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2011-11-14T12:51:00.000-08:00

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Veteran's Day at Delos

2011-11-11T12:15:00.000-08:00

On this Veteran’s Day, my thoughts drift helplessly back to my own years of service as an Army officer. A military mindset came naturally to me: I was raised as an “Army brat,” in the very thick of the military subculture – and I even graduated from a military academy (The Citadel). I was lucky: the only conflict I “fought” in was the Cold War; I never had to lay my life on the line in combat. But I lost many dear friends and classmates to the Vietnam conflict: an unjustified and unpopular war that – sadly – translated into public scorn for many of the soldiers who fought in it … many of whom returned horribly wounded, mentally maimed, or in coffins. And I was profoundly saddened to observe that much of the nation remained ungrateful for their sacrifices.

Thankfully, times have changed – and public attitudes along with them. The wars we are fighting now may well be just as unpopular with many citizens – but the cultural norm in America these days is nonetheless one of sympathy and support for our fighting men and women. Today’s information age insures that we are all aware of the unique sacrifices and hardships our soldiers take in stride: long separation from family and friends, their struggles to survive in strange and hostile places, and their willingness to give even their lives: as Abraham Lincoln once put it, that “last full measure of devotion.” And, in the wake of events like 9/11, there’s been a welcome resurgence of the unique historical, political, and social ideals that bind us as a nation: noble ideals that are worth fighting and dying for. We call it patriotism.

Patriotism is manifested in many ways – not the least of which is in the realm of our most enduring cultural artifacts: art, literature, classic oratory … and music. They serve to remind us what our nation stands for and will continue to struggle for as we attempt to lead the evolution of mankind and global society into a true state of “liberty and justice for all.” Great music is often a very intangible, yet powerful thing. Who can explain the swelling in the breast – the snappy salute or reflexive hand-over-heart – when we hear the “Star-spangled Banner” played or sung at a ballgame? Why is it that helpless lumps in our throats often make it hard to sing along to “America the Beautiful”? What is it about a jaunty, swaggering military march that makes us jump to our feet and cheer as we wave our flags and banners? Indeed, music is perhaps the most effective and communicative embodiment of patriotism we have – and it is with music that Delos has done its part to promote and sustain patriotism.

If your own sense of what our country stands for and where it is headed remains clouded or insecure in our perilous day and age, I believe Delos can help. If you haven’t given much thought lately to the essential principles underlying our democracy, try listening to our album, “Portraits of Freedom” (DE 3140), in which the singular voice of James Earl Jones intones the immortal words of Abraham Lincoln, our most revered President, over the stirring music of Aaron Copland. If you haven’t heard many of our most beloved American songs, hymns or spirituals lately, try our “America, the Golden Dream” collection (DE 3203); it’s guaranteed to make you fall in love with America all over again. If nothing stirs your soul like a great march, give a listen to “The Original, All-American, SOUSA!” (DE 3102) – our survey of “March King” John Philip Sousa’s wonderful creations. As loyal an American as I consider myself to be, listening to all three of these albums as I write has heightened my own sense of national belonging and pride immensely – and I will surely return to them in the future, whenever my flagging patriotic sentiments need a boost.

A parting thought: as retired General Colin Powell told Piers Morgan in his interview on CNN last night, “For me, every day is Veteran’s Day” … and so it should be for us all. Thus, whether it happens today or six months from now, the next time you encounter a crippled, homeless or jobless veteran, do what you can to help. And whenever you see a man or woman in uniform, take a moment to stop, smile, shake hands, and say, ”Thanks for your service.” Because it is their struggle and sacrifice – more than anybody else’s – that protects and sustains our great nation.

Lindsay Koob

The following video was made in tribute to Martin Luther King Jr. Day, but experiencing the powerful words of Lincoln in this clip as delivered by James Earl Jones transcends any one celebration of America:

Brazilian Guitar Quartet Wins Latin Grammy!!!!

2011-11-11T08:31:00.000-08:00

For those of you who didn’t catch our euphoric announcements late yesterday on Twitter and Facebook, Delos is tickled pink (HOT pink!) to inform you that our very own Brazilian Guitar Quartet has just won the 2011 Latin GRAMMY award for Best Classical Album with their Brazilian Guitar Quartet plays Villa-Lobos release. Watch for another Delos Insider post in the near future, with more detailed commentary, an artist interview, AND a special download deal from iTunes!

Brazilian Guitar Quartet Plays Villa-Lobos

Brazilian Guitar Quartet
DE 3409

Suite Floral: I. Idilio na Rede • II. Uma Camponeza Cantadeira • III. Alegria na Horta
6 Cirandas: A canoa virou (The Canoe Capsized) • A Condessa (The Countess) • Terezinha de Jesus (the Little Teresa of Jesus) • A procura de uma agulha (Searching for a Needle) • Senhora Dona Sancha (Madame Dona Sancha) • Que lindos olhos! (What Beautiful Eyes!)
String Quartet No. 5: I. Pouco Andantino • II. Vivo e energico • III. Andantino • IV. Allegro
Danças Características Africanas No. 1 Farrapos • No. 2 Kankukus • No. 3 Kankikis
String Quartet No. 12: I. Allegro • II. Andante • III. Allegretto • IV. Allegro ben ritmato

All arrangements by Tadeu do Amaral

Praised by the Washington Post for their "seductive beauty" and "virtuosic gusto," the Brazilian Guitar Quartet has established itself as one of world's leading guitar ensembles. This is their first album devoted entirely to the most beloved of Brazilian composers, in all-new arrangements by the BGQ.

Purchase Brazilian Guitar Quartet Plays Villa-Lobos

Big Sale Scoop!

2011-11-10T15:14:00.000-08:00

Esteemed web music source HBDirect.com is running a great two-day sale on six labels, including Delos! With Christmas shopping season nearly upon us, here’s your chance to beat the rush and latch onto those fabulous Delos recordings you’ve been eyeing for folks on your gift list – or drooling over for yourself – at savings of up to 30%! But you’ve gotta move FAST, ‘cause the sale ends TOMORROW (Friday, Nov. 11) at midnight. BTW, one of the recordings featured on their home page is our recent release, “American Mystic,” marking the centennial year of composer Alan Hovhaness’ birth: a recording cited (and linked) in a recent New York Times article.

Ceremony of Carols in The Classical Billboard Charts!

2011-11-10T13:17:00.000-08:00

Etherea Vocal Ensemble release Ceremony of Carols isn't just topping the iTunes Charts, it's topping all of the charts! The newest Billboard Classical Charts were released, and Ceremony of Carols is #14!

Download Ceremony of Carols

Delos Radio Track:
Ceremony of Carols - Track 20: Dancing Day - Angelus ad Virginem by Delos Radio

Add Delos To Your Circles!

2011-11-09T13:17:00.000-08:00

Delos is now on Google+!

If you're a Google+ user (and we know some of you are), make sure and add Delos to your circles to stay in the "loop" about all things Delos!

Connect with us Here!

American Mystic featured in The New York Times

2011-11-07T07:55:00.000-08:00

This weekend the New York Times published an outstanding feature on Alan Hovhaness in celebration of his Centennial. Within the fabulous article, author Larry Rohter makes note of Delos' Centennial Collection, American Mystic.

This year is the centennial of Hovhaness’s birth, and for the occasion Delos Records just released a commemorative CD of some of his most important orchestral and chamber works, called “American Mystic: Music of Alan Hovhaness.” But as Mr. Avakian’s account suggests, Hovhaness’s most lasting legacy may be not in the realm of symphonic music but in of the sphere of popular music, particularly jazz and what has come to be known as “world music.”

Read the full article on NYTimes.com.

Enjoy this week's new Delos Radio Track - "Prayer of St. Gregory":

American Mystic - Track 1: Prayer Of St. Gregory, Op. 62b (Alan Hovhaness) by Delos Radio

Purchase American Mystic: Music of Alan Hovhaness - Centennial Collection

Early Christmas Presents from Delos

2011-11-03T09:15:00.000-07:00

We might be three weeks away from Thanksgiving, but that doesn't mean it's too early to start thinking about Christmas! And this week Delos is giving YOU the present!

From now until Monday, November 7th, Delos has FOUR Christmas albums for a special price of $5.99 on iTunes! Then, from November 1st through the new year, we'll have two priced at $7.99 and two will stay at $5.99. How's that for a Christmas present?

New Release!
Ceremony of Carols - DE 3422
Etherea Vocal Ensemble
Currently the #1 Featured Classical album on iTunes!
$5.99 on iTunes through November 7th!
$7.99 on iTunes through January 1, 2012!

To Catch a Christmas Star
Roger Wagner Chorale
DE 3072
$5.99 on iTunes through November 7th!
$7.99 on iTunes through January 1, 2012!

Christmas by the Bay
San Francisco Symphony Chorus
DE 3238
$5.99 on iTunes through January 1, 2012!

Renaissance to Nutcracker
Los Angeles Guitar Quartet
DE 3132
$5.99 on iTunes through January 1, 2012!

Ceremony of Carols is Topping the Charts!

2011-11-02T09:25:00.000-07:00

Etherea Vocal Ensemble release Ceremony of Carols debuted at #3 on the iTunes Charts yesterday!

Limited Time - Specially Priced on iTunes!!!!! - Download the ENTIRE album for $5.99

And the reviews are already coming in!

Ceremony of Carols (Etherea Vocal Ensemble)
by CG-NYC

This is a beautiful rendition of Britten's choral classic. When I listened to it,
I could only think that his had to be what Britten envisioned for this piece. Superb vocals
and a recording that catches subtle nuances make this a stunning performance. I am so pleased that
I discovered it. Highly recommended.

Ceremony of Carols
by Sour Persimmons

A lovely holiday album with the finest available versions of Britten's "Ceremony" and Rutter's "Dancing Day". Following the Britten, "Noel" is a delightfully jarring surprise, with its operatic flavor and dramatic finish. The recording also includes some inventive traditional carol arrangements that benefit from the ethereal all-treble sound ("In dulci jubilo" and "Gabriel's Message" in particular). But my favorite track is the last, "Tomorrow shall be my dancing day," as it really captures the festivity and joy of the Christmas season. Etherea's singing is sublime throughout, as is Grace Cloutier's magical harp playing.

And those are just the beginning: (click images for larger view)

Limited Time - Specially Priced on iTunes!!!!! - Download the ENTIRE album for $5.99

Delos Radio Track:
Ceremony of Carols - Track 20: Dancing Day - Angelus ad Virginem by Delos Radio

Download Ceremony of Carols

Digital Release - Ceremony of Carols

2011-11-01T11:47:00.000-07:00

Digital Release

CEREMONY of CAROLS
Etherea Vocal Ensemble

“Trebles in Paradise”

And vocal paradise is just where the sublime singing of Etherea Vocal Ensemble will take their listeners with their new holiday album, Ceremony of Carols. Etherea, founded in 2008, is a unique group consisting of seven distinguished women’s voices plus the alto-range singing of founder/director Derek Greten-Harrison – who happens to be a vocal switch-hitter, performing as both a countertenor and a baritone! Together, they achieve music of rare technical craftsmanship, vocal precision and exquisite nuance – plus stunning purity and sweetness of sound. Add the scintillating harp wizardry of Grace Cloutier and subtle organ support from Alan Murchie. The end result is a sure-fire collection of seasonal classics that listeners won’t want to put away even after their family Christmas trees are taken down.

Limited Time - Specially Priced on iTunes!!!!! - Download the ENTIRE album for $5.99

Delos Radio Track:
Ceremony of Carols - Track 20: Dancing Day - Angelus ad Virginem by Delos Radio

Download Ceremony of Carols

Halloween Reveries

2011-10-28T12:51:00.000-07:00

With Halloween almost upon us, my thoughts today strayed back to when my two sons were still small children. Halloween being my birthday, I always tried to make something special of the occasion – more for my kids’ sake than my own. Throughout their childhoods, we spent many hours together producing special homemade costumes for trick-or-treating, just as my own Dad had done for me when I was little.

For several years running, we even concocted a special Halloween “show” on my front porch. I dressed up as Dracula – complete with all-black garb, a high-collared cape, slicked-down hair, white face, blackened eyes, homemade wax fangs, and lots of “blood” dribbling down my chin. I would stand near a table topped with a big basket of candy, waiting for the evening’s onslaught of trick-or-treaters as Bach’s Toccata in D Minor and other organ pieces blared from a speaker in the nearest window. My boys – dressed up as zombies or other ghouls – took turns trick-or-treating, with one of them remaining as my “assistant.”

As the wide-eyed kids crept hesitantly up to the porch for their treats, I would give out a chilling, deep-bass “hoo-hoo-hah-hah-HAH-HAH-HAAAH” laugh, and then beckon them to come closer to get their goodies. In my best sinister Transylvanian accent, I asked them if they would like to come into my castle, or even let me “bite their necks.” Most kids stayed just long enough to get their treats before fleeing … some were too scared to even approach me. One mom even cussed me out later for giving her baby nightmares. My own kids LOVED it – for awhile there, they had the “baddest Dad” in the neighborhood! … Good memories …

But, in retrospect, I wonder how much scarier my show could’ve been, if – instead of straight Bach organ recordings – I’d had a better “soundtrack” – like Delos’ classic album, “the Horror Maze” (SI 4502). This ear-boggling “sonic spooktacular” duly offers Bach’s chilling Toccata, plus excerpts from many other classics on “evil” themes – like Mussorgsky’s devilish Night on Bald Mountain, Saint-Saens’ spooky Danse Macabre, Chopin’s deathly Funeral March, and Berlioz’s wickedly surreal Dream of the Witches’ Sabbath. But that’s not all: adroitly laid over the music is a horrific array of creepy seasonal sound effects – including eerie door-creaks, zombie-like groans, moaning wind-noises, spine-chilling cackles & shrieks, plus heart-stopping animal noises: crawly bug-sounds, owl-hoots, cat-cries, and werewolf howls … just to name a few. All is sequenced so as to convey the impression of a fearsome journey through the “Horror-maze” of the album’s title – where, once you’re inside, you can’t … get … back … OUT !!!

This masterpiece of sonic horror is guaranteed to add spooky oomph to whatever holiday affair you may be planning. Try downloading a few tracks to ramp up the fright factor of your Halloween costume party or haunted house event … or just to get you into the proper mood!

… Wishing you and yours a hauntingly horrific Halloween – Lindsay Koob

Download The Horror Maze

New Release - American Mystic: Music of Alan Hovhaness Centennial Collection

2011-10-26T13:52:00.000-07:00

AMERICAN MYSTIC

MUSIC OF ALAN HOVHANESS (1911-2000) ▪ CENTENNIAL COLLECTION

“My purpose is to create music not for snobs, but for all people; music which is beautiful and healing – to attempt what old Chinese painters called ‘spirit resonance’ in melody and sound.” — Alan Hovhaness

Featuring:
Prayer of St. Gregory, Op.62b
The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayam, Op.308
4 Bagatelles, Op.30 Nos.1-4
Symphony No.2, Op.132, Mysterious Mountain
String Quartet No.2, Op.147, Gamelan in Sosi Style
String Quartet No.2, Op.147, Spirit Murmur
The Flowering Peach, Op.125
And God Created Great Whales, Op.229, No.1

Heralded by a New York Times article appearing next week — honoring the centenary year of Hovhaness’ birth – Delos celebrates this wonderfully eclectic “American Mystic’s” glowing niche in the pantheon of American musical history from a new angle: Hovhaness as a composer of what we now call “world music” … though on a more exalted plane than most of that genre’s content. We call Hovhaness a “mystic” largely due to his insatiable curiosity about pan-global musical traditions: primarily exotic-sounding middle- and far-Eastern modes, scales and rhythms that – owing to their “alien” impact upon western ears – tend to convey mystically spiritual impressions. On top of his own Armenian musical roots, he compulsively explored the music of other Arabic regions – as well as the traditions of India, Japan, Korea and Indonesia – absorbing them all into his overall musical consciousness, to be tapped at need to suit his unique creative designs. Accordingly, Delos has combed through its many distinguished previous recordings of Hovhaness’ music to find the individual works that best support such a “world music” classification. And everything fits: Like that of many current world music artists, the music of Hovhaness blends disparate musical influences and impulses in musical “fusions” that are framed by western contexts of sound, form and instrumentation.

