New releases: Dvorak, Sibelius and some more 'Explosive Classics'

10 July 2017, 10:00 | Updated: 10 July 2017, 10:58

Throughout the week Classic FM’s presenters bring you the best new recordings, including world exclusives and premiere broadcasts of latest releases.

John Suchet plays a track from his featured Album of the Week at 10.15am every weekday. 

Dvořák: Symphony No. 9 'From the New World' / Sibelius: Finlandia

Chineke! Orchestra & Keven John Edusei

Drawn from exceptional musicians from across the continent, the Chineke! Orchestra is part of the Chineke! Foundation - a non-profit organisation that provides career opportunities to young Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) classical musicians in the UK and Europe. Their motto is Championing Change and Celebrating Diversity in Classical Music.

The orchestra is the brainchild of Chi-chi Nwanoku MBE, FRAM, who describes the project's aim as being "to create a space where BME musicians can walk on stage and know that they belong, in every sense of the word. If even one BME child feels that their colour is getting in the way of their musical ambitions, then I hope to inspire them, give them a platform, and show them that music, of whatever kind, is for all people."

In their debut release live from the Royal Festival Hall in a new series, Chineke! Orchestra perform two beguiling works: Sibelius's Finlandia and Dvorák's much loved Symphony No. 9: From the New World. Both pieces encompass different aspects of BME influences in Western Classical music: Sibelius's Finlandia embodied a national sentiment in both the composer's homeland of Finland as well as for other small nations seeking to free themselves from subjugation from other countries (becoming the national anthem of Biafra during the civil war of 1967-1970), and although underplayed by critics at the time, Dvorak's work rings with melodies influenced by the folk music and spirituals sung to him by his African-American student and assistant, Harry Burleigh, and with rhythms and pentatonic sections inspired by the music of the Sioux Indians, all wrapped up in the format of a Western Classical symphony.

John Brunning plays a track from his featured Drive Discovery at 6.15pm every weekday.

Explosive Classics

Chandos

This compilation gathers exhilarating performances of some of the loudest orchestral pieces ever written. The powerful, characteristic Chandos sound is best revealed in these resounding recordings of popular works. So turn up the volume of your Hi-Fi, move away any glass or crystal, make sure your neighbours are either out, deaf, or very good friends, ... and enjoy!

Purchase from Amazon here.

David Mellor picks out his three favourite new releases every week - including his own Album of the Week, a Bargain Boxset and a Bargain Album - bringing you lots of new recordings to explore.

Brazilian Landscapes -Michala Petri,Daniel Murray, Marilyn Mazur

Our Recordings

Legnani: Rossini Variations

Naxos

Purchase from Amazon here.

Arias and Scenes from Operas: Yuri Mazurok, The State Academic Bolshoi Theatre Orchestra, Mark Ermle

Melodiya

Purchase from Amazon.