 Overture’ and the ‘Capriccio Italien’ were demonstration discs in their time and it’s not hard to see why in these larger-than-life performances conducted with enormous panache by Zubin Mehta.

A thrilling ‘Emperor’ from Lupu and Mehta is coupled with some solo piano rarities. Both the two Rondos and the two Sonatas included here are among Beethoven’s simpler pieces for piano and, while ever charming, they are constantly played by piano students and on regular piano exam syllabuses.

Some of Handel’s most magnificent and regal choral writing is collected on this CD. The most popular work on it, by far, is the Coronation Anthem ‘Zadok the Priest’. Both the Coronation Anthems and the ‘Ode for the Birthday of Queen Anne’ were written for monarchs and the opening of the ‘Ode’ with its trumpet […]