Purchase American Mystic: Music of Alan Hovhaness - Centennial Collection

Selections drawn from Delos’ catalog of critically acclaimed and time-honored Hovhaness recordings:

New Release - Tchaikovsky Complete Works for Violin & Piano

2011-10-25T13:24:00.000-07:00

New Release

Tchaikovsky Complete Works for Violin & Piano

Sasha Rozhdestvensky & Josiane Marfurt
DE 3413

Click to play the samples:

Sérénade Mélancolique, Op. 26
Valse-Scherzo, Op. 34
Souvenir d'un lieu cher Op. 42

Méditation, No. 1
Scherzo, No. 2
Mélodie, Op. 42 No. 3

Humoresque, Op.10 No. 2
Andante funebre e doloroso ma con moto, Op. 30
Oh! Chante Encore! Op.16 No. 4* (Recording Premiere: Original Tchaikovsky Arrangement)

Delos Radio Track:
Tchaikovsky Complete Works for Violin and Piano (DE 3413) - Track 6: Humoresque, Op.10, No.2 by Delos Radio

Listen to the Podcast with Lindsay Koob and artist Sasha Rozhdestvensky:

Delos Insider Podcast - Sasha Rozhdestvensky by Delos Radio

“He (Sasha Rozhdestvensky) belongs to the great line of outstanding artists. His approach and relationship to music and the violin is intense, highly sensitive and intelligent.” — violinist Ivry Gitlis

With this release, distinguished Russian violinist Sasha Rozhdestvensky and acclaimed Swiss pianist Josiane Marfurt offer the only available collection of P. I. Tchaikovsky’s music for violin and piano that can be considered truly “complete.”

The original score to the composer’s transcription of his early song for these instruments – Oh! Chante Encore, Op. 16, No. 4 – was long believed lost, until Rozhdestvensky discovered it recently at the National Library of France in Paris. This delightful and engaging work is offered here in its world premiere recording.

Rozhdestvensky’s playing is noted for its rare technical wizardry, gorgeous tone, and plenty of Russian “soul.” Emerging young pianist Marfurt is rapidly building a glowing reputation as both a top-tier soloist and chamber artist. As regular chamber partners, they form an ideal Tchaikovsky “team” – able to realize the composer’s distinctive melodic-harmonic beauty, lush sound and searing sentiment to perfection.

Purchase Tchaikovsky: Complete works for Violin and Piano

International Kudos for "Love is Everywhere"

2011-10-21T12:43:00.000-07:00

Day may at last be dawning for unjustly obscure American composer Margaret Ruthven Lang, thanks to the vision, determination and performing excellence of tenor Donald George and pianist Lucy Mauro. Love is Everywhere, their recent Delos release of Lang’s selected Art Songs, is beginning to attract positive international attention, indicating that Lang (1867-1972) – after nearly a century of sad neglect – may well be on her way to reclaiming her rightful status as an important American composer.

We at Delos have recently taken steps to expand our distribution base and press coverage abroad – and the first fruit of these efforts is a glowing review of Love is Everywhere from Margarida Mota-Bull of Musicweb International: a well-respected United Kingdom review site. Ms. Mota-Bull’s obvious delight with Lang’s music prompted her to go the extra mile and conduct a detailed and revealing interview via email with the performers.

Allow me to whet your appetite with some telling review excerpts. Ms. Mota-Bull homed straight in to the heart of the music’s appeal, writing, “… I found (all of the songs) not only extremely accomplished but also possessed of an incredible freshness that both touched and moved me. Love is everywhere, Irish Love Song … and Snowflakes … are exquisitely beautiful pieces, with appealing melodies, where text and music merge in perfect harmony … Lang’s music is witty, full of a fine, subtle sense of humour, wonderfully demonstrated in the amusing though refined lines of the ‘Nonsense Rhymes and Pictures Songs.’ Moreover, I was amazed at her extraordinary talent to illustrate the poems in music.”

Our perceptive reviewer further praised the album’s performers, noting that “Throughout the disc, I had the impression that this recording was a labour of love for tenor Donald George and pianist Lucy Mauro … (their) care and dedication in performing and bringing these songs to the general public is patent in every single track of the CD. Undoubtedly, there is a great musical rapport between the two, creating a harmonious partnership between voice and piano … George is in great form here and Lang’s pieces suit his voice. He sings them with obvious enjoyment and great expression, as if narrating a story in song. His tone is very warm and his diction crystal clear … Mauro’s piano accompaniment serves George’s vocals perfectly ... (she) performs the pieces with apparent delight and marvellous clarity, displaying not only an excellent technique but also a detailed understanding of Lang’s scores.”

Finally, Mota-Bull also had some good things to say about the album’s sound quality, liner notes, packaging, and the usefulness of its companion data disc (containing texts, scores, selected manuscripts and more). You can enjoy both her complete review and interview right HERE.

For reasons that remain unclear, Lang – a shy and unassuming lady – stopped composing in 1919, and destroyed most of her unpublished scores, to include those of her choral and orchestral compositions. This was despite the fact that her music was widely admired and critically acclaimed, even in an era when the musical establishment tended to scorn the creative abilities of women. Take, for example, the following excerpt from the program notes for a 1901 Baltimore Symphony concert:

“Among the most prominent American women, whose position in the front rank of the best modern composers is no longer a question, stands Miss Margaret Ruthven Lang of Boston.”

The Delos team therefore invites you to join us in our exciting journey of re-discovery, as we place this amazing woman’s works before the musical public once again – in the hopeful expectation that her long-forgotten reputation will soon be restored. Delos will release Volume II of her lovely songs in January, and a collection of her choral works is in the planning stages.

And YOU, dear Delos fans, can be part of the process!

… Lindsay Koob

Love is Everywhere:
Songs of Margaret Ruthven Lang, Vol. 1
Donald George, tenor
Lucy Mauro, piano
CD + CD-ROM
CD-ROM Includes PDFs of All Sheet Music!

Margaret Ruthven lang was the first American woman composer to have works performed by major symphony orchestras in the US, beginning with the Boston Symphony under Nikisch. Her musical family associations included Liszt, Wagner, Dvorak and Paderewski. She studied in Munich with prominent teachers of the time, and in the U.S. with such figures as Chadwick, Paine and MacDowell. These delightful songs are mostly in the Late Romantic tradition. Donald George and Lucy Mauro are currently performing these songs internationally. Donald says: "Hers is a music of remarkable freshness and originality." The companion disc also contains printable song text for both volumes, and a list of the songs categorized by degree of difficulty: a valuable resource for singers, teachers and students.

Purchase Love is Everywhere:

Andrew von Oeyen Wows at Symphony Hall

2011-10-20T09:29:00.000-07:00

Last Sunday, distinguished pianist and Delos artist Andrew von Oeyen paired up with premier violinist Sarah Chang for a concert in the Boston "Celebrity Series" at Symphony Hall, and received glowing praise!

From The Boston Globe:

"... in their Celebrity Series of Boston recital program Sunday afternoon at Symphony Hall, violinist Sarah Chang and pianist Andrew von Oeyen were equals in every way...

"...von Oeyen looked like the reincarnation of Van Cliburn, and when Chang bent toward him, as she did frequently, you could see him listening to her out of the corner of his ear.

"Chang and von Oeyen were having such a lively conversation, it was a shame they had to stop."

From the Boston Music Intelligencer:

"...beginning with the Sonatensatz (the Scherzo from the F.A.E. Sonata). Sarah Chang and...Andrew von Oeyen attacked this stormy movement with a gusto that gave momentum to the active passages and urgency to the lyrical melodies.

"The third movement [of the Brahms Violin Sonata] again demonstrated the integration of the two instruments in an ensemble of equals in which Chang seamlessly shifted between the foreground and background through subtle alterations in dynamic and timbral intensity. Here, again, the stormy side of Brahms was in full force. Chang and von Oeyen masterfully built and released the tension, allowing the listener to feel the full excitement of the theme’s journey through its development and eventual re-emergence all the way through to the energetic final movement.

"With all their musical power brought to bear, Chang and von Oeyen rendered the Franck sonata as an intensely dark landscape shot through with beams of light that illuminated its beauty."

Andrew von Oeyen, piano

Celebrating the Bicentennial of Liszt's Birth (1811-1886)

LISZT:
Piano Sonata in B Minor
Waldesrauschen (Zwei Konzertetüden)
Vallée d’Obermann (Années de Pèlerinage)
Liebestraum No. 3 in A-Flat Major
VERDI-LISZT:
Concert Paraphrase of Rigoletto
WAGNER-LISZT:
Elsa’s Bridal Procession (Lohengrin)
Isolde’s Liebestod (Tristan und Isolde)

“ANDREW VON OEYEN, KEENLY ATTUNED TO LISZT’S GRAND DESIGN…I would go so far as to say that von Oeyen played the finest all-around performance of Franz Liszt’s Sonata in B Minor that I have heard in many years.” – Washington Post

Purchase Liszt Piano Music:

Meet Michael Spyres

2011-10-18T08:51:00.000-07:00

We thought it would be fun to take a day to tell you a little more about the voice behind our September release A Fool For Love.

Michael Spyres was born in Mansfield (Missouri), where he grew up in a family of musicians. He began his studies in the U.S.A. and continued them at the Vienna Conservatory, Austria. He was a Young Artist with Opera Theatre Saint Louis, where he made his main stage operatic debut in a touring production as Rodolfo in Puccini’s La Bohème. Prior to his international breakthrough, he also performed such operatic roles as Guglielmo in Donizetti's Viva la mamma, Lindoro in Rossini’s L'italiana in Algeri and Hoffmann in Offenbach’s Les Contes d’Hoffmann as well as oratorio works like Händel's Messiah, Bach's Weihnachtsoratorium and Mozart's Requiem.

After his debut at Teatro San Carlo of Naples in 2006 as Jaquino in Beethoven’s Fidelio, Spyres performed the role of Alberto from Rossini's La Gazzetta at the Bad Wildbad Rossini Festival and toured Japan as Alfredo in Verdi’s La Traviata. He returned to Bad Wildbad in July 2008 for his role debut as Rossini’s Otello.

For the 2008/2009 season, Michael Spyres became member of the Deutsche Oper Berlin, where he performed roles such as Tamino in Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte and Steuermann in Wagner’s Der fliegende Holländer. Other important engagements in 2008/2009 were his UK debut in London as Fernand in a concert performance of La Favorite, Duca in a production of Rigoletto for Springfield (Missouri), an opera gala concert in the Tchaikovsky Conservatory Moscow, his debut at the Teatro alla Scala di Milano as Belfiore in Rossini’s Il viaggio a Reims as well as the role of Raoul in the uncut version of Meyerbeer’s Les Huguenots for the SummerScape Festival in New York.

Important engagements of the 2009/2010 season were the title role in Bernstein’s Candide for his debut with the Vlaamse Opera in Gent and Antwerp, a new production of Britten’s Billy Budd (role of Novice) for Bilbao, his debut with Opera Ireland as Roméo in Gounod’s Roméo et Juliette, Néocle in Rossini's Le siège de Corinthe in concert performances at the Wildbad Rossini Festival as well as Tybalt in Roméo et Juliette for the Salzburg Festival 2010. In May 2010, Spyres performed the role of Ozìa in Mozart’s Betulia Liberata with Riccardo Muti at the Salzburg Whitsun Festival and subsequently at the Ravenna Festival.

Roles in 2010/2011 include Tamino in a new production of Die Zauberflöte at the Opéra de Wallonie in Liège, the title role in the first modern staged performances of Steffani's Antigono in Lisbon, Gianetto in Rossini's La gazza ladra for Semperoper Dresden, Ramiro in Rossini's La Cenerentola for the Teatro Comunale di Bologna and Arnold in Rossini's Guillaume Tell at the Caramoor Festival, conducted by Will Crutchfield. Under the baton of Riccardo Muti, he will be participating within a series of concert performances of Verdi's Otello with the Chicago Symphony Orchstra. These concerts will also lead to his debut at the Carnegie Hall in New York. On the concert platform, he will also be heard in Schumann’s Faust Szenen with the American Symphony Orchestra and at Tchaikovsky Conservatory in Moscow for an aria concert.

Among his numerous future engagements after the 2010/2011 season are the title role in Berlioz' La damnation de Faust at Vlaamse Opera, directed by Terry Gilliam, and his comeback to La Scala di Milano as Rodrigo in Rossini’s La donna del lago, a role he will be repeating for his debut at Royal Opera Covent Garden in London in 2013.

Purchase A Fool For Love

Hvorostovsky and Friends Shine in Gounod’s "Faust"

2011-10-13T12:12:00.000-07:00

I spent a very pleasant evening last Tuesday at the Carmike James Island 8 cinema (near Charleston, SC) viewing an “encore” performance broadcast of Charles Gounod’s Faust – his most famous opera – in a glitzy and star-studded production from London’s Royal Opera House at Covent Garden. Such encore performances are offered because live, “simulcast” performances beamed from Europe are shown in America around midday, owing to time zone differences. Full disclosure: the main reason I was there was because one of the lead singers happened to be one of Delos’ most cherished recording artists, the fabled Russian baritone Dmitri Hvorostovsky, who appeared in the role of Valentin: the ill-fated brother of heroine Marguerite. So kindly pardon me for tooting Dmitri’s horn the loudest here, even though his esteemed musical colleagues – as well as the production team – all deserve similar praise.

Before I tell you about it, allow me to indulge in a little historical perspective. The ancient German legend of Faust – the philosopher who sold his soul to the devil for renewed youth and universal knowledge – had been knocking around Europe for centuries when Germany’s beloved bard, J. W. von Goethe, elevated it to its highest literary form in his two-part dramatic masterpiece during the early 1800’s. An immediate smash-hit across Europe, it ended up inspiring countless literary and musical adaptations – to include two other major operas (by Boito and Busoni) plus varied musical takes from Schubert, Berlioz, Schumann, Mendelssohn, Liszt and Mahler – among others. But it’s this glowing 1859 effort from Gounod (the most successful opera of its day) that remains the story’s best-known treatment – even though he dispensed with much of Goethe’s lofty philosophical trappings in favor of the drama’s more bourgeois love-angle.

As for David McVicar’s original production (first staged in 2004; revived here by Lee Blakely), leave it to the folks at Covent Garden to generate an incredibly rich theatrical coup from it. Production design, sets (Charles Edwards), costumes (Brigitte Reiffenstuel) and lighting (Paule Constable) conspired to faithfully conjure up mid-nineteenth-century Paris onstage, with a prevailing atmosphere of elegant decay. Michael Keegan Dolan’s imaginative original choreography (revived here by Daphne Strothman) artfully mingled excellent dancers with the chorus. Remember, in France, it’s not real opera if you don’t include ballet – and lots of it. Even by major-house standards, the overall effort was something special.

