New Releases

CHAN 0697

Andrea Gabrieli
(?1532/33–1585)

The Madrigal in Venice: Politics, Dialogues and Pastorales

The English Cornett and Sackbut Ensemble
I Fagiolini
Robert Hollingworth director

Andrea Gabrieli and his nephew and pupil, Giovanni, were two of the baroque period’s most inventive composers and the full extent of their originality - thanks to recordings such as these - is only just beginning to be appreciated.

Andrea Gabrieli provided secular vocal music for all aspects of Venetian musical life. Politically motivated works for civic celebrations, Petrachan and pastoral madrigals, racy dialogues, battle songs and saucy dialect songs each had their place in Venice’s intellectual academies, musical households and civic ceremonies.

I Fagiolini is one of Europe’s most innovative and entertaining solo-voice ensembles, with a core repertoire of renaissance and contemporary music. The group’s busy schedule takes it all over the world, often as ambassadors for the British Council, and it takes particular pleasure in collaborative projects with other artists such as His Majesty’s Sagbutts & Cornetts. I Fagiolini receives consistently good write-ups for its Chandos recordings.

Andrea Gabrieli

REVIEWS

‘‘…this is a marvellously entertaining disc, cleverly kept together by some interpolated lute pieces, nicely played.’
BBC Music Magazine on CHAN 0665 (Croce)

‘This is another triumph for the Chandos Chaconne label, which is fast becoming one of the very best early-music labels on the scene.’
Fanfare on CHAN 0665 (Croce)

‘Admirably recorded, provocatively annotated, with full texts and translations, this is a genuinely valuable release, and it will charm novices as much as it will give food for thought to veterans…’
American Record Guide on CHAN 0578 (Byrd)

PREVIOUS RELEASES
Thomas Tomkins: Music Divine – CHAN 0680
The Triumphs of Oriana – CHAN 0682
The Comic Faces of Giovanni Croce – CHAN 0665
The Caged Byrd – CHAN 0609
The Early Byrd – CHAN 0578

Elizabeth Futral soprano
Philharmonia Orchestra
Steven White

with
Diana Montague mezzo-soprano
Peter Wedd tenor
Dean Robinson bass
Barry Banks tenor
Geoffrey Mitchell Choir

Elizabeth Futral

CHAN 3096

This varied programme of virtuosic coloratura arias showcases the versatility of the brilliant American soprano, Elizabeth Futral.

Elizabeth Futral has received fine reviews for her appearances with some of America’s most prestigious opera companies including The Dallas Opera, New York City Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago and, of course The Metropolitan Opera. She has collaborated with such distinguished conductors as Daniel Barenboim, Sir Colin Davis, Claudio Abbado, Sir André Previn and Leonard Slatkin. Forthcoming engagements for 2003 include the title roles in Rossini’s Zelmira at this year’s Edinburgh Festival and Massenet’s Thaïs at the English National Opera in September.

Elizabeth Futral made her spectacular debut at The Metropolitan Opera in the title role of Lucia di Lammermoor and her interpretation, recently released on Chandos’ Opera in English label, was highly acclaimed.

The Operatic Soprano

REVIEWS
Elizabeth Futral received great praise for her portrayal of Lucia in Donizetti’s Lucia di Lammermoor, both in the theatre and on disc:

‘American soprano Elizabeth Futral has a delicious tang in her voice.’
Opera Now

‘Futral can carry a line musically with great intelligence and allure, and her voice rides over the ensembles with warmth and beauty. It is a pleasure to hear new ornaments and unconventional tempos in much of Lucia’s material, and the soprano’s voicing of the mad scene’s central moment, “At last you hold me”, is affectionately calm and sweet.’
Opera News, New York

Takashi Yoshimatsu
(b. 1953)

Symphony No. 5, Op. 87 (2001)
Atom Hearts Club Suite No. 2, Op. 79a (1999/2000)
Prelude to the Celebration of Birds, Op. 83 (2000)

BBC Philharmonic
Sachio Fujioka

The latest release from Chandos of the complete orchestral works of in-house composer,Takashi Yoshimatsu.

The conductor Sachio Fujioka has had great success with Yoshimatsu’s music both in concert and on disc and works closely with the composer, who was present at the recording.

