The

The music of Shakespeare's England - ballad tunes, country dances and elegant consorts - seems at first to be quintessentially English. Yet many of these tunes, as popular dances or in the high-art variations of division music, were inspired by Celtic and Spanish styles. In variations, from 17th-century manuscripts and in improvised divisions, 'gypsy' ballads are metamorphosed into exquisite consort music.

Originally released in 1970 by little-known Chicago imprint Futuro, ‘Vamonos / Let’s Go!’ is the first and only album recorded by Brooklyn neighbourhood salsa band ‘The Orchestra Soledad’. Led by trombonist and singer Hector Ramos, the music of Orchestra Soledad is characterised by brash and energetic salsa arrangements created by Ramos himself, who also composed (or co-composed) all of the music featured on the LP.

"Love Is Strong" is the opening track, and first single, by The Rolling Stones from their 1994 album Voodoo Lounge…

"Out of Time" is a song by the Rolling Stones, first released on their 1966 album Aftermath (UK version). A shorter alternative mix was released in the US in 1967 on the album Flowers…

Already hailed as his country's foremost composer, Sibelius completed what was to be his only concerto in early 1904, and its spellbinding and instantly recognisable opening can surely be counted amongst the most iconic of any. A virtuosic violinist himself, Sibelius beautifully evokes Finland's natural landscape and ancient folklore, which continues through Sibelius's 1917 work for violin and orchestra – the Six Humoresques – demanding a considerable level of technique. Violinist Fenella Humphreys joins with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales and conductor George Vass to present these formidable works with a world premiere recording of a new work for violin and orchestra by the American composer Nors S. Josephson – Celestial Voyage.

What could be more welcome than a little repose and respite from the demands of daily life? The works on this album tell stories of life and love, of tranquillity and stillness, some naïve and simple, others infused with complex imagery. This beautiful album features a stunning selection of music spanning over 500 years. From exuberant early works such as Hoyda, hoyda, jolly rutterkin and I am a jolly foster to Will Todd's sublime Whisper Him my name, Maxwell Davies' Lullabye for Lucy, Stanford's glorious The Blue Bird, and a new commission from Roderick Williams, this is truly music to escape to.

The Baltimore Consort used to do programs similar to this one, but The Harp Consort takes the production values and vocal artistry to an even higher level. From the opening, a highly rhythmic, sensuously melodic traditional Breton number, you're drawn into a world of earthy, folk-based music that's filled out with the colors of period instruments and brought to life by the expressive voices of singers who allow the flow and pulse of the language to shape phrases and create natural accents and inflection. The result is affecting, engrossing performances that convey what we can only surmise is a reasonably accurate realization of these ancient and justifiably enduring tunes.