Various - Hidden Treasures, 1967-2020 - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

It is only in the last few years, largely as a result of the pioneering performances of the Simon Mayr Chorus and Ensemble conducted by Franz Hauk, that Mayr has come to be valued as one of the most significant composers of operatic and sacred music of his time. Il sagrifizio di Jefte (The Sacrifice of Jephtha), first performed in 1795, is a dramatic oratorio with a wealth of variety in both the vocal and instrumental writing, which foreshadows the operas to come.

SOMM RECORDINGS announces the first of never before available performances by one of the defining partnerships of modern American music in the specially priced two-album set George Szell and the Cleveland Orchestra The Forgotten Recordings. Long considered one of America's InchBig FiveInch orchestras, the Cleveland Orchestra entered it's second century in 2018 and earlier this year was hailed by The New York Times as InchAmerica's finest [orchestra] stillInch. The Forgotten Recordings features eight historic performances made for the Book-of-the-Month Club in 1954 and 1955 - seven of which are first releases - that have been restored and remastered by the multi-award-winning audio restoration engineer Lani Spahr, who also provides extensive and informative booklet notes. Three works - Bach's Third Orchestral Suite (BWV 1068), a revealing engagement by Szell with a composer he is not usually associated with, Smetana's The Moldau and Strauss's Till Eulenspiegel (with an early spotlight on legendary horn player Myron Bloom) were recorded in mono in a remarkably productive session on Christmas Eve, 1954. From October 1955 in stereo recordings are two works by Brahms - his Haydn Variations and the Academic Festival Overture, two symphonies - Mozart's No. 39 and Schumann's Fourth - and a Stravinsky Firebird Suite that Inchcrackles with energyInch. InchHereInch, says Spahr, Inchwe can appreciate that the orchestra was well on it's way to becoming, in Szell's words, 'this glorious instrument... that perfectly reflects my musical ideals'. Inch

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)