NAX

The master of Italian Baroque music is indisputably Antonio Vivaldi. Throughout his life, he composed hundreds of works, and is remembered perhaps second only to J.S. Bach, ranking as one of the most popular composers of all time. His oeuvre crosses an extraordinarily wide range, from instrumental compositions of all types to sacred cantatas and operatic works, a vast number of which are presented in this comprehensive box set.Vivaldi composed a large part of his works while working at the Ospedale della Pietà in Venice, where he was employed as a composer, teacher and violinist. The aim of the foundation was to provide an education and home for orphaned children. Vivaldi remained in the post on and off for over 30 years, and was under obligation to compose a new cantata for every feast day. His reputation, however, grew thanks to his post, adding up to over 140 in his absence. His operatic works grew vastly in number, instrumental skills rather than his compositions at first; as a violinist, he was known for his extraordinary cadenzas and virtuosic playing style. He became better known as a composer when Dutch publisher Etienne Roger brought out Lestro armonico in 1711, a hugely popular collection of 12 violin concertos, included on this release in full. J.S. Bach was particularly enthused by the manuscript, and his transcriptions for organ have gained popularity on their own merit his version is also to be found in this edition, a fascinating point of comparison, and a testament to Vivaldis reputation in his lifetime.During the 1720s and 30s, Vivaldi began to travel widely, while still sending compositionsto the Pietà in Venice when required: despite being unable to teach, he was clearly still a major asset, as he was asked to send two concertos a month by and he began working closely with soprano Anna Girò, who was rumoured to be his mistress. Vivaldi died in Vienna, and, incredibly for such a famous and wealthy man, was given a paupers burial. His last few months in Vienna had been frustratingly lacking in work, as concert houses were closed to mourn the death of Charles VI; however, his last opera was eventually staged posthumously there in 1742.Vivaldi was a divisive figure during his lifetime, well known for being vain and conceited. His vanity, though, is certainly deserved; we are left with the overwhelming evidence. More than 50 operas (of which 21 survived), 500 concertos and 90 sonatas are no mean feat for a man who by all accounts was also a superb teacher and virtuosic violinist. This release draws attention to the diversity of his oeuvre, starting with his instrumental music and moving on to feature his sacred cantatas and operas. It is the most comprehensive edition of Vivaldis music yet, bringing together 66 CDs showcasing hundreds of different performers and ensembles, many of them performing on period instruments as they strive to recreate the sound of the composers timbre through their researchled contemporaneous playing styles.

Viola Da Gamba Edition [21 CD]

Den svenska jazzens "Nationalencyklopedi"<br/>Totalt elva boxar med svensk jazz från 1899 fram till 1970. Från tiden då jazzen först fick fotfäste i Sverige över swing och bebop till Jan Johanssons folkmusikjazz och Radiojazzgruppens nyskapande i slutet av 60-talet! Mängder av unika foton och illustrationer. Affischer och skivomslag. Djuplodande intervjuer med centrala artister som Thore Jederby, Alice Babs, Arne Domnérus, Putte Wickman, Bengt Hallberg, Jan Allan, Georg Riedel, Bernt Rosengren och Bosse Broberg. Svenska jazzklassiker från privata samlingar, radioinspelningar och skivor - allt i renoverat skick och med bästa ljudkvalitet.<br/><br/>Vol. 10 Watch out 1965-1970 <br/>Volym 10 omfattar en musikaliskt omtumlande period, även om tidens massmedia mest talade om krisår. Enligt trumpetaren och dåvarande jazzradiochefen Bosse Broberg var 60-talet och särskilt dess senare del den verkliga guldåldern i svensk jazz. Här finns inspelningar med jazzens elit men även nya artister som Peps Person, Hansson & Karlsson samt utländska namn som George Russell och Red Mitchell.

Brecht & Weill: Complete recordings 1930-60 [10 CD]

Rachmaninov: Complete piano music (Idil Beret) [10 CD]

This box with 10 CDs is a real goody for those with a taste for jazz. It comprises altogether 17 original LPs made by the legendary trumpeter who could also sing with great feeling. Chet Baker's fans reckon him among creators of a trumpet playing style that was more restrained, lyrical and distinguished by a typical coolness inspired by Miles Davis.<br/><br/>At the age of ten he was given a slide trombone by his father that he exchanged for a trumpet, to be like his idol Harry James. In a very short time Baker taught himself to play simple swing tunes and showed he was also a talented improviser. He became well-known as a trumpeter in Gerry Mulligan's quartet. He was co-writer alongside Mulligan of the popular hit single "My funny Valentine".<br/><br/>Parallel to his popularity however, grew also his addiction to drugs and he had to endure a two-year stretch in jail. After making it through a long and difficult period he played better than ever before and made his best records, in 1978 in Europe, for several different labels. A further high point was a successful tour in Japan.<br/><br/>But despite success the life of this brilliant musician ended tragically. In 1988 he fell from the window of a hotel room in Amsterdam. It still remains unclear whether it was an accident that happened under the influence of drugs, or a case of suicide.

Getz Stan: 18 original albums 1956-62 [10 CD]