With a "bonus" eighth track of the Rondo alla Zingarese-Presto from Brahms' First Piano Quartet filling out this CD to a near maximal 75 minutes and 55 seconds, this disc is a steal. The Double Concerto by Brahms is an energetic and riveting yet enigmatic addition to the concerto repertoire. With a combination of solo instruments not widely used since the Baroque era due to their contrasting sounds, this work presents some unique challenges in finding the proper balance between orchestra, solo violin, and solo cello.

The complete version of Orlando, considered to be one of Handel’s most successful operas, is presented for the first time on a Canadian label. Singing the title role is the English countertenor Owen Willetts, a rising figure on the international scene. He is joined by the American soprano Amanda Forsythe, and several of the finest Canadian singers: Karina Gauvin, Allyson McHardy, and Nathan Berg.The Pacific Baroque Orchestra (PBO) is the only professional period-instrument orchestra west of Toronto. Under the direction of renowned conductor and harpsichordist Alexander Weimann, the PBO is recognized as one of Canada’s most exciting and innovative ensembles performing “early music for modern ears.” This recording was produced following Orlando’s performances at the 2012 Vancouver Early Music Festival.

Debademba is a group formed from the magical encounter of two fellow musicians: guitarist and inventive beat master Abdoulaye Traore from Burkina Faso and Malian singer Mohamed Diaby, a charismatic griot. These colorful characters are, like the other members of the group, Parisian Africans who are very prominent on the capital's cosmopolitan live music scene. The kind of music they make is modern and explosive, drawing from afrobeat, highlife and mbalax styles, with hints of Mandinka music mixed in, all combined with strong blues elements and the occasional nod to rock. Souleymane is a powerful manifesto and an invitation to celebrate.

Swedish singer, songwriter, and keyboardist Anna von Hausswolff issued her debut full-length Singing from the Grave in 2012. Despite its sobering title, the album was full of melodic, fragile, Gothic ballads. On Ceremony, the term "Gothic" applies even more here than on its predecessor, yet the music has progressed almost immeasurably. Von Hausswolff employed an Annedal church organ as her primary instrument on this date (it's on nine of the 13 songs), though she also plays piano and synth. Its amazing array of tones, sounds, and timbres color the proceedings with an array of possibilities most pop recordings never imagine, let alone use. Further, Von Hausswolff's approach here has been influenced directly – and admittedly – by the post-metal sonics of Earth and the groundbreaking vocal innovations of Diamanda Galas.

Years in the making! Elmer Bernstein fans place such high esteem on epic 1959 score that composer starts club in 1974, makes highlights from The Miracle the first of his own music to re-record. 26 minutes make it to second LP on his private label, but incredible wealth of powerhouse music including massive choral segments, battle music, entire Spanish elements of score remain unrecorded… until now! Over 90 minutes of actual soundtrack music spread over 2 CDs! Large-scale picture from Warner Bros. directed by Irving Rapper, starring Carroll Baker, Roger Moore is set during vibrant era of Napoleonic Wars in 1812. Religious story sees young postulant leaving convent to pursue love, adventure. As Teresa embarks on worldly adventures, statue of Virgin Mary assumes her place until she returns. Tale of faith, love, war and tragedy all inspire Bernstein to create lengthy, ambitious score in vein of legendary Ten Commandments score for Cecil B. DeMille. Massive chords launch work from outset, spotlighting great power of Church, faith.

One of the most memorable scores by Ennio Morricone in the late sixties is back in its definitive edition! Although best known for his collaborations with other directors (Sergio Leone, Pier Paolo Pasolini, Giuseppe Tornatore, Brian de Palma), the name of Ennio Morricone was asociated with Mauro Bolognini in a total of fifteen films over more than three decades, including some of his most famous and melodic works (Metello, L’Eredita Ferramonti, La Villa Dei Venerdi, Fatti di Gente Perbene, etc). L’Assoluto Naturale is one of his most celebrated collaborations, with a main theme that became immediately an absolute classic. The album was released on LP by Cinevox in 1969, and reissued on CD several times in Italy and Japan. We are very proud to release the score in complete form for the first time, with a very improved sound mastered by Claudio Fuiano and Dániel Winkler from the first generation master tapes, courtesy of Cinevox.