Various - Mortal Dreams - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

Helen Habershon is both an accomplished performer and an inspired composer of music which often evokes nature, or human emotions and sensibilities this is music which is 'easy listening' and in the light music tradition, and is unpretentious, but never facile it has deep meaning. Her first two albums have been highly praised and were Album of the Month and Album of the Week on Classic FM (UK) respectively. Her most recent album, 'Found in Winter', released in 2019, has been aired by Classic FM ever since. Helen had an established performing career until a serious injury led her to turn to composing, but she is now once again able to perform. Here she teams up with the successful pianist and arranger John Lenehan, who has appeared on over 70 recordings including several solo albums for Sony. For Found in Dreams Helen Habershon and John Lenehan offer a wonderfully diverse collection of repertoire. This includes beautiful arrangements of some of their favorite pieces; a couple of short movements of outstanding clarinet repertoire by Brahms and Finzi and some delightful new compositions of their own. As well as his beautifully crafted arrangements John has also written two lovely pieces to add to Helen's. The cover design is a dream image from Helen's five year old grandson.

In his new GENUIN album, pianist Jürgen Geiger, who has appeared throughout Europe, explores the distinctions between composition, improvisation, creation, and re-creation. He presents virtuoso piano literature, including his own compositions and transcriptions. Among such arrangements are Saint-Saëns' Le rouet d'Omphale, one of Liszt's Hungarian Rhapsodies, and Mendelssohn's Auf Flügeln des Gesangs. Geiger's own music follows in the tradition of his role models Leopold Godowsky and Vladimir Horowitz, both of whom are represented here. The young pianist performs them with outstanding technique and a great sense of sound. A truly opulent menu for the piano!

Dame Sarah Connolly's exceptional nocturnally inspired recital spans over 120 years of British song from Stanford to Turnage, and includes world premieres of two songs by Benjamin Britten. Marking Sarah Connolly's Proms recital debut, the centenary of Sir Hubert Parry's death, and British composers in general, who studied or taught at the Royal College of Music, this album is an astonishing collection not to be missed. Dame Sarah Patricia Connolly DBE (born 13 June 1963) is an English mezzo-soprano. Although best known for her baroque and classical roles, Connolly has a wide-ranging repertoire which has included works by Wagner as well as various 20th-century composers. She was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2010 New Year Honors and Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in the 2017 Birthday Honors for services to music.