[ HDtracks ]
Title: Carl Orff: Carmina Burana
Artist: Richard Hickox | London Sinfonietta | London Symphony Orchestra | Tiffin Boys' Choir
Genre: Classical / 20th Century
Label: Chandos
Release Date: 2008
Format:Audiophile 88kHz/24bit

[ Description ]
Recorded live at the Barbican Centre in November 2007, Richard Hickox conducts Carl Orff’s immensely popular dramatic cantata Carmina Burana with the London Symphony Orchestra and Chorus and soloists, Barry Banks, Laura Claycomb and Christopher Maltman.
Orff is reputed to have declared around the time of Carmina’s first performance, ‘Everything I have written to date, and which you have printed, can be destroyed. With Carmina Burana, my collected works begin.’ He had a strong interest in theatrical presentations and conceived the work as a pageant. The idea came to Orff in 1935 when he encountered an edition of medieval songs edited by the poet Johann Schmeller. The vivid and colourful songs were those sung by the goliards – hedonistic students and traveling monks who celebrated their riotous pursuits in bawdy and profane poetry. The 24 ‘cantiones profanae’ chosen by Orff were translated and the composer set them to music for three vocal soloists, three choirs and a large orchestra featuring triple woodwind, two pianos and no fewer than five percussionists

Carmina Burana - Fortuna Imperatrix Mundi - O Fortuna Spectrum

[ HDtracks ]
Title: The Union (Deluxe Edition)
Artist: Elton John & Leon Russell
Genre: Rock
Label: Decca Records
Release Date: 2010
Format: Audiophile 96kHz/24bit

[ Description ]
This stunning album pairs multiple Grammy® winner Elton John (one of the top-selling solo artists of all time, with over 250 million records sold) and legendary Grammy® winning pianist Leon Russell (who will be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2011). Featuring guests Neil Young, Brian Wilson, Booker T. Jones, Robert Randolph, and a 10-piece gospel choir, it’s no wonder that The Union is one of the most critically acclaimed albums of 2010.

Hey Ahab (3) Spectrum

[ HDtracks ]
Title: Anna Netrebko - Sempre libera
Artist: Anna Netrebko
Genre: Classical
Label: Deutsche Grammophon
Release Date: 2004
Format: Audiophile 88kHz/24bit

[ Description ]
On this stunning album, Anna Netrebko delivers spine-tingling renditions of arias by four of the greatest composers of Italian opera: Bellini, Donizetti, Verdi and Puccini. Conducted by the great Claudio Abbado, this is a true masterpiece—a must have for any fan of opera or orchestral music

Bellini - La Sonnambula - Act 2 (Track 5)