Classical

Danielle de Niese: Beauty of the Baroque (Trailer)

charlotte — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 16:54:00 GMT

www.deccaclassics.com/artist/?ART_ID=DENDA

Soprano Danielle de Niese's third album embodies "Beauty of the Baroque", including Handel's "Ombra mai fu", Bach Cantatas, Monteverdi's "Pur ti miro" as well as solo songs by Purcell and Dowland.

For more information on the album go to: www.deccaclassics.com/deniese-beautyofthebaroque
www.deccaclassics.com/cat/4782260

For more information on the artist go to: www.danielledeniese.com

Nino Machaidze - Adieu, notre petite table - Manon

charlotte — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 16:57:00 GMT

Nino Machaidze is one of today's fastest rising young opera stars. At only age 25, the Georgian Soprano entered the international opera circuit with a spectacular debut at the 2008 Salzburg Festival replacing Anna Netrebko as Juliette in a new production of Gounod's "Roméo et Juliette" alongside tenor superstar Rolando Villazón. Her electric performance was greatly received by both the audience and the press ("A Juliette to Cherish" Opera News; "The discovery of the 2008 Salzburg Festival" Crescendo).

For her first Sony Classical recording 'Romantic Arias' Nino has made a selection of the greatest bel canto and lyric roles.

Joseph Calleja - The Maltese Tenor

charlotte — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 11:02:00 GMT

Joseph Calleja's opera and concert successes are now crowned by a new recording. His third Decca album captures the development of his art and presents him in some of the roles he is currently performing to ecstatic critical responses: "All the ardor and beauty of tone one could wish for...one of the finest lyric tenors before the public today" (Houston Chronicle on recent performances of Puccini's Madama Butterfly).

Classic FM - Movie Music Chart - Out of Africa - John Barry Soundtrack

charlotte — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 14:34:00 GMT

John Barry is the genius composer behind what is probably the most recognisable film score ever, the James Bond theme. He then went onto become one of the most celebrated film composers of modern times, winning five Academy Awards and four Grammys for such memorable scores as Midnight Cowboy, Dances With Wolves as well as for Out Of Africa.

Winner of seven Academy Awards, the story tells of a rich, bored Danish woman who finds love with a free-spirited handsome hunter in turbulent East Africa. Filmed entirely in Kenya and Based on a book by Isaac Dinesen and Karen Blixen.

http://moviemusicchart.classicfm.co.uk/Top100/Out_of_Africa

Alice Sara Ott plays Beethoven - Trailer

charlotte — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 18:34:00 GMT

Following the success of her previous Deutsche Grammophon recordings, Alice Sara Ott embraces two masterworks of piano literature: Beethoven's Sonatas in C major, reflecting different phases of the composer's life.

Both C major sonatas on this album have been in Alice Sara Ott's repertoire since her early teens and she feels that recording them now is testimony to her regard for Beethoven and of her ability to present a personal and artistic statement of these works.

Hayley Westenra sings 'Gabriel's Oboe (Whispers In A Dream)' From Paradiso

charlotte — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 10:10:00 GMT

New Zealander Hayley Westenra is back with her new album 'Paradiso'. The word's biggest selling soprano showcases an extraordinary collaboration with film legend Ennio Morricone. The album features new arrangements of his award winning film themes of the last 50 years including 'Cinema Paradiso' and 'The Mission' as well as new compositions written especially for Hayley by Morricone.

As well as fulfilling a lifeline long dream of working with the master Italian composer, 'Paradiso' also marks Hayley's 10th year in the music industry.

That's Entertainment! A Celebration of the MGM Film Musical (Full mini-documetary)

charlotte — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 08:52:00 GMT

Captured in high quality audio for the first time, the glorious music from the golden age of Hollywood – the MGM film musicals. The scores have been painstakingly restored and arranged by conductor John Wilson and are performed here by the John Wilson Orchestra.

Most of the scores have been lovingly and painstakingly reconstructed by Wilson, as MGM destroyed the originals in 1969. This is the first time the songs, including "Singin' in the Rain", "Steppin' Out with My Baby", "The Trolley Song", and title track "That's Entertainment", have been recorded in their intended orchestration since the films' original soundtrack recordings. That's Entertainment, featuring Kim Criswell, Matthew Ford, Sarah Fox, Seth MacFarlane and Curtis Stigers, will be available in luxury, standard and digital packaging from 29th August, 2011.

Milos The Guitar: Albeniz No.1 Granada

charlotte — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 14:42:00 GMT

Born in the small Balkan state of Montenegro, Miloš's love-affair with the guitar began when he was eight, when his father played him a recording of Segovia making magic with Albeniz's 'Asturias'. Armed with the family's dusty old guitar, Miloš enrolled at a specialist music school, where in six months he learned all its teachers had to impart.

He gave his first public performance at nine, entered (and won) his first national competition at eleven, on the same day won a singing competition in his home town. He became a star performer on television and radio, took guitar master-classes in Belgrade, and then, shortly after the end of the Balkan war, decided to try for a scholarship at London's Royal Academy...

Miloš's choices of solo repertoire as well as music for guitar and orchestra are guaranteed to appeal to all lovers of guitar, classical and non-classical alike.

Laura Wright. The Last Rose

charlotte — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 17:28:00 GMT

Laura Wright had plenty to celebrate when she recently turned 21. A completed London Marathon, a recording contract with Decca and the imminent release of her debut album, The Last Rose, were a few things that added a little extra cheer to the party.

Having played some of her sumptuously-arranged tracks on Classic FM, we were very aware that this was an album to be proud of. Part English folk, part classical favourites, The Last Rose is an enjoyable journey held together by Laura’s beautiful voice.

