The Music Pages | February 2009


	Cat. No.: 178 7494 Barcode: 0602517874947 Label: Universal DVD + CD Release Date: February			Andre Rieu \| Dancing Through the Skies ARTISTS André Rieu TRACK LISTING Wiener Melange The Wedding March Hoch sollen sie leben Vienna Blood Plaisir d'amour Figaro Cavatina Ich tanze mit dir in den Himmel hinein E lucevan le stelle I'm off to Chez Maxim España Cañi I hear the sound of cymbals Wer und getraut Du und Du (You and You Waltz) Wishing you were somehow here again All I ask of you The beautiful blue Danube Radetzky March Strauß & Co A bright young men The beautiful blue Danube Lips are sealed I like to dance Roses from the South Adieu, little captain of my heart Ich tanze mit dir in den Himmel hinein Dancing Through The Skies - A better party atmosphere than this you cannot imagine! A concert with André Rieu which is also a wedding party, and which takes place in one of the most beautiful opera houses in the world, the famous Semper Opera in Dresden. This DVD is another magnificent production from André Rieu. As well as a charming bride and bridegroom, who are part of the famous ‘Vienna Debutantes’, there are 40 fabulous pairs of dancers from the same Elmayer Dance School in Vienna, the sopranos Mirusia Louwerse and Carmen Monarcha, the Platinum Tenors, baritone Morschi Franz and the Johann Strauss Orchestra and Choir, and with the inspirational direction of André Rieu, together they give a fantastic concert, more festive than ever! The audience at the Semper Opera are not just enthusiastic, they are delirious... carried along by the beautiful waltzes, the fiery paso doble, the gorgeous arias from opera and operettas, humorous scenes, moving songs from (well of course, in this wonderful venue) The Phantom of the Opera, and by the end they are dancing along with the bride and bridegroom and the Vienna Debutantes, to the fabulous music of André Rieu and his orchestra. In short, it’s a great party and one you simply can’t miss! RETURN TO THE TOP

	Cat. No.: 076 2723 Barcode: 0044007627235 Label: DVD + Bonus CD Release Date: February			Melbourne Symphony Orchestra \| Classical Spectacular ARTISTS Rosario La Spina tenor José Carbó tenor Melbourne Symphony Orchestra Melbourne Chorale Bands of the Royal Australian Air Force Anthony Inglis conductor TRACK LISTING DISC ONE (DVD) COPLAND Fanfare for the Common Man ROSSINI Overture from William Tell FUCIK Entry of the Gladiators HANDEL Zadok the Priest VERDI La donna è mobile from Rigoletto TCHAIKOVSKY Finale from Swan Lake GOUNOD Soldiers' Chorus from Faust BIZET Au fond du temple saint from The Pearl Fishers DUKAS The Sorcerer’s Apprentice STRAUSS I Radetzky March ORFF O Fortuna from Carmina burana ROSSINI Largo al factotum from The Barber of Seville VERDI Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves from Nabucco HOLST Jupiter from The Planets MASCAGNI Intermezzo from Cavalleria rusticana WOOD Hornpipe from Fantasia on British Sea Songs COWAN Waltzing Matilda PUCCINI Nessun dorma from Turandot TCHAIKOVSKY 1812 Overture OFFENBACH Can-Can from Orpheus in the Underworld DISC TWO (CD) COPLAND Fanfare for the Common Man ROSSINI Overture from William Tell HANDEL Zadok the Priest VERDI La donna è mobile from Rigoletto TCHAIKOVSKY Finale from Swan Lake GOUNOD Soldier’s Chorus from Faust BIZET Au fond du temple saint from The Pearl Fishers ORFF O Fortuna from Carmina burana ROSSINI Largo al factotum from The Barber of Seville VERDI Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves from Nabucco HOLST Jupiter from The Planets MASCAGNI Intermezzo from Cavalleria rusticana PUCCINI Nessun dorma from Turandot TCHAIKOVSKY 1812 Overture No one who was there, or who watched it on television, will ever forget the MSO’s Classical Spectacular concert in the Rod Laver Arena. Conceived on a scale never previously attempted by Australian orchestras, with a spectacular light-show and state-of-the-art sound, it redefined classical concert presentation and paved the way for a whole new genre of pop-classic spectaculars in a market soon to be dominated by André Rieu. Now, this attractively repacked DVD captures the thrilling excitement of the original event, where the mighty sounds of the Air Force Bands combine with a full symphony orchestra and the power of the Melbourne Chorale in some of the most gripping music ever written. Three years on, its impact endures. Includes bonus audio CD for the car or workplace. RETURN TO THE TOP

