To celebrate the centenary of Leroy Anderson’s birth, Naxos has released 3 CDs of his orchestral music, including the many world premiere recordings.

This podcast looks at his life, and at this new recording featuring the BBC Concert Orchestra conducted by Leonard Slatkin.

Album details…
Catalogue No.: Naxos 8.559357

An introduction to three world premiere recordings of pieces by Alan Hovhaness - Fanfare for the New Atlantis, Guitar Concerto No. 2 and his Symphony No. 63.

All these pieces show the lush sounds and soaring melodies that have drawn many people to his music - and baffled other composers in an age when lush melodic writing was not the norm.

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Catalogue No.: Naxos 8.559336

An introduction to this new CD of Russian Guitar Music, with soloist Atryom Dervoed, one of Russia’s finest young guitarists.

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Catalogue No.: Naxos 8.570447

An introduction to the piano music of Sir John Tavener, Britain’s best known living composer.

Tavener’s music reflects his involvement in the Russian Orthodox Church, and his fascination with Eastern and Middle Eastern philosophy and music.

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Catalogue No.: Naxos 8.570442

An interview with euphonium virtuoso Adam Frey about his CD Majestic Journey, with music by Kevin Kaska, John Golland, Vladimir Cosma, Peter Graham and Philip Sparke.

Adam talks about the history of the euphonium and commissioning composers to write new music for his instrument.

Album details…
Catalogue No.: Naxos 8.570538

Richard Hickox’s lengthy association with the Chandos CD label has been incredibly fruitful.

In the past 20 years, he has made an astonishing 280 recordings. In this interview he talks about this relationship, plus his latest project, a recording of Britten’s opera Owen Wingrave.

Album details…
Catalogue No.: CHAN 10473(2)