"Sibelius, Goldmark: Violin Concertos"
Joshua Bell, violinist; Esa-Pekka Salonen, cond.; Los Angeles Philharmonic
CD on Sale
Violinist Joshua Bell continues to outdo himself. On this disc of bravura fiddling, he tackles two vastly different concertos by Sibelius and Goldmark. The former is epic and heavy, while the latter is lyrical and romantic. In both cases, Bell shines, as does the Los Angeles Philharmonic under Esa-Pekka Salonen.
"Portrait"
Andrew Manze, violin.
CD on Sale
For Baroque lovers,
each Andrew Manze disc is a treat. You'll hear great playing and undoubtedly learn something new about your favorite music. On the bargain-priced "Portrait," we get a sampling of Manze's greatest hits--an excerpt from his solo Tartini disc, a sonata from his Uccellini disc with Romanesca, Bach, and a sneak peek at his forthcoming Geminiani disc with the Academy of Ancient Music. More than an hour of great music.
"Bach: Cello Suites 1, 2, & 5"
Edgar Meyer, double bass 
CD on Sale
Bach's Cello Suites on the double bass? Somehow, Edgar Meyer is able to pull it off. On these three Cello Suites, the musician reveals his virtuosity and delivers a robust, profound, and musically accurate recording. Even if the Suites still sound better on the cello, this disc is ample proof that Meyer is one of the most exciting musician-composers playing today.
"Beethoven: Symphonies, Missa Solemnis, Violin Concerto, Romances"
Nikolaus Harnoncourt, cond., Chamber Orchestra of Europe
CD on Sale
Nikolaus Harnoncourt's decade-old Beethoven cycle is still considered one of the best. Here, the conductor mixed modern instruments with period brass and percussion to startlingly great results. In this midpriced, 10-CD set, we get the full cycle, "Missa Solemnis," the Violin Concerto in D major (with Gidon Kremer), Overtures, and "The Creatures of Prometheus."
MUSIC FROM THE CUTTING EDGE
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"Inside the Dream Syndicate, Vol. 1: Day of Niagara"
John Cale, viola; Tony Conrad, violin; Angus MacLise, percussion; LaMonte Young, vocals; Marian Zazeela, vocals.
CD on Sale
Bad blood and legal complications over authorship have kept the music of pioneering 1960s minimalist ensemble the Dream Syndicate unreleased, until now. On "Day of Niagara," we get a rough, albeit tantalizing glimpse into the group's drone-filled power. Unrelenting, grating, and with nil fidelity, these recordings aren't for everybody, but for fans of Tony Conrad, Terry Riley, or the roots of Western drone, they're a must-have.
"Magnus Lindberg: Aura, Engine"
Oliver Knussen, cond.; BBC Symphony Orchestra, London Sinfonietta.
CD on Sale
The restless nature of Magnus Lindberg's "Aura" is unsettling, but highly addictive. Here's a work of four movements with no breaks; a postmodern composition with no real tonal center but a definite evolution and moments of genuine beauty. "Engine" is a 15-minute exercise in counterpoint, a little tougher to stomach but just as rewarding. Another great disc from Deutsche Grammophon's 20/21 series.
LEGENDARY REISSUES
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"The Legendary Busoni Recordings"
Paul Jacobs, piano.
CD on Sale
The late Paul Jacobs's 1970s recordings of Busoni for Nonesuch have finally been reissued, on archival label Arbiter, of all places. They were well worth the wait. On the double-CD, Jacobs tackles etudes by Stravinsky, Bartok, and Messiaen, as well as Busoni's Sonatinas and arrangements of Bach's chorale preludes. Jacobs brings an energy, intelligence, and virtuosity to these pieces. A must for Busoni-ites.
"Resphigi: Pines of Rome; Rimsky-Korsakov: Le Coq d'Or--Suite"
Lorin Maazel, cond., the Cleveland Orchestra
CD on Sale
This beautifully recorded disc of "Roman Festivals" and "Pines of Rome" showcases the Cleveland Orchestra at the height of their powers. On the lyrical and exotic-sounding suite from "Le Coq d'Or," recorded in 1979, they similarly shine. These are expansive, powerful, thoroughly engaging performances, and the 24/96 remastering will make even audiophiles rejoice.
NEW LABEL STORES
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Amazon.com has worked with ECM and Angel/EMI Records to create stores for the two labels where you'll find all of their very best recordings. In the ECM Store, you can discover favorite works by Arvo Part, Meredith Monk, Steve Reich, and more. In our Angel/EMI Store, you'll find legendary discs from Maria Callas, Martha Argerich, Herbert von Karajan, and Wilhelm Furtwangler, to name a few.
