LATEST NEWS    LATEST RELEASES      FUTURE RELEASES

LATEST NEWS

January 27: We are sorry to report that the esteemed British composer Robert Crawford died on January 26. His music which is well crafted and lyrical had seen a substantial boost of interest recently, with the 2012 release by Delphian of a CD of his string quartets, which followed our disc of chamber music by Crawford and John Veale (metier msv28520)

December 10: You can now pre-order the first three new releases for 2012; these should be available for delivery to online customers by around 15 January. They are all from our Metier stable, and very excellent recordings of new music - of very differnt styles. Click 'Latest releases' for information. Also we want to refer to 'The Finck Album'. This wonderful sequel to the best selling 'Monckton Album' was originally scheduled for 2006.. but despite regular compalints, we never received the recording or the artwork and notes promised. Eventually the master recording arrived earlier this year, but no promised essay on the composer. So we decided not to wait, and are writing our own notes so that we can release this long -overdue album. It should be available here by February and in stores by April or May 2012. We have had dozens of queries asking about the CD which features the superb light orchestral (and some vocal) music of the English composer and conductor Herman Finck. This is the best of British light music from the early 20th century (around 1910-1918) .

November 21: We now have in store the second of two excellent CDs made privately by Peter Katin. Katin is a pianistic legend, one of the foremost musicians of the last 50 years and his commercial recordings remain best sellers to this day; we are fortunate that he now is closely associated with Divine Art. RP002 contains works by Chopin, some recorded at the Wigmore Hall and other live concerts, and the 3rd Sonata recorded in Peter's own studio. To promote this and the earlier private issue RP001 (Fifty Years of Music Making) the latter is reduced to £8.50. Don't overlook the other Katin discs on Diversions and Athene including the only recordings he has made using period instruments.

October 6: Last new release of 2011, and a very important one. 'Madrigali: Fire and Roses' is a fabulous disc of choral music from original 15th and 16th century madrigals to new works, absolutely stunning, by three contemporary composers: James Macmillan, Morten Lauridsen, and Paul Mealor. This CD features Paul Mealor's own choir, which he conducts, in the original version of the music adapted for the British royal wedding in April 2011. The version, in fact, heard and loved by the royal couple. dda25094

October 2: As an addition to Trevor Barnard's fine book 'Neglected Areas of Piano Teaching' an extra article on Rhythm can be downloaded free of charge -see here

September 24: One more new release now available in our webstore, which finds veteran star pianist Peter Katin, still at the top of the tree after almost 60 years of performing, playing a wonderful programme of piano music by Brahms. At mid price on Diversions ddv24157. We have one more release this year (and a very special one it is) but the focus of our attention passes for the time being to the new building development. The spring CD release schedule is already starting to look very intriguing with world premiere recordings of great variety. Also new to the online store: several more titles from Move. We are adding back catalog, but none of these CDs have been available outside Australia up to now. Some artist names may not be familiar, but the qualilty of performance, interpretation and repertoire is consistently first class. The new titles are shown on the index page

September 8: Major News Flash: Our parent company, Diversions LLC, has acquired a large "for-development"' building on the outskirts of Brandon, with plans to convert it over a 3-5 year period into a major music and arts complex. Formerly part of the Brandon State Training School, the 52,000 square foot building previously housed classrooms, dormitories, assessment rooms and extensive medical facilities. Vacant for 19 years, the building has been stripped of all its electric cables and plumbing, so the first job is to reinstate these and reconnect services, as well as dry out the building , which structurally is in surprisingly good shape. It is planned to move the Divine Art group offices into the building this winter, with the Phonograph Museum following. The remaining developments will be mainly community based and a non-profit (charitable) foundation is to be set up to raise funds to carry out the development, and manage the center. Full details will be posted soon: we are holding talks with potential partners, project managers and funding agents, working on a name, and preparing a rough action plan. While relevant chiefly to our USA operations, the new project is bound to involve Divine Art UK, and many of its artists, and we are looking forward to the new development eagerly.

