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For a production at the King's Theatre, Handel had created a mixed version of his Italian serenata Aci, Galatea e Polifemo HWV 72 and the English masque Acis and Galatea HWV 49a, which was performed semi-staged several times in 1732 with a star cast (including Senesino) to great acclaim. For today's ears, the musically attractive version HWV 49b suffers not least from the mixture of English and Italian text. In keeping with Handel's intentions, a purely Italian version was created here with additions from Italian works by the composer. The result is as convincing musically as it is scenically and would have deserved its own number in the catalogue of works.

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Perhaps now overshadowed by his earlier ballet Checkmate, Miracle in the Gorbals was a tremendous hit for Bliss and the Sadler’s Wells Ballet company. First performed in 1944, it was repeated in every season through to 1950. Based on a scenario by Michael Benthall (inspired by Jerome K. Jerome and Dostoyevsky), the ballet features the appearance of a Christ-like figure amid Glasgow’s most infamous slum. This mysterious Stranger performs a miracle, reviving the Girl Suicide, who in despair had earlier thrown herself into the Clyde. The locals rejoice, but an Official (Benthall had in mind a priest) is jealous and, after a failed attempt to cast doubt on the virtue of the Stranger via the local Prostitute, has him slashed to death by a razor gang. Bliss’s score employs a wide range of styles and harmonic language, and also exploits Leitmotifs for the principal characters.

Francois Meimoun writes of this new release: “The transcription of the Goldberg Variations took place within a context of total respect for the original text. No change of notes or rhythms. The transcription is based on an “orchestration” of the text for four string players. As in an orchestra, all the instruments in the string quartet are not systematically required simultaneously: variations for two, three, or four instruments follow in succession.

The debut album of pianist Friederike Sieber Seelenübervoll is featuring lieder from the late Romantic period and works by Alma Mahler, Erich Wolfgang Korngold, Richard Strauss, and Alexander von Zemlinsky are performed.

Previously unreleased Chicago 1971 Live Concert from The John F. Kennedy for the Performing Arts available on 4xLP and 3xCD. Chicago was one of the first musical acts to perform at The Kennedy Center, after spending their time in 1971 developing songs for their live shows that would be included in future projects, such as Chicago V, which was recorded soon after. Fans will enjoy hits such as "Saturday In The Park" which was first performed at this show, "25 to 6 to 4", and many more!

Previously unreleased Chicago 1971 Live Concert from The John F. Kennedy for the Performing Arts available on 4xLP and 3xCD. Chicago was one of the first musical acts to perform at The Kennedy Center, after spending their time in 1971 developing songs for their live shows that would be included in future projects, such as Chicago V, which was recorded soon after. Fans will enjoy hits such as "Saturday In The Park" which was first performed at this show, "25 to 6 to 4", and many more!