Each year in July André Rieu creates an empire full of joy, dance and romance in his hometown Maastricht.

It is the biggest party of the year and an unforgettable highlight in the lives of 150.000 fans that travelled to the Netherlands in July 2019 from 99 countries to spend an enchanting evening with André Rieu and his Johann Strauss Orchestra. Finally, people all over the world will now be able to experience this joy and energy of the Vrijthof Open Airs on this brand-new DVD

Award-winning cellist Sheku made history when his debut album, 'Inspiration', reached #11 in the Official UK Album Charts, and he was one of 2018's biggest breakthrough artists across any genre. He has garnered huge critical acclaim for his performances with The Times describing him as “the world's new favourite cellist.”

Now he is back with Elgar, a new album of works anchored around Elgar's Cello Concerto - arguably the best-known work in the classical canon written for solo cello, which saw the 100th anniversary of its first performance this year. Armed with the inspiration of the 1965 recording by his heroine Jacqueline du Pré, Sheku recorded the concerto at the world-famous Abbey Road Studios in an illustrious collaboration with Sir Simon Rattle and The London Symphony Orchestra.

Sheku's innate artistry and thoughtful approach to performing this iconic work are immortalised in this new recording, where nine exquisite pieces, some popular and some less well-known, which provide a musical context to the Cello Concerto. He explains: “All the pieces are connected, either exercising similar emotions to the Cello Concerto, or written around the same time.” They include a new arrangement of Elgar's 'Nimrod', Klengel's 'Hymnus' which was composed for 12 cellos, and Sheku's own arrangement of beloved folk tune 'Blow the Wind Southerly.'

Sheku has been on a whirlwind adventure since winning BBC Young Musician 2016 - performing at TRH the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's wedding, playing at the BAFTAs, partnering with design icon Paul Smith, and winning two Classical BRIT Awards. He is currently an undergraduate student at the Royal Academy of Music.

Awards
Diapason d'Or March 2020 Nouveauté

Sheku Kanneh-Mason (cello)
London Symphony Orchestra, Sir Simon Rattle

Composers

Bloch, Ernest (1880-1959)
Bridge, Frank (1879-1941)
Elgar, Edward William (1857-1934)
Fauré, Gabriel Urbain (1845-1924)
Holst, Gustav Theodore (1874-1934)
Klengel, Julius (1859-1933)

Works

trad.: Blow the Wind Southerly
trad.: Scarborough Fair
Bloch, E: Prayer (From Jewish Life)
Bloch, E: Prélude, B.63
Bridge: 4 Short Pieces
Elgar: Cello Concerto in E minor, Op. 85
Elgar: Nimrod (from Enigma Variations)
Elgar: Romance, Op. 62
Fauré: Élégie in C minor, Op. 24
Holst: A spring song
Klengel: Hymnus for 12 Cellos, Op. 57

Cecilia Bartoli (mezzo-soprano)
Il Giardino Armonico, Giovanni Antonini

Awards
Diapason d'Or December 2019 Nouveauté
Opus Klassik Awards 2020 Nominee - Female Singer of the Year
Opus Klassik Awards 2020 Nominee - Conductor of the Year

Catalogue No: 4850214
Label: Decca
Length: 75 minutes

Renowned for portraying the music of the baroque like no one else, Cecilia Bartoli presents her new recording of arias famously performed by legendary castrato, Farinelli.

Exploring the complex gender roles of the world of baroque opera, and highlighting the phenomenon of the castrati, a horrifying practice which led to some of the most celebrated work of the period.

Featuring works by Farinelli's brother, Riccardo Broschi, and his mentor, Nicola Porpora, as well as Hasse, Caldara and Giacomelli. Including two new world premiere recordings, from Porpora's Polifemo and Broschi's La Merope.