September 7: Superb new release, not in the shops until October: Songs and Chamber Music by David Dubery, The quality of Dubery's work and the beauty of some of his pieces is superb. Do give this CD a try, as a fine introduction to modern lyrical music. Metier MSV28523

August 11: Australian chamber ensemble Trio Anima Mundi have signed to Divine Art USA, to make their new CD, of 20th century piano trios

August 10: We have a fantastic new batch of releases from the Move label. First is a truly awesome, wonderful and atmospheric disc of music for low flutes played by Peter Sheridan. Following his previous CD which is proving very popular, the new one also includes the largest flute of all - the hyperbass, which reaches down further than a grand piano.. 'Monologues and Dialogues' includes new music which is lyrical and beautiful.(md3349). Also well worth discovering is the range of music from different cultires explored on two CDs titled 'Bridges; volume 1 (md3281) has music from Australia, Korea and Romania, and volume 2 (md3342) features Czech and Romanian composers. A splendid new CD called Argentine Cello (self-explanatory) is on md3347 and lastly for this month, a 1979 title re-issued by public demand - one of the finest organ CDs you can find, which includes selections from the series of inaugural recitals for the new organ of Sydney Opera House (md3030)

August 3: Our parent company Brandon Music has a regular series of live music events at our music cafe, from classical to jazz to traditional music.. see details on Brandon Music's 'happenings' page Next up on August 13 we have acoustic jazz/bluegrass/light rock band Wiley Dobbs; on August 27, a capella vocal jazz group Maple Jam; on September 9 we host the senior faculty and students from Point Counterpoint music school for a chamber music recital, followed on Saturday 10th by another brilliant vocal group - this time the ladies of Maiden Vermont.

We welcome local specialists in swing and bluegrass, Michele Fay Band, on Sunday afternoon, Sept. 18. October 1st sees the wonderful concert pianist Diana Fanning appear; then over the weekend of October 21/22 we haev a very special event, with two top New York jazz bands: Joe Fonda Group with vocalist Nicole Metzger on Friday 21, and John Menegon and Teri Roiger with their band on the 22nd. Do come and support Brandon's first Jazz Fest.

July 28: Classic Fm magazine picks Anthony Goldstone's 'Unheard Mozart' in its top ten Mozart CDs!!!!

July 18: Peter Sheppard Skaerved's imposing and awesome recording of worls by George Rochberg is Editor's Choice (July 2011) in Classical Music Magazine (msv28521)

July 13: The autumn releases have arrived in stock this month and are now available in the webstore ( high street and other web dealers from September). We are very proud of this group of recordings which include dda25100, volume 8 of the Russian Piano Music - devoted to Mussorgsky. AlsoThese are: dda25030 (Bach Piano Concertos), dda25090 (Rainlight - Evocations of Water), dda25101 (Delicias - Spanish Delights for Piano Duo), ddv24155 (Erik Chisholm Piano Music volume 7) and msv28522 'Pipings and Bowings' - Lyrical English chamber music . Also see 'New Releases' below

April 28 - ROYAL WEDDING MUSIC. Paul Mealor's 'Ubi Caritas' played at the Wedding, is an adaptation of his 'Now Sleeps the Crimson Petal' - to be issued on dda25094 in the summer, and now available as a digital only EP from all major providers: see more info and a buy-link here

April 23: SEE JONATHAN RICHARDS play his compositions "Bittersweet" and "Romance" on YouTube here - both works published by our associate company Brandon Music

April 16: The latest release from Move - a fabulous recital of rare modern and Romantic Russian Piano Music - the ideal accompaniment to our main Russian Piano Music Series, played by Larry Sitsky. Over 150 minutes - 2CDs for the price of one. MD3328

April 14: Due to the annual and inexorable price hike in Royal Mail services,several times the rate of inflation, we unfortunately have to raise our own postal/shipping charges. This year, we can keep the 'Rest of World' charges unchanged, but as from 1 May 2011, all small packet delivery charges to UK/Europe will be increased by 20p. This is the first increase in our UK postal charges for a number of years - sadly we can longer absorb the increases in the cost of stamps and mailing packets.

April 14: DIGITAL ONLY RELEASES: We have just released our first three digital releases: dda25098 (Hans Gal Piano Duos), and ddv24154 (British piano duos by Holst and Elgar) will be issued on CD later; dds29002 is a digital EP featuring the fabulous choral work by Paul Mealor, 'Now Sleeps the Crimson Petal' - this EP is a 'taster' for the forthcoming CD album 'Madrigali, Fire and Roses' (DDA25094) These are currently being set up and will be available very soon.

April 8: We are very sorry to report that Joanna Leach, founder of Athene Records and sublime pianist specializing in historic instruments, died peacefully this morning after a long illness. A tribute website and new recordings are being prepared in her memory.

April 6: Two more lovely short works for solo guitar now available from our publishing associate - 'Bittersweet' and 'Romance' by Jonathan Richards - browse our numerical index and click the 'books and scores' link.

