When Itzhak Perlman recorded this disc, many critics were surprised by the sobriety and quiet poetry of his interpretation, as though his many fine chamber-music recordings did not provide ample evidence of Perlman's qualities as a "serious" musician. Although beautifully written for the instrument, Beethoven's sole Violin Concerto does not offer many opportunities for the kind of virtuoso ...

Manufacturer: EMI Classics

This all-star chamber ensemble was specifically formed to play Messiaen's masterpiece. Two decades after this recording was made, it still shows the effects of their intense identification with the music. Some listeners find Messiaen's music longwinded and difficult, and my own opinion varies depending on the work and my mood. But this piece, written in a German concentration camp during the early ...

Manufacturer: BMG

Manufacturer: EMI

Discover why Mozart is the world's most popular composer in this glorious selection of highlights on two discs, performed by some of the foremost interpreters of his music. Almost every genre is represented, so if you are only familiar with one area of the great Wolfgang's output, this is an ideal way to explore others. Highlights from the operas include sopranos Renée Fleming and Anne Sofie von ...

Manufacturer: Decca

Manufacturer: Universal Classics

Manufacturer: Archiv Produktion

Opening this concert is Sibelius' overture Finlandia, composed for a gala in Helsinki to support the right of free speech at a time when the nation was under Russian domination. The work became a symbol of Finland's struggle for independence, and virtually the country's unofficial national anthem. Instantly recognisable, it is the most famous Finish music ever composed. Apart from his seven ...

Manufacturer: Naxos

Manufacturer: EMI Classics

Manufacturer: Vital Distribution
Starring: Mikhail Baryshnikov, Gelsey Kirkland, Alexander Minz, Hilda Morales, Rebecca Wright
Directed By: Tony Charmoli

Manufacturer: Hyperion