CD of the Week - June 2011 

27 June – 1 July
THE ART OF MARTHA ARGERICH
Deutsche Grammophon 477 9523

This June enigmatic Argentine pianist Martha Argerich turned 70. For this milestone birthday, Deutsche Grammophon has released this deluxe, limited edition 3-CD set, that portrays the incredible virtuosity, style and range of this incomparable artist and includes the first release of a Mozart Adagio, from the last piano sonata, K. 576, and the Rondo finale to Beethoven's op 10 no 3 Sonata. The 120-page booklet contains a new essay by her biographer Olivier Bellamy and many rare photos from the Argerich family archives.

20 – 24 June
DANIELLE DE NIESE – BEAUTY OF THE BAROQUE
The English Concert, Harry Bicket
Decca 478 2260

Internationally acclaimed for her portrayals of baroque heroines, soprano Danielle de Niese explores the sensual beauty of the Baroque – spanning the entire era from Dowland songs to Handel oratorio and from ecstatic Monteverdi to the perfection of Bach.

6 – 10 June
BAROQUE DUETS
Fiona Campbell, mezzo-soprano; David Walker, countertenor; Ironwood; Neal Peres Da Costa, director
Vexations 840 1101

After collaborating in Pinchgut Opera’s production of Cavalli’s L’Ormindo, Australian mezzo-soprano Fiona Campbell and American countertenor David Walker decided to make a duet recording, capitalising on their friendship as well as the unusually well-matched qualities of their voices. The sumptuous duets from L’Ormindo, including the opera’s gripping prison scene, provided the starting point for the repertoire on this CD. It also includes works by Cavalli, Steffani, Handel, Monteverdi and the world premiere recording of a spectacular chamber duet for two altos by Handel, and a second world premiere by Steffani.