This second volume of the complete piano works ranges in date from 1950–55. The Partita is notable for its alternation of the intimate and the intensely dramatic, whereas the Sonatina is lyrical, though never straightforward. The Piano Sonata No 4 fuses folk inspiration, rhythmic vivacity and melancholy in a profoundly personal way.

Arguably the most brilliant jazz guitarist of the 20th century, Belgian gypsy player Django Reinhardt virtually reinvented the form with a unique two-finger style and the application of his own highly individualistic improvisatory method. The documentary release Django Reinhardt: King of Jazz Guitar both explores and pays homage to Reinhardt's life and career, and features selections from Reinhardt interpretations of 21 classics including "Tiger Rag," "I Saw Stars," "Charleston," and "Lisa."

Turandot, Puccini's last opera, contains some of the most glorious music that he composed. And this performance does complete justice to the music. It is as close to a perfect performance that is possible. Dame Joan Sutherland, who never performed the role on stage, is as cold as ice as the man-hating princess until Calaf wins her heart. At that moment she transforms into a warm hearted lover.

On the cover of Anastasis, Dead Can Dance’s first album in 16 years: a field of sunflowers, ripened, and then blackened, by the sun, standing with sad, slightly crowned heads. Less dead than dormant, the heads and stems will one day be chopped, but then via the roots, will return. For Anastasis is the Greek word for ‘resurrection’ and the seemingly dead will dance again.“I thought ‘Anastasis’ was a good title given our reunion,” explains Brendan Perry, who, with Lisa Gerrard, formed the band in Melbourne, Australia in 1981. The pair released seven studio albums and one live album, before going their own ways after 1996’s “Spiritchaser”. “’Anastasis’ also means ‘in between two stages’,” he adds. “Regeneration comes with the next season.”

“Lepta", also originally released in 2004, represents more of a small step forward rather than giant leap for Arkona, bearing a sound recognisable to anyone who knew "Vozrozhdenie" well as the synth of Dimmu and Nightwish, coupled with Masha's femininised screams and the folk element of Turisas (undeniably used heavily before Turisas broke it big) give the band a fairly unique sound.

Mark Cook (guitarist/producer) resides in Atlanta, GA. Mark is a four time winner of the "JPFolks" music awards - held each year in Los Angeles, CA. for "Best Blues Album of the Year" and "Best Rock Instrumental of the Year". Also, received "Honorable Mention" in the "International Songwriter's Competition" - Mark is a voting member of the Recording Academy and is actively pursing music licensing and has had some recent placements in such TV shows as FOX's "Touch", NBC's "Grimm"…

The Blues Company was by frontman Todor Todorovic (Known to his fans as Toscho) with a sound that united generations with its lively, varied and simply timeless live sound….

Louis Armstrong was the first important soloist to emerge in jazz, and he became the most influential musician in the music's history. As a trumpet virtuoso, his playing, beginning with the 1920s studio recordings made with his Hot Five and Hot Seven ensembles, charted a future for jazz in highly imaginative, emotionally charged improvisation. For this, he is revered by jazz fans. But Armstrong also became an enduring figure in popular music, due to his distinctively phrased bass singing and engaging personality, which were on display in a series of vocal recordings and film roles.

This 1995 symphony represents in an important way a stylistic departure for Sumera: It uses aleatoric procedures as an important element. In the case of this symphony, Sumera's system of aleatoric music is very logical and is subordinated to a strong musical sense of emotion, which is quite striking. The main motive of the symphony is announced on orchestral bells, playing a motive that derives from a basic tone-row used in the symphony……..

Joseph Stevenson @ Allmusic