ORCHESTRAS

Value Priced 2-CD Sets
Complete RR Track Listing by Catalogue Number

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EXCITING SHOWPIECES BY BENJAMIN BRITTEN!

Britten's Orchestra

Michael Stern
Kansas City Symphony

The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra is a symphonic tour-de-force and audio spectacular, featuring all sections of the symphony, separately and together. Based on a famous theme by Henry Purcell, Britten writes in essence his “Concerto for Orchestra,” taking the ensemble apart, then reassembling it in a grand and jubilant finale. Dynamic range is extreme.

Britten was a dedicated pacifist, and the Sinfonia da requiem from 1940 is his musical plea for peace. It begins with stark and dramatic drumbeats that will be a test for even the finest sound systems, and builds to tremendous climaxes. This early work is regarded by many as the finest of all his orchestral scores.

Peter Grimes, Britten’s most popular opera, is heard most often in the orchestral Sea Interludes and Passacaglia, some of his most haunting and atmospheric orchestral music. “Prof.” Johnson’s transparent sonics allow one to “hear into” all these scores as never before.

Perhaps the most striking aspect of this new recording is the exceptional performance by Michael Stern and the Kansas City Symphony. RR has made many fine orchestral recordings, and we feel that this is one of our very best.

This new release was produced by four-time Grammy Award winner David Frost. Frost says he is honored to work with engineer Keith Johnson for the first time, and is full of enthusiasm for the sound quality of the masters.

REVIEWS: "In a brilliant display of orchestral power and poetry from the country's heartland, Michael Stern leads the Kansas City Symphony in an all-Britten programme that speaks eloquently . . . As always with this great audiophile label, the skill and commitment of Reference's recording team need to be accorded special recognition. In either stereo or HDCD, the sound is better than being in the hall: rich in detail, gold in colour and equal to any volume." --Laurence Vittes, Gramophone

"Britten's Orchestra...is not only deeply satisfying on a musical level, but will also, I predict, become an instant "demo" disc classic. Great music and great sound -- now that's my kind of "audiophile" recording." --Wayne Garcia, The Absolute Sound

“A new release from [RR] brings us Benjamin Britten’s best-known orchestral works in disciplined readings, dazzlingly recorded in HDCD sound… These are strong performances, and they sound great. What more do you need to know?” –Phillip Scott, Fanfare

“You immediately sense that this will be a musical and sonic treat… The opening of the Sinfonia da requiem is truly cataclysmic, with a powerful drumbeat that no other recording remotely approaches… This becomes the preferred recorded performance of the Sinfonia… Get this fine collection to complete a very basic survey of Brittten’s full orchestral music.” --Arthur Lintgen, Fanfare

“Time after time as I went through this disc I was struck by [Stern’s] fresh and interesting takes on this familiar music, and by his ability to clarify orchestral texture and draw exciting, committed playing from the Kansans. The orchestra is solid, with exceptional brass, expressive winds and precise, vigorous work from all the string sections.” –Wayne Donnelly, EnjoyTheMusic.com

"The (Guide) is a delight, a voyage of discovery through the resources marshalled by a modern symphony orchestra. . . The Kansas City Symphony...is pretty much flawless in its execution of music which depends so much on the beauty of the instruments... The sound is of great help as well... more than once the music and the sound gave me major goose bumps... Perhaps you'll have the epiphany I did, and if you do, it can change your life." --Gerard Rejskind, Ultra High Fidelity (Canada)

Sound Samples / Downloads - HDTracks.com

Track Listing: 1 The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra; 2–4 Sinfonia da requiem: 2 Lacrymosa, 3 Dies irae, 4 Requiem aeternam; 5–9 Peter Grimes: Four Sea Interludes & Passacaglia: 5 Dawn, 6 Sunday Morning, 7 Moonlight, 8 Passacaglia, 9 Storm.

RR-120 HDCD - Kansas City Synphony - Britten's Orchestra- $16.98 - discount item

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THE KANSAS CITY SYMPHONY’S DEBUT ON RR!

