Symphonic (2019)

A virtuoso pianist with rock star-like charisma and an original composer who has forged a unique musical style, blending the depth and discipline of classical tradition with the dazzling diversity of world music.

All the great conductors on Deutsche Grammophon from the 1930s to the 2000s in one essential box set! A 40-CD original-jacket collection! Several recordings are new to CD, or have their first international CD release. Iconic recordings alongside rarer gems. 112-page booklet with new liner notes by Julian Haylock. The ideal cornerstone for any library of orchestral music.

"The symphony performance under Eivind Aadland has everything you would hope for: lots of energy and excitement, with a very fine, well-prepared orchestra." (American Record Guide) The complete edition of Edvard Grieg's symphonic works with the WDR Symphony Orchestra under Eivind Aadland is now available as a set. This edition is especially convincing thanks to the authentic approach of the Norwegian Eivind Aadland. Vol. 1 and 2 are dedicated to the original orchestral works, whilst Vol. 3 contains a portion of the transcriptions of works that Grieg had originally composed for the piano.

Ekseption is a Dutch band that was famous during the late sixties/early seventies for the way it combined themes from classical composers with contemporary rock and jazz in a blend of dominating, virtuoso keys and trumpet plus sax(es).
The band came as close as any group from the European continent ever did to stealing the thunder of early classical rock outfits such as the Nice and rivaling the early work of Emerson, Lake & Palmer. In Holland, they charted singles based on classical compositions and released successful concept albums, and were - along with Focus - the top progressive rock band in the Dutch-speaking world.

Lemuria is an Antwerp-based symphonic black/folk metal band established in 1999 (as Spinal Chill until they renamed themselves to Lemuria in 2001). After the release of their second album in 2010 (Chanson De La Croisade) the band suffered multiple lineup changes until fully emerging again in 2018 and announcing their third studio album, “The Hysterial Hunt,” released through German record label Massacre Records…

Formed in 2000, Visions of Atlantis have been through quite a few lineup changes over the years with drummer Thomas Caser being the only original member left in the band. Current vocalist Clementine Delauney is the band’s fifth female vocalist over the past 19 years, and having joined in 2013 is the second longest serving member of the band’s current lineup. Before joining Visions of Atlantis she sang with Whyzdom and Serenity…

Greatly admired by his contemporaries, Gabriel Dupont studied with Massenet, then became a disciple of Vierne and Widor; he is one of those composers whose too-brief career prevented them from taking their merited place in the history of music. Despite suffering a chronic bout of tuberculosis in 1901, Dupont managed to enter for the Prix de Rome, obtaining a ‘second prize’ (ahead of Maurice Ravel). This composer has been partly rediscovered over the past few years – mainly his piano works,songs, and some rare chamber works – yet his symphonic music remain salmost entirely unknown. The compositions on this disc are the very first recorded collection of his complete orchestral repertoire, and they mark the course of Dupont’s brief creative years, from the three-part symphonic sketch Jour d’Été (1900), to the poignant Le Chant de la Destinée (1908), and including the orchestrated piano pieces Les Heures dolentes. Dupont’s language is a passionate synthesis of late 19th century French traditions with his quest for a new identity, a new path: one that weaves around the tracks of his contemporaries, sometimes crossing the border into German musical territory.