Label of the Month: Dynamic
DYNAMIC is an independent record label with its offices in Villa Quartana on the quiet Righi hill standing above Genoa.
Its production embraces the entire field of classical music, but focuses chiefly on the immense heritage of Italian and European music of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, especially opera and violin works. Dynamic favours compositions in world-première recordings or works that stand outside the bounds of traditional repertoire.
Known all over the world as the first record label to have reappraised Nicolò Paganini, in the last few years Dynamic has extended its range of interest to opera through highly fruitful partnerships with Italian festivals and opera houses, and has produced recordings of lesser-known titles by Verdi, Donizetti, Pacini, Massenet, Meyerbeer and Tchaikovsky. Outstanding productions in this field include the recordings of operas staged at the famous La Fenice theatre in Venice, at the Valle d’Itria Festival in Martina Franca, and at the Teatro Lirico in Cagliari. Its catalogue boasts over 600 titles, with about 30 new titles being added every year.
Many artists of international standing have recorded on the Dynamic label: Massimo Quarta, Salvatore Accardo, Felix Ayo, Stefan Milenkovich, Ruggiero Ricci, Bruno Canino, Rocco Filippini, Ovidiu Badila, Mirella Freni, Ferruccio Furlanetto, Placido Domingo, Renato Bruson William Matteuzzi, Iano Tamar, Patrizia Ciofi, Annick Massis, Veronique Gens, Dimitra Theodossiou, Joseph Calleja, Georges Prêtre, Renato Palumbo, José Cura, Leo Nucci, Marcello Viotti and Franco Mezzena.
Dynamic is today the leading Italian record label for classical music and has also become one of the foremost European producers of operatic DVDs.
RECENT RELEASES:
![MERCADANTE, S.: Francesca da Rimini [Opera]](images/CDS7753.03-DYN37753-DYN57753.gif "MERCADANTE, S.: Francesca da Rimini [Opera]")
![DONIZETT, G.: Olivo e Pasquale [Opera]](images/CDS7758.02-DYN37758-DYN57758.gif "DONIZETT, G.: Olivo e Pasquale [Opera]")
3 GRAMMY® Awards for Tales of Hemingway
The 59th annual GRAMMY® Awards, announced on 12 February, include three awards for Naxos’ September 2016 release of music by Michael Daugherty (8.559798). The recording features a trio of works by the American composer: Tales of Hemingway, American Gothic and Once Upon a Castle. The disc took the award for Best Classical Compendium, while Tales of Hemingway (for cello and orchestra) won the Best Contemporary Classical Composition category, with cellist Zuill Bailey’s performance taking the award for Best Classical Instrumental Solo.
There was something of history repeating itself, since the Naxos recording of Daugherty’s Metropolis Symphony (8.559635), which similarly features the Nashville Symphony and conductor Giancarlo Guerrero, also won 3 GRAMMY®s in the 2011 Awards. Both discs reflect the notable reputation and success of the Naxos American Classics Series.
Congratulations go to all those involved in the performance and production of this latest award-winning disc from Naxos.
For Michael Daugherty’s discography on Naxos, visit www.naxos.com/person/Michael_Daugherty/19985.htm
Featured Digital Platform: Naxos Music Library Jazz
Naxos Music Library Jazz offers a wide range of jazz music, from legends such as Duke Ellington, Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong, to contemporary jazz artists like Barb Jungr, Joe Stilgoe, Claire Martin and Brad Mehldau, to name a few. The recordings are from over 250 labels, including the catalogues of Naxos Jazz Legends, Blue Note Records, Warner Jazz, EMI, Fantasy, SWR Jazzhaus, Linn and others.
Try a free preview at www.naxosmusiclibrary.com/jazz
Mobile apps are also available on both iOS and Android:
Hong Kong Philharmonic’s Ring Cycle Part 3 – Siegfried
The Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra’s highly acclaimed Wagner Ring Cycle continues with Siegfried and a stellar cast starring Simon O’Neill in the title role, Heidi Melton as the Valkyrie Brünnhilde, and Matthias Goerne as Wotan (The Wanderer). This opera-in-concert was recorded live on January 19th and 22nd at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre andmconducted by the orchestra’s Music Director, Jaap van Zweden. Siegfried will be released on the Naxos label in November 2017, and will be available on CD and Blu-ray Audio, as well as in digital formats.