Shakespeare’s
TEMPEST

Sullivan • Sibelius

Michael Stern
Kansas City Symphony

“The Sullivan is solid music, strongly in the Mendelssohn vein but with moods all its own—from tender melancholy to mild turmoil. The Sibelius is at turns rich, moody, exotic and humorous…its crunchy dissonances and distinctive coloristic textures are effective.” –Kansas City Star

The Kansas City Symphony has previously recorded for Naxos, and Michael Stern, son of famed violinist Isaac Stern, has recorded for Sony, Arabesque, Denon, Hyperion and Naxos. RR is hopeful that this successful new release is the first in a long and fruitful association with Michael Stern and the Kansas City Symphony.

The highly-varied, colorful orchestration of the Sullivan and Sibelius scores gave RR’s legendary recording engineer “Prof.” Keith Johnson a challenge, which he met brilliantly. The master tapes were recorded at 176.4 kHz, 24 bits and prepared for CD release with HDCD technology.

Sound Samples / Downloads - HDTracks.com

REVIEWS
"Coupling these two works... was a brilliant idea--a "concept" album that really makes good musical sense. Happily...the performances are as smart, atmospheric, and vibrant as the music itself...and they're stunningly recorded..." --David Hurwitz, Classics Today - Complete Review

"This is a very good idea... (the Sullivan) is full of memorable and ingenious touches, always tuneful, light of style and sometimes anticipating the Savoy Operas... (the Sibelius) is among his greatest achievements, superbly characterful, wonderfully inventive and brilliantly orchestrated... Michael Stern and the Kansas City Symphony do the music proud... the reproduction has terrific impact, space and glow." --Colin Anderson, classicalsource.com

"The orchestra sounds wonderful throughout... with marvelous blend and balance... Most noteworthy is the sense of excitement and drama in the recording, with beautifully managed crescendos and marvelous shaping of large sections and movements." --Tim McDonald, Sun Newspapers

"The Sibelius music for the shipwreck and storm is almost Wagnerian. The Kansas City players sound the equal of one of the Top Five U.S. orchestras, and RR has presented them in the best possible two-channel sonics. The packaging is also very classy. Nice to see a rare new recording of a U.S. orchestra made in the U.S. by a U.S. record label!" --John Sunier, Audiophile Audition - complete review

Sound Samples / Downloads - HDTracks.com

Track Listing - SIR ARTHUR SULLIVAN - 1 Introduction; 2 Act III Prelude; 3 Banquet Dance; 4 Act IV Overture; 5 Dance of Nymphs and Reapers; 6 Act V Prelude; 7 Postlude.
JEAN SIBELIUS - 8 Prelude, Op. 109 #1; SUITE #2, Op. 109 #3; 9 Chorus of the Winds; 10 Intermezzo; 11 Dance of the Nymphs; 12 Prospero; 13 Song I; 14 Song II; 15 Miranda; 16 The Naiads; 17 Dance Episode SUITE #1, Op. 109 #2; 18 The Oak Tree; 19 Humoresque; 20 Caliban’s Song; 21 The Harvesters; 22 Canon; 23 Scene; 24 Intrada; 25 Berceuse; 26 Ariel’s Song; 27 The Storm.

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CARL ST.CLAIR / Pacific Symphony Orchestra / Pacific Chorale

RICHARD DANIELPOUR: AN AMERICAN REQUIEM
Stephanie Blythe (mezzo-soprano), Hugh Smith (tenor), Mark Oswald (baritone)
"The Absolute Sound Golden Ear Award 2002"
"Best Audiophile Recordings of 2002" - soundstage.com
We were recently honored to be chosen to record and produce the premiere recording of an exciting new work by American composer Richard Danielpour, AN AMERICAN REQUIEM, which is dedicated to the lives lost on September 11. It was commissioned and premiered by the Pacific Symphony Orchestra and the 150-voice Pacific Chorale. The “Prof.” Johnson HDCD recording was made with the original cast in Segerstrom Hall in Costa Mesa, California, home of the Pacific Symphony. Be among the first to experience this compelling new work!

