Dmitri Shostakovich is best known for his symphonies and string quartets which mark him as a very serious composer. But he was also one of the most prolific film composers of the 20th century, producing the scores for 36 films which span virtually his entire professional career. It’s a fascinating panoply that reveals an aspect of Shostakovich that sometimes gets lost when thinking of him merely as tormented and dark. Here we witness the truly unburdened humour and coy delight in quirkiness which we assume must be ironic in his concert works. Still, Shostakovich never took composing lightly, and whether he wrote music for cartoons or symphonic icons, the musical merits are always impeccable.

‘Inbal is master of all the moods in this wonderful symphony…’ – MusicWeb International

‘The gracefulness with which each musician interacts with the music’s core is especially empathic and gives the nostalgia that envelopes Memorabilia the space it needs to unveil itself completely.’ – All About Jazz

‘Put your phones on or your buds in, lean back and you’ll feel and be chill!’ – Hidden Soul of the Fjords

The depth and variety of these fifteen symphonies, so closely tied to Shostakovich’s personality and the times in which he lived, make it particularly rewarding to listen to varying interpretations.

‘Thumbs up to the executives at Capriccio for their rewarding and much appreciated overview of this unjustly neglected 20th century composer which, in my opinion, stands shoulder to shoulder with the best of them.’ – Classical Music Sentinel

‘The unpublished Symphony in E-flat Major also demonstrates Wranitzky’s melodic imagination and astonishing thematic variety. The orchestra also shows its best side in the other two symphonies. Conductor Stilec successfully elicits colourful and detailed playing from his musicians.’ – Pizzicato ★★★★★

‘This album of little-known works by Fauré deserves a recommendation.’ – Pizzicato ★★★★

‘Carlo Vistoli strikes a convincing balance between fluency, melodiousness and technical surety… reams of tricky triplets including unexpected leaps are sung elegantly by Krystian Adam… Cremonesi’s direction encourages a healthy variety of affects…’ – Gramophone

‘[Sollima] plays with great polish and accuracy and composes with warmth and wisdom.’ – American Record Guide

Shakespeare Songs and Sonnets presents a captivating collection of choral works that blend the timeless poetry of William Shakespeare with the artistry of 20th and 21st-century composers. From Benjamin Britten’s delicate settings to the modern expressions of composers like Jaakko Mäntyjärvi and John Rutter, this album showcases an impressive range of musical styles, each bringing a unique perspective to Shakespeare’s words.

The Björling Collection, Vol. 8: O Sole Mio (1920-1952) offers a remarkable journey through the artistry of one of opera’s most celebrated tenors, Jussi Björling. Featuring an eclectic mix of composers, from Verdi and Rachmaninov to Foster and Tosti, this collection highlights Björling’s extraordinary vocal versatility across a variety of genres, including opera, popular songs, and traditional ballads.

CD only available in Scandinavian countries. Not available in the United States due to possible copyright restrictions.

‘This marks a new stage in the complete works of Kapustin for concert performance by Frank Dupree, and a new success: passionately defended, the music of this jazz enthusiast, a vibrant creator lost in the constrained world of the Soviet Union, is listened to with a broad smile.’ – Diapason

Franz Liszt’s prolific output as a composer was maintained during a stormy life and performing career. As a result, many works were revised before they became the popular pieces we know and love today. This wonderful selection of earlier and lesser-known versions of Liszt’s masterpieces includes the majestic Paralipomènes à la Divina Commedia, alongside other pieces that shed light on spiritual aspects of the final version of Années de pèlerinage. The relatively unfamiliar Fantasie romantique, with its evocations of the Swiss Alps, is also featured.

Scar is a deeply personal and expressive journey into the creative process, capturing the magic of songwriting in all its unpredictable beauty. Composers Thorbjørn Harr and Aslak Hartberg, alongside lyricist Lars Saabye Christensen, offer a musical exploration that speaks to the fleeting moments of inspiration that fuel art. Just as a song can come together in a single day – or, sometimes, take a lifetime to perfect – Scar embodies that very essence of time, effort, and creative flow.

‘Fans of Donizetti’s operas will find plenty to enjoy in this recording.’ – Cultural Attaché

Circles is an ambient, improvised musical journey that invites listeners to explore the depths of sound and emotion through the collaboration of Magnar Karlsen and Jacob Young.

‘…Poschner offers us a workable overview of Bruckner’s evolving style. I like his gutsy performances a great deal…’ – Gramophone

‘The Italian violinist Emmanuele Baldini, who has long centred his life and musical activities in Brazil, and the Brazilian pianist Lucas Thomazinho shape these sonatas with their equally expressive and excellently crafted interpretations. They succeed in an exemplary manner in clearly emphasizing the different styles of the works.’ – Pizzicato

‘A new rescue by the Orfeo label of a recording by Michael Gielen (who left us two years ago). This Mandarín is a marvel. And the live sound recording (from 1992) is even more so. It is a good example of the repertoire that the Austrian conductor mastered the most.’ – Ritmo

‘The musical side of the performance is kept bouncing along at an enjoyable pace by the energetic baton of Valery Ovsyanikov. He presents the details of Yates’ adaptation with a mellow polish…’ – MusicWeb International

‘The cast completes a solid representation of the best of the Dutch company, homogeneous and dedicated in a performance of very high quality.’ – Ritmo ★★★★★

‘Ermonela Jaho… possesses a rare luminosity of tone… Antonella Manacorda conducts a beautifully paced performance.’ – Opera Now

‘Antonio Pappano establishes himself as a great Puccini interpreter, skillfully blending incandescence, tension, vigour, and breathlessness…’ – Ritmo

‘Filming is good in all three ballets and the helpful notes are by Dowell, Tim Scholl, and Wiley.’ – Ballet Review

‘spectacular production’ – Fanfare

‘It is a fine-looking show and well-revived here.’ – Opera Now

‘Fresh and reinvigorated – Nutcrackers come and Nutcrackers go but the Royal Ballet’s version is a hardy perennial.’ – The Stage

‘ this immaculately realised revival, filmed in Paris in 2014 and lavishly packaged, is a living monument to a work that marked the arrival on the world stage of a soon-to-be stratospherically successful composer.’ – BBC Music Magazine

‘…this spirited performance, with good video direction by Jonathan Haswell, will give a great deal of pleasure.’ – Gramophone