he Miró Quartet, generally considered as one of the most established US classical ensembles, makes its PENTATONE debut with a complete recording of the Beethoven string quartets. Beethoven’s quartets truly stand at the centre of the repertoire, and present the summit for any quartet. Listening to Beethoven’s entire string quartet oeuvre – from the early op. 18 volume and Rasumovsky quartets to the otherworldly and modern-sounding pieces written during his final years – is a life-changing experience, and so is performing them integrally. This collection offers the results of 15 years of playing and recording Beethoven, and not only anticipates the 2020 commemoration of the composer’s 250thbirthday, but also the 25th anniversary of the Miró Quartet itself.

The short lived New England originally formed around the Boston area in the late 1970s, featuring John Fannon on guitar and lead vocals, Jimmy Waldo on keyboards, Hirsh Gardner on drums and Gary Shea on bass guitar. After being discovered by famed KISS manager Bill Aucoin, their self-titled debut was issued by Infinity Records in 1979, and produced by KISS’s Paul Stanley, produced along with famed Queen, Asia and Journey producer Mike Stone. The tracks ‘Hello, Hello, Hello’ (UK No. 69) and ‘Don’t Ever Wanna Lose Ya’ (US No. 40) began to pick up plenty of airplay on AOR radio in the States as the band headed out on a major arena tour opening for KISS. Switching to Elektra Records, New England followed their debut in 1980 with “Explorer Suite”, this time co-produced by Mike Stone with singer and principle songwriter, John Fannon. The title track, plus ‘Livin’ In The Eighties’ were released as singles, but didn’t quite manage to capitalise on the airplay from the first LP. “Walking Wild”, their third and final album, also for Elektra, was released in 1981 and produced by Todd Rundgren. With ‘Don’t Ever Let Me Go’, ‘DDT’ and ‘Get It Up’ released as singles, the album had a more harder rocking approach, but unfortunately the band split up shortly after its release, in 1982.

Renée Fleming performs in a wonderful version of Der Rosenkavalier with an all star cast. Sophie Koch, Diana Damrau, Franz Hawlata, Jonas Kaufmann perform in this Decca release with the Munchner Philharmoniker and Christian Thielemann conducting. For this filming, Baden-Baden Festival Opera is re-staging the celebrated Herbert Wernicke production, already seen in Salzburg (1995) and Paris (1998) – a stylish pastiche of vast mirrors, Viennese Baroque decorations, Hollywood-esque staircases and early 20th century evening wear.

For over two decades RAGNAROK have been giving fans their uncompromising take on Norwegian Black Metal, both in the studio and on stage, and now, the seasoned veterans, along with their label Agonia Records, are ready to return with their ninth studio album "Non Debellicata". The band gives us an insight into what went into the making of "Non Debellicata", an album in which RAGNAROK's entire line-up of founder and frontman Jontho, guitarist Bolverk, bassist Rammr and drummer Malignant, had a significant input: "Our new album, Non Debellicata, is the result of an extensive process in which all the members of the band participated creatively, both musically and lyrically. We put a lot of work into this album to make it as extreme and violent as we possibly could, pushing the borders of our musicianship and song writing skills. Originally we started out with 20 songs, out of which we rehearsed 16 and whittled it down to 13 for recording. We eventually chose 10 for inclusion on the album, because we wanted to ensure highest possible quality of every song".

The day has finally come - today, modern melodic metallers CYHRA release their brand new album »No Halos In Hell«! Loaded with melodic vocal hooks and heavy yet dynamic guitars that stay nailed to the brain for days, this sophomore full-length release proves Jake E (ex-AMARANTHE), Jesper Strömblad (ex-IN FLAMES), Euge Valovirta (ex-SHINING) and Alex Landenburg (RHAPSODY) to be the perfect team for the creation of this year's autumn soundtrack!