	Cat. No.: 074 3323 Barcode: 00044007433232 Label: Decca 2 DVD Release Date: February			CECILIA BARTOLI \| Handel: Semele ARTISTS Semele: Cecilia Bartoli Ino: Liliana Nikiteanu Juno: Birgit Remmert Iris: Isabel Rey Jupiter/Apollo: Charles Workman Cadmus/Somnus: Anton Scharinger Athamas: Thomas Michael Allen Orchestra "La Scintilla" William Christie, conductor TRACK LISTING HANDEL: Semele Cecilia Bartoli’s first operatic Decca DVD release for over 10 years sees her triumphing in the title role of Handel’s late drama, Semele. A prestigious start to ‘Handel Year’. “Sung dazzlingly, 'Myself I shall adore' was one of many high points in Bartoli's stunning performance, her first operatic role in a language other than Italian…The wonderfully intimate Zurich Opera House allows every detail of her performance to be savoured.” International Herald Tribune Not only is this Cecilia Bartoli’s first DVD opera for Decca in 12 years (since Rossini’s La Cenerentola), it is also her first opera singing in English. Semele is presented in Robert Carsen’s stylish modern dress production, originally seen in London, and most recently staged at the Zurich Opera in 2007 (where it will be revived in January 2009). The drama tells of the ambition of the beautiful mortal, Semele, who, not satisfied with being Jupiter’s mistress, strives with fatal results to supplant Jupiter’s wife, Juno. Conceived as an oratorio but nowadays presented as a stage drama, it is a superb vehicle for all the principals, not least the substantial title role, which includes such popular arias as ‘Endless pleasure’ and ‘Myself I shall adore’. Robert Carsen’s acclaimed staging hints at parallels with the problematic relationship between the late Princess Diana and the British Royal Family. Outstanding orchestral accompaniment comes from the renowned combination of William Christie and La Scintilla. RETURN TO THE TOP

	Cat. No.: 074 3318 Barcode: 00044007433188 Label: Decca Blu-Ray DVD Release Date: February			BLU-RAY DVDs DANIEL BARENBOIM \| New Year's Concert 2009 ARTISTS Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra Daniel Barenboim TRACK LISTING J. Strauss II Ouvertüre zu "Eine Nacht in Venedig" A Night in Venice - Overture J. Strauss II Märchen aus dem Orient. Walzer, op. 444 Fairy Tales from the Orient - Waltz op.444 J. Strauss II Annen-Polka, op. 117 Anna’s Polka, op.117 J. Strauss II Schnellpost-Polka. Polka schnell, op. 159 Express Mail - Polka, op.159 J. Strauss II Rosen aus dem Süden. Walzer, op. 388 Roses from the South - Waltz, op.388 J. Strauss II Freikugeln. Polka schnell, op. 326 Magic Bullets - Polka op.326 J. Strauss II Ouvertüre Zigeunerbaron The Gypsy Baron - Overture J. Strauss II Einzugsmarsch Zigeunerbaron The Gypsy Baron - Entrance March J. Strauss II Schatz-Walzer, op. 418 Treasure Waltz op. 418 J. Hellmesberger II Valse espagnole Spanish Waltz J. Strauss I Zampa-Galopp, op.62 Zampa Galopp J.Strauss II Alexandrinen-Polka, op. 198 Alexandrine’s Polka – French Polka op.198 J. Strauss II Unter Donner und Blitz. Polka schnell, op. 324 Thunder and Lightning - Polka, op.324 Josef Strauss Sphärenklänge. Walzer, op. 235 Music of the Spheres – Waltz op. 235 J. Strauss II Éljen a Magyár! Polka schnell, op. 332 Hurrah for Hungary! – Polka op. 332 J. Haydn Abschiedssymphonie, 4. Satz Symphony No.45 in F sharp minor “Farewell” - IV. Finale J. Strauss II So ängstlich sind wir nicht! /We’re not that worried! - Polka, op. 413 J. Strauss II An der schönen, blauen Donau / Blue Danube - Waltz op.314 J. Strauss I Radetzky-March, op.228 BALLET EXTRAS J. Strauss II Treasure Waltz op. 418 - Polka, op. 413 J. Strauss II Thunder and Lightning - Polka, op.324 Josef Strauss Music of the Spheres – Waltz op. 235 The first Viennese New Year for one of the world's greatest conductors, Daniel Barenboim. The New Year's Concert in Vienna has been a glorious tradition for over six decades. A best-selling classical event year on year, the concert has unique global appeal. It is broadcast on TV and radio to over 50 countries, and is viewed by tens of millions of people all over the world. The 2009 New Year's Day Concert will be conducted by the Argentinean-Israeli pianist and conductor Daniel Barenboim for the first time. From 1991-2006 Barenboim was the principal conductor of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and since 1992 has been the General Music Director of the State Opera Unter den Linden in Berlin. Barenboim's debut with the Vienna Philharmonic took place in 1989, and he has since been a regular guest. In 1999, Barenboim and the late Palestinian academic Edward Säid founded the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra, in which young musicians from the Middle East and Israel perform together. Among the many awards Barenboim has received, was the Ernst von Siemens Music Prize in Vienna in 2006. In September 2007 Barenboim was named as United Nations Peace Envoy. The concert programme for 1st January 2009 will be the customary collection of Viennese delights, with six first time performances. The first part of the concert is inspired by the conductor’s biography. For example, the waltz Märchen aus dem Orient (Tales from the Orient), alludes to a modern “fairy tale” – the founding of the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra, a symbol of inter-cultural tolerance. Other first performances in the first half include J. Strauss II’s Schnellpost-Polka (Express Mail Polka) and J. Hellmesberger’s Valse Espagnole (Spanish Waltz). The second part of the concert makes constant allusions to the life and work of Joseph Haydn, culminating with the final movement of Haydn’s Symphony No.45 - 'Farewell Symphony'. This is the first time a work by Haydn has featured in the New Year’s Concert programme, and it will launch a year of events marking the bicentenary of the death of this great Austrian composerwho died in Vienna in May 1809. Other first appearances in the second half of the concert include J. Strauss I's Zampa-Galopp and J. Strauss II’s Alexandrine's Polka. RETURN TO THE TOP

