Featuring most of his best known harpsichord works played by one of today's finest soloists, this is truly a J.S. Bach bargain bonanza box.

The Goldberg Variations is one of the greatest contrapuntal dissertations for keyboard ever conceived.

The seven partitas (six numbered ones plus the French Overture) represent one of the most inventive and extensive surveys of those dance forms typically found in French baroque suites.

The Italian Concerto is a real knuckle buster requiring the harpsichordist to be both soloist and orchestra.

As a bonus there are five other works including the fiendishly difficult Chromatic Fantasia and Fugue in D minor.

A superb soloist, a fabulous instrument, lush sound and a ridiculously low price make this irresistible. (P060616)

-- Bob McQuiston, Classical Lost and Found (CLOFO.com)

If there was ever a bargain, this is it! At less than Naxos prices per disc, you'll get all of Britten's greatest sacred music, and then some, in what many consider definitive performances, most of which are conducted by the composer.

Highlights include the ever popular Noye's Fludde and monumental War Requiem. Then there are rarities like Cantata Academica, Golden Vanity, Little Sweep, Spring Symphony, St. Nicolas and all three of the Church Parables, as well as many other vocal treasures.

There's also a bonus audio documentary of Britten rehearsing and talking with those who recorded the requiem. Most will find the work much more meaningful for having heard it.

On ten remastered discs, these selections have never sounded better or been more moving. This is definitely an offer you can't refuse! (P060615)

-- Bob McQuiston, Classical Lost and Found (CLOFO.com)

Known more for his sacred music, these orchestral pieces by Ernst Pepping (1901-1981) will come as a welcome surprise to those who love late romantic German music. Unlike the ultraromantic, harmonically dense works of his teacher Franz Schreker, Pepping's have a neoclassical simplicity that makes them totally refreshing.

There's a jaunty, almost impish directness about the first symphony which is quite delightful.

The second is more introspective, moody and thought provoking.

Stylistically the third harkens back to the first, but it's programmatic in that its four movements describe different times of the day.

The animated piano concerto is very engaging and somewhat reminiscent of Prokofiev's efforts in this genre.

All of the performances are excellent and the sound is right on the money. (P060614)

-- Bob McQuiston, Classical Lost and Found (CLOFO.com)

These concertos are atypical in that each is in six movements. They might better be considered as "mood suites" highlighting one particular instrument, and in that respect they're contemporary music with something definitely new to say!

Many know Ned Rorem (b. 1923) primarily through his outstanding songs, where the words are of paramount importance. But in these multimovement concertos it's his imaginative melodic lines that speak to us. They run the emotional gamut from wistful to sinister with the timpani at times intoning a "stalking bass" that's absolutely hypnotic. While their tunefulness renders these works immediately accessible, there's such a wealth of them that they'll keep you returning to these concertos again and again.

A lovely brief poem, "Pilgrims," begins the program.

Excellent performances and good sound make this a release not to be passed up! (P060613)

-- Bob McQuiston, Classical Lost and Found (CLOFO.com)

Well, the Academy for Ancient Music Berlin folks have done it again! And, if this baroque bash featuring the music of Georg Philipp Telemann (1681-1767) doesn't remove your wig, nothing will.

The overture Hamburger Ebb und Fluth is also known as his Water Music, and you may even find that you prefer it to the distinguished Mr. Handel's. It's a highly programmatic, colorful piece from one of the most cosmopolitan and good natured of baroque composers.

As if that weren't enough, the disc is filled out with two very inventive concertante works for recorder, strings and basso continuo. You'll find your interest never flags, because the composer skillfully juxtaposes Italian ritornello and aria-like elements with dance ones similar to those typically found in French baroque suites.

These stunning virtuosic performances are in a class by themselves, and the sound is simply superb, making this a release that baroque buffs should definitely not be without. (P060612)

-- Bob McQuiston, Classical Lost and Found (CLOFO.com)

There are three reasons why Messiaen fans should have this collection.

First, it contains all of his greatest works.

Second, for the most part, the performances are definitive. The soloists include such greats as pianists Yvonne Loriod and Pierre-Laurent Aimard, plus organists Marie-Claire Alain and Olivier Messiaen himself. Also represented are conductors Pierre Boulez, and Kent Nagano, along with such first-class orchestras as the Berlin Philharmonic, French National and the ORTF.

And third, we're talking bargain prices, i.e. about $7.25 per disc! "But, I already have some of these," you say. Well, take them to the secondhand store and consider it an additional discount!

Except for a couple of items, Messiaen supervised the recordings; and, the sound? C'est magnifique! (P060611)

-- Bob McQuiston, Classical Lost and Found (CLOFO.com)