FROM THE LOVELY, LANGUID opening words, “Dalle cime dell’Alpi” (From the tops of the Alps), as Winter returns from the mountains to learn from the other seasons of the death of the Virgin Mary, this new recording makes a case for Marcello’s 1731 oratorio, Il Pianto e il Riso delle Quattro Stagioni. Fresh voices, attentive to text and to stylish phrasing, portray the siblings Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter, supported by the lively playing of the Ensemble Lorenzo da Ponte and vigorous singing of the Venice Monteverdi Academy under the direction of Roberto Zarpellon.

David Sun’s deep love of Nature and communion with the natural world is reflected in the collection below. Since his first attempt at recording the sea, he has been committed to creating a reminder through his musical compositions, art and writing, of the deep beauty and preciousness of life.

Semele was first presented in London in 1744; it was billed as an oratorio for murky reasons, but indeed it is operatic. I believe that this is the third recording of the work: John Eliot Gardiner’s (on Erato) is severely cut, and although much of the singing is good, it can’t compare with John Nelson’s complete, gorgeous performance (on DG) played on modern instruments. This latter is a lithe, brilliant show with Kathleen Battle in her greatest recording as the vain, self-destructive Semele and Marilyn Horne and Samuel Ramey close to magnificent, with tenor John Aler an elegant if slightly underpowered Jupiter.

Other than jazz and classical, there are few other musical genres where vocals don't dominate, but Ronnie Earl sets out to prove that blues can be another. This entirely instrumental album never lags for a second of its hour-and-a-quarter playing time, all without a word being sung. Instead, Earl uses his magnificent guitar tone – a stinging combination of Santana, Hubert Sumlin, Mike Bloomfield, Otis Rush, and Albert King – and command of dynamics to wring more soul from his material than all but a handful of vocalists could ever achieve. He does this without the blinding speed or enhanced volume of the most popular blues six-stringers, but by the sheer intensity of his playing on these 11 tracks.

Australian power metal band Black Majesty return with their seventh studio album, Children Of The Abyss, slotted for worldwide release on September 21st via their German label Pride & Joy.

Legendary thrash/deathers Messiah from Switzerland invite you to their rehearsal space to listen to some original recordings from the years 1985-1987. "Space Invaders" is a journey to the roots of Messiah and reflects their joy of experimentation at that time.