ARTISTS
Joshua Bell, violin
Academy of St Martin in the Fields
Neville Marriner
English Chamber Orchestra*
Peter Maag*

TRACKLISTING
BRUCH: Violin Concerto No.1 in G minor, Op. 26
MENDELSSOHN: Violin Concerto in E minor, Op.64
MOZART: Violin Concerto No.3 in G major, K216*
MOZART: Adagio for Violin in E major, K261
MOZART: Violin Concerto No.5 in A major, K219*
MOZART: Rondo for Violin in C major, K373

This 2-CD set couples Joshua Bell's first concerto recording for Decca of two of the most popular violin concertos in the repertory - Bruch & Mendelssohn - with a disc containing 2 Mozart concertos under the stylish direction of one of the great Mozart conductors, Peter Maag.

'Joshua Bell in his first concerto recording gives formidably powerful performances of both the Bruch and Mendelssohn ... this first concerto issue brings magnificent fiddling to have you gasping at the assurance, strongly and sympathetically supported by Sir Neville and the Academy.' Gramophone May 1988

ARTISTS
Joshua Bell, violin
The Cleveland Orchestra
Vladimir Ashkenazy
Christoph von Dohnányi*

TRACKLISTING
TCHAIKOVSKY: Violin Concerto in D major, Op.35
WIENIAWSK: Violin Concerto No.2 in D minor, Op.22
BRAHMS: Violin Concerto in D major, Op.77*
SCHUMANN: Violin Concerto in D minor*

Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto is one of the most popular violin concertos in the repertory and was originally released with Wieniawski's 2nd Concerto - under the direction of one of today's great interpreters of Russian music, pianist and conductor Vladimir Ashkenazy. Another popular violin concerto - that by Brahms - receives a glowing performance with Joshua Bell and Christoph von Dohnányi; this is coupled with Schumann's rarely-herad Violin Concerto. Throughout this set the Cleveland Orchestra provides magnificent orchestral support.

'It is an outstanding account ... very recommendable if you fancy the unusual coupling of Wieniawski ... full, brilliant recording, with the soloist well balanced.' The Penguin Guide to Compact Discs (1994)

'Joshua Bell's commanding performance of the Brahms Violin Concerto is full of flair, demonstrating not only his love of bravura display, but also his ready gift for turning a phrase individually in a way that catches the ear, always sounding spontaneous. Full, atmospheric recording and a no less outstanding coupling put this among the very finest versions.' The Penguin Guide to Compact Discs (2002)

ARTISTS
Joshua Bell, violin
Orchestra symphonique de Montréal
Charles Dutoit
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra*
Andrew Litton*

TRACKLISTING
SAINT-SAËNS : Violin Concerto No.3 in B minor, Op.61
LALO : Symphonie espagnole in D minor, Op.21
SAINT-SAËNS : Introduction et Rondo capriccioso, Op.28*
MASSENET : Méditation de Thaïs*
SARASATE : Zigeunerweisen, Op.29*
CHAUSSON : Poème, Op.25*
YSAYE : Caprice d'après l'étude en forme de valse de Saint-Saëns*
RAVEL : Tzigane*

Lalo's lively and immediately appealing Symphonie Espagnole is coupled with the ever-popular Saint-Saëns Third Concerto in a disc with one of the great conductors of the French repertory, Charles Dutoit and the Montreal Symphony. Complementing this disc is an album of French virtuoso showpieces which features such favourites as the haunting Méditation de Thaïs and the colourful Tzigane by Ravel, pieces which display all facets of Joshua Bell's musicianship.

