This programme looks beyond the works of the renowned Strauss family. Research by The Johann Strauss Society of Great Britain has uncovered many rare pieces by central European light music composers of the 19th and early 20th centuries. Julius Fučik’s humorous march Um Mitternacht includes an imitation of nocturnal cats by the trombones, and Paul Lincke’s Overture to his operetta Berliner Luft includes the famous march that is a traditional part of the Berlin New Year Concert.

The music of the Strauss family is justifiably famous, but many other talented composers were producing popular music of comparable quality in the 19th and early 20th c. Drawn from a unique collection of original archive material compiled by The Johann Strauss Society of Great Britain, much of which has been reconstructed or orchestrated by John Georgiadis, this first volume of two presents world première recordings of works by many undeservedly forgotten central European light music composers.

This box set packages the prizewinning complete edition of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart s piano concertos which were recorded with Christian Zacharias and the Chamber Orchestra of Lausanne over the past 12 years.
With his distinctive combination of integrity, unique style, surpassing linguistic expressiveness, deep musical insight and assured artistic instinct paired with his charismatic and captivating personality, Christian Zacharias has made a name for himself not only as one of the world s leading pianists and conductors, but also as a musical thinker. Beginning as a pianist and later moving on to work as a conductor as well, his international career burgeoned through numerous widely acclaimed concerts with the world s leading orchestras, renowned conductors not to mention several awards and recordings.

The Silver Globe Expands
As one of the most industrious female multi-instrumentalist songwriters in modern pop Jane Weaver literally doubles the content of her Best Record Of 2014 for this synth-ridden special release.

In this first volume of Alexander Scriabin's symphonies on the LSO Live label, Valery Gergiev and the London Symphony Orchestra begin in media res with the Symphony No. 3, "Le Divin Poème," and the Le Poème de l'extase, which is unofficially counted as the Symphony No. 4. These works date from Scriabin's middle period (ca. 1902-1908), which marks a transition from his youthful Romantic phase to his final visionary works. The Symphony No. 3 reflects a lingering attachment to the symphonic conventions which influenced Scriabin's first two symphonies, particularly in its three-movement structure and relatively clear tonal scheme, though it already hints at the organic development and greater harmonic complexity of the single-movement Le Poème de l'extase, which strains the boundaries of form and key. These effusive works demand a calculated control that may seem at odds with their volatile and languorous expressions, though Gergiev and the London Symphony Orchestra deliver the music with rhythmic precision and focused tone colors to bring across Scriabin's kaleidoscopic soundworld with brilliance.

The Syn featuring, some of the music world's best progressive rock musicians. Following a fairly quiet time for The Syn while their legendary vocalist and songwriter Steve Nardelli has been the force behind the first eco town to be built in the UK, the iconic pre-Yes band from the 60's returns with a live CD recorded in 2009 at Rosfest in Philadelphia on their Big Sky tour and a 2 films bonus on a single DVD 'The Syn in the 21st Century' and 'The Making of Big Sky', the latter charting at number one on the Amazon VOD chart in America. Big Sky studio album was voted the best progressive music album of 2009 by USA Progressive Music magazine and much of that music is featured on this remarkable live album, described by Precision Mastering as "the finest live album we have worked on". The bonus DVD features the 23 minute film The Making of Big Sky and 20 minute The Syn in the 21st Century.

With almost forty minutes of new material, Agusa delivers a wide array of seamlessly-executed, organic rock on the aptly titled Agusa 2. The band s tranquil output blends tripped-out psychedelic and progressive rock structures are inspired by more folk than occult influences, instilling visions of nature, the cosmos, and dreamlike passages, meandering into realms of a possibly supernatural or parallel existence. While not a fully instrumental recording, backing vocal mantras only seep in through purposeful cracks in the construction of these immense movements, adding an even more spacious feeling to the overall flow of the album.

For his new album Maximilian Hornung chose the two cello concertos Joseph Haydn (1732-1809), which he recorded with the Potsdam Chamber Academy under the direction of Antonello Manacorda. The two most technically demanding concerts are among the top works that were composed in the 18th century for the cello. In particular, the rediscovery of the Cello Concerto in C major, which was thought to be lost until the 20th century, made in 1961 for a sensation in the music world.

