ARTISTS
Macquarie Trio

TRACKLISTING
DVORAK
Trio No. 1 in B flat major, Op. 21 (B51)
Trio No. 2 in G minor, Op. 26 (B56)
Trio No. 3 in F minor, Op. 65 (B130)
Trio No. 4 in E minor, Op. 90 'Dumky' (B166)

The Macquarie Trio, trio-in-residence at Macquarie University adds to their impressive and highly acclaimed recordings with ABC Classics with the complete piano trios of Antonin Dvorak.

The Macquarie Trio is regarded as one of the top chamber music groups in the country and on this 2CD set delivers electrifying performances of Dvorak's well-known and beloved four trios.

Dvorák's life was filled with creative twists and turns, his music punctuated with variety, flexibility and change. Just 15 years separate his piano trios and all four were written before his fiftieth birthday. The early trios reflect Dvorák's rediscovery of Czech folk music after emerging from his self-confessed Wagnerian 'mad period'. The grand F minor trio reflects Dvorák's deep search for harmony between his German and Slavic passions, while the 'Dumky' trio displays a lively, free and beautiful understanding of the Czech spirit.

MARKETING PLANS
RADIO
Radio Promotion on ABC Classic FM
Extensive Airplay

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ARTISTS
Xiao-Dong Wang, violin ; Adelaide Symphony Orchestra / Omri Hadari (Bartók, Szymanowski)
Dene Olding, violin ; Melbourne Symphony Orchestra / Hiroyuki Iwaki (Martin, Milhaud, Barber)

TRACKLISTING
SZYMANOWSKI: Concerto No.1 for Violin and Orchestra, Op.35
BARTÓK: Concerto for Violin and Orchestra No.2, Sz112
MARTIN: Concerto for Violin and Orchestra
MILHAUD: Violin Concerto No.2, Op.263
BARBER: Concerto for Violin and Orchestra, Op.14

With violinists Xiao-Dong Wang and Dene Olding, classic violin concertos from last century are represented in this brilliant 2-for-1 CD. Featuring concertos by Szymanowski, Bartók, Martin, Milhaud and Barber, this double-CD set explores some of the great music for violin.

There is something for everyone in this dazzling collection. Szymanowski's first concerto is based on the program of a poem 'A Night in May' by Tadeusz Micinski. One of the wonders of Bartók's magnificent second concerto is its ability to reconcile Beethovenian classicism with the earthy vigour of Hungarian peasant music. Martin's Violin Concerto is a characteristic example of his mature style, which blends and harmonises the tendencies of French and German music. Despite Milhaud's reputation for being the enfant terrible of the music world, his Violin Concerto No. 2 is surpringly lyrical and beautifully written for the instrument. And if music is measured by the tunes it contains, no wonder Barber's Concerto for Violin and Orchestra has been enjoyed more than most American compositions.

ARTISTS
Geoffrey Payne, trumpet
Melbourne Symphony Orchestra

TRACKLISTING
LOVELOCK: Concerto for Trumpet and Orchestra
TOMASI: Concerto for Trumpet and Orchestra
MILLS: Concerto for Trumpet and Orchestra
ARUTYUNYAN: Concerto for Trumpet and Orchestra
BELLINI: Concerto in E-flat for Oboe and Orchestra
HAYDN: Concerto in E-flat for Trumpet and Orchestra, Hob.VIIe:1
CIMAROSA: Concerto for Oboe and Strings
HUMMEL: Concerto in E for Trumpet and Orchestra
WEBER: Concertino in C for Oboe and Wind Ensemble

Principal trumpet for the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Geoffrey Payne gives spirited and virtuosic performances of trumpet concertos throughout the ages. From Haydn to Cimarosa to Hummel to Weber to Bellini to Arban, the second CD explores trumpet music from the classical and romantic periods. The first CD contains two Australian works (by Richard Mills and British expatriate William Lovelock) and concertos by Frenchman Henri Tomasi and Armenian Alexander Artyunyan.

This eclectic collection will delight trumpet aficionados and lovers of fine music.

MARKETING PLANS
RADIO
Radio Promotion on ABC Classic FM

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ARTISTS
Julie Adam, piano

TRACKLISTING
MARTIN
8 Preludes pour le piano
Esquisse pour piano
Clair de lune (Petite Nocturne)
Etude rythmique
Guitare - quatre pieces breves
Fantaisie sur des rythmes flamenco
Overture and Foxtrot
Three Easy Piano pices
Etudes

Swiss composer Frank Martin's credo was integrity, responsibility and the creation of beauty, and to these ends he was uncompromisingly honest with himself and the public. In a period of history where the turmoil of war seemed to breed rationalism in all forms of art, Frank Martin represented a swing back toward spiritual values.

