It is a little known fact that Bizet’s Symphony No. 1 (Naxos 8.553027), now regarded as a minor masterpiece, was closely modelled on his teacher Gounod’s Symphony No. 1, only rediscovered in the 1950s and still unaccountably neglected. Anyone familiar with Bizet’s Symphony will recognize the melodic and rhythmic similarities of the delightfully vivacious outer movements, the wistful slow movements, and the drone-bass effect of the third movements. Gounod’s Symphony No. 2, a more ambitious and elaborate work, particularly in its wind instrumentation, is more in the style of Beethoven or Mendelssohn.

It’s great to have the team of baritone Roman Trekel and pianist Ulrich Eisenlohr back together for more Schubert. I’ve been waiting for their return ever since Volume 1 in this Naxos Schubert song series, where they made such profoundly beautiful music in their performance of Winterreise (type Q661 in Search Reviews). Here they join with soprano Ruth Ziesak to perform some of Schubert’s more unusual songs–settings of poems by Ossian (James Macpherson) that are exceptional for their freer structures and near-pictorial musical storytelling. The young composer’s imagination seemed to find special inspiration in the powerfully vivid images and fantastic tales embodied in these poems and he gives the singers and accompanist some bold and challenging music to perform. The latter part of the program is devoted to songs on texts by Walter Scott, primarily from Lady of the Lake.

Mozart’s piano sonatas exemplify the economy and subtlety of the composer’s genius. Though simple at first glance, they are works in which each note is filled with musical and expressive purpose. Alexei Lubimov, a master of keyboard repertoire from the Baroque to the contemporary, plays the complete sonatas on three instruments modelled on 18th century originals. These interpretations, which explore the particular possibilities of the fortepiano, led Gramophone to praise Lubimov’s “uncommon sensibility” and “refinements of colouring, articulation and nuance” in playing that “is fluent and even, never mechanical in its brilliance.”

Austrian vocalist Udo Jürgens is best known as the winner of the 1966 Eurovision Song Contest. But a career that spans over four decades has established him as one of the European mainland's most popular performers; his combined international sales exceed over 100 million units. Jürgens was born on September 30, 1934, in Klagenfurt, Austria. He was just 16 when he won an Austrian radio songwriting competition with "Je T'Aime." His success built from there over the next decade and, in 1961, he scored his first international hit when his composition "Reach for the Stars" was recorded by Shirley Bassey. Three years later, Matt Monro was similarly successful with Jürgens' "Walk Away" – a song that the Englishman first encountered at the 1964 Eurovision Song Contest, where Jürgens, representing Austria, performed it in its original language as "Warum Nur Waru." Jürgens finished fifth in the 1964 Eurovision event; the following year he finished fourth with "Sag Ihr, Ich Lass Sie Grüben." The third time proved the charm: he sang "Merci Chérie" to glory in 1966. (English singer Vince Hill promptly scored a U.K. hit with an English-language version of the song.)

Cut straight on the heels of Bad Company's 1974 debut - just a matter of three months later; not quite long enough to know how big a success the first LP would be - Straight Shooter is seemingly cut from the same cloth as its predecessor. It is, after all, a tight collection of eight strong, steady, heavy rockers that never, ever proceed in a hurry, but from the moment "Good Lovin' Gone Bad" kicks off the proceedings, it's clear that Bad Company have decided to expand their palette this second time around. Where Bad Company was stark, minimalist hard rock, Straight Shooter bears lots of different, vibrant colors: acoustic guitars are used for light and shade, guitars are channeled through chorus pedals, pianos and organs alternate with the occasional wash of strings, and the entire thing feels bigger and bolder than before…

Stick To Your Guns hold a mirror up to society's ills without blurring its ugliness. In an attempt to unapologetically trumpet real change, the Southern California quintet - Jesse Barnett (vocals), Andrew Rose (bass), Adam Galindo (drums), Chris Rawson (guitar), and Josh James (guitar) - never shy away from speaking or screaming unpopular truths from the purest place. Founded in 2003, Stick To Your Guns have always written and performed with a sense of urgency, their socially conscious message hitting as hard as their signature hybrid of hardcore, punk, and metal. After releasing on many acclaimed labels such as Century Media, Pure Noise, and End Hits, 2025 sees the release of their new album on SharpTone Records. This partnership promises to bring their potent blend of activism and music to an even broader audience, amplifying their call for change and social justice.

