On Come Rain or Come Shine: The Harold Arlen Songbook, acclaimed soprano Sylvia McNair joins forces with the brilliant jazz pianist and arranger Andre Previn for a sublime and deeply elegant tribute to one of America's most iconic composers. Released by Philips in 1996, this expansive 20-track collection highlights the seamless chemistry between McNair's flawless, operatically trained vocal purity and Previn's sophisticated, swing-infused accompaniment. Together with the foundational support of double bassist David Finck, the trio navigates the immense emotional and stylistic breadth of Harold Arlen's catalog, blending traditional bop and cool jazz sensibilities with theatrical storytelling. From the delicate, haunting intimacy of Over the Rainbow and Stormy Weather to the playful, upbeat rhythms of It's Only a Paper Moon and Ac-cent-tchu-ate the Positive, the performances remain effortlessly nuanced and expressive. The result is a beautifully recorded, definitive vocal jazz document that honors Arlen's enduring legacy with unmatched artistic sophistication and timeless musical charm.

On Plays Songs by Harold Arlen, the exceptionally versatile pianist Andre Previn delivers an exquisite and thoroughly engaging solo performance dedicated to the timeless catalog of one of America's greatest composers. Released by Original Jazz Classics in 1994, this intimate recording features Previn breathing fresh jazz life into ten iconic standards, masterfully balancing the melodic elegance of the Great American Songbook with sophisticated bop and cool jazz sensibilities. From the rhythmic vitality of That Old Black Magic to the deeply poignant lyricism of Over the Rainbow, Previn demonstrates his profound command over the keyboard with sparkling, improvisational flourishes, rich harmonic substitutions, and a flawless sense of touch. Operating completely without a rhythm section, he relies on his own brilliant internal groove and inventive phrasing to carry each composition. The result is a beautifully sustained, expressive, and deeply artistic tribute that highlights Previn's remarkable duality as both a world-class classical virtuoso and a thoroughly imaginative jazz master.

"4 To Go!" is a remarkable collaboration between four of jazz's most accomplished musicians: Andre Previn, Herb Ellis, Shelly Manne, and Ray Brown. Released in 1963, this album perfectly blends the spontaneity of bop with the smooth sophistication of cool jazz. Each track highlights the ensemble's deep musical chemistry, featuring intricate improvisations, elegant phrasing, and an infectious swing that captures the essence of the early 1960s jazz scene. From the playful energy of "No Moon At All" to the heartfelt lyricism of "It's Easy To Remember," the album navigates a range of moods while maintaining a cohesive sound. Both seasoned jazz enthusiasts and new listeners will appreciate the technical mastery, vibrant interplay, and timeless charm that make "4 To Go!" a classic recording that continues to inspire generations of jazz lovers.

After a number of appearances in Alpha productions (notably as a sublime Alcina in the DVD conducted by Christophe Rousset and staged by Pierre Audi at La Monnaie), Sandrine Piau now joins the label for several recordings. With Chimère, she invites us on a voyage into the intimate and infinite territory of dreams. ‘Chimera: an illusory, unsatisfied quest, the graveyard of our illusions…’

The last of a series of showtune albums recorded by the trio of pianist Andre Previn, bassist Red Mitchell and drummer Shelly Manne finds the all-star group focusing on the music of West Side Story (Previn and Manne alternated leadership, and it was the drummer's good fortune to have the famous My Fair Lady album under his own name). This CD reissue has eight of the main themes from the famous musical, including "I Feel Pretty," "Maria" and "America." As usual, the melodies are treated respectfully yet swingingly, and Andre Previn in particular excels in this setting.

Pianists André Previn and Russ Freeman team up with drummer Shelly Manne in a trio to play eight of their originals (along with the standard "Take Me Out to the Ball Game"), all given titles having to do with baseball. Double Play! was advertised as the first time that two pianists recorded what was then modern jazz together. Previn and Freeman had very complementary styles, making it difficult to know who was playing when, although a complete play-by-play is included.

Recorded in 1977, it was Yuri Temirkanov's first recording of the work, and it is superior to his 1991 digital version on RCA with the St. Petersburg Philharmonic. The older reading is highly romantic in every way, caressing the composer's rich themes almost (but not quite) to excess, with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra playing at its peak. Lush strings are appropriate for the score, brass is brilliant, and there is plenty of impact to percussion. Previn's Tchaikovsky is admirable, with the advantage of Kingsway Hall acoustics…

André Previn recorded this symphony twice, the first time around for RCA with the London Symphony Orchestra. That was, and is, a very fine performance, but this one is finer still. His tempos have slowed somewhat since that first version, but the truth is that you'd never notice unless you listened to music with a stopwatch. Vaughan Williams said that of all of his symphonies, this one was his personal favorite, and it's easy to understand why. The music has a very personal tunefulness and vigor, while the orchestration has a subtlety that clearly reflects the composer's period of study with Ravel. If you don't come away from this excellent performance thinking that the slow movement isn't among the most beautiful pieces of music in the universe, then listen again.

Featuring the Great Chopin Pianists from the past and today, Deutsche Grammophon presents a 28 CD box edition highlighting the riches of its Chopin catalogue, including eight Chopin competition winners and many of the most legendary Chopin artists of all time.

Gershwin s Rhapsody in Blue is one of the most successful fusions of classical music and jazz ever, and is one of the most popular of all American concert works. Gershwin described the piece, which opens with an unforgettable two-and-a-half octave glissando wail on the clarinet, as a sort of musical kaleidoscope of America, of our vast melting pot… … our metropolitan madness.

"Stupendous brilliance, breathless virtuosity. Anne-Sophie Mutter's Virtuosi thrilled at the Vienna Musikverein." (Die Presse) In June 2023, star violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter gave an impressive concert in Vienna with her Virtuosi ensemble. Based on this, a varied album has now been created, with music by Antonio Vivaldi, J. S. Bach, Joseph Bologne, André Previn and John Williams. "Growing up, I'm on the trail of storytellers," Mutter says of her work with the Virtuosi, a rotating ensemble of current and former Anne-Sophie Mutter Foundation scholarship holders.