The same applies to the production’s overall musical qualities. Seasoned Italian conductor Evelino Pidò held things together beautifully, drawing lush orchestral sound from the pit as well as hearty singing from his grand chorus. And, ah – the lead singers! As the title hero, tenor Vittorio Grigolo was simply fabulous: youthfully intense, ardently lyrical, and equipped with a gorgeous voice that – while lacking a typically Italian spinto top end – is ideally suited to French opera. And what can I say about soprano Angela Gheorghiu that hasn’t already been said? Here, she delivered her role to perfection, adroitly capturing heroine Marguerite’s initial coy innocence and later descent into madness – and producing ravishing vocal beauty all the while. And what a creepy treat it was to watch (and hear) René Pape – the villainous bass par excellence – have his supremely sinister way with the marvelous role of Méphistophélès! Lesser characters were all very well-executed – including the pants-role of Siébel (Michèle Losier), the dowager Martha Schwertlein (Carole Wilson) and Wagner (Daniel Grice). The ensemble scenes came off flawlessly and in perfect balance.

But, remember, I’m here to talk mainly about Delos’ silver-maned, golden-voiced recording star, baritone Dmitri Hvorostovsky – who simply outdid himself as Marguerite’s star-crossed brother, the soldier Valentin. He put his vaunted, over-the-top Russian emotionality to good, if somewhat restrained use (after all, he portrayed the opera’s steadiest and most sensible character). In his first (and most famous) aria, Avant de quitter ces lieux, (Watch on YouTube) he sang of his love for his sister with endearing affection and exquisite tenderness – and projected just the right touch of macho swagger at the glorious prospect of marching off to war. In his later death scene – after getting stabbed by Faust – he expired spectacularly, with gripping drama and bitter grief at his sibling’s sad fate. Vocally, he was wondrous, as usual – his rich, velvety tones carrying beautifully over the orchestra. And his shiver-me-timbers top end was easily as thrilling as any leading tenor’s high C. Check out any of his many Delos albums – and experience Dmitri for yourself.

Bravo to Carmike Cinemas for bringing us such glorious productions from one of the world’s truly great opera houses – even if some shows are sparsely attended (like the one I caught). Both sonic and video quality is fully on a par with the well-known competing simulcasts from New York’s Metropolitan opera. These shows – despite video tricks like closeups and zoom-shots – bless the viewer with an uncanny sense of “being there” for the actual performance … I even caught myself clapping and cheering after a well-executed aria. This was a performance that deserves to live on as a DVD release – and I’d be the first to buy it! Just think – only a few years back, who would’ve ever imagined enjoying live opera in a movie theater?

All this – and popcorn, too!

— Lindsay Koob

Dmitri Hvorostovsky albums on Delos:

Delos Podcast - Sasha Rozhdestvensky

2011-10-11T12:38:00.000-07:00

New Delos Podcast

Delos artist Sasha Rozhdestvenksy talks with Lindsay Koob about himself, his instrument, the music he loves, and his new release Tchaikovsky Complete Works for Violin & Piano.

Listen Now!

Download this podcast in iTunes!

Subscribe to The Delos Insider Podcast in iTunes

Tchaikovsky Complete Works for Violin & Piano
Sasha Rozhdestvensky & Josiane Marfurt
DE 3413

“He (Sasha Rozhdestvensky) belongs to the great line of outstanding artists. His approach and relationship to music and the violin is intense, highly sensitive and intelligent.” — violinist Ivry Gitlis

Download Tchaikovsky: Complete works for Violin and Piano

Film Music Blog Reviews Mystery Classics

2011-10-10T09:20:00.000-07:00

Film Music: The Neglected Art's "Delos Recording of the Month" for October is our "classic" compilation, Mystery Classics: Curl Up With the Classics.

From Film Music: The Neglected Art:

"Curl up with the classics is the premise for this three part series released by Delos. Each of the nineteen selections on the mystery classics is a chapter that you can enjoy much like a book. Delos has taken a classical selection and given it an interesting title or chapter. With Halloween around the corner there are tracks that will provide eerie background music for trick or treaters. From Bach to Stravinsky classical composers have always been interested in evil, demons, witches, sorcery, Satan, and all sorts of spells and black magic...

"Not only does this CD offer some scary tracks but it is also a fine compilation for you to explore works you’re not familiar with. Sound quality is excellent." - Thomas Kiefner

Read the full and thorough review on Film Music: The Neglected Art's website.

Purchase Mystery Classics from ArkivMusic.com.

Dmitri Hvorostovsky at Covent Garden and in Theaters

2011-10-07T14:12:00.000-07:00

Delos artist Dmitri Hvorostovsky has been bringing in rave reviews at London's Royal Opera House at Covent Garden as Valentin in Faust: Gounod's most popular opera. But luckily, it won't only be those able to make it to Covent Garden that get to experience what The Guardian has hailed as a "simply outstanding" performance from Dmitri. Faust will also be transmitted live in HD to Carmike Theaters across the U.S. on October 11, as part of the Opera in Cinema series held by Emerging Pictures. Visit the Emerging Pictures website for information about locations and showtimes. The run of Faust ends at Covent Garden on October 10, but if you can make it to a theater, it will definitely be worth your while.

It's not just The Guardian that has been raving about Dmitri's performance of Valentin. The Independent praised the “resolutely long lines of his showstopping aria,” and The Arts Desk observed that, “In Dmitri Hvorostovsky's eminently eligible Valentin, we got some of the most gloriously silken sounds of the night. His passionate rendition of ‘O sainte medaille’ was rapturously received and had us wondering whether Mephistopheles and Faust hadn't perhaps met their match in this dashing Christian soldier.” And MusicalCriticism.com reported that “his aria, ‘Avant de quitter ces lieux,’ was dispatched with swaggering confidence, while his death scene was unusually powerful.” And you can hear Dmitri's glowing and irrepressibly macho recorded rendition of ‘Avant de quitter ces lieux,’ Valentin's most famous aria, on Delos 3365.

Dmitri Hvorostovsky albums on Delos:

Digital Release - Tchaikovsky Complete Works for Violin & Piano

2011-10-04T08:29:00.000-07:00

New Delos Digital Release

Tchaikovsky Complete Works for Violin & Piano
Sasha Rozhdestvensky & Josiane Marfurt
DE 3413

“He (Sasha Rozhdestvensky) belongs to the great line of outstanding artists. His approach and relationship to music and the violin is intense, highly sensitive and intelligent.” — violinist Ivry Gitlis

With this release, distinguished Russian violinist Sasha Rozhdestvensky and acclaimed Swiss pianist Josiane Marfurt offer the only available collection of P. I. Tchaikovsky’s music for violin and piano that can be considered truly “complete.”

The original score to the composer’s transcription of his early song for these instruments – Oh! Chante Encore, Op. 16, No. 4 – was long believed lost, until Rozhdestvensky discovered it recently at the National Library of France in Paris. This delightful and engaging work is offered here in its world premiere recording.

Delos Radio Track:
Tchaikovsky Complete Works for Violin and Piano (DE 3413) - Track 6: Humoresque, Op.10, No.2 by Delos Radio

Download Tchaikovsky: Complete works for Violin and Piano

Delos Insider Podcast Now in iTunes!

2011-09-29T12:30:00.000-07:00

Delos Insider Podcast

We've really enjoyed getting our new Delos Insider Podcast going, and are thrilled to be sharing music and interviews from Andrew von Oeyen, Lucy Mauro, Donald George, Sondra Radvanovsky, Joseph Bertolozzi, and Paul Cortese on Shostakovich's Film Music with you. Up to now you have been able to listen to these podcasts on this blog — and more recently on the new-and-improved DelosMusic.com, in posts on Everyday Opera, and streaming on Everyday Opera Radio; but until now, you weren't able to take it with you.

That changes today! We now have three ways for you to subscribe to the Delos Insider Podcast in iTunes! Not only does this mean you'll get all the new episodes, it also means you'll be able to download them to your computer and transfer them to any mobile device whether it's the iPhone, Android, Windows Phone, iPad, or even the new Kindle Fire (refer to your device instructions on how to sync podcasts/mp3s/iTunes).

Ways to subscribe:

Go to this link, and click "View in iTunes." Then click the "Subscribe Free" button in your iTunes application.
Open iTunes and search "Delos Insider Podcast" (quotations not necessary), then click "Subscribe Free."
Click this link to directly open iTunes and subscribe direct from our feed. It's the only button you'll have to push!

Happy Listening!

New Release - A Fool For Love (Tenor Arias)

2011-09-27T09:37:00.000-07:00

MICHAEL SPYRES
A FOOL FOR LOVE, Tenor Arias

DE 3414

“Michael Spyres has a lovely, liquid tenor, all honey for love duets and some metal for cries of outraged honor.” – John Yohalem, from Opera Today

• Uniquely original collection theme: Use of varied arias to tell a story
• Broad array of periods and styles
• Fresh, young tenor with a brilliant future: one of tomorrow’s likely vocal superstars

Track Listing: Donizetti: La fille du Regiment: "Ah! mes amis...Pour mon ame" Stravinsky: The Rake's Progress: "Here I stand" Rossini: Il barbiere di Siviglia: "Cessa di più resistere" Donizetti: L'elisir d'Amore: "Una furtiva lagrima" Mozart: Don Giovanni: "Il mio tesoro" Bizet: Les Pecheurs de Perles: "Je crois entendre encore" Massenet: Werther: "Pourquoi me réveiller" Strauss: Der Rosenkavalier: "Di rigori armato il seno" Puccini: La Boheme: "Che gelida manina" Verdi: Rigoletto: "La donna è mobile" Donizetti: Lucia di Lammermoor: "Fra poco me ricovero" Tchaikovsky: Eugene Onegin: "Kuda, kuda..." Cilea: L'Arlesiana: "E la solita storia..."
Encore: Lehar: Das Land des Lächelns: "Dein ist mein ganzes herz"

Listen to the full track of Donizetti: L'elisir d'Amore: "Una furtiva lagrima" on Delos Radio:
A Fool For Love: Track 4: L'elisir d'amore (The Elixir of Love) - Una furtiva lagrima by Delos Radio

You may well be hard-pressed to name a classic opera that lacks a love-story – or a tenor as the main romantic hero. Accordingly, emerging American tenor Michael Spyres has come up with a fresh and fascinating pretext for A Fool for Love: his new collection of tenor arias on Delos.

Michael has carefully selected thirteen mostly well-known arias by composers ranging from Mozart to Stravinsky, encompassing a staggering array of love-related circumstances and emotions. He then sequenced them so as to tell the love-story of a single romantic protagonist. The album’s booklet contains a two-act “plot synopsis,” in which each segment of our hero’s story is indexed to the corresponding aria.

As Michael puts it in his booklet introduction, “What I seek to present to you in this album is a fanciful musical story of a typical war-torn couple, and their struggle to cope with the raptures and ravages of this intangible enigma called love.”

Michael, a Missouri native, completed his studies at the Vienna Conservatory, and is already well-known to European audiences for his critically-acclaimed work in recital, oratorio, and opera. He has appeared at such distinguished houses as Milan’s La Scala and Deutsche Oper Berlin, and worked with conductors like Ricardo Muti and John Eliot Gardner.

Blessed with a supremely versatile instrument, Michael has successfully performed the music of composers from Bach to Wagner, encompassing music of many periods and styles: Baroque, Classical, Bel Canto, and Verismo. He has recorded Rossini’s La Gazzetta, Otello, and Le Siège de Corinthe for Naxos.

Purchase A Fool For Love

Andrew von Oeyen Receives Lavish Praise

2011-09-26T15:14:00.000-07:00

Last week we told you about Delos artist Andrew von Oeyen's quick tour through the U.S., and he is already bringing in high praise from reviewers. Enjoy some wonderful quotes from Omaha.com's review of his performances over the weekend with the Omaha Symphony, and read the full review on Omaha.com.

Pianist evokes romance of Brahms:
By Todd von Kampen
WORLD-HERALD CORRESPONDENT

"One might even say that von Oeyen barely broke a sweat as he and the Omaha Symphony presented Brahms' Piano Concerto No. 2 of 1881. But that hardly indicates a lack of emotion or engagement. It instead indicates that the American virtuoso, still only 31, brings a seemingly effortless command of the piano and its capabilities to the concert stage...

"...von Oeyen visually illustrated an authoritative quality sought by many a keyboardist. Whether storming through series of chords, gliding through arpeggios or coaxing sweetness out of quiet passages, his fingers barely seem to leave the keys. The slow third movement of the Brahms concerto especially epitomizes the title of the symphony's weekend program: "Piano Romance." With a deft, feathery touch, von Oeyen realized his instrument's full potential to enthrall its listeners."

Enjoy the full review on Omaha.com

Purchase Liszt Piano Music:

Upcoming Andrew von Oeyen Concerts

2011-09-23T14:03:00.000-07:00

Delos artist Andrew von Oeyen kicks off a set of U.S. concerts this weekend. Having just returned from a concert with the Berlin Symphony Orchestra, he takes a brief tour through the U.S. before heading off to Brazil in November.

Andrew von Oeyen U.S. 2011 Concerts:

Omaha Symphony	Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-Flat Major	9/23-24
North Carolina Symphony	Ravel: Piano Concerto in G Major	9/30,10/1-2
Modesto Symphony	Grieg: Piano Concerto	10/7-8
St. Cecilia Music Center (Grand Rapids, MI)	Recital with Sarah Chang	10/13
Boston Symphony Orchestra	Celbrity Series Recital with Sarah Chang	10/16

Purchase Liszt Piano Music:

ClassicsOnline Features Delos!

2011-09-22T13:53:00.000-07:00

Delos is currently ClassicsOnline's Featured Label!

ClassicsOnline is currently featuring Delos, and brings you a one-stop place to purchase mp3s and CDs from the Delos Catalog — new and "evergreen"!

While we work to bring you an all-new Delos store, you can get Delos recordings from retailers like ClassicsOnline and more.

Find online retailers with our complete catalog on the new DelosMusic.com!

New Delos Website

2011-09-21T14:31:00.000-07:00

We are happy to announce today that we have an all new DelosMusic.com!

The new site that you will be visiting is the all-new main part of the website. As many are aware, we have had issues with our store for some time now; and we're glad to report that we are very close to an all-new Delos Store as well. But we couldn't wait to roll out this first phase of the new Delos Web experience!

On the new site you'll easily be able to see our most recent releases, even on the homepage, as well as a featured Delos Video. You'll also be able to download the PDF versions of our latest New Release and Highlights catalogs. We have quick, easy access to some of the most sought-out pieces of information, and a little bit of fun with our live Twitter and Facebook streams!

The new site has a quick and easy way to access our Delos Insider Podcasts (iTunes Feed coming soon), Artist News, and Reviews; and you'll even be able to read The Delos Insider at http://delosmusic.com/delos-insider. We will also be starting a new e-mail Mailing list, and you'll find a couple of easy ways to sign up. So even though the new store isn't ready, there is a lot to explore!

In the meantime, there are still LOTS of ways to purchase Delos recordings (all of which are listed on our new site as well):

To Order Albums by Phone, Please Call:
1-800-364-0645

Delos Albums available for purchase worldwide at:
ArkivMusic.com
ClassicsOnline.com
NaxosDirect.com
Amazon.com
iTunes.com
And many other online retailers

Download Our Catalogs:

New Releases

Highlights Catalog

Donald George and Lucy Mauro in the news

2011-09-20T09:13:00.000-07:00

The Steinway House in NYC

Delos artists Donald George and Lucy Mauro seem to be everywhere these days, so we wanted to tell you a little about their current adventures!

Donald George in Concert at the Steinway House

Thursday, September 22 (7:30E), Donald George will be performing from Schumann's Dichterliebe with pianist Eugenia Tsarov at the Steinway House in New York City. If you are in the New York area this week, you don't want to miss this opportunity. The concert is a part of The Crane School of Music's (where Donald teaches) 125th Birthday celebration.

