Autodromo Nazionale DI Monza Monza, Ita

Although not as satisfying in terms of overall content as the individual soundtracks, this concert recording of Ennio Morricone film music with the composer leading the Orchestra and Chorus of the Academia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia has its virtues. Among the latter are the superb musicianship of a full-blown classical orchestra and chorus and the exceptionally clean sound, although this also has its flaws – the quality of the recording is impeccable, although there is a certain lack of presence; producer David Mottley and recording engineer Mike Sheady could have tried for a closer, more intimate sound, although the performance's wit and charm come through along with the virtuosity of the players.

This recording of Turandot, Puccini’s spectacular final opera marks a number of important firsts. Before the recording sessions in Rome in March 2022, Sir Antonio Pappano had never conducted Turandot; neither Sondra Radvanovsky, who takes soaring title role, nor Jonas Kaufmann as Turandot’s suitor, Calaf – who sings ‘Nessun dorma’ – had previously performed the opera. It is also the first studio recording of Turandot to include the entire, crucial final scene as completed after Puccini’s death in 1925 by Franco Alfano.

Anastasiya is a young, talented violinist. Born in Ukraine in 1994, she has been performing since the age of 8. Having just recently graduated at the ZHdk Academy in Zurich, this is her first album. In this recording, she plays the "Toscano", which is one of the best Stradivari violins. Luigi Piovano conducts the strings of the Orchestra dell'Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia. Her interpretation of Vivaldi's Four Season is a unique combination of the Italian cantabile, the Slavic ardor and the Nordic limpidity.