Yoshimatsu draws from both Western and Eastern cultures in his appealing and accessible music. The works on this CD are all first-time recordings.

Yoshimatsu's Music

REVIEWS

‘The BBC Philharmonic tackles all three pieces with virtuosity and panache and the recording captures the full panoply of the Hollywood-style orchestration.’
BBC Music Magazine on CHAN 9960 (Symphony No. 4 Trombone Concerto etc.)

‘Attractive, semi-ambient sounds and New Age dreaminess are the basis of these two immaculately executed, picturesque and listener-friendly works.’
Classic FM Magazine on CHAN 9838 (Symphony No. 1 etc.)

‘Impressive works, performances and recording.’
The Guardian on CHAN 9737 (Symphony No. 3/Saxophone Concerto)

PREVIOUS RELEASES
Symphony No. 2 / Guitar Concerto etc. – CHAN 9438
Symphony No. 1 etc. – CHAN 9838
Symphony No. 3 / Saxophone Concerto – CHAN 9737
Symphony No. 4 /Trombone Concerto etc. – CHAN 9960
Piano Concerto etc. – CHAN 9652

Johannes Brahms
(1833–1897)

Ein deutsches Requiem, Op. 45

Inger Dam-Jensen soprano
Bo Skovhus baritone
Danish National Choir/DR
Danish National Symphony Orchestra/DR
Gerd Albrecht

CHAN 10071

This recording marks the beginning of a three-volume series of Brahms’s choral works, all performed by the Danish National Symphony Orchestra and Choir under its distinguished Principal Conductor, Gerd Albrecht.

The famous Danish Choir and Orchestra have assembled some of the most sought-after soloists around today for this recording, and produce a fresh, powerful account which makes a distinctive addition to the Brahms discography.

The Danish National Symphony Orchestra receives consistently good reviews for its Chandos recordings.

Brahms and his Requiem

REVIEWS

‘The Danish National Symphony Orchestra plays impeccably, and Chandos’ warm, rich, recorded sound is very flattering and appropriate to the music.’
Fanfare on CHAN 9862 (Gade, Volume 1)

‘…the disc can certainly be recommended for the spirited playing of the Danish orchestra…’
BBC Music Magazine on CHAN 9957 (Gade, Volume 2)

‘Performances are full of energy and clarity, and the recordings serve them excellently.’
BBC Music Magazine ‘Best of 2002’ on CHAN 9904 (Nørgård)

‘The playing is first-rate, the orchestra giving performances that bristle with character and vitality.’
The Daily Telegraph on CHAN 9904 (Nørgård)

CHAN 9961

Alexander Konstantinovich Glazunov
(1865–1936)

Symphony No. 8, Op. 83
Commemorative Cantata, Op. 65* for the Centenary of the Birth of Pushkin
Poème lyrique, Op. 12

Ludmila Kuznetsova mezzo-soprano*
Vsevolod Grivnov tenor*
Russian State Symphonic Cappella*
Russian State Symphony Orchestra
under Valeri Polyansky

Polyansky’s Glazunov cycle on Chandos has received excellent critical acclaim for the quality of recording and performance.

This release includes such rare and colourful works as the Commemorative Cantata for the Centenary of the Birth of Pushkin and the Poème lyrique.

The Eighth Symphony is accepted as one of Glazunov’s finest works, demonstrating his mastery of orchestration, especially in his woodwind writing and vivid brass colouring, as well as his seemingly endless capacity for melodic and rich harmonic invention.

These recordings, made with Russian artists, have the ring of authenticity, making this compelling cycle one of the best available.

About the music on this disc

REVIEWS

‘The outstanding performances on this disc make a convincing case for these obscure yet powerful works. The mighty male voices of the Russian State Symphonic Cappella are memorably impressive and finely balanced by the lucent lyricism of the women’s. But it’s the shattering tension of the orchestral playing that really makes the disc special, the seemly impregnable wall of brass offset by string playing of infinite tautness to thrilling dramatic effect.’
BBC Music Magazine on CHAN 9824 (King of the Jews etc.)

‘Splendidly played by the Russian State Symphony Orchestra under Polyansky, who could hardly be more vital or warmly sympathetic, helped by the glamorous Chandos recording.’
Gramophone on CHAN 9709 (Coronation Cantata etc.)