ARTISTS
Joshua Bell, violin
Jeans-Yves Thibaudet, piano
Steven Isserlis, cello
Takács Quartet

TRACKLISTING
FAURÉ : Violin Sonata No.1 in A major, Op.13
DEBUSSY : Violin Sonata
FRANCK : Violin Sonata in A major
CHAUSSON : Concert pour piano, violon et quatuor à cordes, Op.21
RAVEL : Trio pour piano, violon et violoncelle

More of the French repertoire is represented in this pair of discs in which Joshua Bell is partnered by Jean-Yves Thibaudet in a disc of three French Violin Sonatas. That by Franck is regarded as one of the very greatest in the repertoire and that by Debussy is one of the composer's very few explorations in the sonata medium. Opening the disc is Fauré's delightful early First Sonata. Joining Joshua Bell and Jean-Yves Thibaudet for the second CD in this set is the Takács Quartet and together they give us Chausson's largest-scale chamber work, the Concert for violin, piano and string quartet. A work which occupied the composer between 1889 and 1891and written on a grand scale, this is an emotionally charged work that teems with melodic invention and which has secured a definite place in the chamber music repertory. The other chamber work included on this disc is another masterpiece and one of the composer's very few works in the medium: the Piano Trio by Ravel. For this piece Steven Isserlis joins Joshua Bell and Jean-Yves Thibaudet for a performance of this perfectly-crafted masterpiece.

'Joshua Bell, Jean-Yves Thibaudet and Steven Isserlis are second to none in sensitivity, and both Bell and Isserlis play with great tonal finesse and artistry. They are recorded with great clarity and presence, and those wanting this particular coupling will find much to admire.' The Penguin Guide to Compact Discs (1994)

ARTISTS
Joshua Bell, violin
Olli Mustonen, piano
Steven Isserlis, cello
Orchestre symphonique de Montréal
Charles Dutoit

TRACKLISTING
PROKOFIEV: Violin Sonata in F minor, Op.80
PROKOFIEV: 5 Mélodies, Op.35 bis
PROKOFIEV: Violin Sonata in D major, Op.94 bis
PROKOFIEV: Violin Concerto No.1 in D major, Op.19
PROKOFIEV: Violin Concerto No.2 in G minor
SHOSTAKOVICH: Piano Trio No.2, Op.67

The recent release of The Romantic Violin in which Joshua Bell played a selection of popular pieces and movements from concertos proved very successful and prompted requests for many of his recordings to be made available again.

Prokofiev's music for violin is presented in this set of discs and includes both of his Violin Sonatas and the two Violin Concertos. In addition the set of miniatures simply entitled Mélodies is included. Prokofiev's two Violin Concertos are among the great violin concertos of the twentieth century even if the First Concerto (first performed in Paris in October 1923) was not an immediate success - largely due to the lyrical mood which dominates the work at a time when 'modernism' was much to the fore. The Second Concerto was written when Prokofiev had been in self-imposed exile in the West for almost 20 years. The work was a result of a commission from French violinist Robert Soëtans in 1935 and even though the composer himself stated he wanted to write something different after the First Concerto the new work is still an essentially melodic outpouring.

In the music for violin and piano by Prokofiev Joshua Bell is partnered by Finnish pianist Olli Mustonen. For the final work included in this set of discs, one of Shostakovich's most frequently performed chamber works, Piano Trio No.1, Joshua Bell and Olli Mustonen are joined again by Steven Isserlis.

'... his exceptionally pure tone ... and his mastery in easily compelling phrasing put his performances of both concertos among the finest yet ... his performances are very well matched by Dutoit and the Montreal orchestra.' Gramophone January 1994

ARTISTS
Joshua Bell, violin
Samuel Sanders, piano
Paul Coker, piano (CD 2)

TRACKLISTING
CD 1:
WIENIAWSKI : Variations on an Original Theme, Op.15
SIBELIUS : Romance, Op.78 no.2 · Mazurka, Op.81 no.1 ·
BRAHMS/JOACHIM : Hungarian Dance No.1
PAGANINI : Cantabile, Op.17
WIENIAWSKI : Scherzo-Tarantella, Op.16 · [7] Bloch: Nigun ( Baal shem , no.2)
NOVÁCEK : Moto perpetuo
SCHUMANN/AUER : Vogel als Prophet
FALLA/KREISLER : Spanish Dance ( La vida breve )
GRASSE : Wellenspiel (Waves at Play)
SARASATE : Carmen Fantasy, Op.25