Composers

Broschi, Riccardo (1698-1756)
Caldara, Antonio (1670-1736)
Giacomelli, Geminiano (c.1692-1740)
Hasse, Johann Adolph (1699-1783)
Porpora, Nicola Antonio (1686-1768)

Works

Broschi, R: Chi non sente al mio dolore (from La Merope)
Broschi, R: Si, traditor tu sei (from La Merope)
Caldara: Questi al cor fin ora ignoti (from La morte d'Abel)
Giacomelli: Mancare oh Dio mi sento (Adriano in Siria)
Hasse, J A: Morte, col fiero aspetto (from Antonio e cleopatra)
Hasse, J A: Signor la tua Speranza… A Dio trono, impero a Dio (from Marc'Antonio e Cleopatra)
Porpora: Alto Giove (from Polifemo)
Porpora: Come nave in ria tempesta (from Semiramide Regina dell'Assiria)
Porpora: Lontan… Lusingato dalla speme (from Polifemo)
Porpora: Nell'attendere il mio bene (from Polifemo)
Porpora: Vaghi amori (from Festa d'Imeneo)

The album is celebrating André Rieu's amazing career on the occasion of his 70th birthday on October 1.

It is a joyful and romantic celebration of life.

A selection of 20 world famous tunes including:
• Second Waltz (60 Million clicks on André's YouTube channel)
• Amigos Para Siempre (The official Anthem of the 1992 Barcelona Olympics)
• Buglers Holiday
• Those were the days
• I Could Have Danced All Night and With A Little Bit Of Luck (from My Fair Lady)
• Love Unspoken and Cancan (from The Merry Widow)
• Eviva Espana
• La Paloma Blanca
• Happy Days are Here Again
• Come Share the Wine.

The deluxe album will be accompanied by a Best of DVD from Vienna with André explaining the songs he picked for this album.

Angela Gheorghiu returns to Decca to celebrate the 25th anniversary of her legendary La Traviata with Sir Georg Solti
A 23-track album featuring rare and classic songs never before recorded by Gheorghiu
Winner of five Gramophone Awards, twice recipient of Female Artist of the Year from the Classic Brits, in 2018 she received the 'Victoire d'Honneur' award in France
Accompanied by her compatriot Alexandra Dariescu the recital opens with Romanian songs and includes such classics as Apres un reve, Tosti's ideale, Strauss' Morgen and the Chopin Tristesse

Opus Klassik Awards 2020 Nominee - Female Singer of the Year

Works

Balfe: I Dreamt I Dwelt in Marble Halls (from The Bohemian Girl)
Balfe: The Bohemian Girl
Bellini: Vaga luna che inargenti
Brediceanu: Cine m-aude cantand
Chopin: Études (12), Op. 10
Chopin: Étude Op. 10 No. 1 in C major
Chopin: Étude Op. 10 No. 2 in A minor 'chromatique'
Chopin: Étude Op. 10 No. 3 in E major 'Tristesse'
Chopin: Étude Op. 10 No. 4 in C sharp minor
Chopin: Étude Op. 10 No. 5 in G flat major 'Black Key'
Chopin: Étude Op. 10 No. 6 in E flat minor 'Lacrimosa'
Chopin: Étude Op. 10 No. 7 in C major
Chopin: Étude Op. 10 No. 8 in F major
Chopin: Étude Op. 10 No. 9 in F minor
Chopin: Étude Op. 10 No. 10 in A flat major
Chopin: Etude Op. 10 No. 11 in E flat major
Chopin: Étude Op. 10 No. 12 in C minor 'Revolutionary'
Chopin: Tristesse éternelle
Debussy: Beau Soir
Debussy: Nuit d'étoiles
Fauré: Après un rêve, Op. 7 No. 1
Fauré: Cinq Melodies 'de Venise', Op. 58
Fauré: Mandoline, Op. 58 No. 1 (Verlaine)
Fauré: Songs (3), Op. 7
Hahn, R: Chansons grises
Hahn, R: L'heure exquise
Martini, J P: Plaisir d'amour
Obradors: Canciones clásicas españolas
Obradors: El vito
Paisiello: La Molinara
Paisiello: Nel cor più non mi sento
Rachmaninov: A dream, Op. 8 No. 5
Rachmaninov: Songs (12), Op. 14
Rachmaninov: Songs (6), Op. 8
Rachmaninov: Vessinje Vodi
Rameau: Le Grillon
Stephănescu: Cantecul fuierasului din feeria
Stephănescu: Mandrulita de la munte
Strauss, R: Cäcilie, Op. 27 No. 2
Strauss, R: Morgen, Op. 27 No. 4
Strauss, R: Vier Lieder Op. 27
Tosti: Ideale
Tosti: La serenata
Tosti: Sogno
Villa-Lobos: Floresta do Amazonas, W 551
Villa-Lobos: Sentimental Melody (from Forest of the Amazon)

Legendary Brazilian pianist Nelson Freire celebrates his 75th birthday with a new album!

