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Sergey Rachmaninov's symphonic career had a rocky start with the premiere of his First Symphony, now recognised as one of the Russian symphonic works of the late 19th century. Both the powerful First... more

For centuries, babies and children all over the world have been rocked to sleep with a song to calm them. Whether parents sing or play, or press play, they know that music so often soothes with... more

The Great Classics series from Naxos is the perfect introduction to myriad genres of classical music. Comprising both complete and compiled selections from the greatest works in the repertoire, the... more

Conan the Barbarian is a 1982 adventure film, directed and co-written by John Milius. It was his intention to create an opera in the form of a film. Since the opera contains very little dialogue, he... more

Described by Gramophone as a 'magician, bewitching our ears', Russian-born American-based violinist Ilya Kaler has won 1st Prizes and Gold Medals at the Tchaikovsky, Sibelius and the Paganini... more

Prokofiev's imposing Fourth Symphony and his final ballet for Sergey Dyagilev, the Prodigal Son, share common roots but are entirely distinctive in character. The vivid depictions in the ballet's... more

The son of Alessandro Scarlatti, who created a new school of opera in Naples, Domenico Scarlatti is particularly distinguished for his remarkable keyboard sonatas, of which some 555 are known.

The novelty of Franz Anton Hoffmeister' double bass quartets lies in his substitution of that husky-voiced instrument for the first violin in a regular string quartet line-up.

Remembered as the first of the great piano virtuosos, Muzio Clementi condensed his years of composition and performance into the monumental, three-volume Gradus ad Parnassum.

I love the piano and those who love the piano. The piano as a medium for expression is a whole world by itself. No other instrument can fill or replace it's own say in the world of emotion,... more

Furtwangler' successful collaboration with two outstanding orchestras is showcased on this disc. In the weighty and trenchant 1951 performance of Beethoven' 'Emperor' Piano Concerto, soloist Edwin... more

Arturo Toscanini was the second cellist in the orchestra of La Scala, Milan, for the triumphant first performance of Verdi's Otello on 5th February 1887.