NEWS FROM THE NAXOS MUSIC GROUP

November 2021

Label of the Month: Naxos

Naxos was founded in 1987 and has developed from being known primarily as a budget label focusing on standard repertoire into a virtual encyclopaedia of classical music with a catalogue of unparalleled depth and breadth. Innovative strategies for recording exciting new repertoire with exceptional talent have enabled the Naxos label to develop one of the largest and fastest-growing catalogues of unduplicated repertoire. Over 10,000 titles are currently available at affordable prices, recorded in state-of-the-art sound, both in hard format and on digital platforms. Naxos works with artists of the highest calibre and its recordings have been recognised with numerous international honours, including GRAMMY, International Classical Music Awards (ICMA), Opus Klassik and Gramophone Editor’s Choice Awards.

NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER HIGHLIGHTS

HINDEMITH, P.: Nusch-Nuschi-Tänze / Sancta Susanna / Symphony, "Mathis der Maler"

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Paul Hindemith’s life was dominated by the events of the two world wars. In 1917, his discovery of contemporary Expressionist poetry and drama transformed him from a talented student to Germany’s leading new composer. His one-act operas Sancta Susanna and Das Nusch-Nuschi date from this period. Sancta Susanna – Hindemith’s first masterpiece – combines religious and erotic symbolism into an eerie narrative that was shocking for its time, whereas the dance suite from Das Nusch-Nuschi emphasises the plot’s origin as a Burmese comedy. The three symphonic movements from the opera Mathis der Maler refer to the three panels of the Isenheim Altarpiece by Renaissance painter Matthias Grünewald, but also graphically reflect Hindemith’s own artistic struggles in Nazi Germany.

PRICE, F.B.: Symphony No. 3 / The Mississippi River / Ethiopia's Shadow in America

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Florence Price was one of the most versatile and accomplished American musicians of her generation whose unstoppable creativity and earliest successes were set against the backdrop of 1930s economic depression. The Third Symphony expresses aspects of Price’s cultural heritage in a symphonic framework. Avoiding direct references to existing folk songs and dances, it creates highly distinctive African spiritual moods and uses the syncopated rhythms of the Juba in its jazzy third movement. This world premiere recording of Ethiopia’s Shadow in America traces the American experience of enslaved Africans, while The Mississippi River suite quotes several famous spirituals, capturing the struggles of Black migration across the United States.

ANDERSON, L.: Orchestral Works (Complete) (5-CD Box Set)

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ROSSINI, G.: Piano Music (Complete) - Péchés de vieillesse, Vols. 1-14 / Chamber Music / Rarities (13-CD Box Set)

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PIERNÉ, G.: Ramuntcho Suites Nos. 1 and 2 / Cydalise et le Chèvre-pied Suites Nos. 1 (excerpts) and 2

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PUTS, K.: Silent Night [Opera]

8.669050-51

BRAHMS, J.: Songs (Complete), Vol. 1

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BARTÓK, B: Piano Music, Vol. 8 - Rhapsody / Variations / For Children (original version) / 3 Studies

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AUBER, D.-F.: Overtures, Vol. 5 - Zanetta / Zerline

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KROUSE, I.: Symphony No. 5 / Fanfare for the Heroes of the Korean War / Symphonies of Strings Nos. 1, 2

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RAMEAU, J.-P.: Hippolyte et Aricie [Opera] (Opéra Comique, 2020) (NTSC)

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BEETHOVEN, L. van: Beethoven and His Contemporaries, Vol. 1

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ROSSINI, G.: Occasione fa il ladro (L') [Opera] (Rossini in Wildbad, 2017) (NTSC)

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ROSSINI, G.: Occasione fa il ladro (L') [Opera] (Rossini in Wildbad, 2017) (NTSC)

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Artist of the Month – Gabriel Schwabe

Gabriel Schwabe

© Studio Monbijou

Gabriel Schwabe has established himself among the leading cellists of his generation. He is a laureate of numerous national and international competitions, including the Grand Prix Emanuel Feuermann and the Concours Rostropovich in Paris. In 2009 he won the prestigious Pierre Fournier Award in London. As a soloist, he has worked with orchestras such as the Philharmonia Orchestra, NDR Radiophilharmonie, Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, Deutsches Symphonie Orchester-Berlin, the Malmö and Norrköping Symphony Orchestras and Royal Northern Sinfonia with conductors including Marek Janowski, Eivind Gullberg Jensen, Dennis Russell Davies, Cornelius Meister, Marc Soustrot, Lars Vogt and Michael Sanderling.

Since 2015, he has been an exclusive recording artist with record label Naxos. His debut recording (Brahms’ Sonatas and Songs with pianist Nicholas Rimmer) was released the same year. Releases with the Malmö Symphony Orchestra under Marc Soustrot, the Royal Northern Sinfonia under Lars Vogt and the Deutsches Sinfonieorchester Berlin under Antoni Wit followed to great critical acclaim.

