divine art dda 21216 (2CD for the price of one)
BACH: The Six Partitas, BWV825-830
Though we usually decline to record popular works from the core repertoire, in favour of raritites, we do sometimes make an exception. The reason in this case is to re-introduce an accomplished Australian pianist, Judith Lambden, who has had a long and distinguished career in the UK and Europe, including prize-winning study at the Royal College of Music and playing/recording with the Dolmetsch ensemble, but who returned to her native land to teach and perform. She is busy recording many of the keyboard works of J S Bach the first fruits being this fine set of the six Partitas, to be released later in 2009

metier msv 28507
Kreutzer Quartet - "Northern Lights"
The exceptional Kreutzer Quartet have made several critically acclaimed discs for Metier; their latest CD presents quartets by three British composers: Judith Weir, Robert Saxton and John Casken

divine art dda 25071
Transcriptions and Temperaments
Premiere recordings of new arrangements of music by J S Bach for solo viola da gamba, transcribed and performed by violist Miriam Morris, using the "Bach" tuning temperament. This disc should appear inthe autumn of 2009.

divine art dda25077
"Sacred Hearts" - music by Palestrina and de Rore
Something rather unique, in that this album has been constrcucted not just to present a superb programme of 17th century choral works, but is also a "virtual soundtrack" to the latest novel, "Sacred Hearts" by international best-selling author Sarah Dunant. Performed by female vocal ensemble Musica Secreta (see also dda25062)  the album will be in high street shops by October but will be available on this website, and at various events and signings over the summer. See the news page for information. The novel is published by Virago (UK) andRandom House (USA).

Book trailer on youtube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIWoL0y1QLY

Interview with Sarah about the book and the music http://www.theinterviewonline.co.uk/Archive/Sarah-Dunant-Interview.aspx?Sarah-Dunant

metier msv 28509
Paul Whitty - thirty-nine Pages
Paul Whitty's extended new piece for violin and piano is a re-invention and re-organisation of César Franck's Sonata for Violin and Piano in A major. This première recording is performed by Darragh Morgan (violin) with Mary Dullea (piano).

metier msvcd 92103
Christopher Fox: 'Catalogue Irraisoné'

At the cutting edge of the new avant-garde, the music of Christopher Fox is found on several Metier CDs and is never less than intriguing, often challenging and always finely and thoughtfully constructed. 'Catalogue Irraisoné' is Fox at his most experimental and abstract and is for a group of unaccompanied vocalists including Fox himself. Although often overlaid with instrumental lines in performances of 'Everything you Need to Know' , a larger work of which this forms part, the composer decided that this work was best heard at its boldest and most beautiful 'bare bones' form. The work is presented by Exaudi, directed by James Weeks (photo) and is due for release in October 2009.

historic sound ddh 27811
Peter Warlock - collected 78 rpm recordings
Following the success of our similar CD devoted to E J Moeran, this disc will contain new digital transfers of many of the historic recordings of Warlock's songs and other music, one or two of which are very rare indeed.  To be released towards the end of 2008, this project was suggested and has been sponsored by the Peter Warlock Society.

metier msv 28510
"out of the cool" - Contemporary British Flute Music
Flautist Susan Milan and pianist Andrew Ball, in the first of two CDs they are making for Divine Art-Metier.

Here they present music by Richard Rodney Bennett, Arthur Butterworth, Robert Saxton, Cecilia McDowall, Dave Heath and Brian Lock - three of the pieces being dedicated to Susan Milan.

For release in early autumn of 2009

diversions ddv 24138
Awake O Harp
The first in our transfers of the best recordings from Dunelm. this lovely album of music for harp (some with organ ) is performed by Rachel Dent with organist Ronald Frost. Includes a new arrangement of Handel's Harp Concerto in B flat and Mathias's Santa Fe Suite, a rare piece to add to our growing catalogue of Mathias music. Expected release date: February 2009.

metier msvcd 92102
Chanticlare
Advanced avant-garde and contemporary vocal music, performed exquisitely and with breathtaking skill by Clare Lesser, including works by Finnissy, Scelsi, Henze, Kelemen and David Lesser (who also accompanies on piano).

diversions ddv 24143-5
John R. Williamson: Music for Piano. vols. 1-3
Williamson's music is brilliant, challenging and superbly constructed, and has long been championed by Murray McLachlan whose recent recordings of similarly neglected works by Erik Chisholm were described as "one of the musical revelations of the 21st century" by a leading critic. The first two CDs were previously available on Dunelm to special order (and can still be bought, until the new versions are released) and volume 3 has just been recorded. This is a major release of fine contemporary music, over 70 minutes per CD at mid price, and all three will be available at a further discount too.

historic sound ddh 27810
Gounod: "Faust"  (complete, in Italian)
This amazing recording was issued in 1920 but may have been recorded as early as 1918.  It features soloists whose names are now almost forgotten but who sing magnificently and who were then at the top of their profession in Italy.  With the Chorus and Orchestra of La Scala Milan, conducted by Carlo Sabajno.  Our most ambitious and rewarding historic release yet.

