31 August – 4 September
HANDEL – Concerti Grossi Opus 6
Paul Dyer
Australian Brandenburg Orchestra
ABC 476 3436

The Australian Brandenburg Orchestra’s vibrant concerts combine historical integrity with electrifying virtuosity and a passion for beauty. On this magnificent new recording, they turn their talent to the music of Handel, whose concerti grossi – concertos for a small group of soloists, rather than a single player – provide the perfect vehicle for the artistry of this unique ensemble. 

24 – 28 August
Vladimir Ashkenazy and Vovka Ashkenazy –Music for two pianos
Debussy, Ravel
Decca 478 1090

Both Debussy and Ravel wrote significant works for two pianos. On this CD father and son Vladimir and Vovka Ashkenazy delight in both the elegance and power of these works for two pianos, including a recent arrangement of Debussy’s Jeux. 

17 – 21 August
EMMA MATTHEWS – IN MONTE CARLO
L’Orchestre Philharmonique de Monte Carlo
Brad Cohen, conductor
ABC Classics 476 3555

In her debut release on the ABC Classics label, acclaimed Australian soprano Emma Matthews brings the thrilling beauty of her tone to favourite pieces by Donizetti, Bellini, Gounod, Delibes and Offenbach, made with L’Orchestre Philharmonique de Monte Carlo and conducted by Brad Cohen. 

10 – 14 August
ROSARIO
Richard Mills, conductor
Orchestre Philharmonique de Monte-Carlo
ABC Classics 476 3483

Leading Australian tenor Rosario La Spina’s debut solo album includes six of the great heroic roles of the tenor repertoire – Calaf (Turandot), the Duke of Mantua (Rigoletto), Cannio (Pagliacci), Pinkerton (Madama Butterfly), Radames (Aida) and Oronte (I Lombardi). The CD also weaves in a host of Neapolitan songs, as much the province of the great tenors as the operatic roles they sang. Many of the arrangements for these songs are by the conductor on this recording, Richard Mills.

3 – 7 August
Il pianto di Maria – The Virgin’s Lament
Decca 478 1466

Italian ensemble Il Giardino Armonico, under its director Giovanni Antonini, is joined by celebrated mezzo-soprano Bernarda Fink in beautiful baroque masterpieces on the theme of the Passion of Christ, seen through the eyes of the Virgin. The centerpiece of the recording is a sacred cantata by Giovanni Battista Ferrandini (c. 1710-91), an oboist and composer at the electoral court in Munich.