NEW RELEASE

ELGAR, E.: Cello Concerto / BRIDGE, F.: Oration

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These two masterpieces are shadowed by the events of the First World War. Elgar’s Cello Concerto, an intensely poignant, reflective and individual musical statement, has enjoyed unflagging popularity among musicians and listeners for over 100 years. By contrast, Frank Bridge’s Oration (Concerto elegiaco) remained unperformed for decades after its early hearings. Yet it shares spiritual affinities with Elgar’s work and serves as a funeral address of huge solemnity and narrative power in its outcry against the futility of war.

RECOMMENDED RECORDINGS

BRAHMS, J.: Violin Concerto / Double Concerto

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‘Schwabe’s cello performance is relaxed without too much phrase expanding. A perfectly harmonised ensemble! Their intimate ambiance is unforgettable.’
– Record Geijutsu

★★★★★

★★★★★

SAINT-SAËNS, C.: Cello and Orchestra Works - Cello Concertos Nos. 1, 2 / Suite in D Minor / Romance

8.573737

‘Schwabe plays with a light heart and produces a light, airy tone to match, combined with a nonchalance and poise that I found most attractive.’
– Gramophone

SCHUMANN, R.: Cello Concerto / Cello and Piano Works

8.573786

‘It is beautiful to hear how this young and exquisite musician lets the cello dance and sing smoothly in the concerto.’
– Klara

★★★★★

★★★★★

KODÁLY, Z.: Sonata for Solo Cello / Duo for Violin and Cello / LIGETI, G.: Sonata for Solo Cello

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‘The tonal palette here is expanded by the inclusion of Kodály’s Duo for Violin and Cello, in which Schwabe’s musicianship is matched by that of Hellen Weiß … This is also important music and – in the hands of such players – essential listening.’
– BBC Music Magazine ★★★★★

BRAHMS, J.: Cello Sonatas Nos. 1 and 2 / 6 Lieder (arr. G. Schwabe and N. Rimmer for cello and piano)

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‘Even Brahms himself would like this disc.’
– Nordwestradio

‘Energetic and teeming with bravura, the contrapuntal strands well delineated – with a clear recording to boot.’
– The Strad

For the full list of Gabriel Schwabe’s discography on Naxos, visit naxos.com.

www.gabrielschwabe.com

ICMA 2022 Nominations

ICMA 2022

Recordings from Naxos and its affiliated labels were among the recently announced nominations for the 2022 International Classical Music Awards (ICMA). The Naxos Music Group received a record number of ICMA nominations across 13 categories. Naxos received 19 nominations, and others went to BelAir Classiques [2], Capriccio [5], Grand Piano [1], OehmsClassics [5], Ondine [3], Opus Arte [1], Orfeo [4] and SWR Classic [1].

The judges, drawn from more than 20 specialist publications and broadcasters across sixteen countries, made a total of 377 audio and video nominations from 129 labels.

Nominations for all labels in the respective categories are listed below, together with links to further details about each album.

The finalists will be announced on December 19, and the ICMA winners will be published on 20 January 2022. The Award Ceremony and Gala concert will take place at the Philharmonie in Luxembourg, on 21 April 2021, in a ceremony featuring the Luxembourg Philharmonic conducted by one of the award winners.

BAROQUE INSTRUMENTAL

BACH, J.S.: Goldberg Variations (arr. for 10-string guitar duo)

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‘Kleger and Ivanov play beautifully, enchanting the listener with every single note.’
– Pizzicato

BAROQUE VOCAL

Ensemble Music (Baroque) - MURCIA, S. de / SANCES, G.F. / MERULA, T. / MONTEVERDI, C. (Passacaglia della Vita)

8.551439

‘A highly attractive collection of late Renaissance and Baroque vocal and instrumental music.’
– MusicWeb International

VOCAL

Opera Arias (Baritone) - LEONCAVALLO, R. / GIORDANO, U. / VERDI, G. / WAGNER, R.

C210221

‘Gagnidze is a singer who knows what he is singing.’
– Pizzicato

CHORAL

MOZART, W.A.: Masses (Complete), Vol. 1 - K. 262, 317

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‘Dramatic performances from the West German Radio Chorus and the celebrated Cologne Chamber Orchestra.’
– Yorkshire Post

KOSTER, L.: Geiger von Echternach (Der) (The Echternach Fiddler) (arr. for vocal ensemble, violin and piano)

OC1721

‘The very intimism of the Singer Pur version underscores the composer’s compassion.’
– Pizzicato

OPERA

MONIUSZKO, S: Halka [Opera]

8.660485-86

‘Colourful, driven performance.’
– Gramophone

SCHULHOFF, E.: Flammen [Opera]

C5382

‘The performance is exhilarating and the recording sumptuous.’
– Classical Music Daily

MASCAGNI, P.: Iris [Opera]