Lucy Mauro & Donald George take students to Bavarian Summer Voice and Piano Collaborative Workshop

Lucy Mauro and Donald George team up to take three pianists and six singers to the week-long program held at the Musikschule Rosenheim. The program was developed by Lucy and George for advanced piano and voice students who want to study art song and opera, experience German culture and learn about the German theater system.

Read more on WVUtoday

Purchase Love is Everywhere:

BGQ Plays Villa-Lobos Nominated for a Latin Grammy!

2011-09-16T10:51:00.000-07:00

We at Delos are pleased and honored to announce that our recent release, The Brazilian Guitar Quartet Plays Villa-Lobos (DE 3409) has just been nominated for the 12th Annual Latin GRAMMY® Awards, in the Best Classical Album category. The winning recordings are to be announced on November 10 is Las Vegas; the ceremony will be broadcast live on the Univision Network from 8 – 11 p.m. ET/PT (7 p.m. Central).

The album – also produced by the Brazilian Guitar Quartet (BGQ) – is a diverse and appealing collection featuring the BGQ’s own original transcriptions of five different works (or excerpts thereof) from the vast output of Heitor Villa-Lobos, universally regarded as the greatest of Brazilian composers. You’ll hear stunning treatments of two of his string quartets and of several piano cycles, some of which he later orchestrated. To have earned such recognition – for the quality of both their arrangements and their performances of their revered countryman’s music – is a BIG feather in BGQ’s collective cap!

Something of a musical chameleon, Villa-Lobos was influenced by a staggering range of composers, modalities, periods and styles – yet rarely failed to produce music of distinct originality. This is no doubt because – above all else – Villa-Lobos sought to distill in music the broad and varied essence of his beloved native Brazil: like America, a land of endless geographic diversity, natural beauty, vast resources, and (as South America’s greatest melting-pot) unique cross-cultural characteristics. For instance, in at least one of the album’s selections (Danças Caracteristicas Africanas), he captures the distinctive African influence (Colonial-era Brazil was also active in the cross-Atlantic slave trade) that worked its way into the Brazilian folk-idiom in very different ways than it did in America. He never hesitated to use original folk-materials where they suited his designs – yet also employed his own folkloric melodies – with both often appearing in the same composition. However he crafted it, you will agree with me that this is music that is – by turns –startlingly vital, languorously sensual, irresistibly earthy, and full of stylistic surprises.

As for the transcriptions and performances, allow me to quote from the album’s program notes author – distinguished educator, conductor and Villa-Lobos authority Gil Jardim:

...Villa-Lobos himself made many transcriptions during his lifetime. This recording is an authentic reflection of the Villa-Lobos way of making music.

I am amazed at the superb quality of the BGQ, who achieve the complete technical and expressive integration that is the ideal of every chamber group. This recording provides the opportunity to enjoy the way in which the guitar’s multiple timbres sensitively reveal every nuance of musical experience.

So please join the Delos team in celebrating this coveted and well-earned recognition of excellence in recorded music. And don’t forget to tune in on November 11!

By Lindsay Koob

Brazilian Guitar Quartet Plays Villa-Lobos

Brazilian Guitar Quartet
DE 3409

Suite Floral: I. Idilio na Rede • II. Uma Camponeza Cantadeira • III. Alegria na Horta
6 Cirandas: A canoa virou (The Canoe Capsized) • A Condessa (The Countess) • Terezinha de Jesus (the Little Teresa of Jesus) • A procura de uma agulha (Searching for a Needle) • Senhora Dona Sancha (Madame Dona Sancha) • Que lindos olhos! (What Beautiful Eyes!)
String Quartet No. 5: I. Pouco Andantino • II. Vivo e energico • III. Andantino • IV. Allegro
Danças Características Africanas No. 1 Farrapos • No. 2 Kankukus • No. 3 Kankikis
String Quartet No. 12: I. Allegro • II. Andante • III. Allegretto • IV. Allegro ben ritmato

All arrangements by Tadeu do Amaral

Purchase Brazilian Guitar Quartet Plays Villa-Lobos

WQXR Names "A Fool For Love" a Must-Have

2011-09-15T09:38:00.000-07:00

Michael Spyres' Delos release A Fool For Love might not be out on CD yet, but it's already getting some major attention. New York City classical station WQXR published a list of 10 Opera Recordings to Get this Fall yesterday, and A Fool for Love was number two on the list!

From WQXR:
By Olivia Giovetti

Michael Spyres, A Fool for Love (Delos, Sept. 27)
Sweet-voiced American tenor Michael Spyres made waves this summer in Caramoor's Guillaume Tell, a rare stopover in the States from his European home base. His debut solo recording for Delos hints that this may change soonest—if he wants. In the meantime, we have a swoony collection of standards from works like La fille du regiment, Eugene Onegin, Don Giovanni and Der Rosenkavalier, offering up a calling card for a singer with boundless promise.

Read the full list on WQXR's Opera Blog

MICHAEL SPYRES
A FOOL FOR LOVE
Tenor Arias

“Michael Spyres has a lovely, liquid tenor, all honey for love duets and some metal for cries of outraged honor.” – John Yohalem, from Opera Today

You may well be hard-pressed to name a classic opera that lacks a love-story – or a tenor as the main romantic hero. Accordingly, emerging American tenor Michael Spyres has come up with a fresh and fascinating pretext for A Fool for Love: his new collection of tenor arias on Delos.

Michael has carefully selected thirteen mostly well-known arias by composers ranging from Mozart to Stravinsky, encompassing a staggering array of love-related circumstances and emotions. He then sequenced them so as to tell the love-story of a single romantic protagonist. The album’s booklet contains a two-act “plot synopsis,” in which each segment of our hero’s story is indexed to the corresponding aria.

Download A Fool For Love

Free Michael Spyres Track This Week on ClassicsOnline

2011-09-13T08:53:00.000-07:00

ClassicsOnline.com features a weekly complimentary track, and this week they are featuring Delos' latest digital release, A Fool For Love: Tenor Arias by Michael Spyres. The free track, and album, is already generating some lofty praise:

"This is the debut album of emerging young American Tenor and Missouri native Michael Spyres. Three things I quite like about this album include: the song selection, Mr. Spyres vocal quality/technique, and musical interpretation.

Song Selection includes many well-known tenor arias, and then some that are unfamiliar to me... just hearing for the first time. Vocal quality/technique: Mr. Spyres sings beautifully, you can just tell he really enjoys singing and entertaining. Musical interpretation: Mr. Spyres musical interpretation is very unique and this helps to identify HIS sound--he certainly has a distinct sound. Overall, I give this album 5 THUMBS UP! If you love Tenor Arias and are looking for something fresh and fun, then you will certainly enjoy this album." - User Review by "bc123223"

Visit ClassicsOnline.com to download Track 1: Donizetti: La fille du Regiment: "Ah! mes amis...Pour mon ame" for FREE!

You can also purchase the full album in mp3 format on ClassicsOnline.

Download A Fool For Love

Delos Radio

2011-09-09T08:24:00.000-07:00

Delos Radio

We are happy to announce that we have officially launched a new avenue for you to listen to Delos recordings — Delos Radio via SoundCloud!

Delos Radio will feature one full track from each of our new releases, added after each album is released digitally (the beginning of each month). Then, each week, we will bring you a full track from a featured release from Delos' 38+ year history. We will also be bringing our podcast series to this platform as those are released. Delos Radio will stay fresh, and will rotate tracks in and out as we go on, so make sure you're listening often!

Where to listen:

Delos Radio on SoundCloud
Delos Radio on Facebook
Delos Radio on the Delos Insider (Look for the new sidebar application)

Delos Radio by Delos Radio

Delos Videos

Also as a bonus for our Facebook Page Users, we have launched a new Delos Videos Tab that features all of our Delos Videos and Playlists for easy quick viewing right on Facebook.

Take a look!

Society for American Music features Delos' Margaret Ruthven Lang Recording

2011-09-08T08:46:00.000-07:00

Delos artists Donald George and Lucy Mauro continue to bring their pioneering research of Boston composer Margaret Ruthven Lang to to the attention of both the academic sphere and the general public. As they gear up for a second volume of Lang's art songs, they have published a fantastic article in The Bulletin, the publication of the Society for American Music: "Retreat from Fame: Margaret Ruthven Lang, the once famous Boston composer, rediscovered." We'll offer some juicy excerpts here, and encourage you strongly to read the full article at American-Music.org.

Retreat from Fame: Margaret Ruthven Lang, the once famous Boston composer, rediscovered:
By Donald George and Lucy Mauro

I am glad, very glad, not to be active in any musical way, but only a thankful listener. So wrote the once noted American composer Margaret Ruthven Lang, in her 88th year, in a letter to Mrs. Edward MacDowell on June 5, 1955. (Johnston) Margaret Lang, some fifty years earlier, was known as "among the most prominent American women, whose position in the front rank of the best modern composers is no longer a question" (Program Notes, Baltimore Symphony Concert, March 14, 1901). Indeed, so well-known and regarded was Lang and her works, particularly her songs, that, in 1912, Ethel Syford in The New England Magazine described Lang thus: “It is the more sensitively poetic truth and beauty which she strives for and attains, and it is this unfailing quality which makes her songs of a higher order than those produced by any other American composer.” (Syford, 22-23)

...

Margaret Lang was from the Lang family of Boston, the daughter of the prominent musician Benjamin Johnson “B. J.” Lang (organist, pianist, conductor and founder of the Cecilia Society and the Apollo Club) and Frances Burrage Lang, a singer. She was raised in an exceptionally musical home where she knew Dvořák and Paderewski as guests. The Langs knew Liszt and his daughter Cosima, Hans von Bülow and Richard Wagner, and Margaret knew the Wagner children as playmates. Margaret Lang studied with her father, Chadwick, Paine and Parker and also, as did many American composers in the late 19th century, in Germany. Her music shows the influence of the German Romantic tradition, along with some French and occasional Eastern styles, all combined to create her own American sound.

...

When asked in 1967 why she stopped composing, Lang’s answer was: “Why did I stop, I had nothing to say.” (Mullins) In her own biographical notes in 1960 she states, not without a bit of pride, "My music writing stopped soon after The Heavenly Noel’s many performances in many places, with orchestra; with piano; and once at request, with organ, piano, and harp; - for much-involved housekeeping took place during my mother’s last housebound years.” (Lang) Theodore Presser published her final composition, Three Pianoforte Pieces for Young Players, op. 60, in 1919.

...

Read the full publication on http://american-music.org

Purchase Love is Everywhere:

Selected Songs of Margaret Ruthven Lang:

Digital Release - Michael Spyres: A Fool For Love

2011-09-06T09:13:00.000-07:00

Download A Fool For Love

Meet Simeon Sandiford, Producer of the Delos "Steelbands of Trinidad and Tobago" Series

2011-09-02T13:01:00.000-07:00

Back in the 1980s, we got together with Simeon Sandiford, an audiophile producer and distributor in Trinidad and Tobago. Through his company Sanch Electronics, Simeon brought Delos leading-edge recordings to Trinidad, and produced a number of Steelband recordings for our Delos Jazz and World series. (Through the years, he has also introduced his own children and grandchildren to the Delos Young People's series!)

We're sharing Simeon's September 2011 Sanch Electronix post, as well as some photos of Simeon with his grandson, Matthew, who reportedly listened to "Perchance to Dream" (DE 3079) every night throughout babyhood.

Delos and Carol Rosenberger - making music for the Gods:

During the mid eighties the Trinidad and Tobago economy experienced sustained turbulence with three successive devaluations. Sanch faced the formidable challenge of obtaining foreign exchange to import high-end equipment for resale with speaker systems that we manufactured. Since our needs were not a priority for the Central Bank, funds had to be generated and the company diversified into producing real-time cassettes of local music for universal consumption.

Around 1986 I met Amelia Haygood founder of Delos. Her expert team consisted of renowned concert pianist/ vice president of A&R Carol Rosenberger, acclaimed recording engineer John Eargle, and a few other stalwarts. With them, Amelia carved an impeccable niche for a well-balanced repertoire of classical and jazz music performed mainly by American artistes.

A subsequent business relationship with Delos led to production of fourteen CDs of my early recordings, consisting mainly of acoustic ensembles and steel orchestras. Under the banner Caribbean Carnival Series, these were released from 1987 to 1995 when the Sanch label evolved. In those days, my portable rig consisted of a pair of Bruel and Kjaer (now DPA) reference omnidirectional microphones and a Nakamichi DMP 100 encoder.

The first-generation recording equipment was superseded in 1997 by the technologically superior HDCD® equivalent. This was co-invented by ‘Professor’ Keith O. Johnson and Michael ‘Pflash’ Pfaumer for Pacific Microsonics. The HDCD® proprietary technology is widely accepted to be the most accurate analogue to digital conversion process ever created.

I have recently begun communicating again with Carol who lamented the passing of Amelia and John in 2007. She has since assumed the role of executive producer and convinced me to resume distribution of the Delos catalogue in Trinidad. I was also informed that quite a number of recordings featuring prominent Russian artistes are now available for digital downloading.

Carol herself has not recorded since her Bridge Chamber Concerto with conductor Constantine Orbelian and the Moscow Chamber Orchestra (2002, recorded at Skywalker Studio), but hopes that she will soon be able to present the world with some new solo repertoire. Along with her many fans, her famous Bösendorfer Imperial Concert Grand piano, affectionately called Bösie, awaits her return. In the interim, one of her earlier presentations entitled Water Music of the Impressionists remains one of my all-time favourites.

-Simeon L. Sandiford

"Good food, wine, or the person you love; one can never get enough of them. The same goes for this collection of steel-pan music and informative liner notes about the making of the steel pans and the intensity of the performances during Carnival...you'll never want the music to end." - Los Angeles Reader

And as promised here are some pictures of Simeon and his grandson Matthew:

A look into the future...

2011-09-01T11:36:00.000-07:00

Coming very soon...

New Release - Karayev Ballet Suites

2011-08-30T10:53:00.000-07:00

KARA KARAYEV: Ballet Suites

Seven Beauties (1952) • In the Path of Thunder (1957)

Moscow Radio and TV Symphony Orchestra
Rauf Abdullayev, conductor

DRD 2009

SEVEN BEAUTIES Suite from the ballet (1952): Waltz • Adagio • Dance of Merriment • Prelude • Indian Dance • Khorezm Dance • Slavonic Dance • Magrib Dance • Chinese Dance • The most beautiful of all beauties • Procession
IN THE PATH OF THUNDER Suite from the ballet (1958): General Dance • Dance of the Girls with Guitars • Night in Stilleveld • Scene and Duet • Lullaby • In the Path of Thunder

Karayev's beautiful, exotic ballet music has broad sweep and dimension, along with poignant emotional content and lively Azerbaijani folk elements. A leading figure among post WWII Russian composers, Karayev is a master orchestrator, whose music shows influences of Prokofiev and Shostakovich.

In these stunning ballets, Karayev is writing about the stuff of legend, with a Middle Eastern flavor in the epic Seven Beauties. Both ballets are large designs, telling stories of legendary figures — powerful stories with deep human emotions.

"The plot of Seven Beauties deals with the conflict between oppressed people, symbolized by the lovely Aisha, and corrupt rulers, the Shah Bakhram and his Vizier," says musicologist Yuriy Gabay. "The fantastic, lyrical and psychological images are fused and intermingled with folk dance scenes in impetuous and colorful movement."

In the Path of Thunder is set in South Africa, and tells the story of interracial lovers, their tender and deep love, and their tragic end. African folk music and rhythms are woven into the powerful score. Musicologist E. Mnatsakanova says "We are reminded that Lanny's and Sarie's love was a daring challenge to the forces of evil; and their tragic death in the name of love is a call to struggle for human rights."

