Over the last few years, Frank Bridge’s music has been enjoying a major resurgence. Even with his increased presence in the catalog, however, this disc (the fourth volume in Chandos’s continuing series devoted to his orchestral works) deserves special attention. The main offering, in both size and substance, is Oration (1930), a concerto for cello and orchestra in a single, freewheeling movement lasting around half an hour. If the title and the general description lead you to expect something in the nature of Bloch’s Schelomo, you won’t have trouble finding resemblances.

These distinguished recordings featuring star soloists and Leonard Bernstein in some of his favourite repertoire have not been available internationally for several years. Montserrat Caballé is one of the most famous sopranos of our time, while the disc is also a fine memento of the great Bulgarian bass Nicolai Ghiaurov (1929-2004).

Dmitri Shostakovich: Symphony No. 15 in A major op. 141; Piano Sonata No. 2 op. 64 -
The Philadelphia Orchestra, Eugene Ormandy, conductor; Emil Gilels, piano
Classical | 1 CD | EAC Rip | 233 Mb | FLAC+LOG+Cue | Scans | RS links and 4 share links
Publisher: BMG Classics - RCA

Eugene Ormandy and the Philadelphia Orchestra gave the American premiere of Shostakovich's valedictory symphony in 1972, followed by its first recording outside the Soviet Union. Collectors may remember its shrill, emasculated sonics, due in part to those notorious matzoh-like dynaflex LP pressings that made RCA infamous in the 1970s. Appearing now for the first time on CD in RCA's High Performance series, the Ormandy Shostakovich 15th blooms with vivacity and life, filling the room with the fabled Philadelphia sound… A major release. [2/10/2000]–Jed Distler, classicstoday.com

Sonny Rollins - A Night At The Village Vanguard (1957) [1999 Blue Note RVG Remaster]
EACRip | MP3 @320 -> CD1: 139 MB ; CD2: 165 MB | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> CD1: 282 MB ; CD2: 357 MB | Full Artwork Scans -> 13 MB
1999 Blue Note | 99795 | Jazz / Hard Bop

This CD is often magical. Sonny Rollins, one of jazz's great tenors, is heard at his peak with a pair of piano-less trios (either Wilbur Ware or Donald Bailey on bass and Elvin Jones or Pete La Roca on drums) stretching out on particularly creative versions of "Old Devil Moon," "Softly As in a Morning Sunrise," "Sonnymoon for Two," and "A Night in Tunisia," among others. Not only did Rollins have a very distinctive sound but his use of time, his sly wit, and his boppish but unpredictable style were completely his own by 1957. Originally released as separate albums, A Night at the Village Vanguard was reissued in its entirety, complete with alternate takes, as a two-disc set in 1999; it was part of Blue Note's acclaimed Rudy Van Gelder reissue series.