OC991

‘An extraordinary soundworld of heightened refinement and sophistication.’
– Opera

SCHREKER, F.: Ferne Klang (Der) [Opera]

OC980

‘The strong cast and high production values make it an attractive proposition.’
– Fanfare

STRAUSS, R.: Ariadne auf Naxos [Opera]

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‘This is as ravishing an Ariadne as I’ve ever heard.’
– Opera News

VERDI, G.: Ballo in maschera (Un) [Opera]

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‘Vienna’s top trio of Verdians makes this Ballo one for keeps.’
– Limelight

SOLO INSTRUMENTAL

BEETHOVEN, L. van: Piano Sonatas (Complete) (9-CD Box Set)

8.509005

‘Giltburg’s spectrum of expression is immense.’
– Fono Forum

Viola Recital: Komendarek-Tymendorf, Krzysztof - DRUZHININ, F. / WEINBERG, M. / VIEUXTEMPS, H. / BACEWICZ, G. (ReVIOLAtion)

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‘Krzysztof Komendarek-Tymendorf is a rising star of Polish viola music.’
– Gazeta Wyborcza

BRILLON DE JOUY, A.-L. B. d'H.: Piano Sonatas Discovered (The)

GP872-73

‘Performed with such committed interpretation.’
– Bertrand Ferrier

JANÁČEK, L.: On the Overgrown Path / In the Mists / From the Street, 1 October 1905

ODE1382-2

‘Vogt has this music’s measure and offers many revelations.’
– Pianist

CHAMBER MUSIC

Piano Trios (Russian) - RIMSKY-KORSAKOV, N. / CUI, C. / BORODIN, A. (History of the Russian Piano Trio, Vol. 3)

8.574114

‘Charm, finesse and lightness prevail in a dreamlike atmosphere.’
– Crescendo

PENDERECKI, K.: Music for String Quartet (Complete) / String Trio

8.574288

‘A triumphant Penderecki set from the Tippets.’
– BBC Music Magazine

FRID, G.: Phädra / Piano Quintet

C5389

‘This exacting music is performed wonderfully, rest assured.’
– American Record Guide

STANFORD, C.V.: Piano Quintet / 2 Fantasies

C5381

‘These are nicely judged interpretations.’
– Gramophone

RATHAUS, K. / TIESSEN, H. / ARMA, P.: Violin Sonatas

OC491

‘The performance is impeccable.’
– Gramophone

ODE1392-2

‘Their playing is fiercely accented, emphatically rhythmic, and, with powerful urging and pulsing, often defiant and gruff.’
– Pizzicato

CONCERTOS

Cello Concertos - SAINT-SAËNS, C. / HONEGGER, A. / LALO, É. (Four Visions of France)

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‘First-rate performances in excellent sound and has a most appealing programme.’
– MusicWeb International

SYMPHONIC

SCRIABIN, A.: Symphony No. 2 / Le Poème de l'extase

OC474

‘Detailed, soul-enriching performances.’
– BBC Music Magazine

HAYDN, J.: Symphonies Nos. 93-104 (The London Symphonies)

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‘The performances, which were recorded live, are wonderfully vivid.’
– The Sunday Times, London

CONTEMPORARY

Orchestral Music - BOUMANS, I. / PÜTZ, M. / SANAVIA, J. / WILTGEN, R. (Luxembourg Contemporary Music, Vol. 1)

8.579059

‘Very fine works in excellent performances, all well worth exploring.’
– MusicWeb International

LINDBERG, M.: Aura / Marea / Related Rocks

ODE1384-2

‘It is impressive. These are great musicians and thoroughly up to the task.’
– American Record Guide

ASSORTED PROGRAMME

CATOIRE, G.: Piano Concerto / Piano Quintet / Piano Quartet

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‘Pianist Oliver Triendl, the Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester Berlin under Roland Kluttig and the Vogler Quartet fully indulge themselves here and are happy to share their enjoyment of playing with us.’
– der Gelderlander

KAPUSTIN, N.: Piano Concerto No. 4 / Concerto for Violin, Piano and Strings

C5437

‘The recording is anchored by a feisty, jubilant rendition of Kapustin’s Piano Concerto No. 4, played by Frank Dupree.’
– The New York Times

PREMIERE RECORDINGS

HINDEMITH, P.: Mathis der Maler [Opera] (Theater an der Wien, 2012) (NTSC)

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‘It’s superbly conducted by Bertrand de Billy, making the most of the opera’s visionary moments.’
– The Guardian

FRANCK, C.: Hulda (original version) [Opera]

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‘Naxos and Fabrice Bollon deserve a huge round of applause for making it available in such a persuasive performance.’
– ClassicsToday.com

SAMARAS, S.: Mademoiselle de Belle-Isle [Opera]

8.660508-09

‘Fidetzis’ account of the charming, French-sung opera has a good level.’
– Pizzicato

