Updates from the world's leading classical music label
The success or failure of a new recording depends, at least to some extent, on whether it gets good or bad reviews, or even whether it gets any reviews at all. Also, the reviews in some media are more effective than others and print media are no longer all-important—some review websites and blogs have become Read More …
The classical music industry did reasonably well in 2010 but not as well as expected—we had hoped for a better year than 2009 but economic uncertainties in North America and Europe meant that business was not much better in 2010. CD sales remained stable—some independent labels did better than in 2009, others did worse but Read More …
On December 21, 2009, MIDEM announced that Naxos’ premier download site, ClassicsOnline.com, has been honored with the 2010 “Classical Download” Award by the MIDEM Classical Awards Jury. Founded in 2005 as the successor of the Cannes Classical Awards, the MIDEM Classical Awards 2010 recognize creativity, innovation of repertoire and artistic excellence in classical music. Each Read More …
Live Performance from 2007 Features Valery Gergiev and the Vienna Philharmonic “The production was the most spectacular in recent memory,” notes Opera News reviewer Jörg von Uthmann. “Among the singers, Maija Kovalevska’s Teresa stood out. She mastered her top notes and lyrical cantilenas… and displayed a nice sense of humor…Kate Aldrich was a charming Ascanio, Read More …
Recording features Fetler’s Three Poems by Walt Whitman, Capriccio, and Violin Concerto No. 2 performed by the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra, led by Arie Lipsky On December 15, Naxos continues its American Classics series with a collection of Paul Fetler’ssymphonic music, the first to be completely devoted to his work. Performed by the Ann Arbor Read More …
On June 30, Opus Arte releases Marco Polo, Tan Dun’s first full-length opera, for which the composer won the coveted Grawemeyer Award in 1998. Recorded live at Het Muziektheater, Amsterdam, in November 2008, the production is directed by Pierre Audi, and features Charles Workman, Sarah Castle, Stephen Richardson, Nancy Allen Lundy, Zhang Jun, Tania Kross, Read More …
Naxos announces a new partnership to distribute North/South Recordings, an innovative, nonprofit classical concert and recording organization based in New York City. The partnership launches with two new releases from the label, largely dedicated to supporting and promoting works by living composers: Moods: Piano Music by American Women Composers, featuring North/South founder Max Lifchitz at Read More …
Teatro Real’s production of Handel’s vivid tragedy Tamerlano stars a Lear-like Plácido Domingo as the Turkish sultan Bajazet, defeated and taken prisoner by Tamerlano, the Tartar emperor. Displaying the uniquely heroic quality of his voice, Domingo heads a superb cast, including Sara Mingardo, Monica Bacelli, and Ingela Bohlin-all magnificently responsive to Paul McCreesh’s authentic and Read More …
Krzysztof Penderecki’s Utrenja, inspired by the Orthodox liturgy of Holy Saturday, depicts the lamentations of Christ’s death and the Easter Sunday service commemorating the Resurrection. The work is scored for three male voices (tenor, bass and basso profondo, which correspond, respectively, to the roles of the chaplain, deacon, and lector) and two female voices (soprano Read More …
On April 28, Naxos releases the second of a three-disc series of recordings of orchestral suites created from operas by Czech composer Leoš Janáček. The second volume of suites, arranged and conducted by Czech-born Peter Breiner, features performances by the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. The two suites in the release include orchestral themes and vocal Read More …