Hungarian-born pianist Julie Adam is a renowned Martin interpreter and her musical artistry is sublime in this double-CD set of gems. The pieces on these CDs reflect the array of influences on Martin's compositional development and provide much insight into his world. In the composer's own words, 'may these pieces...bring each listener that very private joy which music can sometimes give.'

MARKETING PLANS
RADIO
Radio Promotion on ABC Classic FM

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ARTISTS
Vladimir Ashkenazy, piano

TRACKLISTING
Moments Musicaux op.16
Morceaux de Fantasie op 3
Fragments (1917)
Prelude in D minor Op posth (1917)
Tout est si beau, Op 21, No 7 Transcription for piano - anon
Vocalise Op 34, No 14 Transcription - Kocsis

Hybrid SACD-Only Release All New Recordings. Playable on all conventional CD players.

Vladimir Ashkenazy is without doubt the pianist of our time most associated with the music of Rachmaninov. His Decca discography, recorded over a 40 year period, includes many outstanding interpretations, but it is in Russian repertoire and with Rachmaninov in particular that he has been most highly acclaimed. Ashkenazy's recordings of the Rachmaninov Piano Concertos are among the best selling piano recordings of all time and are pillars of the Decca catalogue.

This outstanding pianist now turns his attention to the composer's early works that laid the foundation for his rhapsodic mature style. Ashkenazy brings decades of experience and artistry to this project and reveals the heart of the young composer in music that the booklet essay describes as 'subtly phrased liquid lyricism'.

It was in the Morceaux de fantasie Op. 3 that Rachmaninov, aged just nineteen, began to establish his own musical personality. The Moments musicaux Op. 16 were composed in 1896, while Rachmaninov was waiting for the first performance of his First Symphony, and the 6 pieces show him exploring bold new ways of pianistic expression. The disc also includes two piano versions of Rachmaninov songs that are both melodic gems - the Vocalise Op.34 (transcribed by Zoltan Kocsis) and Zdes' khorosho (It is lovely here).

In contrast, Fragments and the posthumously published D minor prelude are poignant and nostalgic works composed immediately after the October Revolution.

ARTISTS
Pepe Romero, guitar
Academy of St Martin in the Fields*
Sir Neville Marriner*
I Musiciº

TRACKLISTING
RODRIGO: Concierto de Aranjuez
VILLA-LOBOS: Etude No.1 in E minor
VILLA-LOBOS: Prelude No.2 in E major
VILLA-LOBOS: Suite populaire brésilienne: II Schottish-Chôro · V Chorinho
VILLA-LOBOS: Chôro No.1
ANONYMOUS: Romance ( Jeux interdits )
ARCAS: Fantasy on Themes from Verdi's La traviata
GIULIANI: Variations on a Theme by Handel, Op.107
GIULIANI: Guitar Concerto No.1 in A major, Op.30
VIVALDI: Concerto in D major, RV 93º
RODRIGO: Trois petites pieces
CELEDONIO ROMERO · MORENO TORROBA: Concierto de Málaga*
ALBÉNIZ: España, 6 hohas de álbum, Op.165: II Tango
TÁRREGA: Recuerdos de la Alhambra
RODRIGO: Concierto para una fiesta*

This new 2CD compilation featuring one of the most popular guitarists of all time, contains some of the most beloved guitar works in the repertory and acts as a companion release to the CD & DVD package devoted to Rodrigo (475 6545). Of course this collection contains the composer's most famous work and what has become the most popular guitar concerto ever written, the Concierto de Aranjuez , in which Pepe Romero is partnered by Sir Neville Marriner and the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields. Another work by Rodrigo, the Concierto para una fiesta closes this collection.

In addition The Art of Pepe Romero contains favourite concertos by Giuliani and Vivaldi (Pepe Romero was the first guitarist to record all three of Giuliani's concertos), as well as solo pieces by Villa-Lobos, Rodrigo, Tárrega and the hugely popular anonymous Romance ( Jeux Interdits ). Also included is the much-requested Romero / Torroba Concierto de Málaga which has not been available for some time.

