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A first for both Rattle and the new Grand Théâtre de Provence is available on DVD this month. Rattle began his first Ring cycle, with the Berlin Philharmonic, in the old open-air venue in Aix-en-Provence in 2006. Die Walküre, the Ring's second chapter, was the first Wagner performance in the newly-constructed indoor venue. The performance received rapturous reviews: [the work] “…was magically transformed by the enclosed space and lively acoustics of the Grand Théâtre” (Herald Tribune).
Release date: available now
Bel Air BAC034 £24.99 - discount cardholders pay £22.49
Angela Hewitt and Daniel Müller-Schott's first recording together (Bach's Gamba Sonatas) became, unsuprisingly, one of our best sellers last year. The Gramophone review described their collaboration as "...a perfect balance between instruments; this is playing which gives nothing but a glow of pleasure...". The first volume of Beethoven Cello Sonatas on Hyperion should do equally well; Müller-Schott's cello sounds magnificent.
Release date: available now
Hyperion CDA67633 £15.99 - Discount cardholders pay £13.59
’s latest disc takes her away from her usual operatic repertoire. It's an unusual song collection which she describes as “…bursting with variety and colours…[a] wonderful array of emotions…” Composers include Dvořák, Grieg, Guastavino, Hahn, Offenbach and Strauss. The disc also includes two rarely-performed songs by Rimsky-Korsakov. The deluxe version has a bonus DVD.
Release date: 17th November
DG 477 7451 (limited edition) Price £17.50 · Discount cardholders pay £14.99
DG 477 7639 (standard edition) Price £15.99 · Discount cardholders pay £14.39
Natalie Dessay and Emanuelle Haïm's first all-Bach collaboration includes Ich Habe Genug in the composer's own soprano arrangement plus two of only four sacred cantatas that he wrote for solo soprano: Jauchzet Gott in allen Landen and Mein Herze schwimmt im Blut. Le Concert d’Astrée provides the accompaniment on this Virgin Classics disc. Meanwhile, on Soli Deo Gloria the next volume (17) of Gardiner’s cantata cycle is a must for the cover picture alone. It includes cantatas for New Year’s Day and for the Sunday after New Year.
Release dates: Gardiner - available now. Haim - available 10th November
Gardiner - Soli Deo Gloria SDG 150 £15.99· Discount cardholders pay £13.59
Haim - Virgin 235 0042 £15.99· Discount cardholders pay £13.59
This month sees the formation of another high-class partnership as Cecilia Bartoli and Juan Diego Flórez join forces for the first time in what promises to be a spectacular production of La Sonnambula. It is the first period performance of the work and the first to use a mezzo in the role of Amina. Bartoli once again draws upon the influence of the great Maria Malibran, singing many of her cadenzas.
Release date: 10th November
Decca 478 1084 (2CD) £29.99· Discount cardholders pay £24.99
The Hallé Orchestra is in its 151st year and we are pleased to announce that, after a brief distribution problem, their own-label CDs are available again. Released this month is Elgar's Dream of Gerontius conducted by Sir Mark Elder. Alice Coote, Paul Groves and Bryn Terfel are the soloists. This is an important release from an orchestra that champions British music.
Release date: available now
The Dunedin Consort adds to its small yet perfectly-formed discography with a stunning account of Acis and Galatea. It's one of the month's best bargains.
Release date: available now
Linn CKD319 (2CD) £15.99 - Discount cardholders pay £13.59
An historically important disc is released from Testament this month. In 1958 Cliburn won the first-ever Tchaikovsky Piano Competition, stunning audience and panel alike. Politics were for the moment cast aside as the young American wowed the judges with his performance. Richter remarked "he is a pianist, the others are not" and awarded him full marks. The entire performance can now be heard for the first time on CD.
Release date: available now
Testament SBT1440 £12.50 - Discount cardholders pay £11.25