‘Shows like this are a dime a dozen! It would be impossible to describe it all at length, for it is all conceived with the utmost joy.’ – Crescendo

Springtime in Amsterdam is a joyful feature film created by director Christof Loy, world renowned for his work in international opera houses. Meeting accidentally in Amsterdam, a group of four people experience a series of confusions that must be resolved in 48 hours. A richly varied musical score that includes Viennese operetta, Dutch and French chansons, and songs from the American song book, is performed by a renowned cast of singers and conducted by Marko Letonja, well versed in popular music. In a magical dream world, dilemmas are resolved in this enchanting fable.

‘The balletic delicacy of the Sofia Philharmonic’s playing will impress the listener. The first strings are fine; their contribution to the recording is elegant and not to be underestimated. Dario Salvi shows sensitivity in the soft romanticism he brings to the tranquil sections of the ballet, yet elsewhere directs spritely rhythms with panache and his control of dynamics brings out the colour and spirit of the numbers.’ – MusicWeb International

‘Rosemary Tuck rides on an apex of unsurpassed eloquence. Spectacular and highly recommended for pianists and classical music enthusiasts alike! Not to be missed.’ – ConcertoNet.com ★★★★

‘Neil Thomson is an excellent conductor who fully enters the spirit of these scores… This is certainly one of the most interesting and culturally important releases ever put on the market.’ – The Art Music Lounge

‘The Czech Chamber Philharmonic Orchestra Pardubice under the direction of Michael Halász offers a lively recording on the Naxos label of four of Boulogne’s symphonies concertante and his Symphony in G Major, op. 11/1. Their elegance and poise convey the unique voice of the Chevalier, while recalling the charm of Haydn’s light works for orchestra.’ – Fanfare

‘Fisher’s apt collaborators are David Alan Miller and the Albany Symphony, who manage the many instances of dialogue between soloist and ensemble with aplomb. All told, this is a passionate interpretation of a fiendishly difficult score, its four movements characterised by intellectual cohesion and sumptuous sensuality.’ – Gramophone

‘Han Chen’s new Naxos recording is a sterling document of the Ligeti Etudes. The pianist is tremendously fluent in the plethora of dynamics and articulations required by Ligeti. His execution of formidable polyrhythms and hairpin transitions are uniformly excellent.’ – Sequenza21.com

‘This survey of music by the prolific Russian choral composer Pavel Chesnokov – the first full album of his music by an English choir – is rich in spiritual drama and gloriously recorded.’ – Gramophone

‘Among the very fine cast, two singers emerge with top vocal honours. Belgian soprano Jodie Devos is a delectable bonbon as the glovemaker Gabrielle. The star quality of her soprano and her enthusiastic portrayal dominates the stage in all of her scenes. At the opposite end of the spectrum the classy, self-possessed courtesan Métella is embodied in the willowy elegance of French mezzo Aude Extrémo. Her warm, hypnotic voice and stage presence are just perfect and make both of Métella’s short, but important scenes the veritable highlight of the evening.’ – MusicWeb International

Treading a tightrope between death, life and intense romance in the opulent world of 19th-century Habsburg royalty, Elisabeth tells the story of the beautiful Empress of Austria, from her wedding, to her tragic assassination by the hand of the Italian anarchist Luigi Lucheni. Ongoing dark obsessions and inner turmoil are undercurrents as family schisms flare up amidst a crumbling empire. These powerful themes and a potent score brimming with fabulous music have combined to establish Elisabeth as the most successful German-language musical of all time. This spectacular open-air event presents Elisabeth at the fabled empress’s real-life home – Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna.

‘Smith Brindle’s guitar works have never had such plushly enjoyable treatment. The disc offers something more than a servant’s entrance to this disregarded composer’s heritage.’ – MusicWeb International

As one of the most celebrated composers of the late 18th century, Joseph Haydn can lay claim to being ‘father of the piano trio’ alongside that of other genres established in his lifetime such as the symphony and the string quartet. The delightful Divertimento in C Major is a youthful work, but the later piano trios recorded here take on a heightened sophistication. Strings and keyboard are given a new independence of character in exquisitely crafted works such as the C Minor Trio, with its ‘numerous and sometimes spectacular modulations’, and oscillating enharmonic key changes that foreshadow Schubert can be heard in the Trio in D Major.

‘To understand the music and the plot it describes, one must read the synopsis printed in the text. Then, this narrative music opens up to you with great impact.’ – Pizzicato ★★★★

‘From the gentle organ chords that welcome us into church at the opening of the popular Moravian-Slovak Suite to the sound of the mighty instrument unleashed at the thrilling close of De Profundis, this is a terrific display of Novák’s orchestral music, including the previously unrecorded.’ – BBC Music Magazine ★★★★

‘Throughout this superb disc, Giltburg is a joy to hear, lightly pedalled, consistently on the qui vive, weaving and darting, with a delicious leggiero touch and crystal-clear articulation. With Vassily Sinaisky rousing the Brussels Philharmonic to play at the top of their game…these are among the finest accounts of these works …’ – Gramophone"

Imre Széchényi was a distinguished diplomat who rose to become the Austro-Hungarian ambassador to Berlin, retaining the friendship and admiration of a gallery of leading figures of the age: Liszt, Johann Strauss II, Suppé, Waldteufel, Bismarck, and many others. He was also a pianist and composer, and his diplomatic career ran parallel to his musical life. Széchényi’s métier was the dance, and his series of polkas, mazurkas and serenades – infectiously engaging and ardently lyrical – were popular pieces in their day but are now little known. Orchestrations of many of these dances were made by the composer (Naxos 8.573807) but five that were never scored for orchestra are included here.

‘The music heard on this two-disc album from Naxos provides more than two hours of evocative and individual harpsichord playing. I recommend this set highly and suggest that referencing Wilson’s extensive 15-page online essay (in which he sets form the bases for these performances) will provide all readers a fascinating study of both composer and player.’ – The Diapason (US)

‘… this is a useful survey of music that remains largely unknown to all but the most dedicated Mozartians.’ – Gramophone

Mozart was a childhood prodigy, composing from the age of five and performing at royal courts by the age of 10, becoming famous throughout Europe. As an immensely influential composer, his music sits at the very centre of Western musical culture and today casts its spell over the hearts and minds of music lovers throughout the world. This substantial collection presents the cream of Mozart’s imperishable contribution to music through his piano concertos, symphonies, chamber music, operas and choral works.

‘The individual performances are impressive.’ – Opera