CD 2:
KREISLER :
Praeludium and Allegro (in the style of Pugnani)
Schön Rosmarin
Tambourin chinois
Caprice viennois
La Précieuse (in the style of Louis Couperin)
Liebesfreud
Liebesleid
La gitana (Arabo-Spanish gypsy song)
Berceuse romantique (Caprice)
Polichinelle (Sérénade)
Rondino (on a theme by Beethoven)
Tempo di minuetto (in the style of Pugnani)
Toy-Soldiers' March
Allegretto (in the style of Boccherini)
Marche miniature viennoise
Aucassin and Nicolette (Canzonetta medievale)
Menuett (in the style of Porpora)
Sicilienne and Rigaudon (in the style of Francoeur)
Syncopation

This 2-CD set showcases Joshua Bell in a selection of violin favourites and virtuoso showpieces and includes his first solo recital for Decca and a Kreisler recital from near the end of his ten-year association with Decca. Originally entitled 'Presenting Joshua Bell', his first recital was made in December 1986 at the same time as his first concerto album - Mendelssohn & Bruch Concertos - when he was just 19 years old. The brilliance of technique and innate musicianship is much in evidence in this first album of showpieces which includes original violin works and arrangements. The second disc in this set is devoted entirely to pieces by one of the great violinists of an earlier era - Fritz Kreisler - and includes pieces both familiar and less familiar.

'As readily shown by the opening Praeludium & Allegro , Joshua Bell refuses to treat this music as trivial, and there is a total absence of schmaltz ... what lightness of touch in Schön Rosmarin , what elegance of style in the Caprice viennoise , what panache in the paired Liebesfreud and Liebesleid ... the recording is completely realistic.' The Penguin Guide to Compact Discs 2002

ARTISTS
Jessye Norman, soprano
Geoffrey Parsons, piano
Irwin Gage, piano *

TRACKLISTING
CD 1:
BRAHMS : Von ewiger Liebe, Op.43/1 · Therese, Op.86/1 · Botschaft, Op.47/1 · Der Tod, das ist die kühle Nacht, Op.96/1 · Immer leise wird mein Schlummer, Op.105/2 ·   Meine Liebe ist grün, Op.63/5
Gestillte Sehnsucht, Op.91/1 · Geistliches Wiegenlied, Op.91/2 · O komme, holde Sommernacht, Op.58/4 · Wie Melodien zieht es mir, Op.105/1 · Die Mainacht, Op.43/2 · Ständchen, Op.106/1

CD 2*:
SCHUMANN : Frauenliebe und -Leben, Op.42 · Liederkreis, Op.39

ARTISTS
Jessye Norman, soprano
Gewandhausorchester Leipzig
Kurt Masur
Geoffrey Parsons, piano*

TRACKLISTING
CD 1
STRAUSS : Orchestral songs
Vier letzte Lieder (Four Last Songs) · Cäcilie, Op.27/2 · Morgen, Op.27/4 ·   Wiegenlied, Op.41/1 · Ruhe, meine Seele, Op.27/1 · Meinem Kinde, Op.37/3 ·   Zueignung, Op.10/1

CD 2*
STRAUSS : Songs with piano
Ständchen, Op.17/2 · Mit deinen blauen Augen, Op.56/4 · Ich trage meine Minne, Op.32/1 · Kling! Op.48/3 · Allerseelen, Op.10/8 · Die Nacht, Op.10/3 · Zeitlose, Op.10/7 · Einerlei, Op.69/3 · Lob des Leidens, Op.15/3 · Befreit, Op.39/4 · Ach Lieb, ich muß nun scheiden, Op.21/3 · Du meines Herzens Krönelein, Op.21/2 · Schlechtes Wetter, Op.69/5 · Wir beide wollen springen · Wie sollten wir geheim sie halten, Op.19/4 · Seitdem dein Aug', Op.17/11 · Stiller Gang, Op.31/4 · Heimliche Aufforderung, Op.27/3 · Malven · Traum durch die Dämmerung, Op.29/1

