Release date: 28 July NAÏVE 

ALLESSANDRINI / CONCERTO ITALIANO Tuma: Partitas, sonatas and sinfonias CD OP30436
Although the Czech born composer Frantisek Tůma may not be among the greatest composers of the eighteenth century, there is in his music the exotic atmosphere typical of the transition from the baroque to classical periods. This collection of music written for small ensembles is performed by acknowledged experts in this area of music, Rinaldo Alessandrini and Concerto Italiano.

CHRISTOPHE ROUSSET Pancrace Royer: First Book of Harpsichord Pieces - 1746 CD AM151
A renowned harpsichordist and composer of opera, Pancrace Royer’s only book of keyboard pieces was published in 1746. The music is here performed by the internationally acclaimed soloist Christophe Rousset, an artist who is also known for being the director of the award-winning ensemble Les Talens Lyriques.

ROUSSET / LES TALENS LYRIQUES Les Grandes Eaux de Versailles: Lully, CD AM167 
Rameau, Gluck, Desmarest  
Visitors to the Palace of Versailles have for many years had their experience of walking around the glorious fountains and small lakes in the gardens enhanced by the production of music of the period played through discreetly placed speakers. This year a new version of these “Grandes Eaux Musicales” has been put together by Les Talens Lyriques and its director Christophe Rousset. The music featured is by Rameau, Lully, Gluck, Demarest, and Porpora.

JEAN-FRANCOIS ZYGEL - PIANO ETC. Improvisations CD V5075
Although he is known primarily for his French television broadcasts in which he uses his special communication skills to educate the viewer in the understanding of classical music, the composer and pianist Jean-François Zygel is also an accomplished improviser. He here performs a collection of these improvisations which cross the boundaries between classical music, (the spectre of Debussy hangs over many of the pieces) and jazz.

Release date: 28 July TELARC 

GLORIA CHENG Piano Music of Salonen, Stucky, Lutoslawski - World Premieres CD CD80712 
Acclaimed pianist Gloria Cheng performs world premiere recordings of works by three leading contemporary composers, Witold Lutoslawski, Esa-Pekka Salonen and Steven Stucky. Gloria Cheng is widely recognized as one of today’s foremost interpreters of contemporary music, having garnered universal acclaim for her colorful performances and her unassuming virtuosity and musicality.

Release date: 28 July TELARC CLASSICS 

EMPIRE BRASS QUINTET The Glory of Gabrieli CD CD80553
The distinguished Empire Brass Quintet perform music by Giovanni Gabrieli, Claude Gervaise, Samuel Scheidt, Thomas Tallis, William Byrd, and others.

ZINMAN / BALTIMORE S.O / McNAIR Rachmaninoff: Symph. No.2/Vocalise CD CD80312
“exceptional sound … stylish, wholly natural grasp of Rachmaninov's very particular phraseology” Gramophone

CLEVELAND QUARTET Brahms: String Quartets Op.51 Nos. 1 & 2 CD CD80346
“You could go many a long day without encountering a more overtly romantic composer than the Brahms you meet here.” Gramophone

KUNZEL / CINCINNATI POPS Big Band Hit Parade CD CD80177
Big Band classics are performed by Erich Kunzel and the Cincinnati Pops Big Band Orchestra with special guests Dave Brubeck, Gerry Mulligan, Eddie Daniels, Ray Brown, Cab Calloway, Buddy Morrow and Doc Severinsen.  

Release date: 28 July AURORA 

ARNE NORDHEIM The Nordheim Tapes 2CD ACD5051
These early works by the pioneering electro-acoustic composer Arne Nordheim were recently discovered in the archives of the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation. Most of the pieces featured in this 2CD set were originally written as incidental music for radio plays.

NORDIC VOICES Djanki-Dong - Thoresen, Schaathun etc. CD ACD5055
Over the twelve years since the group was formed, Nordic Voices have developed into a unique ensemble with a capability that is unrivalled. On this recording they premiere six of the finest works that have been written for them in recent years by Lasse Thoresen, Asbjørn Schaathun, Henrik Ødegaard, David Bratlie, Kåre Kolberg, and Cecilie Ore.  

Release date: 28 July ARTS  BRUNO WEILL / CAPELLA COLONIENSIS 
Mozart: Demofoonte-fragments of an opera 2HSACD 477468
Capella Coloniensis and soloists are here directed by Bruno Weill in an imaginitive WDR production that intersperses the six arias that Mozart wrote around the story of Demofoonte by Metastasio with spoken text, and other music written by the composer around the same time.   

Release date: 28 July QUARTZ 

PAUL DUNMALL / ROMAN MINTS Exodus CD QTZ2062
For thirty years Paul Dunmall has carved out a reputation for himself and is now widely recognized as one of the most uncompromising and talented reed players on the international jazz/improvised music scene. He’s joined by classical violinist Roman Mints for a programme of spontaneous improvisations.  

Release date: Available now ARTS - RE-PROMOTION (Hybrid SACD) 
RICCARDO MINASI / BIZZARIE ARMONICHE Biber: Rosary Sonatas 2HSACD 477358
In the August edition of Gramophone this set by Riccardo Minasi is “warmly recommended” and the review is headed: “Wondrous playing from the young Italian puts his Biber among the best”. The review is included in the June edition of the Gramophone e-newsletter which has just been circulated.

Release date: 16 June AVIE - RE-PROMOTION 

LORRAINE HUNT LIEBERSON / CRAIG Lorraine Hunt Lieberson at Emmanuel CD AV2130
SMITH / ORCH. OF EMMANUEL MUSIC  
Originally scheduled for April the release of this disc was postponed due to unforeseen circumstances. The CD will be in shops on 16 June. This beautiful collection of Bach and Handel is a celebration of one of the most important artistic collaborations in music; that of Lorraine Hunt Lieberson and Emmanuel Music Director Craig Smith. Lorraine Hunt Lieberson’s substantial fan base and music lovers in general will be eager to hear these stunning performances, spanning from 1992 – 1999.