Recorded over 13 years between 1975 and 1988, Murray Perahia's cycle of the complete piano concertos of Mozart, including the concert rondos and double concertos, remains perhaps the most enduring monument to his art. What is it about Perahia's art, some skeptics might ask, that is worth enduring? For one thing, as this 12-disc set amply demonstrates, there is his incredible tone.

Academy Award-winner Ron Howard’s authorized and highly anticipated documentary feature film about The Beatles’ phenomenal early career The Beatles: Eight Days A Week - The Touring Years is based on the first part of The Beatles’ career (1962-1966) – the period in which they toured and captured the world’s acclaim. Ron Howard’s film explores how John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr came together to become this extraordinary phenomenon, “The Beatles.” It explores their inner workings – how they made decisions, created their music and built their collective career together – all the while, exploring The Beatles’ extraordinary and unique musical gifts and their remarkable, complementary personalities. The film focus’s on the time period from the early Beatles’ journey in the days of The Cavern Club in Liverpool to their last concert at Candlestick Park in San Francisco in 1966…

Itzhak Perlman and Vladimir Ashkenazy play both of these pieces with unflagging virtuosity and impressive energy, bringing symphonic grandeur and scale to their account of the Kreutzer. The fingers and bow fly, yet Perlman never loses command of his tone. Recorded in 1973 and 1974, the readings are closely miked–so closely that one can literally hear the hair on Perlman's bow. The sound is weighty but clear, with excellent presence.

This CD is somewhat difficult to categorize. I'd call it a jazz disc, but jazz purists might dismiss it as "New Age." The playing is hardly Kenny G drivel, but Mark Isham's Miles-Davis-esque moody solos do give it a rather cinematic quality. If you don't mind the slightly pretensious quality of this performance, I think you'd realy like it. I personally LOVE "Moon Over You," which nicely combines Andy Summers' spooky guitar work with a nice latin undercurrent. Michael Shrieve does a great job on this, and unlike some releases by drummers, he doesn't dominate the proceedings. There are no extended drum solos; no wild drum-based pieces meant to show off his chops. He's a powerful player, but this is a true ensemble effort that really shows off Mark Isham more than anyone else.

The Dvorák Cello Concerto has become one of the most iconic concertos in the instrument's repertoire, having been recorded (often more than once) by the vast majority of cellists who typically perform concertos. With so many recordings out there, it's difficult for new recordings and new cellists to distinguish themselves. Cellist Gautier Capuçon, in this album for Virgin Classics, throws his hat into the ring along with Paavo Järvi and the Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra. There is no denying Capuçon's impressive technical abilities; his intonation is impeccable, he maneuvers around the fingerboard with impressive ease, and his tone is rich but transparent.

One of the most prolific musicians working in Italian prog today, Fabio Zuffanti - bassist and composer has been responsible for numerous bands and projects including Finisterre, La Maschera Di Cera, Aries and Höstsonaten who's 2012 release is this first part of The Rime Of The Ancient Mariner. Aided by a good number of other musicians including most of La Maschera Di Cera it's all beautifully performed as you'd expect from a Zuffanti project with violin, flute, sax and even bagpipes alongside the more traditional instruments. Vintage keyboards in abundance alongside some fiery guitar work and the seemingly ever present Maurizio Di Tollo turning in some solid drumming.

"…The Mannheim Quartet emphasises the stormy Romantic outpourings of the Op. 9's outer movements while achieving a particularly fine inner balance in its lyrical Adagio, and the playing in the sunnier Quartet in E is notable for felicitous phrasing and balanced dynamics…

Zen Breakfast is truly classic New Age music, with floating melodies, shimmering flutes, clear bells, gentle guitar and piano. Many of the tracks remind a bit of early Kitaro, but this is definitely not an imitation of that artist or any other. While there are many Eastern influences, there are also many from the West, joining to make a soothing, mystical blend. The music is quiet and consistent enough in mood and tempo to make a very pleasant backdrop for other activities. It will also hold up well for meditation or meditative listening.

Sony/BMG's Legacy imprint decided to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Woodstock by issuing a slew of double-disc deluxe packages by catalog artists who played the festival…