Purchase Karayev: Ballet Suites

Also available on Delos Russian Disc:

20th Century Russian Piano Music
Vladimir Yurigin-Klevke, piano
Music of: Gubaidulina; Pärt; Shostakovich; Shchedrin & Karayev

Karayev’s delightful 24 Preludes for piano are featured on this “highlights” album of outstanding Russian piano music of the 20th Century.

The Preludes draw on Karayev’s Azerbaijani folk roots and national
colorings, with lively dances and free improvisational textures. Klevke,
long associated with the composers on this CD, offers a revelatory and
highly satisfying journey through this colorful piano repertoire.

Hovhaness in Miniature: A Look at his Chamber Music

2011-08-26T06:05:00.000-07:00

Alan Hovhaness with Delos founder Amelia Haygood
and conductor Gerard Schwarz

One of the quickest and easiest ways to become a rabid Alan Hovhaness fan is to check out some of his instantly appealing chamber pieces. They provide instant insight into how his music works, since – with only a handful of instruments – you can hear every note and nuance, while savoring his hallmark economy of style and his use of the simplest possible means to realize his unique artistic designs. They exemplify the “mystic” aspects of his musical language, as well as our assertion that Hovhaness can be justifiably thought of as a composer of “world music” (see previous post). Several of the finest among these charming miniatures are among the selections featured in Delos’ newest Hovhaness collection celebrating the centenary of the composer’s birth. They are all beautifully realized by the vaunted Shanghai Quartet. Take a moment to glance over the following brief excerpts from my CD liner notes – and then click on the work titles to hear the actual album tracks. You’ll be glad you did!

The Bagatelles, Nos. 1-4 – for string quartet – date from the 1960s, and are revisions of materials used in earlier compositions. Short and fairly simple, the prevailing pattern spins flowing, freewheeling modal solo violin melodies, soaring over shimmering, subtly shifting harmonic foundations – with plucked-string textures predominant. The general regional flavor is middle-eastern, with whiffs of pentatonic scales in evidence.

Gamelan in Sosi Style and Spirit Murmur were originally composed as the fifth and first movements, respectively, of Hovhaness’ String Quartet No. 2 (1952); they are also the first two of three movements of a later suite drawn from that work. Like the Bagatelles, these are short pieces for string quartet, with one instrument providing the melody over foundation textures from the remaining players. In the first piece, the title’s “Gamelan” connotes both the highly varied instrumental ensembles and unique musical styles of Indonesian and other south-Pacific regions. Listen for a sweet, pentatonic-scale tune over a steady drone and plucked strings. In Spirit Murmur, we hear a free-flowing and mournful melody (with lots of half-steps) over a hushed pizzicato base.”

Stay tuned to the Delos Insider for a link to a scheduled New York Times article – to be published on October 23 – that will tie into this CD’s exploration of the “world music” aspects of Hovhaness’ lovely and lofty art.

—Lindsay Koob

AMERICAN MYSTIC

MUSIC OF ALAN HOVHANESS (1911-2000) ▪ CENTENNIAL COLLECTION

“My purpose is to create music not for snobs, but for all people; music which is beautiful and healing – to attempt what old Chinese painters called ‘spirit resonance’ in melody and sound.” — Alan Hovhaness

Featuring:
Prayer of St. Gregory, Op.62b
The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayam, Op.308
4 Bagatelles, Op.30 Nos.1-4
Symphony No.2, Op.132, Mysterious Mountain
String Quartet No.2, Op.147, Gamelan in Sosi Style
String Quartet No.2, Op.147, Spirit Murmur
The Flowering Peach, Op.125
And God Created Great Whales, Op.229, No.1

Available now for download on iTunes!

More Hovhaness albums on Delos:

American Mystic - Music of Alan Hovhannes Centennial Collection

2011-08-25T07:52:00.000-07:00

AMERICAN MYSTIC

MUSIC OF ALAN HOVHANESS (1911-2000) ▪ CENTENNIAL COLLECTION

“My purpose is to create music not for snobs, but for all people; music which is beautiful and healing – to attempt what old Chinese painters called ‘spirit resonance’ in melody and sound.” — Alan Hovhaness

Heralded by a New York Times article appearing in September — honoring the centenary year of Hovhaness’ birth – Delos celebrates this wonderfully eclectic “American Mystic’s” glowing niche in the pantheon of American musical history from a new angle: Hovhaness as a composer of what we now call “world music” … though on a more exalted plane than most of that genre’s content. We call Hovhaness a “mystic” largely due to his insatiable curiosity about pan-global musical traditions: primarily exotic-sounding middle- and far-Eastern modes, scales and rhythms that – owing to their “alien” impact upon western ears – tend to convey mystically spiritual impressions. On top of his own Armenian musical roots, he compulsively explored the music of other Arabic regions – as well as the traditions of India, Japan, Korea and Indonesia – absorbing them all into his overall musical consciousness, to be tapped at need to suit his unique creative designs. Accordingly, Delos has combed through its many distinguished previous recordings of Hovhaness’ music to find the individual works that best support such a “world music” classification. And everything fits: Like that of many current world music artists, the music of Hovhaness blends disparate musical influences and impulses in musical “fusions” that are framed by western contexts of sound, form and instrumentation.

Featuring:
Prayer of St. Gregory, Op.62b
The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayam, Op.308
4 Bagatelles, Op.30 Nos.1-4
Symphony No.2, Op.132, Mysterious Mountain
String Quartet No.2, Op.147, Gamelan in Sosi Style
String Quartet No.2, Op.147, Spirit Murmur
The Flowering Peach, Op.125
And God Created Great Whales, Op.229, No.1

Available now for download on iTunes!

Hovhaness featured on The Delos Insider:

"Delos Celebrates Hovhaness' Centennial"
"37-for-37: Mysterious Mountain/And God Created Great Whales" (Includes music samples)

Hovhaness albums on Delos:

NATS Journal of Singing Reviews Love is Everywhere

2011-08-22T10:25:00.000-07:00

Gregory Berg recently published a wonderful and thorough review of Love is Everywhere: Selected Songs of Margaret Ruthven Lang, Vol. 1 in the National Association of Teachers publication, Journal of Singing. We will give you some quotes here, but highly encourage you to purchase the Journal for the full feature via the NATS.org website.

From Journal of Singing:
By Gregory Berg

"The title song, "love is Everywhere," is a perfect case in point, with its rather overwrought emotionality and tightly corseted tonality. It is also an undeniably exciting song, especially when sung and played as thrillingly as it is here...

"As fun as it is to hear these songs that are heated to a full boil, the most lasting pleasure is derived from those where Lang uses more delicate shades in more sophisticated combinations. Several bear the influence of the Impressionists, including an exquisite miniature, "A Song of the Lilac," that would sound right at home beside the finest chansons of Debussy...

"Lang is at her wittiest in her Nonsense Rhymes and Pictures, including "There was an old man in a tree,"...In a time and style that tends to be relentlessly earnest, this kind of witty writing is a delightful and refreshing surprise...

"The key to this and the other successful performances by Donald George and Lucy Mauro is the unabashed exuberance with which they embrace this music. There is no hint of hesitancy or embarrassment; they engage with wholehearted devotion and enthusiasms, which is what these songs both require and deserve. They also require a singer with a sizable voice who can ride the most taxing passages of these songs without tiring or resorting to yelling. George sings beautifully and easily at full cry, yet sounds equally compelling when singing more gently and lyrically. Also impressive is his exceptionally clear diction, which he achieves without compromising the legato line that is at the heart of almost all of these songs. Mauro is a perfect partner, whether called upon for thundering power or the tenderest whisper."

Find the full review in the Journal of Singers.

Purchase Love is Everywhere:

The Latest Honor – of Many – for Delos Artist Dmitri Hvorostovsky

2011-08-17T12:41:00.000-07:00

As we informed you a few blogs back, our silver-maned, golden-voiced operatic heartthrob – distinguished Russian baritone Dmitri Hvorostovsky – has done it again! On Sunday, April 29, he will be among five living operatic legends to be honored at the seventh annual Opera News Awards at the Plaza in New York City. Joining him as fellow honorees at this august event will be four other exceptional artists who have made profound contributions to operatic art: Sopranos Anja Silja and Karita Mattila, fellow baritone Peter Mattei, and Director Peter Sellars. We at Delos can proudly claim Dmitri as “ours,” as he is one of Delos’ most prolific and beloved recording artists, gracing a dozen CDs (and one DVD) from our extensive catalogue – and there are more in the pipeline.

And who wouldn’t be thrilled to claim such an artist as their own? He’s in constant demand, having trod the boards at any top opera house or recital hall you can name – and he’s earned more awards (and award nominations) than you can shake a baton at. His velvety vocal beauty is more than matched by his flawless technique: pinpoint intonation, uniformly smooth vocal delivery from top to bottom, and arresting dynamic range. Indeed, few can top his formidable stage presence: He’s an incredibly convincing actor and interpreter, projecting (with typical Russian intensity) whatever mood or emotion is called for: tender romance, impish humor, bristling drama, deepest grief, or wicked rage. Supremely versatile, his staggering repertoire encompasses a huge range of operatic roles, and just about everything else from Neapolitan songs to sacred masterpieces. In person, Dmitri is friendly, funny, sincere, down-to-earth, and a joy to work with. On top of it all – with his flowing silver locks, rugged good looks, and chiseled physique – he’s one of the opera world’s very few genuine HUNKS: a real “rock star” of the classical music business.

In short, then – what’s not to love about Dmitri Hvorostovsky? And that’s the conclusion that the staff of Opera News apparently came to as well in pondering this year’s honorees. Watch for more about him on the Delos Insider as the awards date approaches.

Bravo, bravissimo, Dmitri!

-Lindsay Koob

Dmitri Hvorostovsky albums on Delos:

Film Music Blog Reviews Western Classics Compilation

2011-08-15T14:04:00.000-07:00

The blog Film Music: The Neglected Art has published another grand review of a "Delos Recording of the Month." This month's album is one of our compilations — "Western Classics," featuring Gerard Schwarz, Seattle Symphony, and the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet performing the music of Copland, Grofé, Hanson, and Hovhaness.

From Film Music: The Neglected Art:

"Delos, as part of a series which also includes Mystery classics (DE 1601) and Romance classics (DE 1602), has put together 60+ minutes of western material from Copland, Grofe, Hanson, and Hovhaness. Each piece carefully selected is a representation of the western way of life...

"... This is a nice introduction to some wonderful material or just a one hour escape into the world of classic western material. As is usually the case with Delos the material is well recorded with good balance, bass, and treble. I approve of the fact that the highs are not too bright and there is a nice crispness in the percussion."

Read the full thorough review at Film Music: The Neglected Art

Purchase Western Classics

AMBAR performs El Diablo Suelto

2011-08-12T08:28:00.000-07:00

This October, violinist extraordinaire Sasha Rozhdestvensky will be releasing an album of Tchaikovsky's Complete Works for Violin and Piano (including a very exciting surprise that we won't give away just yet). That name should be familiar to Delos fans, as Sasha Rozhdestvensky is featured in the chamber ensemble AMBAR, which released El Diablo Suelto on Delos not too long ago.

We're starting to get excited about this upcoming release, so be sure to take a listen to Sasha performing El Diablo Suelto with The AMBAR Music Group:

EL DIABLO SUELTO • The AMBAR Music Group • Sasha Rozhdestvensky, violin • Francisco Gonzalez, guitar - voice • Nelson Gomez, guitarron • Juan Fernando Garcia, percussion – flute •with Moscow Chamber Orchestra, Constantine Orbelian, conductor; Joaquin Riaño, guitar and Ricardo Sandoval, mandolina • DE 4031

What does acclaimed violin virtuoso Sasha Rozhdestvensky do for fun, between concerto appearances and recordings with major orchestras worldwide? This delightful and infectious album is the answer. Sasha and his three Colombian-born, classically-trained colleagues who form the group Ambar play South American dances — the Colombian Bambuco and Pasillo, the Venezuelan Vals, the Brazilian Choro, and the Colombian/Venezuelan Porro and Cumbia.

Based in Paris, Ambar has caught on with European audiences, and performs at prestigious festivals and concert venues such as the Salle Gaveau in Paris. Two of the group are also students of ethnomusicology; and all are passionate about Latin American music, as evidenced by these lively and sometimes nostalgic performances.

Guitarist/recording artist Francisco Gonzales also gives presentations at music conferences about guitar and Latin American music. Guitarron virtuoso Nelson Gomez also founded the group Quimbaya in Mexico before moving to Paris. Flutist/percussionist Juan Fernando Garcia is also a professor at the Erik Satie Conservatory in Paris, and often gives master classes in Brazil.

Contents: El Diablo Suelto (vals) Heraclio Fernandez •Mimi (bambuco) Carlos Alberto Rozo Manrique • Segura Ele (choro) Pixinguinha • Patasdilo (pasillo) Carlos Vieco • El Alegre Pescador (cumbia) José Barros • Ambar (bambuco) Juan Carlos Guio Andrade • Lucerito (bambuco) Luis Mariano • Um a Zero (choro) Pixinguinha • Vou Vivendo (choro) Pixinguinha • A Pacheco (pasillo) Carlos Vieco • Paçoca (choro) Celso Machado • A los Toros (bambuco fiestero) Emilio Murillo • Momposina (porro) José Barros

Purchase El Diablo Suelto:

Hovhaness featured on ClassicsOnline

2011-08-10T15:36:00.000-07:00

2011 is American composer Alan Hovhaness' centennial year, and ClassicsOnline.com is celebrating by featuring Hovhaness' recordings, quite a few of which come from Delos.

If you haven't yet, take some time to read the following posts:

"Delos Celebrates Hovhaness' Centennial"
"37-for-37: Mysterious Mountain/And God Created Great Whales" (Includes music samples)

Visit the Hovhanness Celebration on ClassicsOnline!

Press Quotes about Hovhaness' recordings on Delos:

"With their reflections of Nature, the spiritual, and the oriental, the symphonies of Alan Hovhaness are rapidly acquiring cult status."
- CD Review (UK)

"It's good to see the music of Alan Hovhaness returning to wide public attention again. His is an utterly original, inventive style of nobility, free of pretense. …fine performances in sensational 20-bit sound. It is also the first to gather so much of the best Hovhaness creations onto a single disc." In Tune

Chez Chopin Customer Review

2011-08-08T12:57:00.000-07:00

We came across a wonderful customer review of our Chez Chopin release on Amazon and just had to share!

By "RollTideGirl":
Music, Cooking & Fun
5/5 Stars

As someone who loves to cook, I was thrilled to discover Chez Chopin. A beautiful collection of 24 etudes by famous classical composer, Chopin. Each etude is paired with a delicious recipe accompanied by mouth-watering illustrations of the dish you are cooking. Each of the 24 etudes are presented in a live format that is sure to delight any music lover. The CD-ROM contains printable recipes and gorgeous color photos of each dish. Each recipe on the CD-ROM has a soundtrack - it's corresponding etude! My personal favorite of the 24 was No. 4 in A Minor which was accompanied by a delicious dish entitled "Dancing Shrimp". This CD is a great gift for anyone who loves good music and loves to cook and best of all, after cooking some of these delicious recipes you can pop the CD in the player and enjoy beautiful background music while you feast.

Purchase Chez Chopin

Emanuel Gruber at Summit Music Festival

2011-08-05T15:41:00.000-07:00

Mendelssohn: Complete Music for Cello and Piano artist Emanuel Gruber is a featured faculty member at the Summit Music Festival going on right now. So if you're in the New York area, be sure to catch one of his faculty concerts.

