Various Artists - Japanese Orchestral Favourites / Various - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

SOMM RECORDINGS is pleased to announce a celebration of Favourite Orchestral Classics by Iain Sutherland and the Philharmonic Concert Orchestra. Recorded in Munich in 1998 and Hanover in 1992, these glorious recordings bear the unmistakable stamp of the Scottish maestro's reputation for emotion, colour and drama. Sixteen composers drawn from three centuries of memorable music range from the brilliant heraldic flourish of Charpentier's Te Deum Prelude (made internationally popular as the signature tune of the European Broadcasting Union) to Stravinsky's agenda-changing The Firebird, with it's beautiful Lullaby. There is yearning romance in Prokofiev's 'The Young Juliet' and Mascagni's Intermezzo from Cavalleria rusticana, thrilling fantasy in Mendelssohn's A Midsummer Night's Dream Scherzo, ecstatic energy in Khachaturian's Sabre Dance (Gayane), infectious high spirits in Copland's Hoe-Down (Rodeo) and the sylvan beauty of On Hearing the First Cuckoo in Spring by Delius. Other highlights include unforgettable classic moments from Samuel Coleridge-Taylor (the delightful 'Le Caprice de Nanette'), Bizet (the lilting Minuet from L'Arlésienne with it's novel use of saxophone), Bach (the sublime Sheep May Safely Graze) and Puccini (Suor Angelica's melody-rich Intermezzo). Completing the wide-ranging recital are Grieg's festive Wedding Day at Troldhaugen and evocative Norwegian Rustic March, the haunting scenesetting introduction to Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake, and Debussy's vividly impressionistic en bateau. Iain Sutherland's previous SOMM releases include the Inchimpressive... fully recommendedInch (Musical Opinion) Bernstein Broadway to Hollywood (Ariadne 5002) and In London Town (SOMMCD 0117) with it's Inchsparkling performances of some of the cream of light musicInch (MusicWeb International). His two volumes of Great Classic Film Music (Ariadne 5006/5009) received wide accl

Masako Ohta retreats into the silence of the Waldhaus Grandsberg in the Bavarian Forest to dedicate herself to Japanese masterpieces in deep concentration and solitude. The Munich-based pianist takes us on a musical journey through time and invites us to experience extraordinary compositions from four centuries from the land of the rising sun. Thanks to Japan's temporary isolation and special island position, cultural characteristics are preserved that are still present in contemporary music. Sound creations of great Japanese composers such as Kengyo Yatsuhashi from the 17th century, Kengyo Yoshizawa from the 19th century, Toru Takemitsu from the 20th century as well as Toshio Hosokawa and Fumio Yasuda from the present are telling us about springtime at the sea, the rain tree, the singing of birds and dances of distant islands. Album Tracks 1. Melodia II 2. Rokudan No Shirabe 3. Rain Tree Sketch 4. Rain Tree Sketch II 5. Haru No Umi 6. Chidori No Kyoku 7. Kagome - Variation 8. Hibusi 9. Toushin Do-I / Tinsagu Nu Hana 10. Litany

Album Tracks 1. Yoimachigusa (The Evening Primrose), Song 2. I Found a Tiny Autumn 3. Being Scolded 4. Songs (6) for Children, for Voice & Piano, No. 3, InchAutumn FieldsInch 5. Aka Tonbo (Red Dragonfly), Folk Song, for Voice & Piano 6. Autumn in a Village 7. I Talked with the Fog 8. Being Kept Waiting in Vain, Song 9. An Outgoing Ship 10. Lullaby 11. Flowery Town 12. Mother's Song 13. Plover 14. Rain in Johga-Sima 15. Over There, Over Yonder 16. Dried Gourd Shavings 17. That Child, This Child 18. Suzhou Nocturne 19. An Old Road 20. Komoronauru Kojo No Hotori, for Voice & Piano 21. The Moon Over a Ruined Castle, Song