When we caught up with her, we were eager to find out a little more about the album and Laura’s amazing journey from All Angels to solo superstar.

Listen to the interview here: http://www.classicfm.co.uk/music/interviews/laura-wright-our-last-rose/

BBC Proms 2011 - Royal Albert Hall, 15 July 2011 to 10 September 2011

charlotte — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 16:31:00 GMT

"Proms" is short for Promenade concert: informal and inexpensive concerts where Promenaders ("Prommers") pay just £5 for a ticket.

A Comedy Prom by Tim Minchin: Comedian Tim Minchin takes to the Proms stage, 13 Aug
Prom 12: Human Planet Prom with video projections and excerpts from Nitin Sawhney's score for the BBC Human Planet series
Prom 13: Verdi – Requiem, Verdi's masterpiece in the second of the Proms' Choral Sundays, 24 Jul
Prom 37: Bridge, Brahms, Holst & Elgar, classical piano music, 11 Aug
Prom 64: Audience Choice, the Budapest Festival Orchestra will play pieces chosen by the audience, 2 Sep
Proms in the Park: An exciting concert in Hyde Park followed by a live link up to the Last Night of the Proms on a big screen, 10 Sep

Grimmauld Place, by Alexandre Desplat - 'Deathly Hallows: Part I' soundtrack

charlotte — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 16:45:00 GMT

Desplat follows in the footsteps of composers John Williams, William Ross, Patrick Doyle and Nicholas Hooper and says:
"You can't escape the weight of the previous six films. I can't think of many franchises that have been so successful, and so critically acclaimed. You're into a big league here. But I try to get my voice through whatever I do. Making a movie is a very collective art work. It's not just you writing for a concert. Suddenly you are one little ant. You have to keep your humility. If you want to be a good artist you have to have an ego, but with a lot of humility, otherwise you don't progress."

Joe Mcelderry - Week 3 - Popstar To Operastar

charlotte — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 10:11:00 GMT

Joe McElderry sang La Donna è Mobile

Opera: Rigoletto Composer: Verdi

Basic plot of opera: Playboy Duke seduces any woman he pleases including, eventually, his jester, Rigoletto’s daughter. Rigoletto vows revenge and pays assassin to kill Duke. Daughter sacrifices herself to save her beloved Duke and is killed in his place.

Aria: In this aria, the Duke, who is disguised as a soldier, complains that all women are fickle and that they will betray anyone who falls in love with them. The irony is that it is the callous playboy Duke himself who is known for the exact same.

Elias Quartet - Radio 3 New Generation Artists

charlotte — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 09:12:00 GMT

The members of the Elias string Quartet all live in England but are originally from France, Scotland and Sweden. The Quartet was formed in 1998 at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester where they worked regularly with Dr. Christopher Rowland. They won all the RNCM quartet awards and became Junior Fellows and then "Associated Quartet". They also spent a year at the Hochschule in Cologne with the Alban Berg quartet.

The Quartet received second prize and the Sidney Griller prize at the 9th London International String Quartet Competition in 2003 (as the Johnston String Quartet). They were finalists in the Paolo Borciani Competition in 2005 and have twice been awarded scholarships from the Hattori Foundation.

They have performed extensively in the UK, and in France, Germany, Sweden, Austria, Italy, and the USA, in venues such as the Wigmore Hall, Purcell Room, Snape Maltings Concert Hall, Bridgewater Hall, Fairfield Halls, Stockholm Concert Hall, the Auditorium du Louvre, and Jordan Hall. They were Ensemble in Residence at Kettle's Yard in Cambridge in 2007 and 2008 and have broadcast live on national radio in the UK, France and Sweden. This season includes a three concert Schubert series at the Wigmore Hall, London, and a five week tour of Australia for Musica Viva. They have performed with artists such as Andrew Marriner, Ralph Kirshbaum, Joan Rogers, Mark Padmore, Roger Vignoles, Michel Dalberto, Peter Cropper, Bernard Gregor-Smith, Robin Ireland, Adrian Brendel and with the Endellion, Navarra and Vertavo quartets.

More at - http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio3/classical/newgenerationartists/artists/elias_quartet.shtml

Pop Star to Opera Star: Week 3 - Marcella Detroit sings "The Queen Of The Night Aria"

charlotte — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 15:34:00 GMT

Popstar to Operastar sees eight best-selling recording artists attempting to show that they have the vocal range, the stamina and staying power to master the glorious art of opera.

The operatic hopefuls are trained to perform world-famous opera arias by chart-topping mezzo soprano Katherine Jenkins and Mexican tenor Rolando Villazón , and are critiqued by a panel of judges including actor Simon Callow and violinist Vanessa Mae .

Craig Ogden: Summertime

charlotte — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 15:06:00 GMT

Following the phenomenal success of his Number 1 album 'The Guitarist', classical guitarist Craig Ogden releases his highly-anticipated second album on Classic FM, entitled 'Summertime'.

Australian-born Craig Ogden is known as 'The Classical Jack Johnson' through his laid back, effortless and naturally skilled approach to playing guitar. Few guitarists have managed to produce the beautiful sound that Craig does so effortlessly, nor have his natural connection to audiences around the world.

'Summertime' has everything you need to help you unwind, relax and to get you the mood for summer. Evoking feelings of being on holiday, it's the perfect soundtrack for the growing number of people enjoying the 'stay-cation' during the summer months. Providing serene summer listening that transports you to the sun-kissed coasts of Spain with pieces such as Granada, Asturias and Concierto de Aranjuez; to the romantic world of cinema with favourites such as Pelagia's Song from Captain Corelli's Mandolin, The Godfather Theme and Morricone's Gabriel's Oboe from The Mission. The album also includes brand new versions of popular pieces such as Satie's Gymnopedie No.1 and Mozart's Rondo Alla Turca.