ARTISTS
Jessye Norman, soprano
London Symphony Orchestra
Sir Colin Davis
Dalton Baldwin, piano*

TRACKLISTING
CD 1:
BERLIOZ : Les Nuits d'été
RAVEL : Shéhérazade
CD 2*
DUPARC : La vie antérieure · Phidylé · Chanson triste · L'invitation au voyage
RAVEL : Deux mélodies hébraïques
POULENC : Voyage à Paris · Montparnasse · La grenouillère · Les chemins de l'amour
SATIE : La statue de bronze · Daphénéo · Le chapelier · Je te veux

ARTISTS
Jessye Norman, soprano
The Boston Pops Orchestra
John Williams piano*

TRACKLISTING
CD 1: With a song in my heart
RODGERS/HART : Falling in love with love
PORTER : In the still of the night
RODGERS/HART : Spring is here
KERN : I'm old fashioned
ARLEN/CAPOTE : The sleepin' bee
PORTER : I love Paris
KERN/HAMMERSTEIN : The song is you
PORTER : I love you
GERSHWIN : Love is here to stay
KERN/HAMMERSTEIN : All the things you are
GERSHWIN : Love walked in
RODGERS/HART : With a song in my heart

CD 2*: Lucky to be me
RODGERS/HART : Lover
LEGRAND : I will wait for you
WEILL/GERSHWIN : My ship
GERSHWIN : But not for me
RODGERS/HART : Falling in love
BERNSTEIN : Lonely town
WEILL : September song
LERNER/LOEWE : Show me
LEGRAND : Where is it written?
JOEL : Just the way you are
LEGRAND : Papa, can you hear me?
WEILL : Speak low
BERNSTEIN : Lucky to be me

ARTISTS
Jessye Norman, soprano
Ambrosian Singers
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Sir Alexander Gibson
Willis Patterson*
Dalton Baldwin, piano*

TRACKLISTING
CD1: Sacred Songs
GOUNOD : Sanctus
SCHUBERT : Ave Maria
FRANCK : Panis angelicus
GOUNOD : O divine redeemer
ADAMS : The Holy City
ANON : Amazing grace   · Greensleeves · Let us break bread together · I wonder as I wander · Sweet little Jesus boy · Gesù bambino
CD 2*: Spirituals
I couldn't hear nobody pray · My Lord, what a morning · Do Lawd, oh do Lawd ·   There's a man going round · Ev'ry time I feel de spirit · There is a balm in Gilead ·   Gospel train · Great day · Mary had a baby · Live a-humble · Walk together children · Were you there · Hush! Somebody's callin' my name · Soon ah will be done · Give me Jesus

ARTISTS
Frederica von Stade
Thomas Hampson
Tyne Daly
London Symphony Orchestra
Michael Tilson Thomas

'On The Town is a peach of a show which positively hums along on the heat of its inspiration. Von Stade gets to launch the best number in the show, the bittersweet Some other time. I sometimes wonder if a more perfect little song ever graced Broadway. This show struts and swaggers, bustles and broods - the playing is stunning, there's no other word for it.' Gramophone

ARTISTS
Paul Crossley, piano
Peter Serkin, piano
London Sinfonietta
Oliver Knussen

'Beautifully played and even more beautifully recorded - Oliver Kunssen's performances are models of balance and clarity. Also crucial here is the excellent quality of the DG recording, extremely well designed for these richly imagined textures. It is tempting to say that this is the best single CD of Takemitsu's music so far issued' Gramophone