MAJOR CHARITABLE PROJECT
If there is any charitable organisation which above all commands respect and gratitude, it is Macmillan Cancer Support. The work of the Macmillan nurses is legendary as we know personally. Divine Art is honoured and delighted to be able to support Macmillan with the issue of a splendid new CD by Carol Jarvis, a brilliant young trombonist (and sufferer from Hodgkin's Lymphoma) and perfect role model for those afflicted. The CD is for obvious reasons aimed at the mass easy listening market, with new arrangements of jazz and Broadway classics, and four new pieces written specially for the album; Carol is accompanied by a fine session orchestra under the direction of Roderick Dunk (regular conductor of the BBC Concert Orchestra). We hope that the quality of the music will appeal also to hardcore classical enthusiasts. The project has attracted the very generous support of many people, not least artist and TV presenter Rolf Harris, who has donated a splendid portrait of Carol for the cover. "Smile" is on Diversions DDV24150.

WEBSITE and NEWSLETTER
Our e-newsletter is published every 2 or 3 months, with details of new releases.  This will contain discount vouchers so to avoid the newsletter ending up in your spam folder, make sure that you clear mail from us and add our address to your "whitelist".  To subscribe to the newsletter, please click here

FUTURE RELEASES:   See below for details - we have some delights in store for you and see the Forthcoming Page.

For quick reference, you can now download our catalogues in pdf format or browse the listings.

LATEST RELEASES (last 12 months - click on catalogue number for more information and to order

DECEMBER 2011
To be offically released early 2012, these three fine discs are available to order here now for delivery around the turn of the year, featuring three very different styles of new music all essential for anyone wanting some fresh listening. All from Metier, they are: 'Natural Science' - works by Christopher Fox, performed by Trio Scordatura (msv28526); 'Thesaurus of Violinistic Fiendishness' (composed by Paul Pellay) - an epic work for solo violin played by Peter Sheppard Skærved - a work which is exceptionally virtuosic but far more approachable than the title suggests - (msv28527) and four very fine string quartets by John Ramsay, performed by one of Europe's leading ensembles, the Fitzwilliam String Quartet (msv28528) Both the Pellay and Ramsay discs are in fact 2-CD sets at special price.

NOVEMBER 2011
Our disc of the year: 'Madrigali: Fire and Roses' is magnificent... a program of madrigals from the 15th-16th centuries is accompanied by modern short pieces by Gustav Holst and James MacMillan and two major works: 'Madrigali' by Morten Lauridsen, and 'Now Sleeps the Crimson Petal' by Paul Mealor which includes his music, chosen personally by Prince William, sung at the Royal Wedding last April. More importnatnly this is the oriiginal version by Con Anima Chamber Choir, conducted by the composer. Divine Art dda25094.

SEPTEMBER 2011 (in retail stores September or October - available here now)
Volume 8 of the Russian Piano Music series is devoted to Mussorgsky with lesser known but more correct and authentic versions of works than are usually produced. Anthony Goldstone excels even more than usual in a superb recital on dda25100. A really fabulous autumn schedule also sees five more great recordings of superb and often unfamiliar and refreshing music; also in a long-running series is Volume 7 of the Erik Chisholm Piano Music - still an unknown to many but again championed by top British pianist Murray McLachlan, this composer's work continues to receive the most incredible critical praise. See it on Diversions ddv24155. A third solo piano disc this month but totally different from the last two, is 'Rainlight' by Jeremy Eskenazi, one of the brightest young stars of the piano. Here he perfoms works which evoke water - from Debussy, Liszt, Beethoven, Chopin and several new and very beautiful and evocative works by Australian composer Alicia Grant; you can find this on divine art dda25090. Turn one pianist (or even piano) into two, and you meet on of the most brilliant duos anywhere - Anthony Goldstone and Caroline Clemmow, whose recordings just seem to get better and better, which hardly seems possible. Their new disc, on divine art dda25101, is called 'Delicias' (Spanish Delights) and is truly a delight. And to top off a fine month for piano music, we have the legendary Peter Katin playing Brahms - ddv24157 - which will not be in the shops until November, but can be purchased here now. This CD at midprice first appeared in 1990 and received rave reviews.

Back to one piano and add a small chamber orchestra and you are ready for the Klavierkonzerte (Keyboard Concertos) by J S Bach, four of which are recorded by Peter Seivewright with the Scottish Baroque Soloists on dda25030. This performance on modern piano makes sensible use of appropriate modern and period practices in order to produce a satisying and musical interpretation.

Next, two wonderful discs of new lyrical English music - if you want to hear new and intersting repertoir, but aren;t keen on the avant-grade or 'challenging' music, do please try either or both: first, 'Pipings and Bowings' - a disc of lyrical and quite enchanting (though well crafted and not at all superficial) chamber music by three English composers who are being more and more respected for their individuality - Michael Hurd, Robin Milford and Dick Blackford. Violin, recorder and piano feature chiefly in this performance by solists and the Manchester Chamber Ensemble (metier msv28522). Then on msv28523 we have a superb disc of songs and chamber music by David Dubery: top names appearing include mezzosoprano Adrienne Murray, recorder player John Turner and award winning guitarist Craig Ogden among several others.