"SUMMIT MUSIC FESTIVAL celebrates its 21st season as New York’s summer institute for extensive chamber music and instrumental training. Founded in 1991 by members of the highly regarded Emelin Trio, the festival offers young musicians a unique opportunity for preprofessional training.

The three-week festival brings together an international faculty of the highest caliber, representing the finest traditions of Europe, Asia, and the American continents. Each year, students from all over the world assemble for concentrated study with these pre-eminent artists. We offer an instrumental and chamber music program for high school, college, and young professionals (ages 14 and up). We also offer an adult program for the avocational musician. In addition, the Summit Music Festival features a daily array of special events, such as concerts, lectures, and master classes throughout the three-week music festival.

Summit Music Festival exposes the student to the highest level of artistry and mastery of instrumental playing. This festival is an ideal environment for young professionals to connect with and learn from established professionals and preeminent musicians who can be influential in their career path. Our international music festival program is geared for the highly self-motivated and independent music student. The intensive schedule focuses on close student-faculty collaboration through individual, chamber and orchestral study. Through rigorous preparation for the concerto competition or solo performance along with in-depth ensemble experiences, the students will have the opportunity to reach new heights."

Hear Emanuel Gruber:

(First concert was last night, August 4)

Monday, August 8 at 8pm
Faculty Concert
Irina Tseitlin, violin
Jeffrey Solow, cello
Anastasia Markina, piano
M. Tseitlin Schumann vs. Schumann
Duo for violin and cello
Circus
Sergiu Schwartz, violin
Payvit Meller, violin
Yoram Youngerman, viola
Emanuel Gruber, cello
Gila Goldstein, piano
Brahms Piano Quintet op.34 in F minor

Tuesday, August 9 at 8pm
Faculty Concert
Mikhail Kopelman, violin
Payvit Meller, violin
Tali Kravitz, viola
Yoram Youngerman, viola
Eugene Osadchy, cello
Emanuel Gruber, cello
Elizaveta Kopelman, piano
Smetana Trio op.15
Brahms Sextet op.18 B flat major

MENDELSSOHN: COMPLETE MUSIC FOR CELLO AND PIANO

Emanuel Gruber, cello
Arnon Erez, piano
DE 3415

Variations Concertantes, Op. 17: I. Theme (Andante con moto) • II. Variation 1 • III. Variation 2 • IV. Variation 3 (Più vivace) • V. Variation 4 (Allegro con fuoco) • VI. Variation 5 (L'istesso tempo) • VII. Variation 6 (L'istesso tempo) • VIII. Variation 7 (Presto ed agitato) • IX. Variation 8 (Tempo 1) - Coda

Sonata No.1 in B-flat Major, Op. 45: I. Allegro vivace • II. Andante • III. Allegro assai

Song Without Words, Op. 109

Assai Tranquillo

Sonata No. 2 in D Major, Op. 58: I. Allegro assai vivace • II. Allegretto scherzando • III. Adagio • IV. Molto allegro e vivace

Purchase Mendelssohn Complete Works

Joshua Smith on KUNM's "Performance New Mexico"

2011-08-04T15:57:00.000-07:00

Joshua Smith performs an all-Bach concert Saturday, August 6, during the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival. Joshua will be performing the works during the concert that appear on his two Delos releases, "J.S. Bach Flute Sonatas" (DE 3402), and "J.S. Bach Flute Sonatas with Continuo" (DE 3408):

Sonata in B Minor for Flute & Harpsichord, BWV 1030 (featured on DE 3402)
Sonata in E Major for Flute & Continuo, BWV 1035 (featured on DE 3408)
Sonata in E Minor for Flute & Continuo, BWV 1034 (featured on DE 3408)
Sonata in A Major for Flute & Hapsichord, BWV 1032 (featured on DE 3402)

On Wednesday morning, Joshua Smith appeared on KUNM's program "Performance New Mexico" with host, Spencer Beckwith to talk about this upcoming concert featuring music from his Delos albums. You can listen right here by clicking the link, or the "play button" next to it:

Joshua Smith on "Performance New Mexico"

For information on all of Joshua's upcoming performances during the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival, visit www.sfcmf.org.

Purchase Joshua Smith Albums:
	J.S. Bach Flute Sonatas	J.S. Bach Flute Sonatas With Continuo

Dmitri Hvorostovsky Selected for 2011 Opera News Award!

2011-08-03T09:55:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to Delos artist Dmitri Hvorostovsky for being selected for an Opera News Award for Distinguished Achievement!

Via Opera News.com:

"The seventh annual OPERA NEWS Awards will be presented on Sunday, April 29 at The Plaza in New York City, paying tribute to five extraordinary artists who have made an invaluable contribution to the art form: sopranos Karita Mattila and Anja Silja, baritones Dmitri Hvorostovsky and Peter Mattei, and director Peter Sellars.

The official announcement of this year's honorees appears in the September 2011 issue of OPERA NEWS, which is available on August 4 and features baritone Mariusz Kwiecien — the Metropolitan Opera's new Don Giovanni — on its cover. All of the winners will be present at the gala awards dinner, which will feature celebrity presenters speaking about the awardees and introducing video performance clips. The April 2012 issue of OPERA NEWS will feature tributes to the five awardees, all distinguished members of the international operatic community.

The OPERA NEWS Awards were created in 2005. They recognize five individuals each year for distinguished achievement in the field of opera. Proceeds from the gala evening on April 29 will benefit the education programs of the Metropolitan Opera Guild."

Read the full news release on OperaNews.com!

Dmitri Hvorostovsky albums on Delos:

New Digital Release - Karayev Ballet Suites

2011-08-02T09:27:00.000-07:00

KARA KARAYEV: Ballet Suites

Seven Beauties (1952) • In the Path of Thunder (1957)

Moscow Radio and TV Symphony Orchestra
Rauf Abdullayev, conductor

DRD 2009

Karayev's beautiful, exotic ballet music has broad sweep and dimension, along with poignant emotional content and lively Azerbaijani folk elements. A leading figure among post WWII Russian composers, Karayev is a master orchestrator, whose music shows influences of Prokofiev and Shostakovich.

In these stunning ballets, Karayev is writing about the stuff of legend, with a Middle Eastern flavor in the epic Seven Beauties. Both ballets are large designs, telling stories of legendary figures — powerful stories with deep human emotions.

Download Karayev: Ballet Suites

Also available on Delos Russian Disc:

20th Century Russian Piano Music
Vladimir Yurigin-Klevke, piano
Music of: Gubaidulina; Pärt; Shostakovich; Shchedrin & Karayev

Paul Galbraith's Breakthrough Bach - Part Two

2011-07-29T07:57:00.000-07:00

Paul Galbraith’s Breakthrough Bach (Continued from last week’s post):

So it was Lindsay the freshly-inspired Bach missionary who headed happily back to work at the store the next morning: it was a Saturday – our busiest day. The Galbraith CDs immediately went into my classical room’s listening station, as well as my in-store play system so that customers would hear it as they browsed. And – more than any other recording I’d ever carried – the CD proceeded to sell itself briskly. Time and again, I would watch as customers entered the classical room, and – within a few seconds – many of them simply stopped in their tracks, dumbstruck, listening for a few moments. Then they would turn to me with wonder in their faces, asking “What’s THAT!?!”

I would then explain Galbraith’s unique eight-stringed instrument and revolutionary upright playing position: how its features (like the endpin and resonance box) make it sound fuller and richer than conventional guitars, with firmer bass foundations plus much broader dynamic and low-to-high-note ranges. I would also discuss Galbraith’s supreme technical and interpretive achievements: the startling clarity and smoothness of his playing – its grand, majestic sweep and unfathomable emotional depth – the pervasive sense of dance. With my fellow Bach-junky customers, I would even point out the way his cunning arrangements often expand upon the “implied” contrapuntal structure of music that Bach originally wrote for solo violin: essentially a single-voice instrument – and how he did it without ever compromising the composer’s original compositional integrity.

Bingo! The near-inevitable result was yet another sale … and, even better, yet another captivated customer suddenly converted to the cult of Galbraith’s Bach! My initial order of 20 CDs was completely sold out by the time the weekend was over. And the CD’s success never let up: I always kept multiple copies in stock, and it turned out to be the store’s single best-selling classical CD over the next two years. It also set the store up nicely (my loyal customers, too) for the gush of Galbraith’s CDs to follow: exploring composers like Haydn, Debussy and Brahms – and even a sweet foray into folk music. And then there was the successful series of CDs featuring esoteric transcriptions of all sorts of music for the Brazilian Guitar Quartet, of which Galbraith was a founding member.

And I’m still not finished with it. It remains one of my ten or twelve all-time personal CD faves that have earned a permanent place atop my stereo cabinet. I often play it for dinner guests and other visitors – and I never cease to marvel at the effect it has on all kinds of music lovers. I never get tired of it: part of the many-splendored miracle of Bach’s music is that you never hear it quite the same way twice. This historic release – plus many others in Delos’s glittering catalog – fuel my boundless excitement at the prospect of writing for one of the world’s very finest and most fascinating recording companies.

-Lindsay Koob

Listen to samples from Paul Galbraith's albums in our 36-for-36 post "The Remarkable Paul Galbraith."

Purchase J.S. Bach: Sonatas and Partitas

Paul Galbraith's Delos Collection:

Mendelssohn's Music for Cello and Piano - Part 1

2011-07-28T07:45:00.000-07:00

The following is an excerpt from Lindsay Koob's insightful liner notes to Mendelssohn: Complete Music for Cello and Piano.

This recording contains Mendelssohn’s complete original works for these instruments [cello and piano] – though cellist Alfredo Piatti (and several others since) transcribed a number of his Songs without Words for them. It’s interesting to note that all of the works here were written for (and dedicated to) specific cellists whom he knew and worked with.

Composed in 1829 – the same year Mendelssohn revived Bach’s St. Matthew Passion – the Variations Concertantes, Op.17 were written with his brother Paul in mind. While the younger Mendelssohn followed his father into the banking business, he remained an avid and accomplished amateur cellist – and his devotion to Felix was boundless. It was Paul who, upon his brother’s death, immediately saw to the care and well-being of his widow Cécile and their children – and worked tirelessly to promote and preserve his musical legacy. From the piece’s considerable technical demands and interpretive subtleties, the composer’s high regard for his brother’s abilities is obvious.

Both instruments – beginning with the piano – trade the main theme back and forth, arching sweetly upward in a series of distinct phrases (helpful for variations) that build in lyrical intensity before falling back.

Melodic duty falls to the cello in the first variation, with delicate “pizzicato” underpinnings from the piano that soon bloom into richer textures as the cello’s voice becomes more rhapsodic. The piano takes a virtuosic lead in the next, with the cello taking a quick breather before entering at low register, only later becoming a more active participant. Then, in the third, it’s the cello’s turn to show off, skittering nimbly and negotiating tricky runs over its partner’s spare chords before dropping to a low trill beneath the piano’s melody. The piano again takes charge in the next, with contrasting mutterings from the cello before it reclaims the melody near the end. The fifth, with its sense of nobility slightly skewed by pizzicato cello and dotted rhythms, is oddly reminiscent of Beethoven. The sixth – with its gentle, yet insistent lyricism – is the perfect foil to the stormy, minor-key drama of the extended seventh – again recalling the spirit of Beethoven (a major influence at the time). The final variation ramps that drama up a notch, before a protracted episode of thematic give-and-take fades into the work’s subdued close.

Mendelssohn produced his Cello Sonata No. 1 in B-flat, Op. 45, in 1838; it’s the final work written specifically for his brother Paul. While it remains eclipsed by the weightier and more often-heard second sonata (below), the music is pure and unadulterated Mendelssohn, with its prevailing blithe spirit. And it demonstrates his wonderful penchant for elegant, yet heartfelt cello “singing” – as well as his ability to make the most of traditional forms. As in all of the works heard here, the piano is rarely relegated to a mere support role, consistently remaining the cello’s equal musical partner – no surprise, given the composer’s prowess as a pianist.

The momentarily gruff sound of the first bar or two of the opening Allegro vivace movement is again reminiscent of Beethoven (specifically his own Op. 69 cello sonata). But that quickly dissipates as the main theme unfolds in relaxed high spirits, with brief contrasting flashes of tension and drama. There’s an overall sense of exuberant momentum throughout, with fascinating interplay between the cello’s firm cantabile voice and the piano’s brilliance. The brief and choppy phrases that open the central Andante convey a sense of whimsical inquiry, touched by fleeting mystery and doubt. The prevailing mood fades as the cello shifts into a melting cantabile passage that soon reverts to elaborations on the truncated opening theme. The piano part becomes more involved, lending the theme a mildly troubled aspect as the movement ends. The finale – marked Allegro assai –reverts to thematic material that smacks of the first movement’s, but in lighter and more jovial musical language. Brief episodes of veiled menace fail to break the predominantly happy spell, and the music expires with a contented sigh.

Purchase Mendelssohn Complete Works

New Release - Mendelssohn: Complete Music for Cello and Piano

2011-07-26T07:26:00.000-07:00

MENDELSSOHN: COMPLETE MUSIC FOR CELLO AND PIANO

Emanuel Gruber, cello
Arnon Erez, piano
DE 3415

Variations Concertantes, Op. 17: I. Theme (Andante con moto) • II. Variation 1 • III. Variation 2 • IV. Variation 3 (Più vivace) • V. Variation 4 (Allegro con fuoco) • VI. Variation 5 (L'istesso tempo) • VII. Variation 6 (L'istesso tempo) • VIII. Variation 7 (Presto ed agitato) • IX. Variation 8 (Tempo 1) - Coda

Sonata No.1 in B-flat Major, Op. 45: I. Allegro vivace • II. Andante • III. Allegro assai

Song Without Words, Op. 109

Assai Tranquillo

Sonata No. 2 in D Major, Op. 58: I. Allegro assai vivace • II. Allegretto scherzando • III. Adagio • IV. Molto allegro e vivace

Emanuel Gruber and Arnon Erez inspired a rave from Gramophone for their recording of Beethoven works for cello and piano (Eroica, 2006). “Like-minded musicians give us a Beethoven set that shines” was the headline.

Now the acclaimed Duo offers a captivating new Mendelssohn set that shines and sings and reminds us that there is fresh joy and beauty to be found in this music.

The Gramophone review also mentions that the Duo’s performances have a rare unity, as if a conductor were present: “so like-minded are the musicians in the dialogue… (they) shape with such thoughtfulness and precision that it seems someone has to be directing the whole affair.”
Given such an extraordinary performance level, it is no wonder that this Mendelssohn set is both enchanting and inspiring. In his introduction to the album, cellist Emanuel Gruber writes of his love for Mendelssohn:

“The cello is an ideal medium for rendering the warm, singing quality of his music, as well as its playfulness and exuberance. His creations are noble, generous, optimistic and full of joyful enthusiasm. There may be moments of doubt, melancholy and pain – but they disappear quickly as his impetuous, ever-youthful drive and positive energy takes over, lifting us up into an ideal world filled with goodness and hope.”

A captivating new recording by a critically acclaimed duo that gives us a fresh look at the joy and beauty in Mendelssohn's cello music.

Purchase Mendelssohn Complete Works

Paul Galbraith's Breakthrough Bach

2011-07-22T07:26:00.000-07:00

Not long ago, I got to know Delos Director Carol Rosenberger after she had read my program notes for the company’s recent release offering pianist Andrew von Oeyen’s spectacular performances of Franz Liszt’s piano masterpieces. She approached me with a welcome invitation to furnish notes for next week’s release (Felix Mendelssohn’s complete music for cello and piano). That project entailed not only highly enjoyable listening and writing experiences, but the even more pleasurable process of working directly with Carol for the first time. And it wasn’t long before we both realized that – philosophically and musically – we are kindred souls.