Danielle de Niese: Beauty of the Baroque

charlotte — Tue, 31 May 2011 09:09:00 GMT

Since her early success in Glyndebourne's now famous production of Handel's Giulio Cesare, Danielle de Niese has become most closely associated with the music of the Baroque. The New York Times commented: "A voice seductive enough to woo gods as well as mortals".

With her third solo album, Danielle de Niese embodies the Beauty of the Baroque with an album of arias from the English, German, and Italian traditions, accompanied by the leading European Baroque orchestra, The English Concert, under Harry Bicket. Many popular arias feature, including Handel's, 'Ombra mai fu', and highlights from JS Bach's Cantatas are contrasted with much loved solo songs by Purcell and Dowland.

Decca's star countertenor Andreas Scholl joins Danielle de Niese for duets including the ravishing duet 'Pur ti miro' from Monteverdi's L'Incoronazione di Poppea.

Pet Shop Boys’ first ever live album ‘Concrete’ and ‘Battleship Potemkin’ available in the US for the first time.

charlotte — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 15:10:00 GMT

[View:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qt16V3N-o18]

Astralwerks is proud to announce the release of Pet Shop Boys’ first-ever double live album, Concrete as well as Battleship Potemkin, their original music for the film Sergei Eisenstein’s classic film. This is the first time the releases have been available digitally in the US. Both releases will arrive in the U.S. on May 17th.

Concrete was originally recorded live for Radio 2 at the Mermaid Theatre in London with the BBC Concert Orchestra, and released in the UK in May of 2006, the show features songs Pet Shop Boys had previously recorded with orchestral arrangements, including huge hits, album tracks from their album Fundamental and a few surprises, including a song from their musical “Closer To Heaven”.

With musical direction by Trevor Horn, the night was made extra-special by the individual appearances of Robbie Williams, Rufus Wainwright and Frances Barber, each of whom sang lead vocals on a Pet Shop Boys song.

Concrete Tracklisting:
LEFT TO MY OWN DEVICES
RENT
YOU ONLY TELL ME YOU LOVE ME WHEN YOU’RE DRUNK
THE SODOM AND GOMORRAH SHOW
CASANOVA IN HELL (feat. Vocals by Rufus Wainwright)
AFTER ALL
FRIENDLY FIRE (feat. vocals by Frances Barber)
INTEGRAL
NUMB
IT’S ALRIGHT
LUNA PARK
NOTHING HAS BEEN PROVED
JEALOUSY (feat. Vocals by Robbie Williams)
DREAMING OF THE QUEEN
IT’S A SIN
INDEFINITE LEAVE TO REMAIN
WEST END GIRLS

Astralwerks will also release Pet Shop Boys’ original music for Sergei Eisenstein’s classic film “Battleship Potemkin.” The music was recorded in London and Berlin with the Dresdner Sinfoniker in 2004, with orchestrations by Torsten Rasch.

It originally premiered in 2004, when Pet Shop Boys and the Dresdner Sinfoniker played the score to accompany a screening of the film in London’s Trafalgar Square. The free event was presented by the ICA and GLA and attracted 40,000 people. At the time, The Independent noted that “this must be the largest audience for an art movie ever recorded”.

Eisenstein’s film, made in 1925, describes the mutiny of the sailors on the battleship Potemkin in 1905, an event which then linked up with the local population in Odessa as part of Russia’s 1905 revolution. In France the authorities destroyed the film; in Germany it was subject to censorship and in Britain it was banned, apart from club performances, until 1954.

For the film’s Moscow premiere in January 1926, its soundtrack was a medley of existing pieces by Beethoven, Tchaikovsky and others, but when the film reached Berlin later that year, it had its first specially-written score, by the radical composer Edmund Meisel. Eisenstein would subsequently acclaim the power of such “unity of fused musical and visual images” in his work and is said to have hoped that a new Battleship Potemkin soundtrack would be written for each new decade.

In April 2003, Philip Dodd, director of the Institute of Contemporary Arts in London, approached Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe and suggested that they might write a new score for the film and perform it as a free concert in Trafalgar Square. They wrote the music in the order it would be heard, following the structure of the film. From the beginning they resolved to combine electronic music and strings; the lyrics of the three vocal pieces within it were largely inspired by the film’s original subtitles, though one – “After All (The Odessa Staircase)” – was also prompted by the role in London of Trafalgar Square as a home of political dissent.

Tennant and Lowe decided to ask Torsten Rasch to orchestrate the work after hearing his song cycle “Mein Herz Brennt”, a record based on the music of the rock group Rammstein which has sold over two million copies worldwide. Torsten Rasch’s orchestrations were recorded by the Dresdner Sinfoniker, conducted by Jonathan Stockhammer, in Berlin during July 2004. The finished composition – “not so much background music as foreground music”, says Neil Tennant.

Neil Tennant continues; “I’ve read a lot about Russian history and, when we started this, I said ‘of course it’s really just a propaganda film’. And Chris pointed out that it’s an ideal, really. It’s an ideal of revolution. It’s a romantic film of people struggling against oppression to find freedom. And that’s why I think it works totally outside the communist context. It’s a very stirring film, and I think we’ve tried to bring out that stirring and idealistic quality in the music.”

“Battleship Potemkin”, composed by Tennant/Lowe, is performed by Pet Shop Boys and the Dresdner Sinfoniker, conducted by Jonathan Stockhammer. Orchestrations are by Torsten Rasch.