A delightful collection of personal piano favourites

• The new record 'Encores' will be released on his birthday, 18th October 2019

• 30 tracks ranging from Purcell to Rachmaninov; Scarlatti to Shostakovich and 12 of Grieg's Lyric Pieces

• Includes such treasures as the Sgambati Mélodie de Gluck, the Paderewski Nocturne and Albeniz's Navarra

• Nelson Freire won the 2006 Gramophone Recording of the Year and the Latin GRAMMY for Best Classical Album in 2013

Awards
Opus Klassik Awards 2020 Nominee - Instrumentalist of the Year

Catalogue No: 4850153
Label: Decca
Length: 76 minutes

Nelson Freire (piano)

Composers

Albéniz, Isaac (1860-1909)
Gluck, Christoph Willibald (1714-87)
Granados, Enrique (1867-1916)
Grieg, Edvard Hagerup (1843-1907)
Mompou, Federico (1893-1987)
Paderewski, Ignacy Jan (1860-1941)
Purcell, Henry (1659-95)
Rachmaninov, Sergey Vassilievich (1873-1943)
Rubinstein, Anton Grigorevich (1829-94)
Scarlatti, Domenico (1685-1757)
Scriabin, Alexander Nikolayevich (1872-1915)
Sgambati, Giovanni (1841-1914)
Shostakovich, Dmitri (1906-75)
Stojowski, Zygmunt Denis Antoni (1870-1946)
Strauss, Richard (1864-1949)
Works

Albéniz: Espagne
Albéniz: Navarra
Albéniz: Tango (No. 2 from Espana, Op. 165)
Gluck: Orfeo ed Euridice
Granados: Goyescas (piano suite)
Granados: Goyescas: Quejas ó La Maja y el Ruiseñor
Grieg: Arietta (from Lyric Pieces Op. 12)
Grieg: At the cradle (from Lyric Pieces Op. 68)
Grieg: Lonely Wanderer (from Lyric Pieces Op. 43)
Grieg: Lyric Pieces I (8), Op. 12
Grieg: Lyric Pieces II (8), Op. 38
Grieg: Lyric Pieces III (6), Op. 43
Grieg: Lyric Pieces IV (7), Op. 47
Grieg: Lyric Pieces V (6), Op. 54
Grieg: Lyric Pieces VIII (6), Op. 65
Grieg: Lyric Pieces IX (6), Op. 68
Grieg: Lyric Pieces Op. 12: No. 2 - Waltz
Grieg: Lyric Pieces Op. 12: No. 5 - Folk Tune
Grieg: Lyric Pieces Op. 38: No. 1 - Berceuse
Grieg: Lyric Pieces Op. 43: No. 4 - Little bird
Grieg: Lyric Pieces Op. 68: No. 3 - At your feet
Grieg: Norwegian Dance (from Lyric Pieces Op. 47)
Grieg: To Spring (from Lyric Pieces Op. 43)
Grieg: Wedding Day at Troldhaugen (from Lyric Pieces Op. 65)
Mompou: Jeunes Filles au Jardin
Mompou: Scenes d'enfants
Paderewski: Miscellanea, Op. 16
Paderewski: Nocturne in B flat Op. 16 No. 4
Purcell: Hornpipe in E minor, Z. T685
Rachmaninov: Prelude Op. 32 No. 10 in B minor
Rachmaninov: Prelude Op. 32 No. 12 in G sharp minor
Rachmaninov: Preludes Op. 32 Nos. 1-13
Rubinstein, A: Melody in F major, Op. 3 No. 1
Rubinstein, A: Two Melodies, Op. 3
Scarlatti, D: Keyboard Sonata K64 in D minor
Scarlatti, D: Keyboard Sonata K377 in B minor
Scriabin: Deux poèmes, Op. 32
Scriabin: Poème in F sharp major, Op. 32 No. 1
Sgambati: Melodie from Gluck's 'Orfeo ed Euridice'
Shostakovich: Fantastic Dances (3), Op. 5
Stojowski: Aspirations Op. 39: No. 1 'L'aspiration vers l'azur'
Strauss, R: Sechs Lieder, Op. 17
Strauss, R: Ständchen, Op. 17 No. 2