“This religious opus is both magnificent and eloquent. I consider it a gift to have been asked to review it. . . This Requiem can be classed among the great ones.” –Lessard, UHF Review !

"At the summit of his art, Richard Danielpour is one of the cream of contemporary composers...This religious opus is both magnificent and eloquent. I consider it a gift to have been asked to review it." -- Lessard, UHF Magazine 5/06
MORE REVIEWS
RR-97 HDCD - $16.98

ROBERT FARNON
and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

CAPT. HORATIO HORNBLOWER SUITE
Widely known as "Arranger to the Stars," Robert Farnon has also written an impressive array of film scores and concert works.  "....Definitively performed and lovingly recorded...demonstrates how recordings ought to be and ought to sound. Highly recommended." --Stevenson Classical Guide
RR-47 CD - $16.98

KEITH CLARK and the Pacific Symphony Orchestra

COPLAND Appalachian Spring, etc.
with Marni Nixon, soprano
The premiere recording of Copland's orchestration of his eight Emily Dickinson songs, exquisitely sung by renowned vocalist Marni Nixon, with the original chamber version of Appalachian Spring Suite. CD also includes An Outdoor Overture. 1987 GRAMMY® Award nominee for Best Classical Vocal Soloist. "The Hi-Fi buff's dream." --Classic CD
RR-22 CD $16.98

MENOTTI/ BARBER Violin Concertos
Soloist: Ruggiero Ricci
The only available recording of the delightful Menotti concerto, plus Barber's beloved masterwork, with renowned violinist Ruggiero Ricci. "Classical Hall of Fame" --Fanfare.
RR-45 CD $16.98

RESPIGHIChurch Windows
Soloist: RUGGIERO RICCI
This grandiose work, scored for full symphony orchestra, pipe organ and tam-tam, has at last been given its due in this celebrated recording. Features violinist Ruggiero Ricci in Poema Autunnale . "The best symphonic recording I have heard, bar none...a stupendous recording of a probably-definitive performance." --J. Gordon Holt, Stereophile
RR-15 CD $16.98

Reference Recordings is proud to present
Keith Lockhart conducting the Utah Symphony
in Symphonic Dances. (RR-105)

This exciting new album contains Leonard Bernstein’s Symphonic Dances from West Side Story, Sergei Rachmaninov’s Symphonic Dances, and the world premiere recording of Gabriela Lena Frank’s Three Latin American Dances.

Music and dance are as old as mankind itself. This recording presents dance modes from three cultures: music by an American of Peruvian-Jewish descent (Frank, b.1972 Berkeley CA) living in California, an American steeped in the culture of New York City (Bernstein), and a Russian (Rachmaninov) living in America.
More information on Gabriela Frank

"I heartily recommend this CD to you, for the performances, the vitality of it, and for the wonderful sound that Reference has captured . . ." --John Clare, WITF Radio
Complete Review

"All three of the Latin American Dances are independently unique and I found them to be almost instantly appealing and melodic. . . All is aided greatly with RR's usual outstanding audio quality." --Karl Lozier, Positive Feedback

"Brilliant music in brilliant sonics, plus a new composition you'll want to actually hear again..." - John Sunier - Audiophile Audition, May 3, 2006
Complete Review

RR-105 HDCD - $16.98

TRACK LISTING: LEONARD BERNSTEIN - Symphonic Dances from “West Side Story”
GABRIELA LENA FRANK - Three Latin American Dances (Introduction: Jungle Jaunt; Highland Harawi; The Mestizo Waltz); SERGEI RACHMANINOV - Symphonic Dances, op. 45 (TT: 73.16) (Released 4/2006)

VARUJAN KOJIAN and the UTAH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

BERLIOZSymphonie fantastique
Widely considered to be THE recording of this magical work. The CD contains two versions of the explosive finale, one with real church bells!
"Musically and sonically, this is one of the very best recordings you can buy." --Stereo Review
RR-11 CD $16.98