STRAUSS II, J.: Waldmeister [Operetta]

8.660489-90

‘Dario Salvi, whose attentive, refined, alternately restrained and fiery conducting marvellously serves the composer’s intentions and does justice to his beautiful music.’
– Operetta Research Center

VIDEO PERFORMANCE

CAVALLI, F.: Ercole amante [Opera] (Opéra Comique, 2019) (NTSC)

2.110679-80

‘A remarkable production of the Opéra Comique… a simply unforgettable show.’
– Scherzo

GOUNOD, C.-F.: Mireille [Opera] (Paris National Opera, 2009) (NTSC)

2.110683-84

‘In the title role, Inva Mula is outstanding in her acting and singing.’
– Pizzicato

LEONCAVALLO, R.: Pagliacci / MASCAGNI, P.: Cavalleria rusticana [Operas] (DNO, 2019) (NTSC)

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‘The most dramatically powerful, completely convincing performance of either opera I’ve seen in a very long time.’
– MusicWeb International

LULLY, J.-B.: Atys [Opera] (Opéra Comique, 2011) (NTSC)

2.110694-95

‘Christie let his audience members enter a place they had previously been able to perceive dimly, if at all. He invited them, once more, into a room with a beauty that was unforgettable.’
– The New York Times

PROKOFIEV, S.: Fiery Angel (The) [Opera] (Teatro dell'Opera di Roma, 2019) (NTSC)

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‘Polish soprano Ewa Vesin offers very impressive vocalism and tireless commitment.’
– Opera News

ROSSINI, G.: Equivoco stravagante (L') [Opera] (Rossini in Wildbad, 2018) (NTSC)

2.110696

‘The chamber orchestra, Virtuosi Brunensis, is excellent and fulsome in its repose to one of today’s leading opera conductors, José Miguel Pérez-Sierra.’
– David’s Review Corner

DE KEERSMAEKER, A.T.: Six Brandenburg Concertos (The) [Ballet] (after J.S. Bach) (Rosas, 2019) (NTSC)

BAC197

‘Louise Narboni’s careful register allows us to see the details of the Belgian choreographer’s style, her artistic interests and her aesthetic line.’
– Scherzo

RIMSKY-KORSAKOV, N.A.: Snow Maiden (The) [Opera] (Paris National Opera, 2017) (Blu-ray, Full-HD)

BAC486

‘Conductor Mikhail Tatarnikov is sensitive to the score’s brilliant colours and vividly imagined textures, drawing on the fine playing of the Paris Opera Orchestra.’
– BBC Music Magazine

PEPUSCH, J.C.: Beggar's Opera (The) [Opera] (Théâtre des Bouffes du Nord, 2018) (NTSC)

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‘The cast is very good.’
– American Record Guide

www.icma-info.com

A Northern Christmas with Andreas Ihlebæk

NEW

A Northern Christmas

NXNS501

A Northern Christmas is the first single from an upcoming Christmas album by Andreas Ihlebæk planned for 2022. The piece was written by Andreas and it continues the mood and melodic calmness of his hugely popular folk and lullaby interpretations on Northern Lullabies (NXN8001).

Andreas Ihlebæk

Andreas Ihlebæk is a Norwegian pianist and composer. His solo debut The Guest (2017) was immediately declared a genre- and mind-bending masterpiece in Europe’s biggest newspaper (Bild), a level of praise which was unanimously repeated by European music magazines and media outlets across the genre spectrum. Ihlebæk released his second album Northern Lullabies for NXN Recordings in 2020 to great critical acclaim and a Spellemannprisen nomination (Norwegian GRAMMY). In the lead-up to his third album I Will Build You A House, all tracks have been released as singles and have been featured in playlists by Apple Music, Spotify, Tidal and Amazon. He continues to be one of the most played composers of modern classical pieces globally.

HIGHLIGHTED RECORDINGS BY ANDREAS IHLEBÆK

IHLEBÆK, A.: I Will Build You a House

NXN1004

‘A rich expressiveness underneath the veil of subtlety and self-restraint.’
– Classical Music Daily

TORSVIK, Heidi / WINTER, Lazerus: Hidden Soul of the Fjords

NXN4001

Piano Recital: Ihlebæk, Andreas - HARTMANN, C. / FAKIR, S.A. / HOLMBERG, M. / MUNTHE, M. / TEGNÉR, A. / RICHTER, W. (Northern Lullabies)

NXN8001

‘A piano album of neo⁠-⁠Classical excellence.’
– Deutsclandfunk Kultur

The Valencia Baryton Project’s album receives a Premis Carles Santos nomination

The Valencia Baryton Project’s recording of Baryton Trios by Haydn has been nominated as a finalist in the 4th Edition of the Valencian Music Premis Carles Santos Awards for Best Classical CD. The award is presented by the Valencian Institute of Culture and the award ceremony will be held on 26 November at the Teatre Principal in Castello, Spain.