The dream team of the Lucerne Festival Orchestra and Riccardo Chailly return with over 85 minutes of some of the greatest orchestral music ever written.

Sonically spectacular recording opening with Also sprach Zarathustra: the music made famous by 2001: A Space Odyssey.

Continuing the critically-acclaimed Lucerne/Chailly partnership launched by the world premiere recording of Stravinsky's Funeral Song.

Awards
Diapason d'Or October 2019 Nouveauté
Diapason d'Or de l'Année 2019 Winner - Artiste de l'année
International Classical Music Awards 2019 Nominee - Symphonic Music
Gramophone Magazine December 2019 Critics' Choice
Opus Klassik Awards 2020 Nominee - Conductor of the Year

Strauss: Also Sprach Zarathustra, Tod und Verklärung, Till Eulenspiegel & Salome's Dance

Lucerne Festival Orchestra, Riccardo Chailly

Composers

Strauss, Richard (1864-1949)

Works

Strauss, R: Also sprach Zarathustra, Op. 30
Strauss, R: Salome: Dance of the Seven Veils
Strauss, R: Till Eulenspiegels lustige Streiche, Op. 28
Strauss, R: Tod und Verklärung, Op. 24

4-time Grammy winner Renée Fleming presents her first full-length Lieder album for almost two decades.

Release to coincide with her London stage debut in The Light in the Piazza at the Southbank Centre.

A selection of favourite songs from Brahms, Schumann and Mahler, featuring Brahm's Lullaby .

Features a breathtaking performance of Mahler's Rückert Lieder with Christian Thielemann and the Munich Philharmonic.

Awards
Opus Klassik Awards 2020 Nominee - Female Singer of the Year

Renée Fleming (soprano), Hartmut Höll (piano)
Münchner Philharmoniker, Christian Thielemann

Composers

Brahms, Johannes (1833-97)
Mahler, Gustav (1860-1911)
Schumann, Robert (1810-56)

Works

Brahms: Da unten im Tale (No. 6 from Deutsche Volkslieder, WoO 33)
Brahms: Des Liebsten Schwur (No. 4 from Neun Gesänge, Op. 69)
Brahms: Die Mainacht, Op. 43 No. 2
Brahms: Gesänge, Op. 43 Nos. 1-4
Brahms: Gesänge, Op. 70 Nos. 1-4
Brahms: Lerchengesang Op. 70 No. 2
Brahms: Lieder (5), Op. 106
Brahms: Mondnacht, WoO 21
Brahms: Neun Gesänge, Op. 69
Brahms: Romanzen und Lieder Op. 84
Brahms: Ständchen, Op. 106 No. 1
Brahms: Vergebliches Ständchen, Op. 84 No. 4
Brahms: Wiegenlied, Op. 49 No. 4 (Lullaby)
Mahler: Rückert-Lieder
Mahler: Blicke mir nicht in die Lieder! (Rückert-Lieder)
Mahler: Ich atmet' einen linden Duft (Rückert-Lieder)
Mahler: Ich bin der Welt abhanden gekommen (Rückert-Lieder)
Mahler: Liebst Du um Schönheit (Rückert-Lieder)
Mahler: Um Mitternacht (Rückert-Lieder)
Schumann: Frauenliebe und -leben, Op. 42

Introducing the official soundtrack release to the hotly anticipated new documentary by the Academy Award-winning director Ron Howard. Probably the most famous artist in the history of classical music, Pavarotti was a unique phenomenon. From humble roots as a baker's son to sold out arena tours; Pavarotti possessed a voice of pure gold and innate beauty, precision and expressiveness.

