Tuesday, April 10, 2012 New Release of the Week: Berlioz, H.: Nuits d'ete (Les) / Harold en Italie (Von Otter, Tamestit, Les Musiciens du Louvre, Minkowski) Naïve: V5266 "Minkowski's musical illumination of Berlioz's 'Nuits d'été' features a subtle and coherent interpretation by mezzo-soprano Anne Sofie von Otter." -- Pizzicato Other Featured New Releases: Messiaen, O.: Visions de l'Amen / Debussy, C.: En blanc et noir (van Raat, Austbo) Naxos: 8.572472 Both these piano duo works written during wartime. Debussy's En blanc et noir, is his musical response to the horrors of World War I. Messiaen's revolutionary Visions de l'Amen from 1943, is a profound religious meditation whose emotional intensity is overwhelming.     Vocal Recital: Carewe, Mary - Serious Cabaret Orchid Classics: ORC100021 Serious Cabaret investigates composer's flirtations with cabaret and jazz idioms. Mary Carewe is one of the UK's most accomplished singers, regularly performing throughout the UK, Europe, Australia and the USA.     Weelkes, T.: English Anthems / Instrumental Music (Grant the King a long life) (Skinner) Obsidian: OBSID-CD708 Thomas Weelkes modern reputation as a notorious drunkard and blasphemer stands in stark contrast to the sublime beauty of his compositions.

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