![WAGNER, R.: Rheingold (Das) [Opera]](images/8.660374-75.jpg "WAGNER, R.: Rheingold (Das) [Opera]")
The second instalment, Die Walküre (8.660394-97/NBD0051) was included in The Guardian’s Top 10 CDs of 2016, and received praise from various publications:
“Drawing airy, luminescent textures from the Hong Kong players, [Jaap van Zweden] drives the drama excitingly.” – BBC Music Magazine
“Van Zweden works wonders in transforming the HK Phil into a world-class Wagner band: the interlude in the final scene is the emotional climax of the performance.” – The Sunday Times, UK
“Conductor Jaap van Zweden has the breadth and depth of a true Wagnerian, and the cast is a fine one, with Stuart Skelton’s superb Siegmund, a thoughtfully nuanced Wotan from Matthias Goerne, and Petra Lang’s increasingly involving Brünnhilde.” – The Guardian (Top 10 CDs of 2016)
“This cast may not have the name recognition of the great Bayreuth veterans, but these are strong voices well trained in Wagner’s notoriously demanding music, and the performance as a whole is convincing.”
– Allmusic.com
“The Hong Kong Philharmonic really excels itself…with some punchily accurate brass playing, plus the recording seems to favour the voices more than before.” – Opera Now ★★★★
Volume 1, Das Rheingold, is available on 8.660374-75 and NBD0049.
Women’s Conducting Masterclass with Marin Alsop at Southbank Centre
Renowned conductor and Naxos Artist Marin Alsop has several made historic milestones in her career by being the first female conductor to head a major American orchestra (Baltimore Symphony), and the first female conductor of the BBC’s Last Night of the Proms. A Southbank Centre Associate Artist, Alsop has lead a masterclass for aspiring women conductors on January 27, 2017 with the BBC Concert Orchestra.
Marin Alsop’s most recent recording on Naxos is Leonard Bernstein’s Symphonies Nos. 1 and 2, with mezzo-soprano Jennifer Johnson Cano, pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet and the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (8.559790):
“Alsop really does outdo Bernstein himself; the playing of the Baltimore Symphony here is sensational, [and] Jennifer Johnson Cano sings with great sensitivity and a beautiful tone. In the Second Symphony, Jean-Yves Thibaudet offers a first class account of his solo part. A marvelous release by any standard.”
– ClassicsToday.com
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Hidden Figures
The Naxos Licensing team is proud to be a part of the new film, Hidden Figures, which tells the story of female African-American mathematicians at NASA, who calculated flight trajectories both for Project Mercury (which included astronaut John Glenn) and other missions. The track used is You’re A Grand Old Flag from Altissimo! (75442270752).
Check out other notable Naxos placements on www.naxoslicensing.com.
Krassimira Stoyanova returns to the Met as Aida
Bulgarian soprano Krassimira Stoyanova returns to the Metropolitan Opera stage in a new production of Verdi’s grand opera Aida. Stoyanova will sing the title role in alternation with Liudmyla Monastyrska and Latonia Moore. The production also features some of Met’s house artists: mezzo-sopranos Ekaterina Gubanova and Violeta Urmana, tenors Marco Berti, Jorge de León and Riccardo Massi, and conductors Marco Armiliato and Daniele Rustioni, among others.
Krassimira Stoyanova’s performance dates are as follows: March 23, 27, and 31; April 6, 10, and 15.
Her most recent recording - Verismo (C899171A) – was given the Supersonic rating by Pizzicato:
“After Netrebko’s Verismo, Orfeo releases the real one, with Krassimira Stoyanova. What a passion, what a dramatic power! She embodies every character and just gets to the truth! From a technical point of view, at 54, she has still a perfect control of her voice, of breath, dynamics and vibrato. The passagios are impeccable, intonation is flawless, and legato-lines are heart-melting.” – Remy Franck
In March, Naxos will release her next album of Puccini’s Complete Songs for Soprano and Piano, with pianist Maria Prinz (8.573501).
ArkivJazz - The NEW Source For Jazz Music
ArkivJazz features one of the largest selections of jazz recordings from hundreds of labels including Atlantic, Blue Note, Concord, ECM, Prestige, Sony, and Verve. Whether you are looking for that classic Louis Armstrong recording or that genre-defining Miles Davis album, we have you covered.