This release includes his most popular, signature arias & songs alongside iconic live moments from some of the biggest concerts ever to take place.

Composers

Curtis, Ernesto de (1875-1937)
Donizetti, Gaetano (1797-1848)
Leoncavallo, Ruggiero (1857-1919)
Puccini, Giacomo Antonio Domenico Michele Secondo Maria (1858-1924)
Schubert, Franz Peter (1797-1828)
Stradella, Alessandro (1639-82)
Tosti, Francesco Paolo (1846-1916)
Verdi, Giuseppe (1813-1901)

Works

Curtis, E: Voce 'e notte
Puccini: La Bohème: Act 1
Schubert: Ave Maria, D839
Stradella: Pieta, Signore
Tosti: A vucchella
Verdi: Rigoletto: Act 3

Inspiring young classical saxophonist Jess Gillam presents her debut album 'Rise'. It is a collection of pieces which showcase her phenomenal talent and diverse musical taste, ranging from Marcello and Shostakovich to David Bowie and Kate Bush.

Jess Gillam's new album 'Rise' reflects her own musical journey and the pieces which have inspired her in her career. She recorded it with the BBC Concert Orchestra and chamber musicians, as well as celebrated guitarist MILOŠ, who features on the track 'Flow My Tears' - a transcription of the familiar Renaissance lute song by John Dowland.

The album includes beautiful cover versions of songs by two of Jess's biggest heroes: Kate Bush's ballad 'This Woman's Work' and David Bowie's timeless 'Where Are We Now?'. There are also familiar hits from the world of film, such as 'Closing In' by John Williams (as featured in Steven Spielberg's 2002 film Catch Me If You Can), Michael Nyman's 'If' (from The Diary of Anne Frank) and the bonus track, Francis Lai's 'Theme from Love Story'.

The recording also features two of Jess' signature pieces: 'Pequeña Czarda' by Pedro Iturralde, which she played in BBC Young Musician 2016 wind category final, and Darius Milhaud's 'Brazileira' from Scaramouche, which she performed to great acclaim at the Last Night of the Proms - described by BBC News as the “indisputable highlight” of last year's spectacular event at the Royal Albert Hall in London.

Awards
Opus Klassik Awards 2020 Nominee - Instrumentalist of the Year

Composers

Bowie, David (1947-2016)
Bush, Kate (b.1958)
Dowland, John (1563-1626)
Harle, John (b.1956)
Iturralde, Pedro (b.1929)
Lai, Francis (1932-2018)
Marcello, Alessandro (1684-1750)
Milhaud, Darius (1892-1974)
Nyman, Michael (b.1944)
Shostakovich, Dmitri (1906-75)
Weill, Kurt (1900-50)
Wiedoeft, Rudy (1893-1940)
Williams, John Towner (b.1932)

Works

trad.: Dark Eyes
Bowie: Where Are We Now?
Bush, K: This Woman's Work
Dowland: Flow my teares (Lacrimæ)
Harle: RANT!
Iturralde: Pequeña Czarda
Lai, F: Theme from Love Story
Marcello, A: Adagio from Oboe Concerto in D minor
Marcello, A: Oboe Concerto in D Minor
Milhaud: Brazileira from Scaramouche
Milhaud: Scaramouche, suite for saxophone & piano (or orchestra), Op. 165c
Nyman: If
Nyman: The Diary of Anne Frank
Shostakovich: Jazz Suite No. 2 - Waltz No. 2
Shostakovich: Suite for Variety Orchestra
Weill, K: Je ne t'aime pas (text: Maurice Magre)
Wiedoeft: Valse Vanité
Williams, John: Escapades for Alto Saxophone and Orchestra (from Catch Me If You Can)