ARTISTS
Pepe Romero · Angel Romero, guitar
Los Romeros
Academy of St Martin in the Fields
Sir Neville Marriner

TRACKLISTING
DVD
Concierto de Aranjuez
'Joaquín Rodrigo at 90' (documentary)

CD
Concierto madrigal for two guitars and orchestra  
Fantasía para un gentilhombre for guitar and small orchestra
Concierto Andaluz for four guitars and orchestra

In writing his Concierto de Aranjuez blind Spanish composer Joaquín Rodrigo (1901-1999) created one of the cornerstones of the guitar repertory, and what has easily become the most popular concerto ever composed for the instrument. Virtuoso guitarist Pepe Romero recorded the work twice for Philips and his second recording is the one that is included here on film with the fascinating documentary about Rodrigo at 90, Shadows and Light . This is the first release on DVD of the documentary.

Director Larry Weinstein, writing in 1993, said of his 60 minute film Shadows and Light :
'Joaquín Rodrigo at 90 is an intimate and intensely personal exploration of the world-renowned Spanish composer. He has created some of the most beautiful music ever written. His Concierto de Aranjuez is as famous as Cervantes' Don Quixote and the paintings of Goya. At 90, he is a man whose youthful exuberance and extrovert personality have yielded to the introversion and silent meditation of old age. Shadows and Light portrays a man who has found inspiration in his belief in God but has also suffered greatly at the hand of his own demons. He is a man who has been blind since early childhood, but has never allowed his disability to inhibit his artistic vision. His story is truly inspirational.'

Romero also recorded Rodrigo's other concertos for solo guitar, plus works for two and four guitars, and the companion CD features the Concierto madrigal for two guitars and orchestra (in which Pepe is joined by his brother Ángel), the popular Fantasía para un gentilhombre , and the Concierto Andaluz for four guitars (performed by Los Romeros). In all these works - both on CD and the DVD - Sir Neville Marriner and the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields lend orchestral support.

ARTISTS
Maria Joao Pires, piano
Ricardo Castro, piano *

TRACKLISTING
SCHUBERT
Fantasy in F minor for Piano for 4 Hands Op 103*
Rondo in A for Piano for 4 Hands Op. 107*
Sonata in A for Piano Op. post. 120
Sonata in A for Piano Op. post. 143*
Allegro in A for Piano for 4 Hands 'Lebensstürme' Op. post. 144*

After her recent successful and critically acclaimed recordings with Augustin Dumay playing the Beethoven sonatas, Maria João Pires is entering into a new and rewarding collaboration with Brazilian pianist Ricardo Castro. Together they play two Schubert solo sonatas and three pieces for 4 hands. These are wonderful interpretations, fully in the spirit of Schubert's mystical feeling for nature, the song, and instrumental lyricism.

Listen to the quintessential, romantic composer, the lyrical poet and romancer Franz Schubert: the program opens with the greatest work for piano duet, the magnificent Fantasy in F minor which runs the whole gamut of emotions and tempi that reach a fugal climax.

Maria João Pires also includes the most lyrical of Schubert's sonatas, Sonata 664, which is almost feminine in mood while Ricardo Castro plays the more elemental and masculine Sonata 784. Both then turn this somewhat conventional distribution of roles around in their pieces for 4 hands: Ricardo Castro takes the lead in the gracious, lyrical Rondo and Maria João Pires leads through the furious, stern Lebensstürme .

The accompanying CD booklet and packaging has been entirely conceived by Maria João Pires. This is a most welcome issue for lovers of Schubert and equally for the many fans of Maria Joao Pires.

ARTISTS
Anne-Sophie Von Otter, mezzo-soprano (Kindertotenlieder)
Violeta Urmana, soprano (Rückert-Lieder)
Thomas Quasthoff, bass-baritone (Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen)
Weiner Philharmoniker
Pierre Boulez

TRACKLISTING
MAHLER
Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen
Rückert-Lieder
Kindertotenlieder

On 26 March 2005 Pierre Boulez will celebrate his 80th birthday. Being one of the central figures of 20th century music and godfathers of the avant garde movement, 26 times Grammy winner Pierre Boulez can undoubtedly be called a living legend.

Deutsche Grammophon is lucky enough to share a fruitful cooperation with Pierre Boulez which has lasted for almost three decades. To celebrate his 80th birthday DG has prepared four outstanding new releases for February 2005, representing different facets of his work as an uncompromising, investigative and intriguing conductor-composer.