Selected previous releases
Salome/King of the Jews – CHAN 9824
Symphony No. 2 / Coronation Cantata – CHAN 9709
Symphonies Nos 4 & 5 – CHAN 9739
Symphony No. 1 / Violin Concerto – CHAN 9751
Symphony No. 3 /Concert Waltzes – CHAN 9658

CHDV 5015

Jacob ter Veldhuis
(b. 1951)
Paradiso
A video oratorio for soprano, tenor, sampler, female choir and orchestra

Claron McFadden soprano
Tom Allen tenor
Karel Gerritsma sampler
Pulsatu video
North Netherlands Concert Choir
North Netherlands Orchestra
Alexander Liebreich

Paradiso is a contemporary oratorio based on Dante’s Divine Comedy. It is a journey in search of beauty and harmony, of ecstacy and bliss.

Jacob ter Veldhuis’s background in rock and electronic music exerts a unique influence on his orchestral works. The music for this powerful oratorio demonstrates that he is a master of minimalist compositional techniques, yet remains accessible and unashamedly melodic.

American soprano Claron McFadden has appeared at Glyndebourne,Welsh National Opera, Opera North,The Netherlands Opera and the Salzburg Festival and is active on the concert stage throughout Europe. Chicago born tenor Tom Allen is in demand internationally and has performed extensively with some of Germany’s top orchestras.

This release is also available as a Surround Sound 'hybrid' SACD (CHSA 5012).

A surround-sound DVD-Video (containing some scenes of an erotic nature) is available (CHDV 5015).

Paradiso

Robert Schumann (1810–1856)

Piano Quintet, Op. 44 in E flat major
Piano Quartet, Op. 47

Michelangelo Piano Quartet
(Francesca Vicari violin
Luca Sanzò viola
Luigi Piovano cello
Elena Matteucci piano
with
Antonio De Secondi second violin)

This is the premiere recording of Schumann’s Piano Quartet and Quintet played on period instruments.

These hauntingly beautiful works undoubtedly form part of the great nineteenth-century chamber repertoire, containing some of Schumann’s most deeply personal music.

The Michelangelo Quartet was formed in 1986. It performs regularly in Europe and is acclaimed for its authentic performances of ancient and romantic music on period instruments.

Schumann's Chamber works

Sophie Yates plays the virginals on this third and final disc in Chandos’ series of Elizabethan Music, released this year to mark the 400th anniversary of the death of Queen Elizabeth I.

Previous discs in the series from ensembles I Fagiolini and QuintEssential have been highly praised for their expert research and authentic performances.

This varied and unique recital will be sought by enthusiasts both of early music and of keyboard music.

Elizabethan Virginals Music

REVIEWS
Sophie Yates is one of Britain’s most sought-after harpsichordists:

‘Sophie Yates confirms her credentials as one of Britain’s most talented harpsichordists… a disc to whet the appetite for further volumes in the series.’
The Daily Telegraph on CHAN 0644 (Handel Harpsichord Works,Vol. 1)

‘Yates’s playing is beyond reproach: each suite is elegantly poised and intelligently delivered, every strand in fugal textures is clearly delineated, and ornamentation is dazzling.’
BBC Music Magazine on CHAN 0688 (Handel Harpsichord Works,Vol. 3)

‘A tour de force in every sense.’
Gramophone on CHAN 0659 (Rameau Harpsichord Works)

CHAN X10077

Chandos makes its highly acclaimed disc of Prokofiev’s waltzes available on its mid-price label.

Prokofiev’s waltzes contain some of the composer’s most beguiling music.

Neeme Järvi’s Prokofiev series for Chandos remains many critics’ top choice for this repertoire.

Prokofiev's Waltzes

REVIEWS
‘No one is more warmly dramatic in Prokofiev than Järvi, making his issues consistently recommended.’
The Guardian

‘As performances, these are equal to the best.’
The Penguin Complete Guide

Johannes Brahms
(1833–1897)

21 Hungarian Dances
originally for piano, four hands No. 1 in G minor

London Symphony Orchestra
Neeme Järvi

Järvi’s lively performances of Brahms’s popular Hungarian Dances are now available at mid-price on the Chandos Classics Label.

