8.573029  Prokofiev: Symphony No. 5 / The Year 1941

This is the first volume of a five-CD project devoted to the Prokofiev symphonies performed by the São Paulo Symphony Orchestra conducted by Marin Alsop. Marin is the new Principal Conductor of the orchestra. These performances are in every respect superior to our previous cycle with the National Symphony Orchestra of the Ukraine, and the sound is spectacular. An auspicious start for an important new project.

8.572861-62  Delius: A Mass of Life / Prelude and Idyll

This recording fills a big gap in our catalogue of English music. Delius composed A Mass of Life at the height of his powers. It is the first new recording of the work in the 21st century and there are very few recordings of the Prelude and Idyll. The conductor, David Hill is renowned as a choral and orchestral conductor and is only the ninth Musical Director of the Bach Choir featured in this recording. The four soloists are outstanding and the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra is in top form.

8.572914  Holst: Cotswolds Symphony / Walt Whitman, Overture / Indra / Japanese Suite / A Winter Idyll

This is the first recording featuring the Ulster Orchestra conducted by JoAnn Falletta, the orchestra's new Principal Conductor. This disc offers youthful and mid-period Holst and there are very few recordings of these works, and no other recording with the same couplings. Terrific performances and great sound. A must for anybody interested in the byways of English music.

8.572714  Messiaen: Et exspecto resurrectionem mortuorum / Le tombeau resplendissant / Hymne

This is the second disc of works by Messiaen recorded for Naxos by the Orchestre National de Lyon and its Musical Director Jun Märkl. Et exspecto commemorates the dead of two world wars. It is scored for wind and percussion. The other two works on the disc are infrequently recorded early compositions. Jun Märkl's previous Messiaen recording with his Lyon orchestra was acclaimed as 'a major addition to the catalog' and so is this new recording.

Companion Title:
Messiaen: Poèmes pour Mi  8.572174

8.572482  Penderecki: Fonogrammi / Horn Concerto / Partita / The Awakening of Jacob / Anaklasis / De natura sonoris No. 1

This is another volume in our ongoing project to record all the orchestral works of Penderecki. There are recordings of all these works conducted by the composer himself. But our recording features outstanding sound, very important for these sonically spectacular works. Antony Wit, who studied composition with the composer conducts Poland's finest orchestra, the Warsaw Philharmonic. If you have been collecting our series this new recording is a must. If not, this disc can serve as an introduction to one of the greatest composers of our time.

Companion Titles:
Penderecki: Te Deum  8.557980
Penderecki: Symphony No. 8  8.570450
Penderecki: Viola Concerto / Cello Concerto No. 2  8.572211
Penderecki: Sinfonietta Nos. 1 and 2  8.572212