MARCH 2011
Two more instalments in our Russian Piano Music series are now available in our store - other high street and online dealers won't have them until June. Fine Russian pianist Sergei Dukachev plays Rachmaninov (vol. 6 - dda25095) and Prokofiev (vol. 7 - dda25096). We also have more new titles from Move Records of Australia - check out the numerical list for information. From Metier comes the world premiere of the Violin Sonata by George Rochberg in a stunning live performance by Peter Sheppard Skærved and Aaron Shorr. This is coupled with Peter's fabulous solo performance of Rochberg's Caprice Variations, formerly issued on its own, The new 2 CD set is msv28521.

FEBRUARY 2011
Three very different CDs - as usual!. For the lover of more traditional music, a stunning new recording by Gilbert Rowland of eight of the Harpsichord Suites by Handel - genuine baroque masterpieces (dda21219) - to lyrical English song, an area we have explored quite a lot recently, and a recital of songs by John R. Williamson, settings of poems by Byron, Coleridge, Housman and Sassoon. Previously issued on Dunelm to high critical praise, and now transferred for international distribution to Diversions ddv24153; performed by baritone Mark Rowlinson with David Jones (piano). And thirdly, right up to date, a disc of contemporary music for flute, performed by the amazingly virtuosic Richard Craig. An excellent presentation of the very latest cutting-edge flute music.(msv28517)

JANUARY 2011
Delightful, traditional, beautiful, lyrical - all describing the wonderful music of English composers John Veale and Robert Crawford who deserve to be so much better known. Anyone who loves Delius, Finzi, and their successors will delight in this new CD performed by Linda Merrick (clarinet), John Turner (recorder) and the Adderbury Ensemble (msv28520). Some exquisite performances of classical repertoire - Diana Boyle performs Bach's Art of Fugue in a recording which had ears pricking up at the BBC at once (dda25097) and Jill Crossland provides superb interpretations of piano sonatas by Mozart and Beethoven (ddv24147). We are delighted to announce that the CD by Andreas Boyde and the Freiburg Philharmonic Orchestra is now again available (previous stocks were badly damaged in a flood) - this performance drew undilted praise from critics (ath 23016). And on a different track we are launching the new CD by British guitarist/dulcimer player Dan Evans, traditional and new songs from the English folk heritage, on DanSIng DSM6).

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2010
First a superb debut by the Mexican Baroque Orchestra conducted by Miguel Lawrence in brilliant performances of baroque concertos by Vivaldi and his lesser known contemporary Giacomo Facco, using authentic Mexican instruments for continuo which give a more vital and more warmer sound than the usual harpsichord (dda25091).

Two discs of contemporary music, but of very different styles. John Rose is a British composer writing in a very traditional yet individual idiom which might be called neo-baroque - certainly the inspiration of Bach underlies much of his excellent compositions on dda25092. His two string quartets are played by the acclaimed Edinburgh Quartet, and Robert Melling contributes two fine Preudes and Fugues for piano. Something very different from the pen of David Lumsdaine, Australian now living in the UK and married to another fine composer, Nicola LeFanu. 'White Dawn' (metier msv28519) is a 2 CD set which presents chamber and vocal music which has strobng roots in Nature and its sounds - especially the extrardinary birdsong to be found in Australia. Intertwined with recordings of the actual creatures and their wonderful voices, these works are well worth exploring. Performed by Lesley-Jane Rogers (soprano), John Turner (recorder), Peter Lawson (piano) and Gemini directed by Martyn Brabbins.

Our third disc is from our celebrated and brilliant pianist Anthony Goldstone - for a change, not exploring new repertoire, but presenting a programme of well known pieces linked to his famed teacher Maria Curcio who died in 2009 - but we still include one world premiere recording - and the CD also includes a rare recording made by Curcio, with Elisabeth Schwarzkopf - the disc is titled 'Inspiration - Homage to Maria Curcio. Details here: dda25086

RECORDING PLANS (See also 'future releases' page

The list of ongoing projects is growing again (over 40 CDs in the schedule), and here are details of some of the recordings planned for release soon. Many more are in preparation, including over 100 more from Move and several from the Dunelm catalogue (see above).