HAYDN, J.: Baryton Trios, Hob.XI:9, 55, 58, 61, 69, 87 (Treasures from the Esterháza Palace)

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Much of Franz Joseph Haydn’s long career was in service as a court musician to the wealthy Esterházy family. It was early in Haydn’s time at the Esterháza palace that Prince Nicolaus took a liking to the hypnotic sound of the baryton – a bowed instrument with an extra set of strings that vibrate sympathetically or are plucked for tonal contrast. The baryton was considered the pinnacle of 18th-century aristocratic instruments, and the outstanding beauty of Haydn’s trios represent its final renaissance, placing this remarkable antique firmly into the poised and tasteful Classical style of the day.

SELECTION OF EXCITING RELEASES OF WORKS BY JOSEPH HAYDN

HAYDN, J.: Concertos for 2 lire organizzate, Hob.VIIh:1-5

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‘The happy spirit and overflowing charm of these concertos are fully captured here.’
– Fanfare

HAYDN, J.: 10 kleine Klavierstücke / 24 Menuets, Hob.IX:3 and 11

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‘Jandó produces an awe-inspiring amount of music. His playing may not always be the most exciting, but he is consistent, even, and sensible.’
– American Record Guide

★★★★★

HAYDN, J.: String Quartets Nos. 1, 29 and 66

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‘These performances show how the players understand that silences and pauses always mean something in Haydn, as a means of disconcertion or of gathering thought.’
– The Strad

★★★★★

HAYDN, J.: Keyboard Trios, Vol. 2

8.572062

‘The playing here is just beautiful… the Kungsbacka Trio finds the perfect tempo and mood.’
– ClassicsToday.com

HAYDN, J.: Flute Sonatas

CDS7698

‘The music is Haydn at his best, making it a delight to hear.’
– American Record Guide

HAYDN, J.: Keyboard Trios - Nos. 5-6, 9-11, 13, 18, 20-23, 26, 28-31, 38, 40-41 / Divertimento, Hob.XV:C1

C49489

‘Treasure trove! Half of Haydn’s output for keyboard trio, well played, well recorded.’
– MusicWeb International

HAYDN, J.: Keyboard Sonatas, Hob.XVI:6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 44, 46 and 47

ODE1360-2D

‘Hakkila is a gifted player, alert to the nuance and quicksilver changes of Haydn’s mercurial style.’
– Gramophone

HAYDN, J.: Schöpfung (Die) (The Creation) [Oratorio]

2.110581

‘Musically fine version of Haydn’s Creation, in a spectacular staging by La Fura dels Baus.’
– Pizzicato

Mozart’s magical opera is brought to life by a cast of Royal Opera favourites

Mozart wrote Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute) for a suburban theatre in Vienna, the Theater auf der Wieden. He drew on the magical spectacle and earthy comedy of popular Viennese theatre. As well as being a comedy, The Magic Flute is an expression of Mozart’s profound spiritual beliefs: Enlightenment concerns with the search for wisdom and virtue are at the heart of this enchanting tale. The Magic Flute was an instant success with audiences and Mozart’s supposed rival Salieri described it as an ‘operone’ – a great opera.

David McVicar’s classic production embraces both the seriousness and comedy of Mozart’s work. The audience is transported to a fantastical world of dancing animals, flying machines and dazzlingly starry skies. The setting provides a wonderful backdrop for Mozart’s kaleidoscopic score, from the Queen of the Night’s coloratura fireworks to Tamino and Pamina’s lyrical love duets and Papageno’s hearty, folksong-like arias.

© Royal Opera House

© Royal Opera House

© Royal Opera House

© Royal Opera House

© Royal Opera House

© Royal Opera House

© Royal Opera House

© Royal Opera House

MOZART, W.A.: Zauberflöte (Die) [Opera] (Royal Opera House, 2017) (NTSC)

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Also available on Blu-ray Video

‘Roderick Williams’ charming bird catcher leads a spirited revival at Covent Garden.’ – Bachtrack ★★★★★

‘Julia Jones returns to the pit where she maintains perfect dramatic momentum, and the whole evening goes with a swing.’ – The Stage ★★★★

Pamina	Siobhan Stagg
Tamino	Mauro Peter
Papageno	Roderick Williams
Sarastro	Mika Kares
Queen of the Night	Sabine Devieilhe
First Lady	Rebecca Evans
Second Lady	Angela Simkins
Third Lady	Susan Platts
Monostatos	Peter Bronder
Papagena	Christina Gansch

Royal Opera Chorus
Orchestra of the Royal Opera House

Conductor	Julia Jones
Concert Master	Vasko Vassilev
Director	David McVicar
Designer	John Macfarlane
Lighting Designer	Paule Constable
Movement Director	Leah Hausman

Extra Features: Why Mozart’s Magic Flute is a masterpiece – an introduction; The musical secrets of Mozart’s Magic Flute; Cast gallery

More full-length videos? NaxosVideoLibrary.com brings you an extensive streaming video library of classical music performances, opera, ballet, live concerts and documentaries. Watch the world’s greatest opera houses, ballet companies, orchestras and artists perform on demand!

