From the Fantasie Op. 17 – a pinnacle of lyricism and virtuosity – to the irresistible Carnival Scenes from Vienna, via the Humoreske that bubbles over with invention, Nikolai Lugansky explores three of Schumann’s iconic masterpieces for piano: a compelling panorama of an intensely personal musical world, mingling passionate outbursts with ironic daydreams and poetic depths.

Rising from the scene and sound of idyllic 1970’s California, Eagles delivered six spectacular albums between 1972 and 1979 - each yielding instant classics such as ‘Take It Easy’, ‘Life In The Fast Lane’, Lyin’ Eyes’, ‘Take It To The Limit’, ‘Already Gone’ and of course, ‘Hotel California’- all of which are still in heavy rotation on radio stations worldwide, testament to the band’s timeless success. Eagles have sold more than 120 million albums worldwide, scored five #1 singles, played countless sold-out tours throughout the world and earned six Grammy awards. This Limited Edition Box Set with 6 CDs tells the Eagles’ legendary story!

Paul Weller can't sit still. Even during busy times, he manages to release an album every other year, so when facing the lockdown accompanying the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020, he did what comes naturally: he wrote and recorded a new album. Enter Fat Pop, Vol. 1, a bright burst of cheerful color arriving in the midst of a time of gloom. Though it doesn't sound much like either record, Fat Pop, Vol. 1 belongs to a very specific category of Weller album, the kind where the title accurately describes what lies inside (think Heavy Soul or Sonik Kicks). Fat Pop, Vol. 1 is a dense, oversaturated collection of bold hooks, easy melodies, and multicolored sonics, a record that happily blurs distinctions between genre as it hops from mood to mood.

Countdown Media provides a digital transfer of this 1958 recording of George Gershwin's "Rhapsody In Blue", alongside Joseph Kuhn's "Symphony for Blues". This recording comes courtesy of their ongoing remaster series of the Somerset record label!

Prince Igor is an opera in four acts with a prologue, written and composed by Alexander Borodin. The composer adapted the libretto from the early Russian epic The Lay of Igor's Host, which recounts the campaign of the 12th-century prince Igor Svyatoslavich against the invading Cuman ("Polovtsian") tribes in 1185. He also incorporated material drawn from two medieval Kievan chronicles. The opera was left unfinished upon the composer's death in 1887 and was edited and completed by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov and Alexander Glazunov. It was first performed in St. Petersburg, Russia, in 1890.

For all the lovely recordings of the Mozart Requiem, KV 626 - and there are many fine ones that run the gamut of 'authoritative/authentic' performances to richly robust and romantic versions that ring the halls with operatic grandeur - this 1995 recording with William Christie conducting Les Arts Florissantes is one that is so richly rewarding to return to for its delicate yet soulful sincerity. The instruments are in keeping with the instruments of Mozart's time, and the choral technique is more straight toned than other more modern choruses. The soloists - Anna Maria Panzarella, soprano, Nathalie Stutzmann, alto, Christoph Pregardien, tenor, and Nathan Berg, bass - are all excellent, both as individuals and in quartet and combinations.

There are not a lot of recordings of the 1887 edition of the 8th. Of those, the selection of actually good (i.e. not marred by performance or recording problems) is even smaller. Out of the small number of recordings of this edition, this is in my opinion the best. The fast movements are paced just right (fast but not too fast), and the slow movement is not too ponderous. The playing is top-notch, with a particular nod to the horns and low brass, and the interpretation is fiery and not too reserved.

"Never was there a more complete triumph - never a more thorough and speedy recognition of a great work of art." This was the response of the critic in the London Times to the wildly successful premiere of Felix Mendelssohn's Elias in 1846. Hans-Christoph Rademann began his tenure as Principal Conductor of the RIAS Chamber Choir with this groundbreaking oratorio. After eight productive and successful years, his final concert in July 2015 also featured the work.

Soak up the sun with "World Beach Party," a vibrant collection of feel-good songs from beach-loving countries around the globe.

This gold-selling classic, originally released in 1975, has been meticulously remastered.
Building from the jazz fusion foundation of Pretzel Logic, Steely Dan created an alluringly sophisticated album of jazzy pop with Katy Lied. With this record, Walter Becker and Donald Fagen began relying solely on studio musicians, which is evident from the immaculate sound of the album. Usually, such a studied recording method would drain the life out of each song, but that's not the case with Katy Lied, which actually benefits from the duo's perfectionist tendencies. Each song is given a glossy sheen, one that accentuates not only the stronger pop hooks, but also the precise technical skill of the professional musicians drafted to play the solos. Essentially, Katy Lied is a smoother version of Pretzel Logic, featuring the same cross-section of jazz-pop and blues-rock…

Nordic Nights invites listeners into the serene soundscape of northern Europe, bringing together artists from across Scandinavia who are redefining contemporary folk music. From compelling Icelandic singer-songwriters Ylja and Linus Orri, to the stunning vocalists Sigrid Moldestad from Norway and Helene Blum from Denmark, to the sophisticated arrangements of instrumental wizards Väsen and Dreamers’ Circus, Nordic Nights offers a vivid panorama of the thriving Nordic folk scene.

Discover the heart and soul of Latin America through beautiful songs by female artists who bring timeless traditions to life. Blending traditional influences with modern songwriting, Latin American Women offers a fresh take on beloved musical styles.

Caribbean Cruise takes you on a joyful tropical journey guided by the infectious rhythms and expressive voices of Caribbean island and coastal cultures. From Trinidadian calypso and Cuban son to Jamaican roots reggae, smooth French Creole zouk, upbeat Afro-Colombian champeta, and beyond, this collection reflects the rich and irresistible soundscape that has made the Caribbean one of the world’s great sources of musical inspiration.

Three Days Grace returns with Alienation - their 8th studio album and a landmark moment in rock.
For the first time in over a decade, original frontman Adam Gontier is back joining Matt Walst on vocals along with Neil Sanderson (drums), Brad Walst (bass) and Barry Stock (guitars) the twelve tracks on Alienation all play a pivotal role in defining this significantly new, but nostalgic, chapter of the band. The album is a journey through inner collapse and outward defiance. The songs reflect isolation as a condition of existence, not just circumstance. Some of what we write about - anxiety, addiction, heartbreak, disconnect, are often a different wave of the same storm. And yet, buried in all the wreckage is something human - still reaching out.