Noriko Ogawa on her Japan disaster appeal concert in London

charlotte — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 17:09:00 GMT

Renowned pianist Noriko Ogawa has performed a special appeal concert in aid of the British Red Cross Japan Tsunami Appeal at Kings Place on Wednesday 30 March. Here she talks about the disaster that has devastated her country and the music she chose to perform.

http://www.redcross.org.uk/japantsunami/?approachcode=68816_googleAD_japantsunami&gclid=CKvXmd3Mq6gCFUEb4Qod1n7nHg

Andre Rieu - Forever Vienna

charlotte — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 16:38:00 GMT

'Forever Vienna' is a CD/DVD set by the critically acclaimed violinist and conductor, Andre Rieu. Regarded as the modern King of Waltz, Reiu looks to recreate the style and spirit of Johann Strauss and does so here with a collection of classic Viennese works. The live DVD included here features a typically eccentric performance from the Dutch artist, in collaboration with the Johann Strauss Orchestra at the Royal Albert Hall.

Mojca Erdmann: Barokorchester Basel: Andrea Marcon

charlotte — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 11:33:00 GMT

Mojca Erdmann's Deutsche Grammophon recording debut combines a variety of Mozart's best beloved arias and works by his contemporaries such as J.C. Bach, Holzbauer, and Paisiello. The album also features Andrea Marcon and the outstanding period instrumentalists of La Cetra Baroque Orchestra, Basle. Plans in 2011 include her debut at New York's Metropolitan Opera as Zerlina in a new Don Giovanni

Interview with Julia Fischer on "Poème"

charlotte — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 16:47:00 GMT

Julia Fischer follows her extraordinary Grammy-nominated recording of the fiendish Paganini Caprices with a contrasting album − a lyrical and poetic set of impressionistic works for violin and orchestra.

Comprising four substantial pieces, this unique program is headed by Suk's virtuosic Fantasy, a mini-concerto that is now justifiably finding its way into the concert repertoire. It is accompanied by two well-known tone poems - the elegant Poème by Chausson and the English pastoral The Lark Ascending by Vaughan Williams. The album is completed by Respighi's Poema autunnale (of which there is only one other recording in the catalogue), making the program truly multinational.

For this recording, Julia Fischer is joined by her long-term colleague on the podium, Yakov Kreizberg, directing his own orchestra, the Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra - with whom Julia Fischer has a very close artistic relationship as artist in residence for the 2010/11 season

Yuja Wang / Rachmaninoff : Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini

charlotte — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 17:36:00 GMT

Yuja Wang, Gramophone's "Young Artist of the Year" in 2009 joins the legendary maestro, Claudio Abbado on her first orchestral album and the Mahler Chamber Orchestra.

To the challenging Rachmaninov Piano Concerto no. 2, she adds the daunting Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini.

1. Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini Op.43
2. Piano Concerto No.2 In C Minor Op.18

Blake - All of Me

charlotte — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 16:04:00 GMT

A classical crossover vocal group that gained initial notoriety given their formation on social-networking website Facebook, Blake acquired broader attention in 2007 when they were tapped to be featured on "World in Union," the official theme song of the England rugby team ahead of that year's Rugby World Cup. The members found their voices -- as it were -- at a house party after connecting online, and they used their success with the aforementioned website to hook up with their manager, Daniel Glatman, who was able to score them a deal with Universal Music. November 2007 saw the release of their self-titled debut, a mlange of classic pop tunes, soundtrack favourites, and notable classical songs.

Daniel Hope: Romantic Violinist

charlotte — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 11:28:00 GMT

Friends with Mendelssohn, the Schumanns, Brahms, Dvorak, Liszt, Bruch, and others, Joachim was a revered violinist, conductor, and composer of the Romantic Era. The central piece is Bruch’s Violin Concerto, its violin part completely reworked, at Bruch's request, by Joachim into the form we know today. Daniel Hope plays the concerto with the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra under Sakari Oramo.

Yuja Wang plays Rachmaninov

charlotte — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 17:50:00 GMT

Yuja Wang: Abbado - Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No 2

Yuja Wang, Gramophone's "Young Artist of the Year" in 2009 joins the legendary maestro, Claudio Abbado on her first orchestral album and the Mahler Chamber Orchestra.

To the challenging Rachmaninov Piano Concerto no. 2, she adds the daunting Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini.

The Pet Shop Boys & Javier De Frutos – The Most Incredible Thing

charlotte — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 10:10:00 GMT

The Pet Shop Boys have never been a band to follow the norm, and 2011 is no exception to the rule.

To coincide with their first ever full-length ballet, “The Most Incredible Thing”, the Pet Shop Boys - Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe release the music to it on March 14 through Parlophone Records.

The ballet is a collaboration with choreographer Javier De Frutos and Britain’s leading contemporary dance theatre, Sadler’s Wells. Based on the Hans Christian Anderson story of the same title, it runs at Sadler’s Wells in London from 17-26 March 2011.

The music is performed by Pet Shop Boys and the Wrocław Score Orchestra conducted by Dominic Wheeler.

Tennant and Lowe proposed Andersen’s story as the basis for a new ballet to Sadler's Wells in London in 2007 after a friend, the then Royal Ballet principal, Ivan Putrov, asked Neil Tennant if Pet Shop Boys would consider writing a piece of music for him to dance to at Sadler's Wells. Coincidentally a couple of days later, Chris Lowe suggested to Neil Tennant that "The Most Incredible Thing" would make an excellent narrative for a ballet and, inspired by this synchronicity, they approached Sadler's Wells with the project. The following year Javier De Frutos was chosen as the choreographer. The story is about a competition in a mythical kingdom where the King announces that whoever invents the most incredible thing will win the hand of the Princess in marriage and half of the Kingdom. What follows is creative, destructive but ultimately happy.

