Beethoven/ Soloists of the Lucerne Festival Orch - SeptetsHow did Ludwig van Beethoven become a great symphonist? A milestone on his way there is marked by the Septet, which he composed in 1799, on the threshold of a new century, for this large scale chamber work, with it's mixed instrumentation of winds and strings, already assembles an orchestra "en miniature". At the same time, however, Beethoven thus founded a new genre of ensemble music, which was to be followed by numerous composers from Franz Schubert

the way they play their instruments

It makes for an intriguing and very entertaining musical snapshot of the music scene as the war receded in people's minds and a momentous new decade in music approached

captured these shows on his "Sonic Journals" -his working diary recordings that are known for their uncanny ability to recreate the sonic landscape of the venue

this collection includes favourites such as Rebel-'Rouser

arranger and composer

and Pat Boone's "Friendly Persuasion"

This substantial and excellent-value 87-track 4-CD collection comprises

Horace Silver

"I'm Walking Behind You"

2 I Said No

Bobby Bland and James Brown formed the core of the chart

The sparse setting of just guitar and percussion allows for careful examination of Bhattacharya's awe-inspiring technique