From the opulence of opera to the intimacy of solo piano: four centuries of luscious, languorous music that will seduce and delight. Music by Delibes, Cilea, Rachmaninoff, Puccini, Bizet, Monteverdi, Rodrigo and more.Art by Lord Frederic Leighton, Charles Landelle and Rupert Bunny.Timeless art and great music: ABC Classics and the Art Gallery of New South Wales present a new collection of albums bringing together culture from through the ages. From nineteenth-century visions of grandeur in Epic Classics to the sacred tradition in Divine Classics, and from Australia’s own artistic heritage to the world of the Modernists, these albums provide rich insights by bringing art and music together. Previous collaborations between ABC and AGNSW include music audio-guides for the blockbuster exhibitions The Greats, Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera, and Nude: art from the Tate collection with the acclaimed Nude Live performances in collaboration with the Sydney Dance Company and the Sydney Festival. 

Music can lift the mind to the heavens, and create an image of the divine here on earth. This collection surveys a millennium of music written for the Christian church, from the medieval nun Hildegard of Bingen to the modern-day mystic John Tavener, via baroque masterworks. Music by Handel, Bach, Allegri, Tallis, Mozart, Vivaldi and others.Art by Sano di Pietro, Domenico Beccafumi and Andrea Andreani.Timeless art and great music: ABC Classics and the Art Gallery of New South Wales present a new collection of albums bringing together culture from through the ages. From nineteenth-century visions of grandeur in Epic Classics to the sacred tradition in Divine Classics, and from Australia’s own artistic heritage to the world of the Modernists, these albums provide rich insights by bringing art and music together. Previous collaborations between ABC and AGNSW include music audio-guides for the blockbuster exhibitions The Greats, Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera, and Nude: art from the Tate collection with the acclaimed Nude Live performances in collaboration with the Sydney Dance Company and the Sydney Festival.

From Debussy and Ravel to Stravinsky and John Cage, the 20th century opened new worlds of musical colour and texture and brought new understandings of how music could speak to us. Music by Debussy, Ravel, Stravinsky, Ives, Holst, Vaughan Williams, Britten and Berio.Art by Margaret Preston and Grace Cossington Smith.Timeless art and great music: ABC Classics and the Art Gallery of New South Wales present a new collection of albums bringing together culture from through the ages. From nineteenth-century visions of grandeur in Epic Classics to the sacred tradition in Divine Classics, and from Australia’s own artistic heritage to the world of the Modernists, these albums provide rich insights by bringing art and music together. Previous collaborations between ABC and AGNSW include music audio-guides for the blockbuster exhibitions The Greats, Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera, and Nude: art from the Tate collection with the acclaimed Nude Live performances in collaboration with the Sydney Dance Company and the Sydney Festival. 

A celebration of the grandeur and splendour of orchestral music, and its power to lift the human spirit and open up new visions for the future. Music by Strauss, Brahms, Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, Copland, Mendelssohn and more.Art by Eugene von Guérard, Conrad Martens and WC Piguenit.Timeless art and great music: ABC Classics and the Art Gallery of New South Wales present a new collection of albums bringing together culture from through the ages. From nineteenth-century visions of grandeur in Epic Classics to the sacred tradition in Divine Classics, and from Australia’s own artistic heritage to the world of the Modernists, these albums provide rich insights by bringing art and music together. Previous collaborations between ABC and AGNSW include music audio-guides for the blockbuster exhibitions The Greats, Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera, and Nude: art from the Tate collection with the acclaimed Nude Live performances in collaboration with the Sydney Dance Company and the Sydney Festival. 