"Globetrotter" is an excellent album of jazz-rock period of GURU GURU, and it is almost without flaw. Music and arrangements are similar to that of "Tango Fango", minus unnecessary experimentation and tango/bossa nova silliness. The whole album is much more developed and consistent. It is very song- oriented and sometimes even radio-friendly but that only means it is more accessible than some earlier "experimental" nonsense. The title track with crazy instrumental announcements and "Moroso" are highlights, but the album can be seriously taken as a whole and heard several times in a row. Provided you are into this type of fusion music with some typical Krautrock weirdness.

Positraction is the seventh studio album by electro-jazz group Four80East. Four80East is a Canadian electro jazz ensemble from Toronto with Rob DeBoer (keyboards, bass and guitar) and Tony Grace (percussion); accompanied by various session musicians. Although Four80East began as a studio concept, they have evolved into a live act. Four80East began as a studio project when DeBoer and Grace, who had been writing, arranging and producing for other artists on their Boomtang Records label, put together material of their own and released it as The Album, in 1997. The Album was well-received by critics and the public alike. It was followed by Nocturnal in 2001, and Round 3 in 2002.

The Dustbowl Revival is a Venice, California-based collective that merges old school bluegrass, gospel, pre-war blues and the hot swing of New Orleans to form a spicy roots cocktail. Known for their roaring live sets, Dustbowl bravely brings together many styles of traditional American music. Some call it a string band-brass band mash up. Maybe it’s swing-grass or good old Americana, however you spin it, Dustbowl creates and curates infectious, joyous music - a youthful take on time-worn American traditions.

The Cars' 1978 self-titled debut, issued on the Elektra label, is a genuine rock masterpiece. The band jokingly referred to the album as their "true greatest-hits album," but it's no exaggeration – all nine tracks are new wave/rock classics, still in rotation on rock radio. Whereas most bands of the late '70s embraced either punk/new wave or hard rock, the Cars were one of the first bands to do the unthinkable – merge the two styles together. Add to it bandleader/songwriter Ric Ocasek's supreme pop sensibilities, and you had an album that appealed to new wavers, rockers, and Top 40 fans. One of the most popular new wave songs ever, "Just What I Needed," is an obvious highlight, as are such familiar hits as "Good Times Roll," "My Best Friend's Girl," and "You're All I've Got Tonight." But like most consummate rock albums, the lesser-known compositions are just as exhilarating: "Don't Cha Stop," "Bye Bye Love," "All Mixed Up," and "Moving in Stereo," the latter featured as an instrumental during a steamy scene in the popular movie Fast Times at Ridgemont High.

Albert Marcœur is a French composer, singer and songwriter. He began his career in the early 1970s. His body of work mixes melodic, rhythmic and sonic experimentations with fancy nursery rhymes, humorous and offbeat lyrics. In France he has been called "the French Frank Zappa". Albert Marcœur, French multi-instrumentalist/composer, was born on December 12 1947, in Dijon, France. During his formal education of clarinet at the National Academy of Music and Dance of Dijon, Marcoeur actively participated in many straightforward college rock 'n roll bands. Closing an end to his formal training Marcoeur's musical visions had gravitated towards the experimental facets of music, wishing "to do nothing else but make my own music".

Digitally remastered edition of this 1984 album from the French composer, performer and music producer. Jean Michel, the son of acclaimed film composer Maurice Jarre, is a pioneer in the Electronic, Ambient and New Age genres. Apart from his recorded output, Jean Michel Jarre is also fondly known as an organizer of outdoor spectacles of his music featuring lights, laser displays, and fireworks. Jean Michel has gone on to sell well over 80 million albums in the course of 40 years.

Collects the original 1974 and 1975 albums from the French orchestra leader, together on one CD! Includes covers of The Carpenters' "Yesterday Once More" and Mikis Theodorakis' "Theme From 'Serpico". French composer/conductor Paul Mauriat is a classically trained musician who decided to pursue a career in popular music. His first major success came in 1962, as a co-writer of the European hit "Chariot." In 1963, the song was given English lyrics, renamed "I Will Follow Him," and became a number one American hit for Little Peggy March. Mauriat is best remembered for his 1968 worldwide smash "Love Is Blue."