Tennant and Lowe started the project in the autumn of 2008 composing most of Act One, and the rest of the score in 2010. The music is a combination of electronics and orchestra. They approached the young German musician Sven Helbig to create the orchestrations and at the end of 2010 these were recorded in Poland with the Wrocław Score Orchestra conducted by Dominic Wheeler. After the initial run of performances of The Most Incredible Thing in March, a return to Sadler's Wells followed by a tour is planned for 2012.

Neil & Chris said: “This is a very exciting project to be part of. In the past we have written dance music so to write music for a ballet seems like a logical development. Also we have always been fascinated by giving our music a theatrical context.”

In a recent interview the Pet Shop Boys said "There's nothing wrong with JLS, but whatever else you can say about them, they're unlikely to ever perform a song about the Russian revolution, or write the score for a ballet. For that kind of pop thrill we turn to the Pet Shop Boys ... [the ballet's] themes of sacrifice, redemption and justice are very much typical of the subject matter Neil Tennant usually deals in."

While this is their first adventure into ballet, the Pet Shop Boys are known for their cross-media projects: their first musical was in 2001 with ‘Closer to Heaven.’ They wrote and produced a 2005 soundtrack for Eisenstein's film classic Battleship Potemkin, which was first performed live in Hyde Park. More recently in 2010 they score for David Almond's play ‘My Dad's a Birdman’ performed at the Young Vic.

Charlie Siem

charlotte — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 17:19:00 GMT

Charlie Siem was born in London in 1986, and began studying the violin at the age of four. He continued his studies at the Guildhall School of Music and subsequently at The Royal College of Music under the tutelage of Itzhak Rashkovsky. Other notable tutors include the renowned violinist and conductor Shlomo Mintz. In tandem with his music studies at The Royal College, Charlie also read music at Cambridge University.

Charlie has been performing internationally to great acclaim since the age of sixteen and has appeared with many of the world’s leading orchestras, including the Royal Philharmonic, the London Mozart Players and the Israel Camerata. His repertoire covers both the major concertos and chamber music. In addition, he is a regular guest at national and international music festivals including Windsor, Spoleto and St. Moritz. 2008 also saw the release of his debut classical CD of Grieg and Elgar Sonatas with pianist Andrei Korobeinikov.

On this disc Charlie presents a programme of music from Wieniawski, Kreisler, Bazzini, Paganini, Waxman and Sarasate.

Joyce DiDonato - Diva, Divo

charlotte — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 17:48:00 GMT

Joyce DiDonato celebrates the rich dramatic variety of the mezzo-soprano voice in this collection of arias for different characters – of both sexes – from a single opera, or from different operatic treatments of the same story.

Joyce DiDonato's capacity for characterisation is as astounding as the range and flexibility of her voice. As her Virgin Classics recitals of Handel and Rossini have proven, she can charm and touch as a good girl, seduce and seethe as a bad girl, and slip believably into the trousers of a hero. As Opera News said of the Rossini disc, 'Colbran, The Muse': "With her sure sense of line and colour, DiDonato takes possession of the repertory, mining every musical and vocal gesture to inhabit each character confidently … Her theatrical sense is magnificent. Musically and dramatically, the disc is perfection."

This new collection showcases DiDonato's multi-faceted art – and the wealth of opportunities open to a mezzo-soprano – by presenting her as different characters, both male and female, from the same opera or from different musical treatments of the same story.

Simone Dinnerstein Bach: A Strange Beauty

charlotte — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 18:01:00 GMT

This album sees Simone Dinnerstein return to Bach, this time combining three transcriptions of his Chorale Preludes with one of his English Suites and two of his Keyboard Concerti, again revealing her intense and expressive playing style, as well as her individual approach to Bach's music. The mixed program offers a range of sonorities and textures - the solo piano, piano with orchestra, the piano mimicking other instruments, and even the piano evoking a soloist with orchestra, as it does during the English Suite.

The title Simone has chosen for her album comes from a quote from the writer and philosopher Sir Francis Bacon about beauty: "There is no excellent beauty that hath not some strangeness in the proportion." She feels this exemplifies the way she experiences Bach's music. Seemingly built around patterns, symmetry and logic, Bach's music upon further exploration deviates constantly from the expected patterns, altering the rhythmic stress and creating something mysterious and unexpected.

For her first orchestral recording Simone is joined by members of one of Berlin's most venerable institutions - Kammerorchester Staatskapelle Berlin, with Stephan Mai as concertmaster. Grammy-Award winning producer Adam Abeshouse, who produced Dinnerstein's Goldberg Variations disc and her follow-up album The Berlin Concert, returns to recapture her distinctive sound on Bach: A Strange Beauty.

Kate Royal - A Lesson In Love

charlotte — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 16:18:00 GMT

'A Lesson in Love', is an intimate recital by lyric soprano Kate Royal with pianist Malcolm Martineau charting a young girl’s journey of love and loss through a combination of German lieder, English and American songs and French melodies. The exclusive iTunes digital album also includes a bonus track, Reynaldo Hahn’s Infidélité. Royal’s very personal song cycle follows two critically acclaimed orchestral discs, the eponymously titled Kate Royal and Midsummer Night.

'A Lesson in Love', is presented in four chapters: Waiting, Meeting, Wedding and Betrayal. It follows a young girl’s relationship from her first kiss and the thrill of blossoming love to the joy of love fulfilled. There is disappointment and anger when the relationship breaks up, leading to eventual acceptance, and even a glimpse of optimism about the possibility of future love. Royal brings a youthful approach along with an "unutterably beautiful timbre" to repertoire that includes William Bolcom’s cabaret-inspired Waitin, Schumann’s Jemand, Debussy's Apparition, Frank Bridge's Love went a riding, Richard Strauss's Hochzeitlich Lied, Britten's O waly Waly and Copland's Heart we will forget him.

