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Palestrina Revealed Through World Premiere Recordings
These perfectly blended yet perfectly balanced performances reveal the artistry of Palestrina's polyphony.
Age of Extremes Sympathetic to Empfindsamer Stil
If you still believe that the music in the 1760s was transitional, give this a listen. Corti shows that Empfindsamer Stil had a distinctive sound and a valid aesthetic all its own.
Richard Stohr Orchestral Music, Vol 3 Focuses on 1942
Ian Hobson directs the Sinfonia Varsovia in some inspired performances. I especially enjoyed their performance of the Symphony No. 2. The ensemble makes it sound expansive and symphonic, yet also thoughtful and introspective.
York Bowen, William Walton Viola Concertos Fresh and Appealing
Diyang Mei gives us a pair of excellent performances. In his day job, he's the principal violist of the Berlin Philharmonic. But he definitely has the personality to be a solo violist. Mei plays with warm expression and near-flawless technique.
Wranitzky Symphonies Anticipate Beethoven
If you like late-period Haydn and Mozart, you should enjoy Wranitzky. He was a master of his craft, and that shows in every measure.
East German Flute Concertos — Unknown in the West
All three works receive their world recording premiers here. And all three are worth the effort. Stein delivers some committed performances. Her tone is pure and her articulation always spot-on.
John Rutter: Brass at Christmas
If you've collected Rutter's recordings on Collegium, this album will augment them nicely. If not, this is an appealing stand-alone release.
Ukrainian Christmas a Joy in Any Language
Among the many classical holiday albums released this year, "Ukrainian Christmas" is a real standout.
Howells and Wood - String Quartets by Puepil and Teacher
The "Englishness" of these pieces comes through without sounding cloying or artificial. Wood and Howells were masters of their craft. And the inherent beauty of these works is what the quartet delivers.
We are grateful for the generosity of the Joseph and Robert Cornell Memorial Foundation and UVA Arts Council, supporting WTJU and CharlottesvilleClassical.org.