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This month brings you another bumper crop of great reviews from the leading music magazines, quality dailies and online review sites. There’s no doubt about it: Naxos releases and distributes some of the best CDs and DVDs available!
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Naxos Releases
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PENDERECKI, K.: Magnificat / Kadisz
Warsaw Boys' Choir, Warsaw Philharmonic Choir and Orchestra, Wit
Naxos 8.572697

‘Antoni Wit coordinates his ensemble superbly in both of these rather complex works by Krzysztof Penderecki and he never fails to rise to the composer’s inspiration.’ – Pizzicato
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TOWER, J.: Violin Concerto / Stroke / Chamber Dance
Cho-Liang Lin, Nashville Symphony, Guerrero
Naxos 8.559775
‘Lin has an intense style that imbues his performance with a frantic energy that gives the entire [concerto] a sense of urgency—and to good effect.’
– WTJU
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WEBERN, A.: Vocal and Chamber Works (Webern, Vol. 3)
Arnold, Booth, Greenberg, Weiss, Sooyun Kim, Neidich, Josefowicz,
Simon Joly Chorale, Fred Sherry String Quartet, Philharmonia Orchestra, Craft
Naxos 8.557516
‘exciting and charming’ – American Record Guide
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See Naxos catalogue
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Arthaus Musik
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ROSSINI, G.: Aureliano in Palmira (Rossini Opera Festival, 2014)
Spyres, Pratt, Belkina, Lupinacci, Pkhaladze, Orchestra Sinfonica G. Rossini, Crutchfield
Arthaus Musik 109074 [Blu-ray] | 109073 [DVD]

‘this is the Aureliano to have’ – Gramophone
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See Arthaus Musik catalogue
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BR-Klassik
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TCHAIKOVSKY, P.I.: Pique Dame [Opera]
Diadkova, Didyk, Markov, Serjan, Shishlyaev, Sivko, Slawinski, Volkova, Zaplechny, Kinderchor der Bayerischen Staatsoper, Chor and Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks, Jansons
BR-Klassik 900129

‘Superbly paced and played; Mariss Jansons provides his excellent cast of singers the support and vision needed for a memorable performance.’
– Gramophone

‘Hearing as refined and lustrous an orchestra as the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra play Tchaikovsky’s magnificent score is a treat in itself.’ – The Guardian
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See BR-Klassik catalogue
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C Major
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OFFENBACH, J.: Belle Hélène (La) (Hamburg State Opera, 2014)
Larmore, Jun-Sang Han, Rud, Loeb, Philharmoniker Hamburg, Priessnitz
C Major 731004 [Blu-ray] | 730908 [DVD]
‘Vividly conducted by Gerrit Priessnitz, the whole thing is a blast, and bang up-to-date too’ – Gramophone
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See C Major catalogue
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Cedille
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Chamber Music - DESSNER, B. / MUHLY, N. / LOTT, R. / GLASS, P. (FILAMENT)
Dessner, Muhly, eighth blackbird
Cedille CDR90000-157

‘This album demands much of its performers and audience, but the vitality of the music and Eighth Blackbird’s stunning virtuosity make it a compelling experience.’ – Allmusic.com
‘One of our greatest new-music ensembles [...] Chicago-based sextet Eighth Blackbird’s programming is almost as tight as their ensemble playing.’ – WQXR (New York)
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See Cedille catalogue
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EuroArts
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BATTISTELLI, G.: Experimentum Mundi - An Experimental Opera
Raffone, Servillo, Giorgio
EuroArts 2059944 [Blu-ray] | 2059948 [DVD]
‘Out go professional singers; instead stonecutters, carpenters, shoemakers, stonemasons and chefs become the ‘cast’ of [Battistelli’s] opera. And Battistelli transforms their everyday noises into art... John Cage would have punched the air with joy.’ – Gramophone
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See EuroArts catalogue
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