ECM Store:
ECM-CDs on Sale
Angel/EMI Store:
Angel/EMI-CDs on Sale
RECOMMENDED PRE-RELEASES
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"Geminiani: Concerti Grossi"
Andrew Manze, violin; Academy of Ancient Music
CD on Sale
Manze and company perform Francesco Geminiani's 12 concerti grossi in their typically faultless fashion.
"Devil's Dance"
Gil Shaham, violin.
CD on Sale
A taste of Tartini's "Devil's Trill," a little Saint-Saens's "Danse macabre," and a few other frightening fiddle works and you have a recipe for a creepy, but interesting, release from Gil Shaham.
"Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 3"
Arcadi Volodos, piano; James Levine, cond., Berlin Philharmonic.
CD on Sale
Arcadi Volodos once again proves that Martha Argerich isn't the only keyboard virtuoso to be reckoned with.
AMAZON.COM zSHOPS
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Amazon.com's zShops are filled with items classical music lovers would enjoy. Whether you're looking for classic LPs or sheet music, there's something in zShops for you. You'll find collectible vintage vinyl, CDs, and other items--all of them at discounted prices. Check these out:
Classical LPs:
on Sale
Sheet Music:
on Sale
Martha Argerich : Mozart: Piano Cto. No. 25; Beethoven: Piano Cto. No. 1, May 09 ...CD sale priced.
Martha Argerich : Piano Recital-Live from the Concertgebouw 1978 and 1979, May 09 ...CD sale priced.
M. Arnold : Sym 5/Divert 2/Sym Study/&, May 18 ...CD sale priced.
Brian Asawa : More Than A Day, May 16 ...CD sale priced.
J.S. Bach : Art Of Fugue, May 16 ...CD sale priced.
J.S. Bach : Adagios, May 09 ...CD sale priced.
J.S. Bach : Cantatas For The Third Sunday, May 09 ...CD sale priced.
J.S. Bach : Toccatas For Harpsichord-Comp, May 16 ...CD sale priced.
J.S. Bach : Magnificat/Orch Ste 2/4, May 18 ...CD sale priced.
J.S. Bach : Wir Danken Dir Gott, May 09 ...CD sale priced.
J.S. Bach : Pre & Fugue/French Ste 5/Ste/T, May 09 ...CD sale priced.
J.S. Bach : English Stes 3-5, May 09 ...CD sale priced.
J.S. Bach : Art Of Fugue, May 09 ...CD sale priced.
J.S. Bach : Son VA Da Gamba/Hpd 1-4, May 09 ...CD sale priced.
J.S. Bach : Goldberg Vars, May 09 ...CD sale priced.
B. Bartok : Son Vn 2/Rhaps 1/2/Roumanian D, May 09 ...CD sale priced.
Beethoven/Brahms : Cant On Death Of Kaiser Joseph, May 18 ...CD sale priced.
L.V. Beethoven : Con Vn/German Dances (12)/&, May 16 ...CD sale priced.
L.V. Beethoven : Sym 4/5/9/Coriolan Ov, May 16 ...CD sale priced.
L.V. Beethoven : Christ On The Mount Of Olives, May 09 ...CD sale priced.
Stanley Black : Tropical Moonlight/Cuban Moonl, May 09 ...CD sale priced.
M. Blavet : Sons Fl, May 09 ...CD sale priced.
E. Bloch : Sacred Service, May 18 ...CD sale priced.
E. Bloch : Meditation Hebraique/Ste 1-3 V, May 09 ...CD sale priced.
G. Bononcini : Luci Barbare, May 18 ...CD sale priced.
Pierre Boulez : Conducts Ravel, May 09 ...CD sale priced.
Liona Boyd : Passport To Serinity, May 09 ...CD sale priced.
J. Brahms : Co Pno 2, May 09 ...CD sale priced.
Julian Bream : Guitar For Relaxation, May 16 ...CD sale priced.
H. Brod : Original Works Hrp/Ob/Bn, May 18 ...CD sale priced.
E. Chausson : Poeme/Poeme De L'amour & De La, May 09 ...CD sale priced.
F. Chopin : Mazurkas-Comp, May 09 ...CD sale priced.
M. Clementi : Son Vn/Pno (6), May 18 ...CD sale priced.
M. Clementi : Sons Ftpno, May 09 ...CD sale priced.
Van Cliburn : My Favorite Liszt, May 16 ...CD sale priced.
C. Debussy : Deux Arabesques/Preludes Bk 1/, May 18 ...CD sale priced.
C. Debussy : Images/Etudes/Children's Corner, May 09 ...CD sale priced.
C. Debussy : Chamber Music, May 09 ...CD sale priced.
Discantus : Jerusalem-Gregorian Chant & Ea, May 09 ...CD sale priced.