So color me tickled pink when Carol asked me to assist her by writing (and providing general literary oversight) for the Delos Insider – which I already think of as a very classy blog. While you’ll get to know me better as I go along, let me tell you up-front that I’m on a one-man crusade to take the “stuffy” and “elitist” out of classical music. So don’t be surprised at my often informal commentary or my penchant for what I can only describe as my “irreverent reverence” for musical art.

That said, I’m delighted to humbly offer this post for your consideration and reading enjoyment. And what better way to dig deeply into the Delos Insider than to tell you all about one of my all-time favorite CDs from Delos (or from any other label, for that matter): guitar sorcerer Paul Galbraith’s glorious go at J. S. Bach’s Sonatas and Partitas for solo violin, in his own transcriptions for the unique eight-string guitar of his own design. As you’ll soon see, this precious Delos Double and I go way back.

I had been running the classical room at Charleston’s (SC) now-defunct Millennium Music store for around a year in 1998, when this blockbuster album hit the streets amid an avalanche of critical acclaim, soon to be backed up by a Grammy nomination and chart-topping ballyhooing in Billboard magazine. I lost no time in ordering it in quantity, for use in one of my in-store listening stations. And, curious as to what all the fuss was about, I took a copy home with me the day it arrived. And it blew me away completely – such that I ignored everything else in my life that evening, so that I could listen to both CDs several times through and devour the program notes.

You should know that I approach Bach’s music with a missionary’s singular zeal and devotion. As a pianist of sorts and a semi-pro church singer, I’ve played and sung his music constantly over the years. No other composer seizes and dominates my musical consciousness like he does. No matter what else I happen to be doing, it comes to a crashing halt whenever his music “intrudes” – particularly if it’s well-performed. I’ve been known to stop speaking in mid-sentence, or to pull my car off the road to a sudden stop when his creations assail me. That’s because no other composer stimulates on so many different levels. Hardly any aspect of my being goes unstirred – to include my sense of beauty, my intellect, my heart, and the deepest spiritual recesses of my soul. I find that there’s no more “complete” listening (or performing) experience to be found anywhere than in Bach’s music.

-Lindsay Koob

(To be continued in the Delos Insider next week)

Listen to samples from Paul Galbraith's J.S. Bach: Sonatas and Partitas in our 36-for-36 post "The Remarkable Paul Galbraith."

Purchase J.S. Bach: Sonatas and Partitas

Introducing Arnon Erez

2011-07-21T07:04:00.000-07:00

This coming Tuesday (7/26) Delos will release Mendelssohn: Complete Music for Cello and Piano in CD format (Digital Downloads already available). The album features the well-known and critically acclaimed duo of Emanuel Gruber and Arnon Erez. In preparation for this release, we want to acquaint you with these stellar performers. We've already told you about Emanuel Gruber, so today we'd like to introduce you to world-renowned pianist Arnon Erez.

Highly acclaimed for his sensitivity and virtuosity, as well as his successful collaboration with world famous musicians Arnon Erez has gained a reputation as an outstanding pianist.

Mr. Erez plays in one of the world’s leading duos with violinist Hagai Shaham, which has attracted much praise from critics:

“A superb partnership…the sheer verve of the playing is irresistible.“ Gramophone

“…an exciting and imaginatively-shaped performance…” BBC Music Magazine

The Duo’s fruitful collaboration has crowned them with the first prize at the Munich International Duo Competition in 1990, which led to numerous concerts and recordings.

Arnon Erez also performs with many other top musicians worldwide, including Shlomo Mintz, Gil Shaham, Maxim Vengerov, David Garret, Arnold Steinhardt, Raphael Wallfisch, and Frans Helmerson. He has performed in numerous major concert halls, including Carnegie Hall, New York; Beethoven Halle, Bonn; Alte Oper, Frankfurt; Herkulessall, Munich; Musikverein, Vienna; the New Auditorium du Louvre in Paris and London’s Wigmore Hall.

Mr. Erez has appeared in major festivals around the world, and as a soloist he has performed with various orchestras including the Israel Philharmonic. In addition, he has given many recitals and recorded for radio and television stations in Germany, Austria, France, Holland, Israel, Turkey, Mexico and Brazil.

His discography, mainly on the Hyperion label, won much praise and a BBC Music Magazine Choice. His recordings include Grieg sonatas; Bloch, sonatas and suites; Beethoven, complete cello and piano sonatas; Brahms-Joachim Hungarian dances; and works by Hubay, Weiner, Achron, and more.

Arnon Erez graduated from Tel Aviv University, as well as advanced studies of chamber music with the Guarneri Quartet in the U.S.A. Currently, he heads the Chamber Music Department at the Buchmann-Mehta School of Music, Tel Aviv University.

Mendelssohn: Complete Music for Cello and Piano

Emanuel Gruber, cello
Arnon Erez, piano

DE 3415

Variations Concertantes, Op. 17
Sonata No.1 in B-flat Major, Op. 45
Song Without Words, Op. 109
Assai Tranquillo Sonata No. 2 in D Major, Op. 58

Emanuel Gruber and Arnon Erez inspired a rave from Gramophone for their recording of Beethoven works for cello and piano (Eroica, 2006). “Like-minded musicians give us a Beethoven set that shines” was the headline.

Now the acclaimed Duo offers a captivating new Mendelssohn set that shines and sings and reminds us that there is fresh joy and beauty to be found in this music.

Download Mendelssohn Complete Works

Andrew von Oeyen Liszt Sonata Video

2011-07-19T07:45:00.001-07:00

Enjoy these two wonderful videos of Andrew von Oeyen performing parts of Liszt's Piano Sonata in B minor at the Schubertiade Festival:

Purchase Liszt Piano Music:

In Amelia’s Footsteps: A Birthday Remembrance

2011-07-15T13:57:00.000-07:00

As the newest member of the Delos team, I never personally knew Amelia S. Haygood: the label’s beloved founder and director from 1973 until her death in 2007. But with every Delos album I explore – old or new – I see potent evidence of her lasting influence in the wide and wonderful world of classical music recordings. Today would’ve been her 92nd birthday. Let’s therefore take a closer look at her legacy, from the perspectives of several (among many) major American artists whom she nurtured and brought to the musical public’s attention worldwide.

One of the primary tenets of Amelia’s guiding philosophy was her determination to provide recording opportunities to distinguished American artists who otherwise lacked recording platforms and the resultant international exposure. Thus it should come as no surprise that the first prominent conductor whom she chose to work with was the Afro-American maestro James DePreist: the nephew of legendary American contralto Marian Anderson. While quite a few of his recordings for Delos were with an international variety of orchestras (Samples from DE 3202 & DE 1006), many of his releases featured his own Oregon Symphony – then a little-known regional ensemble. As DePreist put it, “Amelia was the plow that broke the status quo plains of American recordings.”

Her studies in psychoacoustics and the physics of music led to her passion for cutting-edge recording technologies; many of even the earliest Delos recordings thus remain of demonstration quality. Again, as DePreist said, “because of her energy and genuine devotion, all of my Delos recordings are first rate productions and sonically stunning.” Also a former clinical psychologist, Amelia was always in touch with the therapeutic value of great music.

Thanks in part to its exposure on Delos, the Oregon Symphony (now under the baton of current director Carlos Kalmar) recently made its Carnegie Hall debut to considerable acclaim. Distinguished critic Allan Kozinn, in his enthusiastic review, acknowledged the label’s pivotal role: “…. (the orchestra’s) international reputation has grown since 1987, when it began recording big, opulent works and sonic spectacular CDs for the Delos label. Many of these discs, conducted by James DePreist, the orchestra’s music director at the time (and now emeritus), remain in print and show the ensemble to be a highly polished precision instrument.”

And this is but one example of how Amelia’s profound influence changed the lives and helped spur the careers of countless top-tier artists. Another of them, of course, is pianist Carol Rosenberger, Delos’ current director. Thanks to Amelia and Delos, her reputation as one of our most distinguished keyboard masters is secure. Carol, having worked closely with her for many years, is Amelia’s biggest fan, and strives to follow in her footsteps and observe her guidelines whenever possible in a rapidly evolving recording industry. Pianist/conductor Constantine Orbelian – Delos’s Artists & Repertoire director, as well as Delos’ most prolific recording artist, also worked extensively with Amelia, and is similarly dedicated to her ideals and vision. (Read a touching note on Amelia from Constantine Orbelian) Thus Amelia’s singular spirit lives on, and will continue to touch the lives of music lovers everywhere as long as there are Delos recordings to enjoy.

In case you’ve ever wondered where our “Delos” name comes from, I’ll close with a favorite quote from Amelia: “Greek mythology tells us that Apollo set out from the island of Delos every morning with his lyre in hand, bringing light, music and healing to the world. We at Delos share the awareness that our world needs the balm of music.”

-By Lindsay Koob

A Taste of Chez Chopin

2011-07-14T06:40:00.000-07:00

Just for fun, we created this video to give you both a visual and audio taste of our latest release, Chez Chopin:

CHEZ CHOPIN

24 ETUDES ▪ 24 RECIPES

Purchase Chez Chopin

Introducing Emanuel Gruber

2011-07-12T09:21:00.000-07:00

Two weeks from today Delos will release Mendelssohn: Complete Music for Cello and Piano in CD format (Digital Downloads already available). The album features the well-known and critically acclaimed duo of Emanuel Gruber and Arnon Erez. In preparation for this release, we'd like to tell you a little about these two performers. Today we start by introducing you to premier cellist Emanuel Gruber.

Emanuel Gruber

Emanuel Gruber is celebrated as a soloist, chamber musician and teacher. He has brought his “authority, sensitivity to musical values, wide dynamic range, and great mastery of his instrument” (Music Journal, New York) to collaborations with artists such as Neville Marriner, Rudolph Barshai, Shelomo Mintz, Pinchas Zukerman, Miriam Fried, Philippe Entremont, Jean Bernard Pommier, Tamas Vasary, and Janos Starker.

“One of our great artists“ the Jerusalem Post wrote, citing “his extraordinary capacity for projecting the deepest meaning of the music.” Awarded the Pablo Casals prize by the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, he also won the Concert Artists’ Guild Auditions in New York City early in his career.

He has been principal cellist of the Israel Chamber Orchestra and co-principal of the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra. He was a member of the Sequoia Quartet, Camerata Trio, Tel Aviv Piano Quartet, and leader of the Israel Cello Ensemble. He is a founding member of the Tel Aviv Chamber Music Society, and currently teaches cello and chamber music at East Carolina University.

Emanuel Gruber has performed in many major festivals including the Salzburg, Bath, San Sebastian, Northwestern (Portland), Eilat (Israel), Musike (France), Musical Spring (St. Petersburg), and Rostropovich Cello Festival (Riga). He was a jury member for the Second Davidoff International Cello Competition in Kuldiga, Latvia, and for the Salou Music Competition in Spain.

Mr. Gruber has been visiting professor at the Indiana University School of Music in Bloomington, and has taught at the Academy of Music in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. He teaches periodically at Barcelona School of Music, the International Cello Seminar in Israel, the Canetti International summer course, the Summit Music Festival in New York, the International Academy of Music in Italy and the Burgos International Music Festival in Spain.

He began his cello studies with the distinguished Romanian pedagogue Paul Ochialbi, and graduated from the Academy of Music in Jerusalem and in Tel Aviv. Under the auspices of the America-Israel Cultural Foundation. he completed his musical training with Gregor Piatigorsky and Janos Starker. He has recorded for CDI, Israel (“The Heart of Cello”); for EMS, Belgium(“Festival of the 20th Century”); for Beit Hatefutsot, Israel (In Hassidic Style); for Erasmus, Holland (Clarinet Trios with Camerata Trio); and for Eroica, USA (Beethoven works for Cello and Piano, complete).

Mr. Gruber plays a David Tecchler Cello made in Rome in 1706.

Mendelssohn: Complete Music for Cello and Piano

Download Mendelssohn Complete Works

Music for Evelyne Brancart

2011-07-08T13:36:00.000-07:00

Today we'd like to share with you a wonderful video featuring Evelyne Brancart, the artist/creator of Delos' latest release, Chez Chopin. In 2008, composer Don Freund wrote Piano Prelude '08 (for Evelyne). The video rolls the piece's score as Evelyne performs it in recital at Indiana University Jacobs School of Music's Auer Hall.

Don Freund's Piano Prelude '08 (for Evelyne)

CHEZ CHOPIN

24 ETUDES ▪ 24 RECIPES

Purchase Chez Chopin

Film Music Blog's "Delos Recording of the Month" - Macal Conducts Glière

2011-07-07T15:14:00.000-07:00

The blog "Film Music: The Neglected Art" has published another grand review of a "Delos Recording of the Month." This month's album is one of our VRR releases — "Macal Conducts Glière," featuring Glière's Symphony No. 2 in C Minor and the Red Poppy Ballet Suite.

From the Film Music Blog:

"Even today with the huge catalog of material available to the public... Gliere is somewhat of an unknown outside of Russia...Hopefully, this CD will change your mind and Gliere will become a part of your library."

"The playing, conducting, and recording add to the experience of this fine material from Gliere. Make this a part of your library and you won’t be disappointed."

Read the full review here

To read more about the VRR process, this album, and to listen to samples, make sure to visit our 37-for-37 post on Macal Conducts Glière.

New Digital Release - Mendelssohn: Complete Music for Cello and Piano

2011-07-05T13:54:00.000-07:00

Mendelssohn: Complete Music for Cello and Piano

Download Mendelssohn Complete Works

French Revolution Meets the American Revolution

2011-07-01T06:30:00.000-07:00

Happy Independence Day from Delos!

There have always been “revolutionary” links between France and America. France actively assisted the American revolutionary effort, and several prominent French citizens – most notably the Marquis de Lafayette – boosted the cause individually. France, in the 1780’s, was the first European country to experience a national revolution of its own. Thus our national psyches have long shared similar ideals of liberty and equality.

So, why not add Fredéric Chopin to the list of French revolutionaries (at least adopted ones)? Chopin, a passionately patriotic Polish exile, made Paris his primary home from 1831 onwards. His pioneering approach to romantic piano music was certainly “revolutionary” in its time. Of several works that he poured his patriotic emotions into, the most famous is his “Revolutionary” Etude (Op. 10, No. 12): a work that he wrote at about the same time as the failed Polish “November Uprising” against the Russians in 1831. In fact, most of Chopin’s mature works were written in France: Paris or elsewhere. Thus it’s entirely appropriate to add Chopin to the list of France’s contributions to revolutionary spirit.

And now, with distinguished pianist Evelyne Brancart’s new Delos release of Chopin’s 24 Études (Op. 10 and 25), we get yet another kind of “revolutionary” approach to music, in the form of mouth-watering recipes for assorted culinary delights that Evelyne has paired with each of the 24 individual works. And we’re getting them just in time to try them out for family and friends over the Fourth of July weekend. Enjoy!

Here are some Fourth of July inspired recipes from Chez Chopin! Remember that if you want these right away to make for your celebrations, the digital downloads include the digital booklet of the recipes!

Opus 10, No. 8 (Ornamented roumaine) - A perfect and healthy tray to snack on before dinner or fireworks!

Opus 10, No. 9 (Chocolate Nostalgia) - You can't have a summer holiday celebration without ice cream!

Opus 10, No. 10 (Puff pastry with fruit) - Let's just call this the Chez Chopin version of Apple Pie, the most American of desserts!

Opus 10, No. 12 (Coffee & Florentines) - For Independence Day, we couldn't not include the "Revolutionary" Étude!