	Cat. No.: 074 3326 Barcode: 00044007433263 Label: Decca Blu-Ray DVD Release Date: February			CECILIA BARTOLI \| Handel: Semele ARTISTS Semele: Cecilia Bartoli Ino: Liliana Nikiteanu Juno: Birgit Remmert Iris: Isabel Rey Jupiter/Apollo: Charles Workman Cadmus/Somnus: Anton Scharinger Athamas: Thomas Michael Allen Orchestra "La Scintilla" William Christie, conductor TRACK LISTING HANDEL: Semele Cecilia Bartoli’s first operatic Decca DVD release for over 10 years sees her triumphing in the title role of Handel’s late drama, Semele. A prestigious start to ‘Handel Year’. “Sung dazzlingly, 'Myself I shall adore' was one of many high points in Bartoli's stunning performance, her first operatic role in a language other than Italian…The wonderfully intimate Zurich Opera House allows every detail of her performance to be savoured.” International Herald Tribune Not only is this Cecilia Bartoli’s first DVD opera for Decca in 12 years (since Rossini’s La Cenerentola), it is also her first opera singing in English. Semele is presented in Robert Carsen’s stylish modern dress production, originally seen in London, and most recently staged at the Zurich Opera in 2007 (where it will be revived in January 2009). The drama tells of the ambition of the beautiful mortal, Semele, who, not satisfied with being Jupiter’s mistress, strives with fatal results to supplant Jupiter’s wife, Juno. Conceived as an oratorio but nowadays presented as a stage drama, it is a superb vehicle for all the principals, not least the substantial title role, which includes such popular arias as ‘Endless pleasure’ and ‘Myself I shall adore’. Robert Carsen’s acclaimed staging hints at parallels with the problematic relationship between the late Princess Diana and the British Royal Family. Outstanding orchestral accompaniment comes from the renowned combination of William Christie and La Scintilla. RETURN TO THE TOP

	Cat. No.: 074 3327 Barcode: 00044007433270 Label: Decca Blu-Ray DVD Release Date: February			RENÉE FLEMING; ROLANDO VILLAZÓN \| VERDI: La Traviata ARTISTS Violetta: Renee Fleming Alfredo: Rolando Villazon Germont: Renato Bruson Chorus and Orchestra of the Los Angeles Opera James Conlon TRACK LISTING VERDI: La Traviata Two of opera’s biggest stars, Renée Fleming and Rolando Villazón, sing one of the world’s best-loved operas together on DVD, in the sumptuous Los Angeles production of Verdi's tragic masterpiece, La Traviata. The lavish, traditional large-scale production, directed by Marta Domingo, has all the glamour one has come to expect from a period production. Beautiful sets and costumes add to the spectacle. Veteran Verdi baritone Renato Bruson sings the role of Alfredo's father, Germont. Filmed in Hi-Definition Widescreen. Extras include a photo gallery with production shots. RETURN TO THE TOP