ARTISTS
Anne Sofie von Otter, mezzo soprano
Bengt Forsberg, piano

TRACKLISTING
CHAMINADE:
Ronde d'Amour · La Lune paresseuse · Sombrero · Mignonne · L'Anneau d'argent · Ma Première Lettre · L'Amour captif · Attente (Au Pays de Provence) · Voisinage · Bonne Humeur · Alleluia · Malgré nous · Nice-La-Belle · Menuet · Te Souvient-Tu? · Auprès de ma mie · Viens, Mon Bien-Aimé · Si J'Étais Jardinier · Villanelle · Mots d'Amour · Écrin · Espoir · Chanson triste · Je voudrais · L'Été · Sérénade Espagnole, Op. 150 · Rondeau, Op. 97 · Capriccio, Op. 18 · Valse Carnivalesque, Op. 73 · Danse Paienne, Op. 158

'Here is something to delight. With one resounding blow, von Otter and Forsberg have reclaimed Chaminade for our new century. The predominant mood of this CD is sunny - one senses the joy felt by von Otter and Forsberg in their rediscovery of this music. A totally entrancing CD from two of the greatest explorers of the repertory.' Gramophone

ARTISTS
Peter Schreier, tenor
András Schiff, piano

TRACKLISTING
SCHUBERT : Schwanengesang

'This is a wonderful disc by any standard. It has been a masterstroke on Decca's part to bring together Peter Schreier and András Schiff - both such perceptive and probing artists that the sum total of their work is profoundly satisfying. This really is a '"must" for any Lieder collection. Its merits are enhanced by John Reed's informative booklet note' Gramophone  

ARTISTS
English Chamber Orchestra
Benjamin Britten

TRACKLISTING
MOZART : Symphonies Nos 25 & 29 · Serenata notturna, K239

'Britten secures marvellous performances of these two symphonies: listen how lovingly he shapes the second subject of the finale of Symphony No. 25, for example. The mellowness and sensitivity of Britten's performances are matched by the warmth of the Decca recording. The disc is a revelation' Gramophone

ARTISTS
The English Concert
Trevor Pinnock

'This performance by The English Concert has secure intonation and good tone. It makes the most of Bach's rapid changes of dynamics and reveals the considerable qualities of the music. Pinnock achieves polished performances...an outstanding disc.' Gramophone

ARTISTS
Luciano Pavarotti, tenor
And associate artists

'After a distinguished career spanning more than three decades, involving dozens of opera recordings for Decca, Pavarotti's superstar status has reached proportions previously achieved only by such a figure as Caruso' Gramophone

ARTISTS
Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, baritone
And associate artists

'Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau's distinctive voice - rich, characterful, seductive and towering by turns - has rarely been equalled.' Gramophone

'Sheer excellence and vitality. All round this is a fine achievement and an indispensable addition to any Bach-lover's library. A project of these dimensions could hardly have been placed in more capable hands. The recorded sound, the documentation and, above all, the performances are first class.' Gramophone

ARTISTS
György Pauk, violin
Nobuko Imai, viola
Ralph Kirshbaum, cello
London Symphony Orchestra
Sir Colin Davis

'Tippett's Triple Concerto is a work of enormous richness ... recorded here with such triumphant success. These soloists are masterly, as is the orchestra, whilst Sir Colin Davis directs with an amazing sense of freedom. More than passing mention must go to the recording engineers - remarkable digital sound...rich and lucid. This is an outstanding record.' Gramophone

ARTISTS
London Symphony Orchestra
Antal Dorati

TRACKLISTING
ENESCO : Roumanian Rhapsody No.1, Op.11
LISZT : Hungarian Rhapsodies 1-6

This stunning recording opens with what has remained Enesco's most popular and enduring orchestral work, the First Roumania Rhapsody. The rest of the programme is devoted to Liszt's first six Hungarian Rhapsodies and the whole disc is conducted by one of MLP's principal conductors, Hungarian-born Antal Dorati (1906-88). The recording was made with the London Symphony Orchestra in sessions in June 1960 and July 1963.