Valjean Quartet - "Bring Him Home", Les Miserables 25th Anniversary Concert

charlotte — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 11:18:00 GMT

This is a video of the encore performance of the song "Bring Him Home" by the Valjean Quartet (Colm Wilkinson, John Owen-Jones, Simon Bowman, Alfie Boe) during the Les Misérables 25th Anniversary Concert at London's O2 Arena, October 3 2010.

Katherine Jenkins - Angel

charlotte — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 10:53:00 GMT

The last year has been classical crossover star Katherine Jenkins' biggest yet. From releasing her biggest album to date – the David Foster produced Believe - selling out her first solo UK Arena tour, being a guest judge on ITV1's hit entertainment show, Popstar To Operastar, to filming her first acting role in the forthcoming Dr Who Christmas Special, 2010 was a vintage year for the award-winning Welsh Mezzo-Soprano.

To mark the success of 'Believe', Warner Bros Records release Believe: The Platinum Edition, containing four new tracks and the special bonus DVD, 'A Year Of Believe'.

In addition to the original Believe repertoire including The Theme From The Godfather, Angel and Bring Me To Life comes the breathtaking new track Tell Me I’m Not Dreaming (produced by John Shanks), a unique take on the Chris Martin penned epic, Gravity, also produced by John Shanks, as well as the traditional Christmas recording In The Bleak Midwinter. As an additional bonus there is a special live recording of her sensational duet with Michael Bolton of O Holy Night, recorded in Scandinavia last year.

JONAS KAUFMANN. canta " È LA SOLITA STORIA " ( CILEA )

charlotte — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 15:44:00 GMT

Jonas Kaufmann - Verismo Arias

Jonas Kaufmann returns to the Italian verismo tradition to sing arias that define opera's most passionate and vulnerable leading men. Kaufmann's international reputation is soaring as, going from strength to strength, he delivers consistently thrilling performances.

The onyx-dark beauty of his tone and the refinement and unexpected insights of his delivery mark Jonas Kaufmann a poet of tenors.

Timed for release when he makes his anticipated role debut as Maurizio in Adriana Lecouvreur at Covent Garden opposite Angela Gheorghiu, this disc includes excerpts from the Cilea work that helped put Caruso on the map. This album also entices with rarities from Zandonai’s dramatic Giulietta e Romeo and Puccini's Le Villi.

Supporting Jonas Kaufmann is Italy's leading symphonic orchestra, the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia, under its dynamic music director Antonio Pappano. Both maestro and orchestra are utterly at home in this repertoire.

Bryn Terfel's Carols & Christmas Songs

charlotte — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 17:52:00 GMT

Bryn Terfel, the Welsh bass-baritone who possesses one of Britian's most treasured voices, will this Christmas release a very personal, intimate album of his favourite Christmas carols and songs from around the world and from his native Wales. The album includes a bonus disc of Welsh language carols from his homeland.

Bryn's velvety voice will grace many a festive home through his double-disc of best-loved Christmas music. The album includes the nation's favourite carol 'In The Bleak Midwinter', a very special duet of 'White Christmas' and also warm, festive arrangements of 'Silent Night', 'Still, Still, Still' and 'O, Come, All Ye Faithful'.

Bryn has secured local Welsh singers, musicians and songwriters for this brand new album; Gwarw Edwards sings a duet with Bryn, Caryl Parry Jones has written new Christmas songs and the brilliant Welsh harpist Catrin Finch joins the Welsh-infused celebration too. With the Welsh National Orchestra under Tecwyn Evans and the chorus Cordydd Bryn completes a true festive showcase for Welsh talent.

Contributing to the more international flavour, the tenor Rolando Villazon joins Bryn for the beautiful Spanish Christmas song 'El Nacimiento'. All the carols and songs are performed brilliantly in new and original arrangements by Mack Wilberg (music director of Mormon Tabernacle Choir) and Chris Hazell.

This, Bryn's first ever Christmas offering, is likely to quickly become an essential seasonal album in British homes. It's the album that, upon its first play, will instantly transform a normal house into a magical Christmas family celebration.

Il Divo - Adagio, An Evening With Il Divo

charlotte — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 17:00:00 GMT

Founded by Simon Cowell in 2003, Il Divo (Italian for 'Male Diva') are a multinational operatic pop vocal group. The four members of the group, from France, Switzerland, Spain and America sing in Italian, English, Spanish, French and Latin, and were named the Most Multinational UK No.1 Album Group in the 2006 edition of the Guinness Book Of Records. 'An Evening With Il Divo' showcases the band singing live in Barcelona.

Katherine Jenkins - Believe - Live at the O2

charlotte — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 11:27:00 GMT

International star Katherine Jenkins first UK solo arena tour, celebrating her latest album "Believe" was heralded an outstanding success by fans and critics alike. Filmed at London's O2 Arena, Katherine takes her live performance to a phenomenal new level. This show presents Katherine as singer, dancer, actress and circus performer across a range of music running from virtuoso classical pieces to standards, cabaret and musical theatre. Directed by renowned choreographer Kim Gavin we are invited to enjoy fantastic performances from Katherine plus a troupe of singers, dancers, orchestra and band. This is Katherine Jenkins as you've never seen her before!

Aled Jones and Isabel Suckling 14th Sept 2010

charlotte — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 18:22:00 GMT

Isabel Suckling (born 24 March 1998) is a British choirgirl who upon signing a record deal with Decca Records became the youngest classical recording artist to date, and the first choirgirl to sign a record contract with a major music label.Suckling sings in the choir at York Minster and was discovered by Decca following a nationwide search. She is currently being mentored by the singer, TV/radio presenter and former boy soprano Aled Jones.

