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See Terms & Conditions for p&p rates. | |  | Holst - The Planets
The Hallé Orchestra, Mark Elder When Gustav Holst composed his celebrated suite 'The Planets' during the First World War, the solar system was bounded by the orbit of Neptune ('The Mystic' in Holst's astrological subtitle)—which Holst naturally placed at the end of his masterpiece. It was not until fifteen years later that American astronomer Clyde Tombaugh, trying to find the reason for peculiarities in Neptune's orbit, realised that there was another planet further out whose gravitational pull was influencing it. And so was discovered the dark, remote and mysterious world of Pluto, named after the king of the Underworld. The discovery was made but three years before Holst's death, but he never expressed any intention of adding it to his by-then famous work. Sixty years later, invited to do so by The Hallé Orchestra, the challenge was taken up by Colin Matthews whose 'Pluto—The Renewer' emerges eerily from the disappearing final bars of 'Neptune'. This was the first recording of Holst's 'Planets' with the additional planet, sumptuously recorded by Tony Faulkner in Manchester's Bridgewater Hall. The CD also includes Holst's late Lyric Movement for viola and chamber orchestra, written in 1933, the year before the composer died. Originally issued on CDA67270 “Wonderfully imaginative [Pluto] – a lightning-fast scherzo that grows out of the dying moments of a preceding Neptune and finally evaporates as mysteriously as it started” The Guardian “Holstians will be grateful for a beautiful account of the melancholy Lyric Movement, but for those mainly interested in The Planets this has few rivals as a performance” International Record Review “Colin Matthews has finally completed the picture with Pluto, and hearing it on this fine recording alongside Holst’s original, the scale of his achievement becomes clear. Fast, pacy and light like the solar winds of the planet itself, Colin Matthews has enhanced our enjoyment and appreciation of Holst’s original work, beautifully and movingly played here by the Hallé Orchestra under Mark Elder” Classic FM Magazine “Pluto is an exhilaratingly fleet essay, laced with Holstian allusions. Elder also presides over a perceptive account of the haunting 1933 Lyric Movement … Here’s to more high-quality productions from this new partnership” Gramophone Magazine “[Matthews] succeeds miraculously in evoking Holst’s spirit while remaining genuine Matthews. This disc is a highly desirable addition to anyone’s collection” BBC Music Magazine | 
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| |  | Ravel - Bolero
Hallé Orchestra, John Barbirolli | | | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
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| |  | Elgar - The Dream of Gerontius
“Vickers doesn't disappoint, singing with an intensity and a care for the sound and sense of every word that are well nigh ideal. As the Angel, Constance Shacklock, gravely beautiful if occasionally too grand, is first-class, too. The drama Barbirolli brings to the work is recognisable from his later studio account, but here the live sound is at best adequate and at worse unacceptable, with a microphone placed so close to the conductor that at times he seems to be duetting with Vickers. The orchestra and chorus do their best, which isn't quite good enough; it's Vickers who makes this a must-have.” The Guardian, 23rd May 2008 *** | | | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
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| |  | Kathleen Ferrier sings Brahms, Chausson & Mahler
These three recordings of the incomparable Kathleen Ferrier, have been newly re-mastered from tapes made from live BBC broadcasts. The BBCSO play the Brahms, conducted by Sir Malcolm Sargent in January 1949. They also play the final two movements of the Mahler under Sir Adrian Boult, November 1947. The Chausson is played by the Halle Orchestra, conducted by Sir John Barbirolli in March 1951. | | | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
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| |  | Elgar: | The Music Makers, Op. 69 Janet Baker (mezzo-soprano) London Philharmonic Choir & London Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Adrian Boult The Dream of Gerontius, Op. 38 Richard Lewis (tenor), Dame Janet Baker (mezzo-Soprano) & Kim Borg (bass) Hallé Choir, Sheffield Philharmonic Chorus, Ambrosian Singers & Hallé Orchestra, John Barbirolli |
This 1964 recording of The Dream of Gerontius, though made over four days at Christmas in a miserable and foggy Manchester, has long been the version of choice in round-up reviews, most recently on BBC Radio 3 in Building a Library. Besides the leading Gerontius of his day, Richard Lewis, and the tremendous doubled chorus, it established Janet Baker as a peerless Angel. “The must-have Gerontius, recorded in the idealised soundscape so beloved of the 1960s, where choir and soloists are close-miked and crystal-clear. Richard Lewis's well-groomed, classic tones and Barbirolli's deep understanding result in a benchmark reading.” BBC Music Magazine, December 2007 ***** | | | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
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London Symphony Orchestra & Hallé Orchestra, Sir John Barbirolli ‘Lovely playing. A classic performance of Tintagel (unlikely ever to be surpassed) and a deeply moving interpretation of A Song of Summer.’ (Gramophone) | | | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
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| |  | Moeran - The Collected 78rpm Recordings 1925-42
As a collection, they represent all of the commercial recordings of the works of E. J. Moeran made during his lifetime, and as such are of major importance. | | | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
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| |  | John Ogdon
John Ogdon (piano) Hallé Orchestra, Sir John Barbirolli | | | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
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Dietrich Henschel (baritone) Hallé Orchestra, Kent Nagano | | | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
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Hallé Orchestra & Choir, James Loughran | | | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
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Building a Library
