NI 5816

Serge Prokofiev & Rodion Shchedrin
Raphael Wallfisch, cello
Southbank Sinfonia
Simon Over, conductor

"The orchestral version had remained unheard until now because the manuscript was languishing in various archives. I had often played the violin version on the cello and so, on discovering Prokofiev’s manuscript, I invited Rodion Shchedrin to complete the set using the original as a model. Happily now, thanks to the generous support of the commission from Southbank Sinfonia, there is now a NEW work by Prokofiev for cello, violin or voice and orchestra!"

NI 5807

Kaddish - Bernstein, Weill, Schönberg
Samuel Pisar, Noam Sheriff, narrators
Luzerner Sinfonieorchester
John Axelrod, conductor

Schönberg, Weill, Bernstein - In memory of the persecuted and downtrodden of this world. Arnold Schönberg, Kurt Weill, Leonard Bernstein - three Jewish fates, three eminent, albeit very different, 20th century composers. Schönberg and Weill, both born in Europe and forced to emigrate after the National Socialists seized power, went on to develop rather contrasting forms of musical expression in their American exile, with Schönberg continuing steadily on the path of atonality which he had initially embarked on in Europe. Weill found a new direction as a Broadway musical composer and could well be considered as a predecessor of Leonard Bernstein. Arnold Schönberg, in turn, was an important paragon for the aspiring composer Kurt Weill who for a while considered studying under Schönberg in Vienna. The plan fell through due to Weill lacking the financial means to cover the expensive private lessons.

NI 7948

Prima Voce - Zinka Milanov (1906 - 1989) In Recital

"Zinka Milanov as Aida ... turned phrases so eloquently that they became not merely acceptable musical phrases, but heart-storming expressions of emotion"