New music in an ancient land: Australian composers paint in sound their visions of the past, present and future of their country. Music by Percy Grainger, Peggy Glanville-Hicks, Peter Sculthorpe, Nigel Westlake, Elena Kats-Chernin and more.Art by Tom Roberts and Brett Whiteley.Timeless art and great music: ABC Classics and the Art Gallery of New South Wales present a new collection of albums bringing together culture from through the ages. From nineteenth-century visions of grandeur in Epic Classics to the sacred tradition in Divine Classics, and from Australia’s own artistic heritage to the world of the Modernists, these albums provide rich insights by bringing art and music together. Previous collaborations between ABC and AGNSW include music audio-guides for the blockbuster exhibitions The Greats, Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera, and Nude: art from the Tate collection with the acclaimed Nude Live performances in collaboration with the Sydney Dance Company and the Sydney Festival. 

Almost three decades in the making, The Wiggles Duets sees Emma, Lachy, Simon and Anthony sing some of their favourite tunes alongside some of the most sensational entertainers from Australia and abroad!Guest stars include Guy Sebastian, Slim Dusty, Kylie Minogue, Katie Noonan, Jimmy Barnes, Paulini and Troy-Cassar Daley, plus Steve, Terri, Bindi and Robert Irwin and many more!

Seventeen years into an astonishing career, Damien Dempsey releases his seventh studio album, his most exciting work to date, Soulsun.The lead single and opening title track gets straight to the point. Soulsun is accompanied by a colourful and life-affirming video directed by legendary rock photographer Steve Gullick, who has shot iconic images of Nirvana, Beck and Nick Cave over the years, just to mention a tiny few.“As ever, people can take their own meanings from it, but for me, it is about the sun that shines from within,” Dempsey explains.Soulsun sees the man affectionately known as Damo team up with a stellar cast of female guest vocalists, who are referred to as ‘the mighty Celtic Warrior High Queens’.Dido, who sold 21 million copies of her debut album, No Angel, sings on a tender love song entitled ‘Beside the Sea’. Fellow Dubliner Imelda May appears on ‘Big Big Love’ and ‘Pretty Girl Tree’ features Dingle singer Pauline Scanlon.Soulsun was recorded in long-term producer John Reynolds’ studio in north London. The striking cover image was created by renowned Dublin graphic artist Maser, who Dempsey worked with on large-scale mural works.Amidst all the plaudits Damo has won over the years, one of the most notable is contained in Morrissey’s Autobiography. The legendary singer describes Dempsey performing at a session in Dublin’s Four Seasons Hotel. “Damien captivates and enchants with all the love of one blessed and unselfish,” Morrissey writes. "I see myself crying at his funeral, missing him already.”“I’m not sure exactly what I did to deserve such praise," Dempsey says. “I had absolutely no idea I was in it until the book was published, but it’s nice to be appreciated by such an incredible artist and writer who’s unquestionably an absolute genius.”

After almost two years since the release of her successful self-titled EP, Caitlyn Shadbolt has worked hard to create a new album that truly shows her growth and commitment to the craft. ‘Songs On My Sleeve’, Caitlyn’s exciting debut album, will be released May 26th via ABC/ Universal Music.Songs On My Sleeve is a personal album for Caitlyn Shadbolt, who spent time in her hometown, Sydney, Nashville and Bali penning the songs. Produced with Andrew Cochrane (Veronicas), it’s an album of love, friends and relationship breakups, but ultimately delivers some very positive messages.Featured in the list of album credits are some of the world’s most gifted and awarded songsmiths such as hip hop / R&B, Grammy award winning producer, M-Phazes (Eminem, Daniel Johns and Eskimo Joe); renowned producer John Alaiga (John Mayer, Jason Mraz and Ben Folds Five); country star, Brooke McClymont (The McClymonts); and ex-pat Aussies Kylie Sackley and Phil Barton who between them have had hit songs recorded by the likes of US superstars Alan Jackson, Leann Rimes and Lee Brice.Plus, signing on for a powerful duet is Reece Mastin who, apart from winning X Factor in 2011, has had number 1 singles and a double platinum, self-titled album.Songs On My Sleeve is set to surprise and delight and will herald the arrival of this talented songstress in Australia and abroad. Watch this space, Caitlyn Shadbolt is a rising star in the truest sense!

