8.573007  Sgambati: Symphony No. 1 / Cola di Rienzo

This is one of the most important Italian symphonies, admired by Grieg and Saint-Saëns and often conducted by Toscanini.  The music is very attractive, a blend of Italian melodies and German structure.  Previous releases in our series devoted to composers of the late 19th and early 20th centuries have received great critical praise.

8.572251  Martinu: Complete Piano Trios

This is a great addition to our huge chamber music catalogue.  The trios are exciting examples of the composer's art, vigorous and full of rhythmic energy.  There's only one other recording grouping all three together on one disc.  The first trio was composed in Paris in 1930 and the other two trios in the United States in 1951.  First-class performances.

8.572492  Paer: Il Santo Sepolcro

Ferdinando Paër was one of the most important opera composers of his day and his oratorio on Christ's Passion is full of potently descriptive music and operatic extremes.  There are very few recordings of Paër's music available, so this is a must for collectors.  The performers are the same who have been responsible for the revival of works by Simon Mayr, whose Invito precedes the oratorio on this disc.  Our Mayr series has met with much critical acclaim and this recording is on the same artistic level.

8.572839  Liang: Verge / Tremors of a Memory Chord

The award-winning Chinese-born American composer's works have been described as "hauntingly beautiful" and "brilliantly original and inarguably gorgeous" and this description also applies to the works on this disc.  The composer uses Western instruments in an unorthodox way and integrates them with the striking sonorities of Chinese instruments.  This disc should be of great interest to all music lovers willing to explore new sound worlds.

8.573001  Meyer: String Quartets Vol. 3 - Nos. 7, 10 and 13

Reviews of earlier releases in the series have described Meyer's music as "intelligent and emotive ... expressive of melancholy and hope, restlessness and emptiness".  These works challenge and satisfy on many levels and will add to the appreciation of one of Poland's most original composers.  The performances have been acclaimed as "exemplary in all respects".  A must for collectors of contemporary string quartets!