Musical Concepts aims to bring to the public exceptional value with a select line of high-quality classical repertoire carefully chosen from the vast array of first class recordings in existence. In addition to reissuing urgently worthy titles, Musical Concepts is also engaged in producing new repertoire with a new dimension.
Our acclaimed releases to date include a trio of DVDs called Karaoke Opera which present opera highlights in a self-described new way, ideal for students and designed to bring the opera singer out in all of us!
Ivan Moravec plays Chopin on our podcast page!
The Art of Paula RobisonPaula Robison is “[a] rare artist who can make the flute sound both sensuous and classically pure … An absolute wonder.” — The New York Times
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Nikolai Myaskovsky: Complete Symphonic Works,
Volume 13In partnership with UK-based independent label Olympia, Alto is pleased to present the latest volume in the first complete recorded retrospective of Soviet composer Nikolai Myaskovsky's complete orchestral works, one of the last great recording projects undertaken by Russian conductor Evgeny Svetlanov prior to his death. More...
John Marsh: Five SymphoniesThe Chichester Concert, under the direction of Ian Graham-Jones, plays five symphonies by an overlooked but vital British composer of the early classical era. This widely-praised recording returns to teh catalog on Alto. More...
Beethoven: Piano Sonatas — Alfred BrendelThe classic Vox recordings – newly remastered using JVC's K2 technology! More...
William Walton — Legendary RecordingsLandmark recordings of music by 20th century British master William Walton – including the legendary recording of Façade featuring narrators Peter Pears and Edith Sitwell – newly remastered!
Ralph Vaughan Williams — Legendary RecordingsLegendary recordings of music by Ralph Vaughan Williams – including the world premiere recording of his Serenade to Music featuring the greatest British voices of his day – newly remastered!
Verdi: La Traviata — Callas / di Stefano / KarajanMaria Callas, Giuseppe di Stefano and Herbert von Karajan – three superstar artists in their prime ignite the vocal and dramatic fireworks in arguably the greatest recording of Verdi's Il Trovatore!
Aram Khachaturian: Suites & Dances*** “Khachaturian’s early suite The Valencian Widow is probably his first major score, brimming over with striking tunes as it is, one is surprised it has not been discovered before this. … [Loris] Tjeknavorian and his orchestra play this music with great spirit and they relish its Armenian flavours.” — Penguin Guide. Click here for details.
Nikolai Myaskovsky: Complete Symphonic Works, Volume 12In partnership with UK-based independent label Olympia, Alto is pleased to present the latest volume in the first complete recorded retrospective of Soviet composer Nikolai Myaskovsky's complete orchestral works, one of the last great recording projects undertaken by Russian conductor Evgeny Svetlanov prior to his death.
Click here for details.
The Art of Alfred Deller*** “In songs which demand a simple line, his sweet pure tone is ravishing and the performances are all glorious examples… with the songs played in groups, Deller’s lovely tone and natural artistry will give great pleasure…’ Penguin Guide on The Three Ravens
A one-disc retrospective of legendary countertenor Alfred Deller's acclaimed Vanguard and Bach Guild recordings. Click here for details.
Baroque Bohemia & Beyond: Sinfonias by Josef Myslivecek, Jan Adam Gallina, Josef Bárta, Jan Ventand Josef FialaVolume 4 in this adventurous series focusing on the roots of the Classical style and the fathers of the Mannheim and Berlin Schools. Click here for details.
Music for Tudor KingsThese recordings were among the very first to be made by one of the world’s most successful vocal groups: The Hilliard Ensemble.
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Sacred Brass -- Polyphonic Brass Arrangements"The very best in brass playing, brass-arranging, and brass-recording. ... [S]ome 21 brass and percussion players display every possible skill in the handling of the superlative arrangements by Eric Crees" — Gramophone
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*** “Though he favours oratorio-like tempi, [Johannes] Somary keeps in mind an operatic flavour and the Amor Artis Chorale sings splendidly, often with great vigour…some attractive …ornamentation. Overall the performance has much charm and spirit with superb soloists….the fine recording allows excellent detail yet is full and expansive.” — Penguin Guide, 1999
A classic from the Vanguard vaults: Handel's Semele featuring an all-star cast, conducted by Johannes Somary. Click here for details.
"A natural musical genius who continues to surpass himself."
— Tim Page The Washington Post
Pianist-composer Michael Hersch's epic cycle for solo piano, The Vanishing Pavilions, is now available.
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Edward MacDowell: Piano Concertos Nos.1 & 2 / New England Idyls“[Piano Concerto No.2 is] fresh and tuneful, redolent of Mendelssohn and Saint-Saëns. Donna Amato’s scintillating performance is entirely winning, and she is equally persuasive in the a minor Concerto. This music needs polish and elegance as well as fire and Paul Freeman’s accompaniments supply all three. ... [The recording] has an agreeable ambient warmth. Highly rewarding coupling in all respects.” – Penguin Guide
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Baroque Bohemia & Beyond: Sinfonias by Josef Myslivecek, Jan Adam Gallina, Josef Bárta, Jan Ventand Josef FialaVolume 4 in this adventurous series focusing on the roots of the Classical style and the fathers of the Mannheim and Berlin Schools. Click here for details.
Music for Tudor KingsThese recordings were among the very first to be made by one of the world’s most successful vocal groups: The Hilliard Ensemble.
Click here for details.
Liszt—Jorge BoletThe legendary pianist's only recording of Liszt's Piano Concerto No.2 is available again!
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Holst: The Planets – Vernon HandleyBest of the Year 2007: "This recording was released nearly 20 years ago but had an ephemeral life on an obscure label. I recall visiting shop after shop in the UK eventually tracking down a cassette copy of it. That cassette contained a truly exciting performance of The Planets by Vernon Handley. I welcome its re-release in spectacular digital sound and on a budget label."
— Len Mullenger, Musicweb International
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ludwig van beethoven : the six last piano sonatas Performed on a restored Conrad Graf pianoforte — the complete, long-sought-after Pro Arte recordings from the 1980s are available again!
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Sonatas with RichterThree sought-after recordings by the legendary Sviatoslav Richter, two with one of his favorite artistic collaborators, violinist Oleg Kagan – available again! Click here for details.
Mozart: The Complete Piano SonatasThe legendary 1956 VOX recordings — available again!
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Handel: Judas Maccabeus The Vanguard Classics recording returns to the catalogue – at a value price!
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