ABC Music is releasing a 2CD compilation celebrating the most popular, most loved and the most played Blues & Roots tracks of the past year. Featuring huge hits and festival favourites both locally and abroad, this compilation pays homage to respected stalwarts as well as embracing the new generation of Blues & Roots music.Featuring Kaleo, Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats, City and Colour, Michael Kiwanuka, The Waifs, St. Paul & The Broken Bones, Dan Sultan, Billy Bragg & Joe Henry, Taasha Coates and many more stellar Blue & Roots artists.Track Listing:CD 1:1. Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats – Parlor2. The Record Company – Off The Ground3. Dan Sultan – Magnetic4. St. Paul & The Broken Bones – All I Ever Wonder5. Hollie Smith – Water Or Gold6. Matt Andersen – Honest Man7. Ash Grunwald – Hammer8. Son Little – All Wet9. Elli Schoen – Mumma10. Dustin Tebbutt – Wooden Heart11. William Crighton – Hope Recovery (Talking To God)12. The Stray Birds – Shining In The Distance13. The Wilson Pickers – Pulled Apart By Horses14. Halfway – Bret Canham’s Leather Jacket15. Timberwolf – Washed Out16. Billy Bragg & Joe Henry – Hobo’s Lullaby17. Esmé Patterson – Yours And Mine18. Jeff Lang – Fugitive GhostsCD 2:1. River Whyless – All Day All Night2. Kaleo – Way Down We Go3. Max Jury – Numb4. Michael Kiwanuka – Love & Hate (UK Radio Edit)5. Turin Brakes – Save You6. City and Colour – Peaceful Road7. Andrew Phelan – Young Hearts (Live)8. Josh Pyke & Sydney Symphony Orchestra – The Summer9. The Waifs – Ironbark10. Winterbourne – To Get To Know You11. Busby Marou – Getaway Car12. Tami Neilson – Holy Moses13. Melbourne Ska Orchestra – Mercy Lord14. Taasha Coates – High Times15. Pierce Brothers – Overdose16. Raised By Eagles – Shape & Line17. All Our Exes Live In Texas – Boundary Road

Melbourne’s Raised By Eagles comprises Luke Sinclair (guitar/harmonica/vocals), Nick O’Mara (guitar/lap steel/mandolin/vocals), Luke Richardson (bass/backing vocals) and Johnny Gibson (drums, percussion, backing vocals). The band’s self-titled debut, released in 2013 quickly alerted people in the know to sit up and take notice, while their second release, 2015’s Diamond In The Bloodstream confirmed beyond doubt the fact that RBE were indeed a very special band.  Beautifully crafted and evocative lyrics, a strong sense of identity in the story-telling, combined with first-class players and a deft and knowing touch had critics unanimously singing the band’s praises. Taking out ‘Best Country Album’ and ’Best Emerging Artist’ at the Age Music Victoria Awards (2015) RBE went on to be the showcase artist at the Americana Music Festival in Nashville the same year.  2016 saw them playing almost every available festival including Queenscliff, Port Fairy, Dashville and many more.  2017 promises to further broaden Raised By Eagles’ horizons.I MUST BE SOMEWHERE was recorded in 3 months at Shane O’ Mara’s Yikesville studio in Yarraville, with the album’s opening track and first single Shape & Line getting plenty of airplay, ‘Shape & Line’ reflects an excitingly bigger, more electrified sound and gives the band’s many admirers a long-awaited taste of something new.Raised By Eagles is a band of integrity and a generosity of spirit. A band that remains unaffected by the smoke and mirrors of music in the post-modern era, and encapsulates the art of storytelling at it’s heartfelt finest…

