Orchestral & Symphonic

Although Henry Purcell lived only 36 years, he was one of the finest and most original composers of his day. His duties were divided between the royal court and the London theatres. He penned music for 40 plays, much of which was published one year after...

Although he remains best known for the works he wrote for his own ensemble, orchestral music has been at the forefront of Philip Glass' activities for much of the last two decades. Having achieved success in 1993 with his Low Symphony.1. The Light -...

Although he remains best known for his symphonies, Anton Bruckner's output of sacred choral works is sizable and represents the essence of a composer whose Catholicism was both profound and almost entirely unwavering. These works include various motets...

Although he left the merest handful of compositions at his seemingly accidental death in an avalanche while skiing, Mieczyslaw Karlowicz ranks among the most important Polish composers of his generation. The final years of his brief career.1. Stanislaw I...

Although he already has a rich stage and recording career behind him, this is Tim Mead's first solo album. 'Juxtaposing the sacred and secular aspects of Vivaldi's work, this program explores the earthly passion of the divine and the heavenly beauty of...

Although Haydn's operas are rarely performed today, many of them were incredibly popular during the composer's lifetime. They were frequently performed far beyond the reach of the affluent Esterhaza court, for which they were penned. The subject matter...

Although Gyorgy Ligeti composed only three works for the organ, these pieces mark significant stages in the course of his compositional development. More importantly, they revolutionized the world of organ music and provided the initial spark for an...

Although Franz Schubert's earliest symphonies are sometimes considered youthful works of a composer still learning his trade, they nonetheless attest to a genius of symphonic construction such as few musicians could boast at, respectively, 16 (Symphony...

Although Ermanno Wolf-Ferrari is known mainly for his operatic compositions (La vedova scaltra is available on Naxos CD 8.660225- 26 and DVD 2.110234-35), he wrote a number of sublimely expressive and lyrical orchestral works, devoting the majority of...

Although almost completely forgotten today, Georg Wilhelm Rauchenecker was an exceptionally versatile musician of European stature: as founder and conductor of the first professional orchestra of the city of Winterthur (1875), composer, ardent Wagnerian,...

Already during his lifetime Handel's "Messiah" became his most frequently performed work, achieving virtually cult status. The many outstanding choruses in this oratorio are among the most beloved, well known pieces in the history of choral music. This...

Alpha Productions pursues it's collaboration with conductor Martin Haselb?ck and the Orchester Wiener Akademie in a disc devoted to Liszts transcriptions of works by Schubert. The Viennese conductor, a reputed Lisztian, sets great store by performance on...