EUGENE ISTOMIN, piano
A legendary pianist! Two recordings by one of America's greatest musicians.

with Gerard Schwarz and the SEATTLE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

MOZARTConcertos Nos. 21 and 24
"The Absolute Sound Super Disc List"
Istominand Schwarz have performed these immortal concertos many times, and insisted on recording them in long, complete takes in order to capture the live experience. "Prof." Johnson's HDCD wizardry pays large dividends in natural, high-resolution string textures and huge, three-dimensional soundstage. "RECORDING OF THE MONTH" --Stereophile, May 1996
RR-68 HDCD $16.98

RR-10 - "The Tempest,"
"The Tempest," a ballet in two acts by Paul Chihara (after Purcell), was featured on public radio and television. The music is a delight! RR-10 contains the world-premiere recording of the score, performed by The Performing Arts Orchestra, Jean-Louis LeRoux conducting.

RR-10 CD $16.98

  MALCOLM ARNOLD and the LONDON PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA

ARNOLD OVERTURES
1993 Grammy® Nominee
"BEST ENGINEERED, CLASSICAL"
Authoritative first recordings of important works by England's greatest living composer. 1993 GRAMMY® Nominee for Best Engineered Classical Recording. A hi-fi favorite! "A stunning release, by any standard, and definitely Want List material." --Fanfare
RR-48 CD $16.98

JOSE SEREBRIER
with the LONDON PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA

Serebrier's two great talents, conducting and composing, come together in this significant pair of new releases:

RIMSKY-KORSAKOV: Scheherazade and Russian Easter Overture
A protege of Dorati and Stokowski, Serebrier is famous for his mastery of the colorful, virtuoso scores of the Russian Romantics. This is his first recording of the ultimate orchestral showpiece, Scheherazade. "...much of the playing here is possessed. The performances flow with life and dramatic poetry. The big moments are spectacularly caught." --Rob Barnett, Classical Music on the Web
RR-89 HDCD $16.98
REVIEWS

JOSE SEREBRIER
with the CZECH STATE PHILHARMONIC, BRNO

The internationally-acclaimed conductor discovers the beauty and excitement of neglected turn-of-the-century American scores, and gives blazingly authentic performances with Leos Janacek's home-town orchestra!

JANÁCEK
José Serebrier
Czech State Philharmonic, Brno
Janácek's home-town orchestra gives brilliant, authentic performances of Janácek's best-known orchestral works, including the Sinfonietta. Also, the world premiere of a new suite from his opera The Makropulos Case, prepared by Maestro Serebrier especially for this recording!
REVIEWS
RR-2103 HDCD -- $16.98
Two CDs for the price of one!

CHADWICK
José Serebrier
Czech State Philharmonic, Brno
These celebrated HDCD recordings were greeted with critical raves when first released. American Romantic George Chadwick wrote music full of orchestral color and wide dynamic range. The Symphonic Sketches have long been an audiophile favorite, but have been sorely in need of a new, top-quality recording. Aphrodite, Tam O‘Shanter, Melpomene and the other works have equally appealing qualities.

RR-2104 HDCD -- $16.98
Two CDs for the price of one!

1999 Grammy Nomination -- "BEST ENGINEERED, CLASSICAL"
1998 Golden Note Award -- "BEST ORIGINAL RECORDING"

JAMES PAUL and the ROYAL SCOTTISH NATIONAL ORCHESTRA & CHORUS

PAUL PARAY: Joan of Arc Mass / Symphony No. 1 (CD Premiere)
Lorna Haywood, soprano, Terry Patrick-Harris, alto, Joseph Harris, tenor, Jozik Koc, bass.
Paul Paray was best-known as the long-time Music Director of the Detroit Symphony, but he was also a multiple-prize-winning composer. Conductor James Paul and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra and Chorus, with an international roster of star soloists, have brought a renewed vigor to these neglected masterpieces.
"An imaginative and inspired work." --Chicago Sun-Times
RR-78 HDCD $16.98
REVIEWS