The best selling Metier disc by far is the Complete Piano Music of Tristan Murail, played by Marilyn Nonken. Murail is of the mainly French, post-Messiaen 'Spectral' school of composers, and we are delighted that Marilyn Nonken is to make a new CD featuring music by two more composers of the genre, Hugues Dufourt and American Joshua Fineberg who is writing a new work for the album. New Metier CDs in preparation also include the piano music of Brian Ferneyhough played by Ian Pace.

New music of an approachable nature comes from celebrated British composers Ed Hughes and Peter Lea-Cox.

The Russian Piano Music series has reached 8 volumes - preparations are now in hand for volumes 9 and 10 to be released in 2012.

Ronald Stevenson is a legend among living composers, and has enjoyed a long association with pianist Murray McLachlan. A special project is in hand, involving the composer and the Ronald Stevenson Society, to record a triple CD of Stevenson's music including the awesome Festin d'Alkan, and other pieces. This recording is being funded by sponsorship; if you would like to make a donation to the fund, send us an email.

Turning to the world of Light Music, many readers will know of The Monckton Album, award winning and best selling CD. We are delighted that after some lengthy delays, we will soon be issuing its successor, The FInck Album. This lovely recording by the soloists and orchestra of Theatre Bel-Etage includes vocal and instrumental pieces by Hermann Finck (1872-1939), once a household name, whose music is fresh and delightful - also includes selections from his stage works. Expect this to be available early in 2012.

Murray McLachlan, whose series of 7 discs of the solo piano music of Erik Chisholm, has now, together with Graham Scott, also recorded Chisholm's wonderful works for two pianos, which should be out by mid- 2012.

More baroque music of the highest quality from Italian composer G A Guido, whose "Four Seasons" is very different from Vivaldi's but a magnificent work. The first recording of this masterpiece will be released on Divine Art by mid 2012 performed by The Band of Instruments. We also await with great anticipation a disc of 20th century piano trios from Australian group Trio Anima Mundi.

The distinguished writer, lecturer, broadcaster and composer Antony Hopkins is 90 this year. Hardly any of his music is available on CD, a disgraceful state of affairs. We are preparing, for release in February 2012, a 2-CD set of Hopkins' music which will also include a little suite written for him by 6 distinguished composers. Including songs, ensemble and solo piano music, this will be fabulous tribute to a great man whose work has been given less than its fair due. This set is being produced with the help of generous donations from many leading household names and other musicians and supporters.

One of the UK's most celebrated flute soloists, Susan Milan, has joined Divine Art and has signed an initial four-CD contract; this will see two discs with pianist partner Andrew Ball, one of 19th century "flute showcases" and the other of contemporary British music was released in 2010 to great critical acclaim (metier msv28510). There will also be two discs of chamber trios in preparation now is a recital of trios for flute, viola and harp including works by Bax and Mathias; as well as these four discs, we are planning several more with Susan including orchestral recordings.

Top piano duo Goldstone & Clemmow have their first new album for two years with a disc of Spanish fireworks. Meanwhile their acclaimed duo version of Holst's "Planets" which has been out of print for a while (previously on Olympia) will be re-released on Diversions - the digital download should be available by April, with the CD version later in the year. The same applies to their fine disc containing the complete piano duos by Hans Gál - super Romantic-era music well worth discovering.

Two British composers are added to our roster of fine and individual music to discover - and their techniques could hardly be more different. David Jennings writes quite outstanding tonal music and has had CDs produced in Poland with a stunningly good Polish pianist. his Divine Art debut will be performed by a top pianist. Meanwhile, rapidly rising star pianist Mary Dullea (whos has recorded recently for Naxos, Altarus, and Delphian as well as ourselves) plays music by Eric Craven - a most individual composer whose 'non-prescriptive' techniques are challenging but produce awesome results in the right hands. Both are definitely to look out for.

There are about 20 more recordings for the Metier label in various stages of preparation, and we are working with Metier Productions to bring these to release soon.  Volumes 5 and 6 of the "Beethoven Explored" series with violinist Peter Sheppard Skaerved and pianist Aaron Shorr have been recorded recorded for release next year.  Meanwhile, Metier's modern music series continues with more very fine contemporary progammes - already mentioned is the Veale and Crawford disc - then regular Metier artist Ian Pace presents a disc of piano music by Brian Ferneyhough, which promises to be of major interest and also very challenging.

The fourth volume of our Galuppi piano sonata series is underway.  Meanwhile, pianist Peter Seivewright is also busy with several projects.  Following the recent release of "American Piano Sonatas" a further four volumes in this series are being prepared.  Peter has also recorded Bach's Goldberg Variations  and a disc of the magnificent piano music of Max Reger.   These should see release dates in 2012.