Lancelot Flemme

Rick Wakeman joined forces with a full symphony, Banda Sinfonica Jovem Do Estado De Sao Paulo, in Brazil to create this themed album from his compositions, The Myths and Legends of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. Seven tracks on the theme are supplemented with the bonus cut "Pirates." Playing his music with the full splendor of an orchestra (augmented with a rock band, keyboards, piano, vocalists and choir) provides a proper perspective to his music and writing. This truly symphonic rock album is a testament to the genius that is Rick Wakeman, and a must for both Rick and Yes fans alike!!!! Rick's keyboards are skillfully played by Theophilo Augusto Pinto, "Theo". Rick's piano parts are beautifully played by Adriana Gesso do Amaral.

Joncières epitomises the Romantic artist fascinated by nobility and grandeur. This is clear from the titles of his works alone: Sardanapale, Lancelot, Le Dernier Jour de Pompéi, Le Chevalier Jean, Dimitri. Listening to the latter, his masterpiece (1876), we realise too that he was a contemporary of Gounod and a champion of Wagner. Dimitri carries on the tradition (begun by Meyerbeer) of spectacular, monumental works. It takes the listener from a monastery near the River Don to a palace in Krakow, then to the castle of Wyksa and finally the Kremlin in Moscow. At the time it was written, Bayreuth, Orange and Béziers were about to turn opera into a popular art with mass appeal.

The most comprehensive edition devoted to Gioacchino Rossini marking his 150th anniversary. Born in 1792, Rossini was the most popular opera composer of his time. Although he retired from the Opera scene in 1829, he continued to compose in other genres, including sacred music, piano and chamber works. He did gather his late works under the ironic title Péchés de vieillesse (Sins of Old Age), which veils a true collection of masterworks.