NOW is going back to the 1970s to proudly present the next instalment in our ongoing ‘Yearbook’ series – with 80 tracks across 4 CDs, celebrating a magnificently diverse year of Pop singles… NOW – Yearbook 1977.

NOW Music is thrilled to present NOW – Yearbook Extra 1977, a spectacular 3CD collection partner to the NOW – Yearbook 1977, showcasing more fantastic hits from an unforgettable year in music.

Kronos Quartet's groundbreaking 2002 collaboration with composer Terry Riley, Sun Rings, is available as a recording for the first time via Nonesuch Records on August 30, 2019.

"Four top-league jazz musicians who just enjoy playing and who love good pop music," was how ZDF Heute Journal (German national TV news) introduced a feature about 4 Wheel Drive. “A jazz Olympics four," wrote the Neue Zürcher Zeitung. The group’s studio album spent four months at the top of the official German jazz charts, and now a new live album is being released.

Limited edition CD boxset containing 20 iconic original albums from the Jazz great in mini LP replica sleeves, presented in a rigid case lift off lid box with a 30 page booklet and discography. Includes the albums 'Round About Midnight Miles Ahead, Miles, Porgy And Bess, Kind of Blue, Sketches of Spain, Someday My Prince Will Come, Seven Steps to Heaven, Miles in Berlin, ESP, Miles Smiles, Nefertiti, Filles de Kilimanjaro, in a Silent Way, Bitches Brew, a Tribute to Jack Johnson, on the Corner, We Want Miles, Star People and Decoy. Sony.

As the title implies, this McCoy Tyner release is a low-key, after-hours affair. Far removed from the intensity of work with then-boss John Coltrane, Tyner stretches out on a fine mix of standards and bebop classics. The pianist, of course, always had his own fleet and rich way with ballads, in spite of the galvanizing marathon solos he became known for on live dates and his later experimental recordings with Coltrane. His ballad style is even touched with a bit of sentimentality, which thankfully is kept in check by a bevy of tasteful lines. Backed by the topnotch rhythm tandem of bassist Steve Davis and drummer Lex Humphries, Tyner finds the room to develop classic statements on highlights like Monk's "'Round Midnight," Ellington and Strayhorn's "Satin Doll," and Parker's "Star Eyes." On more easeful tracks like "For Heaven's Sake," Tyner utilizes his block chord approach to meditative and romantic effect…

This brand-new 3CD compilation is guaranteed to get your foot tapping, hips moving and the whole room grooving with 60 of the top dance floor filling hits from the 80s. Boasting a huge range of legendary superstars including Diana Ross, Marvin Gaye, James Brown, Chic, Michael Jackson & The Jackson 5, alongside timeless tunes including ‘Ain't Nobody’ from Rufus & Chaka Khan, ‘Let’s Groove’ from Earth Wind & Fire, ‘Walking On Sunshine’ from Rockers Revenge with Donnie Calvin and ‘Just The Two Of Us’ from Grover Washington Jr. with Bill Withers.

Present From Nancy (1970). 2008 digitally remastered and expanded edition of the Dutch Prog Rock quartet's debut album, originally released in 1970. Featured on the soundtrack of the film Control (the Ian Curtis/Joy Division bio-pic), interest in the band is at an all time high. Led by keyboardist Robert Jan Stips (later of The Nits), Inspired by the work of Soft Machine and Caravan, the group recorded a quartet of master works. Eccentric, accomplished and unique, Supersister could run circles around almost any other band of the era.
To the Highest Bidder (1971). First ever UK CD release for this classic album from the masters of Dutch prog rock. Remastered from the original tapes, with four bonus tracks. Recently featured in the soundtrack of the film Control about Joy Division, Supersister were one of the most original groups to emerge in Holland in the late 1960s…

The Quireboys started their career in the mid-1980s at London's Marquee Club and quickly built up a steadily growing fan base in London and the surrounding area. It was only when the organizer of the prestigious Reading Festival announced in 1987 that the band would only be allowed to perform if they changed their name that The Queerboys finally became The Quireboys.In 1989, they performed at the Hammersmith Odeon before Guns N' Roses and made a name for themselves beyond London with joint performances with Hanoi Rocks and Yngwie Malmsteen. Without having released a single album, the band soon played their own headlining shows.