New Releases: James Newton Howard – The Nutcracker and the Four Realms, Jean-Efflam Bavouzet – Mozart: Piano Concertos

5 November 2018, 10:00 | Updated: 5 November 2018, 10:01

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. You can buy your own copy from the Classic FM store here.

James Newton Howard – The Nutcracker and the Four Realms

Disney

The music for this film is inspired by Tchaikovsky's ballet The Nutcracker and includes themes and melodies that have been adapted from the original ballet, capturing the magic of both the original ballet and the new story.

Composer James Newton Howard said: "The score is very traditional – a big orchestra score – with lots of woodwinds and strings, plus tinkle bells and celeste and chorale music".

The score was recorded by conductor Gustavo Dudamel and the London Philharmonia. Dudamel said of the album: "Add a little Disney movie-making magic to this and the results are stunning – an instant holiday classic."

Jean-Efflam Bavouzet – Mozart: Piano Concertos

Chandos

This is the third volume in the collaborative series from Jean-Efflam Bavouzet and Manchester Camerata under Gábor Takács-Nagy.

This album explores 1784 – a prolific year for Mozart – with his piano concertos No. 15 and No. 16, and the Quintet for Piano and Winds, which Mozart regarded as his finest composition to date. Not only were they written in the same year, but all three compositions were written in the same month.

This recording by Bavouzet and Manchester Camerata is a sparkling performance of some of the masterpieces Mozart wrote at only 28 years old.