The Spirit of Philadelphia

Massive 10 CD boxset celebrating the legacy of the Philadelphia International label and the unforgettable music released from the early '70s up through the early '80s. Philadelphia International expert Ralph Tee compiled this boxset for the label following his previous ground-breaking 14 x vinyl LP box set in 1986. This time, Ralph has the added benefit of a further 25 years of experience studying the Philadelphia International operation and a lot more time to play with: almost 800 minutes or over 131/2 hours of pure quality music from one of the greatest labels of all time. Also included within the package will be a 60 page full-size booklet containing full sleeve notes and track details from Ralph Tee, which will also include a number of archive photos and key album scans. Harmless.

Innovative string trio Time For Three (TF3) – praised by Simon Rattle as “benevolent monsters, monsters of ability and technique surely. But also conveyors of an infectious joy that I find both touching and moving”– releases the new album Letters for the Future with the Philadelphia Orchestra led by Xian Zhang on Deutsche Grammophon on June 10. The album comprises world premiere recordings of two technically demanding and musically virtuosic concerti for trio and orchestra by two Pulitzer Prize-winning composers, written fifteen years apart but both commissioned for the group: Jennifer Higdon’s 2007 Concerto 4–3 and Kevin Puts’s brand-new Contact, the first track of which is available May 20.

Sometimes great things are worth waiting for… It has been nearly ten years since the renowned Philadelphia Orchestra made new recordings available on a regular and worldwide basis. This is Ondine's first release in its new groundbreaking partnership with The Philadelphia Orchestra, which calls for a minimum of three recordings to be released per year (for more information click here). The partnership agreement has attracted international media attention, including major articles throughout the international press (e.g. The Wall Street Journal, July 21, 2005; Gramophone, July 2005).

30-song set. Tour premiere of “Streets of Philadelphia.” “Night,” “Working on the Highway,” and “Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)” return to the set. “I’ll See You in My Dreams” is dedicated to Dee Theiss, the wife of The Castiles’ George Theiss, and to the memory of Michael Shave, Bruce’s nephew. Four songs from 2020’s Letter To You: “Ghosts,” “Last Man Standing” and “I’ll See You in My Dreams”. “Last Man Standing” features a new arrangement. “I’ll See You In My Dreams” is performed solo acoustic to end the show. One song from 2022’s Only the Strong Survive: “Nightshift” (written by Franne Golde, Dennis Lambert and Walter Orange, popularized by The Commodores). Concert stalwarts like “Because The Night,” “Dancing in the Dark,” and “Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out” are performed in tighter, shorter versions. “Thunder Road” is the main-set closer.