divine art dda 21212 (2CD for price of 1)
Haydn: Stabat Mater, etc.
To celebrate Haydn's anniversary year. This pioneering recording of Haydn's relatively little-known Stabat Mater was made in 1978 and includes also the very rare Libera Me, only discovered in the late 20th century. The Chorale Philippe-Caillard, Les Solistes de Paris and top soloists of the time, conducted by Henri-Claude Fantapié. The set also includes classic 1964 recordings of the 44th Symphony and the quite rare Double Concerto for Violin and Harpsichord.

metier msv 28514
"Silence of the Night" - music by Jeffrey Lewis
Deserving of much more worldwide recognition than he receives, Jeffrey Lewis is amongst the most inspired of contemporary British composers, producing music which is riveting, haunting and very special. This CD includes one vocal work and four instrumental/chamber pieces, all wonderful. Featuring Caroline MacPhie (soprano), Zheng-Yu Wu (violin) and David Jones (piano, director and producer, here pictured with the composer).

metier msv 28504
Brian Ferneyhough: Chamber Music
The celebrated British composer will be 65 years old in 2008. To honour this event we will release a CD of chamber works performed by Ensemble Exposé.

This CD will be available in shops in January 2009, but is in stock at divine art: order on-line or by phone!

divine art dda 25078
Piano Music by Max Reger
Pianist Peter Seivewright, busy with ongoing series of music by Galuppi and American composers, has recorded Reger's Sonatine in E minor, and the two sets of Variations and Fugue - on themes of Bach and Telemann respectively. Very substantial works indeed. The CD is expected to be out in October, and will be launched at a recital given by Peter Seivewright in the Bosendorfer-Sal, Vienna, in late October 2009.

divine art dda 25074
"Unaccompanied"
It takes real dedication to record over an hour of unaccompanied solo violin music, especially when it is as fiercely difficult as the pieces chosen by George Zacharias, including works by Paganini, Bartók,Skalkottas and Ysaÿe.

A tremendous feat of virtuosity and musicianship, to be released in April 2009.

diversions ddv24141
organ music by John Ellis
One of Britain's most skilled and accomplished composers for the organ, Ellis's work demands to be more widely heard. Ronald Frost, celebrated organist and choirmaster at St Ann's Church, Manchester, plays a wide selection of Eliis works. Due for release in the autumn of 2009. Just released (June 2009)

metier msv 28511 (2CD)
BACH +

A splendid concept sees five of Bach's Cello Suites played by the formidable cellist Ulrich Heinen alongside contemporary works for the instrument by Judith Weir, Howard Skempton, B A Zimmerman, Gerald Barry and Simon Holt.

For release in summer 2009 at double mid price (2 CD set)

diversions ddv 24139
"Blow the Wind Southerly"
Our diversions label is all about diversity, as the name suggests. We divert from "arty" music to the world of traditional and Victorian songs from the North East of England - some very well known worldwide, such as the title track made famous by Kathleen Ferrier in the 1950s. Here 14 Tyneside songs are sung by soprano Margarette Ashton (photo left), with Peter Harrison (baroque flute), Rachel Gray (cello) and John Treherne (period piano). When performing more "serious" repertoire, they are of course known as Concert Royal.

This CD is also part of Concert Royal's established music education programme and is supported by the National Lottery.

diversions ddv 24131-4
Erik Chisholm Piano Music, vols. 1-4
The fascinating, and totally unique and unmistakable music of Erik Chisholm has been championed by Dunelm Records and pianist Murray McLachlan, who has recorded in total 9 CDs of Chisholm's music, all of which will appear in due course. We begin with the first four volumes of piano music, including a wealth of items derived from Scottish melodies and bagpipe tunes.

and now also: ddv 24140 Volume 5 just released

Volumes 6 may be released late 2009 with the final three volumes to follow next year.

diversions ddv24135
Vaughan Williams: Symphony no. 2 & Mathias: Celtic Dances
The first recording of these wonderful dances by William Mathias, the legendary Welsh composer, accompanies the great London Symphony, in new performances by the National Youth Orchestra of Wales, conducted by Owain Arwel Hughes. An excellent companion to the orchestra's Elgar 2 (divine art 25045)

metier msv 28512
Sax Music

Following the release of his choral/vocal CD, we present music for Saxophone by Thomas Fortmann - played by leading European Saxophonists including Marco Falaschi and the Quartetto Berlioz. Includes the Saxophone Sonata, and many other peices with a mix of influences including serialism, jazz, cabaret and producing a totally distinctive sound. In the shops March 09 but you can buy here now.

diversions ddv 24142
"Nuages"

One of those very fine musicians deserving to be better known, Greek pianist and composer Panayiotis Demopoulous, now living in the UK, made this recording for our Dunelm Series. The disc takes its title from Liszt;'Nuages Gris" which opens the programme, which includes three more pieces by Liszt, Beethoven's Sonata no. 30 in E major, and the pianist's own set of variations entitled "Teraktys".