Various Artists - 20 Years of Excellence / Various - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

In April 1999 the first concert by Calmus Ensemble took place near Leipzig. Four young singers made their debut as an ensemble after their time in the famous St Thomas's Choir. The beginning of an impressive career scholarship holders of the Deutscher Musikrat, first prize in competitions in Germany, Spain, Finland, and the USA, workshops and master classes, 22 albums, over 1,200 concerts in twenty countries. Since their concert debut in 1999, the line-up and number of members of the ensemble has changed several times, but one thing has remained constant blend, precision, lightness, and humor. These four characteristics are the hallmarks of Calmus, making the ensemble one of the most successful vocal groups in Germany. Their wide range of sound colors, joy in performing and kind of sound, but also their varied and imaginative programs delight audiences time and time again - both at home and abroad. And the range of repertoire on this journey has been almost unlimited shaped by the tradition of St. Thomas's Choir, the singers are naturally at home in the vocal music of the Renaissance, the Baroque and the Romantic, but the music of our own time is also a major focus. Over the years Calmus has commissioned and premiered many compositions, including works by Paul Moravec, Steffen Schleiermacher, and Wolfram Buchenberg. For their 20th anniversary, a compilation with highlights from Calmus' extensive discography is being released. Not only simply a 'best of', but a virtuoso look back at two outstandingly successful decades of Calmus Ensemble!

Album Tracks 1. Andante 2. Allegretto Scherzando 3. Allegretto 4. O Quam Tristis 5. Summer 6. Liebestraum No. 3 7. The Swan 8. Adagio Sostenuto 9. Un Bal 10. CZÁRDÁS 11. Voi Che Sapete 12. Malaguena 13. Comme en Famille! 14. Introduction Et Rondo Capriccioso 1. Ave Maria 2. Dance No. 2 in E minor, Op. 46 3. La Llorona 4. The Devil's Beauties, for Strings 5. Magnificat Anima Mea 6. Finale 7. Allegro Vivace 8. Allegro Appassionato for Cello and Orchestra, Op. 43 9. Variation 1 10. Molto Allegro 11. Aria 12. April Come She Will 13. Kensington Market 14. Cordoba 15. Allegro Con Spirito 16. Gavotte en Rondeau 17. Allegro 18. Asylum Waltz 1. Allegretto Non Troppo - Allegro Molto Vivace 2. Fa Nyé Mama 3. Warsaw Concerto 4. SCHÖN Rosmarin 5. Allegro Con Brio 6. Allegro Moderato 7. Caprice No. 9 in C Major 8. Aria, 'Ogni Vento' 9. Concerning Hobbits 10. Cantabile 11. Jocul Cu BÂTÁ 12. Nocturne Opus Posthume en Do Dièse Mineur 13. Waltz No. 4 Allegro Vivace 14. Largo 15. Canadian Summer 16. Danse Macabre

Julian Lloyd Webber, one of the world's most admired cellists, notably expanded his instrument's repertoire in the concert hall and in the recording studio. In this retrospective of his art, he can be heard as soloist, arranger, and as conductor. He evokes the lyricism of the songs of Frederick Delius and John Ireland with rich expressivity, adapts a selection of music from Monteverdi to Arvo Part for the combination of two cellos, and crafts new and exciting Vivaldi arrangements. His conducting prowess is shown by supremely sensitive performances of English string music. These are the last recordings that Lloyd Webber made before announcing his retirement from playing. InchJulian Lloyd Webber emerges as a conductor of some distinction.Inch (Mail on Sunday) InchArrangements with a good deal of zing, zip, and zest.Inch (Fanfare)