Alison Balsom - Italian Concertos

charlotte — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 16:21:00 GMT

"She makes the trumpet sing with an irresistible exuberance and eloquence." With the human voice a particular inspiration in the music of Italy, the words of The Times have a special resonance for Alison Balsom in these works composed or inspired by Italian composers of the 18th century. This collection provides an apt vehicle for the award-winning trumpeter's characteristic brilliance and grace.

Following the popular and critical international success of her Haydn and Hummel concertos recording, Alison Balsom has recorded a programme of Italian Baroque concertos.

Janine Jansen - Beau Soir: Après un reve

charlotte — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 15:05:00 GMT

For her first recital recording celebrated Dutch virtuoso Janine Jansen has chosen a programme of French music, performed with her regular recital partner, celebrated pianist Itamar Golan: "She's intoxicating, and with Golan as a partner, unstoppable" (The Observer, concert review).

'Beau Soir' - named after Debussy's evocation of evening - takes us from dusk to the moonlit night, from lullabies into sleep, from dreams to awakening and recollection.

Popular classics such as Faure's Berceuse and Apres un reve and Debussy's Claire de lune are contrasted with three substantial works; sonatas by Debussy and Ravel, and Messiaen's Theme and Variations.

The album also includes three new works by the widely admired contemporary Swiss composer Richard Dubugnon, whose violin concerto Janine Jansen premiered in Paris in 2008. Now resident in the French capital, Richard Dubugnon acted as a consultant on the 'Beau Soir' album and shares the background to the project in the booklet essay.

Cecilia Bartoli - Sospiri

charlotte — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 09:51:00 GMT

Cecilia Bartoli is loved the world over for vocal fireworks and spectacular coloratura, but she is also adored for her spine-tingling pianissimi and her ability to shape endless, velvety phrases. For the first time, this product will focus on the irresistibly sensual side of Cecilia Bartoli's art. It has been conceived as a popular 'mood' or lifestyle compilation — presenting quieter arias showcasing Cecilia's vocal beauty, sensuality and emotion. 'Sospiri' is designed to present this most accessible aspect of Cecilia Bartoli's art to the broadest popular-classical market.

'Sospiri' contains favourite arias by Mozart and Handel, bel canto jewels by Bellini and Rossini and treasures by Vivaldi as well as music which Cecilia Bartoli has “rediscovered” on her recent record-breaking solo albums .

For Cecilia's existing fans, the Prestige Edition includes a previously unreleased aria and world premiere recording of Vinci's Cervo in bosco, one of Farinelli's calling card arias.

Both formats include a new interpretation of Rosina's aria Una voce poco fa, from Il Barbiere di Siviglia - the dazzling aria of young love, the role in which Cecilia Bartoli first shot to international stardom. She infuses this new interpretation with all her knowledge of the baroque and classical tradition on which Rossini's music was founded, her experience of period practice and critical reading of the manuscripts, together with a playfulness and variety of colors which she has acquired over the years. On this track recorded during the Maria sessions Cecilia Bartoli is accompanied by a fantastic period practice orchestra, Orchestra La Scintilla.

The Prestige Edition also includes several duets, two popular ones: Mozart's Là ci darem la mano with Bryn Terfel and Mascagni's Tutto tace (Cherry duet) with Luciano Pavarotti and features a very original one with Maxim Vengerov: Mendelssohn's Ah, ritorna, an excerpt from the rarely performed concert aria Infelice!

The Armed Man by Karl Jenkins

charlotte — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 12:59:00 GMT

Karl Jenkins: Hayley Westenra: Bernard Cribbins - Jenkins Armed Man For The Fallen Bonus Dvd Special Edition.

To celebrate the tenth anniversary of this popular piece, EMI Classics is releasing this Special Edition package comprising the original recording of The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace coupled with the world premiere recording of his brand new piece For the Fallen: In memoriam Alfryn Jenkins, a DVD featuring a full filmed performance of The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace and a special extended commemorative booklet.

Libertango (Alison Balsom) - Last Night of the Proms 2009

charlotte — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 15:01:00 GMT

She makes the trumpet sing with an irresistible exuberance and eloquence." With the human voice a particular inspiration in the music of Italy, the words of The Times have a special resonance for Alison Balsom in these works composed or inspired by Italian composers of the 18th century. This collection provides an apt vehicle for the award-winning trumpeter's characteristic brilliance and grace.

Following the popular and critical international success of her Haydn and Hummel concertos recording, Alison Balsom has recorded a programme of Italian Baroque concertos.

BBC Proms 2010: Proms in the Park

charlotte — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 16:46:00 GMT

11 Sep 2010 5:30 PM

Hyde Park - London, +44 (0)20 7262 5484

www.bbc.co.uk/proms

BBC Proms in the Park in London

Now in its 15th year, BBC Proms in the Park remains one of London's most popular outdoor live music events.

Grab a picnic and some flags and head to Hyde Park to enjoy five hours of music and entertainment, plus a sensational firework finale.

In an evening of performances hosted by Sir Terry Wogan, you'll see an amazing line-up of international stars, including:

Dame Kiri Te Kanawa
José Carreras

Accompaniment is provided by the BBC Concert Orchestra, conducted by Martin Yates.

You'll also be treated to a warm-up session hosted by BBC Radio 2 presenter Ken Bruce, top tribute bands Björn Again.

Tête à Tête – The Opera Festival 2010 - Riverside Studios

charlotte — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 11:04:00 GMT

5 August 2010 to 22 August 2010

Riverside Studios/Crisp Rd
Hammersmith

London

W6 9RL

+44 (0)20 8237 1000

This year marks the fourth instalment of Tête à Tête – The Opera Festival. And once again the company presents three brand-new, bite-sized operas.