Designed with both the jazz expert and new listener in mind, ArkivJazz offers easy navigation to find the latest releases or classic titles within a label’s deep catalog. If you live in the U.S. you can join our VIP program and receive free shipping in the continental US, a free subscription to DownBeat Magazine, and special VIP only offers.
![Lady in Satin [Vinyl]](https://www.naxos.com/ECard/NMG/201701/images/aj2.jpg "Lady in Satin [Vinyl]")
42nd Festival della Valle d’Itria
Francesca da Rimini from the 42nd Festival della Valle d’Itria
![MERCADANTE, S.: Francesca da Rimini [Opera] (Festival della Valle d'Itria, 2016) (NTSC)](images/DYN-37753.jpg "MERCADANTE, S.: Francesca da Rimini [Opera] (Festival della Valle d'Itria, 2016) (NTSC)")
![MERCADANTE, S.: Francesca da Rimini [Opera] (Festival della Valle d'Itria, 2016) (Blu-ray, HD)](images/DYN-57753.png "MERCADANTE, S.: Francesca da Rimini [Opera] (Festival della Valle d'Itria, 2016) (Blu-ray, HD)")
Although written almost two centuries ago by Saverio Mercadante, and eagerly anticipated by many theatres of the day, Francesca da Rimini was, in fact, never staged. A long series of incidents prevented it from reaching production until 185 years after its composition. The long forgotten manuscript, remembered only for its history of bad luck, suddenly re-emerged five years ago in Madrid, the city where it was to have been premièred in 1831.
The soprano Leonor Bonilla (Francesca) is most impressive in the title role: she portrays the character’s psychological frailty as well as her determination, drawing on a solid vocal technique and delivering incredible inflections and confident, dazzling vocal lines that easily soar into her high register. She maintains a stage presence that’s both casual and poignant, even venturing some dance steps with the corps de ballet.
Aya Wakizono is an admirable Paolo. Endowed with a superb mezzo voice, she delivers consistently throughout her range, fluently producing the virtuoso coloratura lines. No less demanding is the tenor role of Lanciotto, with its daunting leaps and ornamentation worthy of the Neapolitan Rossini. Mert Süngü tackles all the difficulties of the part with an impressive vocal assurance and expressivity.
First recording and world première performance.
Available on CD, DVD and Blu-ray.
Piano Concertos
Zara Levina’s Piano Concertos
Classical Playlist
CLASSICAL
Featured Playlist – WOMEN OF CLASSICAL
What do Hildegard von Bingen, Clara Schumann, Marin Alsop, and Maya Beiser all have in common? They’re all amongst the most influential women in classical music. Celebrate the Women’s Month with this playlist of some of their incredible works of art!
ARTIST OF THE MONTH – Črtomir Šiškovič, Violin
“A violinist of immense talent, master of his exceptional instrument.”
– Le Courrier Cauchois (France)
“[Šiškovič] demonstrated an impeccable technique, perfect intonation, fluent musical ability. The overall impression was a sense of perfection, balanced sound and rhythmic precision.” – Primorske Novice (Slovenia)
“Šiškovič is a skilled and vigorous instrumentalist” – Il Piccolo (Italy)
As a soloist Črtomir Šiškovič has performed with important orchestras all over the world. His intense solo career has seen him play under the baton of famous conductors, such as Hubert Soudant, Gustav Kuhn, Fabio Luisi, Frans Brüggen, Juozas Domarkas, Uroš Lajovic, Anton Nanut, Matthias Bamert, Michael Tabachnik, Lior Shambadal, Lovrenc Arnič and Shunsaku Tsutsumi. He has toured Europe, the United States, Japan, China and Mongolia, playing in the most important concert halls. He has appeared in television recordings in Europe, China and Japan. Recently, he has toured South Korea with the Paris Chamber Orchestra, appearing as soloist in a viola concerto by Alessandro Rolla.
Šiškovič is a keen interpreter of Tartini’s music; they were both born in Istria, which no doubt accounts for Šiškovič’s clear empathy with Tartini’s style.
“This is as authentic and spirited an approach to Tartini as you could wish. It glows with charm and expressive punch. Highly recommended!” – Gapplegate Classical-Modern Music Review
“[Šiškovič] plays Tartini’s music with a special warmth of affection … we get an impression of the very rich harmony, sometimes not stopping short of quirkiness, for which Tartini was famous.”
– Audio Video Club of Atlanta