The combination of the London Symphony Orchestra, Neeme Järvi and Chandos has ensured that these are amongst the best performances available.

Brahms's Hungarian Dances

REVIEWS
‘…clear, precise and exciting performance…’ Classic CD ‘The Chandos recording is characteristically sumptuous and Järvi is warmly affectionate, attractively coaxing the rubato of a dance like No. 7 in F major.There is plenty of spirit and flexibility elsewhere, and this set is certainly warmly enjoyable.’
Penguin Complete Guide

Sergey Vasil’yevich Rachmaninov
(1873–1943)

Piano Concerto No. 1, Op. 1 in F sharp minor
Piano Concerto No. 2, Op. 18 in C minor
Piano Concerto No. 3, Op. 30 in D minor
Piano Concerto No. 4, Op. 40 in G minor
Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43

Earl Wild piano
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Jascha Horenstein

Earl Wild’s performances of Rachmaninov’s Piano Concertos, recorded in 1965, still rank amongst critics’ top recommendations for the repertoire.

Technically, these recordings were way ahead of their time. Chandos’ digitally remastered discs retain the warmth, depth and clarity of the original recording.

This universally loved repertoire is now available on Chandos’ mid-price Classics label as a 2-disc set in convenient slim-line packaging.

Rachmaninov's Piano Concertos

REVIEWS
‘Horenstein …shows a tremendous sympathy for Rachmaninoff. Many of the phrases emerge with greater clarity than in other performances… There is a verve and drive here that I find superior to the sometimes cloying direction of other conductors… Wild’s playing turned out to be an unexpected bonus… there is both brilliance and tenderness…’
Fanfare

‘…pure gold with playing of such staggering dexterity and virtuosity as to eclipse most rival discs, while Horenstein and the Royal Philharmonic give superbly detailed support.’
The Star

Now available as a
multi-channel and stereo hybrid SACD

Ralph Vaughan Williams
(1872–1958)

Symphony No. 4
Mass in G minor*
Six Choral Songs – to be Sung in Time of War†

Richard Hickox Singers*
London Symphony Chorus†
London Symphony Orchestra
Richard Hickox

This disc follows on from Richard Hickox’s triumph at the 2001 Gramophone Awards where his account of the original version of Vaughan Williams’s London Symphony (CHAN 9902) was made 'Record of the Year’. It has since become a bestseller. Recently it has been nominated for two Grammys, including the prestigious 'Classical album of the year' award.

The Six Choral Songs – to be Sung in Time of War and the Mass in G minor are both highly appropriate companion pieces for the apocalyptic Fourth Symphony – a relatively violent work which seems to anticipate World War II. Of course, the composer's conception of the work is personal and complicated, and explored in the sleeve notes by leading VW authority Michael Kennedy.

Richard Hickox is regarded as one of the leading Vaughan Williams conductors. Apart from his award-winning London Symphony, he has also made acclaimed accounts for Chandos of such works as the Fifth Symphony, A Cotswold Romance (CHAN 9646), The Pilgrim’s Progress (CHAN 9625(2)) and Sir John in Love (CHAN 9928(2)).

Notes about the music on this disc

REVIEWS

‘Hickox and the LSO respond with an unquenchable spirit, generous flexibility and tender affection that suit VW's admirably ambitious inspiration to a T, and Chandos' sound is big and bold to match. Quite simply, an essential purchase for anyone remotely interested in British music.’
Gramophone on CHAN 9902 (A London Symphony, etc.)

‘Hickox’s interpretation and the LSO's playing are outstanding.’
The Sunday Telegraph on CHAN 9902 (A London Symphony, etc.)

‘…one of the best Fifths I have heard.’
Classic FM Magazine on CHAN 9666 (Symphony No. 5, etc.)

Previous Vaughan Williams releases from Richard Hickox
Symphony No. 4 etc. – CHAN 9984
A London Symphony etc. – CHAN 9902
Symphony No. 5 etc. – CHAN 9666
Five Tudor Portraits etc. - CHAN 9593
Pilgrims Progress - CHAN 9625(2)
Riders to the Sea etc. - CHAN 9392
A Cotswold Romance etc. - CHAN 9646