“You will hear music created on the brink of cataclysm, proclaiming as it does with such intensity the survival of art and beauty in a hostile world. Any new recording of music from the short-lived Weimar Republic deserves our rapt attention, and now the world-renowned Australian baritone, Peter Coleman-Wright, offers a thrilling selection from this repertoire.”– Barry Humphries, in his introduction to Ballads of the Pleasant Life.Distinguished baritone Peter Coleman-Wright steps off the world’s opera stages to present a rare recording of music close to his heart: the remarkable songs written as the Weimar Republic descended into Nazism in the 1920 and ‘30s, by composers at home in Germany and Austria who were then forced to flee into exile. These songs capture the spirit of the times: defiant, soulful and searching, but also capable of moments of exuberant joy and hope.The music of Kurt Weill sits at the heart of the album. We meet Weill’s infamous creation Mack the Knife, who first saw the light of day in 1920s Berlin and soon became a smash hit. A prominent Jew, Weill fled Germany in 1933. In America, he found his new musical home in the theatre, collaborating with lyricists Ira Gershwin and Maxwell Anderson, including his hilarious catalogue of Russian composers “Tschaikowsky” and the timeless ode “There’ll Be Love, Life and Laughter”.For Weill’s generation, music was the language of protest. Austrians Hanns Eisler and Alexander von Zemlinsky wrote popular songs from the perspective of the downtrodden: the miners, the cotton packers and many more besides.Amidst all this, there were flashes of humour, and the desire to take the rare joys of life by both hands. The album closes with a series of love songs, often sentimental, always heartfelt: film composer Robert Stolz’ praise for the beauties of life’s autumn years; Arnold Schoenberg’s elegy to the exquisite agony of separation; and Franz Schreker’s melancholy tribute to transient love.Peter Coleman-Wright is regarded as one of the world’s leading baritones, with a stellar career in the world’s leading concert halls including Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, the Met in New York and the Sydney Opera House; he finds the perfect foil for this music in the Sydney-based Nexas Quartet. The arrangements of these songs for baritone and saxophone quartet, created especially for this album, reflect a combination that would have been familiar to the clubs and bars where much of this music was first performed.Peter Coleman-Wright baritoneNexas QuartetBenjamin Burton piano

Guitarist Slava Grigoryan joins the Australian String Quartet in three world-premiere recordings, bringing dazzling contemporary voices to the guitar quintet genre first forged in the baroque period. Two of the quintets hail from Grigoryan’s well-established and genre-hopping guitar trio collaboration with Ralph Towner and Wolfgang Muthspiel; the other is penned by Australian Iain Grandage, one of the most original composers of the new generation.Ralph Towner is a celebrated jazz guitarist and his quintet, Migration, inspired by the wild nature of America’s Pacific Northwest, blends the melodic and harmonic language of jazz with a classical sense of development.Wolfgang Muthspiel also fuses two different musical genres, drawing on both “the subtleties of classical chamber music and the beauty of groove”. Described as an “interactive web of equal voices”, the work allows each instrument to shine in its own right.Australian composer, Iain Grandage, also traverses classical, jazz and popular styles in his work. His theatrical flair comes to the fore in this guitar quintet, contemplating the mind’s mystery and complexity in music of kaleidoscopic colour.Slava Grigoryan has developed an international reputation as a guitarist of rare virtuosity and versatility, performing on stages worldwide and cultivating collaborations with classical orchestras, jazz musicians and world artists, and most notably with his guitarist brother Leonard.The Australian String Quartet has for over 30 years dedicated itself to musical excellence with an Australian ‘accent’, reaching out from its home at the University of Adelaide’s Elder Conservatorium of Music to audiences globally. The Quartet performs on a matched set of 18th-century Guadagnini instruments, on loan for the Quartet’s exclusive use through the generosity of Ulrike Klein and UKARIA.TRACKLISTINGRALPH TOWNER b.19401. MigrationWOLFGANG MUTHSPIEL b.1965 
Flexible Sky
2. I. Introduction – One More for Igor
3. II. 
4. III. Laws of Perspective 
5. IV.
IAIN GRANDAGE b.1970 
Black Dogs 
6. Prelude 
7. I. Più mosso
8. II. Adagio –
9. III. Subito allegro
10. Postlude Slava Grigoryan guitarAustralian String QuartetDale Barltrop violin IFrancesca Hiew violin IIStephen King violaSharon Grigoryan cello