Opus 25, No. 6 (Melon necklace) - Want to spice up how you serve that 4th of July must — watermelon? This is the recipe for you!

Opus 25, No. 9 (Exotic Fruits) - We couldn't have a food and music post for Independence Day without a little Red-White-And-Blue!

Purchase Chez Chopin

Evelyne Brancart's 1982 New York Times Review

2011-06-30T09:16:00.000-07:00

We thought we would share a fun review from a debut performance given by Evelyn Brancart in 1982. You should be able to guess when you notice the repertoire!

From The New York Times:
By BERNARD HOLLAND
Published: December 5, 1982

"Evelyne Brancart's piano recital Thursday in Tully Hall...consisted of the Chopin Etudes and the Brahms ''Paganini'' Variations, both in their entirety.

"Miss Brancart, who is from Belgium and lives in the United States, has had considerable experience in international competitions. Her technical command of this very difficult music ranged from brilliant in the Brahms to very impressive in the Chopin.

"More importantly, Miss Brancart showed a distinctive musical personality, with many of the tempos in the Chopin being unusual and even arresting. The expression as a whole seemed more intimate - sometimes almost dainty - than grand and declamatory. The melodic lines were marked by a surging, graceful quality rather than any sense of strict proportion."

Hear Evelyne Brancart perform the Chopin Etudes almost 30 years later on Delos' newest release, Chez Chopin!

Purchase Chez Chopin

New Release - Chez Chopin

2011-06-28T12:11:00.000-07:00

CHEZ CHOPIN

24 ETUDES ▪ 24 RECIPES

PERFORMED & CREATED BY PIANIST EVELYNE BRANCART

"…dedicated to Chopin, with all my respect and love. I wish that I could have cooked these recipes for him. I wish that he could have given me his reactions, even if he were to pronounce the idea insane, or were to comment that he never would have chosen fish for Opus 25 Nos. 4 and 5…" - Evelyne Brancart

The brilliant pianist Evelyne Brancart, for the past ten years head of the prestigious piano department at Indiana University, has enjoyed a lifelong love affair with Chopin's 24 Études. Her workshops and master classes on the Études are popular events. When she's not performing or teaching, she makes a specialty of creating scrumptious French cuisine. Now these two passions are joined in a unique project, Chez Chopin.

Étude Opus 10, No. 3 in E Major

Chez Chopin offers a live performance of the 24 Études — full of spontaneity, subtlety, abandon, joy and insight. Listening to such a delightful performance of these pieces, one can't help recognizing what fun they can be to play. Each Étude is paired with a detailed recipe, accompanied by mouth-watering illustrations of the finished dish.

Brancart says: "Gathering together in the presence of brilliant music to share a magnificent meal feeds both brain and body… I am modestly but joyfully celebrating Chopin’s Études by associating them with color, taste and smell. I hope that you find this collection pleasurable. Chopin; a lot of flavor; food for the soul."

A musical feast — CD Package includes a new way to experience the Chopin Études with a CD-ROM of printable recipes and color photos. Each recipe on the CD-ROM has a soundtrack — its corresponding Étude!

Etudes, Opus 10

No.1 Champagne & foie gras
No.2 Caviar fantasy
No.3 Ronde Italienne
No.4 Wild Salsa
No.5 Black tones
No.6 Ribbon’s melody
No.7 Dancing Intervals
No.8 Ornamented romaine
No.9 Chocolate nostalgia
No.10 Puff pastry with fruit
No.11 Noisettine twists
No.12 Coffee & florentines

Etudes, Opus 25

No.1 Butternut cream
No.2 Riz marocain en poche
No.3 Vol-au-vent No.4 Dancing shrimp
No.5 River & sea delight
No.6 Melon necklace
No.7 Tiramisu
No.8 Chicons gratines
No.9 Exotic fruits
No.10 Ribs haricots princesses
No.11 For a winter’s night
No.12 Croquembouche

Purchase Chez Chopin

A "Taste" of What's To Come

2011-06-24T14:04:00.000-07:00

Next week the album "Chez Chopin" will be available in stores. So for the weekend we thought we would tease your taste buds with a look at what is included beyond the music...

Étude Opus 10, No. 3 in E Major (1832)
Ronde italienne aux trois couleurs (Italian dance in three colors)

Étude Opus 25, No. 3 in F Major (1836)
Vol-au-vent

Étude Opus 25, No. 12 in C Minor (1836)
Croquembouche

Étude Opus 10, No. 6 in E-flat Minor (1830)
La mélodie du ruban (The ribbon's melody)

"Chez Chopin" is already available for Digital Download, and comes with the digital booklet containing the recipes!

Download Chez Chopin

About Evelyne Brancart

2011-06-23T11:15:00.000-07:00

Next week we will release the album "Chez Chopin: 24 Études, 24 Recipes" featuring the remarkable pianist Evelyne Brancart. Today we wanted to give you a chance to learn more about this outstanding pianist.

Evelyne Brancart is currently Professor of Music (Piano) at Indiana University School of Music in Bloomington. She was also chair of the Piano Department there from August 2001 to January 2011. She has held teaching positions at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, Rice University in Houston, San Francisco Conservatory of Music, and Aspen Summer Music School, where she created an innovative seminar devoted to the Chopin and Liszt Études. Her conference on the Chopin Études, “The Hand as a Source of Inspiration,” and her seminars entitled “The Art of Playing the Piano” and “Deconstruction for Reconstruction” (Reflections on J. S. Bach), have enjoyed tremendous success among pianists, piano teachers, amateurs and musicians. Her recent visits to Belgium, Taiwan, Chile and Spain have included the popular seminar “The Art of Playing the Piano,” along with solo recitals and master classes.

Born in Belgium, Ms. Brancart studied for ten years with the great Spanish master Eduardo del Pueyo. She went on to study with Maria Curcio, Leon Fleisher and Menahem Pressler. She was a prizewinner in many international competitions, including the Queen Elisabeth Competition in Belgium (where she returned as a judge in 1999); Montreal; Viotti-Italy; Munich (with her duo partner, cellist Anthony Ross); and the Gina Bachauer competition in Salt Lake City. She has played numerous recitals throughout Europe (including London’s Wigmore Hall and Queen Elizabeth
Hall), and has made several recordings with BBC orchestras. After moving to the US in 1980, she made her American debut in Alice Tully Hall in 1982 with a much-noted performance of the Chopin 24 Études and the Brahms-Paganini Variations. Evelyne Brancart is also highly respected for her Chamber Music performances.

Between 1986 and 1990 she was a member of the Seraphim Trio, with whom she performed all of the Beethoven Piano Trios. In recent years she has performed all of the Beethoven Sonatas for Violin and Piano, as well as the Beethoven Sonatas for Cello and Piano. She has appeared with such artists as Frederico Agostini, Atar Arad, Jeremy Denk, Miriam Fried, Gary Hoffman, Tony Ross, Arnold Steinhardt and the Orion String Quartet. Ms. Brancart has been a regular guest at the Ravinia Festival, Aspen Music Festival, Seattle Chamber Music Festival, Norfolk Chamber Music Festival, Da Camera (Houston), Leicester Music Festival in England, Mozart Festival in Lille France, Music at the Red Sea in Israel, Perry Sound and Sainte-Petronille in Canada, Bay Chamber in Maine, Close Encounters with Music in Florida and the Festival D’Horrues in Belgium.

Ms. Brancart has made recordings for the Decca and Teldec labels; and her live performance of the Mozart Piano Concerto K.467 was recorded and released by Deutsche Grammophon. She has recorded the Brahms-Paganini Variations and Liszt-Paganini Etudes for Koch Discover. For Boston Records she has recorded the Elliot Carter Sonata for Cello and Piano, along with the Rachmaninoff Sonata in G Minor, Op. 19, with cellist Anthony Ross.

Chez Chopin is currently available for MP3 Download.

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Operagasm reviews Verdi Opera Scenes

2011-06-21T08:54:00.000-07:00

Operagasm.com has a wonderful review of Verdi Opera Scenes:

"We all know how gorgeous Dmitri Hvovorstovsky is, vocally and physically (have you seen him as Onegin with Renee Fleming as Tatiana??), so there really is no need to elaborate on it...

"... Radvanovsky is beautiful and totally capable of Verdi and anything else I would imagine...If this is what Verdi (or we) wanted, then she surely is it. This disc is wonderul from the outset, beginning with the gorgeous scena that precedes “Morro, ma prima in grazia” from Un Ballo in maschera. Radvanovsky is simply beautiful as Amelia begging to see her son or to have the fates let her die...

"The highlight in my opinion of the entire disc is the recognition scene from Simon Boccanegra between father and daughter. Radvanovsky sounds quite fresh here and avoids sounding “too big” to be believable as a young girl and Dima is so incredibly tender as a father. Most heartstopping are the final upward arpeggios from the harp and Hvorostovsky singing the embrace of his daughter. The applause from the audience is welcome … you actually want to join in!" - Wade Davis

Read the full review on the wonderful Operagasm website!

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"The Sound of Delos" on eMusic!

2011-06-17T09:26:00.000-07:00

Delos has released a digital compilation on eMusic.com. The compilation features tracks from recent and "classic" releases, but the best part is the price! You can get the 12 track compilation for $0.49! And really, 11 of the 12 tracks are available absolutely FREE! If you have been waiting to take the dive into Delos, this is your perfect opportunity! The compilation is currently in the Top-10 Classical Downloads this month on eMusic, and you can help get it even higher! So, just download away, and enjoy The Sound of Delos!

The Sound of Delos

01. Double Concerto in D minor, FWV L:d4: I. Vivace
Composer: Johann Friedrich Fasch
Artist: Andrea Gullickson - Oboe
Conductor: Paul Polivnick
(From the album "Oboe Celebrations")

02. Love is Everywhere, Op. 40, No. 4
Composer: Margaret Ruthven Lang
Artists: Lucy Mauro - Piano | Donald George - Tenor (Vocal)
(From the album "Love is Everywhere: Selected Songs of Margaret Ruthven Lang, Vol. 1")

03. Flute Sonata in B minor, BWV 1030: II. Largo e dolce
Composer: Johann Sebastian Bach
Artists: Jory Vinikour - Harpsichord | Joshua Smith - Flute
(From the album "J.S. Bach Flute Sonatas")

04. 4 Songs, Op. 42: No. 3. Redeyet oblakov letuchaya gryada (The clouds begin to scatter)
Composer: Nikolay Andreyevich Rimsky-Korsakov
Artists: Ivari Ilja - Piano | Dmitri Hvorostovsky - Baritone (Vocal)
(From the album "Pushkin Romances")

05. La forza del destino, Act II: La Vergine degli Angeli
Composer: Giuseppe Verdi
Artist: Sondra Radvanovsky - Soprano (Vocal)
Conductor: Constantine Orbelian
(From the album "Verdi Arias")

06. Some colour's rhythms
Composer: Yorgos Kertsopoulos
Artist: Smaro Gregoriadou - Guitar
(From the album "reinventing guitar!")

07. Las 4 estaciones portenas (arr. F. Mondelci, M. Gerboni, M. Marzi and M. Mazzoni): Las Cuatro Estaciones portenas: IV. Invierno Porteno (Winter) (arr. F. Mondelci, M. Gerboni, M. Marzi and M. Mazzoni)
Composer: Astor Piazzolla
Ensemble: Italian Saxophone Quartet
(From the album "Piazzolla Four Seasons of Buenos Aires")

08. 6 Romances, Op. 63: No. 2. Rastvoril ya okno (I opened the window)
Composer: Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky
Artists: Dmitri Hvorostovsky - Baritone (Vocal) | Ivari Ilja - Piano
(from the album "Tchaikovsky Romances")

09. String Quartet No. 5: I. Poco Andantino (arr. T. do Amaral)
Composer: Heitor Villa-Lobos
Ensemble: Brazilian Guitar Quartet
(from the album "Brazilian Guitar Quartet Plays Villa-Lobos")

10. Piano Sonata in B minor, S178/R21: Andante sostenuto
Composer: Franz Liszt
Artist: Andrew Von Oeyen - Piano
(From the album "Liszt Piano Music")

11. Keyboard Suite No. 1 in A major, HWV 426: I. Prelude
Composer: Handel, George Frideric
Artist: Jory Vinikour - Harpsichord
(From the album "Handel Harpsichord Suites")

12. El Diablo Suelto (The Loose Devil)
Composer: Heraclio Fernandez
Artist: Ricardo Sandoval - Mandolin
Ensemble: Ambar Music Group
(From the album "El Diablo Suelto")

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Vladimir Yurigin-Klevke on Rodion Shchedrin

2011-06-16T09:30:00.000-07:00

We continue to share the booklet notes from Delos' recent release, 20th Century Russian Piano Music, from the noted artist Vladimir Yurigin-Klevke (read the previous ones here). Today we feature his notes on Rodion Shchedrin.

Rodion Shchedrin
Twenty Four Preludes and Fugues for Piano
No. 10 in C-Sharp Minor

Rodion Shchedrin’s cycle of 24 preludes and fugues for piano, a result of several years of work, bears the imprint of the composer’s individual style and genuine inventiveness. Begun in 1964, the first notebook, which has presently made a place for itself in the concert repertoire and curriculum, emerged two years later. The second notebook, 12 preludes and fugues, was completed in October 1970 and 1971. This work Rodion Shchedrin dedicated to his father, the well-known lecturer and musicologist Konstantin Shchedrin.

To write a cycle of preludes in all major and minor keys presents the composer a task which is both extremely difficult and absorbing. Committed to this idea, each composer would fancy himself following in the steps of Bach, whose preludes and fugues of the two volumes of the Well-Tempered Clavier are still the greatest achievement in the world of music.

Prelude No. 10 introduces the listener to the key of C-sharp minor. Here again, one might feel the emerging shadow of Shchedrin’s great predecessor who had used this key to write his own outstanding prelude and fugue (from the first volume of The Well-Tempered Clavier). It appears that in his prelude Shchedrin could not escape the burden of reminiscences which take him into heartfelt reverie and are related to Bach’s piece. This elegant, songful prelude is one of the most impressive in the entire cycle. As for the fugue, it is very original in theme, which is based on an alternating fifth in its full and diminished form, as well as in the insistent triplet pattern and energetic drive. Its condensed form covers a wealth of content.

In the Prelude and Fugue No. 12 the gushing flow of music acquires at places (especially in the fugue) a shade of rage. The alarming, impulsive notes so often heard in Rachmaninoff and Scriabin’s works can be identified in this piece too. However, the language of Shchedrin’s prelude is absolutely individual, bearing no features characteristic of Rachmaninoff or Scriabin. The fugue is like a fantastic tarantella. The insistent recurrence of the initial sound of the theme determines the entire character of the fugue where the rhythmic momentum is never interrupted even for a second, while the glamour of passages is enhanced by contrasting registers and shades of sounds. This virtuoso piece fully reveals the composer’s temperament and his striving for clear-cut musical ideas.

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Film Music Blog's "Delos Recording of the Month" - Holst's Planets

2011-06-14T11:00:00.000-07:00

Film Music: The Neglected Art wrote an interesting review comparing an arrangement of Holst's The Planets for two pianos to the original orchestral version. The orchestral recording Mr. Kiefner refers to is our release "Dallas Space Spectacular." The release is from our VRR series, and features the Andrew Litton conducting the Dallas Symphony Orchestra.

From Film Music: The Neglected Art -

"Before you listen to this recording you owe it to yourself to hear the orchestral version. The Delos recording with Andrew Litton conducting the Dallas Symphony Orchestra is well played, recorded, and also includes a second disc of “Also Sprach Zarathustra,” making this an excellent value."

Find the other "Delos Recording of the Month" Posts on the Film Music: The Neglected Art blog.