25 – 29 May 2009
ASTURIAS – THE SPANISH ALBUM
GUITAR TREK
ABC CLASSICS 476 3389

With Asturias – The Spanish Album, Australia’s leading Guitar ensemble, Guitar Trek have captured the exotic and seductive essence of Spain and Latin America. This CD features a selection of fiery classical works and popular dance music from Falla, Albeniz and Piazzola.

18 – 22 May 2009
The Virtuoso – Noël Newton-Wood
ABC 476 3390

Noël Newton-Wood was a brilliant young Australian pianist, whose life was cut tragically short at the age of 31. This CD is timed to coincide with the release of the book The Virtuoso by Sonia Orchard; a novel based on the life of Newton-Wood. The repertoire on this disc features recordings of Chopin, Schumann, Liszt, Tchaikovsky and Beethoven by the pianist.

11 – 15 May 2009
Yuja Wang: Chopin, Scriabin, Liszt, Ligeti
Sonatas & Etudes
DG 477 8140

This is the debut CD of 22-year-old virtuoso Chinese pianist Yuja Wang. It includes a compelling program of Chopin, Scriabin, Liszt and Ligeti that shows the connections and contrasts between these composers and works.

‘The arrival of Chinese-born pianist Yuja Wang on the musical scene is an exhilarating and unnerving development. To listen to her in action is to re-examine whatever assumptions you may have had about how well the piano can actually be played.’ – The San Francisco Chronicle.

4 – 8 May 2009
Benjamin Britten – Folksong Arrangements
Steve Davislim, tenor
Simone Young, piano
MR 301120

Steve Davislim and Simone Young are reunited with Melba Recordings to present a collection of Benjamin Britten’s Folksong Arrangements. The timbre and style of Davislim’s singing here is redolent of that of Sir Peter Pears, for whose distinctive voice many of these arrangements were conceived. Australian-born Simone Young is internationally recognised as one of the leading conductors of her generation. For this recital she puts down her baton and plays the piano. Ms Young’s playing is an equal part in conveying the atmosphere and emotion of these deceptive miniatures.