L. Dornel : Reflexions, May 16 ...CD sale priced.
Roy Fox : Vol. 2-Over On The Sunny Side-, May 09 ...CD sale priced.
Nelson Freire : In Concert-Schumann/Chopin/Bac, May 09 ...CD sale priced.
O. Gibbons : Anthems, May 09 ...CD sale priced.
U. Giordano : Cena Delle Beffe-Comp Opera, May 16 ...CD sale priced.
A. Grandi : Motetti & Cantilene, May 18 ...CD sale priced.
Gregorian Chants : Ave Maria, May 16 ...CD sale priced.
Grieg/Debussy : Qt Str (2), May 16 ...CD sale priced.
Hamlet (Soundtrack) : Soundtrack, May 09 ...CD sale priced.
Hamlet (Soundtrack) : Soundtrack, May 16 ...CD sale priced.
G.F. Handel : Water Music/Fireworks, May 09 ...CD sale priced.
G.F. Handel : Opera Arias & Ovs-Vol. 2, May 09 ...CD sale priced.
Clara Haskil : Vol. 3-Bach/Scarlatti/Schumann, May 16 ...CD sale priced.
P. Hindemith : Chbr Music-Vol. 2, May 09 ...CD sale priced.
J. Massenet : Werther-Comp Opera (In Italian, May 16 ...CD sale priced.
J. Mccabe : Edward II-Ballet, May 09 ...CD sale priced.
Diana Montague : Beautiful Image, May 09 ...CD sale priced.
W.A. Mozart : Con Vn 1-5/Ser Haffner, May 16 ...CD sale priced.
W.A. Mozart : Zaide, May 16 ...CD sale priced.
W.A. Mozart : Magic Flute, May 16 ...CD sale priced.
L. Nono : Espressioni (2)/A Carlo Scarpa, May 16 ...CD sale priced.
H. Nordstrom : Qt Str 3/Andalusian Reflection, May 18 ...CD sale priced.
David Oistrakh : Essential David Oistrakh, May 16 ...CD sale priced.
Opera Rara Collection : Vol. 2, May 09 ...CD sale priced.
Dagmar Peckova : Sings Wagner/Schoenberg/Brahms, May 16 ...CD sale priced.
Michala Petri : Scandinavian Moods, May 16 ...CD sale priced.
J.J. Quantz : Cons Fl (4), May 16 ...CD sale priced.
S. Rachmaninoff : Son Pno 2/Etudes Tableaux/&, May 18 ...CD sale priced.
J. Rameau : Dardanus-Comp Opera, May 09 ...CD sale priced.
O. Respighi : Lucrezia-Comp Opera, May 16 ...CD sale priced.
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra : Plays Hits Of Elton John, May 09 ...CD sale priced.
H. Saeverud : Con Vc/Sym 8, May 18 ...CD sale priced.
G. Sarti : Miserere, May 16 ...CD sale priced.
Schola Cantorum Of St. Peter's : God Is With Us, May 16 ...CD sale priced.
F. Schubert : Trout/Qt Pno/Strs/Noturno, May 18 ...CD sale priced.
F. Schubert : Songs-Vol. 35-1822-25, May 09 ...CD sale priced.
F. Schubert : Trio Str/Qt Str 14, May 09 ...CD sale priced.
R. Schumann : Piano Concerto; Piano Quintet, May 09 ...CD sale priced.
R. Schumann : Romances (3)/Fant/Marchenbilde, May 16 ...CD sale priced.
Elisabeth Schwarzkopf : Unpublished Emi Recordings-195, May 09 ...CD sale priced.
D. Shostakovich : Symphony No. 7 ("Leningrad"), May 09 ...CD sale priced.
J. Sibelius : Patriotic Music, May 18 ...CD sale priced.
N. Skalkottas : Qt Str 3/4, May 16 ...CD sale priced.
Smetana/Dvorak : Trio Pno/Trio Pno-Dumky, May 16 ...CD sale priced.
R. Strauss : Rosenkavalier-Comp Opera, May 16 ...CD sale priced.
G.P. Telemann : Trio Sons, May 09 ...CD sale priced.
M. Turnage : Blood On The Floor, May 09 ...CD sale priced.
A. Vivaldi : Cons Various Instrs (7), May 09 ...CD sale priced.
Anna Walachowski & Ines : Play Mendelssohn/Poulenc, May 16 ...CD sale priced.
A. Webern : Complete Webern, May 09 ...CD sale priced.
K. Weill : Burgschaft-Comp Opera, May 09 ...CD sale priced.
John Williams : Classic Williams-Romance Of Th, May 16 ...CD sale priced.
I. Xenakis : Ata/N'shima/Metastaseis/Ioolko, May 18 ...CD sale priced.
