New releases for March
Over the coming weeks we will be featuring new recordings of music by composers including Rachmaninov, Brahms, Mozart, Berlioz, Chopin and more.
Vasily Petrenko / Simon Trpceski / Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra - Rachmaninov Piano Concertos 2 & 3
If you needed proof that the partnership between the RLPO and Vasily Petrenko has become undoubtedly electric, look no further than this fantastic new CD. This will surely go down as one of the best recordings of Rachmaninov in a very long while; the disc sees the RLPO joining forces with Macedonian pianist Simon Trpceski for two energetic and soulful performances of two Romantic warhorses – Rachmaninov's Second and Third Piano Concertos.
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Anne-Sophie Mutter / Lambert Orkis - Brahms The Violin Sonatas
This new disc showcases the talents of violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter and pianist Lambert Orkis, performing violin sonatas by Brahms. These works have been central to Mutter’s career for many years, and they’re among the most intense, emotionally penetrating pieces composed for her instrument. We’ll be featuring this CD across the station in the weeks ahead.
Libera - Peace
Libera is a choir of young British boys – who, together with their Music Director Robert Prizeman, have created a unique and ethereal sound on their new CD, Peace. The boys’ fan-base runs far and wide – they have a huge following in Japan and America in particular – and for their latest recording, they’ve chosen a selection of contemplative tunes which span plainsong to contemporary classical. Listen out for this album on Smooth Classics and Relaxing Classics in the weeks ahead.
Scottish Chamber Orchestra / Sir Charles Mackerras - Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Symphonies
Last year, the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and conductor Charles Mackerras won the Critics’ Choice Award at the Classical BRITs for their account of the late symphonies of Mozart. Following on from the success of that disc comes this - a recording of some of the composer’s lesser-known symphonies. Yet again, it’s a complete delight from start to finish: the performances are packed full of energy, joy and wit. We’ll be playing this CD lots on Classic FM, and your first chance to hear it will be on Afternoons with Mark Forrest.
Anima Eterna - Berlioz
We first came across the orchestra Anima Eterna a couple of years ago, when they released a controversial recording of the complete Beethoven symphonies. Fast, furious and taut, the performances were loved by many but also received their fair share of criticism. This new CD sees the ensemble and their conductor Jos van Immerseel tackle a mighty French work: Symphonie Fantastique by Berlioz.
Anima Eterna aim to give an authentic performance here, of the kind that audiences at the time would probably have heard. The timpani, for example, are played with the sticks specifically called for by Berlioz; the double basses used in this recording were made in the years the composer was writing the piece; and the two pianos are of exactly the kind that Berlioz would have used at the premiere.
As Immerseel himself says, ‘the result may be regarded as surprising and unexpected. Every moment of the performance testifies to the musical and technical mastery of the interpreters and their understanding of the grammar of this music, but also reflects their passion for and fascination with it’.
Ophélie Gailliard / Royal Philharmonic Orchestra - Dreams
The French cellist Ophélie Gailliard has just released her new CD, Dreams, together with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. It’s a collection of smooth French melodies, all arranged for cello and orchestra – so expect to hear everything from Satie’s Gymnopedie No.1 to Debussy’s Girl with the Flaxen Hair, alongside some of Fauré’s most popular melodies.
As well as the French favourites, there are a few other European composers represented here, and we’ll be playing this disc across the station this month.
Till Fellner / Kent Nagano / Montreal Symphony Orchestra - Beethoven Piano Concertos Nos.4 and 5
Austrian pianist Till Fellner, whose two Bach albums on the ECM label have won him unanimous international acclaim, teams up with conductor Kent Nagano and the Montreal Symphony Orchestra for this new CD.
One reviewer recently described this new recording as “a stunning achievement”, and we think you’ll agree! Fellner tackles two Beethoven piano concertos – Nos. 4 and 5 – and the performances are transparent, light and dazzling from start to finish.