Pierre Boulez's constantly expanding Mahler catalogue was once again crowned with a Grammy in 2004, awarded to the Third Symphony with the Wiener Philharmoniker: 'It deserves a special place in the sun', opined the BBC Music Magazine. And The Observer remarked: 'Add the elegant mezzo of von Otter, plus majestic playing from the Vienna Phil, and you have one composer of high seriousness doing another a signal service.'

ARTISTS
Krystian Zimerman (No. 1) · Leif-Ove Andsnes (No. 2) · Hélène Grimaud (No. 3), piano  
Chicago Symphony Orchestra (No. 1) · Berliner Philharmoniker (No. 2) · London Symphony Orchestra (No. 3)
Pierre Boulez

TRACKLISTING
BARTÓK
Piano Concerto No. 1
Piano Concerto No. 2
Piano Concerto No. 3

'20th-century music history cannot be recounted without mentioning the works of Bartók', insists Pierre Boulez. 'They define the 20th century.' This central role played by Bartók is revealed through the stylistic breadth in his works that Boulez habitually puts on display.

Boulez has championed the works of Bartók for a long time now and has made many fine recordings of his music, also on Deutsche Grammophon.

Now Boulez adds to his impressive Bartók discography with this issue. On a single CD it includes all three of the Hungarian composer's piano concertos. This recording is also distinguished by the contribution of three of the world's great pianists and three of the world's great orchestras: Krystian Zimerman and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Leif-Ove Andsnes and the Berliner Philharmoniker, Hélène Grimaud and the London Symphony Orchestra.

Krystian Zimerman has been a DG recording artist for a long time now and his recordings of Debussy and Ravel are acknowledged as the finest interpretations of his generation. Particularly esteemed is his recording of the Ravel piano concertos with Zimerman. Leif-Ove Andsnes and Hélène Grimaud are also widely regarded as amongst the finest talents of their generation.

How fascinating then, to have on one recording three prodigious artists with three magnificent orchestras, each coming together to explore one composer's music under the baton of the great Boulez. It is unmissable!   

ARTISTS
Emerson String Quartet

TRACKLISTING
MENDELSSOHN
String Quartet No.2 in A minor, Op.13
Four Pieces for String Quartet, Op.81: 4. Fuga
String Quartet No.1 in E flat, Op.12
String Quartet in E minor, Op.44 No.2
String Quartet in E flat, Op.44 No.3
String Quartet in D, Op.44 No.1
Four Pieces for String Quartet, Op.81: 3. Capriccio
String Quartet No.6 in F minor Op.80
Four Pieces for String Quartet, Op.81: 1. Tema con Variazioni
Four Pieces for String Quartet, Op.81: 2. Scherzo
Octet in E flat, Op.20
String Quartet in E flat major

2004 was a great year for the Emerson Quartet. Sold-out concerts, rave reviews and excellent CD sales apart, they were recipients of the prestigious Avery Fisher Prize in April (bestowed by New York's Lincoln Center), the first ensemble, as opposed to solo artists, to be given this great honour.

Today the Emerson Quartet's exclusive recording catalogue on DG covers music from Bach to Edgar Meyer, and they have won numerous prestigious awards, including six Grammys and two Gramophone Record of the Year awards.

The Emersons have enjoyed great success with their last two albums, Bach's Art of Fugue and Haydn's Seven Last Words. The Bach has sold over 30,000 copies in just over a year; the Haydn 10,000 in little more than six months.

Now they return with a big 4-CD set, this time the complete Mendelssohn quartets. Like their Beethoven and Shostakovich complete cycles of 1997 and 2000 respectively, here is a set of recordings that will set new standards.

The Mendelssohn quartets - seven in all, plus individual movements - form an immensely engaging and exhilarating body of work. They range from the passionate utterances of the young composer (Opp. 12 & 13) to the anguished outburst of a man devastated by the death of his beloved sister (F minor, Op. 80). In between there are the chamber-music equivalents of works like the famous Italian Symphony (the D major Op. 44 No. 1).

On the special bonus CD that comes in the package there's an absolute treat: the Emerson's recording of Mendelssohn's delightful Octet, a work brimming with energy and lyricism. How do four players play eight parts? Find out on the CD-R track, 'Recording the Octet', a witty and enlightening eleven-minute documentary of eight Emersons in action - also included on the bonus CD.