Edward Han Jiang - Piano Miniatures from China - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

Composer, conductor and pianist Thomas Ades has been described by The New York Times as 'among the most accomplished all-round musicians of his generation.' His 'Concert Paraphrase on Powder Her Face' reflects the glamor of the opera's subject in the grand manner of Liszt or Busoni, while 'Still Sorrowing' and 'Darknesse Visible' explore John Dowland's haunting lute works. Heard here in it's world premiere recording, competition piece 'Blanca Variations' is lyrical and flowing in character, and 'Traced Overhead' is a vivid description of ascent and flight. Ades captures and transforms Polish style in his 'Mazurkas,' and the spirit of Satie and Ravel in a 'Souvenir' from the film 'Colette.'

The rock 'n' roll explosion of the late '50's encompassed artists with a range of highly individual styles, and there is no doubt that The Everly Brothers' sound was one of the most distinctive of those, as they enjoyed a string of hits which were very much characterized by their country roots and their close harmonies. Over the first key seven years of their career encompassed by this collection, their records consistently charted on both sides of the Atlantic as they racked up a succession of hits, comprising rockers and plaintive ballads alike, which have become timeless classics of the genre. Supplied with a remarkable series of brilliant songs by the legendary team of Boudleaux and Felice Bryant, many of their records, with their trademark harmonies, were landmark reference points for teenage pop fans of the era. This great value 75-track comprises the A and B sides of all their singles in the UK and USA during the period - the B sides are of a consistently high quality and deserve a wider audience - along with all the tracks from their EPs (which also made up their first two albums) plus tracks from their third LP in 1960 It's Everly Time. It's a collectable slice of rock 'n' roll history, which is a fine showcase for their unique talent.

The British-born Henry Litolff (1818-91) maintains a toehold on the repertoire thanks to the enduring popularity of the Scherzo of his Concerto symphonique No. 4 for piano and orchestra. Litolff's substantial output of music for solo piano - mostly virtuoso salon miniatures - has entirely slipped from sight, even though in his prime as composer and pianist he was often compared with Liszt, a personal friend. This first album devoted to Litolff's piano music reveals a fondness for atmospheric character pieces and vigorous dances, not least the polka, mazurka and waltz.