Latest stories
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New Release Round-Up - 14th August 2020
14th Aug 2020by Chris O'Reilly
Berlioz’s Benvenuto Cellini on DVD from Sir John Eliot Gardiner, Handel concerti grossi from the Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin, early Beethoven from Jos van Immerseel, and Bernard Haitink’s farewell to Salzburg.
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Immanuel Wilkins - Omega
14th Aug 2020by Joshua Lee
Omega is both a bold and personal statement for the young saxophonist, backed by a trio of accomplished up-and-coming players on his debut record.
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Jazz Hi-Res Round-Up - 14th August 2020
14th Aug 2020by Joshua Lee
Josh highlights some new additions to the Presto Jazz digital catalogue, all available as crisp high-definition downloads, including the final album from sax legend Jimmy Heath, an archival release from Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers, and many more.
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Eric Whitacre on The Sacred Veil
13th Aug 2020by David Smith
Eric Whitacre talks about his forthcoming album, the deeply personal choral work The Sacred Veil, written in collaboration with Charles Anthony Silvestri.
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Shelf Discovery: Dame Janet Baker
12th Aug 2020by Paul Thomas
In the third instalment of our new series, Paul revisits the great English mezzo's legacy on disc.
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BBC Music Magazine - September 2020 Choices
11th Aug 2020by Chris O'Reilly
Chris introduces this month's selection, with the Cleveland Orchestra’s eclectic celebration of their centenary (featuring two world premieres commissioned for the occasion) as Recording of the Month.
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Celebrating 250 Years of Schott Music
11th Aug 2020by Ellena Spirrett
In 2020, 250 years after it was founded, Schott Music remains one of the leading publishers of classical and contemporary music. Find out more about Schott’s history here.
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John Abercrombie - Timeless
11th Aug 2020by Matt Groom
John Abercrombie's debut put the guitarist in the company of Jan Hammer and Jack DeJohnette for a sequence of contrasting mood pieces, from the fiery to the ethereal, and helped cement the ECM sound.
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New Sony titles added to Presto CD
10th Aug 2020by Flora Lucas
Including Mahler from Esa-Pekka Salonen, Bach from Charles Rosen, and several recordings from Anner Bylsma and Tafelmusik.
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New Music Book Publications - 10th August 2020
10th Aug 2020by James Longstaffe
A biography of Hollywood composer, Max Steiner; essays on the music of James MacMillan; a pair of books on Nadia Boulanger; an exploration of the popularity of Bizet's opera, Carmen; a guide to improvisation at the piano; an examination of the performances of gospel singer, Mahalia Jackson; and a new paperback edition of a biography of Gershwin.
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Xuefei Yang on Sketches of China
7th Aug 2020by David Smith
Guitarist Xuefei Yang talks about her new album of transcriptions, arrangements and new commissions originating from her native country.
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Hedvig Mollestad - Ekhidna
7th Aug 2020by Joshua Lee
Hedvig Mollestad’s latest studio offering is jazz-rock fusion, with an emphasis on the rock. With a selection of dynamic pieces and fierce energy, there’s both awesome riffs and deep complexity to be found in Mollestad’s music.
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Nicola Benedetti plays Elgar
7th Aug 2020by Katherine Cooper
The Scottish-Italian violinist embraces the heart-on-sleeve qualities of a work which the composer ruefully described as 'awfully emotional', her passion and responsiveness matched by Vladimir Jurowski and the London Philharmonic Orchestra.
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New Release Round-Up - 7th August 2020
7th Aug 2020by Chris O'Reilly
Dvořák from Kian Soltani and Daniel Barenboim, Rachmaninov from Sergei Babayan, the world premiere recording of Ethel Smyth's choral symphony The Prison, and a new large-scale recording project from Max Richter.
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Paul Motian Trio - It Should've Happened a Long Time Ago
7th Aug 2020by Joshua Lee
Paul Motian’s seminal trio record with Bill Frisell and Joe Lovano showcased the key components of Motian’s classic quintet with some forward-thinking twilit jazz, proving to be one of the most important releases of all the trio’s careers.
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Jazz New Release Round-Up - 7th August 2020
7th Aug 2020by Joshua Lee
This week's new releases include up-and-coming trumpeter James Copus, socially conscious jazz from Immanuel Wilkins, and a melodic free jazz trio, among others.
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The Presto Chart - July 2020
5th Aug 2020by Chris O'Reilly
Our 25 best-selling titles across all formats for July, with Paul Lewis's Beethoven Bagatelles on Harmonia Mundi in first place...
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Robert Trevino on Beethoven
4th Aug 2020by Katherine Cooper
The American conductor talks to Katherine about his recording of the complete symphonies with the Malmö Symphony Orchestra, released in June on Ondine.
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Leon Fleisher (1928-2020)
3rd Aug 2020by Chris O'Reilly
The American pianist, who spent much of his career unable to use his right hand due to focal dystonia, has died aged 92.
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Per Oddvar Johansen - The Quiet Cormorant
31st Jul 2020by Joshua Lee
Norwegian drummer Per Oddvar Johansen’s latest record sees his trio exploring vastness and introspection with a minimal palette.