The festival programme includes 25 new works from more than 200 artists.

Highlights of The Opera Festival 2010 include:

Intolerance: Acclaimed playwright Mark Ravenhill performs the premiere of his operatic text on middle-class boredom escaping routine via a sinister intolerance
The Lost Chord: The London premiere of an engaging and witty operatic dinner party performed by Opera North
Baby O: A novel and enchanting opera produced by Scottish Opera aimed at 6- to 18-month-old babies
Sonya's Story: A musical drama starring mezzo-soprano Caryl Hughes and directed by Sally Burgess, based on Chekhov's Uncle Vanya
Errolyn Wallen: Performance by the celebrated contemporary singer and composer aided by an accomplished string quartet
Helen Chadwick: An opportunity to see the highly praised singer and composer in a rare solo show following successful runs in previous Tête à Tête productions

Gloria - Karl Jenkins

charlotte — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 15:49:00 GMT

Karl Jenkins's latest composition, Gloria, was premiered at the Royal Albert Hall on 11 July 2010 by The Really Big Chorus, with the English Festival Orchestra and student vocal soloists conducted by Brian Kay. Abbey Road Live recorded the concert, which also features Fauré's Requiem, and the resulting CD will be for sale on the night to the performers and audience. This will be the first time a world premiere has been recorded live and made available for sale immediately following the performance. The following day, 12 July, EMI Classics will release a studio recording of Gloria, paired with Jenkins's Te Deum featuring the composer conducting the National Youth Chorus of Great Britain and the London Symphony Orchestra with soloist Hayley Westenra.

Danielle De Niese - Diva

charlotte — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 16:11:00 GMT

Danielle de Niese's new album Diva, features world premier recording Exsultate, Jubilate by Karl Jenkins, her trademark Handel and Mozart arias, a stunning duet with the mighty Bryn Terfel and Lucretia and Pace Non Trovo both stunning arrangements by Morgan Pochin.

Jessye Norman - A Portrait - When I Am Laid In Earth (Purcel)

charlotte — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 12:25:00 GMT

Sony Classical release the new album by Jessye Norman, one of the world's most famous and respected sopranos. For this long-awaited recording she has chosen not to perform arias from the operatic roles that brought her untold triumphs from a very early age in opera houses ranging from La Scala, Milan, to London’s Covent Garden. With Roots: My Life, My Song, Jessye Norman recalls her African-American origins. Alongside gospel songs and numbers from Africa she also performs jazz songs for the first time in her career. "I wanted to sing something that really inspired me. These are songs that have accompanied me all my life, songs by Thelonious Monk, Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington and others."

The album opens with African Drum Invocation, the magical drumbeats of which recall her West African forebears. With famous spirituals and traditional songs such as Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child, Jessye Norman turns back the clock to the time when she sang in a gospel choir in her native city of Atlanta, Georgia. With Mack the Knife and My Baby Just Cares For Me, she also pays tribute to great jazz singers, Ella Fitzgerald and Nina Simone: "They were women of courage, daring and astonishing talent."

These same qualities have been applied to Jessye Norman, too, of course, ever since she won the ARD Competition in 1968 and was launched on a major operatic career. It is no wonder, then, that audiences and critics alike acclaimed this engaging prima donna, who is completely lacking in a diva’s airs and graces.

This Morning - Renée Fleming - Endlessly from her new album Dark Hope

charlotte — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 13:03:00 GMT

One of the world's most celebrated voices puts an indelible signature on songs by the likes of Arcade Fire, Band of Horses, Death Cab For Cutie, The Mars Volta, Muse, and Leonard Cohen.

Renee Fleming's new album 'Dark Hope', which the opera star describes as a "visit to a new, parallel universe," was recorded in close collaboration with producer David Kahne (Regina Spektor, The Strokes, The Bangles, Sublime, and countless others) in New York City, and features a diverse and adventurous track listing of songs.

Producer Kahne was a true collaborator during the recording process, driving most of the arrangements and coaching Fleming in this music. Also joining Fleming on the album are her two daughters and sister, who sing backup on several songs.

Fleming says that for the recording of this album, "Singing in a small, acoustic booth, with a microphone that's very close, in this very intimate style, is the complete opposite of how I usually sing."

There were similarities to how she prepares dramatically for an opera role, however. Fleming points out that for each track on 'Dark Hope' "we found an interpretation that enabled the point of view to sound authentic coming from me. Every song has a story, so this whole idea of enacting or playing a role is doubly true for this music."

Camilla Kerslake - Abide With Me

charlotte — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 11:21:00 GMT

This self-titled debut album from classical crossover singer Camilla Kerslake is the first release on Gary Barlow's label Future Records. Impressed by Kerslake's natural charm and vocal abilities, Barlow has cited the singer's unique and powerful voice as one of the many reasons for the signing. A coloratura soprano, Kerslake effortlessly makes songs originally by artists such as Katie Melua, Take That amongst many others, her own. Featuring pop and classical hits ranging from 'Rule The World' to 'Pie Jesu', this is a breathtaking debut.

Robin Hood - OST - Destiny

charlotte — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 15:45:00 GMT

ROBIN HOOD - OST, MARC STREITENFELD.

Marc Streitenfeld is a composer from Germany. He wrote film scores for “A Good Year”, “American Gangster”, “Body Of Lies”, and most recently Ridley Scotts epic Robin Hood. This is the fourth consecutive Ridley Scott film to be scored by Streitenfeld. Before embarking on his solo career he worked with Hans Zimmer and Scott on Gladiator, Hannibal and Black Hawk Down.