Pianist Alessandro Marangoni at 2021 Rossini Opera Festival

On 14 November, the Rossini Opera Festival commemorated the anniversary of Gioachino Rossini’s death with a performance of Péchés de vieillesse. The concert was given by the pianist Alessandro Marangoni, an authentic specialist and promoter of Rossini’s piano music.

Alessandro Marangoni has recorded the complete Péchés de vieillesse on Naxos, including numerous unpublished pieces. This recording won him the Premio Abbiati for 2019. He has made his mark on the international music scene thanks to a significant activity as concert soloist and an equally intense activity as a recitalist. He has played in the leading concert halls all over Europe, China, the United States and Australia. He teaches at the Conservatorio of Novara and holds master classes in Europe, South America and China.

NEW

ROSSINI, G.: Piano Music (Complete) - Péchés de vieillesse, Vols. 1-14 / Chamber Music / Rarities (13-CD Box Set)

8.501306

Rossini drew a line under his hugely successful operatic career at the age of 37 and wrote little until his final years in Paris, where he became renowned for his musical salons. For these he wrote numerous short piano pieces which he jokingly called Péchés de vieillesse (Sins of Old Age): sometimes experimental miniatures that can raise a smile or touch the heart, blurring boundaries between the irreverent and the serious. Rossini’s publisher Antonio Pacini considered the composer’s late works as his most illustrious period: ‘what he composes daily is a series of masterpieces that seems as though it will never end.’ Including songs and fascinating novelties, this acclaimed complete edition contains a myriad of rarities and numerous world premiere recordings.

MORE RECORDINGS BY ALESSANDRO MARANGONI

CASTELNUOVO-TEDESCO, M.: Cello and Piano Works

8.573881

‘An evocative tribute by Enrico Dindo and Alessandro Marangoni to Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco.’
– Archi Magazine ★★★★★

CASTELNUOVO-TEDESCO, M.: Evangélion

8.573316

‘Alessandro Marangoni reveals himself as a great artist with musical and poetic sensibility, technical clarity and a total tuning with the composer.’
– Musica

CLEMENTI, M.: Gradus ad Parnassum, Vol. 1 - Nos. 1-24

8.572325

‘Alessandro Marangoni provides a good guide to these pieces.’
– Fanfare

Walt Disney celebrates new film with special showcase featuring Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite

Walt Disney Animation Studios are celebrating the forthcoming release of Encanto, their 60th animated motion picture. Listen for the Finale from Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite in the following video, showcasing every title card leading up to their 60th animated feature:

Need to license some music for a project and don’t know where to start? Visit Naxos Licensing to find out how!

Weinberg’s powerful opera The Passenger at the Oper Graz

NEW

WEINBERG, M.: Passenger (The) [Opera]

C5455

Two women, one a former guard at Auschwitz, the other a former prisoner, face off in harrowing flashbacks during a post-war journey to Brazil on an ocean liner. This scenario forms the basis of the action in Mieczysław Weinberg’s powerful opera Die Passagierin (The Passenger).

Watch this video interview with conductor Roland Kluttig, Oper Graz’s general manager Nora Schmid, mezzo⁠-⁠soprano Dshamilja Kaiser and soprano Nadja Stefanoff which tells this new production in 2021 by Oper Graz makes a vital contribution to the Holocaust drama’s overdue international recognition:

Celebrating Camille Saint⁠-⁠Saëns (1835⁠–⁠1921)

16 December 2021 marks the 100th anniversary of the death of the French composer Camille Saint⁠-⁠Saëns, a pioneer of Romantic instrumental music in France. To commemorate this event, Naxos is releasing a 3-disc boxed set of his Complete Symphonies, performed by the Malmö Symphony Orchestra under Marc Soustrot. Each individual release has received critical acclaim, with the third volume described by BBC Music Magazine as ‘honest performances that show off Saint⁠-⁠Saens’ mastery of the orchestra and ... an inventiveness that still impresses a century-and-a-half later.’ Soustrot and his Malmö players have also recorded Saint⁠-⁠Saëns’ concertos for piano, cello and violin with star soloists Romain Descharmes, Gabriel Schwabe and Tianwa Yang.

SAINT-SAËNS, C.: Symphonies (Complete) (3-CD Box Set)

8.503301

Saint⁠-⁠Saëns wrote five symphonies between the years 1850 and 1886. The cycle began with the Mozart-influenced Symphony in A but as a precocious composer of 17 he wrote his first numbered symphony, a work much admired by Berlioz and Gounod. He progressed to his most popular piece in the genre, the ground-breaking Symphony No. 3 with its inclusion of organ and piano. This critically admired cycle includes a sequence of atmospheric and dramatic symphonic poems, including Phaéton and the ever-popular Danse macabre.