As with the great majority of MLP's stereo releases, the actual recording was made using three microphones - a stereo pair, plus a central microphone. The LP (and subsequent CD) stereo releases mixed the centre channel into the two outer channels. Now - and for the first time -- SACD's multi-channel capability enables all three discrete channels to be present on the disc, allowing the listener to hear the recording as it was originally taped (and as it was always intended to be heard, when future technology permitted). Enhancing this new opportunity is the significant additional fidelity gained through direct-to-DSD transfers from the original half-inch analogue masters, via DSD's much greater resolution, frequency response and dynamic range.

In addition to this first-time presentation of the three-track original recording, the SACD also contains a high-resolution DSD stereo soundtrack, mixed to match as closely as possible the original LP stereo mix. Finally, as all Mercury Living Presence SACDs will be 'hybrid' releases, the SACD also includes a CD stereo soundtrack.

ARTISTS
Byron Janis, piano
Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra
Kyril Kondrashin

TRACKLISTING
PROKOFIEV : Piano Concerto No.3 · Toccata
RACHMANINOV: Piano Concerto No.1
SCHUMANN: Variations on a Theme by Clara Wieck, etc.

This legendary recording was made in Moscow in June 1962 when Byron Janis performed concertos by Prokofiev and Rachmaninov. He had first captured the hearts of the Russians when he toured there in 1960, and the Moscow concert prior to this recording was given on 13 May 1962 and was his first return visit. This was a monumental concert in which Janis played both the concertos featured in this recording and sandwiched in between was the Schumann Concerto!

This deservedly acclaimed recording is also famous as being the first recording to be made in Russia using non-Russian technicians and musical staff, as well as using equipment brought in specially for the sessions. Such were the complexities of setting up sessions that initial plans and discussions had started as early as 1958. The one piece included here which was recorded in New York City is the Schumann Variations.

ARTISTS
Janos Starker, cello
London Symphony Orchestra
Antal Dorati

TRACKLISTING
DVORAK : Cello Concerto
BRUCH : Kol Nidrei

TCHAIKOVSKY : Variations on a Rococo Theme

As with the great majority of MLP's stereo releases, the actual recording was made using three microphones - a stereo pair, plus a central microphone. The LP (and subsequent CD) stereo releases mixed the centre channel into the two outer channels. Now - and for the first time - SACD's multi-channel capability enables all three discrete channels to be present on the disc, allowing the listener to hear the recording as it was originally taped (and as it was always intended to be heard, when future technology permitted). Enhancing this new opportunity is the significant additional fidelity gained through direct-to-DSD transfers from the original half-inch analogue masters, via DSD's much greater resolution, frequency response and dynamic range.

In addition to this first-time presentation of the three-track original recording, the SACD also contains a high-resolution DSD stereo soundtrack, mixed to match as closely as possible the original LP stereo mix. Finally, as all Mercury Living Presence SACDs will be 'hybrid' releases, the SACD also includes a CD stereo soundtrack (Wilma Cozart Fine's original CD transfer), thus making the disc compatible with all CD players.

The covers and packaging have been kept within the famous Mercury Living Presence tradition, maintaining the logo banner, cover art and, where possible, original liner notes.

The pieces on this disc were originally recorded on 35mm film.

This sonic sensation is one of the first-ever Mercury recordings made in the Soviet Union by non-Soviet technicians and staff and it is highly appropriate that it features music played on the 'father' of Russian folk instruments - the balalaika. Vasily Andreyev (1861-1918) was the founding figure of a balalaika orchestra in 1888 and his ensemble toured extensively in France, Germany, Great Britain and America. After Andreyev's death Nikolai Osipov continued what was already established and built on this tradition. At the time of this recording Vitaly Gnutov had been conducting the ensemble for ten years and this program presents a variety of pieces in a stunning display of virtuosity and musicianship.

Two Mercury albums are presented on this SACD which features the legendary Eastman Wind Ensemble under the direction of Frederick Fennell. This ensemble and conductor made many recordings for Mercury and this album features the two very popular albums of marches: 'Screamers' - a selection of circus marches and 'March Time'.