Andrew Mogrelia - Giselle - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

Imre Széchényi was a distinguished diplomat who rose to become the Austro-Hungarian ambassador to Berlin, retaining the friendship and admiration of a gallery of leading figures of the age Liszt, Johann Strauss ii, Suppé, Waldteufel, Bismarck, and many others. He was also a pianist and composer, and his diplomatic career ran parallel to his musical life. Széchényi's métier was the dance, and his series of polkas, mazurkas and serenades - infectiously engaging and ardently lyrical - were popular pieces in their day but are now little known. Orchestrations of many of these dances were made by the composer (Naxos 8.573807) but five that were never scored for orchestra are included here.

The admired Schumann authority, Jean-Pierre Armengaud, presents this second volume of Clara Schumann's solo piano music, which focuses on the transcriptions she made of works by her husband, Robert. Clara evokes orchestral density in the overture to Robert Schumann's only opera Genoveva, and also in the complex Bach-inspired Studies for Pedal Piano. Above all, the song transcriptions see her engaged in acts of complex creative union while also revealing the independence of her musical vision. Volume 1 in this series is on GP930.

Helen Habershon's writing is instinctive and inspired. She is passionate about 'our incredible natural world' and it is the main source for her music. 'Found in Winter' expresses the many different faces of winter with it's varied moods, and the ever-present threat of climatic change both cyclic and man-made. The music has been wonderfully arranged for small orchestra (most tracks) by John Lenehan and is unashamedly light, tuneful, impressionistic and almost visual in it's impact. This album follows two previous albums which were Album of the Month and Album of the Week respectively. Helen is principally a clarinetist with a distinguished international concert, radio and TV career; after a serious injury to both wrists, she turned to composition and has never looked back, though now once again able to perform - as she does on this album. The performers on the album have all established themselves as leading lights; John Anderson is one of the most recorded oboists in the world and professor of oboe at the Royal College of Music; Andrew Fuller left the RPO to follow a career in solo and chamber performances, very successfully and John Lenehan has appeared on over 70 albums including solo recordings for Sony receiving many plaudits. The London Primavera was formed in 1986 and consists of the foremost chamber musicians in Britain. It has appeared at many international festivals, has made two TV series, and several recordings. Anthony Halstead has made over 50 albums all around the world with leading ensembles and is one of Britain's most sought-after and versatile conductors.