RECOMMENDED RECORDINGS

SAINT-SAENS, C.: Violin Concertos Nos. 1-3

8.572037

‘Soaring performances, in lively recorded sound.’
– Fanfare

SAINT-SAËNS, C.: Symphonic Poems

8.573745

‘Jun Märkl secures fine and committed playing, and leads good accounts… without necessarily overriding existing favourites.’
– Classical Ear

SAINT-SAËNS, C.: Symphony No. 3, "Organ" / Danse Macabre / Cypres et Lauriers

8.573331

‘Organist Vincent Warnier and conductor Leonard Slatkin give a colourful reading, creating a coherent whole from diversity.’
– The WholeNote

SAINT-SAENS, C.: Piano Quartet / Piano Quintet / Barcarolle

8.572904

‘A gripping performance of Saint-Saëns’s Piano Quartet.’
– BBC Music Magazine

SAINT-SAENS, C.: Music for Wind Instruments - Sonatas / Romance / Tarantelle

8.570964

‘The unifying feature of this programme is the excellently judged piano-playing of Stéphane Lemelin, who adds a discerning range of colour and spirit to the performances.’
– Gramophone

POULENC, F.: Organ Concerto in G Minor / SAINT-SAENS, C.: Symphony No. 3, "Organ" / BARBER, S.: Toccata festiva

ODE1094-5

‘The rich and powerful sound of the Dobson is well represented.’
– Fanfare

SAINT-SAËNS, C.: Piano Works (Complete), Vol. 5

GP626

‘Burleson proves to be a fine advocate for this music: He balances just the right amount of elegance and grace with the fieriness that this music requires.’
– Fanfare

SAINT-SAËNS, C.: Piano Works (Complete), Vol. 5

CDS7796

‘The music itself is well crafted, pleasant, and varied.’
– Fanfare

Browse through the Saint-Saëns catalogue for more exciting releases.

Last Vogt and Orchestre de chambre record Mendelsohn

The Ondine label has launched a new cooperation with the Orchestre de chambre de Paris under the baton of its music director, award-winning pianist-conductor Lars Vogt. Together with the orchestra, and with Lars Vogt conducting from the keyboard, they recently finished recording a Mendelssohn programme (Piano Concertos and the Capriccio brillant) for an album which will be released in the Spring of 2022.

ACCLAIMED RECORDINGS FEATURING LARS VOGT

JANÁČEK, L.: On the Overgrown Path / In the Mists / From the Street, 1 October 1905

ODE1382-2

BACH, J.S.: Goldberg Variations, BWV 988

ODE1273-2

BEETHOVEN, L. van: Piano Concertos Nos. 2 and 4

ODE1311-2

BRAHMS, J.: Piano Concerto No. 1 / 4 Ballades

ODE1330-2

For Lars Vogt’s other recordings, please visit his artist page on naxos.com.

Playlists for November

Looking for new music? Our selection of curated playlists has you covered with music to complement the season, moment, or activity! Wind down with Rainy Day Chill, set the mood with Classical Dinner Party, explore indigenous musical traditions from North America in unCLASSIFIED’s Hues of Music: Indigenous Voices, and discover the enchanting music of France in Grand Piano’s French Piano Music. Happy listening!

Rainy Day Chill

Classical Dinner Party

Hues of Music: Indigenous Voices

French Piano Music

Don’t forget to follow Naxos on these streaming sites

Teatro Regio di Parma’s Macbeth awarded the Franco Abbiati Prize (Premio Abbiati)

The Verdi’s Macbeth performance at Teatro Regio di Parma in 2020 recently received a special prize of the Franco Abbiati Prize (Premio Abbiati) of the Italian Critics (Associazione Italiana Critici Musicali), the most important and prestigious prize of Italian critics.

This commanding performance of the work was led by Festival Verdi musical director Roberto Abbado with baritone Ludovic Tézier in the title role. The audio recording will be released on Dynamic as a world premiere recording of the opera’s rarely heard original 1865 version for performance in Paris and sung in French here.

NEW

VERDI, G.: Macbeth (1865 version) [Opera]

CDS7915.02

Verdi considered Shakespeare’s Macbeth to be ‘one of the greatest creations of man’. The opera’s unbroken dramatic line, incisive libretto and range of expression from the comic to the sublime, made it a work that was way ahead of its time. Verdi explores unusual theatrical characters with Macbeth, the darkness of which resonated with his desire to convey Shakespeare’s brutal realism in a visionary masterpiece that would only be fully appreciated by the mid-1900s.

