Andre Previn - Andre Previn Conducts Vaughan Williams - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

An edition combining the art of two pianistic giants of the modern era, the much- admired, endlessly-versatile André Previn and the world-renowned Italian master Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli. Across three marvellous solo piano albums and his first recording of George Gershwin's immortal 'Rhapsody in Blue', Previn displays a unique affinity with the Great American Songbook. These recordings were originally made for Lester Koenig's Contemporary tag more than six decades ago, when they were received with enthusiasm. The passage of time only serves to further illuminate Previn's remarkable insight and sensitivity. One cannot help but be moved by his interpretations of the work of the songwriters Harold Arlen, Vernon Duke and Jerome Kern; in whose output he finds lyricism, colour and swing. These recordings are a dream; up there with the best work of Previn's entire career. Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli is regarded one of the greatest pianists of the 20th century. A musical aristocrat in a class of his own. A perfectionist. The pearl-like precision of his playing caught the ear of many in the jazz fraternity, including Bill Evans who was an ardent admirer. Michelangeli's Debussy is incomparable. At Abbey Road he made Ravel's Piano Concerto his own and the live recordings made in London, Turin and Prague before spellbound audiences are the stuff of legend; extraordinary depth of feeling, a magical world of sensuality. Album Tracks 1. That Old Black Magic 2. Come Rain or Come Shine 3. My Shining Hour 4. Happiness Is a Thing Called Joe 5. A Sleepin' Bee 6. Stormy Weather 7. Over the Rainbow 8. Let's Fall in Love 9. For Every Man There's a Woman 10. Cocoanut Sweet 11. Allegretto 12. Lento 13. Moderato 14. Allegro Con Brio 15. Rhapsody in Blue 16. André Previn Piano, André Kostelanetz Orchestra 1. Cabin in the Sky 2. Autumn in New York

Andre Previn - Early Years 1945-53 / Among his remarkable musical accomplishments, he was a brilliant pianist, and even at this early stage of his career - Andre Previn was a celebrated German/American pianist, composer and conductor, whose long career - he died in 2019 at the age of 89 - encompassed movie music, jazz and classical music. He composed or arranged music for more than 50 films, and was music al director and conductor for many top symphony orchestra as well as composing classical art music. This collection focuses on his early career as a jazz pianist. His family, who were Jewish, left Berlin for Paris and then the USA in 1938, and when he graduated from high school in Los Angeles in 1946, started working at MGM studios. However, by then he was already playing jazz piano in Hollywood clubs and had made his first records. This 66-track 3-CD collection comprises most of his recordings from these early years as a solo pianist, with small groups and with strings, released on the Sunset, V-Disc, Monarch, RCA-Victor and Tops labels. It includes the titles from his InchAndre Previn Plays George GershwinInch and InchAndre Previn Plays Fats WallerInch albums. He was especially noted for his recordings with his trios, and this set features trio and quartet recordings with Irving Ashby, Red Callender, Lee Young, Al Viola, Charles Parnell, Jackie Mills, Bob Bain, Ralph Collier, Lloyd Pratt, Art Shapiro, Irv Cottler, Al Hendrickson Buddy Clark and Shelly Manne. Among his remarkable musical accomplishments, he was a brilliant pianist, and even at this early stage of his career, his playing is fast, fluent and imaginative, and this collection offers a fine showcase for those talents. Album Tracks 1. California Clipper 2. Good Enough to Keep 3. Blue Skies 4. Mulholland Drive 5. Take the InchAInch Train 6. I Got It Bad 7. Subtle Slough [Just Squeeze Me]

Seven CD box set containing Ralph Vaughan Williams' complete symphonies. Vaughan Williams is a much revered figure in the history of British music. Included in this set is the ravishingly beautiful 'The Lark Ascending'. Conducted by Bernard Haitink, a one-time principal conductor of the London Philharmonic. Album Tracks 1. Behold the Sea Itself (Chorus) - Dame Felicity Lott/Jonathan Summers/London Philharmonic Choir/Richard Cooke/Cantilena/Lena Phillips/London Philharmonic Orchestra/Bernard Haitink 2. Today a Rude Brief Recitative (Baritone & Chorus) - Dame Felicity Lott/Jonathan Summers/London Philharmonic Choir/Richard Cooke/Cantilena/Lena Phillips/London Philharmonic Orchestra/Bernard Haitink 3. Flaunt Out, O Sea, Your Separate Flags of Nations (Soprano & Chorus) - Dame Felicity Lott/Jonathan Summers/London Philharmonic Choir/Richard Cooke/Cantilena/Lena Phillips/London Philharmonic Orchestra/Bernard Haitink 4. Token of All Brave Captains (Chorus) - Dame Felicity Lott/Jonathan Summers/London Philharmonic Choir/Richard Cooke/Cantilena/Lena Phillips/London Philharmonic Orchestra/Bernard Haitink 5. A Pennant Universal (Baritone, Soprano & Chorus) - Dame Felicity Lott/Jonathan Summers/London Philharmonic Choir/Richard Cooke/Cantilena/Lena Phillips/London Philharmonic Orchestra/Bernard Haitink 6. On the Beach, at Night, Alone (Baritone & Semi-Chorus) - Dame Felicity Lott/Jonathan Summers/London Philharmonic Choir/Richard Cooke/Cantilena/Lena Phillips/London Philharmonic Orchestra/Bernard Haitink 7. A Vast Similitude Interlocks All (Baritone & Chorus) - Dame Felicity Lott/Jonathan Summers/London Philharmonic Choir/Richard Cooke/Cantilena/Lena Phillips/London Philharmonic Orchestra/Bernard Haitink 8. III. Scherzo The Waves (Allegro Brillante) - Dame Felicity Lott/Jonathan Summers/London Philharmonic Choir/Richard Cooke/Cantilena/Le