Guy Johnston (cello), Mohammed Gad (vocals), Nicholas Merryweather (baritone), Lisa Spurgeon (soprano), Mike Brewer (chorus conductor), Paul Beniston (trumpet), Neil Percy (percussion), Elizabeth Witts (soprano), Jody K. Jenkins (percussion), Rachel Lloyd (mezzo-soprano), Tristan Hambleton (treble), Susie Parkes (soprano), Philip Shakesby (bass), Dave Hassell (percussion)

London Philharmonic Orchestra, National Youth Choir of Great Britain, The National Youth Choir of Great Britain, Karl Jenkins

Recorded: 2001
Recording Venue: Air Studios, London

Composers

Jenkins, Karl (b.1944)

Works

Jenkins, K: The Armed Man - A Mass For Peace

In 'Contrabandista', Javier Camarena delves deep into the life and music of legendary Spanish tenor Manuel García.

This collection features works by Manuel García, including three world premiere recordings, alongside favourites by Rossini and Zingarelli. Javier Camarena is joined by Cecilia Bartoli, his mentor for this album, in a stunning duet from Rossini's Armida. The release of this album ties into Cecilia Bartoli's 2018 '30 Years on Decca' celebrations.

Awards
Presto Editor's Choice October 2018
The Times Records of the Year 2018
International Opera Awards 2019 Nominated - Recital Album

Composers

Garcia, Manuel (1775-1832)
Rossini, Gioacchino Antonio (1792-1868)
Zingarelli, Nicola Antonio (1752-1837)

Works

Garcia, M: Cara gitana del alma mia (from El gitano por amor)
Garcia, M: El Gitano por Amor
Garcia, M: El Poeta Calculista
Garcia, M: Formaré mi plan con cuidado (from El poeta calculista)
Garcia, M: La mort du Tasse
Garcia, M: Ô ciel ! de ma juste furie comment réprimer le transport? (from Florestan ou Le Conseil des dix)
Garcia, M: Vous dont l'image toujours chère (from La Mort du Tasse)
Garcia, M: Yo Que Soy Contrabandista
Rossini: Amor, possente nome!...Vacilla a quegli accenti! (from Armida)
Rossini: Cessa di più resistere (from Il barbiere di Siviglia)
Rossini: La Cenerentola
Rossini: S'ella m'è ognor fedele (Ricciardo e Zoraide)
Rossini: Si, ritrovarla io giuro (from La Cenerentola)
Zingarelli: Giulietta e Romeo
Zingarelli: Là dai regni dell'ombre, e di morte (from Giulietta e Romeo)

Moshe Leiser & Patrice Caurier (production)

Definitive: Anna Netrebko as Verdi's Joan of Arc in this audaciously imaginative production by Moshe Leiser and Patrice Caurier.

Historic: The inaugural production of Riccardo Chailly's era as Music Director and the first performance of the opera at La Scala for over 150 years.

Awards
International Opera Awards 2019 Nominated - Complete Opera Recording

Anna Netrebko (Giovanna), Francesco Meli (Carlo VII), Carlos Álvarez (Giacomo), Michele Mauro (Delil) & Dmitry Beloselskiy (Talbot)
Teatro alla Scala
Riccardo Chailly

Composers

Verdi, Giuseppe (1813-1901)

Works

Verdi: Giovanna d'Arco

Works

Brahms: Variations and Fugue on a Theme by Handel, Op. 24
Schumann: Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 54

Awards
Presto Recording of the Week 16th March 2018
vPresto Recording of the Year Finalist 2018
Gramophone Magazine June 2018 Re-issue/Archive of the Month

Grammy-nominated artist Max Emanuel Cencic presents Nicola Porpora: Opera Arias, to commemorate the 250th anniversary of Porpora's death.

Featuring 7 world premiere recordings, this album will be released on 02 March 2018, the day before the official anniversary on 03 March 2018.

This release is in addition to Cencic's new recording of Porpora's Germanico in Germanica (with Julia Lezhneva), released on 12 January 2018.

Awards
Presto Recording of the Week 2nd March 2018
Presto Recordings of the Year Finalist 2018
International Opera Awards 2019 Nominated - Recital Album
Diapason d'Or April 2018 Nouveauté