MORE RECORDINGS OF FESTIVAL VERDI’S PRODUCTIONS

VERDI, G.: Trovatore (Il) [Opera] (Sung in French) (Teatro Regio di Parma, 2018) (NTSC)

37835

‘The principal singing is wonderful – polished, expressive, rhythmically alert and exceptionally musical.’
– Opera News

VERDI, G.: Due Foscari (I) [Opera] (Teatro Regio di Parma, 2019) (NTSC)

37865

‘The singing is variable, with baritone Vladimir Stoyanov bringing more vocal and histrionic class than his associates, his portrayal dominating the proceedings.’
– MusicWeb International

VERDI, G.: Nabucco [Opera] (Teatro Regio di Parma, 2019) (NTSC)

37867

‘Amartuvshin Enkhbat’s splendid, full-bodied baritone serves Nabucco’s music ideally.’
– Opera

VERDI, G.: Stiffelio [Opera] (Teatro Regio di Parma, 2017) (NTSC)

2.110590

‘The standard of singing is high and Vick draws creditable acting performances from all his principals.’
– Opera

VERDI, G.: Don Carlo [Opera] (Teatro Regio di Parma, 2016) (NTSC)

37776

‘The orchestra and chorus perform splendidly under the baton of Daniel Oren.’
– American Record Guide

Visit Presto Music to get up to 25% off on the Grand Piano label

Until 27 December, Presto Music is offering up to 25% off all discs on the Grand Piano label! The promotion includes both CDs and downloads.

HIGHLIGHTED RECORDINGS

NEW

MONTGEROULT, H.-A.-M. de N. de: Piano Sonatas (Complete)

GP885-86

NEW

Piano Music - PEJAČEVIĆ, D. / TIJARDOVIĆ, I. / LOGAR, M. / VLADIGEROV, P. (20th Century Foxtrots, Vol. 3: Central and Eastern Europe)

GP854

NEW

SZCZERBIŃSKI, A.: Piano Works (Complete), Vol. 1

GP876

NEW

SCHMITT, F.: Piano Works (Solitude)

GP850

NEW

MONTGEROULT, H.-A.-M. de N. de: Piano Sonatas (Complete)

GP858

BRILLON DE JOUY, A.-L. B. d'H.: Piano Sonatas Discovered (The)

GP872-73

SPENDIAROV (Spendiarian), A.: Piano Works (Complete) / Chamber Works with Piano

GP852-53

RAFF, J.: Piano and Orchestra Works - Piano Concerto / Ode au Printemps

GP771

BACH, J.S.: Cello Suites Nos. 1-6, BWV 1007-1012 (arr. E. Bindman for piano)

GP847-48

HANSON, R.C.: Piano Works (Complete)

GP860-61

BARJANSKY, A.: Piano Works (Complete), Vol. 1 - Fantasy Pieces / Piano Sonata No. 1 / 6 Piano Pieces

GP796

BALAKIREV, M.A.: Piano Works (Complete), Vol. 6

GP846

BROWSE ALL SELECTED TITLES ON PRESTO CLASSICAL

Label of the Month

Check the email message for your free download link

Gabriel Schwabe

Artist of the Month

Gabriel Schwabe

ICMA 2022 Nominations

The Valencia Baryton Project’s album receives a Premis Carles Santos nomination

© Alex Baker

Teatro Regio di Parma’s Macbeth awarded the Franco Abbiati Prize (Premio Abbiati)

Pianist Alessandro Marangoni at 2021 Rossini Opera Festival

© Daniele Cruciani

A Northern Christmas with Andreas Ihlebæk

Mozart’s magical opera is brought to life by a cast of Royal Opera favourites

Celebrating Camille Saint⁠-⁠Saëns (1835⁠–⁠1921)

Last Vogt and Orchestre de chambre record Mendelsohn

Podcast: A forgotten treasure. Marin Alsop talks Hindemith.

© Theresa Wey

Weinberg’s powerful opera The Passenger at the Oper Graz

Playlists for November

Visit Presto Music to get up to 25% off on the Grand Piano label

Walt Disney celebrates new film with special showcase featuring Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite

Specials from ArkivMusic

ArkivMusic

Label of the Month

Check the email message for your free download link

Artist of the Month

Gabriel Schwabe

ICMA 2022 Nominations

A Northern Christmas with Andreas Ihlebæk

The Valencia Baryton Project’s album receives a Premis Carles Santos nomination

Mozart’s magical opera is brought to life by a cast of Royal Opera favourites

Teatro Regio di Parma’s Macbeth awarded the Franco Abbiati Prize (Premio Abbiati)

Last Vogt and Orchestre de chambre record Mendelsohn

Pianist Alessandro Marangoni at 2021 Rossini Opera Festival

Weinberg’s powerful opera The Passenger at the Oper Graz

Walt Disney celebrates new film with special showcase featuring Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite

Celebrating Camille Saint⁠-⁠Saëns (1835⁠–⁠1921)

Visit Presto Music to get up to 25% off on the Grand Piano label

Podcast: A forgotten treasure. Marin Alsop talks Hindemith.

Playlists for November

Specials from ArkivMusic

ArkivMusic